{"id":256,"date":"2026-08-31T15:33:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.queencreekcompletedental.com\/blog\/?p=256"},"modified":"2026-08-31T15:34:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:34:08","slug":"saving-money-on-cosmetic-dentistry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.queencreekcompletedental.com\/blog\/2026\/08\/31\/saving-money-on-cosmetic-dentistry\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Improve Your Smile on a Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While your dental insurance is a reliable safety net for a variety of restorative and preventive treatments, in most cases it doesn\u2019t cover cosmetic dentistry<\/a>. Thus, if you want to improve the appearance of your gorgeous grin, you\u2019ll likely be responsible for the full price. So, how do you get the smile you desire without breaking the bank? Here\u2019s a closer look at some popular cosmetic dentistry treatments that you can get on a tight budget – and a few ways to make them more affordable, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

At-Home Teeth Whitening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because of their affordable prices, many people initially turn to OTC teeth whitening products thinking they\u2019ll get incredible results while saving a buck or two. Unfortunately, however, this is rarely the case, because although it may be cheaper to buy a box of white strips from your local discount store, it usually ends up costing a lot more along the way. You see, storebought products use weakened ingredients, and typically only contain enough for a few weeks, so you end up having to purchase them over and over again until you get the results you want. Worse yet, if you have sensitive teeth, this effect could extend for many months until you stop using them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, a take-home kit from your dentist can get you the results you want in about two weeks, and your trays are yours to keep and purchase refills as needed. While this may be more expensive up front<\/em> than those OTC products, it\u2019s also faster, less painful, and can often cost less<\/em> in the long term!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal-Free Dental Restorations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Metal free dental restorations can sometimes be covered by your dental insurance, depending on whether they are deemed medically necessary or not. Thankfully, your dentist\u2019s insurance team will be happy to submit a claim to your provider on your behalf to determine if any portion of your treatment qualifies. If not, rest assured that these durable, lifelike dental restorations won\u2019t just look better in your smile, but they\u2019ll also protect your natural teeth so they last longer, saving you money and time along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum Recontouring \/ Crown Lengthening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This permanent treatment can eliminate the appearance of a gummy smile, all the while making your teeth look longer and more central to your smile. Although it is considered cosmetic, it sometimes has oral health benefits, such as if you are prone to gum infections due to an overage of periodontal tissue. This may qualify for some level of dental insurance<\/a> coverage, but even if it doesn\u2019t, by lowering your risk of oral health problems later, it can save you plenty of time and money and discomfort down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry More Affordable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know some of the affordable treatments your cosmetic dentist offers, you may be wondering how to make them more manageable in your budget.  The good news is that you have several options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n