Whats the cheapest way to get a perfect smile?

Over the last decade, cosmetic dentistry has advanced in many different ways. Dental implants, veneers and teeth whitening are prime examples of the kinds of sophisticated and innovative treatments available today to aid in restoring and rejuvenating the smile.

What’s even better, is that these kinds of treatments are no longer reserved for the rich and famous. A celebrity smile is no longer only for a celebrity. These days, the perfect smile is more accessible and affordable than ever. Prices are competitive, and there are also finance options available to help spread the cost over a longer period of time.

If you’re interested in getting the perfect smile but you don’t know which route is cheapest, it’s worth taking a look at all the different options available to you so that you can make an informed decision:

Over 140,000 people travel annually to get health care abroad, including trips for dental work they cannot access on the NHS. Worldwide, over 5 million people travel abroad for smile perfecting treatments.

It’s a nice image, a holiday where you return home with not only a nice tan, but a beautiful smile. However, the majority of dental advisory services and clinics will advise against doing this for a number of reasons including:

● A lack of after-care

● The potential for lower quality dental products to be used

● Hygiene issues

● A difficulty identifying the qualifications of the person doing the work

● The potential for permanent pain and aesthetic issues because of badly completed dental work

● The potential for work completed to last for a shorter time period than UK dental work

A dental holiday could be cheaper than the work you have done in the UK, but are the risks worth what is in some instances, a small saving?

Dental finance is not something that all clinics offer, but it is something that many do offer because it makes cosmetic dentistry treatment more accessible. It enables you to spread the cost of treatment across an agreed amount of time, sometimes with a payment break before you have to start paying anything back.

One of the most common treatments chosen for a smile transformation is Invisalign or Clear Correct clear aligners. An average Invisalign cost is between £1,500 and £5,500 depending on how much work you need to prepare for treatment, your location and how many Invisalign sessions you need.

If you are able to get finance for Invisalign or Clear Correct clear aligners treatment paid back over three years at £1,500, you’re only committing to just over £30 a month. That’s only just over the price of the UK average phone contract price.

Finance is a long-term financial commitment, but for that invisible braces cost, your life could be transformed so it really could be worthwhile.

In some areas of cosmetic dentistry, certain options are cheaper than others. If you have a certain idea in mind of the kind of treatment you want or need but you’re worried about money, it could be worth considering the lower cost options. Here are some examples:

Cosmetic bonding instead of veneers

Veneers are the gold standard of total smile transformation for people with gapped teeth, chipped teeth or teeth stained beyond the capabilities of whitening.

Veneers can also be in the higher end of treatment costs per tooth. Instead, cosmetic bonding can be a good choice to correct minor issues like a chipped tooth. It doesn’t last as long as veneers, which is why it costs less.

Composite veneers instead of porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are the most expensive type because they tend to be stronger, more durable and stain-proof than composite veneers. Porcelain veneers also tend to last longer on average. However, composite veneers are still transformative when it comes to a smile makeover, so it could be a more affordable option to consider if you are interested in veneers.

Social six straightening instead of the entire smile

Teeth straightening of the entire smile can be transformative, but it can also be costly and lengthy. Instead, why not consider using treatments like Clear Correct clear aligners and invisible braces to straighten the front, most visible teeth? Clear aligners and Invisalign have been proven to take less time to work compared to fixed braces, all whilst being more discreet and comfortable. This is especially true with straightening the most visible teeth only, especially when they have minimal rotation and misalignment.

Hygienist cleans instead of whitening

A deep clean is a great way of keeping your gums healthy. It also means that recent surface stains can be removed and cleaned away. You won’t get teeth multiple shades whiter with a hygienist clean, but you will get brighter, cleaner looking teeth for less than the cost of a whitening treatment.

An investment into your overall wellbeing and your smile, is a great investment but, it’s always nice to save a bit of money along the way.

Speak to your dentist about the different options available to you, such as finance for Invisalign, or cheaper alternatives to veneers. The first and most important step is knowing your options, so you can make an informed decision about your future oral health and happiness.