Do you want to learn how to get a free dental makeover? The procedure of a smile makeover is often quite pricey, with insurance not covering certain elective treatments.
So, what can you do if you cannot afford or don’t wish to spend too much money on various oral procedures to give yourself a complete smile makeover?
This article helps you understand the best options you can use to get a smile makeover for free while also highlighting:
- Procedures involved in a smile makeover;
- The average cost of a dental makeover;
- How to get a free dental makeover near you.
What Is a Smile Makeover?
A smile or dental makeover is a comprehensive treatment that combines various oral procedures to improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth and gums.
A dental makeover looks at different aspects of your oral health, ensuring that every part of your mouth (or at least a bigger percentage) is symmetrical, well-aligned, healthy, functioning well, and aesthetically pleasing.
In a nutshell, a smile makeover ensures you can smile confidently while having excellent oral health.
Procedures Involved in a Dental Makeover
A dental makeover addresses a wide range of oral concerns, including misaligned or crooked teeth, tooth discoloration, chipped or cracked teeth, gaps, missing teeth, gummy smiles, and more.
All these dental concerns may necessitate one to get various procedures, as they may all require different treatment approaches.
However, a smile makeover depends on the individual’s needs and desired outcomes. Some common treatments you can expect during a smile makeover include:
- Teeth whitening: This cosmetic procedure removes stains on teeth and brightens them.
- Orthodontic treatment: Dentists use braces or teeth aligners to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth.
- Dental veneers: Veneers are custom-made shells placed over the front surface of teeth to enhance their appearance.
- Dental crowns: Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that restore the appearance and functionality of damaged or decayed teeth.
- Dental implants: Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into the jawbone to replace missing natural teeth and restore their functionality.
- Gum contouring: This is a procedure where the gum line is ‘contoured’ to enhance the balance between the gums and teeth.
- Dental bonding: This procedure is a quick fix for chipped or cracked teeth to close small gaps and improve oral aesthetics.
Depending on the oral state of the patient, they may receive just one, two, or even more treatments as part of their dental makeover.
Average Cost of Dental Makeover
The cost of a smile makeover depends on various factors, from the complexity of the case, the procedures involved, the dentist’s location, and insurance coverage. However, when paying out-of-pocket, here is the average cost of a smile makeover:
| Procedure | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Teeth Whitening | $200 to $1,800 |
| Orthodontic Treatment | $3,000 to $7,000 |
| Dental Veneers | $250 to $2,500 per tooth |
| Dental Crowns | $500 to $1,500 per crown |
| Dental Implants | $1,500 to $6,000 per implant |
| Gum Contouring | $50 to $350 per tooth |
| Dental Bonding | $100 to $400 per tooth |
As shown above, the cost of a dentist without insurance is quite high. It is important to note that the exact cost of these procedures depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, the location, and the dentist, among others.
How to Get a Free Dental Makeover
Knowing how to get a free dental makeover near you can be a daunting experience. This is because you will have to dig deeper into researching various funding options and organizations.
To help you get started and better understand where to look, we have compiled a list of some of the best and most common ways to fund your dental work.
To get a free smile makeover, you will need to look into the following:
- State programs
- Non-governmental and charitable organizations
- Clinical trials
- Dental schools
State Programs
There are various state programs that can get you a free dental makeover or at significantly reduced prices. This is more so the case for countries like the US that has Medicaid and the UK with the NHS.
- Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program in the US that helps people without insurance or who cannot afford basic health services. This program also helps those with low-income margins depending on the federal poverty guidelines.
If you are eligible, you can get free medical care, including getting a dental makeover.
CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is made specifically for children, where they can access basic healthcare as well as comprehensive dental care.
- National Health Service (NHS)
The NHS is a state program in the UK where eligible people can get free treatment or healthcare at significantly reduced prices.
Non-governmental and Charitable Organizations
Numerous non-profit organizations offer dental services free of charge or at significantly reduced prices. These organizations work differently, meaning they have different eligibility criteria that interested candidates should meet.
There are many such organizations, but here are the most popular ones that work to offer certain groups of people a free dental makeover:
Smiles For Everyone is a non-profit organization that works to offer dental services to people that cannot afford them.
