What Are The Latest Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

Cosmetic dental procedures can help improve your smile, but health insurance rarely covers these expensive treatments. With years of experience connecting patients with dental financing options, United Credit stays up-to-date on the latest cosmetic dentistry procedures. Cosmetic dentistry can give you the smile of your dreams if you’re unhappy with stains on your teeth, gaps, or unevenness. Recent innovations have given us the thinnest dental veneers like dental Lumineers; more durable materials for dental implants and dental bridges; and more painless and easy options to correct your bite, such as Invisalign and other invisible braces.

A perfect smile can help stronger teeth and a healthier jaw, and help you feel more confident overall. With dental loan options from United Credit’s network of lending, patients can secure the funds for cosmetic dentistry procedures and start enjoying the benefits of an improved smile. Here are some of the different options you have for fixing unsightly or painful dental problems.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They can improve the look of your teeth and protect the tooth’s surface from damage. Dental veneers are typically made of resin composite or porcelain and can match the color of your teeth to correct gaps or misshapen teeth to give you the perfect smile.

How much do dental veneers cost?

According to Healthline, dental veneers cost an average of $925 to $2,500 per tooth. Dental veneers are not covered by insurance as they are considered cosmetic dental procedures.

How do dental veneers work?

Dental veneers cover imperfections in your teeth to improve your smile. Dental veneers fit over your teeth and match their natural color. Dental veneers cover uneven teeth, gaps between teeth, and other irregularities to create a beautiful smile.

How long do dental veneers last?

Porcelain veneers can last from 10 to 12 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner and last from 4 to 8 years. Dental veneers can become chipped or wear down over time. While dental insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost of dental veneers, some dental insurance plans will cover replacing or repairing existing dental veneers.

How much do dental implants cost?

The cost per tooth for a single dental implant is $3,000 – $4,500. If you need a mouthful of implants, the final cost is between $60,000 and $90,000. The average cost of dental implants includes surgery, all components, and the crown.

How long do dental implants last? 

Dental implants last up to 20 years on average. Dental implants are not made of enamel-like teeth. Dental implants are made of extremely durable materials and last decades. With proper oral hygiene, dental implants can last up to 25 years.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth and can help correct gaps in your teeth and keep your jaw in alignment. A dental implant has three parts: the post, which connects to your jawbone; the abutment, which holds the tooth in place; and the crown, which gives the appearance of a normal tooth. Dental implants are a seamless way to replace natural teeth for a beautiful smile.

What are dental implants made of?

Dental implants are made of titanium, which is extremely biocompatible. It has a low level of toxicity and very few people are allergic to it. The crown portion of the implant is made of ceramic to match the color of your natural teeth.

How much does professional teeth whitening cost?

On average, professional, in-office teeth whitening costs $650 per visit. However, pricing can vary between $500 and $1,000 nationally.

How long does professional teeth whitening last?

Professional teeth whitening typically lasts anywhere from a few months up to a few years. Many factors determine how long your tooth whitening treatment will last, including diet, drinking, smoking, and other lifestyle habits.

How does professional teeth whitening work?

Teeth whitening uses a potent bleaching solution that includes either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth. Teeth whitening is safest and most effective when done by a professional in a dental office environment.

What is the best teeth whitening?

The best teeth whitening is done by a professional in an office setting. Dentists have access to the best treatments to whiten your teeth safely. At-home whitening is not as effective and in some cases, at-home whitening procedures like using charcoal products to whiten teeth may be harmful. Teeth whitening should protect the enamel on your teeth while removing stains.

What is a dental bridge?

Dental bridges are designed to bridge the gap between missing teeth. If you have a missing tooth, it is important to maintain the integrity of your jaw and the alignment of your other teeth by filling in the space. When you have a dental bridge installed, the two teeth on either side of the gap will be given a crown or false top, that matches your other teeth.

Between the two crowns, the bridge holds a false tooth (sometimes referred to as “the third crown” in a three-crown bridge) in place in the gap. The dental bridge keeps your other teeth from shifting and maintains a healthy alignment for chewing and speaking. A bridge can fill in the space of one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges usually only replace two missing teeth at a time, since a larger gap means the bridge will be less stable.

