As we all now, our appearance is very important these days. People are quite concerned with how they look. It is a very competitive society. Words like teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry are part of our daily vocabulary. The whitening procedure is used by almost everybody. People consider it simple and effective. At the same time, they are glad that this option has become available for everyone, not only for famous public persons. The good news is that this field is getting more and more advanced every day allowing everyone to obtain the perfect smile easier and faster. Cosmetic dentistry is mostly performed by a doctor, but, considering the fact that the operation of bleaching teeth is very simple, it can be done at home. Nevertheless, there are some advantages in doing this procedure in the doctor’s office because it allows the patient to be supervised by a professional more closely. So, to remove stains and discoloration, thus lightening the teeth, one has to choose bleaching. There are two main types of teeth whitening procedures: the non-vital whitening, which means that the tooth no longer has a live nerve, and the vital whitening procedure, that is done on teeth that have live nerves. One other important characteristic is the fact that this procedure is not permanent. Teeth whitening implies the doctor or yourself will first apply a special gel for the gums to protect them from the whitening agent and, then, apply the agent on your teeth. In office procedures usually take about 30 to 90 minutes. They can require more appointments depending on the type of discoloration of the teeth. Besides whitening gel, one can choose to use whitening toothpaste, bleaching strips, bleaching gel with a fitted mouth tray, or laser bleaching. Laser bleaching is sometimes called in-office bleaching and it is rarely recommended. It is important to mention that pregnant women and children under 16 years old are not allowed to have this procedure of teeth whitening. People with sensitive teeth and allergies to whitening products are also advised to avoid getting their teeth bleached. It has to be said that there are people with unrealistic expectations, who think that teeth whitening is not efficient. Those individuals have darkly stained teeth, they are smokers and they expect to have teeth of blinding white after the procedure is done. They have to understand that any bleaching procedure will be less successful in these circumstances. For a long time in cosmetic dentistry the tooth veneers, which are thin pieces of porcelain glued to the front of the teeth, were the only alternative. They were the solution for teeth that are severely discolored, chipped or misshapen. And it has been proven that tooth veneers are very difficult to stain. The new fashion in cosmetic dentistry is the use of lumineers and the reason for which they have replaced the regular veneers is the fact that they are super thin and can be placed on your teeth without all the drilling and work associated with standard porcelain veneers. Cosmetic dentistry is considered as a life changing factor and that is true, if we realize the fact that you can make your smile brighter and more charming. From stained teeth to a crooked smile, it can turn any frown upside down. The term itself has come to mean a lot of things. That is because there are many procedures performed in and out of the dental office that come under the heading of cosmetic dentistry. The available cosmetic treatments of your teeth are teeth whitening, veneers, implants, crowns and shaping, bonding and orthodontic treatment. In order to determine which one will work the best in transforming your smile you have to consult your dentist.