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"Is there a quick and less expensive way to change my smile?"
I get asked that question all the time. Let's go through the options. Let's say your teeth are in good shape. No big fillings, no existing caps or crowns. But they are crooked, or you have spaces between your front teeth. You can usually do one of these four options:
Invisalign- This is a state of the art process that uses clear aligners to move the teeth. It's basically clear braces. You wear the aligners 24 hours per day, and only remove them to eat or drink. They are indeed invisible, and no one will know you have them on. Depending on how much movement your teeth will need, the range of time needed to wear the invisalign aligners varies from 3 months to 2 years.
Advantages: easy to wear, no drilling of your teeth and there is better occlusion (the way the teeth meet when your jaw is closed).
Disadvantages: inconvenient when dining out & retainers have to be worn after finishing treatment.
All in all, invisalign is a great way to move your own teeth into optimal position.
Cost ranges from $2000-$5500 for simple cases.
Porcelain veneers- Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are fitted over the front of the teeth and chemically attached, or bonded to the teeth. Think of a fake fingernail, same idea. Veneers can be made to close spaces, or straighten crowded teeth. Also, the color of your teeth can be lightened as white as you would like. The dentist will need to prepare the teeth, which means some drilling. Then the dentist takes an impression so a lab can construct the veneers. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for the veneers to be constructed. In the meantime, your dentist will make you temporary veneers to wear so your smile looks attractive and you can eat and chew. At your second appointment, the dentist removes the temporary veneers and permanently places the lab constructed veneers.
Advantages: usually only 2 visits, beautiful results that look natural, permanency.
Disadvantages: some drilling of the teeth is necessary.
Cost ranges from $1000-$3000 per tooth.
Lumineers- Lumineers are basically very thin porcelain veneers. Because lumineers are so thin, minimal drilling of the teeth is necessary. This option is great for recessed teeth, or for someone who wants to close spaces or whiten their teeth. Because lumineers do add some bulk to the front of your teeth, you'll probably need to treat at least 6 or 8 teeth per arch.
Advantages: same as veneers without the drilling.
Disadvantages: the need to treat multiple teeth.
Cost ranges from $1000-$3000 per tooth.
Bonding- Bonding is the process of using composite material (a putty-like substance) to chemically attach to the teeth to close spaces, fix cracked or chipped teeth, or straighten teeth. The dentist applies the composite directly to the front of the teeth. Bonding can be done to match any tooth shade, or even whiten the teeth. It is usually done in one single visit, and does not require a lot of drilling of the teeth. Your dentist needs to have a "good artistic eye" to make the bonding look and feel natural. Unfortunately, bonding is not as permanent as veneers. The composite material can chip and stain. But, done right, your teeth can look great in one visit.
Advantages: done in a single visit, beautiful results that look natural, reversible in many cases.
Disadvantages: lack of permanency, can stain and chip.
Cost ranges from $200-$600 per tooth.
So, now that you know the options, you can decide which one is best for you. Or at least ask your dentist about these treatments. Your dentist needs to be certified to treat you using Invisalign, or placing Lumineers.
