How to Pay for Cosmetic Dentistry by Spreading Out the Cost

Wanting a smile you love and wondering how you'll pay for it often arrive at the same moment. You might already picture how your teeth could look, and still feel a knot in your stomach about the cost attached to that picture. That feeling makes complete sense, and it deserves a clear answer before you commit to anything. In this post we walk through how pricing works at our New Haven dental office, the financing options we offer, and how our team helps you build a payment plan that feels comfortable for your life.

How pricing works for cosmetic dentistry

The cost of cosmetic dentistry depends on what your plan includes: how many teeth are involved, which treatments you choose, and the details of your smile. Brightening your smile with whitening and redesigning it with a full smile makeover are very different plans, so we give you pricing once we've seen your teeth and heard what you want.

That's also why you won't find a price list on our website. Every smile is designed for the person wearing it, and a number is only useful once it reflects your own plan. Where possible, you leave your consultation with a concrete plan and clear pricing in hand, so you can think it over at home with no surprises later.

Cosmetic treatment is fee-for-service, since dental insurance doesn't cover it. Financing gives you a way to spread that cost out, so the smile you want can fit into your monthly budget.

Financing options for your new smile

We offer two third-party financing options, each arranged with our treatment coordinator:

• CareCredit
• Alphaeon

Each lets you pay for your treatment over time, and each has its own application and terms. Our coordinator walks you through how they work side by side, so you can choose the one that suits you and feel confident about your monthly payments before treatment begins.

Financing can help with any of the cosmetic care we offer, from whitening to porcelain veneers to a smile makeover that brings several treatments together. If you'd like to read more about the different ways people pay for dental care, the ADA's patient site has a helpful overview.

Building a payment plan with our team

Karen Courtemanche, our Patient Treatment Coordinator, has spent more than 30 years in dentistry helping people plan for the care they want. This is how the conversation about cost usually unfolds with our team:

1. You meet with our cosmetic dental assistant, our treatment coordinator and Dr. Lerch for an unhurried consultation we call co-discovery.
2. Together we map out what's possible for your smile and which treatments would make the difference you're hoping for.
3. You receive clear pricing for your plan, written around your own teeth and goals.
4. Our coordinator talks through financing with you and helps you set up the option you choose.
5. You take the time you need to decide, with no pressure from anyone on our team.

Our coordinator plans around your budget, so the conversation stays focused on what feels right for you and your family.

Questions worth asking before you commit

Going into your consultation with a few questions in mind helps you feel in control of the decision. We welcome every one of these:

• What does the full cost of my plan include, from start to finish?
• Which treatments are essential to the change I want, and which are optional?
• How does each financing option work, and which fits my situation?
• Is there a more conservative treatment that could give me a result I'd love?

That last question matters to us too. If budget is on your mind, tell us: sometimes a gentler option, like cosmetic bonding or contouring, can give you the change you're after, and we'll tell you when that's the case. You can also browse the range of cosmetic options the ADA describes to get a feel for what's possible before you come in.

When you're ready to talk about cost

If the cost has been the reason you've put off the smile you want, a consultation is the easiest place to start. You'll see what your plan could look like, learn what it costs, and hear how financing could spread it out, all in one relaxed conversation at our New Haven, CT dental office. You can read more on our financing and insurance for new patients page before you call.

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer financing for cosmetic dentistry?

Yes. We offer two third-party financing options: CareCredit and Alphaeon. Each lets you pay for treatment over time and has its own terms. Our treatment coordinator walks you through them, helps you choose the one that fits your budget, and sets it up with you before your treatment begins.

Will I know the full cost before I start?

Yes. We give you clear pricing up front, based on your own teeth and the treatments in your plan. Where possible you leave your consultation with a concrete plan and pricing in hand, so you can think it over at home and decide with confidence, knowing exactly what you're agreeing to.

Can I finance a smile makeover with several treatments?

Yes. A smile makeover combines two or more treatments, such as whitening, bonding, reshaping or veneers, into one plan. Our treatment coordinator helps you find a financing path that fits your budget for the whole plan, so cost never has to stand between you and the smile you want.

Does dental insurance help pay for cosmetic work?

Cosmetic dentistry isn't covered by dental insurance, so it's fee-for-service, and financing is how you can spread that cost out. For general dentistry, we're in-network with Delta Dental of New Jersey. Not sure where your care falls? Call us and our team will help you sort it out.

Start planning your smile

We'd love to help you find a way to the smile you've been picturing, at a pace that feels right for your budget. Call us at (203) 624-5256 or contact our team to book your consultation. You'll find our New Haven dental office at 375 Orange St, with free patient parking behind the building.

Published by Center for Esthetic Dentistry.