Cosmetic dentistry offers many treatments and procedures for achieving a beautiful smile without breaking the bank. New products and treatments have made it possible to achieve a cosmetic dental makeover for a reasonable cost.
Today’s equipment, technology, materials and treatments have opened up options never before available According to Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, patients can choose from a wide array of affordable cosmetic treatments to fill spaces between teeth, cover discolorations, mask crooked teeth, fix chipped or uneven teeth and eliminate the "dark triangle" space between teeth that often appears with age. Examples of reasonable cost dentistry include:
Bonding
Bonding is a wonderful way to achieve beautiful results to fix these problems and is much less expensive than veneers. Bonding is done in the dentist’s office and since there is no need to use an outside laboratory, the costs are significantly less expensive and less time consuming than veneers. The average cost of veneers can run $1200 per tooth while bonding runs from $300-400 per tooth.
Fillings
Another low cost way to achieve beautiful cosmetic results is to change silver fillings to white fillings. Often this is covered by a patient’s dental insurance.
Snap-On Smile
Snap-On Smile™ is a possible alternative for a patient is looking for an affordable cosmetic alternative to permanent dental work or veneers. The Snap-On Smile™ appliance is ideal for dental phobic, medically compromised patients (such as chemo or radiation treated patients) and patients considering a permanent restoration. Snap-on allows them to take their new smile for a test drive. For others, Snap-On Smile™ gives them options they never had before. The cost of Snap-On Smile™ is approximately $800 - $1500 compared to veneers which runs $1200 per tooth or $ 9600 for 8 upper teeth.
Snap-On Smile™ is a dental appliance that involves no drills, no cutting down of existing tooth structure and no needles. It’s removable and non-invasive (meaning it is also reversible). They fit directly over existing teeth and can be applied to a variety of situations. It’s made with a specialized resin which allows the appliance to be made as thin as .5 mm without compromising strength. The simple patent design allows a patient to eat without any impingement into the gums. It comes in 23 shades and 18 smile designs, giving you an array of choices for your cosmetically enhanced custom fitted appliance.
It can also be used in some cases of periodontal disease. It can be used as a periodontal splint for mobile teeth by strengthening the teeth going through periodontal treatment. The splint is also helpful because the patient can easily maintain excellent oral hygiene.
Damon Braces
Damon Braces a short term 6 month teeth straightening system and is an alternative to more expensive veneers. The cost of Damon Braces is $4500 in comparison to veneers which can cost upwards of $9,000 or more.
Dr. Gross stresses that when choosing a dentist for any of these treatments to choose one who has extensive experience in cosmetic dental rehabilitation and a strong track record of achieving great results. Also Dr. Gross suggests a dentist that has access to and uses the best, most advanced procedures, equipment and dental components.
Source:
Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD, www.jeffreygrossdds.com
http://www.snaponsmile.com/
http://www.damonbraces.com/
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