Dentists Study Alligators To Figure Out How Humans Could Regrow Teeth

Gators may grow 4,000 teeth over their lifetimes.

By Francie DiepPosted 05.15.2013 at 11:02 amhttp://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-05/dentists-looking-regrow-teeth-study-alligators

Toothy National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf

Once your adult teeth come in, that's all you've got to work with. Knock one out, or lose a few to decay, and you'll have to get dentures. It's a pain, but at least one team of dental researchers is now studying how to regrow human teeth—by looking at alligator teeth first.

American alligators have 80 teeth, each of which they replace about once a year. Over their long lives, an alligator may regenerate something on the order of 4,000 teeth. So a team of researchers from the U.S., China and Taiwan performed a detailed study of alligator teeth to learn their secret.

Of course, a study of alligator teeth is a long way from being able to grow new human teeth, but that's the eventual goal of research like this. Understanding how alligators regrow their teeth may also help scientists better understand rare genetic diseases in which people grow extra teeth or tumors from the tooth bed.

To perform their study, the researchers took snapshots of alligator teeth as the teeth cycled through stages of growth. They injected living juvenile alligators with a chemical that helped them visualize cells in the alligators' tissues that were growing and multiplying. They already knew that alligators have small replacement teeth waiting just underneath all their mature teeth, but these new experiments allowed the researchers to watch exactly what happens to the mature tooth, the replacement tooth and the bed the replacement tooth grows from, called the dental lamina, at different stages.

They even pulled teeth from alligators sooner than they would naturally shed, to see how the replacement tooth and dental lamina reacted.

The researchers concluded that the dental lamina likely has stem cells that help it regrow teeth. They also performed experiments to find what genes likely govern 'gator tooth growth.

They published their work in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

New Technique May Help Scared Dental Patients

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 11 July 2013 13:0http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/9552-new-technique-may-help-scared-dental-patients

There may be another way to get fearful patients to visit the dentist.

The latest idea involves a nasal spray that is undergoing tests to see if it can do the job oral injections normally perform.

The early indications are that the trials were a success. It’s even possible that permission will be granted for implementation later this year.

If a nasal spray successfully fills in for the oral injections in administering anesthesia, it may go a long way toward shedding the negative connotation associated with dental visits.

Several techniques have been explored in recent years to try to eliminate prospective dental patients from dealing with stress. The methods have included anything from medical to physiological.

If successful, the dental spray could be used in place of oral injections. The spray, however, wouldn’t fully end the dental fear that many people develop.

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15 Myths and Facts About Cavities

  

WebMD Feature

By Wendy C. Fries

Reviewed By Alfred D. Wyatt Jr., DMD

Check the myths and facts below to find out how cavities are caused, prevented, and treated.

1. Sugar Is the Prime Cause of Cavities

Myth, but it's almost a fact.
The truth is, acid produced by bacteria in your mouth is the cause of cavities, says Kimberly A. Harms, DDS, an American Dental Association consumer advisor and former president of the Minnesota Dental Association. However, these bacteria are triggered to make acid when you eat anything with carbohydrates -- and sugar is a carb.
Rice, potatoes, bread, fruits, and vegetables are also carbs.
Once the acid eats into your tooth, the bacteria “have a nice little hole to live in where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach,” says Harms. The bacteria continue to metabolize carbs and produce acids -- and your cavity just keeps getting bigger.
Here’s an important fact. It’s not the amount of carbs you eat that causes tooth decay, but the length of time your teeth are exposed. If you eat a lot of carbs for lunch, that’s one big exposure. But if you spend the day sipping sugary drinks, that’s continuous exposure -- and much more unhealthy for your teeth.
“We have a saying,” says Harms. “Sip all day and get decay.”

2. Exposure to Acidic Foods, Like Lemons, Causes Tooth Decay

Fact. Acidic foods such as lemons, citrus juices, or soft drinks don’t cause cavities, but they may be putting your enamel in danger.
"Acids can tear down your enamel and weaken your tooth," says Harms. “If you lose the enamel's protection and expose the underlying dentin, your tooth is now more prone to decay.”

