Cosmetic Dentistry: Prices are not the concern

When you are happy, you smile a nice smile—at least with cosmetic dentistry

Don’t we all hope Brittany Spears is happy with her new million-dollar smile? Would it be a safe bet that Michael Spinks or Wayne Gretzky would like to have Brittany’s disposable income for cosmetic dentistry? Prices are not the consideration when any of us ever look in the mirror or at a photograph and say, “I wish my teeth looked better!” or, “I just don’t like how I look when I smile.” Why is that so? Cosmetic dentistry prices, especially for women, are no barrier when people are supposed to expect to look like the idealistic models presented to us in fashion, style and star magazines. In modern times, that is becoming almost as true for men. For many of us, male or female, cosmetic dentistry is becoming a need as much as it is a want.

Smiles can make great and lasting impressions

At least according to one cosmetic dentist in Gilbert, AZ, there isn’t much of anything a person can do that is more effective at getting to know new people than a great smile.  On the other hand, an ugly smile actually makes us a little embarrassed, so it must be at least a little embarrassing for the one who smiles.  The contrast in poor teeth and great teeth is probably greater than ever before.  Wyatt Earp and his brothers probably had better teeth than the Clanton gang, but maybe not by much--even though the Earps were friends with a dentist!  People probably did not really notice much difference because what they saw on one person was similar on any other person.  But now, with movies, magazines, television and the like showing us the ideal, normal just doesn’t seem to look so normal.

3 ways cosmetic dentistry helps deliver 3 parts of a superior smile

The three key ingredients to a great smile—aside from the functionality of the facial nerves and muscles—are the color, shape, and straightness of the teeth.  Depending on the features of these three characteristics, if all teeth are present there are three basic methods to address defects in coloring, and to some extent shape and straightness.

Whitening / Bleaching alternatives

Most of us have at least some stained or discolored teeth. Discoloration just seems to come with growing older.  Many of us who are from some areas of the Southwest are actually born with discoloration.  For example, where your mother’s drinking water contained too much fluoride, babies will grow up with overly yellowed teeth. Whitening is widely available over-the-counter in hydrogen peroxide strips and gels but they will not give you the professional results. The best and most effective way to get teeth whiter is by professional dental application.  In that way, whitening is done all at once, correctly, and without over- or under-treating.  When the teeth are under-treated, the desired level of whiteness will not be attained.  If over-done, the teeth can sometimes take on a phony-looking blue cast that is too reflective and distracting to look at.  Professional whitening through a bleaching process will usually run around $300.

Lumineers or other veneers provide alternatives beyond simple whitening 

Lumineers (actually a brand name) are made from a special and patented type of porcelain specifically made for the purpose of creating a better veneer product over the teeth.  Doing veneers is a more extreme method than bleach whitening but is also more expensive. A veneer may be the only way to mask certain tooth defects including severe or deep discoloration.  Lumineers can be placed directly over other dental work without the need of replacing them.  Lumineers are also painless to apply and permanent once “installed” in your mouth.  The material is as thin as a contact lens and can be applied without grinding, shaving, or otherwise transforming the teeth.  A full treatment for veneers can usually begin around $3,000-$4,000.

A small implant may be your only alternative

An implant may be the only possible solution for replacing the gap left by a lost or broken tooth, especially if it is often quite obvious and unsightly.  Especially in some positions in the mouth, such as the small lower teeth dead center in the front, replacement of a lost tooth can be very tricky and demand a greater skill from the dentist.  A single implant, depending on size and complication, can run between $1,000 and $5,000. Obviously, a mouthful of implants is going to be a very expensive way to perfect a smile.

What is the whitening solution for you?

No one solution will be right for everyone.  It may be that a combination of methods will be needed.  However, almost everyone can use some sort of refinement to his smile. Except for someone who has recently undergone a whitening procedure, anybody would improve his or her smile by having appropriately whitened teeth.  Lumineers and other veneers can completely change a smile and a sense of self-esteem.  Spending the money for an implant rather than go through life with a hole in the smile or uncomfortable bridge prosthesis is well worth it.  Once the implant is finished, it feels like magic.  Simply put, it is as if the loss never happened.