Beautifying Smiles with Cosmetic Dentistry in Milwaukee
Today, the public is bombarded with television and radio ads expounding the virtues of cosmetic dentistry and the "specialists" who provide it. It leads to the question, "What's the difference between a prosthodontist and a cosmetic dentist?"
A prosthodontist is someone who has completed four years of dental school and taken an additional two to three years of advanced training that focuses on crowns, bridges, partials, dentures, and dental implants. While cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty, there are many highly skilled dentists that perform cosmetic procedures to create wonderful results. A prosthodontist, such as Dr. Franzen, can provide these same results with the benefits of years of additional study and training.
As your Milwaukee prosthodontist, Dr. Franzen ensures that our restorative procedures always meet the requirements of form and function. When the restorations are in harmony with the remaining teeth, they provide the cosmetic and esthetic results every patient deserves. To enhance the appearance of your smile, Dr. Franzen may recommend teeth whitening, porcelain crowns, or a cosmetic gum lift.
To come experience our friendly and state-of-the-art care, call Milwaukee Dental Implants and reserve your consultation with Dr. Barry R. Franzen. We welcome patients from Milwaukee, West Allis, Waukesha, and Southeast Wisconsin to come enjoy the benefits of Dr. Franzen’s specialized dental practice.
ClearCorrect Aligners
Are you ready to straighten your crooked, crowded, or oddly spaced teeth? With ClearCorrect aligners, you can achieve the perfectly straight smile you’ve always wanted without having to get bulky metal braces. This system instead uses a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners to gently shift the teeth in the most discreet and comfortable way possible. They are practically invisible on the teeth, and when it’s time to eat or brush, you can simply take them out!
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns allow us to not only restore a damaged tooth’s strength and function, but its appearance as well! Dental porcelain is extremely strong, durable, and it can be specially shaped and shaded to completely blend into a patient’s smile. With these crowns, only you and Dr. Franzen will know that you’ve had dental work!
Learn More About Porcelain Crowns
Teeth Whitening
Years of coffee, wine, tea, and even natural aging can leave a smile looking stained and discolored, but you can easily turn back the clock and restore its shine in the comfort of your own home. We can provide you with your own take-home whitening kit, one which will feature custom-made mouth trays as well as a powerful bleaching gel that is much stronger than anything you can buy on your own. Simply use the kit as directed for about two weeks, and you can easily make your teeth up to EIGHT shades whiter.
Learn More About Teeth Whitening
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Whether you’re interested in completely transforming your smile or you want to fix a few minor imperfections, you may have the same question on your mind: How much does cosmetic dentistry cost? Once our Milwaukee dental team has an in-depth understanding of your aesthetic concerns and smile goals, we can create a custom treatment plan and provide you with a price estimate. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more!
Which Cosmetic Dental Service Is Right for Me?
Naturally, the smile-enhancing service you choose will play a key role in the final price you pay. With this in mind, here’s some helpful information to consider when deciding which one is best for you:
- ClearCorrect – Clear aligner treatment is a great option for patients who are struggling with mild to moderate orthodontic problems, including overcrowding and overbites. Since ClearCorrect improves the appearance of your smile while also reducing your risk of cavities and other common oral health issues, it’s sometimes partially covered by dental insurance providers, too!
- Teeth Whitening – Professional teeth whitening is typically more expensive than store-bought kits. However, they are also considerably more reliable. In fact, our in-office treatments can make your smile several shades brighter in a single visit. Plus, the results can last for 6+ months with the proper care and maintenance.
- Porcelain Crowns – Long gone are the days of having a noticeable, metal restoration drawing unwanted attention to your smile. With porcelain crowns, we can restore the function, health, and appearance of a treated tooth. Plus, since they fall under both the restorative and cosmetic umbrella, your dental insurance provider may cover a portion of the cost!
Cosmetic Dentistry Can Be an Investment Worth Making
Here are a few noteworthy reasons why it’s worth investing in cosmetic dentistry:
- Improves Your Self-Esteem – Like many other patients, you may find it difficult to look and feel your best when your eyes go to stains, gaps, and other imperfections. Fortunately, we can enhance your smile (and your self-esteem) pretty easily with cosmetic dental treatments like ClearCorrect and teeth whitening!
- Boosts Your Professional Success – Several studies have shown that job applicants who whitened their teeth prior to the interview were more likely to receive an offer. Plus, if you have a smile that makes you feel good, you’ll feel confident going to a networking event, giving an important presentation, or meeting with your boss!
- Benefits Your Oral Health – Since chips, cracks, and gaps increase your risk of common dental issues, like cavities, addressing them can actually benefit your oral health. Plus, if you have a smile you love, you’re more likely to incorporate good habits into your routine, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
Although there are some exceptions, dental insurance providers typically don’t cover the cost of elective treatments, like teeth whitening. Fortunately, there’s another way to make the price fit into your budget: flexible financing! Thanks to trusted third-party financiers like CareCredit and LendingClub, you don’t have to pay for the cost of cosmetic dentistry in one lump sum. Instead, you can choose a low-to-no interest payment plan and break up the price into smaller, more budget-friendly chunks.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Your cosmetic dentist in Milwaukee, Dr. Franzen can help you achieve the smile of your dreams using specific aesthetic treatments. Cosmetic dentistry can improve the color, size, shape, proportion, and alignment of your teeth to give your self-esteem a boost. While you are excited to invest in your confidence, it is normal to have several questions about the process. There is no need to worry. Dr. Franzen has the answers to your top questions about cosmetic dentistry. He will help you make the right choice for your smile.
What are common cosmetic dentistry procedures?
Dr. Franzen offers a variety of cosmetic treatments in-office to give you the smile you have always wanted. Depending on your individual needs and the results you want to achieve, you could benefit from one or more procedures, including:
- ClearCorrect Aligners
- Porcelain Crowns
- Teeth Whitening
- Crown & Bridge
- Partials/Dentures
- Dental Implants
Does my dental insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
In most cases, dental insurance carriers will not pay for cosmetic dentistry, but there are some exceptions. Now, certain restorative services overlap into cosmetic dentistry, which your policy may cover. If a cosmetic treatment is deemed necessary to improve or restore your oral health, your insurance may cover it, such as an all-ceramic crown. It can pay for as much as 80% of the treatment depending on your specific policy.
Our office works on your behalf with your insurance company to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We accept a variety of payment options, including third-party financing with CareCredit, to keep your new smile affordable.
Can my teen benefit from cosmetic dentistry?
There are certain cosmetic treatments suitable for teens, such as clear aligners or teeth whitening. In some cases, young children can also benefit from cosmetic dentistry to fix a chipped tooth. Your child will require an initial consultation with Dr. Franzen to ensure cosmetic dentistry is an option for them.
How long will the process take?
There is no easy answer to this question because the duration of the process varies depending on your treatment plan. You can achieve the results you want after just one appointment with teeth whitening. However, if you want other procedures, it can take a couple of weeks or longer. Dr. Franzen will outline your treatment plan and explain how long you can expect the process to take during your initial consultation. If you want quicker results, he will discuss any alternative treatment options.
Is cosmetic dentistry right for me?
If you are not happy with the smile you see in the mirror, you may be a candidate for cosmetic dentistry. Generally, you are eligible for specific treatments if you are infection-free. If you have an infection, it needs to be treated before Dr. Franzen can move forward with cosmetic services.
If you are ready to transform your smile, contact our office today to see if cosmetic dentistry is right for you.