Cosmetic Dentist Price Guide for Veneers and Implants

Before choosing a cosmetic dentist, you'll want to consider the total cost of your treatments. Not every office has the same pricing policies. So unless some of the work being performed will be covered by you insurance company, it will be in your best interest to seek out not only a good cosmetic dentist, but one that is charging a fair price for his services. There are many different factors that can affect the final price, but some offices are guilty of grossly overcharging unwitting patients. If you want to save money on dental work, ask about payment plans, look for discounts, and seek alternatives including a visit to the local dental college.

Veneers are a popular choice for smile makeovers because they are easily customizable and can be selected to use for only one or two teeth, which may be all that is needed for a dramatic improvement. The price for veneers depends mostly on location of the cosmetic dentist and the materials chosen. Porcelain is one of the more popular choices for those looking for durability. They are thicker than other veneers, but due require the underlying enamel to be shaved down in preparation for application. The average cost per tooth can range from $500 to $1,300. Unfortunately, the price gap is very large and can make the difference in how many veneers can be applied. A great way to save money is to seek discounts in the local paper or on websites. During slower business periods or if a new practice is starting up, they may advertise much lower rates for this service.

In addition to porcelain, veneers also come in composite and thinner variations. Composite versions are less durable and only last up to seven years, but they are much more cost and time effective than porcelain. The average cost starts at $250 and up for each tooth, and it can be applied to the natural enamel surface on the same visit with no need for extensive preparation. Thinner variations marketed under product names are also available at some offices. These also require less preparation but are more durable than composite. The price reflects this and they can run anywhere from $700 to $1,500 per tooth.

People who are missing entire or partial teeth will have the largest price to pay for refinement. Only in rare circumstances such as when a collision or other trauma has caused the tooth to dislodge will insurance even cover part of the procedure. If the tooth has been lost to decay, a long ago trauma, or due to a cyst removal, the patient will probably pay out of pocket. Because inserting dental implants is a surgical procedure that can involve several sessions of complication preparation, the cost of treatment reflects this. On average, the lower end of implants with little complications and easy placement will run $1,200 to $2,000 per tooth. If bone grafts are needed or there is another medical issue that needs to be addressed, costs can skyrocket in the range of $3,000 to $20,000 or even more.