Hello there,
I saw my dentist because I wanted some cosmetic dentistry done. I was interested in getting some porcelain veneers on my upper teeth. I figured it was faster and cheaper than orthodontic work. However, my general dentist quoted me over $9,000! That price does not even cover all the dental work I would need!
Should I bother with a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist? Would it be cheaper? Or am I stuck with this price tag if I want cosmetic dental work?
David from Shadyside, Pennsylvania
Hi David,
The highest price does not always mean the best quality. The art of cosmetic dentistry is not taught in dental school. Dentists are taught to be practical and to fix problems, rather than create artistic solutions.
Placing your porcelain veneers requires a high amount of skill. Choose the most experienced dentist that you can afford. Going to an unskilled dentist to save some money could cost you down the road, as it may require more work and more money to fix any mistakes. To find a dentist for a second opinion, you should look at smile galleries on your local cosmetic dentists’ web pages. Find a dentist’s work that you like. Remember, the results are more important than price.
Cosmetic dentists nowadays tend to have financial policies they can go over with you. This way, you can be clear about what you are getting done and what is included in the price.
Also, if your dentist is comfortable working with certain kinds of porcelain, do not push them to use a different kind. If your dentist is working outside their comfort zone, the resulting work may not be the highest quality.
This blog post is brought to you by Enfield porcelain veneer provider, Dr. William Cummiskey, of Generations Dental Care.