3. Kids Are a Lot More Likely to Get Cavities Than Adults

Myth. With the help of sealants, fluoridated water, and preventive care, “we’ve actually cut decay in school-aged children by half in the last 20 years,” says Harms.
However, there’s been an increase in cavities in senior citizens “because they have some unique circumstances,” she says. Some medicines dry out the mouth, for example, reducing salvia. Saliva is vital in fighting tooth decay because it helps neutralize acids, has a disinfectant quality, washes away bacteria, and helps prevent food from sticking to your teeth.

4. Aspirin Placed Next to a Tooth Will Help a Toothache

Myth. Swallowing aspirin is what helps reduce toothache pain. Since aspirin is acidic, placing it beside the tooth can actually burn your gum tissue, causing an abscess. "So don’t do it," says Harms. "Always swallow the aspirin!"

5. All Fillings Eventually Need Replacing

Myth. An amalgam or composite filling needs to be replaced if it breaks down or a cavity forms around it, or if the tooth fractures, says Harms. If none of those problems occur, you can keep the same filling for life.
“Fillings do have a life expectancy,” says Harms, but it depends on things like tooth wear and oral hygiene habits. If you brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss and use a mouth rinse once a day, you’ll have less tooth decay and your fillings may last longer.

6. If You Have a Cavity, You'll Know It

Myth. “That’s a big, big, bad myth,” Harms says. Mild tooth decay doesn’t cause symptoms. The pain we associate with cavities comes when tooth decay is more advanced and causes damage to the nerve.
Allowing tooth decay to advance can “lead to much more expensive procedures, like root canals,” says Harms. That’s why regular dental checkups are so important.
Also, once a cavity starts, it doesn’t repair itself. A cavity “will always grow once you get to a point where you can’t clean it out any longer.” Once decay gets into the dentin of the tooth -- below the enamel -- it just continues to grow.

7. Once a Tooth Is Treated, the Decaying Stops

Fact. “You can get decay later on in other areas of the tooth, but the particular decay that was taken out is gone.”
Once you get a cavity filled -- and if you maintain good brushing, flossing, and rinsing habits -- you typically won’t get decay in that spot again.
Harms adds one caveat: “Sometimes a filling gets old and the margins where it meets the tooth begin to break down or pull away, and because you can’t reach it to clean it out, bacteria can get in there and decay can begin again.”

8. Cavities Are More Likely Between Teeth

Fact. “Anywhere bacteria can hide that you can't, or aren't able to, reach with a toothbrush or floss is a likely place for decay,” says Harms. The deep grooves on the back of your front teeth are a good place for tooth decay, for example. “And yes, it can happen between teeth because the toothbrush won’t get in there and a lot of people have trouble flossing.” This is where using a mouth rinse with fluoride (also called an anti-cavity rinse) can give you extra protection.

9. Gaps in Teeth Encourage Cavities

Fact. If you have a small gap between your teeth and can’t clean it, you’re more likely to develop tooth decay there.
“Bigger gaps are easier to keep clean,” says Harms. So as long as they are free of bacteria, big gaps are less likely to develop tooth decay.

10. Chips and Cracks in Teeth Lead to Decay

Fact. If cracks and chips create a hiding place for bacteria, a spot where your toothbrush can't reach, those areas are more prone to tooth decay. Using a fluoride mouth rinse can reduce the risk of decay since it can flow into places your brush can’t reach.
“Lately we’re seeing more and more cracks in teeth because people are grinding,” Harms says. “Stress, worries about the economy, it makes some people grind their teeth more. ... Stress [management] can play an important role in tooth health.”

11. Sensitivity in Teeth Means You Have Decay

Myth. Tooth sensitivity could just mean you have hypersensitive teeth, or you have gum recession that's exposed some root.
You could also have a cracked or broken tooth or could need a root canal. “There are many things, including decay, that could lead to sensitive teeth,” Harms says.

