Cosmetic dentistry is a broad category covering any treatment that improves the aesthetics of your smile. If your teeth are stained, chipped, or are naturally misaligned and causing crowding or gapping, there are procedures within cosmetic dentistry to remake your smile. Cosmetic dentistry lets you have a more decisive role in treatments and procedures.
At Cornerstone Dentistry in Sugar Land, Dr. Thomas and his staff want to educate you on cosmetic dentistry treatments.
This article will list, discuss, and offer general pricing for common procedures within cosmetic dentistry.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can be the least expensive cosmetic treatment but have a significant effect. Whitening treatments in a dental office can cost up to $500. You have the option to purchase bleaching trays and gel from for at-home treatments for less than one-half the cost of in-office whitening
Any over-the-counter whitening treatments, while being the least expensive, should be discussed with Dr. Thomas to verify safety and effectiveness.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are custom-made, wafer-thin shells of tooth-colored porcelain that cover the front surfaces of teeth. At times, before bonding a veneer to a tooth, Dr. Thomas removes a small amount of tooth enamel. Veneers can change the color, the shape, length, or size of your teeth.
Porcelain veneers are also known as the “Hollywood treatment,” meaning they are expensive. A single veneer can range from $500-$1,300.
Dental Bonding
Bonding is a tooth-colored putty made of resin that is applied to a tooth and hardened with a special light. Dr. Thomas dentist trims, shapes, and polishes the bonding material. Bonding can repair and reshape teeth damaged from decay, chips, or cracks. This procedure can take from 30-60 minutes and cost $100-$400 per tooth.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown, or a cap, fits over and replaces the entire tooth above the gumline. A crown can restore a tooth’s shape or change its size, strength, and appearance. Crowns can be fabricated from metal, porcelain-and-metal, resin, or ceramic. The cost of a crown ranges from $500-$900 per tooth.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays, also called indirect fillings, are made from gold, porcelain, or composite materials to fill decayed or damaged teeth. Inlays and onlays are molded into place at the dentist’s office but crafted in a dental laboratory.
An inlay is bonded within the center of a tooth. An onlay covers one or more points of the tooth or biting surface.
Inlays and onlays preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible and can be an excellent alternative to crowns. This procedure can cost between $650-$1,200 per tooth.
Dental Implants
Implants are the titanium posts that replace a tooth’s root below the gumline. Dr. Thomas will insert the post into the bone socket of a missing tooth. As the jaw heals, the bone will grow around the post to anchor it. This rod becomes the foundation for the replacement tooth.
This procedure can cost between $1,250-$3,000 per tooth.
Other Cosmetic Procedures
Other options within cosmetic dentistry include bridges to fill in gaps created from missing teeth to full, removable dentures if all your teeth are missing. Traditional braces or clear aligners are also cosmetic dentistry.
If you would like a consultation on cosmetic dentistry procedures, please contact the oral healthcare professionals at Cornerstone Dentistry of Sugar Land.