Questions & Answers
Why was the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry formed?
Cosmetic Dentistry incorporates the art of smile design along with the science and technology of creating beautiful and handsome smiles! The dentist emphasizing cosmetic dentistry "sees" the finished smile before beginning the transformation. The artist inside the cosmetic dentist (talent) must be supported by his or her commitment to advanced continuing education in cosmetic dentistry (training) along with performance of multiple cosmetic procedures (experience) and learning from these experiences by sharing with other practitioners (mentoring) to achieve and maintain the highest level of cosmetic dentistry expertise.
The Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry was formed to allow talented dentists interested in focusing on Cosmetic Dentistry to receive high level training and mentoring from leaders in the field of Cosmetic Dentistry.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic Dentistry can be divided into two distinct categories.
- Cosmetic Dentistry is often the term used for elective procedures utilized to change an ugly, disease free smile into a dazzling smile. It is considered by many to be the most gratifying as well as the most demanding and technique sensitive area of dentistry.
- Cosmetic Dentistry can be incorporated into necessary traditional procedures required to eliminate dental disease and improve oral health. By using state of the art materials and techniques, most situations requiring extensive dentistry allow the treatment of choice to incorporate tooth colored cosmetic restorations that mimic natural teeth in function and beauty. Contemporary dental technology enables dentists emphasizing cosmetic dentistry to fabricate dental restorations that have the functionality, comfort and longevity of traditional dentistry while restoring and often enhancing the beauty of natural teeth.
Aren't all dentists "Cosmetic Dentists?"
All dentists use cosmetic materials. Dentists who emphasize Cosmetic Dentistry typically have an eye for the artistic, they aren't afraid to invest in better and more costly materials and employ more talented technicians, they attend more continuing education courses on cosmetic dentistry and they are willing to work with the patients who demand a higher level of expertise in the subjective arena of cosmetics.
What are the procedures commonly used in Cosmetic Dentistry?
Click the procedures below to learn more about them:
Bleaching
Bleaching is the conservative and predictable process of restoring the beauty of age related discolored teeth and environmentally darkened teeth.
When can bleaching be used?
Bleaching is typically appreciated by all patients, from the youngest to the oldest. It works wonderfully well for most patients. Bleaching may or may not be as effective in removing naturally occurring dark striations (such as tetracycline stained teeth) or brown or white spots (such as fluorosis) in teeth, although it is typically utilized in these situations before advancing to additional procedures. Bleaching is often incorporated into a treatment plan along with other cosmetic procedures.
How long does bleaching last?
Bleaching usually lasts several years before needing touched up, depending on habits such as smoking, and coffee, tea, soda and wine consumption.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Bleaching is one of the most cost effective of all cosmetic procedures. Bleaching ranges from $300 to $1000. An advantage of at home bleaching with custom trays is that unless significant dental procedures have been accomplished subsequent to the initial bleaching, the trays will still be usable and the touch up bleaching usually can be accomplished by purchasing additional bleaching solution for $50 to $200.
Will dental insurance cover bleaching?
Bleaching is typically not covered by dental insurance.
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Cosmetic Recontouring
Cosmetic Recontouring is selectively removing tooth structure that diminishes the overall effect of the smile.
When can cosmetic recontouring be used?
Cosmetic Recontouring can be used when teeth are determined by the patient to be too square or too long or too pointed or overlapped or jagged or chipped. As a smile designer, the dentist must determine that the teeth may be re contoured without being made too short before beginning the procedure.
How long does cosmetic recontouring last?
Cosmetic Recontouring is nonreversible.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Cosmetic Recontouring ranges from $50 for a single tooth to $500 for full mouth recontouring.
Will dental insurance cover cosmetic recontouring?
Cosmetic Recontouring is typically not covered by dental insurance.
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Bonding
Bonding is the direct application of tooth colored composite resin to restore broken or diseased teeth and/or to enhance the appearance of natural teeth
When can bonding be used?
Bonding can be used when there is adequate tooth structure to support and retain the addition of the direct resin. The greater the amount of missing tooth structure, the more likely it is that an indirect restoration such as a Porcelain Veneer or a Crown will be needed.
How long does bonding last?
The functional life of Bonding is often 7-10 years. The cosmetic life of Bonding is typically 5-7 years.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Bonding typically involves an investment of $200 to $700 per tooth.
Will dental insurance cover bonding?
The functional aspect of Bonding is covered by dental insurance. The cosmetic expertise required for a lifelike Bonding restoration is typically not covered by dental insurance. Patients are well served to distinguish between replacement of missing tooth structure covered by dental insurance and replacement or enhancement of cosmetic appearance not covered by dental insurance.
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Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers are very thin conservative laboratory fabricated protective coverings utilizing special porcelains to restore broken or diseased teeth and/or to enhance the appearance of natural teeth. The procedure is relatively simple and comfortable. They are the treatment of choice for misshaped, chipped, discolored or poorly spaced teeth. They can change your smile and your entire appearance in a couple of weeks. They are considered by many cosmetic dentists to be the most beautiful and lifelike of all dental restorations.
When can porcelain veneers be used?
Porcelain Veneers can be used when there is inadequate tooth structure to support and retain bonded direct resin. Porcelain Veneers are also used when the patient wants the most conservative, lifelike and durable of all the cosmetic restorations. Porcelain Veneers are commonly adapted to the upper ten front teeth to broaden and enhance the smile and create what is often called the "Hollywood Smile."
