Early Cosmetic Dentistry Prevents Future Expenses

The longer you wait to fix your teeth, the more it’s going to cost and it is likely you will be in more pain. Cosmetic dentistry procedures become drastically more expensive and difficult the longer you wait to have your teeth fixed. It may seem worth the money to skip the whitening pastes and braces when you’re younger, but having procedures performed early is the much better option if possible. Here are some comparisons of popular cosmetic dentistry procedures and how greatly costs and difficulty varies as time passes.

Braces

You don’t see many adults with braces. They can look immature, are difficult to care for, and are overall seen as something for teens and younger rather than suitable for adults. So why should you get braces for your children or yourself if you have the chance? While not necessarily cheap, braces provide permanent correction of many problems including crooked teeth, gaps, and misalignments of the bite. There is a small pain factor, but most of the discomfort comes with dealing with a “metal mouth” and discovering how tricky it is to floss between those wires. Fortunately, there are now invisible braces, which are clear plastic trays that can be used instead of the traditional metal variety on some eligible patients. Prices and amount of time necessary to finish the process vary, but in general range from two to three years and two to five thousand dollars. If you follow all instructions including wearing a retainer following treatment, the results will be permanent.

Veneers

A popular cosmetic dentistry procedure among the stars is veneers. For many rich and young Hollywood types, these are ideal as they can be fitted in a matter of weeks and provide instant results without the pain and hassle of braces. If you aren’t rich though, veneers are probably not the best choice if you have an entire smile to treat. Each veneer can cost upwards of $2,000. Even if you were to just have your most visible teeth fixed it would cost a small fortune. Cosmetic dentistry veneers can last from ten to thirty years, but are susceptible to damage as any other tooth would be. They can be a viable option if you have noticeable discoloring or just one damaged area, but they can’t always fix every problem you may be experiencing such as an improper bite.

Crown

If you have a problem that is beyond the scope of superficial cosmetic dentistry, you may need to consider getting a crown. Many people can avoid this if they care for their teeth or even get veneers to protect damaged teeth early on. If left to decay, however, sometimes a crown is the best answer. They are a large mold fitted to surround the entire outside of a tooth, as opposed to a veneer, which is just applied to a part of the tooth. They may last an average of ten years, but potentially longer. Prices can vary greatly depending on the amount of work required such as enamel that needs to be removed, as well as the material of the crown, but expect the price to be anywhere from several hundred to several thousand.