Cosmetic Dental Plastic Surgery

A person's smile is often the first thing other people notice. So why not make your own smile as perfect as possible? Now, thanks to more affordable and widespread cosmetic dental surgeries, a perfect smile is within reach.
 
Today, patients can choose from a number of routine procedures to fashion the smile they've always wanted. From veneers and bonding to teeth whitening and straightening, more people are flashing their pearly whites and are experiencing a boost in confidence, too.
 
Here's an overview of some of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Teeth Whitening

Coffee, sodas, red wine and cigarettes can cause staining on teeth, but so can the simple act of aging. To combat this natural process, cosmetic dentists offer several whitening techniques. The most common are:
  • BriteSmile® Teeth Whitening: An in-office technique, dentists apply a clear bleaching gel and activating light source to the patient's teeth. The procedure takes at least two hours and costs approximately $600.

  • Chemical Whitening: During this whitening procedure, patients wear a mouthpiece molded to fit securely around their teeth. Every day for two to three weeks, patients insert a whitening solution into the mouthpiece and wear it for two to three hours a day or, in some cases, overnight. A follow-up visit is required, with the total price averaging approximately $500.

  • Laser Teeth Whitening: This is the latest and most expensive form of teeth whitening, costing approximately $1,000. In the procedure, dentists apply a clear bleaching gel and laser light to the patient's teeth. The length of time the procedure takes varies and depends on the degree of discoloration.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Veneers

Few people have perfectly shaped teeth. That's why so many patients love veneers. These porcelain or plastic pieces, positioned on the front of a tooth, correct chipped, crooked or uneven teeth and can even be used to cover up holes and deep stains.
 
In general, the procedure requires two appointments: one to make a mold of your teeth and attach temporary veneers and another to glue on the permanent fixtures.
 
Veneers generally last 10 to 15 years, and the virtually painless application requires little to no anesthetic. The only drawback is that dentists usually have to remove up to one millimeter of tooth structure before inserting the veneer.
 
One of the most popular veneers on the market is Lumineers®, which are made of porcelain and are as thin as a contact lens. Thought to be more durable than other veneers, Lumineers® require no tooth reduction and cost a little less ($700 to $1,000 per tooth) than traditional porcelain veneers ($900 to $2,500 per tooth).
 
Composite veneers ($250 per tooth) offer a cheaper alternative and require just one appointment. They use cement to bond the veneer directly to the tooth. Beware, however: Composite veneers tend to last only five years.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Bonding

Bonding, the application of a thin plastic material on the front of a tooth, can cover a number of flaws, including:
  • chips
  • crooked teeth
  • decay
  • discoloration
  • gaps.
During bonding, a dentist first grinds the tooth and creates a resin that matches the color of the patient's tooth. Next, the dentist will apply the resin to the tooth and sculpt it to fit with the other teeth. Polishing is the last step.
 
Bonding prices range from $300 to $600 per tooth, depending on the size of the correction.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Straightening

Few adults want to wear metal braces. But invisible braces, which are newer, faster, removable and less painful than metal braces, achieve the same results. Invisible braces are clear aligners that move teeth into place.
 
If a patient chooses invisible braces, he will need to replace the aligners every two weeks. The process lasts until the teeth reach their final destination, which is determined by the orthodontist. While some people need invisible braces for only a few moths, others need them for a few years.
 
Prices for invisible braces average $5,000. Be sure to ask you dentist about flexible payment plans.
 
For a faster fix than metal or invisible braces, some people are turning to a new procedure called accelerated orthodontics. This procedure uses a form of braces but takes only three to eight months. Sometimes painful and just as expensive as traditional braces, accelerated orthodontics can involve slimming techniques to reduce teeth width and correct crowding.
 
Resources
 
About Cosmetic Dentistry (2001-2005). Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures. Retrieved on August 15, 2007, from the About Cosmetic Dentistry Web site: http://www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/.
 
About Cosmetic Dentistry (2005). Accelerated Orthodontics. Retrieved on August 16, 2007, from the About Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Web site: http://www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/accelerated
_orthodontics.html.
 
About Cosmetic Dentistry (2005). Cosmetic Dental Procedures. Retrieved on August 16, 2007, from the About Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Web site: http://www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/teeth_
whitening.html.
 
About Cosmetic Dentistry (2005). Dental Veneers. Retrieved on August 16, 2007, from the About Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Web site: http://www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/tooth_
veneers.html.
 
About Cosmetic Dentistry (2005). Tooth Bonding. Retrieved on August 16, 2007, from the About Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Web site: http://www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/dental_
bonding/index.html.
 
American Dental Association (2007). Oral Health Topics A-Z: Cosmetic Dentistry. Retrieved on August 15, 2007, from the American Dental Association Web site: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/cosmetic.asp.
 
Cosmetic Dentistry (2007). Cosmetic Dentistry Overview. Retrieved on August 15, 2007, from the New Image.com Web site: http://www.newimage.com/cosmetic-dentistry/cosmetic-dentistry.aspx.
 
Dental Find (2007). Invisible Braces. Retrieved on August 16, 2007, from the Dental Find Web site: http://www.dentalfind.com/Invisible_Braces/.
 
Invisalign (2000-2005). Frequently Asked Questions: Cost. Retrieved on August 16, 2007, from the Invisalign Web site: http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/us/en/faq/cost.jsp.