Did you know that Americans spend about $1.4 billion on teeth whitening procedures and products every year? And this isn?t even counting yet all the money Americans put into their teeth, period. How our teeth matter, and it?s often one of the parts of a person?s appearance that they are most sensitive about. Not only does the state of your teeth make an impact on first impressions, but teeth are an important part of your overall oral health.

If you?ve been thinking about giving your teeth a much needed ?upgrade,? there are several procedures out there worth considering — and many of them are probably easier to obtain than you should have thought. Here are four popular options for cosmetic dentistry that you might want to consider.

Dental Veneers

Ever wonder how all Hollywood stars seem to have perfect looking teeth? It?s not always the case that it?s something they?re born with. More commonly, these stars have what are known as dental veneers. They are thin, porcelain shells overlaid on the teeth and adhered there. With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10 years or longer, and they are capable of covering tooth discoloration, small gaps, chips, and more.

Dental Implants

Have you felt self conscious about a missing tooth? Millions of Americans — especially older Americans — are missing at least one tooth. Although dentures and bridges are one option for tooth replacement, they can be uncomfortable to wear, and sometimes can lead to further issues (bridges often require that the two adjoining teeth are filed down in order to fit the caps that hold the bridge in place). Dental implants are small titanium screws inserted into jawbone; after this is allowed to heal, a false tooth is attached to the top. With a 98% success rate, dental implants essentially look and feel just like real teeth and can last a lifetime with proper care.

Teeth Whitening Procedures

Approximately 80% of Americans report wanting whiter teeth, and this is no surprise — yellow teeth can often make us feel like a person?s mouth is ?dirty? even if it?s, on a technical level, perfectly clean. Teeth yellowing can happen as a result of coffee, tea, smoking, as well as other daily exposures. Teeth whitening procedures are luckily very quick and can be done at the dentist?s in a single session. In most cases, the dentist will apply a hydrogen peroxide solution to the enamel of your teeth. This will remove surface stains and restore the tooth to a more pearly shade. Continue reading here.