Are there any alternatives to high priced procedures that will improve my smile?

Question: Are there any alternatives to high priced procedures that will improve my smile?

Answer: It was just a few years ago that the TV show "Extreme Makeover" opened the flood gates of patients demanding similar extreme treatment. And at the same time, people were trading in their small sedans for SUV's and H2's. Those times are behind us. Now, I see a trend of patients requesting treatment in smaller packages (and price-tags) that will also give them the biggest bang for the buck. Here is a list of "mini makeover" procedures that your dentist may offer:

ZOOM Whitening - I call it instant gratification whitening. Yellow teeth are a tell-tale sign of aging and this is a quick way to turn back the clock with immediate results. You may need more than one session if you want to get REALLY white. 

Resin Bonding - This can actually be a fairly long lasting cosmetic procedure at about 1/5 the cost of veneers with minor compromises. Your dentist can reshape and recolor your teeth with composite resin bonded directly to the teeth and is completed in one visit. 

"Manicuring" - If your teeth are the right color, maybe you just need them shaped-up to look more even and straight. This usually requires no shots and very minimal drilling. This can smooth up small to medium chips and even out teeth that aren't quite the same length. 

Written by: Dr. Ryan Wallin DDS, for Go Gilbert Magazines