Cosmetic dentistry is designed to give men and women a better smile and more attractive teeth. Some of the different procedures include laser tooth whitening and professional teeth bleaching for whiter teeth; tooth contouring and reshaping for crooked, chipped or overlapping teeth; and composite and porcelain veneers which can cover discolored teeth. Sometimes these procedures are done in a regular dentist office, sometimes in a dental spa environment.

Laser Teeth Whitening and Professional Bleaching

Whiter teeth and a brighter smile are the goals of whitening. Laser teeth whitening is the fastest of the whitening procedures. The laser is used with a whitening gel. This can be used on teeth that are yellow or discolored. A cosmetic dentist applies the gel to the teeth, then the light of the laser is used to activate the gel. As a result, the gel goes into the enamel of the teeth. The procedure may take up to several hours, but that would be it. The results would be very visible at the end of the office visit. The cost for laser whitening starts at $1000. Lasers are very powerful. In fact, they are also used in other laser procedures such as laser hair removal and laser skin resurfacing. Because lasers are so strong, make sure you have a qualified cosmetic dentist who specializes in this area.

In addition to lasers, other procedures you might find in a dental spa or cosmetic dental office include bleaching. Again, this can be used on discolored teeth or yellowed teeth. For professional bleaching, the cosmetic dentist creates a tray for the patient. Whitening solution fills the tray, which is then put over the teeth for several hours. This can be done in the office, or you may take the tray and solution home and do the whitening at home. The cost would depend on where you live, and the number of sessions required to get the result you want. Generally, the cost for professional bleaching starts at $500.

After having teeth whitened, your teeth and gums may feel sore. The results will not last, and your teeth will discolor even faster if you use things that stain them like coffee and cigarettes.

Veneers - Porcelain, Composite, Lumineers

Veneers are applied or glued to the surface of teeth to hide discolorations and imperfections such as chips. Some of the actual tooth may be removed. You would need to ask your cosmetic dentist how much. The veneers are created from an impression of your teeth.

Veneers can:

• realign teeth
• rebuild tooth height
• cover chipped or cracked teeth
• cover discolored teeth
• cover gapped teeth

There are different types available. Porcelain veneers are very thin, and made of porcelain. Lumineers are made of a specific type of porcelain and are even thinner. Composite veneers are made out of the material used for dental bonding. The decision to use porcelain, composite or Lumineer depends on how natural a look you want, as well as cost. Porcelain and Lumineer can look more natural, but they are not as strong if you do things like grind your teeth. Composite usually costs less. Composite veneers cost around $250-$300 per tooth. The cost of porcelain veneers and Lumineers start at $1000 per tooth. Costs can be higher if you are going to a more upscale dental spa with additional amenities.

Veneers can be used in conjunction with other procedures such as cosmetic gum surgery or dental whitening.

Tooth Contouring and Reshaping

For some men or women, the issue isn't a whiter smile or bright smile, it's a question of a tooth that is chipped or crooked. This is what dental contouring and tooth reshaping is for. Tooth contouring uses lasers or a drill to reshape a tooth, making it straighter or better aligned. In some cases, contouring can be used instead of braces. Reshaping can also be used in conjunction with other procedures, such as veneers or laser whitening. The cost of dental contouring depends on how much work is needed, and can range from $100 per tooth to $500 per tooth.

Cosmetic Gum Surgery

Men or women who think they have too much gum exposed when they smile may consider cosmetic gum surgery. For receding gums, veneers and crowns can be used in conjunction with cosmetic gum surgery. This makes the teeth look longer, so less gum is exposed. In addition, tissue can be taken from the roof of the mouth and grafter to the gum area to fill it in.

For those who feel they have a gummy smile, excess gum tissue can be removed. In many cases, lasers can be used to remove excess gum tissue. The cost of cosmetic gum surgery will vary widely, because there is such a range of procedures. You would need to discuss this with your cosmetic dentist.

As with any type of cosmetic surgery, if you are considering any kind of cosmetic dental work, make sure your dentist is very qualified and has experience in this area. This may not be considered major surgery but it is a big undertaking. So spend a lot of time considering if this is really the right thing for you Cosmetic tooth repair is not covered by insurance, so you will need to find your own way to finance this cosmetic procedure. If you are thinking about any other type of cosmetic surgery near the mouth, such as lip enhancement or neck or face lift, talk with both your dentist and your surgeon about how much time you need between procedures to heal.