We all want perfect teeth, but at what cost? There are certain procedures that can be performed that can completely change the way your mouth looks, but it’s going to cost you!

Implants
If you have a missing tooth and want the replacement to look very natural, an implant is your best bet. Implants can be very expensive but is the most cost effective in the long run. Basically, an implant replaces the root and crown of a tooth. A post (or pin) is placed in the bone and usually made of titanium. The bone and the titanium post have to osteointegrate, which means the bone and post have to mesh together in order to be successful. Once that is complete, a crown that looks very much like a real tooth, is screwed into the post above the gum. And there you have it, a “new” tooth. The reason it is cost effective is that it only effects one tooth, as opposed to a bridge. A bridge normally involves three teeth, the tooth that is missing, and two teeth on either side of it. Studies have shown that an implant lasts much longer than a bridge. So, if you are missing a tooth and have money saved, this is for you.

Veneers
Do you envy the movie star smile? Do you wish you had straight, white teeth but don’t want to wear those metal braces? Then veneers are for you! Veneers are a shell of a crown, and affix to teeth usually in the front. They give the appearance of many different outcomes. It can make teeth look longer, wider, whiter, straighter, and all around different. But it comes at a cost. Veneers are not covered by dental insurance, because they are considered a cosmetic procedure. Again, if you have the money or can finance, veneers give a wonderful natural look to a new you.

Gum Surgery
You may not want the new you to involve gum surgery, but sometimes it is needed rather than wanted. Gum and bone disease are serious issues and need serious attention. The surgery can be expensive because it takes great skill in order to be performed properly. The down side is that once you have been diagnosed as needing gum surgery there is no getting around it. You can certainly put it off, but it is inevitable. Most people have negative comments about it, but once it’s done, you are healthy and can move on to the more “fun” procedures like bleaching!

Bleaching
Ahhh nothing like a pearly white grin to start the day! But bleach!? No, it’s not the bleach you use to get those whites white in the wash! It’s a special dental bleach that makes virgin teeth whiter. Now virgin teeth are teeth that do not have any crowns on top of them, any fillings on them or have been stained from the inside out. If you have teeth like that, particularly in the front of the mouth, then bleaching is not for you. But if you drink a lot of coffee or want to brighten that smile for a date then sign right up. There are three different ways to bleach and three different price tags. The first and most cost effective is over the counter bleaching strips. They can be messy and take up to 14 days to achieve the whiteness you desire. The second is bleaching trays from a dental office. You can have trays made especially for your mouth and you place bleach given to you by the dentist in them. The bleach concentration is a bit stronger than over the counter but can also take up to 14 days as well. The big hitter and the fastest way to a blindingly white mouth is doing an in-office bleach. It is expensive but you can have the desired whiteness done in about an hour. There are two different ways, ZOOM whitening system or BriteSmile system.

Braces
When thinking of braces, does it conjure up thoughts of horrible adolescent memories of being teased for having a metal mouth? Well, those days are long gone. Traditional braces, metal, can look pretty amazing in 2010. There are now clear braces, gold braces and you can pick any color under the sun to cover the brackets. And now the new trend is to use Invisalign. They are considered braces, just another way to straighten your teeth without the teasing. These procedures can be very expensive but so worth it in the long run. Parents want to see their children have straight teeth, but as a dental health professional I see braces as a way to stay healthy. When teeth are crowded it can make it difficult to brush them properly. If they are very crowded then flossing can seem impossible. If left crowded, over time the bone holding teeth in can be damaged and diseased. Conversely, if teeth are spaced too much, food can be jammed in between. This can be very annoying over time. Many people feel embarrassed by their spacing as well. Crowded or spaced, braces can solve the problems. Many general dentists are doing orthodontia now, so if you don’t want to go to an orthodontist, ask your dentist!

All of these dental procedures are expensive. It may seem daunting or aggravating to spend a lot on your mouth. Yet, these procedures take great knowledge and know how to be performed. Think of your mouth as a part of your overall health. Having the best person do the best job, affects your health!

-Alissa