How much does a dental bridge cost?

A dental bridge costs on average $2,000 – $4,500, depending on the materials used. Dental bridges can be made of porcelain, gold, alloys, or a combination of materials.

How long does a dental bridge last?

A dental bridge can last 5 to 15 years or even longer with the right oral hygiene habits. The integrity of the dental bridge is dependent on the health of the supporting natural teeth. Flossing and brushing, as well as avoiding tooth decay through a healthy diet, can help extend the life of the dental bridge.

How much does Invisalign cost?

On average, Invisalign costs between $3,500 and $8,500. In some cases, dental insurance will cover a portion of the Invisalign or invisible braces treatment. Other dental companies treat Invisalign the same as regular braces, while some don’t cover it at all. Check with your dental insurance provider for more information on your coverage for Invisalign.

How does Invisalign work? 

Invisalign uses transparent, retainer-like devices to gently move your teeth into alignment. Invisalign is generally more comfortable than braces.

How long does Invisalign take?

Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months to work. However, some people start seeing results as soon as a few weeks into Invisalign treatment.

How can I clean my Invisalign?

It is easy to clean your Invisalign invisible braces.

1. Rinse your Invisalign in lukewarm water (not too hot).
2. Brush your Invisalign using toothpaste and a toothbrush (just like you’d clean your teeth, making sure to brush all sides).
3. Rinse your Invisalign in lukewarm water again.
4. Place your Invisalign retainer in its case to dry.

Every time you clean your Invisalign retainer, inspect it for tartar or calcium buildup. You will see the white or clear build-up on the outside of the retainer. If this is the case, soak the Invisalign in a retainer-cleaning solution. Invisalign makes a cleaner called Invisalign Cleaning Crystals.

What are Dental Lumineers?

Dental Lumineers are a cutting-edge version of dental veneers. Dental Lumineers are thinner than traditional veneers. Dental Lumineers fit over your natural teeth with very little need for grinding or shaping the original teeth.

How much do dental lumineers cost?

Dental Lumineers cost between $800 and $2000 per tooth. The difference in cost comes from a variety of factors: size, difficulty, and geography impact the individual cost of this treatment.

Does insurance cover dental lumineers?

Dental insurance typically does not cover dental lumineers. Dental lumineers, like all veneers, are generally considered to be a cosmetic procedure.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure to save a tooth that is badly decayed or a tooth that has an infection. A root canal procedure removes the nerve and pulp from a tooth and then seals it.

The pulp is the layer of your tooth under the enamel and another hard layer called dentin. The pulp helped grow your tooth back when it was developing. However, a tooth can survive without the pulp once it is grown because it receives support from the surrounding tissues. A root canal removes the infection in the pulp, adds a filling to that space, and then seals the tooth to repair it.

How long does a root canal take?

A modern root canal is similar to a routine cavity filling. A root canal will take about an hour. Some root canals are done in two visits: one to remove the infection and one to disinfect and seal the tooth.

How much does a root canal cost?

A root canal can cost $900 – $1,100 for a front tooth. A root canal for a back tooth can cost $1,100 to $1,300. Typically molars are more expensive when it comes to root canals. Factors that influence cost are the difficulty of the procedure and the materials used.

When do you need a root canal?

Signs of needing a root canal are a chipped tooth, a cracked tooth, severe pain while chewing, swollen or painful gums, pimples on the gums, and decay or darkening in the gums. Your dentist will be able to determine if your tooth needs a root canal.

Dental financing is available for patients for their desired cosmetic dentistry procedures from United Credit’s network of lenders.

After you complete an online application, we will submit it to our lending partner network to match you with the best financing option based on your application details. If you qualify for a pre-approval, you will receive a financing option within minutes (or up to one business day) after the application is submitted. If your application is matched with one of our lending partners, we may contact you to review the terms and conditions. Once the terms are accepted and any stipulations are provided, our lending partners will disburse the funds you have requested.