How Much Does A Smile Cost?
A lot apparently, and many think it
is worth every penny. After all, a single dazzling smile can ignite
a room, project an image of self-assurance, and boost personal
esteem. If your smile is a source of great pride for you and delight
for many, then dental cosmetics is what you need to get that
magnificent smile you have always wanted.
With today’s recent advances in
techniques and materials, modern practitioners now have many
alternatives in the creation of truly brilliant smiles. And you,
the recipient of all this, also has a lot to choose from, including
veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, and so on.
In this article, you will learn more
about these techniques and various others used in dental cosmetics,
the advantages of each as well as the risks involved because indeed,
beauty has a price and it is up to you whether you are willing to
pay it.
Finding a Cosmetic Dentist
Before discussing the various
procedures involved in dental cosmetics, there is a more pressing
issue that you might want to be answered first and that is how to
find a cosmetic dentist. Indeed, this is one of the most important
considerations in dental cosmetics because a highly skilled cosmetic
dentist can mean the difference between getting the smile you’ve
always wanted and a serious disappointment.
So how do you find one?
There are many factors to consider,
not least of which is the cosmetic dentist’s credentials, including
continuing education. Experience working as a cosmetic dentist and
doing many of the procedures you want performed is also important.
Start by asking family members and
friends who has had dental cosmetics. Ask them who they chose, why
they chose them, and if they were happy with the results.
If none of your friends or family has
undergone any dental cosmetic procedures, your doctor may be able to
recommend someone. You may also check with an accrediting
organization, like the American Society of Dental Aesthetics.
Still, if your search garners no
results, you may resort to directories, commercials, websites and
advertising. Dental cosmetics is a highly competitive field so there
will certainly be lots of dentists who advertise their practice.
Next, verify the cosmetic dentist’s
qualifications. You can do this by checking with the appropriate
dental licensing board. There is one in every state and the board
can provide you information that would tell you whether the dentist
has been licensed and whether disciplinary action has been taken
against him.
In addition, you can also check with
the clerk of the county or circuit court in your area to see if
there has been any medical malpractice suits filed against the
dentist. Although a medical malpractice suit does not really mean
that there is a problem but two or three of medical malpractice
suits may be considered as warning signs.
After you have made your choice on
which cosmetic dentist to work with, you are now ready to take on
the many methods and procedures used to get that great smile you
want. Below are some of the most common dental cosmetic procedures
currently in use:
Teeth Whitening
How white can your teeth
become?
This is probably the most common
question that people ask. The answer, however, is very subjective.
Some teeth whitening procedures would be very effective on certain
types of teeth discoloration while others are not.
In the end, it all depends on the
shade or discoloration of the teeth and for that, there is not even
one standard system used in the dental field.
Cosmetic dentists, however, use the
Vita Shade Guide to determine the four basic shade ranges:
The ultimate aim of teeth whitening
procedures is to get optimum whiteness while still keeping the teeth
look natural. The process can be done entirely in the cosmetic
dentist’s office or it can be partially performed in the dentist’s
office and partially at home, using the materials such as a custom
mouth tray provided by the dentist.
In any case, bleach is “painted” on
the teeth and kept in place by the mouth tray which the patient must
wear for a period of two to four hours twice daily. It may require
several bleaching sessions before the results are apparent.
How long does the teeth
whitening last?
It should be noted that the results
of this particular dental cosmetic procedure is not permanent. After
a year or more, depending on personal habits, the results could wear
off and you may need to go to a cosmetic dentist again for another
bleaching session.
How much does teeth whitening
per session cost?
The standard fee for teeth whitening
and teeth bleaching procedures is about $500 in most cases. However,
the cost may vary depending upon the area of the country you live
in. The price may also depend on the type of teeth whitening you
undergo. Laser whitening, for instance, can cost up to $1000.
Veneers
Unlike teeth whitening, tooth veneers
can be used to correct both color and shape problems. There
are two kinds:
In dental cosmetics, tooth veneer is
the process by which veneers, either porcelain or plastic, are
placed over teeth that are either too small, too big, or have uneven
surfaces. They are often used as alternatives to crowns. However,
unlike crowns, veneers do not require the dentist to remove much of
the tooth in most cases.
How are veneers made?
Veneers are created from an
impression taken in your cosmetic dentist’s office. The custom
veneer is then glued directly onto your tooth.
However, if this is your first time
getting a veneer, you may want to ask your dentist that you
initially want to “try in” your veneers with temporary cement
instead of a permanent attachment. This way, you can check to see
how your veneers will look in natural light in addition to office
light.
If you are satisfied, then you may
try the permanent veneers that your dentist made with the proper
adjustments and changes made while you were trying the temporary
veneers.
What are its advantages?
Veneers are less costly than crowns.
In addition, since tooth removal is not always required, it is often
less invasive. Tooth veneers will not stain either, making the
veneers a very popular dental cosmetic procedure for those seeking a
great smile without worry of them changing color any time soon
(tooth veneers can last up to fifteen years).
Dental Implants
If your particular problem has
something to do with missing teeth, then one of the best options you
have is dental implants. These are fixtures of titanium surgically
screwed into your jaw bone to anchor a naturally-appearing false
tooth or a set of false teeth. The good thing about dental implants
is that they are not only used to replace one missing tooth but may
also be effective on people who have lost most, if not all, of their
teeth.
However, the success rate of this
particular type of dental cosmetics varies from person to person.
Often, whether or not dental implants are effective depends on where
the implants are placed and for what purpose.
Who may get dental implants?
The only requirement for dental
implants is that you have enough bone in the area of the missing
tooth. The bone will serve as the anchor for the implants. So as
long as you have that requirement, then the procedure could produce
some terrific results.
If you do not have enough bone for
the procedure, however, you may need to have a bone graft done. Once
the dental implants are attached, they will last a lifetime. But the
same cannot be said about the crowns on top. These typically last
anywhere from ten to fifteen years.
How is the procedure done?
The procedure is surgical. The dental
implants will be surgically placed in your jaw bone, thus, requiring
a three to six month healing period. During this time, the bone
grows in and around the titanium implant, creating a very strong
support for when the implant is restored and the missing tooth or
teeth replaced.
It will take some time before the
implant is ready or before the healing is completed, during which
time you may have to go for two to three weeks without your
dentures. Only after your implant is “taken” will the false but
natural-looking crown is placed on the implant for that
great-looking smile.
What happens when the procedure
does not work?
Dental implants may be rejected. If
this happens, cosmetic dentists usually replace the rejected
implants with a new set, only slightly larger in size. The rejection
or failure rate of dental implants is minimal, only 1-2% of all
implant procedures.
How much does it cost?
In addition to being generally
invasive, dental implants are one of the more costly dental cosmetic
procedures available. It will need an entire team of professionals
to create that needed long-lasting great smile, so it requires more
effort on the part of the cosmetic dentist as well.
Basically, a dental implant will cost
around $1,250 to $3,000. Depending on your circumstances, there may
be additional costs, such as posterior mandible, bone regeneration,
sinus elevation, and wide diameter or narrow diameter. All things
considered, the cost of dental implants can quickly escalate to as
much as $15,000 to $30,000.
There are several more dental
cosmetic procedures available. In many cases, a cosmetic dentist may
even implement a combination of several procedures to give you that
perfect smile.
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