Get a Megawatt Smile
By Kate Cannon
Thinking about upgrading your grin? You're not alone; cosmetic dentistry procedures have risen over 250 percent in the past five years. It comes as no surprise, considering that 92 percent of Americans consider a dazzling smile to be one of their most important assets. Whether you're looking to perk up your tooth color or straighten without braces, there are more options now -- for every budget -- than ever before. Problem Stains, dullness There are also custom-fit mouth trays with whitening solution administered by dentists. Worn each night for a few weeks, they can lift color five shades. Cost: $500-$1,000 for uppers and lowers. On a budget? Over-the-counter mouth-tray kits work well too, although the maximum they can lighten teeth is three to four shades, says Richard Hansen, D.D.S., a dentist in Fullerton, Calif. (Try Rembrandt Plus Superior Bleaching System, $32.50; at drugstores.) Whitening solution may cause temporary tooth sensitivity, but it typically subsides once you complete treatment. Press-on gel strips like Crest Professional Whitestrips (available from dentists for about $55), worn twice daily for 21 days, also can lighten about four to five shades. Original Crest Whitestrips ($40; at drugstores), which have a less-concentrated formula, also can lighten teeth, but only up to three shades. Whitening toothpastes are also a good choice for reducing stains. Results are about the same as a dental-office cleaning, although an electric toothbrush can boost pastes' lightening power from one shade to two. Try Crest Rejuvenating Effects ($2.49; at drugstores), Colgate Fresh Confidence With Whitening ($3.75; at drugstores), Philippe Starck Adult Ultrasonic Toothbrush ($50; target.com) or Reach PowerBrush ($18; at drugstores). Problem Gaps, chips and/or crooked teeth
Procedure Whitening
Since it's one of the easiest ways to improve your overall appearance, it's no surprise that tooth-whitening procedures have increased by over 300 percent in the last five years. White teeth are associated with youth and health: As teeth age, they take on a darker, yellowish cast, explains Christine Dumas, D.D.S., spokesperson for the American Dental Association. The fastest way to brighten teeth is with power whitening. A dentist first applies a "bleaching" solution to your teeth, then shines a high-intensity light on them for about an hour, enabling the solution to reach inside the enamel layer. One downside: Increased tooth sensitivity, but fluoride products like Gel Kam ($14; at drugstores) can help strengthen teeth, reducing sensitivity. Cost: $500-$2,000 for uppers and lowers.
Procedure Veneers
By offering a sneak peak of a new-and-improved smile, high-tech digital imaging (see the way your smile will look before you agree to the procedure) has helped boost the popularity of veneers. These thin layers of hard, translucent porcelain are individually crafted to each tooth. They offer dramatic results from hiding surface ridges and closing gaps to creating a perfectly linear tooth line, says New York City celebrity dentist Irwin Smigel, D.D.S. Veneers also can correct more-severe problems like misaligned teeth. "The majority of people seeking veneers are adults who've had braces but whose teeth have begun to shift back," says Wynn Okuda, D.M.D., of the Dental Day Spa in Honolulu and president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Done well and cared for (avoid chomping on hard candy and brush/floss regularly), veneers can last a lifetime, Smigel says. Cost: $1,000-$2,500 per tooth (four to eight teeth is the average).
