Two cups of Starbucks in Exchange for a Beautiful Smile

 The esthetic benefits of a perfect smile are countless. Straight teeth also allow for better oral hygiene, healthier gums, more harmonious jaw functions, and better overall health.
Many assume that getting the perfect smile is out of their budget and something they simply cannot afford. For adults especially there is a general belief that they are simply too old for braces.
What many don’t realize is that orthodontic treatment is actually more affordable than it seems. You just have to put things in perspective and make simple comparisons. Let’s take the example of a cup of Starbucks coffee. I personally cannot start my afternoon patient rounds without a peppermint Mocha. Many share my exact Starbucks craving and their day just isn’t the same without that indulgence. Now what if I were to tell you that a beautiful straight smile costs less than two cups of Starbucks a day! Would you believe me? Please allow me to explain. The average orthodontic treatment is two years with an average cost of $5,000 here in California. With an average cup of Starbucks coffee costing around $4, and assuming one drinks two cups of coffee each day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), that would equal to around $2,900 each year and $5,800 over two years. So we can see that by cutting back on one’s Starbucks indulgence it would actually not only make orthodontic care affordable, it would even save money at the end! For those that have orthodontic benefits in their insurance plan the cost comparison is as little as one cup of Starbucks a day.
With this simple comparison it becomes clear that a straight smile is much more affordable than most people think. Given that information would you make that small temporary sacrifice in exchange for a healthy, gorgeous smile that would last a lifetime? I would hope so…
And for those who think they are too old for braces consider that a recent study by the American Association of Orthodontists found over two million adults in the US are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Braces are not for kids anymore especially since so many cosmetic alternatives exist such as clear braces, Invisalign or lingual braces.
Dr. Salmassian is a Board Certified Orthodontist and specializes in orthodontics for children and adults.  For any questions regarding this article or to schedule your complimentary evaluation please contact Salmassian Orthodontics at 661-222-7444.