Cosmetic Dentist in Colorado Springs
Most people who call us about cosmetic dentistry do not open with a procedure name. They say they do not like their smile in photographs. They say a front tooth has bothered them for fifteen years. They say there is a wedding in June. The procedure comes later, after someone has actually looked.
Dr. Fred Guerra has practiced in Colorado Springs since 1989 and served as Director of Dental Services at the United States Air Force Academy. Cosmetic work is where technique shows most plainly: margins, color matching, how a tooth catches light. It is the work this practice is known for, and 315 patients have rated it 4.9 stars.
What cosmetic dentistry actually covers
Cosmetic dentistry is not one procedure. It is a set of them, and the right one depends on what is actually wrong.
- Porcelain veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth that show. Best for chips, permanent discoloration, small gaps and worn edges.
- Teeth whitening reaches staining that strip whiteners cannot, and we can control how far it goes.
- Bonding and white fillings use tooth-colored composite shaped directly onto the tooth, usually in a single visit.
- Invisalign uses clear removable aligners for crowding, spacing and mild bite problems.
- Six Month Smiles are clear braces that concentrate on the front teeth that show when you smile.
- Porcelain crowns are for a tooth too damaged or too heavily filled for a veneer.
- Dental implants replace a missing tooth, root included, without touching the teeth either side.
How we work out what you actually need
A cosmetic consultation here starts with an exam and digital X-rays, and Cone Beam 3D imaging where the case calls for it. Then a conversation about what is bothering you, which is not always what a treatment plan would guess.
Sometimes the honest answer is smaller than expected. A patient who came in asking about eight veneers may need whitening and one bonded edge. We would rather tell you that than sell you the larger case. It is also why the consultation is complimentary, so the conversation can happen before anyone commits.
What cosmetic dentistry costs in Colorado Springs
Cost depends on three things: how many teeth are involved, which material the case calls for, and whether there is underlying work such as decay, an old failing filling or a bite issue that has to be handled first. A single bonded edge and a full upper arch of veneers are different orders of magnitude, so we quote after we have looked rather than from a price list.
Most cosmetic work is not covered by dental insurance, because insurers class it as elective. Where a procedure is also restorative, a crown on a cracked tooth for instance, some coverage often applies, and we will tell you which side of that line your case falls on before you decide.
For patients without insurance, the Smile 365 VIP Membership covers preventive care at a flat annual cost and includes a discount on treatment. CareCredit financing is available for larger cases, including an interest-free plan for the first six months.
See the actual results
Every case in our before and after gallery was treated in this office by Dr. Guerra. None of it is stock photography. It is the most useful thing on this website if you are deciding whether to call.
Why patients choose Dr. Guerra for cosmetic work
- Former Director of Dental Services at the United States Air Force Academy
- Practicing in Colorado Springs since 1989
- Microscope-enhanced dentistry, which matters most at the margins where a crown or veneer meets the tooth
- Cone Beam 3D imaging and low-radiation digital X-rays
- 4.9 stars across 315 Google reviews
Common questions
How long do veneers last?
Well-made porcelain veneers typically last around 10 to 15 years with normal care. What shortens them is grinding, biting hard objects, and gum recession that exposes the margin.
Will they look fake?
That is the most common worry and it is a fair one, because badly matched veneers are recognizable across a room. Shade, translucency and length are chosen against your own teeth and face, not from a catalog.
Can I have cosmetic work if I grind my teeth?
Usually yes, but the grinding has to be addressed first or the new work fails the same way the old teeth wore. That often means a night guard as part of the plan.
Should I whiten or get veneers?
Whitening if the tooth structure and shape are sound and the problem is color. Veneers if there is chipping, wear, gaps or discoloration that whitening cannot reach. Whitening is also done first when both are planned, so the veneers match the final shade.
How many visits does it take?
Whitening and bonding are often one visit. Veneers and crowns take at least two. Invisalign and Six Month Smiles run over months with short check-ins.
Does insurance cover any of it?
Purely cosmetic work, generally not. Restorative work with a cosmetic result, often partly. We check your specific plan before treatment rather than after.
Talk to us
Call (719) 596-1230 or request a consultation online. We are at 3208 N Academy Blvd, Suite 100, Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm.
