Cosmetic Dentistry: What It Is and How It Works

Maybe you're familiar with the adage, “nothing you wear is more important than your smile." While that may be true, we might sometimes feel that our smile could use a little help to keep us looking (and smiling) our best.

Learn more about what cosmetic dentistry is and how it can help improve your smile.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a practice of professional oral care focused on improving the overall appearance of your teeth, gums and smile. Some common cosmetic dental procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, teeth straightening and dental implants.¹

It's important to keep up with general preventative and restorative dental care, such as regular teeth cleanings and fillings, to maintain healthy tooth function. But cosmetic dentistry treatments can complement overall oral health by enhancing a patient's smile, with the potential added benefits of improved self-esteem and confidence.²

What Can Cosmetic Dentistry Do?

Consider cosmetic dentistry to:³

• Brighten discolored or stained teeth
• Repair teeth that are chipped or cracked
• Address gaps between the teeth
• Correct misaligned or misshapen teeth
• Boost confidence and self-esteem with an improved smile

Examples of Cosmetic Dental Procedures

There are different options for cosmetic dental procedures, depending on the look and outcome you're going for. Let's look at some of them.

Teeth whitening

According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the most common response to the question “What would you most like to improve about your smile?" was whiter and brighter teeth.⁴ Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic dentistry procedures, and one of the least expensive.¹

Over time, teeth can become stained from consuming certain types of food or drink, such as berries, coffee, tea, soda or red wine. Teeth might also become yellowed or discolored due to medication, tooth trauma, tooth decay, exposure to high levels of fluoride or tetracycline or from other habits such as smoking.⁴

The two most common tooth-whitening procedures are:

1. In-office teeth whitening. Teeth whitening in your dentist's office allows for the use of professional-grade whitening gels, which can result in teeth that are five to 10 shades whiter in about an hour. These treatments typically include a buffer gel to protect against tooth and gum sensitivity. The effects of in-office teeth whitening can last for a year or more, depending on how often you keep up with at-home maintenance and other oral hygiene habits.⁴
2. At-home teeth whitening: Home whitening systems are popular because they're readily available, relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Examples include whitening strips, paint-on gels, mouth trays with whitening gel or whitening toothpaste. It takes more time to see results with at-home treatments, and the degree of whitening is typically less dramatic than what can be achieved in a dentist's office.⁴

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-designed tooth coverings made from porcelain, resin or ceramic. They are often used to address crooked teeth, gaps or damaged or discolored tooth enamel.¹ Consult with your dentist to see if you're a good candidate for dental veneers and if they're the right option to achieve the results you're looking for.

To apply traditional porcelain veneers, your dentist must first grind away a small portion of the original tooth enamel, usually less than a millimeter. The veneer is adhered to the original tooth, then hardened using a special curing light. The process is usually spread out over several visits and can take anywhere from two to four weeks.⁵ Porcelain veneers typically last about 10 to 12 years before they need replacing.³

Lumineers® is a brand of porcelain veneer that some patients may consider an alternative to traditional veneers. They are made of an ultra-thin laminate and are sometimes called “no-prep" veneers because they require less prep work and have a faster process to apply than traditional veneers. As they're thinner, they may not be a good solution for discolored teeth.⁶

Lumineers tend to be less expensive than traditional porcelain veneers as well. Traditional porcelain veneers may cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth, while Lumineers run between $800 and $2,000 per tooth.⁶

Clear aligners

There are more options than ever to address malocclusions or misaligned teeth, including products such as Invisalign® — clear, custom-made teeth aligners worn like a retainer to reposition your teeth into better alignment.⁷

You can consult with either an orthodontist or your dentist to determine if clear aligners like Invisalign are a good treatment option for you.

The clear aligner process begins with an initial consultation, after which your provider takes impressions of your teeth to create a series of custom aligners or “trays." Aligners are changed and adjusted approximately every few weeks until the teeth are properly positioned.⁷

One of the benefits of clear aligners is that, unlike traditional braces, clear aligners can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing, thereby supporting better dental hygiene. And because they're clear, aligners are less conspicuous than traditional braces.

That said, treatment with aligners versus traditional braces may take longer, depending on individual treatment plans. The average cost for an aligner treatment program such as Invisalign is $3,500 to $8,500, while metal braces average $2,500 to $7,500.⁸

Dental implants

You might be a candidate for dental implants if you've experienced severe tooth decay or tooth loss, which can eventually lead to further bone loss in the affected area of the jaw.⁹

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, usually made of titanium, implanted directly into the jawbone, and used to anchor a replacement tooth, called a dental crown. Replacing a lost tooth or multiple teeth can take several months, as time is needed for the implant to adhere and fuse to the jawbone before a replacement tooth can be installed.⁹

Dental implants can cost between $1,500 and $6,000 per implant.¹⁰

Combining cosmetic dentistry treatments

Consult your dentist or orthodontist about a “smile makeover" to determine the best treatment plan for your dental issues. They may recommend combining treatments, as each cosmetic procedure is designed to address different imperfections.

For example, your dentist might recommend a course of teeth straightening followed by in-office whitening for a brighter smile. Or, porcelain veneers may be used in conjunction with dental implants for a long-lasting solution to chipped or decaying teeth.

Whatever your smile enhancement goals, take the time to consult with a qualified, experienced dentist or orthodontist who can assess your needs and recommend the best course of treatment for you.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Cosmetic Dentistry

Whether you're investing in cosmetic dentistry or you simply need a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.^* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or orthodontist near you that accepts CareCredit to help get you on track to your perfect smile. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.