Cosmetic Dentistry – Flower Mound, TX
Making Dream Smiles a Reality
Dental damage, discoloration, and misalignment are all cosmetic imperfections that can have a drastic impact on your self-confidence. Even minor flaws can be the reason why some people avoid social interactions and stop smiling as often, and our team has set out to change that by providing our patients with beautiful, bright, and full grins that they can feel proud to show off. You can read about the cosmetic services that we offer below. If you’d like to schedule a consultation to learn more about cosmetic dentsitry in Flower Mound, TX, don’t hesitate to contact our team!
Why Choose Lauri Barge, DDS for Cosmetic Dentistry?
- Highly Experienced Cosmetic Dentist
- We Accommodate Patients with Fear or Anxiety
- Friendly & Attentive Dental Team
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are considered the “one-stop-shop” of cosmetic treatments because they can address a wide variety of imperfections in a single procedure. The veneers themselves can be crafted from ceramic or porcelain and are made to look identical to your natural tooth’s enamel in color, shape, and texture. Once a veneer is placed over the visible surface of a tooth, it acts to conceal misalignment, damage, and discoloration. One of the best benefits of veneers is that they can last for over a decade with the proper maintenance.
Metal-Free Dental Restorations
Noticeable metal fillings and crowns are treatments of the past. Dr. Barge uses custom-shaded Emax (ceramic), BruxZir (zirconia), and composite resin to craft beautiful and durable restorations. These materials are biocompatible and gentler on the teeth and gums than metal, meaning you won’t have to worry about discoloration or sensitivity after they’ve been placed. The restorations also flawlessly blend in with your surrounding teeth, so nobody will be able to tell that you’ve had a tooth restored.
Teeth Whitening
Our team offers both in-office and take-home teeth whitening for the convenience of our patients. Both teeth whitening options offer trusted and effective results that are completely safe, meaning they won’t cause enamel erosion or other unwanted impacts on your oral health. Our in-office treatment only takes about an hour to complete, while our customized, take-home kit achieves optimal results within two weeks.
Learn More About Teeth Whitening
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Invisalign clear aligners are a discreet and customized alternative to traditional metal braces, making them an excellent treatment option for adults who would like to maintain their professional image while addressing orthodontic issues. The process utilizes clear aligner-like appliances that can be taken out of your mouth whenever you eat or brush and floss your teeth, which means that you won’t need to alter your daily life or routines in order to accommodate your treatment. You can learn more about Invisalign and whether you’d be a good candidate by clicking on the link below.
Learn More About Invisalign Clear Aligners
Gum Recontouring
When you look at your smile in the mirror, do you feel as though it’s overrun by your gums? It makes sense that you’d want to show off your healthy, brilliant pearly whites instead of your thick and cumbersome-looking gum tissue. With our laser gum recontouring treatment, Dr. Barge can reshape the frame of your smile without the use of a scalpel or sutures. Using a small beam of light, our team will remove overgrown tissue, revealing more of your teeth and making your smile appear symmetrical.
Digital Imaging
Is the one thing that’s holding you back from committing to a cosmetic treatment the fact that you won’t be able to see the results until after the procedure, once they’re permanent? We’ve got you covered! Our digital imaging software allows us to design a lifelike digital model of your smile to show you what it looks like before your treatment, and how it will change after the procedure. That way, you won’t have to feel like you’re taking a gamble!
Smile Makeovers
For patients who would like to address several cosmetic and functional dental imperfections, we offer streamlined smile makeovers. This process is a comprehensive way to address problems like dental discoloration, missing teeth, misalignment, and countless others. We’ll plan your makeover based around your timeline, budget, and what changes you’d like to see to help you feel more confident letting your grin show, so it’s truly customized to meet your needs from beginning to end.
Learn More About Smile Makeovers
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
When it comes to the amount you can expect to pay for cosmetic dentistry, there are a few important things you’ll need to keep in mind. For one thing, the kind of cosmetic treatment you get affects the amount you pay. Furthermore, since dental insurance usually doesn’t cover elective services, you’ll have to explore other options for making your treatment more affordable. Our team is here to offer all the guidance you need when it comes to the cost of cosmetic procedures.
