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What Are The Latest Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

Image of a woman smiling and sitting in a dentist chair while holding a mirror.

Cosmetic dental procedures can improve your smile, but health insurance rarely covers these expensive treatments. With years of experience connecting patients with dental financing options, United Credit stays up-to-date on the latest cosmetic procedures and advancements in dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry can give you the smile of your dreams if you’re unhappy with stains on your teeth, gaps, or unevenness. Recent innovations have given us the thinnest dental veneers like dental Lumineers, more durable materials for dental implants and dental bridges, and other easy options to correct your bite, such as Invisalign and other invisible braces.

A perfect smile can help strengthen teeth, allow for a healthier jaw, and improve confidence. With dental loan options from United Credit’s network of lenders, patients can secure the funds for the latest oral surgery procedure advancements—and start enjoying the benefits of an improved smile.

Below are dental procedures for fixing unsightly or painful dental problems.

Dental Veneers

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They can improve the look of your teeth and protect the tooth’s surface from damage. Dental veneers are typically made of resin composite or porcelain and can match the color of your teeth to correct gaps or misshapen teeth to give you the perfect smile.

How much do dental veneers cost?

According to Healthline, dental veneers cost an average of $925 to $2,500 per tooth. Dental veneers are not covered by insurance as they are considered cosmetic dental procedures.

How do dental veneers work?

Dental veneers cover imperfections in your teeth to improve your smile. Dental veneers fit over your teeth and match their natural color. Dental veneers cover uneven teeth, gaps between teeth, and other irregularities to create a beautiful smile.

How long do dental veneers last?

Porcelain veneers can last 10-12 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner and last 4-8 years. Dental veneers can become chipped or wear down over time. While dental insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost of dental veneers, some dental insurance plans will cover replacing or repairing existing dental veneers.

What’s new with this procedure?

Digital imaging technologies can generate 3D models of a patient’s smile to guide veneer fabrication, boosting accuracy and precision. Additional oral surgery procedure advancements for veneers include revolutionary laser bonding technologies that reduce the need for adhesives and improved color matching for a more natural-looking smile.

Dental Implants

How much do dental implants cost?

The cost per tooth for a single dental implant is $3,000 to $4,500. If you need a mouthful of implants, the final cost is between $60,000 and $90,000. The average cost of dental implants includes surgery, all components, and the crown.

How long do dental implants last? 

Dental implants last up to 20 years on average. Dental implants are not made of enamel-like teeth. Dental implants are made of extremely durable materials and last decades. With proper oral hygiene, dental implants can last up to 25 years.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth and can help correct gaps in your teeth and keep your jaw in alignment. A dental implant has three parts: the post, which connects to your jawbone; the abutment, which holds the tooth in place; and the crown, which gives the appearance of a normal tooth. Dental implants are a seamless way to replace natural teeth for a beautiful smile.

What are dental implants made of?

Dental implants are made of titanium, which is extremely biocompatible. It has a low level of toxicity and very few people are allergic to it. The crown portion of the implant is made of ceramic to match the color of your natural teeth.

What’s new with this procedure?

Some oral surgery procedure advancements for dental implants include smaller, computer-designed implants, which can make more patients suitable candidates for prosthetic teeth. These advancements render dental implants more accessible for patients with less natural oral bone tissue. They also improve the success rate of restorations for dentists and allow them to provide a wider range of services to patients.

Professional Teeth Whitening

How much does professional teeth whitening cost?

On average, professional, in-office teeth whitening costs $650 per visit. However, pricing can vary nationally between $500 and $1,000 nationally.

How long does professional teeth whitening last?

Professional teeth whitening typically lasts anywhere from a few months up to a few years. Many factors determine how long your tooth whitening treatment will last, including diet, drinking, smoking, and other lifestyle habits.

How does professional teeth whitening work?

Teeth whitening uses a potent bleaching solution that includes either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth. Teeth whitening is safest and most effective when done by a professional in a dental office environment.

What is the best teeth whitening?

The best teeth whitening is done by a professional in an office setting. Dentists have access to the best treatments to whiten your teeth safely. At-home whitening is not as effective and in some cases, at-home whitening procedures like using charcoal products to whiten teeth may be harmful. Teeth whitening should protect the enamel on your teeth while removing stains.

What’s new with this procedure?

Before, patients needed multiple dental visits to achieve their desired results. Now, with new advancements in dentistry, bleaching materials used in professional teeth whitening are more effective and provide faster results. For example, Zoom whitening treatments can make a patient’s teeth up to eight shades whiter after just one dental appointment.

Dental Bridges

What is a dental bridge?

Dental bridges are designed to bridge the gap between missing teeth. If you have a missing tooth, it is important to maintain the integrity of your jaw and the alignment of your other teeth by filling in the space. When you have a dental bridge installed, the two teeth on either side of the gap will be given a crown or false top that matches your other teeth.

