Smile Makeover with Porcelain Dental Veneers, Teeth Implants and More

Some women who undergo breast surgery as part of a makeover also may consider cosmetic dentistry for smile enhancement.

There are a variety of cosmetic dentistry treatments available, ranging from the simple (tooth colored dental fillings, teeth whitening) to the more elaborate (porcelain dental veneers, dentures, teeth implants). It is important to speak candidly with your general dentist about what you are seeking to improve with your smile. This will help your dentist to determine all available treatment options that may be viable.

Considering that some of the more elaborate, full mouth reconstructive elements of smile makeover tend to be quite costly (just look at the cost of dental implants), you may wish to evaluate the more economical options first. For example, if you have crooked, stained teeth, your dentist may suggest porcelain veneers (or a minimal preparation option such as Lumineers or Durathin) as an ideal solution. However, considering the significant cost per tooth for veneers, teeth whitening may present as a better option for you. It won't do anything for your crooked teeth, but it could dramatically transform the appearance of your smile by fixing the discoloration.

Certain dentistry treatments involved in your smile makeover may be covered (at least in part) by certain dental insurance policies; however, this is rare, and wholly dependent on whether there is a health-related aspect involved. Taking the aforementioned stained and crooked smile as an example again, let's assume that the crooked teeth are causing a bite irregularity (malocclusion) deemed responsible for the development of a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). If veneers are a viable treatment option to correct your bite irregularity and remedy your TMJD, you may find that certain insurance policies will assist with the costs. Again, however, this is far less common a scenario. Like most plastic surgery procedures, cosmetic dentistry is generally considered to be an elective procedure, and therefore not coverable by insurance.

Keep cosmetic dentistry in mind as part of your makeover experience. It just might make all the difference. But don't take our word for it. You can view dental veneer before and after photos or other makeover case studies to see the potential results for yourself.