A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. With dentistry's many advances, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. You now have choices that can help you smile with confidence.

Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel about yourself. Talk to your dentist about the options most suitable for you, what your expectations are and the dental fees involved. Some options are:

Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. There are three types of preparation for Veneers:

1. No Prep Veneers - Veneers that are made with little or no removal of tooth structure and are often prepared without shots. Veneers of this type are usually reversible (can be removed with little damage to the original tooth structure) and provide the least chance of sensitivity.

2. Minimal Prep Veneers - Veneers that are prepared with some contouring of the tooth structure, and may or may not require shots

3. Regular Veneers - Veneers in which tooth structure is remove to provide the optimal shape and size, and require that the patient is anesthetized.

Often Veneers are prepared using a combination of the above preparation types.

Tooth whitening ( bleaching) brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done completely in the dental office or the dentist may dispense a system for you to use at home.

Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface.

Cosmetic Contouring involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring enamel. The process, which often is combined with bonding, usually is quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately.


Porcelain Crowns are a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. Crowns can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. It can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken. It's also used to cover a dental implant.

Braces are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do not meet properly. If your dentist thinks you should see a specialist for treatment, he or she will refer you to an orthodontist.