We all want the perfect smile.  It can be a feature that separates someone from being viewed as “average” from someone who is viewed as being “attractive.”  Here is the catch:  rarely anyone is born with perfect teeth and a flawless smile.  Do not be fooled.  Maybe a few select (1% of the population) have pearly white teeth that are symmetrical and balanced in every way.  If you want that Hollywood smile you are going to have to pay for it.  Here are some procedures that are used by many cosmetic dental surgeons to achieve a near perfect set of teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Some people are born with yellowish teeth and others acquire this unsightly color over the years.  Coffee, tea, certain vegetables, food coloring and caramel colored sodas are some of the main culprits.

Sure there are teeth whitening agents that you can purchase at your local grocery store but many of them are non-prescription and therefore too weak to make a difference unless you want to use multiple applications over several weeks.

Dentists have special whiteners that can brighten your teeth with just one visit.  They also know how to apply the substance so that your enamel is not compromised.  Out of all the cosmetic dental procedures around this is the most popular.  Its painless, affordable and takes less than an hour to perform.

Gum Tightening

What is uglier than a gummy smile.  There are some people who have way too much gum that covers their teeth and it looks very unpleasant when they smile.

In this procedure a dentist will proceed to scale back your gums so that there is a nice and even balance between teeth and gums.  You mouth will feel a bit tight for a couple days but this is not a terribly painful procedure at all.

Veneers

A veneer, usually made from porcelain, is a thin strip that is placed over an existing tooth.  This is used when a tooth is cracked, damaged, rotted out or too discolored to whiten anymore.  If you have several teeth are are mishapped this is an excellent tool that can be used to give them a perfect shape.  The lifespan of a porcelain veneer is usually a little over ten years.

Implants

An implant is a fake but real looking tooth (or set of teeth) that totally replacing your old ones.  While a veneer will just cover up a tooth you do not like, for whatever reason, an implant will totally replace it.  The most popular material for dental implants to be made from is titanium.

They are lightweight, strong, stable and bond well with your jawbone.  They are made to last for life and you brush them like you would your normal teeth.  Many people opt for dental implants, though expensive, because they want their imperfect teeth totally replaced with perfect ones.  The popularity of this procedure is growing rapidly.

If you feel like you do not have the smile you desire I would recommend you contact a cosmetic dental surgeon and ask him about your options.  Many of them have financing options available if you cannot afford to pay the full price of the procedure up front.  Get several quotes, shop around and make sure to ask many questions.