Your smile is your welcome sign to the world, and you want that sign to be the best one on the block. If you weren't lucky enough to be born with a show-stopping smile and perfectly straight, white teeth there is hope for you yet. The world of cosmetic dentistry can fix any dental problem from missing teeth to yellow teeth to the most crooked of smiles.

When you are thinking of having any type of cosmetic dentistry done, the first step is to find a qualified dentist, on that is a member of the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) this will help to ensure that he is well versed in all areas of cosmetic dentistry.

When interviewing possible choices for a dentist, ask to see his portfolio of before and after photos of previous patients, this will give you an idea of the quality of the work that is being performed. Always ask for references from these patients, ask them how they feel about the work that has been done for them. Finally find out about any education that has been completed since the dentist has been practicing dentistry. It is important that education is kept up to date with the advances that are being made in this field.

The most common form of this type of dentistry is the use of braces. Braces are generally put on adolescent children beginning at around age 12, by a qualified orthodontist. The area of orthodontics deals with the straightening and realigning of teeth. This treatment not only beautifies the smile, but by realigning the mouth orthodontics can also eliminated future problems of the jaw.

The type of cosmetic dentistry that is more common with adults includes teeth whitening, the placement of veneers and bonding. These procedures are solely for cosmetic reasons and have no health benefits associated with them; however, the emotional benefits from these types of procedure can be huge.

Teeth whitening is growing in popularity due in part to the availability of at home systems. These systems make it possible to get a whiter, brighter smile without the cost and inconvenience of visiting a dentist office. There is also the option of in office bleaching, this is done under the supervision of the dentist and generally takes about an hour per each application.

It is wise to consult with your dentist as to which whitening product is right for your teeth, as not all teeth take to bleaching in the same manner. Your dentist will help you decide which type is right for your teeth as well as for your budget.

Bonding is done to either repair a chipped or cracked tooth, to cover an exposed root or for strictly cosmetic reasons. In any of these cases, the tooth or teeth to be treated are cleaned and then have an etching solution applied. This solution will help the resin composite to bond with the tooth. There are several different colors of resin available to match the color of the teeth. The resin is then shaped so that the new teeth have the desired shape to them; the resin will then harden and finally be polished to a shine so that they match the rest of the teeth in the mouth.

Veneering teeth is becoming increasingly popular as a way to cover up fillings, chipped teeth, stained teeth or gaps in the teeth. A veneer is a thin porcelain shell that fits directly over the tooth in question and is bonded in place. The veneers can also give the appearance of straight teeth with out the time that is involved with braces; however, they are the more expensive of the two options.