Cosmetic vs. Restorative Dentistry

You may have noticed that there is a difference between cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Dental insurance, like health insurance will cover restorative dental procedures but not cosmetic dental procedures. You may have a dental procedure that you need to have done, but didn’t ask whether the procedure will be covered by your insurance. You know that cosmetic dental work is elective and is primarily done to improve appearance of a patient’s smile. Restorative dentistry, on the other hand is to repair dental damage to prevent future, more serious dental work needed. The distinction between the two have become murky in past years. The difference between the two are not as clear as they once were. What is considered restorative dentistry and what is cosmetic dentistry? Restorative DentistryRestorative dentistry

is the diagnosis and treatment of teeth, gums and bones of the mouth to restore their functionality and their aesthetic appearance. In other words, restorative dentistry includes any dental work that relieves any dental pain, prevents the worsening of a potential dental issue or repairs or restores damage to the teeth and gums. Restorative dentistry encompasses the dental specialties of endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics. Below are the common restorative dentistry procedures:

• Inlays
• Onlays
• Veneers
• Porcelain Crowns
• Fixed Bridges
• Root Canal Therapy
• Dental Fillings
• Braces, retainers, Invisalign treatment

Cosmetic Dentistry While restorative dentistry aims to restore the proper function of the teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry enhances the appearance of the patient’s teeth, gum and bite. Cosmetic dental procedures aim to enhance the color, shape, size, position and alignment of the teeth and smile. Cosmetic dentistry includes the following specialties:

• Prosthodontics
• Orthodontics
• Endodontics
• Periodontics

Within these cosmetic dentistry specialties, the following common cosmetic dental procedures are performed:

• Whitening
• Laser whitening
• Tooth reshaping, stripping, contouring, slenderizing
• Dental bridges
• Veneers
• Dental implants
• Gum lift
• Invisalign treatment
• Bite reclamation
• Inlays and Onlays
• Orthodontics
• Gum depigmentation
• Enameloplasty
• Gingivectomy
• Crowns
• Gum grafts

You’ve probably noticed some overlap of some of the restorative and cosmetic dental services. That is because some procedures can both restore function and enhance appearance of a patient’s smile. It can, therefore be difficult to assess what dental procedures will be covered by your health or dental insurance. Insurance is more likely to cover a cosmetic dental procedure if the main goal or result is to restore the function of the teeth and gums. You should always ask your dentist and read through insurance documentation before having a dental procedure done to find out if, and how much of the procedure will be covered. Most restorative dental procedures are at least partially covered by insurance. Regular teeth cleaning every six months can help minimize the risk of potential dental work in the future. Be sure to call and set up a tooth exam and cleaning with Apple Tree Dentistry today.