by Gail Bertram

Created on: September 05, 2008   Last Updated: August 04, 2011

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your smile can say a lot about you. With physical appearance meaning more and more in social and professional circles, it is no surprise that more people are undergoing cosmetic dental surgery to improve their smile and their self-esteem. Cosmetic dentistry has progressed at an incredible rate, and there are now a wide variety of procedures available to suit every smile and budget.

Teeth Whitening

One of the cheapest and quickest mouth makeovers is teeth whitening, available either in-house or at home. The surface of the tooth is bleached using safe chemical agents to remove stains and discoloration. Alternatively, laser whitening can be performed. This is an in-house treatment that takes one hour and uses a laser to augment the whitening agent, providing a swift and brilliant result.

Whiter teeth are associated with youth, beauty and a healthy lifestyle. This is an ideal treatment from someone looking to brighten up their smile without major cost in time or money. However, it is not a permanent procedure and yearly maintenance would be required.

Chemical whitening costs between $100 and $500 depending on the system used. Laser whitening can cost in excess of $1000, but is the quickest way to a brighter smile.

Dental Contouring

This procedure requires normal, healthy teeth and is designed to reduce the appearance of ridges in the surface of teeth, chips or fractures. This instant treatment introduces subtle changes to the shape and surface of each tooth and is a painless procedure for correcting tooth-by-tooth flaws that may lower self-esteem.

The dentist will take X-rays of the teeth in question and will discuss the options available to you. A sanding drill is often used to achieve the desired shape before the tooth is polished and finished.

Costs vary from $50 to $350 per tooth. If the damage to the tooth is the result of an accident, the work may be covered by dental insurance. Up to three consultations may be required, depending on the amount of work needed to achieve the desired result.

Bridges

A bridge can be used to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. This is a false tooth fused between two porcelain crowns, which are in turn attached to neighboring teeth to provide a secure anchor for the bridge.

A missing tooth, particularly toward the front of the mouth has an instant impact on a person's smile and can negatively affect confidence and self-esteem. A bridge is a long-lasting treatment

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