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What will it cost to transform your smile? A realistic look at pricing and insurance
What will it cost to transform your smile? A realistic look at pricing and insurance
Jun 1, 2025
Jun 1, 2025
Jun 1, 2025
Cosmetic dental work can make a big difference in how you feel about your smile. But before you dive in, it helps to understand what it might actually cost—and what options exist to help you pay for it.
Not all cosmetic procedures are expensive, and many aren't covered by insurance. Some are quick fixes, while others take months and cost thousands. Knowing the difference can help you make a smart plan.
What does cosmetic dentistry include?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth, gums, and overall smile. These treatments are usually not considered “medically necessary,” which means they are often not covered by dental insurance.
Some common procedures and their average costs include:
Teeth whitening: $300 to $800 (in-office treatment)
Dental bonding: $300 to $600 per tooth
Porcelain veneers: $900 to $2,500 per tooth
Clear aligners (like Invisalign): $3,000 to $7,000 for a full treatment
Dental crowns: $1,000 to $1,500 per tooth
Gum contouring: $50 to $350 per tooth, or up to $3,000 for the whole mouth
Prices vary based on where you live, your dentist’s experience, and how complex your case is. According to the American Dental Association, cosmetic procedures are one of the fastest-growing areas in dentistry, and prices have increased along with demand.
What insurance covers - and what it doesn’t
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care like cleanings, X-rays, and fillings. They may also cover part of the cost for crowns, braces, or implants if there is a medical reason—like a broken tooth or difficulty chewing.
But if a procedure is only for looks, such as teeth whitening or veneers, insurance usually won’t pay. Some plans might offer discounts through “cosmetic packages,” but these are rare.
Before you assume a procedure is covered, ask your dental office for a pre-treatment estimate. They can send a request to your insurer to check what’s covered and how much you’ll owe.
You can also call your insurance company directly and ask questions like:
Is this procedure medically necessary?
Is there a limit on how much is covered per year?
Will I need a referral or pre-approval?
Just don’t expect them to foot the bill for a whiter smile unless your teeth are also cracked or falling out.
Financing options and payment plans
If insurance doesn’t cover the procedure, don’t panic. Many dental offices offer financing options to help you break up the cost.
These may include:
In-house payment plans: Pay in monthly installments, sometimes interest-free.
Third-party financing: Companies like CareCredit or LendingClub offer dental loans. These often come with promotional no-interest periods, but interest rates can rise sharply if you miss payments.
Health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs): If the procedure has a health benefit—such as correcting a bite—you might be able to use pre-tax dollars from these accounts.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends reviewing any dental loan or credit plan carefully, especially ones that involve deferred interest. Missing even one payment could lead to high fees or penalties.
Is it worth it?
That depends on your goals. If your teeth are healthy and you just want a small cosmetic boost, a less expensive option like whitening or bonding might be enough. If you’re looking for a full smile makeover, you’ll need to budget more.
A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that people who were satisfied with their teeth were more likely to smile, felt more confident, and had fewer signs of stress. In that sense, the benefits of cosmetic work can be more than skin deep.
How to plan ahead
Here are a few simple steps to stay on top of the financial side:
Get a consultation with a dentist who offers cosmetic services.
Ask for a written estimate for each procedure you’re considering.
Check your insurance to see if any part is covered.
Compare financing options to avoid high interest or hidden fees.
Set a budget and prioritize. You may not need to do everything at once.
If you’re careful and informed, transforming your smile doesn’t have to wreck your savings. And in the long run, a confident smile might be worth more than the price tag.
Take our quiz to be matched with a dental aestheticist that's right for you based on what you need, including your financial situation.
Sources
Read more about this in the links below.
American Dental Association: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-statistics/cost-of-care
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/deferred-interest-credit-cards-what-you-need-know/
Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA): https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(18)30315-6/fulltext
CareCredit: https://www.carecredit.com/dentistry/
Cosmetic dental work can make a big difference in how you feel about your smile. But before you dive in, it helps to understand what it might actually cost—and what options exist to help you pay for it.
Not all cosmetic procedures are expensive, and many aren't covered by insurance. Some are quick fixes, while others take months and cost thousands. Knowing the difference can help you make a smart plan.
What does cosmetic dentistry include?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth, gums, and overall smile. These treatments are usually not considered “medically necessary,” which means they are often not covered by dental insurance.
Some common procedures and their average costs include:
Teeth whitening: $300 to $800 (in-office treatment)
Dental bonding: $300 to $600 per tooth
Porcelain veneers: $900 to $2,500 per tooth
Clear aligners (like Invisalign): $3,000 to $7,000 for a full treatment
Dental crowns: $1,000 to $1,500 per tooth
Gum contouring: $50 to $350 per tooth, or up to $3,000 for the whole mouth
Prices vary based on where you live, your dentist’s experience, and how complex your case is. According to the American Dental Association, cosmetic procedures are one of the fastest-growing areas in dentistry, and prices have increased along with demand.
What insurance covers - and what it doesn’t
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care like cleanings, X-rays, and fillings. They may also cover part of the cost for crowns, braces, or implants if there is a medical reason—like a broken tooth or difficulty chewing.
But if a procedure is only for looks, such as teeth whitening or veneers, insurance usually won’t pay. Some plans might offer discounts through “cosmetic packages,” but these are rare.
Before you assume a procedure is covered, ask your dental office for a pre-treatment estimate. They can send a request to your insurer to check what’s covered and how much you’ll owe.
You can also call your insurance company directly and ask questions like:
Is this procedure medically necessary?
Is there a limit on how much is covered per year?
Will I need a referral or pre-approval?
Just don’t expect them to foot the bill for a whiter smile unless your teeth are also cracked or falling out.
Financing options and payment plans
If insurance doesn’t cover the procedure, don’t panic. Many dental offices offer financing options to help you break up the cost.
These may include:
In-house payment plans: Pay in monthly installments, sometimes interest-free.
Third-party financing: Companies like CareCredit or LendingClub offer dental loans. These often come with promotional no-interest periods, but interest rates can rise sharply if you miss payments.
Health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs): If the procedure has a health benefit—such as correcting a bite—you might be able to use pre-tax dollars from these accounts.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends reviewing any dental loan or credit plan carefully, especially ones that involve deferred interest. Missing even one payment could lead to high fees or penalties.
Is it worth it?
That depends on your goals. If your teeth are healthy and you just want a small cosmetic boost, a less expensive option like whitening or bonding might be enough. If you’re looking for a full smile makeover, you’ll need to budget more.
A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that people who were satisfied with their teeth were more likely to smile, felt more confident, and had fewer signs of stress. In that sense, the benefits of cosmetic work can be more than skin deep.
How to plan ahead
Here are a few simple steps to stay on top of the financial side:
Get a consultation with a dentist who offers cosmetic services.
Ask for a written estimate for each procedure you’re considering.
Check your insurance to see if any part is covered.
Compare financing options to avoid high interest or hidden fees.
Set a budget and prioritize. You may not need to do everything at once.
If you’re careful and informed, transforming your smile doesn’t have to wreck your savings. And in the long run, a confident smile might be worth more than the price tag.
Take our quiz to be matched with a dental aestheticist that's right for you based on what you need, including your financial situation.
Sources
Read more about this in the links below.
American Dental Association: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-statistics/cost-of-care
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/deferred-interest-credit-cards-what-you-need-know/
Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA): https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(18)30315-6/fulltext
CareCredit: https://www.carecredit.com/dentistry/
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