12. Cavities Are the Only Reason for Root Canals

Myth. You need a root canal if the nerve inside a tooth is damaged. Untreated cavities may eventually lead to nerve damage, but there other causes, too.
“Cracks, fractures, or other types of trauma to the tooth can also cause nerve damage,” says Harms. In many cases “clenching and grinding can traumatize the tooth severely enough to need root canal therapy.”

13. Clenching and Grinding May Lead to Cavities

Fact. “Clenching and grinding is one of the most destructive things you can do to your teeth,” says Harms. With normal chewing, teeth touch for mere milliseconds, suffering very little stress. But clenching and grinding puts tremendous pressure on your teeth for extended periods.
That strain “can eventually cause damage and cracks and fractures of your teeth,” says Harms. If those fractures expose the weaker dentin, tooth decay can form at a faster rate. “Typically grinding and clenching lead to the need for crowns to restore the fractured tooth or root canal therapy to treat the traumatized nerve.”

14. You Don’t Need to Worry About Cavities in Baby Teeth

Myth. Baby teeth hold the space for permanent teeth. “If cavities are left untreated in baby teeth, they can develop into serious pain and abscesses. Occasionally the infection can spread to other areas of the body, and in rare occasions can even result in death,” says Harms.

15. Brushing, Flossing, and Rinsing Is the Best Way to Prevent Cavities

Fact. “Absolutely! Prevention is the key,” says Harms. You need to remove bacteria from teeth. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss and rinse daily. Antimicrobial rinses target bacteria, reducing plaque, bad breath, and the severity of gingivitis. Rinses with fluoride make teeth more resistant to decay. If bacteria are removed daily from every area of your tooth, “you won't get cavities,” says Harms.

10 Biggest Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Are your teeth tender? From acidic foods to certain toothpastes, a number of culprits could be to blame.

By Beth W. Orenstein

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/10-biggest-causes-of-tooth-sensitivity.aspx

But you don’t have to put up with the pain. In fact, there are things you can do to lessen tooth sensitivity and improve your oral healthsays Leslie Seldin, DDS, a dentist in New York City and a spokesman for the American Dental Association.Does eating frozen yogurt make you say “ouch” — or do you find yourself wincing when you brush or floss? You could have what’s known as tooth sensitivity.

Here’s why you could be experiencing this mouth malady — and what steps you should take to ease the ouch:

• You brush with too much gusto. Sometimes tooth sensitivity comes from brushing with too much force or with too hard-bristled a toothbrush. Over time, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed to hot or cold or to acidic or sticky foods, tooth sensitivity and discomfort can be the result. The simplest solution is to switch to a toothbrush with softer bristles and to be gentler when brushing.
• You eat acidic foods. If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods such as tomato sauce, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, and pickles can cause pain. Use common sense: Stick to foods that won’t cause you pain.
• You’re a tooth-grinder. Grinding your teeth can wear down the enamel, even though it’s the strongest substance in your body. By doing so, you expose the dentin, the middle layer of the tooth, which contains the hollow tubes that lead to your nerves. Talk to your dentist about finding a mouth guard that can stop you from grinding. The best guards are custom made to fit your bite, Dr. Seldin says.
• You choose tooth-whitening toothpaste. Many manufacturers add tooth-whitening chemicals to their toothpaste formulas, and some people are more sensitive to them than others. If your toothpaste could be to blame for tooth sensitivity, consider switching toothpastes.
• You’re a mouthwash junkie. Like whitening toothpaste, some over-the-counter mouthwashes and rinses contain alcohol and other chemicals that can make your teeth more sensitive — especially if your dentin’s exposed. Solution: Try neutral fluoride rinses — or simply skip the rinse and be more diligent about flossing and brushing.
• You’ve got gum disease. Receding gums, which are increasingly common with age (especially if you haven't kept up with your dental health), can cause tooth sensitivity. If gum disease or gingivitis is the problem, your dentist may suggest a procedure to seal your teeth along with treating the gum disease itself.
• You have excessive plaque. The purpose of flossing and brushing is to remove plaque that forms after you eat. An excessive build-up of plaque can cause your enamel to wear away. Again, your teeth can become more sensitive as they lose their enamel protection. The solution is to practice good daily dental care and visit your dentist for cleanings every six months — or more frequently if necessary.
• You’ve had a dental procedure. Teeth often become more sensitive after you’ve been in the dentist’s chair. It’s common to have some sensitivity after a root canal, an extraction, or the placement of a crown. If your sensitivity doesn’t disappear after a short time, another visit to your dentist is in order — it could be an infection.
• Your tooth is cracked. A chipped or cracked tooth can cause pain that goes beyond tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will need to evaluate your tooth and decide the right course of treatment, such as a cap or an extraction.
• There is decay around the edges of fillings. As you get older, fillings can weaken and fracture or leak around the edges. It’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown. See your dentist if you notice this type of tooth sensitivity between visits; in most cases, fillings can be easily replaced.

