An attractive smile can have a significant impact on your life. Good-looking teeth and gums can give you more confidence and enhance your appearance. However, many things can detract from your smile. Stained, misshapen, and crowded teeth are common complaints. Many people are also unhappy with the shape of their gums. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, there are a few procedures that you may want to talk to your cosmetic dentist about.

Enamel Contouring

Are your teeth uneven or misshapen? Small imperfections in the teeth can have a sizable impact. If your teeth are slightly crowded, uneven, or misshapen, enamel contouring may be the right procedure for your needs. This procedure involves removing small areas of tooth enamel to create a more attractive tooth shape. Enamel contouring is used to change the length and shape of the teeth. It's a painless procedure that most cosmetic dentists offer. The cost of enamel contouring is between $50 and $300 per tooth. It's a quick and relatively inexpensive procedure that can make a big difference in your smile.

Teeth Whitening

Stains are one thing that can noticeably detract from your smile. Stains can easily accumulate on the surface of the teeth, and they become more likely as we age. Eating certain foods, drinking wine and coffee, and using tobacco products can exacerbate staining. Teeth whitening is one way a cosmetic dentist can remove stains and restore the color of your teeth. Whitening uses a peroxide solution to remove stains from the teeth. In-office teeth whitening done by your dentist is the most effective option. The average cost of in-office teeth whitening is $650.

Gum Reshaping

When it comes to our smiles, a lot of emphasis is put on the teeth. However, for some people, it's the gums that they are unhappy with. The good news is that gum reshaping or gum contouring can produce a more attractive gum line. Gum reshaping, or gum contouring, involves surgically removing gum tissue to create the desired appearance. On average, the cost of this procedure ranges from $200 to $400 per tooth. It's an excellent option for those with misshapen gums or a "gummy" smile.

There are various ways in which cosmetic dentistry can improve the appearance of your smile. If you do not like the shape or size of your teeth, ask a cosmetic dentist, such as those at Professional Dental Center, about enamel contouring. Teeth whitening is another procedure that can make a significant difference in a very short amount of time. If you do not like the appearance of your gums, asking your cosmetic dentist if you are a candidate for gum reshaping is something you should consider.