Cosmetic Dentistry and Tooth Whitening Methods
Bleaching, Dental Whitening and Veneers to Improve Discolored Teeth
Jun 9, 2009
Nicotine, coffee, tea and red wine as well as certain antibiotics can cause tooth discoloration and as a person ages, the problem can worsen. Increasing numbers of people are opting for cosmetic dentistry to have better looking teeth. What dental teeth whitening procedures are available and is cosmetic dental care expensive?
Teeth Whitening Bleaches and Gels
Whitening teeth with bleaches and gels involves inserting a mouth tray which would be custom shaped for teeth by a dentist and filled with bleaching gel. Treatment can vary from a few days to several months, depending on how badly the teeth are discolored. This treatment is relatively inexpensive but tooth sensitivity is a common side effect because of the oxygen released by the peroxide penetrates the tooth and can inflame the nerve.
Firstly, a tooth bleaching gel is put on both upper and lower teeth. Then a laser light is used to enhance the speed with which the tooth bleaching gel actually whitens the teeth. Laser treatment is effective and immediate.
The laser whitening warms up the tooth and bleaching material and speeds up the action of bleaching teeth. Patients must ensure that they see a fully qualified dental professional for this procedure
The cost for laser tooth whitening depends on the area but typically comes in at around $1000 or more.
Teeth whitening gels and solutions are available to purchase for use at home. These teeth whitening kits usually contain gel, a laser light system designed for teeth whitening, gel, trays and mouth trays along with instructions. Teeth whitening home kits cost anywhere from $30 to $60 or more.
Tooth Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain shells which fit over the front of the teeth, covering chipped, broken, eroded or missing teeth. The veneers are bonded to the tooth with resin cement. The cost ranges between $700 to $2,000 per tooth.
Capping Teeth with Crowns
A crown covers the whole tooth and is held in place by dental adhesive. It is used as a protective cover for decayed or broken teeth or to correct problems like spacing or oddly shaped teeth. Crowns can be made of ceramic or metal alloys (like gold) and cost approximately $500 to $3,000 per tooth.
Dental Implants for Missing Teeth
Implants can replace missing teeth or fill gaps. An artificial tooth is created and anchored into the jaw bone. A hole is drilled into the bone, into which the dentist would insert a titanium post. The gum is then stitched and eventually it fuses with the bone.
A basic implant costs approximately $1,250 to $3,000 but costs can escalate to as much as $15,000 to $30,000 for the complete procedure for the upper or lower jaw and the price also depends on individual circumstances.
Source:
1. John Eloff, Cape Town Orthodontist, Article "All Smiles" Page 108.
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