How long do porcelain veneers last?
The cosmetic and functional life of Porcelain Veneers is typically 10 years and greater.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
"Cosmetic" Porcelain Veneers typically involve an investment of $1000 to $2000 per tooth.
Will dental insurance cover porcelain veneers?
The functional aspect of Porcelain Veneers may be covered by dental insurance if the tooth is fractured. The cosmetic expertise required for a lifelike Porcelain Veneer is typically not covered by dental insurance. Patients are well served to distinguish between replacement of missing tooth structure covered by dental insurance and replacement or enhancement of cosmetic appearance not covered by dental insurance.
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Orthodontics
Orthodontics involves tooth movement, from full mouth to selective single tooth movement.
When can orthodontics be used?
Orthodontics is used when the bite, the alignment of the upper and lower jaw, needs improvement. Orthodontics can be used to position the tooth or teeth into a more attractive post ion.
How long do orthodontics last?
Orthodontics is basically permanent, especially if appropriate retention is utilized.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Orthodontics ranges from $1000 for minor tooth movement by use of removable retainers to $5000 for full mouth orthodontics.
Will dental insurance cover orthodontics?
Orthodontics is often included in a specific category in dental insurance with a lifetime maximum, if at all.
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Periodontal Plastic Surgery
Periodontal Plastic Surgery involves procedures to remove unwanted gum tissue, add gum tissue to cover elongated roots or to re contour gum tissue to enhance the "curtain" for the teeth.
When can periodontal plastic surgery be used?
Periodontal Plastic Surgery is used whenever the soft tissues diminish the overall impact of the health or the beauty of the smile.
How long does periodontal plastic surgery last?
Periodontal Plastic Surgery is basically permanent, especially if appropriate oral health maintance procedures are practiced by the patient.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Periodontal Plastic Surgery ranges from $500 for single tooth procedures to $5000 for full mouth surgery.
Will dental insurance cover periodontal plastic surgery?
Periodontal Plastic Surgery is typically covered by dental insurance.
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Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and Bridges are laboratory fabricated protective coverings used to restore broken, diseased or missing teeth and/or to enhance the appearance of natural teeth.
When can crowns and bridges be used?
Crowns and Bridges can be used when there is inadequate tooth structure to support and retain bonded direct resin restorations or Porcelain Veneers. Bridges typically involve porcelain over gold while crowns may be all porcelain or porcelain over gold. All porcelain crowns typically will be the most beautiful and lifelike.
How long do crowns and bridges last?
The cosmetic and functional life of Crowns and Bridges are typically 10 years and greater. Prior to the widespread use of All Porcelain Crowns, gum recession often limited the cosmetic life of Crowns and Bridges by exposing a dark line at the end of the Crown by the gum. That negative consequence is minimized by the use of All Porcelain Crowns and Periodontal Plastic Surgery to cover the exposed roots and offensive Crown and Bridge margins.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Crowns and Bridges typically involve an investment of $750 to $1500 per tooth. "Cosmetic" Crowns and Bridges often range from $1200 to $2000 per tooth.
Will dental insurance cover crowns and bridges?
The functional aspect of Crowns and Bridges is typically covered by dental insurance, unless the condition is considered to be "pre-existing." The cosmetic expertise required for a lifelike Crown and Bridge is typically not covered by dental insurance. Patients are well served to distinguish between replacement of missing tooth structure covered by dental insurance and replacement or enhancement of cosmetic appearance not covered by dental insurance.
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Implants
Implants are essentially new tooth roots placed directly into the jaw bone.
When can implants be used?
Implants are used whenever the patient who is missing one or more teeth desires the comfort and function of natural teeth. There must be adequate bone and the patient must have adequate healing capacity.
How long do implants last?
Implants are expected to last at least as long as the patient's remaining natural dentition.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Implants typically involve an investment of $2800 to $5200 per tooth. It is important to note that while the fee for the implant or root replacement is $1500 to $2500 per tooth, the fee for the abutment or tooth support structure replacement is $300 to $700 per tooth, and the fee for the crown or enamel replacement is $1000 to $2000 per tooth and they are charged separately as they may or may not be accomplished by the same dentist.
Will dental insurance cover implants?
Implants are seldom covered by dental insurance.
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Partial and Complete Dentures
Partial and Complete Dentures are removable appliances used to replace missing teeth.
When can partial and complete dentures be used?
Partial and Complete Dentures are used when there is inadequate tooth structure to support implants or cemented ("permanent") replacement teeth.
How long do partial and complete dentures last?
The functional life of Partial and Complete Dentures can last up to 15 to 20 years or more if they are relined as needed. The cosmetic life is shorter as the teeth will typically wear unevenly or chip.
What are the usual, customary and reasonable fees?
Partial and Complete Dentures typically are charged on a per arch basis of $1000 to $2000, with personalized cosmetic characteristics involving a higher fee.
Will dental insurance cover partial and complete dentures?
The functional aspect of Partial and Complete Dentures is typically covered by dental insurance. The cosmetic expertise required for a lifelike Partial and Complete Denture is typically not covered by dental insurance. Patients are well served to distinguish between replacement of missing teeth covered by dental insurance and replacement or enhancement of cosmetic appearance not covered by dental insurance.
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