by Caroline St Clare

Created on: September 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 24, 2010

Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way from being the exclusive domain of Hollywood celebrities or the very rich. With the increasing ranges of new and affordable options for fixing a host of tooth shortcomings, it's never been easier to achieve a healthy and attractive smile.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the quickest and cheapest procedures which can help restore the whiteness of your teeth and give them a healthier appearance.  As such, it's often the first step taken when trying to improve our teeth. It's perfect for natural teeth that have become discolored or stained that no amount of brushing will fix.

At home

Most at home kits require you to wear a mouthpiece overnight. This is filled with a bleaching solution which lightens your teeth over time. Depending on the severity of staining, it can take from three nights to three weeks of applications to achieve the desired result. You can buy your own home whitening kit from a pharmacy at a cost of $100-$200.

At the dentist

Choosing to have your teeth whitened at the dentist using a laser is a more expensive option but it's a quicker route to sparkling teeth. The dentist coats your teeth with a carbamide or hydrogen peroxide solution then applies a laser to speed up the lightening process. The whole procedure should be complete within one to two hours. You should expect to pay between $500-$1,500.

Implants

Dental implants act just like your real teeth and are so natural looking that no one will know you've had cosmetic dentistry. They are made from titanium and suitable for replacing missing teeth. Although they're expensive, they should last a lifetime.

The dentist assesses whether your jaw bone is suitable then if this is fine, the implant will be placed into your jaw and left for three to six months while it binds to the bone. You'll be fitted with a temporary crown after which time a crown or bridge is anchored onto the implant. Costs range from $1,250 up to $4,000 per implant.

Crowns

Dental crowns are used to restore front or back teeth which may be misshapen, broken or used to strengthen large fillings. They are most often made from porcelain or gold (metal alloy).

In preparation your tooth is filed down and an impression is taken for your crown to be custom made at a laboratory. You'll wear a temporary during the following one to two weeks until your new crown is fitted. The dentist fits a porcelain crown over your visible teeth and gold alloy for back teeth and will always try to achieve

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