Cosmetic dentistry, honestly framed.

Cosmetic dentistry has a reputation problem. The way it’s marketed often suggests that everyone should be chasing an unnaturally white, unnaturally uniform smile. That’s not what we do here.

What we do is help you feel comfortable smiling, laughing, and showing up in photos. Sometimes that’s a single chipped front tooth that’s been bothering you for years. Sometimes it’s a few shades of whitening. Sometimes it’s two or three porcelain veneers to address persistent stains or small irregularities. And occasionally, when a patient genuinely wants a more comprehensive change, it’s a coordinated plan across several teeth. Most patients are surprised at how little work it takes to get the result they actually want.

How Dr. Agrawal approaches cosmetic consults

Your cosmetic consult starts with a conversation, not a treatment plan. Dr. Agrawal asks what you’d like to change, what you’re comfortable spending, and what timeline you have in mind. From there, we walk through the realistic options. Some consults end with whitening alone, a small change that accomplishes what you wanted. Some end with a couple of bonded repairs. Some involve veneers, but only when veneers are genuinely the right answer.

The conversation is honest about trade-offs. Whitening lasts a few years before it needs a touch-up. Veneers are permanent changes to the teeth they cover. Bonding looks great but may need replacing in five to ten years. You hear all of it before you decide.

What a cosmetic consult costs

For most patients, your initial cosmetic conversation happens at a regular exam, Dr. Agrawal looks at your teeth, listens to what you’d like to change, and gives you a sense of the options at no extra cost. For a more involved cosmetic planning visit, typically before a smile makeover, with photographs, digital previews, and a detailed treatment plan, there’s a separate consult fee. We credit that fee toward the treatment if you proceed. You’ll know which path your visit will be before you book.

In-office vs. at-home, your options at a glance

Each cosmetic treatment has a quick or at-home equivalent worth comparing:

• Whitening: in-office (one visit, faster, more dramatic same-day) or take-home trays (one to two weeks at home, gentler on sensitivity, easier to maintain).
• Small chip or gap: cosmetic bonding (one visit, same-day) or porcelain veneer (two visits, longer lasting, less stain-prone).
• Multiple teeth: a coordinated smile makeover combining several treatments, planned with previews before anything is permanent.

For each option we walk through cost, time commitment, longevity, and what to expect. The right answer depends on your specific teeth, your budget, and how much change you actually want.

What insurance does (and doesn’t) cover

Be honest about this up front: most dental insurance plans classify cosmetic work as elective and don’t cover it. That includes whitening, veneers, cosmetic bonding done purely for appearance, and full smile makeovers. The exception is when a restoration has a functional component, for example, a crown that’s also cosmetic, or bonding that repairs a chip causing wear. We check your specific plan and let you know what, if anything, will be covered before you commit.

A few things we won’t do

We won’t talk you into more treatment than you came in for. We won’t suggest veneers on every front tooth when one would do. We won’t aim for an unnatural shade just because the cosmetic industry pushes whiter teeth. The teeth in your photographs should look like yours, better cared for, more symmetrical, brighter, but still recognizably yours.

Cost and payment options

Cosmetic work isn’t typically covered by dental insurance, and we’re upfront about the cost before any treatment begins. Payment plans are available for larger cosmetic projects through CareCredit and in-office financing. Virginia Dental Club members also get a 20 percent discount on cosmetic work, which often pays for the membership in a single procedure.