Just about everyone likes to look at a nice smile, and who doesn't want a set of chops to die for?

Our teeth aren't invincible. As we age, our teeth get older, as well. According to the American Dental Association, teeth were "designed" to last about 30 years. The most noticeable problems tend to be decay and yellowing, but the older we get, the more "tooth troubles" arise. Teeth tend to drift to the middle as we mature, making our mouth look crowded or uneven, and some teeth wear down, making our smile appear smaller.

But for some people these days, having pretty teeth or an attractive smile is almost imperative. People like to look at nice teeth. No longer can we get by with slightly yellowing stains from years of coffee drinking or a couple of little "fangs" on our bicuspids. Society suggests that if we weren't born with it, we should buy it, and more older Americans are bucking up for a beautiful smile.

To keep those pearly whites up to par, you may consider cosmetic dentistry. Here's a rundown of some available procedures.

Whitening

Tooth whiteners and whitening systems may be purchased in stores, but if you are looking for quicker results with a little more staying power, talk to your dentist. Professionally applied tooth whiteners have hydrogen peroxide concentrations ranging from 15 to 35 percent, while over-the-counter products typically contain just 3 percent. In addition, with store-bought whiteners, treatments stretch over a much longer time. The difference in cost is a big factor.

Take-home whitening kits. With home bleaching, the dentist creates a custom-fitted mouth guard that holds a professional-grade bleaching gel. The mouth guard is worn up to two hours daily or at night, depending on what your dentist recommends. The amount of time you wear the mouth guard each day and the treatment duration will vary, depending on individual needs and the dentist's recommendations.

Chair-side bleaching. Your dentist may suggest a procedure that can be done in her office. This procedure, called chair-side bleaching, may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour. During chair-side bleaching, the dentist will apply a gel or a rubber shield to your gums to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.

Laser whitening. During laser tooth-whitening procedures, a professional-strength peroxide-based gel is applied to the teeth and a laser light is used to activate the gel. The process usually takes about an hour, and whitens teeth by as many as 10 shades. Costs for the procedure vary, but results from professional laser teeth whitening manufacturers are very similar. In extreme cases, the laser procedure may need to be repeated.

Bonding

Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied or bonded to the tooth surface.

Enamel shaping

Enamel shaping modifies and improves tooth appearance by removing or contouring enamel. The process is usually quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately. Enamel shaping should be approached with caution, however, because enamel cannot be replaced.

Veneers

Veneers are thin custom-made shells that cover the front side of the teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, perma-nently stained, poorly shaped, or slightly crooked. Traditional porcelain veneers require two or more visits one to two weeks apart. Veneers made of porcelain provide a greater longevity than plastic, typically 10 to 15 years or more. Costs vary, depending on your region, the skill level of your dentist, and the quality of the lab used.

If you are in the market for cosmetic dentistry, here are a few tips to a magnificent mouth:

• Make sure to view before-and-after photos. Examine the dentist's treatment results on other patients to ensure that his work fits your dental needs.
• Get references from other patients as to the quality of care the dentist provides before, during, and after procedures.
• Be certain that your dentist has taken continuing education courses to keep her up-to-date with the latest techniques in clinical cosmetic dentistry.
• Make sure you are comfortable with the rest of the staff. One horrible hygienist can make for many terrible tooth treatments.

Just remember to do your research, ask many questions, and get ready for a mouth that might get people talking!

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