Tooth sensitivity is treatable. In fact, you might find that using toothpaste specifically made for sensitive teeth helps, Seldin says. However, these formulas don’t work for everyone. “I have a lot of patients with sensitivity that could not be resolved by toothpaste,” he says.

If your sensitivity is extreme and persists no matter what you do, see your dentist for an evaluation. Among other possible treatments, he or she may be able to apply a fluoride gel to areas of the teeth where you have the most sensitivity, to strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce the sensations you feel. And, of course, only an office visit can determine the most likely cause of your tooth sensitivity and the best solution for your particular situation.

Similar Damage Caused To Teeth By Soda And Illegal Drugs

 

Similar Damage Caused To Teeth By Soda And Illegal Drugs

Addicted to soda? You may be shocked to learn that drinking large quantities of your favorite carbonated soda could be as damaging to your teeth as methamphetamine and crack cocaine use. The consumption of illegal drugs and abusive intake of soda can cause similar damage to your mouth through the process of tooth erosion, according to a case study published in a recent issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

Tooth erosion occurs when acid wears away tooth enamel, which is the glossy, protective outside layer of the tooth. Without the protection of enamel, teeth are more susceptible to developing cavities, as well as becoming sensitive, cracked, and discolored.

The General Dentistry case study compared the damage in three individuals' mouths - an admitted user of methamphetamine, a previous longtime user of cocaine, and an excessive diet soda drinker. Each participant admitted to having poor oral hygiene and not visiting a dentist on a regular basis. Researchers found the same type and severity of damage from tooth erosion in each participant's mouth.

"Each person experienced severe tooth erosion caused by the high acid levels present in their 'drug' of choice - meth, crack, or soda," says Mohamed A. Bassiouny, DMD, MSc, PhD, lead author of the study.

"The citric acid present in both regular and diet soda is known to have a high potential for causing tooth erosion," says Dr. Bassiouny.

Similar to citric acid, the ingredients used in preparing methamphetamine can include extremely corrosive materials, such as battery acid, lantern fuel, and drain cleaner. Crack cocaine is highly acidic in nature, as well.

The individual who abused soda consumed 2 liters of diet soda daily for three to five years. Says Dr. Bassiouny, "The striking similarities found in this study should be a wake-up call to consumers who think that soda - even diet soda - is not harmful to their oral health."

AGD Spokesperson Eugene Antenucci, DDS, FAGD, recommends that his patients minimize their intake of soda and drink more water. Additionally, he advises them to either chew sugar-free gum or rinse the mouth with water following consumption of soda. "Both tactics increase saliva flow, which naturally helps to return the acidity levels in the mouth to normal," he says.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release
To learn more about oral health, visit http://www.knowyourteeth.com/.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/261136.php

Tooth Alert: Are Cavities Contagious?

