What Is Considered Cosmetic Dentistry?
Did you know that a quarter of those over the age of 65 only have 8 or fewer teeth? This shocking statistic is evidence of a widespread issue across the country.
In general, we aren’t taking good enough care of our teeth. Nearly half of insured Americans have skipped a dental visit or procedure due to cost.
If that applies to you, you may think anything to do with cosmetic dentistry is off the table. But that’s not necessarily true.
Some cosmetic procedures are actually covered by dental insurance. And others aren’t as expensive as you might expect.
What actually are cosmetic dental procedures?
In this guide, we’ll go over what does and doesn’t count as cosmetic. We’ll also walk you through some of the most common cosmetic procedures. And of course, how to find the best dentist for the job.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
As the name suggests, cosmetic dentistry is an umbrella term for procedures that affect the way your teeth and mouth look. Teeth whitening, for example, just makes your smile look better. That is a cosmetic procedure.
But not all cosmetic procedures are
purely cosmetic. Plenty of procedures have both cosmetic and physical benefits. They can even improve your overall mouth health.
Cosmetic vs. Preventative and Restorative
Cosmetic dentistry is all about the look. Preventative and restorative dentistry however include procedures that benefit your health.
Preventative dentistry specifically refers to procedures that prevent future health issues. For example, you may need a teeth cleaning or X-ray. These are sometimes deemed necessary and thus are covered by some insurance policies.
Restorative procedures work to fix problems that have already happened. For example, a root canal is important for a tooth’s health. But it has no cosmetic benefit – no one else can see it!
What can make a cosmetic procedure more affordable is if it also falls under one of the other categories. In that case, your insurance provider may bear some of the cost.
Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Here are some of the most common cosmetic procedures. We’ll cover what they involve and how they can benefit you.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a blanket term that covers a variety of cosmetic procedures. Teeth whitening makes your teeth several shades lighter, usually through bleaching. It is a purely cosmetic procedure with no other health benefits.
Veneers
Veneers are almost always an exclusively cosmetic procedure. They involve adding a false layer to your teeth to change their appearance. They can adjust the color or shape that your teeth appear to be.
Teeth-Colored Fillings
Teeth-colored fillings are a popular alternative to old-fashioned metal fillings. Depending on what exactly you need, this may or may not count as cosmetic under your insurance.
If you need a new filling and would like to choose a modern teeth-colored option, that may come under the restorative category. That is, the filling itself is a necessary restorative procedure. You’d just like it to be a white one!
But if you’d like to change your metal fillings to teeth-colored fillings, that is cosmetic. But it still has a great effect and is a popular procedure.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Full mouth reconstruction refers to replacing all of your teeth. It can also involve working on your bite and muscles to change your mouth.
Depending on the reasons for the surgery, this can fall under either category. If a patient needs full mouth reconstruction because of trauma or disease, it is likely restorative. But if someone is interested in just changing the shape of their mouth or smile, it may be considered cosmetic.
Esthetic Crowns and Gum Contouring
Work on the esthetic crown can be cosmetic or restorative. It usually involves increasing how much of your teeth are exposed by taking away some of the gum.
In some instances, this will have health benefits for the gum tissue. It may then be covered by dental policies as a restorative or preventative procedure. But if it is purely for the look, it is cosmetic dentistry.
Implants
A dental implant typically refers to adding a false tooth to the mouth. This could be in place of one that has fallen out, was removed, or a natural gap in the teeth.
Depending on the exact implant you need, it can be cosmetic or restorative dentistry. If you’re interested in a dental implant, make an appointment with a dentist to examine it further.
Botox
Dental botox has many applications. Botox can be used to help with the lips and other areas around the mouth. It is usually a cosmetic procedure.
Am I Covered for Cosmetic Procedures?
Just because a procedure is classed as cosmetic doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. Even procedures that aren’t essential can make a huge improvement to your mouth health.
When cosmetic work is also restorative or preventative, your insurance may cover it. Or they may be willing to pay part of the bill.
Every policy is different, but it’s always worth investigating. Don’t dismiss a procedure as unaffordable just because it’s cosmetic!
The Best Type of Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is all about making your teeth feel and look their best. And we’re one of the best dentists out there who can make that happen.
Browse our services page to see the full list of cosmetic procedures we offer to our customers. Whether you need a simple teeth whitening or full mouth reconstruction, we can help!
Each of our treatment rooms has views of beautiful woodland. There are even TVs inside for you to watch during your procedure. Our premises offer a truly unique experience.
If you need a dentist in Arlington TX, get in touch!
