Whether we've paid much attention to it or not, most of us have some sort of dental impairment. While this is nothing to be embarrassed about, those of us with more severe dental shortcomings often see our disfigured teeth as a burden. Although a good number of dental issues can be corrected with more traditional procedures, many have had to look to cosmetic dentistry to get some relief from their dental problems. Since the majority of you are unfamiliar with the problems that cosmetic dentistry can correct, I've decided to outline some of the more common ones below.

Chipped Teeth ? Chipped teeth are quite common (especially in children) and can be corrected quite easily with cosmetic dentistry. Typical chips are repaired using a process known as tooth bonding. Tooth bonding describes the process of filling a portion of a tooth with a composite material. This white material acts to mimic the look of the original tooth. Tooth bonding is performed rather quickly and can make the chipped tooth look as good as new.

Stained Teeth ? As most of us have discovered, our eating habits have had a significant impact on our teeth. Not only can food choices lead to more serious dental problems, but they can also spur a rather annoying and common problem ? tooth staining. Tooth staining can detract people's attention from the beauty of your smile and can really undermine the beauty of your smile in general. Fortunately, you can drastically improve the color of your teeth with cosmetic dentistry. There are several whitening procedures available, all with varying results and prices. It is best to talk to a cosmetic dentist to see which whitening procedure is best for you.

Crooked/Gapped Teeth ? Crooked or gapped teeth afflict a good portion of society. Those of you familiar with orthodontic procedures for correcting such problems (such as braces) know the time involved in the onset of results. With cosmetic dentistry, you don't have to wait months or years to repair your crooked or gapped teeth. People who opt to correct these problems with cosmetic dentistry will likely be outfitted with dental veneers ? thin sheets of porcelain or another material bonded to the surface of teeth. These veneers can completely transform the look of a smile. However, one will find that veneers can be pricey and demanding of dedication. Once you get veneers, you can't go back to living with your normal teeth. Since veneers require the removal of a significant amount of tooth enamel, they have to remain of a patient's teeth during their entire lives. Thus, this option needs to be carefully considered.

What I discussed above are just a few of the things cosmetic dentistry can fix. If you're still unsure whether your particular impairment is treatable with cosmetic dentistry, it is best to consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist. He or she will be able to give you a definitive answer as to whether your dental problem can be fixed. Be sure to consult with a professional even if your feel your condition is untreatable as you may be wrong.