Healthy teeth are important to our health. Beautiful teeth are a confidence booster and often sought after in today's society. Unfortunately, most people are not born with naturally beautiful teeth. Fortunately, dentists and orthodontists are dedicated to examined, repaired, and improving our smiles so we can achieve a star quality smile.

You should have a dental check up every six months. This insures the health and longevity of your teeth. However, even if your teeth are healthy, you may be self-conscious with the way they look from a physical appearance aspect. If your teeth are crooked or yellowed, you should talk to your dentist regarding your options for improving your smile. Chances are, there is a good solution to help fix your dental insecurities.

Dentists may refer you to an orthodontist to correct teeth alignment if your teeth are crooked. Orthodontists use braces to correct the position of your teeth and to get them straightened up. If your teeth are yellowed, your dentist can perform a variety of whitening techniques to improve the color of your teeth.

A growing trend in the world of cosmetic dentistry is the use of veneers. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are cemented over the front of your teeth. Veneers are ideal for teeth that are chipped, oddly shaped, crooked, or severely discolored. The application of veneers is permanent and irreversible, as teeth must be "shaved down" to accommodate the veneer and the false veneer is permanently cemented to the tooth's surface.

You will need to discuss the possibility of veneers with a cosmetic dentist. Normally, the application of veneers requires at least three dental appointments. During your first appointment, the dentist will assess your teeth and prepare a treatment plan for you. Your second visit will be used to prepare your teeth for veneer placement; teeth are lightly buffed and sometimes shaved down to accommodate the veneer, and a mold is taken of your teeth to be sent to the laboratory for the designing of your veneers. The final visit will be the application of your veneers. After a couple weeks, you'll return to the dentist for a follow-up appointment to inspect your veneer work. Veneers make our dreams of achieving a perfect smile possible.

Cosmetic dentists are dedicated to helping you achieve a beautiful, bright smile. New technology, such as veneers, allow us many ways to improve our smiles and achieve a star quality set of pearly whites.