Turns out, you can spread cavity-causing bacteria — especially to young kids. Here's how to protect your family's pearly whites.

 

By Katie Kerns                           

Friday, April 1, 2011 — Colds, chickenpox, and even yawns are contagious. But did you know that cavities can be catchy too?
Despite your mother’s finger-wagging, sugar-laden candy bars aren’t the only cause of cavities. Tooth decay actually results when bacteria in your mouth feed on food debris (starchy, sticky foods are a primary culprit) and produce acid as a byproduct. This mix of food, acid, saliva, and germs clings to your teeth as a filmy substance called plaque, which can erode teeth enamel and cause cavities to form.
No matter what you eat, cavities won't form without the help of such bacteria. These germs can spread from mouth to mouth via shared food and utensils, sneezing, kissing, and more, according to Edward “Trey” Wilson, DDS, a dentist in private practice in New York City and New Hope, Pa. — making cavities contagious.
One study in the Australian Dental Journal pegged tooth decay as one of the most common infectious oral diseases. Researchers found that 30 percent of 3-month-olds, 60 percent of 6-month-olds, and nearly 80 percent of 2-year-olds were infected with cavity-causing Streptococcus mutans bacteria, a strain that’s especially likely to cause cavities.
Researchers believe that children “caught” the germs from their mothers; those with a history of cavities were more likely to pass the bacteria along to their children.
So does this mean you should avoid smooching with someone who has a horrible track record at the dentist? Not for dental health reasons, at least: As an adult, you're far less susceptible to bacteria spread than children because they haven’t built up immunity yet, says Dr. Wilson.
Here are Wilson's tips for preventing cavity spread in your family:

1. Go to the dentist. Nearly half of adults skipped the dentist in 2009, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But to keep from passing on a cavity, your first step should be to schedule a dental check-up. “Every adult needs to be screened for tooth decay,” says Wilson. While warning signs such as tooth sensitivity, pain, or visible holes in teeth are cavity clues, one of the biggest mistakes patients make is to avoid the dentist until they’re in pain. Regular cleanings (every six months) can help prevent decay from turning into cavities and reduce levels of cavity-causing (and cavity-spreading) bacteria in your mouth. According to CDC data, 23 percent of adults have untreated cavities.
2. Use a heavy-duty mouth rinse. If a cavity has formed, you’ll need a filling. But for early-stage decay, your dentist can prescribe mouth rinse with chlorhexidine, a powerful antiseptic that fights off bacteria and can prevent decay from developing into cavities.
3. Chew sugar-free gum between meals. Pick a brand with the artificial sweetener xylitol, and chew it three times a day for at least five minutes, Wilson advises. Xylitol boosts saliva production, which helps fight off bad bacteria.
4. Don’t overshare. If you have young kids, avoid sharing utensils with them or tasting food before serving it to them. Cover your mouth when you sneeze, and if you’re really concerned, “maybe kiss your kid on the cheek instead of the lips,” says Wilson.
5. Be a good dental patient. This time, heed the hygienist’s advice: Brush frequently (in the morning, at night, and after meals), floss daily, and put a cap on sugary drinks and snacks — and instill the same tooth-friendly habits in your kids. With infants, clean your baby's teeth with a soft cloth or gauze pad as soon as they start to come in; you can switch to a soft toothbrush when more teeth emerge.
6. Forgo fancy water. You may also want to consider switching your family from bottled water to tap. Most tap water contains fluoride, which helps teeth build up resistance to plaque.

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The bottom line: “We’re not talking about a fatal disease here,” says Wilson. “But tooth decay is a communicable disease, and it can be prevented.”

http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/oral-conditions/0401/tooth-alert-are-cavities-contagious.aspx

Check out these celebrities who have had a variety of dental procedures completed!

http://worldental.org/teeth/15-hollywood-stars-smiles-makeover-cosmetic-dentistry/4514/

 

15 Stars that Owe Their Smiles to Cosmetic Dentistry

Having a Hollywood smile makeover however, it not just for the rich and famous. You too can get a perfect smile by following the example of your favorite celebrity.

