A set of bright, even teeth can make your smile and your personality sparkle. With modern advances in cosmetic dentistry, you no longer have to sport crooked or unseemly teeth. The accent in cosmetic dentistry is on aesthetics, and a number of state-of-the-art techniques are used to make teeth look good.

Unlike the past when dental fillings were done using gold or other metals with porcelain veneers, now a material that looks like natural teeth is used. Resins

are available in various colors and can match the color of the teeth. For yellowing or stained teeth, a whitening procedure like bleaching will make your teeth sparkle. What's more, whitening is available in `at home' systems, so that you don't even have to make that dreaded visit to the dentist anymore. However, one point to note is that not all teeth respond in the same manner to bleaching, so dental advice is a good idea. Chipped enamel can be fixed with bonding. Gaps can be taken care of using veneers that are thin shells layered on the front of the teeth. While these can also have the same result as braces, it is quicker though more expensive. A crown or cap fabricated out of acrylic or porcelain fused to metal can be customized to fit your tooth. Before you know it, your poorly shaped or decayed tooth has been taken care of.

Orthodontics, a common form of cosmetic dentistry deals with the realignment of teeth using braces and is common among adolescents. Since teeth procedures need highly skilled techniques, it's best to consult a trained and experienced cosmetic dentist. References from former patients and a portfolio of their before-and-after-procedures will help you to make your choice. Cosmetic dentistry may not yield any health benefits, but could add enormously to a person's self-esteem.