When teeth are not aligned properly, it is recommended to wear braces. On the other hand, a chipped or partially broken tooth will require the use of a crown. The following HealthHearty article elaborates more on these dental correction measures.
Did You Know?
Instead of braces, dentists often recommend Invisalignācustomized removable teeth aligners that are created using computer-assisted design.
Are you are a candidate for veneers, crowns, or braces? Well, it depends on the type of dental problem you are facing. Your dentist will first examine your oral cavity and accordingly suggest a dental procedure that corrects your dental problem. The following HealthHearty write-up discusses the circumstances that require you to wear a specific dental device.
Braces
Braces are commonly used to fix misalignment of teeth. It is a metal device made up of brackets, an archwire, and elastics. Each bracket constructed from a high-quality metal is attached to the surface of the tooth. The brackets are linked together with a fine wire, referred to as archwire. It is this archwire that puts steady pressure on the teeth to restore them to their normal position. The elastics, which are nothing but rubber bands, link each bracket to the archwire.
When Are They Required?
Their need arises when you have crooked or crowded teeth. The gentle pressure delivered by the braces realign and straighten the teeth. Misaligned teeth that create unnecessary gaps and spaces between teeth can be easily corrected with braces. People with underbite or overbite problems will also be advised to wear braces. A bucktooth appearance resulting from misalignment can also be fixed by applying braces.
Cost and Longevity
The cost of metal braces could be between USD 5,000 to USD 6,000, and you need to wear them for at least 2 to 3 years depending upon the degree of misalignment.
Crowns
When it comes to ‘hiding’ damaged tooth, what better than using a crown. A crown, generally made from porcelain, is a hollow tooth that is worn over the affected tooth. It acts like a ‘crash helmet’, completely concealing the damaged tooth.
When Are They Required?
When your tooth is damaged in such a way that normal fillings cannot restore the size and shape of the affected tooth, you may be advised to fit a crown. For instance, in case the frontal tooth is cracked, fractured, slightly chipped, partially dislodged, or half broken, it is simply not possible to reconnect the broken part. A severely decayed tooth also cannot be fixed with fillings. In such circumstances, encasing the broken tooth with a crown is necessary as it shields the weak tooth from further damage. Initially, you will be fitted with a temporary crown for a week or two. After the permanent crown is constructed at the lab, the temporary crown is removed and a new one is installed.
Cost and Longevity
On an average, the cost of a dental crown can vary from USD 1,000 to USD 1,500. Well, this investment is worth it as it can easily last for around 15 years.
Veneers
Veneers are primarily designed to make the teeth aesthetically pleasing. They are extremely thin slices of porcelain or other composite material that are attached on the surface of front teeth.
When Are They Needed?
Want to have that attractive smile that looks like a million bucks? If you are looking for a way to restore the appearance of stained teeth or conceal gum recession, then fitting veneers could resolve the issue. Teeth discoloration that does not respond to brushing or flossing can be removed with veneers. Once, veneers are applied to the front teeth, stains are sure to disappear and you will have a bright smile, which in turn will boost your confidence.
However, people who have the habit of grinding teeth are deemed unfit for veneers. Also, it is necessary to first correct issues associated with an unbalanced bite before going for veneers. There are instances when a person is not a candidate for braces. In that case, the dentist may recommend veneers to correct chipped or slightly misaligned tooth. It is also used to fix small gaps that may occur between your front teeth.
Cost and Longevity
The price can put you on the back foot as you may have to shell out anywhere between USD 1,200 and USD 2,600 to fix a porcelain veneer for every tooth. Once veneers are fitted properly, they can easily last for 10-15 years. In some cases, the veneers are inserted in the tooth’s enamel, which last permanently.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a professional dentist.
