With many dental conditions, there are often a few different treatments that could help fix the problem. Minor imperfections in your smile, for example, could be treated with veneers, bonding, or Invisalign. But while many procedures can overlap, there are situations where one is better than the others. If you’re getting cosmetic dentistry in Towson, MD, you should understand the difference between the procedures. While your dentist can recommend the best treatment, it’s still ultimately your decision on how to move forward.
Factors That Affect Cosmetic Dentistry in Towson, MD
Cosmetic dentistry covers a wide range of procedures designed to help improve the look of your smile. They also tend to offer preventative and restorative benefits as well. Cosmetic treatment could help address minor imperfections such as discoloration, gaps between teeth, misshapen teeth, and small chips or fractures. Some procedures, such as veneers and bonding, can often fix the same problems. But this doesn’t always mean you can use any treatment to fix every need.
Scale of Treatment
How many teeth you need to fix plays a big role in what kind of treatment you need. Say, for example, that you have gaps between your teeth. If you only have one area with a gap, dental bonding may be able to fix it. But if you have multiple teeth in your smile line that have gaps, veneers could provide a more effective treatment option. And if you have gaps along with crowding, Invisalign could help straighten your teeth and improve your bite. Generally speaking, the more teeth you need to treat, the more involved your treatment will need to be.
Budget
While your oral health should be your main goal, your budget can affect your treatment options. Insurance companies tend to be more restrictive when it comes to cosmetic treatment. This means you’ll likely be paying for most, if not all, of your cosmetic procedure out-of-pocket. While treatments like veneers can be longer-lasting and more effective for wide-scale issues, they’re also more expensive. Minor treatments, such as dental bonding, may be able to provide a temporary fix while you save for more complex procedures.
Treatment Time
Depending on what issues you need to fix, cosmetic dentistry can take as little as one appointment or as much as a year to complete. If you’re looking for a quick boost to your smile for a special occasion, then a shorter treatment time may be more beneficial. But if you’re looking for a longer-lasting fix that could also improve your oral health, you may want to consider a longer treatment time. Your dentist can help provide you with an estimated treatment schedule to help you make your decision.
If you want to improve the look of your smile or the function of your bite, cosmetic dentistry may be the answer. Call our office today at 410-449-7656 to schedule a consultation and see which treatment may be right for you.