Two things will happen when you smile in front of the mirror: 1) you will either get a boost of confidence, or 2) you won’t. How your smile looks affects how you perceive yourself and how people feel about you. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), about 74% of people believe that an unattractive smile hinders the way to a successful career, while nearly 100% of people consider a smile as an influential social asset.
It’s difficult to smile when your teeth are too yellow, crooked, or chipped. But don’t think it’s the end of the world for you; there are affordable ways to improve your smile and bring back the confidence you’ve lost. During your next dental visit, talk to your dentist about ways to treat issues with your teeth and ask how much each option would cost you.
Teeth whitening
People’s teeth turn yellow or darker due to several reasons. The food that you eat could stain your teeth–such as chocolates, coffee and berries. The second possible reason is that the enamel of your teeth becomes thinner as you age, which makes the yellower dentin show through. Lastly, it could be that some people were naturally born with yellow or slightly yellow teeth.
If you’ve decided to whiten your teeth, there are several home-based treatments and professional teeth whitening procedures from which to choose.
The cost for teeth whitening may vary depending on your location and the type of product you use. If you prefer an in-office treatment, costs range between $300 and $700. But if you decide to apply at-home treatments, it could cost you as little as $40. At-home treatments, however, last less time compared to in-office treatment. Nevertheless, they still work.
Bonding: Fix Chips and Cracks
Dental bonding is performed in order to fix chipped or cracked teeth, or treat a tooth that needs filling. It is typically made of a composite resin that resembles porcelain and is considered the cheapest dental restoration option. The material used can be dyed to match the natural color of your teeth.
In comparison to porcelain veneers, which can cost as much as $1,500 per tooth, the average cost of esthetic dental bonding falls in between $300 to $600 per tooth. Though there’s a notable price difference between the two options, dental bondings may not last as long when compared to veneers. Bondings also have limitiations if you’re trying to make the tooth wider. But if you’re opting for a less expensive treatment, dental bonding is a great choice!
Retainer
Generally speaking, not everyone with misaligned teeth is required to have braces. But for those who have had braces, retainers are required after treatment so that the teeth don’t move out of position. Retainers may be worn (instead of getting full orthodontic treatment) if you have a tiny space between two teeth or your bite is slightly misaligned.
Another alternative to braces is what they call an aligner. It is a clear plastic tray that fits over the teeth, responsible for pushing them into place or simply straightening them. Aligners are not necessarily cheaper than braces, but definitely more expensive than retainers, noted by Dentistry Guide.
Although aligners are more expensive, they have better results when it comes to correcting crooked teeth compared to retainers.
Enameloplasty
Sometimes, the edges of our teeth become chipped or jagged due to trauma or years of wear. If several of your front teeth are like this, then it can cause a worn or crooked appearance. If the chips are not too deep, many times you can smooth the edges off with a bur, creating a more uniform and attractive appearance.