What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Modern dentistry is both an art and a science.  Cosmetic dentistry in our Media dental office is the result of years of experience and training, combined with an artist’s vision and attention to small details, to give you your most pleasing smile.  Your smile is your calling card, your first impression to the world.  People who are not satisfied with their smile tend to smile less, and cover their mouth when they laugh to avoid showing their teeth.  They may appear unhappy, shy or unfriendly, when they are not. An unattractive smile can mke you feel less confident, or awkward in social and professional situations.

If your teeth are in good repair, cosmetic dentistry can make an average smile much nicer.  If one or more teeth need restoration, an aestheic approach will produce far more pleasing results.

What cosmetic procedures does Dr. Bodak perform?
Our comprehensive examinations include a cosmetic evaluation, such as shade analysis and alignment of teeth, for each new patient in our Media dental office.  Using his years of  training, Dr. Bodak can design your smile to complement your facial features and bone structure.  Our cosmetic procedures include:

• cosmetic tooth bleaching, both in-office and at home
• dental contouring
• natural tooth-colored bondings
• thin porcelain veneers
• all ceramic, layered Zirconia crowns
• dental implants to replace missing teeth
• ceramic bridges to replace missing teeth
• periodontal procedures such as root coverage to correct gum defects
• whole mouth restoration with Smile Design

Aren’t all crowns the same?
Definitely not! A crown, also called a “cap”, is a protective covering for a tooth that has been damaged.  Crowns can be made of metal, plastic resin, porcelain fused to metal, or all ceramic. Part of the cost for a crown depends on the material from which it is made.   Layered zirconia crowns are ceramic restorations with the natural, lustrous appearance of a healthy tooth, without a dark metal line at the gum.  Our metal-free crowns are produced by computer-aided design and manufacturing and are similar in cost to a standard porcelain-fused to metal crown.

Are cosmetic procedures covered by Dental Insurance?
Some cosmetic procedures may be covered, such as cosmetic bondings for front teeth.  A cosmetic restoration is always your option, regardless of insurance.  After all, it is your mouth and your smile!  Insurers’ decisions on reimbursement for any procedure is based on their finances, not on your aesthetics.   It may be possible to use an alternative benefit to obtain partial coverage for a cosmetic procedure.  For example, if you prefer natural tooth colored bondings to dark metal fillings, your insurer may still provided the benefit for a metal filling, which can be used toward the cost of the bonding.