Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
by AACD-accredited dentists
Quick Summary for Travelers
The Goal: Fix discolored, broken, crooked, or missing teeth with natural-looking results.
The Experts: Treatments led by AACD-accredited cosmetic dentists (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) using our in-house digital lab.
The Savings: High-end US-quality dental care at 50% to 70% less than domestic prices.
The Timeframe: Most full smile transformations are completed in just one trip (5–7 business days).
Tired of Hiding Your Smile? We Can Help.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
It is a branch of advanced dental care dedicated to fixing aesthetic imperfections—like gaps, discoloration, chips, or misaligned teeth—while restoring full bite function and structural strength.
If you catch yourself covering your mouth when you laugh or avoiding the camera, you aren’t alone. Most of our international patients come to us feeling self-conscious about worn-down, stained, or uneven teeth.
At Meza Dental Care, we don’t believe in fake-looking, “chiclet” smiles. Led by two AACD-accredited dentists, our team uses digital smile design technology to craft a natural, balanced smile tailored to your unique facial features.
Our Specialized Cosmetic Treatments
Dental Crowns
A crown, also known as a dental cap, is a type of dental restoration that completely caps or encircles a tooth, or the metal frame placed on a dental implant. The crown restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance.
Dental crowns can be placed over a prepared existing tooth or an implant with the help of an abutment.
It is used to protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold the parts of a cracked tooth together.
To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there aren’t a lot of teeth left.
To hold a dental bridge in place.
To cover severely discolored or crooked teeth.
To be placed on top of a dental implant.
To make a cosmetic modification.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Improve the color and shape of the tooth or teeth.
They provide the best possible protection for a heavily broken-down tooth.
Crowns last longer than any other type of dental restoration, including all types of fillings and implants.
Preparing for a crown entails grinding away some tooth structure, which is irreversible.
Dental Veneers
A dental veneer is a thin, custom-made shell or layer made of a unique material, usually porcelain, placed over a tooth to improve the aesthetics of a smile and protect the tooth’s surface from damage. Our porcelain veneers are digitally made using the latest technology in our dental lab.
Porcelain veneers can last 15-20 years, but, like natural teeth, their longevity depends on the patient’s health habits, and they are still susceptible to damage.
To place a dental veneer, the teeth must be slightly worn down to create room for the new layer and ensure a proper surface for cementing the veneer.
To restore a single tooth that may have been fractured or discolored.
To restore multiple teeth to make a full smile makeover.
To close gaps between teeth.
To improve the appearance of teeth when they have worn edges or appear crooked.
Advantages and Disadvantages
They provide a natural tooth appearance.
The enamel is not completely removed during the preparation.
Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant.
Offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color and shape since no grinding takes place, with a more straightforward procedure than crowns.
The process is not reversible.
Because some of the enamel has been removed, your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.
Teeth Whitening
There are different methods to whiten your teeth, but at Meza Dental Care, we prefer the chairside light whitening system because it provides fast, medical-grade whitening for severely discolored teeth.
Medical tooth whitening can also be used as an alternative and more conservative treatment for cosmetic improvement.
Two teeth side by side: one stained/yellow and one bright white, representing a teeth whitening before-and-after.
Types of Teeth Whitening
There are various methods for restoring or whitening your teeth. Still, at Meza Dental Care Clinic, we prefer the chairside light whitening system since it´s used for fast, medical-grade whitening of strongly discolored teeth.
Medical tooth whitening can also be used as an alternative and more conservative treatment for cosmetic improvement.
Advantages and Disadvantages
A professional whitening session at your dentist’s office will provide better, whiter, and more even results.
This procedure guarantees your teeth will get whiter in less time and with long-lasting results.
Treatment is customized to your needs by cosmetic experts.
Whitening is not a one-time procedure. You’ll need to repeat it periodically to maintain a brighter color.
