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Posted on 10/30/2019 by Dr. Leary |
 We all see celebrities on TV shows or in movies with perfect smiles or perhaps it will help your career. Whatever your reason, we all want a better smile at times in our life. If you have looked into getting porcelain veneers, like most, you were punched with the sticker shock. Porcelain veneers cost $500-2,500 per tooth, with an average of around $1,000 per tooth. This figure doesn't calculate tooth reshaping either. Tooth reshaping, called dental contouring, involves removing small amounts of the tooth enamel to change its shape, length, or amount of surface area. This runs another $100-300 per tooth. I Simply Want Whiter TeethWhen your main issue is stained teeth, it makes more sense finding a better option than paying for porcelain veneers. Quit messing with those squares that bleach your gums far more than your teeth. Schedule an in-office dental whitening procedure with us. A pro is teeth whitening procedures are extremely quick. The con is they are only successful if the stain is on your enamel and hasn't eaten into the dentin or inside the tooth. An Alternative to WhiteningMicroabrasion may also work if you want whiter teeth. This also is contingent on the stain being on your enamel. Our dentist applies a combination of hydrochloric acid and an abrasive polish to burn the stain out and polish the tooth. It does last a lifetime as long as you don't let further stains ensue with poor oral care. I Just Want a Straight and Proportioned SmileIf your teeth are white enough, but crooked or misshapen, you can save about a third of what you would spend on veneers with some clear braces. Invisalign is a company that started in 1999 providing an alternative to braces. They are transparent braces you wear all day. They cost on average $4,000-6500 dollars. They send you a new clear retainer every 12 weeks and move your teeth 0.2 mm each 12 week cycle. Depending on the amount of tooth movement you need changes the price because you need a new retainer each period. The con of these is after you're finished, you'll need to wear your final retainer 3-5 days a week forever. My Teeth Are Cracked and DiscoloredTooth bonding may be the affordable route for you. Although it cost in the neighborhood of $300-600 per tooth, many insurance plans will cover it. Almost always they'll cover it when done for structural reasons or filling a cavity. The procedure involves placing a resin over the tooth, then curing it with ultraviolet light. The most promising thing to do if you are considering dental work is to give us a call and set an appointment. Everybody's situation is a bit different. If you are in the market to have your teeth worked on, our staff will be happy to take a look and make recommendations based on what we see. We then can come up with a plan that is effective and meets your budget. |
