When most people think of braces, they think of pediatric dental offices. However, almost 30 percent of all orthodontic patients in the USA are adults. One reason for this is that braces have changed a great deal in the past couple of decades. They are no longer made out of metal and are far more lightweight and cosmetically appealing than they used to be. As well, bonded brackets have replaced the old hardware, and some braces are even clear so they are barely noticeable.

An adult set of braces in the United States costs $4,800 on average, according to the October Journal of Clinical Orthodontics. Braces are one of many cosmetic dentistry procedures used to correct crooked teeth, underbites, overbites, malocclusions, open bites, cross bites, deep bites, and other jaw and teeth abnormalities. Of course, there are other cosmetic dentistry procedures that can serve as an an alternative to braces. One such alternative is dental implantation.

Dental implants costs between $1,000 and $15,000. Dental implant surgery entails placing implants into the bone socket of a missing tooth. After dental implant surgery,, the jawbone takes about 6 to 12 weeks to heal, during which time it grows around the computer guided dental implants. This process anchors the implant in a secure manner within the jaw. In comparison to other cosmetic dentistry procedures, dental implantation has a 98 percent success rate as reported in the scientific literature.

Some people do not need or want invasive cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental implant surgery. They just want their teeth to look nicer, in which case cosmetic dentistry procedures along the lines of teeth whitening are recommended. Americans spend about $1.4 billion every year on teeth whitening treatments and products.

One of the best things you can do for your teeth, however, does not require cosmetic dentistry procedures at all. It costs almost no money and takes almost no time. I am speaking, of course, of replacing your tooth brush every three months, or when you are sick, whichever comes first. Taking proper care of your toothbrush will do wonders for your teeth. Toothbrush bristles harbor bacteria. Thus, you should rinse your brush in hot water after each use, Continue reading here.