Cosmetic Dentistry: How Much Does a Smile Makeover Cost?

Table of contents

1. How a Smile Makeover Can Solve an Insecure Smile
2. Metal Braces
3. Ceramic Braces
4. Lingual Braces
5. Clear Braces or Aligners
6. Cosmetic Dentistry: How Much Does a Smile Makeover Cost?

Did you know that 87% of people under 35 feel insecure about their smiles?¹ This is a sad statistic not just because of these people but also because a smile is an endearing and genuine display of emotion that should never be insecure. People may dislike their smiles because of asymmetry, yellow teeth, and crooked or crowded teeth. In the past, there was not much that dentists could do to fix these problems. Luckily, we live in an age where a smile makeover can transform any set of teeth into perfection. But how is this accomplished? Most smiles improve with braces, but what kind of braces are best? In this article, we’ll be exploring this question in detail and how aligners can give you what you have always wanted. If you’re interested in the smile makeover process, you should keep reading more into this article.

How a Smile Makeover Can Solve an Insecure Smile

Around half of the Americans have had their smile criticised by coworkers or someone close to them. This criticism can often make people afraid to smile or show their teeth. You’ve most likely seen people who cover their mouths when they laugh. People shouldn’t fear someone finding their smile unattractive. A smile should always be an authentic and fearless display of joy and enjoyment. Some may find that a permanent smile makeover is an answer to fighting smile insecurity. But what does a smile makeover involve and what does it cost? The number one way smiles improve is by fixing crooked and crowded teeth. Braces are the solution. Braces come in many forms, including ceramic, metal, lingual, and clear braces or aligners. From this point on, we’ll be exploring each of these different braces, how they work, and which might be the best choice. We will, of course, discuss the cost of each type of braces. Let’s start with one of the most common and traditional types of braces: metal braces.

Metal Braces

Remember that the procedure of braces being put on may take some time. On average, it takes one to two hours to put on braces.² While the process may feel uncomfortable, it should not be painful. The process of getting metal braces is more or less the same as ceramic braces, which we will discuss later. Your teeth get cleaned, so no debris remains trapped under your new braces. If you have very crowded teeth, your dentist may put rubber bands there so that later, enough space gets created to put on braces.

Applying the Braces

When it’s finally time to apply braces to your teeth, your dentist will start with the brackets. Brackets are squarish metal (or ceramic) clamps which hold the wires in place. The brackets are attached to the centre of each tooth with non-toxic glue. Once the glue dries and the brackets are firmly in place, the dentist will wrap bands around your molars, securing them with glue. The bands hold the final structure of your teeth together and realign your teeth over time. Towards the end of the procedure, archwires get attached to the brackets with rubber bands. These archwires connect the metal brackets and pull your teeth into place. Children and teens will delight in being able to choose the colours of the bracket rubber bands. Modern metal braces are sleek and convenient, but there are some downsides. Many are unhappy with the appearance of metal braces. You should have good dental hygiene while wearing metal braces since food can build up under the wires and brackets and cause dental issues. Another downside is the price. Metal braces can cost up to $7,000.

Ceramic Braces

As mentioned previously, ceramic braces get applied similar to metal braces. There are some differences between metal and ceramic braces, however. Ceramic braces are not as noticeable as metal braces because they are tooth-coloured. They also tend to be more durable than metal braces. They are overall smaller than metal braces, although their brackets are larger. Ceramic braces might not be the best choice for crooked teeth because ceramic braces have a low tolerance for strain or pressure over prolonged periods. Another downside is the tendency of ceramic braces to stain teeth if you do not keep good dental hygiene. This staining is due to the rubber bands that connect the ceramic braces to your teeth. The longer you wear braces, the more likely your teeth will remain stained. Ceramic braces tend to be more expensive than metal braces as well. Prices for ceramic braces can range up to $8,000.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are not very common because not many dentists know about the application of these braces. It is often up to individual dentists to learn how to apply lingual braces since their application does not get taught in dental school. So, what makes lingual braces so unique for your smile makeover? Lingual braces are not worn on the front of the teeth but on the back. It benefits those who do not want others to see that they have braces. Lingual braces are not much different from metal braces. They also contain brackets and archwires. The only difference is that they get positioned at the back of your teeth. A downside is that lingual braces will most likely give you a lisp because while speaking, your tongue cannot interact directly with your teeth. Lingual braces tend to be more uncomfortable than other braces. They are also expensive and can cost up to $13,000.³

Clear Braces or Aligners

A smile makeover with clear aligners is full of benefits. Clear braces or aligners, unlike other braces, are removable rather than attached to your teeth. Because of this, there is no risk of food getting caught under your braces or your teeth getting stained. As their name suggests, clear braces are nearly invisible and are great for people insecure about visible braces. They treat several dental problems, including minor dental crookedness, severe overbites and gaps between teeth. It is not to mention that clear aligners can straighten teeth twice as fast as other braces. Your dentist will give you a set of aligner trays that you will use as your teeth start to shift. TYou will not need to visit your dentist very often. Moreover, dental discomfort is minimal since you can remove your clear aligners of free will. There are very few downsides to getting clear braces. While using clear aligners, you should brush and floss your teeth more often. If any food is left on your teeth when you put your clear braces on, this can increase the risk of cavities. It is necessary to remove clear aligners each time you eat a meal. It is essential for your journey. Eating meals while keeping clear braces on can damage your aligner trays. Yet another advantage of clear braces is the pricing. Unlike braces, which can be expensive, clear aligners are relatively cheaper. In fact, on average, clear aligners cost around $2,000. Talking about your smile makeover, you may not get anything more comfortable than clear aligners!

Cosmetic Dentistry: How Much Does a Smile Makeover Cost?

Now that you know more about metal braces, ceramic braces, sublingual braces, and clear braces, you’re already closer to your smile makeover. If you think clear aligners might be better for you, you’re in the right place. We offer a free assessment to help you learn more about clear aligners.