I’ve always been unhappy with my smile, but figured it was the one I was given and should “deal with it”. I think my teeth are too short. However, in the last three months I have chipped four teeth. (I’m not usually this clutzy). Anyway, now I feel like I have a “right” to do something about fixing my teeth. I was wondering, I know there is a way to fix the chips, but is there a way to fix my short teeth too? Would I be a smile makeover candidate? Does dental insurance cover any cosmetic stuff?
Jennifer S.- Idaho
Jennifer,
It sounds like you would make a fantastic makeover candidate. I’d specifically look into porcelain veneers. They are able to lengthen and even change the shape of your teeth.
Dental insurance tends to care more about function than form. As a result you will find that insurance is willing to get your teeth working again, but doesn’t really care how beautiful they are. Those services you generally have to cover. There are ways to do that affordably. One of the things I would not do to save money, though, is look for the cheapest cosmetic dentist. This is one of those areas where you literally get what you pay for. Two patients can get the same exact type of porcelain veneers and on one woman they’ll look stunning and on the other they look totally fake. The difference? The dentist.
It takes real artistry to make a smile look natural and stunning. I would specifically look for a dentist in your area who is AACD accredited, like Dr. Hurley is. They won’t be the cheapest, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the most expensive either. Plus, there are smart ways to save money. For instance. Let’s say all your chips are on your top teeth. If that is the case, there isn’t a huge reason to get veneers placed on your top and bottom teeth. Instead, I’d do veneers on the top teeth and just do teeth whitening on the bottom arch of teeth. That will save you quite a bit of money right there. That is just one example. Talk to your dentist about the kind of budget you have and what you’d like done. Many dentists can find ways to help you get there.
This blog is brought to you by New Jersey Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.