Which Cosmetic Dental Service Is Right for Me?
When comparing cosmetic dental treatments, you can’t just look at the price; you also need to think about which ones will yield the best possible results for your smile. Here’s a brief look at some of the ways we can create the grin you’ve always wanted:
- Veneers: Veneers can be used to hide numerous imperfections from view. They tend to be on the costlier end of cosmetic dentistry, and the number of veneers you need affects the amount you pay. Bear in mind that veneers can often last for a decade or more before needing replacement.
- Teeth Whitening: When you’re bothered by the color of your smile, teeth whitening is often the natural choice. While it can only be used to make one type of correction, it is generally easier to fit into your budget compared to veneers.
- Invisalign: After wearing Invisalign clear aligners for several months, you’ll start seeing a straighter smile in the mirror. The cost of Invisalign depends on how long the treatment lasts, which in turn can vary based on the severity of your alignment issues.
- Gum Recontouring: Sometimes your cosmetic woes are thanks to your gums rather than your teeth. Some gum recontouring treatments are more extensive than others and will thus cost more.
- Smile Makeovers: A smile makeover combines the costs of all the services that are performed as part of your treatment plan. The price may be higher, but by the end of the process, your smile will be completely transformed.
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be an Investment Worth Making
Are you on the fence about deciding whether cosmetic dentistry is worth paying for? Plenty of patients can tell you from firsthand experience that it is. A better smile can increase your confidence and encourage you to show off your grin more often, which helps you come off as more approachable. Additionally, there’s evidence that a better smile can be a positive influence on your career and other parts of your life.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
With our in-house membership plan, you can save up to 20% on various procedures. Furthermore, third-party financing options like CareCredit can help make the cost of cosmetic dentistry seem less intimidating. When you apply for CareCredit, you can pick a monthly payment plan that’s suitable for your unique financial situation.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Expensive?
While many people assume that cosmetic dental treatments must be expensive, this is not always the case. However, these treatments are rarely covered by insurance since they are usually elective and intended purely to address cosmetic issues, meaning that you can expect to pay out of pocket for them. While enhancing your smile may seem expensive at first, these treatments can also be seen as an investment that can improve your self-esteem, confidence, and quality of life. A beautiful smile can also make it easier to make a stunning first impression, allowing you to find new job opportunities. Your treatments may very well pay for themselves.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Dental insurance plans do not usually cover elective procedures, so it’s unlikely that they will pay for cosmetic dental treatments. However, there are exceptions since some of these procedures offer oral health benefits. For example, since placing a crown or a veneer can protect a damaged tooth, it may receive partial coverage. If gum recontouring is used to restore your smile after an infection, you may also receive some coverage. Plans that cover orthodontic treatments may pay for Invisalign clear aligners to some extent. While the exact number depends on your plan, the cost may be covered from 50-80% in cases like these. Our team will be glad to help you understand your policy, file the associated paperwork, and set you up to get the most out of your benefits.
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?
Even if you are eager to achieve a beautiful new smile, you may be worried that the treatment will hurt. Thankfully, our dentists are trained to make sure that your treatment is as comfortable as possible. Since treatments like teeth whitening are non-invasive, they usually don’t require any numbing of the mouth at all. More extensive treatments like veneers are made comfortable and painless through local anesthetics. While you may experience some soreness in the days after treatment, you can expect it to be mild and temporary. If you need any extra help remaining comfortable during treatment, we offer dental sedation options like nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?
As long as you are receiving treatment from a trained dental professional, you can rest assured that cosmetic dentistry is completely safe. However, not every patient is a good candidate for every sort of cosmetic dental treatment, which is why Dr. Barge will thoroughly examine your mouth and discuss your goals before beginning any procedure. In some cases, oral health issues like tooth decay or gum disease can pose dangers for those receiving cosmetic dentistry. For example, whitening teeth with cavities can lead to injuries, and placing a crown or veneer on a decayed tooth can make the infection harder to treat. These issues will have to be resolved before treatment can begin.
It's also worth noting that over-the-counter teeth whitening products are often poorly manufactured, making users more prone to injuries of the enamel or gum tissues. Since they are performed by a trained dentist, you can rest assured professional whitening treatments are administered safely.