Between the two crowns, the bridge holds a false tooth (sometimes referred to as “the third crown” in a three-crown bridge) in place in the gap. The dental bridge keeps your other teeth from shifting and maintains a healthy alignment for chewing and speaking. A bridge can fill in the space of one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges usually only replace two missing teeth at a time, since a larger gap means the bridge will be less stable.

How much does a dental bridge cost?

A dental bridge costs between $2,000 and $4,500, depending on the materials used. Dental bridges can be made of porcelain, gold, alloys, or a combination of materials.

How long does a dental bridge last?

A dental bridge can last 5-15 years or even longer with the right oral hygiene habits. The dental bridge’s integrity depends on the health of the supporting natural teeth. Flossing and brushing, as well as avoiding tooth decay through a healthy diet, can help extend the dental bridge’s life.

What’s new with this procedure?

CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacture) technologies make dental crowns and bridges more accurate and faster to build. Traditionally, patients need to bite down on the dental wax to create a mold, then wait for days to have a crown or bridge installed. New dental procedures use more precise, computer-designed crowns that can be made in as little as one day.

Invisalign

How much does Invisalign cost?

On average, Invisalign costs between $3,500 and $8,500. In some cases, dental insurance will cover a portion of the Invisalign or invisible braces treatment. Other insurance companies treat Invisalign the same as regular braces, while some don’t cover it at all. Check with your dental insurance provider for more information on your coverage for Invisalign.

How does Invisalign work? 

Invisalign uses transparent, retainer-like devices to gently move your teeth into alignment. Invisalign is generally more comfortable than braces.

How long does Invisalign take?

Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months to work. However, some people start seeing results as soon as a few weeks into Invisalign treatment.

How can I clean my Invisalign?

It is easy to clean your Invisalign invisible braces.

  1. Rinse your Invisalign in lukewarm water (not too hot).
  2. Brush your Invisalign using a soft-bristled toothbrush (just like you’d clean your teeth, making sure to brush all sides). The abrasives in toothpaste can damage your Invisalign. You can use soap, but make sure it’s free of dyes, which can stain the Invisalign. You can also soak the aligner for 15-30 minutes in a 50-50 water and hydrogen peroxide solution.
  3. Rinse your Invisalign in lukewarm water again.
  4. Place your Invisalign retainer in its case to dry.

Every time you clean your Invisalign retainer, inspect it for tartar or calcium buildup. You will see the white or clear build-up on the outside of the retainer. If this is the case, soak the Invisalign in a retainer-cleaning solution. Invisalign makes a cleaner called Invisalign Cleaning Crystals.

What’s new with this procedure?

The average Invisalign treatment used to take 12–18 months to complete. Now, treatment plans can be cut in half—with weekly treatments instead of bi-weekly—for better results. Invisalign aligners have also become more advanced in recent years. Its SmartTrack material fits better and puts more force on the teeth to help them move faster, which speeds up treatment.

Dental Lumineers®

What are Dental Lumineers?

Dental Lumineers are a cutting-edge version of dental veneers. Dental Lumineers are thinner than traditional veneers. Dental Lumineers fit over your natural teeth with very little need for grinding or shaping the original teeth.

How much do dental lumineers cost?

Dental Lumineers cost between $800 and $2000 per tooth. The difference in cost comes from a variety of factors: size, difficulty, and geography impact the individual cost of this treatment.

Does insurance cover dental Lumineers?

Dental insurance typically does not cover dental lumineers. Dental lumineers, like all veneers, are generally considered to be a cosmetic procedure.

What’s new with this procedure?

Lumineers are created with the latest Cerinate porcelain technology, which provides strength while remaining contact-lens thin. These may be installed over existing crowns, bridgework, and teeth without the need for tooth reduction.

Root Canal

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure to save a tooth that is badly decayed or a tooth that has an infection. A root canal procedure removes the nerve and pulp from a tooth and then seals it. The pulp is the layer of your tooth under the enamel and another hard layer called dentin. The pulp helped grow your tooth back when it was developing. However, a tooth can survive without the pulp once it is grown because it receives support from the surrounding tissues. A root canal removes the infection in the pulp, adds a filling to that space, and then seals the tooth to repair it.

How long does a root canal take?

A modern root canal is similar to a routine cavity filling. A root canal will take about an hour. Some root canals are done in two visits: one to remove the infection and one to disinfect and seal the tooth.

How much does a root canal cost?

A root canal can cost between $900 and $1,100 for a front tooth. A root canal for a back tooth can cost $1,100 to $1,300. Typically molars are more expensive when it comes to root canals. Factors that influence cost are the difficulty of the procedure and the materials used.

When do you need a root canal?

Signs of needing a root canal are a chipped tooth, a cracked tooth, severe pain while chewing, swollen or painful gums, pimples on the gums, and decay or darkening in the gums. Your dentist will be able to determine if your tooth needs a root canal.

What’s new with this procedure?

