Marcus Tappan, DDS in Baltimore: Cosmetic Dentistry with Full-Mouth Rehabilitation Options
Marcus Tappan, DDS operates a single-provider cosmetic dentistry practice in Baltimore focused on smile redesign and complex restorative work, positioned between high-volume cosmetic mills and general dentists who dabble in whitening.
What Tappan Comprehensive Dentistry actually is
Tappan's practice centers on cosmetic cases that require both artistic sensibility and technical dentistry: porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, smile design, and cases where cosmetic improvement intersects with structural correction. The practice also handles crown and bridge work, implant restoration, and full-mouth planning for patients whose cosmetic goals affect multiple teeth. Unlike general dentistry offices that offer whitening as a commodity service, or boutique cosmetic practices that specialize only in low-commitment treatments, Tappan's scope reflects a dentist who works on complex cases where appearance depends on functional alignment and bite.
The practice is small (one dentist) and operates by appointment, without walk-in cosmetic consultations. This model prioritizes longer initial visits and continuity of care over throughput.
Services and pricing
Tappan's primary cosmetic services are:
- Porcelain veneers: $1,200 to $1,600 per tooth (verify current pricing with office; veneer costs fluctuate based on lab pricing). A typical smile redesign involves 6 to 8 veneers and typically spans two to three appointments. Tappan takes impressions at the first visit, seats a temporary veneer design, and delivers the final restoration at a second visit, with a follow-up adjustment appointment as needed.
- Composite bonding: $300 to $600 per tooth, depending on size and complexity. Bonding is completed in a single visit and suits patients who want cosmetic improvement without veneer cost or preparation time.
- Professional whitening: $500 to $700 for in-office treatment; take-home trays are $200 to $400. In-office whitening takes one to two hours; take-home trays show results over two to three weeks.
- Smile design consultation: $200 to $300 (often credited toward treatment). Tappan uses digital imaging and mock-ups to show patients potential outcomes before any preparation begins.
- Crowns and bridges: $1,200 to $2,000 per unit, depending on material (porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, zirconia).
- Implant restoration: $1,800 to $2,500 per implant crown, excluding implant surgery (which Tappan refers to a oral surgeon).
All fees are subject to insurance benefits if the patient has coverage; cosmetic-only procedures typically are not covered, but restorative cases (crowns following decay or trauma) may be. Confirm current pricing and whether a payment plan is available for cases exceeding $3,000.
How Tappan Comprehensive Dentistry compares to other Baltimore cosmetic dentists
Baltimore's cosmetic dentistry market splits into three broad camps: large group practices (Aspen Dental, Bright Now, and chains offering whitening, bonding, and veneers to high-volume patient bases), independent general dentists who add cosmetic services (primarily whitening and bonding, with occasional veneers), and small cosmetic-focused practices like Tappan's.
Tappan differs in scope and approach. Group practices prioritize speed and commodity pricing (whitening at $300 to $400, bonding at $250 to $400 per tooth) and typically assign patients to different hygienists for cleanings and different dentists for procedures, which works for isolated cosmetic treatments but fractures continuity when a smile redesign requires phased planning. General dentists offer familiarity if you already receive preventive care from them, but few have invested in smile design software or pursue complex veneer cases regularly. Tappan's single-provider model means you see the same dentist throughout treatment, and his caseload reflects high-complexity cosmetic work (full-mouth veneers, bite correction combined with cosmetic goals) rather than convenience whitening.
Choose a group practice if you want low-commitment whitening or bonding and value accessibility. Choose Tappan if you are planning a significant smile redesign (six or more teeth), have complex bite or alignment concerns, or want continuity with one dentist over multiple appointments.
Who it suits and who it should not
Tappan suits:
- Patients planning veneers or multi-tooth cosmetic work and willing to schedule two to four appointments across 6 to 12 weeks.
- People with bite or alignment issues that intersect with cosmetic goals (Tappan can design treatment, though orthodontia is referred to a specialist).
- Patients who value seeing the same dentist throughout and receiving detailed pre-treatment imaging and mock-ups.
Tappan does not suit:
- Patients seeking a single whitening appointment with minimal planning; a group practice is faster and cheaper.
- Those needing extensive orthodontia; Tappan refers straight to an orthodontist rather than managing alignment in-house.
- Patients who require general dentistry (cleanings, fillings, cavity detection) alongside cosmetic work; Tappan can collaborate with your general dentist but is not positioned as a full-service practice.
The first visit for a cosmetic consultation
A first appointment with Tappan for a smile redesign typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The dentist photographs your current smile, takes impressions or digital scans, discusses your goals (often using reference images you bring), and uses smile design software to show you potential outcomes. If you are pursuing veneers, he will explain tooth preparation, material choices, temporary veneer wear, and the two-visit sequence. If bonding suits your case better, the appointment may include a bonding demonstration on one tooth to preview the result. A treatment plan and fee estimate are provided before you commit to the case.
Hours, parking, and location logistics
Confirm hours with Tappan Comprehensive Dentistry directly, as cosmetic practices often schedule by appointment and may not maintain posted walk-in hours. Street or lot parking information specific to the practice location should be verified with the office. If you are traveling from outside Baltimore for a multi-step cosmetic case, allow for 4 to 6 weeks of elapsed time between the consultation and final delivery of veneers or complex restorations.
Tappan Comprehensive Dentistry fills a practical gap in Baltimore's cosmetic dentistry landscape: a single dentist who takes time on smile design cases and sees patients through completion, rather than routing them to different providers or speed-focused chains. It is the right choice for anyone undertaking major cosmetic work who values continuity and planning.


