Today’s Dental Treatments

In the last ten years, several medical advances have caught the attention of Hollywood. Botox, for example, has “revolutionized” the treatment of wrinkles. Now, the same thing may be becoming true of teeth whitening and other “aesthetic” treatments that have helped so many people feel proud to flash their gorgeous smiles.

The popularity of teeth whitening has grown, in part, because of the number of celebrities with clean, bright teeth as well as the fact that many people believe that white teeth can make you look younger, claims Jean Connor, RDH, of the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA). "After seeing [snowboard champion] Shaun White's white teeth, many kids wished for pearly whites as well,” she adds.

Now, as dental technology advances, more and more options are becoming available to help create the perfect smile. If the shape of your teeth bothers you, for example, your dentist can give you veneers. If you want more natural looking teeth, your silver fillings can be replaced with those made from composite material or porcelain. And if your teeth are missing, implants or permanent replacements are the answer.

Whitening is by far the least expensive cosmetic option, say dental experts. “It may come as no surprise that the more you're willing to pay for tooth whitening, the better the results,” says Katie Dawson, RDH, BS, also of the ADHA. “Having your teeth whitened in a dental office, which can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 per upper or lower set of teeth, will provide longest-lasting results,” she adds. All whitening involves lightening the color of the outside portion of the tooth, called the enamel, in order to remove stains from aging, tobacco, or dark-colored foods and beverages such as tea or coffee. Over-the-counter treatments usually use a weaker whitening solution and are designed for at-home use. This category includes gels that are squeezed into a tray or mouth guard, whitening strips that are applied to the teeth, paint-on whitening products that resemble nail polish, and whitening toothpastes. In-office treatments employ a stronger concentration of solution as well as lights or heat. This process takes about an hour, and the effects should last about six months, depending on how well a person maintains their teeth.

An important tip to keep in mind: buyer beware. Certain products really are more effective than others. “A gel applied in a tray that is designed to fit your teeth and mouth specifically will be more effective than an off-the-shelf tray—as the gel can spill out or the tray may be too large for your mouth,” says Dawson. And trays are generally more effective than whitening strips, which have to be pressed against the teeth, she notes. The least effective is toothpastes—unlike bleaching, which actually alters the color of your teeth, the abrasives in whitening toothpastes are only designed to remove discoloration on the surface of the tooth enamel.

It's also possible to change the shape of your teeth (while also whitening them) with veneers. These very thin tooth facings, made of porcelain, are bonded to the front of the tooth. "It's sort of like refacing your kitchen cabinets," explains Connor. Veneers carry a hefty price tag, however: each individual veneer costs anywhere from $800 to $2,000.

If you want more natural-looking teeth, many dentists can also replace silver fillings with those made from composite or porcelain. And if you've lost a tooth and want to replace it permanently, consider an implant. While the cost of implants is high, (the implant itself costs about $2,000, while the crown on top costs about $1,500) a few insurance companies are beginning to offer coverage for implants for the first time

The ADHA advises all patients to speak with a dentist before using any type of cosmetic dental service, especially if they have a large amount of fillings, caps, or very discolored teeth.

For more information about oral health, visit www.adha.org/oralhealth/index.html.