Dr. Victoria Vuong DDS & Dr. Henry Chang DDS, Top Cosmetic Dentist in Bay Area San Jose, CA

The commitment of both general and cosmetic dentists is to their patient’s oral health. Both can:

• Check for gum disease and tooth decay
• Advise on oral health and disease prevention
• Evaluate a patient’s overall health
• Prescribe treatment, including prescription drugs
• Conduct and interpret dental X-rays and other diagnostic tests
• Perform clinical procedures, such as exams, extractions, and corrective surgery
• Fill and bond teeth
• Extract teeth
• Perform dental implant surgery
• Place crowns, veneers, and bridges
• Repair broke or cracked teeth
• Treat gum disease (gingivitis/periodontitis)

The main difference between the two is that while a general dentist cares for the basic dental needs of his patients, a cosmetic dentist is more focused on the aesthetics of their smile. Both general and cosmetic dentists receive the same training, but cosmetic dentists go on to complete further education in their field. Since cosmetic dentistry is not currently recognized as a dental specialty there are no dedicated university degree programs in this specific area of study, but there are a number of well-respected education programs in cosmetic dentistry, and accreditation is available through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

Costs for cosmetic dentistry vary widely from location to location and practice to practice.  The following prices give an average ballpark figure for some procedures:

Teeth whitening – $400 – $1,800

Teeth straightening with braces:
• Metal braces – $2,500 – $7,000
• Invisalign – $2,000 – $8,000

Veneers: porcelain (single tooth) – $500 – $2,500
• Composite (single tooth) – $250 – $1,200

Teeth replacement:
• Single dental implant* – $1,500 – $6,000 
• Dental bridge (single tooth) – $500 – $1,500

Dentures – $300 – $30,000 depending on system and type

Some of these costs may appear high, but more and more dental insurance plans are now offering some level of coverage for cosmetic dental procedures, and there are always financing options too. But these prices may vary according to each patient’s needs, please contact Selective Dental today to learn more.

Just like choosing a general dentist, or a doctor, the choice of a cosmetic dentist is one that should be looked into carefully. With so many dentists offering cosmetic services nowadays, it can be hard to know which one to choose.

Some things to consider could be:

Price – this will, of course, be one of the primary factors, and the costs of treatment can mount up. Some of the things that will influence it will be:

• How long the treatment will take (specifically the time spent in the dentist’s chair)
• The dentist’s experience, qualifications, and reputation
• The overall standard of the practice and the facilities offered
• The location of the practice – city practices can be more expensive due to higher overhead costs
• The level of competition in the area – cities naturally have more competition and some practices may have special offers to attract new customers

Experience and reputation – this is important because you’re putting the way your face looks into someone else’s hands. Check online reviews and get recommendations from family and trusted friends, where possible. Websites can provide a wealth of information such as before and after pictures and patient reviews.

Location – Some people may be willing to travel some distance, sometimes even to another country, to visit a dentist with a good reputation but this can work out to be very expensive when you factor in both the traveling and treatment costs, the latter of which will likely be higher than normal because of the dentist’s reputation. Ultimately it will be the scope of the treatment that will likely be the deciding factor – for example, a treatment that only requires one or two visits might be worth the journey, but an orthodontic treatment, for example, that would involves repeated visits would likely best be served by a more local dentist.

Accreditation – some people may feel extra peace of mind knowing that their dentists are accredited, however, there is currently no mandatory accreditation for cosmetic dentists in the US, and licensing requirements vary from state to state. Many dental professionals are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) which helps to ensure they are kept educated and up to date on current techniques and practices, but this doesn’t mean that there is necessarily anything wrong with dentists who are not members.

When looking for a good local cosmetic dentist, most people will head online. It’s a great place to start because it will show you in an instant the practices that are nearby, along with websites and other useful information to help you in your research. The points listed above should be borne in mind when considering which practice to choose, and once the shortlist is narrowed a quick call to the practice to ask some preliminary questions can help to seal the deal.

If you would like to know more about the services, we provide at Selective Dental, contact us today! We serve patients from all over Santa Clara County CA: San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and beyond!