This organization works locally and internationally, and you must meet their eligibility criteria, including having dental issues, to meet their poverty scales.
People that need simple dental care services like cleanings can get them during the organization’s ‘Days Of Giving’ programs. However, those requiring extensive care, such as a dental makeover, are usually booked to be treated during their Dental Makeover Days.
The Dental Lifeline Network is a non-profit with various programs, all curated to help those that cannot afford dental services to get a happy smile.
Through their Donated Dental Sevices, the organization helps people who cannot afford basic dental treatments through their vast network of dentists and dental labs in the US.
Some of their basic requirements for eligibility is that you must prove low-income or poverty levels. Moreover, those over 61 years or permanently disabled can be eligible.
This organization also has the Will You See One Veteran program that aims to assist veterans in gaining access to free dental makeovers.
Dentistry from the Heart is another charity organization that works to restore people’s smiles, especially those that can’t afford the treatments. This non-profit works with specific local dentists and manages its activities through donations.
This organization differs from others, as they do not treat children, meaning you must be 18 and over to be eligible. Moreover, besides providing free services, you can only choose one that you deem to be the most necessary.
There are many other non-profit organizations, all helping different groups of people with their own unique eligibility criteria. Some other popular non-profit organizations that you can check out are:
- Missions of Mercy
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation (AAPD)
- Give Kids A Smile
- Give Back A Smile
- America’s Dentists Care Foundation
- Donated Dental Services (DDS) Program
- Smile Train
- The Kaufman Fund Dental Program
- Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO)
- Remote Area Medical (RAM)
- Operation Smile
- The Smiles for Everyone Foundation
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are a good avenue for people seeking free or discounted dental makeovers. Research centers usually conduct these trials to evaluate new procedures or products in dentistry.
Participating in a clinical trial can give you access to cutting-edge treatments or dental care at significantly reduced or no cost.
To find suitable dental clinical trials to give you a smile makeover:
- Search online databases for the latest and eligible clinical trials you can apply for. Check websites such as ClinicalTrials.gov, CenterWatch, and ResearchMatch.
- Search local dental schools and research institutions.
- Consult your local dentists to guide you on any ongoing clinical trials that are open.
Dental Schools
Dentists and other dental specialists are trained in dental schools and will need to hone their skills by practicing with real people. Check out your local dental schools and inquire if you can get treatment there.
Here’s our comprehensive guide on dental schools offering low-cost dental services near you.
You will get your dental makeover at a significantly reduced price or free of charge from a trainee. However, you shouldn’t worry about getting poor treatment, as the trainees are always under close supervision from their seniors.
Although there are various ways to get a free dental makeover, the eligibility criteria are usually quite strict. This is why having a backup, like some of the best dental discount plans, is important to enable you to pay less during treatment.
How to Get a Free Dental Makeover Near Me
You can get a free smile makeover near you through various methods, such as checking out non-profits in your area, applying to various dental clinical trials, or getting treatment from your local dental schools.
State-sponsored programs like Medicaid and NHS can also enable eligible people to get a smile makeover.
You should also watch out for various offers from your local dental clinics, as you might land on an offer giving you a completely free dental makeover.
Nevertheless, it is important to note the eligibility criteria for every method of getting a free dental makeover near me before seeking treatment.
FAQ
Yes, you can. There are potential avenues for getting a free dental makeover, including non-profit organizations, clinical trials, or through dental schools.
It is possible to get a free dental makeover from charity organizations, clinical trials, and dental schools. However, ensure you meet their eligibility criteria before seeking treatment.
A smile makeover can benefit individuals who are unhappy with the appearance or functionality of their teeth and gums.
Normally, yes, it is a permanent procedure; however, the longevity of a smile makeover depends on various factors, including the procedures involved, the quality of materials used, and individual oral care habits.
Sources
- Health benefits & coverage. (2023). Retrieved 1 June 2023, from https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/dental-coverage/
- Who is entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England?. (2021). Retrieved 1 June 2023, from https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/
- Does Medicaid cover dental care? (2022). Retrieved 1 June 2023, from https://www.hhs.gov/answers/medicare-and-medicaid/does-medicaid-cover-dental-care/index.html
