 Overview
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:
- 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.
- Enamel shaping 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Additional
Resources
ADA Dental Minute
Cosmetic
Dentistry Procedures
Video News Release
Please note: The ADA does not provide specific answers
to individual questions about fees, dental problems, conditions, diagnoses,
treatments or proposed treatments, or requests for research. Information about
dental referrals, complaints and a variety of dental procedures may
be found here. You can also refer to our Frequently
Asked Questions page for answers to common questions.
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