Cosmetic Dentistry For Those On A Budget

If someone on a tight financial budget has unsightly dental conditions, he or she can still obtain cosmetic dentistry. While some people may think that this would be out of their reach, they would be mistaken. Where there's a will there's a way. A person's smile and mouthful of teeth are of huge importance to his or her overall appearance. If he or she has discolored or stained enamel, jagged or uneven surfaces, gaps and spaces or even missing teeth, it may become embarrassing to smile, speak up in public, eat with others or go for a job interview. This can greatly curtail the person's chances at happiness and success in the world socially, emotionally and in their career path. They may be judged as snobbish, standoffish, unintelligent or strange when, really, they are just ashamed of their teeth. It's of utmost importance to find a way to get these problems fixed. Here are some ideas:

Inexpensive Options

Some possible solutions might include going to a dental college and being a "practice patient," working for a dentist or bartering with one. If there is a dental college nearby, all DDSs will need to put a certain number of hours into honing their skills and techniques in the student clinic, including cosmetic ones. Although these dentists-in-training haven't graduated yet, they are nearly finished and all work will be overseen by a certified practitioner.

If a person has clerical skills or is a maid, he or she may approach the DDS to ask about employment and whether there are employee discounts. Some DDSs offer low cost services to their staff members. If a person is a teacher, hair stylist or massage therapist, he or she may inquire about bartering for services. The teacher could tutor the doc's children, the hairstylist could cut the family's hair, the massage therapist could give everyone massages to work down the tab. Another inexpensive option is to travel to a foreign country such as Mexico. Although the foreign dentist may not have all the exact treatment options, there may be some that would offer improvements in appearance.

Saving Up For It

There may be ways to come up with cash for porcelain veneers, bleaching or bonding that hadn't been considered. How about selling the boat that no one in the family has used in years? Or renting out the room to a college student for one school year? If there is an extra guestroom that has its own bathroom, this could be a perfect space for a student who doesn't want to live in the dorm. Taking a second job freelancing, babysitting, pet sitting, house sitting or housecleaning is another way to accumulate cash. Many practitioners also offer payment plans which could be considered. It's important to look at interest rates first to make a wise decision.

When a person on a tight budget has unsightly dental flaws that need cosmetic dentistry, he or she doesn't have to give up. There are lots of ways to creatively come up with the funds to create a beautiful set of pearly whites.