I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
If you want to correct your teeth, either because you are unhappy with your teeth or because your dentist has told you that your teeth are growing improperly, then some serious dental work might be necessary. However, braces are not the only option available to you. In some cases, dental veneers can correct your teeth as well. To help you get a better idea of your options, here is a comparison between the two:
How do braces correct your teeth?
In short, braces will slowly adjust the position of you teeth over a long period of time. Most braces work with a metal apparatus across the front of your teeth, but some use ceramic plates, some are actually placed on the internal side of your teeth, and some are made out of plastic. They each work a little differently and require different types of care and service, but they generally accomplish the same goal.
That being said, plastic braces can't always treat severe cases of tooth misalignment. You might need something stronger like metal or ceramic if you want to adjust teeth that are really out of position.
How do veneers correct your teeth?
In most cases, veneers are used to improve the appearance of smiles. However, they can simultaneously help correct slight problems in tooth alignment as well. On top of that, veneers can help cover up cracks and chips while also protecting you from further damage to your teeth.
They key here is that veneers aren't suitable for severe cases of misalignment. If your teeth aren't coming in properly, then braces might be a much better option. However, if you are primarily concerned with the appearance of your teeth and just wish to make your smile a little better, then veneers can be a great choice.
How much does each option cost?
For braces, there are a wide range of different costs to consider due to the various types available. Regular braces will cost you around $3400 if you have insurance, whereas ceramic braces run around $2500. Lingual braces can run upwards of $5000, but aren't quite as common as the other options.
To contrast, veneers can cost $500 to $1000 for each tooth. This means that if you want to get all of your teeth treated, you will end up paying tens of thousands of dollars. Of course, if you are only planning on adjusting a few teeth in your mouth, then the price will be much lower and more affordable.
For more information, contact a local dental clinic like Davis R Troup DDS PA.
Share26 May 2016
