Cosmetic Dentistry – Hamden, CT
Achieve a Smile You
Love to Show Off
We love performing cosmetic services when patients request them. All clinical staff are extensively skilled and trained in cosmetic dentistry and services to help improve and enhance your smile. Often, the new look gives our appreciative patients an improved sense of confidence and a renewed perspective on life. That’s why we’re happy and proud to offer the following cosmetic dentistry in our Hamden, CT dental office for our patients. Contact our dental office today to schedule your first consultation!
Why Choose D'Andrea and Pantera, DMD, PC
for Cosmetic Dentistry?
- Dentists Highly Experienced in Cosmetic Dentistry
-
Caters to Patients Looking
for Smile Makeovers -
Relaxing Dental Office with
Modern Dental Technology
Porcelain Veneers
When you’re considering a smile makeover, porcelain veneers are a comprehensive solution that can erase years of frustrating dental flaws in just a few appointments. These high-quality restorations are designed to be wafer-thin, allowing them to fit over the visible surfaces of certain teeth while still appearing natural. The porcelain material is an ideal match for your tooth enamel, and it will maintain its brighter appearance for a longer span of time. Porcelain veneers can be used to effectively correct chips, stains, worn tooth structure, and even minor gaps.
Lumineers
For patients who want to enhance their smile but are hesitant to commit to traditional veneers, Lumineers may be a great alternative! Lumineers do not require significant enamel removal because of their extreme thinness (similar to that on a contact lens), which means they are less invasive and can even be potentially removed in the future if the patient changes their mind. If you are interested in learning more about which veneer option is right for you, our doctors will be happy to walk you through both solutions during a consultation.
All-Ceramic Dental Restorations
Our patients deserve restorative solutions that are both effective in replenishing oral health and aesthetically pleasing in a natural smile. That’s why our cosmetic dentists offer all-ceramic materials that are an ideal match for your original tooth enamel, allowing us to design satisfying dental crowns, inlays, onlays, and other restorations that you can show off with pride. In addition to their cosmetic benefits, all-ceramic restorations are also conservative, comfortable, and safely biocompatible.
Dental Bonding
Direct bonding is a convenient and cost-effective cosmetic solution for patients in need of minor corrections for dental chips, small gaps, misshapen tooth structure, or other issues. Our doctors will use tooth-colored composite resin (the same material our fillings are crafted from) and sculpt a pleasing addition over the lacking area before hardening it securely in place. While bonding may not have the staying power of dental crowns or porcelain veneers, the speed of treatment is an attractive benefit for many busy patients, and you can rest assured that our team will create the highest quality improvements possible.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth can become stained and discolored over time for a variety of reasons, from the common culprits of diet and poor oral hygiene to unavoidable factors like age. Thankfully, a brighter, unblemished smile is within reach due to our tooth whitening options for patients. Our take-home kits offer flexibility and convenience.
Learn more About Teeth Whitening
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Most dental insurance policies don’t include coverage for cosmetic procedures because they’re intended to improve your appearance rather than your oral health. As a result, many patients worry about whether they can afford their elected services. Fortunately, our team offers several different options at varying price points so that you can upgrade your grin without breaking the bank.
Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect to pay for different cosmetic solutions, and feel free to contact us for additional information.
Which Cosmetic Dental Service is Right for Me?
Everyone’s smile is unique, and the cost of your treatment depends significantly on your individual concerns and goals. Whether you want brighter teeth or to mask aesthetic flaws like chips and cracks, we can help.
Although it can vary from person to person, you can typically expect to pay the following:
- Dental Bonding. This procedure is ideal for reshaping damaged or gapped teeth or mending breaks and fractures and is often one of the most cost-effective options available.
- Teeth Whitening. Professional whitening services can lighten your teeth by several shades and range between $400 to $800+, depending on the stains' severity.
- All-Ceramic Dental Restorations. We can replace unsightly metallic dental fillings and crowns with tooth-colored composite resin that bonds with your enamel, usually for several hundred dollars.
- Porcelain Veneers. These thin ceramic shells are attached to the front surface of your teeth to mask one or multiple issues like stains or injuries. They may cost more initially but can last 15+ years with the right care, making them a long-lasting investment.
- These prosthetics are similar to veneers but don’t require that your tooth be prepared by removing some of your enamel, lowering the rate.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry an Investment Worth Making?
You might hesitate to proceed with your desired dental procedures if you’re worried about how to pay for them. However, you can’t put a price on the peace of mind and boosted confidence that comes with enhancing your appearance. Not only are you less likely to feel self-conscious or anxious, but you’re more likely to have a rewarding social life, deeper romantic connections, and more opportunities for personal achievements at work.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
Our team doesn’t want your budget to keep you from the smile of your dreams. If you’re concerned about how to pay for your cosmetic services, you might benefit from one of the following options:
- Flexible Financing. We’ve partnered with CareCredit so that, if your application is approved, you can break up your final invoice into smaller, more manageable installments that are easier on your wallet.
- Bright Smile Club. For monthly or annual payments, you can access additional discounts on services without waiting periods, annual maximums, or deductibles.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Cosmetic dentistry is an excellent way to bring back your beautiful smile. It can help you look and feel younger, boost your confidence, and even make eating and speaking easier. If you’re not satisfied with your smile, the team at D'Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can show you how cosmetic dentistry can help restore your appearance and self-esteem at your cosmetic dentistry consultation.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Covered by Dental Insurance?
Unfortunately, most cosmetic dentistry is usually not covered by dental insurance because it is considered an elective procedure. However, if the procedure has oral health benefits, it may have partial insurance coverage. Procedures that may qualify include:
- Braces or Invisalign orthodontic treatment
- A crown to repair a damaged tooth
- A veneer or bonding to repair a broken tooth
- Gum recontouring to repair gums after gum recession from gum disease
In the case of a dentally beneficial cosmetic procedure, insurance typically covers between 50 and 80 percent of the cost, however, exactly how much will depend on your individual insurance plan. If you have any difficulties understanding your coverage or any questions about your specific plan, the team at D'Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can help.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Expensive?
While you may have heard that cosmetic dentistry is expensive, it typically gets this reputation because it’s not covered by insurance. There are many procedures that are very affordable, and many more that pay for themselves with time. For example, orthodontic treatment can not only straighten your teeth, but it can also make them easier to clean and floss, saving you money on fillings and gum disease treatments. Veneers can boost your confidence, giving you the added self-esteem you need to make a good impression in your career or personal life, too!
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?
Because they are typically non-invasive, depending on the procedure, many cosmetic dentistry treatments are painless or very easily tolerated. For patients with dental anxiety, your dental team at D'Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers sedation dentistry options such as oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide sedation to keep you feeling relaxed and calm during your procedure. For procedures like veneers where a small amount of enamel must be removed, your dentist will ensure that you are adequately numbed before beginning. You may feel some sensitivity or discomfort for a few days after the treatment, but most patients can easily manage this with over-the-counter pain medications.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?
Cosmetic dentistry is considered safe if your dentist is qualified to perform your intended treatment. In some cases, a procedure may not be recommended for certain patients if they have any kind of tooth or gum problems, or if they have certain medical conditions. Your dentist at D'Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can discuss your medical history with you and determine if you are a good fit for an elective procedure. In many cases, professional procedures are actually safer than over-the-counter solutions like store-bought whitening kits. Rest assured that your oral health is in good hands with your at D'Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team!
