Get a megawatt smile: want straighter, whiter, healthier teeth? These treatments—and products—are worth grinning about

Thinking about upgrading your grin? You're not alone; cosmetic dentistry procedures have risen over 250 percent in the past five years. It comes as no surprise, considering that 92 percent of Americans consider a dazzling smile to be one of their most important assets. Whether you're looking to perk up your tooth color or straighten without braces, there are more options now -- for every budget -- than ever before.

The latest ways to glam up your grin

PROBLEM Stains, dullness PROCEDURE Whitening

Since it's one of the easiest ways to improve your overall appearance, it's no surprise that tooth-whitening procedures have increased by over 300 percent in the last five years.
White teeth are associated with youth and health: As teeth age, they take on a darker, yellowish cast, explains Christine Dumas, .S., spokesperson for the American Dental Association.

The fastest way to brighten teeth is with power whitening. A dentist first applies a "bleaching" solution to your teeth, then shines a high-intensity light on them for about an hour, enabling the solution to reach inside the enamel layer. One downside: Increased tooth sensitivity, but fluoride products like Gel Kam ($14; at drugstores) can help strengthen teeth, reducing sensitivity. Cost: $500-$2,000 for uppers and lowers.

There are also custom-fit mouth trays with whitening solution administered by dentists. Worn each night for a few weeks, they can lift color five shades. Cost: $500-$1,000 for uppers and lowers. On a budget? Over-the-counter mouth-tray kits work well too, although the maximum they can lighten teeth is three to four shades, says Richard Hansen, .S., a dentist in Fullerton, Calif. (Try Rembrandt Plus Superior Bleaching System, $; at drugstores.) Whitening solution may cause temporary tooth sensitivity, but it typically subsides once you complete treatment. Press-on gel strips like Crest Professional Whitestrips (available from dentists for about $55), worn twice daily for 21 days, also can lighten about four to five shades. Original Crest Whitestrips ($40; at drugstores), which have a less-concentrated formula, also can lighten teeth, but only up to three shades.

Whitening toothpastes are also a good choice for reducing stains. Results are about the same as a dental-office cleaning, although an electric toothbrush can boost pastes' lightening power from one shade to two. Try Crest Rejuvenating Effects ($; at drugstores), Colgate Fresh Confidence With Whitening ($; at drugstores), Philippe Starck Adult Ultrasonic Toothbrush ($50; ) or Reach PowerBrush ($18; at drugstores).

PROBLEM Gaps, chips and/or crooked teeth

PROCEDURE Veneers

By offering a sneak peak of a new-and-improved smile, high-tech digital imaging (see the way your smile will look before you agree to the procedure) has helped boost the popularity of veneers. These thin layers of hard, translucent porcelain are individually crafted to each tooth. They offer dramatic results from hiding surface ridges and closing gaps to creating a perfectly linear tooth line, says New York City celebrity dentist Irwin Smigel, .S. Veneers also can correct more-severe problems like misaligned teeth. "The majority of people seeking veneers are adults who've had braces but whose teeth have begun to shift back," says Wynn Okuda, .D., of the Dental Day Spa in Honolulu and president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Done well and cared for (avoid chomping on hard candy and brush/floss regularly), veneers can last a lifetime, Smigel says. Cost: $1,000-$2,500 per tooth (four to eight teeth is the average).

PROBLEM Crowded, crooked or gapped teeth and/or an over- or underbite

PROCEDURE Braces

New heat-activated nickel-titanium-alloy wires move teeth more gently and efficiently than do the stainless-steel ones. Brackets (which attach directly to the teeth and hold the wire) also are smaller and come in tooth-colored ceramic material, says Frederick G. Preis, D,., an orthodontist in Bel Air, Md., and president of the American Association of Orthodontists. This alternative, however, will cost you $300-$600 more than the steel variety and could prolong treatment up to three months. Cost: $4,000-$6,000.

If your teeth are only mildly crooked, crowded or gapped, Invisalign, clear plastic "mouthguards," may be another option. This series of 18-30 aligners are customized to fit over the teeth. As teeth move and straighten, you replace the aligner with the next in your series (typically every two weeks). These aligners are worn all the time, except when eating, drinking, brushing and flossing (average treatment time is nine to 15 months). Cost: $3,500-$6,000 (comparable to traditional braces); visit to find an orthodontist near you who offers them.

PROBLEM Silver-alloy fillings

PROCEDURE Composites

Another trend: trading in gleaming metal fillings for tooth-colored ones called composites. Made of bonding resin, these fillings last about seven to 10 years, which is comparable to the lifespan of silver fillings, says Lana Rozenberg, .S., director of the Rozenberg Dental Day Spa in New York City. Some people -- concerned that leaking mercury from metal fillings might cause health problems -- also get their silver fillings replaced with composites. But there's been no direct evidence showing that metal amalgam is unsafe. Cost: $150-$450 per tooth.

PROBLEM A gummy grin

PROCEDURE Gum lift

If looking at your smiling reflection has you seeing red, you may qualify for a gum lift, a procedure that can even out the peaks and valleys of an asymmetrical gumline or scale back excess tissue that makes teeth appear short. "Removing just 1-2 millimeters of gum can make a huge difference in your smile," says Sharyar Baradaran, .S., ., a periodontist in Beverly Hills. Gum tissue is cut away or lifted under local anesthesia and the slight swelling that results subsides in about a day. Note: Since they specialize in gums, only periodontists should perform the surgery. Cost: $1 50-$250 per tooth (six to 10 teeth is average).

For information on these and other cosmetic treatments, visit the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry at /consumers.

RELATED ARTICLE: Freshen your breath

Nothing ruins a smile like bad breath, but did you know that plaque is the main source of mouth odor? It's a breeding ground for bacteria, and is found in every nook and cranny of your mouth, says Richard Hansen, .S., a dentist in Fullerton. Calif., who uses a laser to dissolve stubborn plaque from teeth. Beyond daily flossing, be sure to bit the other too plaque zones with a brush and tongue. scraper: the back of your tongue, your gums and the roof of your moth. Alcohol-free mouthwash is a good stand-in for times when you can't brush, as are mints and sugar-free gum. Try kiss my face FreshBreath Mouthwash ($6; ) Listerine PocketPaks ($ for 16; at drugstores) of BriteSmile Mint Gum ($6 for 30 pieces, )

Shape Awards

Get the healthiest mouth around with these winners.

Floss Glide Comfort Plus Dental Floss ($; at drugstores) It didn't shred or snag, even in tight spots.

Toothpaste Rembrandt Superior Plus Whitening Toothpaste ($7; ) Our teeth looked brighter, and our mouths felt fresh, cool and kissable for hours. B

Brush, manual Aquafresh Flex Direct ($3; at drugstores) The bendable head ensures light pressure on sensitive gums.

Brush, power Philips Sonicare Plus Toothbrush ($120; ) It left us feeling like we just had a professional cleaning.

Tongue cleaner Recycline Preserve Tongue Cleaner ($; 888-354-7296) The ridged edge not only rid our mouths of odor-causing bacteria -- it's good for the environment (it's made from recycled yogurt cups).

Mouthwash Supersmile In-Between Mouthrinse ($14 for 24; ) Add water right into these pocket-size packets. then swish for an anywhere mouth refresher (it also can help prevent staining).

Gum Orbit White ($ for 12 pellets; at drugstores) The outer shell contains the same whitening ingredient in Crest whitening toothpastes.

Beth Janes

Kate Cannon is a freelance beauty and health writer in New York. Additional reporting by Nancy Rones.