Someone's smile is among the first things we notice about them. The smile defines the face. This fact is a source of anxiety for many people. Some even cover their mouths when laughing - a real shame, since smiling is the expression of happiness, and the pursuit of happiness is our unalienable right.

But now, no matter their budget, people in need of cosmetic dentistry can find affordable, effective treatment. The recent surge of new products spans a wide spectrum of cost and method, from inexpensive tooth-whitening toothpastes to in-office bleaching to laser whitening to celebrity-class veneers.

You can find just the right cosmetic dentist or cosmetic dental product in Washington DC.

Because of this concentrated intensity, laser light bleaching offers faster results than does regular gel bleaching to eliminate stains caused by cigarette smoke, medication, caffeine or genetics. Crystals in the gel medium are activated by the emitted light from the laser and consequently are readily absorbed into the teeth enamel. Although costs for laser techniques vary, the price is usually over 1000.

Whitening strips were introduced as an alternative to tray whitening techniques. Often called Night Guard Vital Bleaching, this at-home procedure consists of placing a bleaching solution (a peroxide mixture) into a previously custom-fitted tray or "night guard". The bleaching solutions may vary in potency and may be worn from one hour to an entire night, depending on the severity of stains. In some cases, patients have experienced uncomfortable short-term side effects when having teeth bleached as hydrogen peroxide can increase temperature sensitivity in the teeth, particularly at higher concentrations.

For optimal whitening, experts agree that peroxide administered by a dentist or at-home is most effective in bleaching stains caused by age, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Based on clinical studies, 96 % of patients with these kinds of stains experience some lightening effect. It is important to note, however, that overuse of over-the-counter home bleaching products may wear away tooth enamel, particularly solutions that contain acid.

Aesthetic dental work with this level of skill and precision is recommended to achieve a more natural look than other cosmetic tooth enhancements. Consequently, the cost of veneers application ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 dollars per tooth. Since materials like coffee, wine and cigarette smoke may slightly discolor new veneers, take as much heed to staining as with natural teeth. Da vinci veneers are slender shells of ceramic matter that are fixed to the front surface of teeth. Similarly, Mac veneers are created with pressed ceramic compounds to attain a natural appearance.

Braces have changed a great deal over the years. Perhaps you remember the cumbersome head gear of the old days. Metal and see-through plastic braces are still common. But these days, on the cutting edge of orthodontics there are some braces that are nearly invisible! An orthodontist may choose to implement the Invisalign system, which entails a custom mouthpiece. It is clear and difficult to see. Like regular braces, Invisalign tackles orthodontic problems like crowded or gapped teeth, under-bite, over-bite and cross-bite. And if you like, you can take out your mouthpiece for a special occasion or a sticky snack.

Teeth-Whitening
Laser - $600 - $1,200
In-Office - $100 - $300
Over-the-Counter - $10 - $30
Alternatives - $7 - $30

Veneers
Traditional Porcelain - $900 - $2,500 per tooth
Dental Composite - about $250 per tooth
Lumineers - $700 - $1,000 per tooth

Cosmetic dental procedures will not be covered by most dental insurance plans, but you'd do well to check with your company about services covered and the amount they could reimburse for treatment. If he or she sees fit, your cosmetic dentist may submit a "Pretreatment Plan" for the insurance company to review. Following review, the insurer will inform you of the plan's reimbursement offer.

Colorado dental insurance, dental plans and prescription coverage programs are available to individual and family alike by many insurance programs in the state of Colorado, and through national insurance companies as well.

We deeply value our pearly whites. But what about the French-colonial Annamese of whom each member of the society was expected to blacken their teeth on aesthetic and moral grounds?

We seek to retain all of our teeth and replace them when they're lost. Many contemporary societies in Africa and Australia hold an ideal of beauty that calls for the removal of teeth. This extraction process is called 'ablation' and is executed with a pointed stick which is knocked from behind with a stone.

There are societies in Africa, Australia and Papua New Guinea in which it is customary to file the teeth to sharp points, in some cases as a symbol of maturity. Similar dental modification is also performed by some people in the Western world who wish to express their deep identification with lizards, cats, vampires, and any number of animals and/or monsters.