| hare some of the myths behind Extreme Makeovers | | | | don’t want you to know this but orthodontic |
| and explain why you shouldn't rush into an Extreme | | | | straightening can often be done in a fraction of the |
| Smile Makeover without looking past the hype. To | | | | time that they say it takes. Cosmetic dentists |
| save you some trouble, here are 5 ways to save a | | | | exaggerate the amount of time to help them sell |
| fortune in the quest for a great smile: | | | | veneers, and orthodontists sometimes want more time |
| 1) Stop and fully absorb the fact that cosmetic dentists | | | | to tweak their own version of perfection. |
| are often a one or two pony show. Veneers and | | | | Both groups will not be able to define a Perfect |
| over-priced whitening are the norm, and going to the | | | | Smile’ so the truth is a large improvement with |
| guy who calls himself the dentist to the stars | | | | a process called short term orthodontics (High Speed |
| may simply get you an Extreme Smile that keeps | | | | Braces(Registered TM) is one of the brand names |
| draining your finances for a lifetime. | | | | used for this purpose). These shorter treatment times |
| They have often spend close to $100,000 after dental | | | | often make huge, and I mean massive improvements |
| school to be brain-washed into making big money with | | | | in appearance that usually means the extreme |
| veneer makeovers. Just because they paid a small | | | | makeover is done without expensive veneers. This is |
| fortune to learn a technique doesn’t mean it is | | | | bad news for the cosmetic dentist because he/she |
| appropriate. Many dentists are embarrassed by the | | | | usually take veneer training and rarely offer |
| aggressive style of some of these practitioners and | | | | orthodontics. |
| yet the public is kept in the dark. | | | | Short term orthodontics outpaces aligner treatment |
| So rule #1 is if one opinion is from a doc who | | | | styles and can sometimes even be completed in 3-5 |
| promotes him/herself as a cosmetic dentist’ | | | | months, sometimes with the braces hidden on the |
| then you’ll probably need another opinion. The | | | | inside. Braces often come in porcelain so they are |
| more you spend does not always mean the better | | | | almost invisible and you don’t have to be an |
| care you will receive, in fact it sometimes means you | | | | Ugly Betty. Once cosmetic dentists realize the power |
| will get your teeth and your bank account drilled more | | | | of this style of orthodontics, they will be safer to see, |
| than you need to. | | | | but this may take years because their veneer machine |
| 2) Take home whitening kits work as well as the | | | | has become so massive. Like the US military or the |
| power whitening (they just take a little longer), and if | | | | space program, cosmetic dentists are not able to turn |
| your dentist is charging ransom for the in-house | | | | on a dime. Unfortunately this means many more |
| whitening simply ask for the take-home tray version. | | | | healthy teeth will be damaged before they see the |
| By using the gel as directed and faithfully doing it each | | | | light. As an enlightened dental consumer you will be |
| evening, perhaps while watching a couple of your | | | | able to see through some of the myths and keep your |
| favorite television shows it will within a week or so | | | | own teeth a little longer. |
| often give you a nice amount of sparkle and also keep | | | | Faster orthodontic treatment is the way of the future |
| you from snacking (and a second bonus of a slimmer | | | | and new vibration technology is coming soon to safely |
| figure). | | | | speed treatment for adults and children. |
| 3) Cosmetic bonding is an affordable alternative to | | | | 5) The final tip is the concept of natural beauty and |
| porcelain veneers and can provide some very nice | | | | acceptance of natural variations. Contrary to what |
| improvements within a single visit. Bonding does stain | | | | some believe, nature isn’t perfect and |
| easier than porcelain, but for non-smokers it usually | | | | perfection is a type of ugly. Great-grandma’s |
| works well for years and can be touched up as simply | | | | false teeth may be lined up exactly straight and be all |
| as artificial finger nails. | | | | the same color, but would you want that? |
| 4) Both Cosmetic dentists and many Orthodontists | | | | |