Sometimes, you get sore teeth or gums resulting from the bleaching treatment (this discomfort disappears when the tooth bleaching is discontinued)
It’s important to note that while most stains can be removed with whitening, discoloration may sometimes require a crown or veneer.
Dental Composites
Dental composites or resins are synthetic resins used in dentistry as restorative materials or adhesives. They are tooth-colored restorations that replace decayed tooth structure and improve the appearance of the smile.
Dental composite resins also have specific properties that benefit patients with cavities. One such property is micro-mechanics, which makes it more effective at filling small cavities where amalgam fillings are less effective and could therefore fall out.
In the same way, a dental composite can add material to make a tooth longer or broader. It is also possible to remove material to shape teeth.
Use of dental composites:
Esthetic tooth-colored restoration.
Filling cavities.
Improving/modifying tooth size and shape.
Masking discolored teeth via composite veneering.
Advantages and Disadvantages
They look great since they can be matched to your natural tooth color.
They do not contain mercury, which can be harmful.
Conservation of tooth structure.
Long-lasting.
It can be repaired.
Bonds to the tooth structure.
Economic restorative material.
They can be less resistant than other materials.
Cosmetic Dentistry F.A.Q.
Does Insurance cover Cosmetic Dentistry in the USA?
In the USA, cosmetic dentistry is typically not covered by traditional dental insurance plans.Most dental insurance plans focus on providing coverage for preventive and necessary dental procedures, such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, and sometimes essential restorative treatments like crowns and bridges.These procedures are considered crucial for maintaining oral health.Conversely, cosmetic dentistry is primarily focused on improving the appearance of a person’s teeth and smile rather than addressing immediate dental health issues.Some standard cosmetic dentistry procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants for aesthetic purposes, and smile makeovers.Since cosmetic procedures are considered elective and not essential for maintaining oral health, they are usually not covered by standard dental insurance policies.However, depending on the specific insurance plan and its terms, there may be some exceptions or partial coverage for specific cosmetic treatments.Individuals considering cosmetic dentistry procedures should carefully review their dental insurance policy and talk to their insurance provider to understand what aspects of cosmetic dentistry might be covered, if any.
How expensive is Cosmetic Dentistry?
The cost of cosmetic dentistry can vary widely depending on several factors, including the specific procedure or treatment being performed, the complexity of the case, the dentist’s experience and expertise, the location of the dental practice, and the materials used.
Generally, cosmetic dentistry is more expensive than regular dental procedures because it involves specialized skills, advanced techniques, and high-quality materials to improve aesthetics. Some procedures may require multiple appointments and extensive work to achieve the desired results, contributing to the overall cost.
The overall cost will also be higher if multiple cosmetic procedures are combined to create a comprehensive smile makeover.
How long does Cosmetic Dentistry take?
The duration of cosmetic dentistry procedures can vary significantly depending on the type of treatment and its complexity.
Some cosmetic procedures can be completed in a single visit, while others may require several appointments over an extended period.
Here are some standard cosmetic dentistry procedures and their typical time frames:
Teeth Whitening: In-office teeth whitening procedures typically take 1 to 2 hours to complete. A single session is often enough to achieve noticeable results. Take-home teeth whitening kits may require multiple applications over a week or two to achieve the desired level of whiteness.
Dental Veneers: Getting dental veneers usually involves two to three appointments. During the first visit, the dentist prepares the teeth by removing a small amount of enamel and taking impressions. Temporary veneers may be placed while the permanent ones are being fabricated. In the subsequent visit, the custom veneers are bonded to the teeth.
Dental Implants: Dental implant procedures can take several months to complete, including the healing and integration of the implant with the jawbone. The process involves placing the implant, allowing time for osseointegration (fusion of the implant with the bone), and finally attaching the dental crown or prosthetic tooth to the implant.
Dental Crowns: Getting a dental crown usually requires two appointments. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared, and impressions are taken. A temporary crown may be placed. In the second visit, the permanent crown is cemented onto the tooth.
