Archives for November 2023

Buying Dental Veneers Online

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I have a couple of defects with my smile. I went to my dentist in order to get it repaired and he recommended I get porcelain veneers. The cost he quoted me seemed astronomical so I did some calling around and that is about the average. Wow! So, I looked online and it looks like you can get some do it yourself veneers that just snap onto your teeth. I can get a complete set for around $700 dollars. Some were more, but that was about the most common price. Is this a decent way for me to go?

Duke

Dear Duke,

A porcelain veneer being held up to a tooth

Getting snap-on veneers works for some people as long as they keep their expectations pretty low. It is not going to give you the gorgeous smile that you could get with porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are custom designed to give you a smile makeover that can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. Because they are made of tiny wafers of porcelain they look just like natural teeth. They’re also permanently bonded to your teeth allowing you to just go about living your life.

Snap on veneers are going to be made of acrylic. They will not look as natural, especially up close. As they snap over the teeth, they can look bulky depending on the shape of your smile. The one benefit is that if you don’t like them, you’re not stuck with them. You can simply unsnap them from your teeth. Be aware that they will only last a few years and then you’ll have to replace them.

If you do decide to go this route, the best brand is Snap-on Smile. However, I would still do it through a dentist and not online. The companies who sell these directly to patients have no way of fitting them to your bite properly. If you want them to be comfortable, some adjustments have to be made to them.

This blog is brought to you by Marietta Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.

Can a 55 Year Old Get A Pretty Smile?

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I grew up without getting to go to the dentist. While my teeth are healthy, my smile is unattractive. I can’t quite afford anything huge like porcelain veneers, but want to do what I can. I have discolored teeth and some big gaps between them. My front teeth stick out a bit because I used to suck my thumb when I was a kid. Are there some options for me? I do not want a mouth full of metal.

Vivian

Dear Vivian,

Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign Aligner

There are great options for someone in your situation. I am going to suggest a combination of Invisalign along with teeth whitening. You can even do them simultaneously and save yourself both time and money.

Invisalign is Ageless

Gone are the days when the only way to straighten your teeth is with metal wires and brackets. These days we have Invisalign, which uses clear aligners, such as the one pictured above, to straighten your teeth.

Some people think these are only for teenagers. While Invisalign Teen is quite popular, this was an addition to Invisalign. It’s original purpose was for adults to have a way for them to straighten their teeth in a way that still allowed them to feel comfortable about their smile in a professional environment.

I currently know of a woman in her 80s who is undergoing the Invisalign procedure. Compared to her, you are a young pup.

Invisalign and Teeth Whitening

One hidden benefit of Invisalign is that the aligners that are used to straighten your teeth can simultaneously double as the trays that are used in teeth whitening. This means that your dentist can provide you with the whitening gel without having to also make the custom fitted trays because the aligners can serve in that capacity just fine.

You will simply add the gel to your aligners at a time that is convenient for you. This allows you to simultaneously straighten and whiten your teeth. It’s like getting a mini smile makeover at a franction of the cost of porcelain veneers. The teeth whitening alone will make your smile look years younger.

This blog is brought to you by East Cobb Dentist Dr. Cristi Cheek.