Root canal oral surgery procedure advancements include using 3D CBCT imaging and modern magnification technologies for thorough teeth examination. Minimally invasive and painless root canal treatments, such as GentleWave® Procedure, are also available. This treatment utilizes sound waves and a stream of fluid to remove damaged tissue and bacteria to thoroughly clean the root canal system.

New Dental Procedures and Advancements

After going through the latest oral surgery procedure advancements, let’s look into the latest breakthroughs in dentistry that are improving dental treatments in the modern age:

Advanced X-Ray Technology

The industry is now leveraging digital X-ray technology that is faster, more accurate, and easier to analyze than traditional X-rays. This new technology allows dentists to zoom into the images generated to better evaluate a patient’s oral health.

Lasers

Dental lasers are among the latest advancements in dentistry, aiding in faster and more accurate tooth cavity detection. This technology uses infrared light to locate hidden cavities, damaged teeth, and signs of gum disease. Lasers are more effective than the traditional visual examination method, and provide a more comprehensive analysis for better treatment plans.

Intraoral Camera

Intraoral cameras are a new technology used by dentists to gain quality images of areas of the patient’s mouth that were previously hard to see. This technology enables dentists to thoroughly evaluate the patient’s oral health for a more effective treatment.

Oral Cancer Screening Technology

New technologies, such as the VELscope screening system, allow dentists to detect abnormalities in a patient’s mouth that are not visible to the naked eye. These advanced screening systems use incandescent light to detect signs of disease and cancer during an oral cancer screening.

Storm Cells

Oral surgery procedure advancements have made acquiring stem cells safer and easier. Stem cells serve as effective treatment options for dental conditions and injuries. For example, stem cells can be used to reverse periodontitis by using them to replicate vital steps in periodontal development.

Get Dental Financing through United Credit’s Lending Partners

Dental financing is available for patients for their desired cosmetic dentistry procedures from United Credit’s network of lenders.

After you complete an online application, we will submit it to our lending partner network to match you with the best financing option based on your application details. If you qualify for a pre-approval, you will receive a financing option within minutes (or up to one business day) after the application is submitted.

If your application is matched with one of our lending partners, we may contact you to review the terms and conditions. Once the terms are accepted and any stipulations are provided, our lending partners will disburse the funds you have requested.

Patients enjoy the flexibility of dental financing for cosmetic dentistry procedures with a payment plan that fits their budget. To get started, fill out an online application today.

United Credit strives to keep the content shared on this blog accurate and up to date. You are urged to consult with business, financial, legal, tax and/or other advisors and/or medical providers with respect to any information presented. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been approved or otherwise endorsed by any financial or medical institution. This content is intended for informational purposes only.

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Jessica Payan

VP of Human Resources

As a certified Professional in HR (PHR), Jessica brings 10 years of HR experience to the United Credit team. She is responsible for managing the strategy and processes related to building and retaining an exceptional team of professionals. Jessica is passionate about supporting each employee to be their most successful and exemplifies our core values daily.

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Controller

As Controller, Aaron manages the income and expenses of the Company and the incoming and outgoing loan funds with the utmost integrity. He is a lifelong learner with multiple degrees and certifications to his name and 25 years of working in financial services. Aaron’s reason behind being a part of the United Credit team is to make a difference in the Company and to his coworkers, our partners, and our customers.

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VP of Strategic Accounts

Brett spearheads our business sales growth by identifying and supporting new merchants in partnering with United Credit. He has 10+ years of sales, contract negotiation, and market strategy experience that he brings to each new merchant and our team. His desire is to support the growth of United Credit and the merchants we serve through respect and collaboration.

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Andria is a seasoned leader with over 10 years of experience in providing world-class customer service and directing consumer finance processes. She oversees the tracking, reporting, and achievement of our company goals, long and short-term projects, and special initiatives. Andria is service-minded when it comes to collaborating internally and externally, and it shines through in every interaction.

Nate Moster

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

As Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Nate expertly drives revenue growth for United Credit by leading sales and marketing strategies across all channels. With over 20 years of experience working with global brands in various industries, Nate has a proven track record of boosting sales, expanding market share, and building strong relationships. His unique ‘right-brain + left-brain’ approach combines business acumen and strategic thinking with striking creative execution, ensuring United Credit’s sales and marketing efforts consistently deliver results for continued success.

Matthew Libman

Founder & President

Matthew is the President and Founder of United Credit. Matt founded fintech company United Medical Credit in 2011 to connect consumers and businesses with an array of experienced, innovative financing solutions. In 2022, the company grew and became United Credit, fueling an expansion into retail markets while retaining its expertise in specialty healthcare.

Since its founding, Matt has provided leadership for all aspects of the Company, emphasizing long-term growth while ensuring United Credit delivers value to its consumers, merchants, and business partners. The Company has risen in the fintech space as a preferred consumer financing partner under his tenure.

Matt is also an active member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), the world’s largest leadership community of company chief executives.