When you are going for a dental procedure, it is natural to go for the quickest and safest method to achieve a perfect smile. There are several things you will also have to consider before going for orthodontic treatment. For instance, you will have to go through the different types of braces available as well as dental veneers, which are all alternatives to the dental procedures. Now, before you make a decision, you need to know the differences between these procedures, from how they look to how much they cost.
What are braces?
If you want to correct your teeth, dental braces are devices designed to move your teeth in the right direction over a period of time. They are used to correct bite irregularities and also correct the alignment of teeth. Although some basic misalignment issues can be treated by dentists, the work of the orthodontist is to treat dental issues with braces.
On average, the treatment time for braces ranges between 1 -3 years. In between that time, regular visits to the orthodontist are required to monitor the progress of the treatment and to make any adjustments where necessary. On average, brace treatment costs around $5,000 without using your insurance. The price also changes depending on the kind of material used to make the braces. Materials such as clear or ceramic aligners are more expensive.
Braces are essentially made of brackets that are attached to the front part of the teeth, arch-wires that are attached to the brackets, stainless steel based that are attached to the teeth, and elastic bands that are attached to the brackets. There is quite a varied range of styles and shapes for metal braces that allow you to personalize how they look. Let us look at other options of braces:
Plastic
A plastic brace is an option for patients who want to minimize the visibility of their braces. A plastic brace is made up of fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate that have a transparent appearance with longer treatment period.
Ceramic
This type of braces is expensive because it is made of glass like composite which is ceramic. The treatment period of ceramic braces is longer, but the real advantage is the cosmetic appeal that more self-conscious patients go for.
Plastic trays
This is a retainer-style design of plastic trays called aligners that are made from polypropylene. Plastic tray aligners are custom made to fit your teeth. The most popular type of this kind of retainers is Invisalign, which is almost invisible, clear, and it can be removed when eating or drinking.
What are veneers?
Veneers are thin sheets of custom-made material that is designed to cover the front part of the teeth for cosmetic purposes. There are two kinds of veneers available, they are:
Resin veneers: they are very thin, and before placement, some surface of the teeth surface will be removed.
Porcelain veneers: they have the appearance of natural teeth, and they resist stain.
There are several reasons why veneers are used for dental treatments. Firstly, they are used to fix discolored teeth which are as a result of medications, excessive use of fluoride, or even cavities that have gone to the point of changing the appearance of a tooth. Secondly, they are used to fix chipped, broken or worn out teeth. Finally, they are used to fix irregular teeth or to fix gaps in between the teeth.
Between veneers and braces, which one is right for me?
For the decision on which type of dental procedure you should go for, rests between the consultative meeting between you and your orthodontist. You orthodontists will weight the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment method and also factor in your dental health and the goal in mind. Additionally, it will also rest in the number of teeth that need to be attended to.
Advantages of braces
Braces result in intact teeth, making them a great way of achieving a perfect natural smile. They can also correct other bite and jaw issues that you might be having. If the misalignment is not treated, they can cause a lot of physical problems which include: receding gums, tooth loss, neck pain, headaches, earaches and inflammation of the jaw joints (TMJ).
Disadvantages of braces
The treatment time is the biggest downside of brace treatment, together with the long-term aftercare that follows. Retainers are also used to prevent the teeth from moving back in their previous position after the treatment period is over.
Advantages of veneers
They are a preferred solution to worn out, badly discolored teeth and chipped teeth. If you want immediate results after three visits to an orthodontic office, and you are not good at following aftercare procedures after the treatment time, then veneers are a good choice.
Disadvantages of veneers
Veneers can cost up to $1,000 a tooth, and they also need to be replaced after a 5-10 year period. This procedure also has the potential of damaging healthy teeth. If the misalignment is your only problem, you need to think about the effect of changing veneers on every tooth because you need to have a uniform look across. This will make it a very costly procedure.
Conclusion
If you want to find out the correct dental treatment for you and your family, contact Dr. Marc Lazare, D.D.S., M.A.G.D. at 646-846-2465. You can make a point to visit us at our offices in New York, (115 East 61st St., Suite 14A), or book an appointment with us through our website and we will be happy to help you get back your perfect smile.
Leave a Reply