Cosmetic dentistry: what patients actually pay and what actually lasts

Cosmetic dentistry has an information asymmetry problem: most decisions cost between $1,000 and $50,000, are effectively permanent, and are made by people relying almost entirely on the recommendation of the dentist performing the procedure. That's not a criticism of dentists, most give sound advice, but it's an unfair playing field, and the marketing muddies it further.

The guides below try to redress that. We cover cost transparency (what patients actually pay, not the manufacturer's list price), longevity honesty (porcelain veneers really do last 10-15 years, composite really is closer to 5-7), and the specific pre-purchase questions worth asking before you commit to something you can't easily reverse.

For less-permanent options, snap-on veneers, clear aligners for minor cases, we cover honest limits: what these products can and can't do, and when they're worth trying before something permanent.