15 Stars that Owe Their Smiles to Cosmetic DentistryReviewed by Dental Experts on May 10Rating: 5.0

With the media exposure that celebrities receive, it is important that their smiles are perfect. Having a Hollywood smile makeover however, it not just for the rich and famous.
You too can get a perfect smile by following the example of your favorite celebrity. If you are wondering about smile makeover cost, this will vary widely depending on what specific work you need.
WorlDental.org researched some stars have paid as much as $50,000 to get their perfect smiles. Implants and veneers can cost anywhere from $5,000 to as much as $40,000 depending on the number of teeth repaired and the specific dentist chosen. Teeth whitening and other procedures are of course much less expensive but not any less important.
There are a number of celebrities who had gaped, stained, crooked or even chipped and missing teeth at some point. Hollywood dentists have performed thousands of procedures to repair these problems. There are a number of dentists in the New York area as well that perform dentistry to the stars.
So just who are the top choices for cosmetic dentistry for Hollywood’s elite?
Kevin Sands is a cosmetic dentistry specialist who has provided services for a number of celebrities. Dr. Sands is located in the Los Angeles area and performs cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills for many stars including: Tori Spelling, Hilary Duff, Robert Downey, Jr., Charlie Sheen, Britney Spears.
Dr. Catrise L. Austin is the preferred dentist to the stars on the East Coast. Dr. Austin’s office in Manhattan, New York provides a number of cosmetic treatments for celebrities in the area for stars such as: Paula Abdul, Isaac Hayes, Malik Yoba, Toni Braxton, Eva Pigford.
15 Stars’ Teeth Before and After Smile Makeover
Knowing which dentists provide the bulk of cosmetic dentistry to celebrities is only half of knowing just how thriving this practice currently is. There are many celebrities who have relied on dentists for braces, veneers, caps, crowns and a number of other cosmetic procedures. WorlDental.org is listing here the 15 most noticeable stars’ smile transformations.

1. Cheryl Cole from X-Factor also had bad teeth during her earlier career days. Her teeth were terribly crooked and she had pointed incisors that resembled fangs. Her teeth were straightened and the fangs were reshaped to give her a more perfect smile. Whitening was also done on her stained teeth and she now sports beautiful porcelain veneers to give her that perfect celebrity smile.

2. Hilary Duff decided to get her first set of porcelain veneers in 2005. However, she did not like the look that the veneers gave her and many critics agreed. Her first set of veneers simply did not look natural. They made her teeth very long and not proportionate with the rest of her face. However, she eventually became so unhappy with the first set that she returned to a cosmetic dentist in 2008 for a revision of her veneers. She now has shorter teeth that look much more natural than the first set that she sported. Various whitening treatments have also helped to make Hilary Duff’s teeth look completely perfect.

3. Zac Efron did not always have a perfect smile. When he first began his career, he had a wide gap between his top front teeth. Invisible braces helped to pull those teeth together and give him a more grownup smile. Teeth whitening was also in order to help brighten up Efron’s smile. It has been gossiped that Efron spent more than $10,000 having his gap removed and his pearly whites made whiter.

4. Tom Cruise also did not always have a perfect smile. Until he was 39, his teeth were horrible misaligned. He now sports a gorgeous white smile that is estimated to have cost more than $30,000 in total. From alignment procedures to the whitening, Cruise has definitely paid fair change for his overhaul.

5. Kate Beckinsale has admitted openly that she has had cosmetic dentistry done although she has not stated to what extent. Beckinsale likely has had deep cleaning and gum reconturing. Add to that cosmetic teeth whitening procedures and you get the smile that Kate Beckinsale sports today.

6. Timothy Olyphant is not nearly as well-known as many other celebrities but that did not stop him from seeking cosmetic dentistry to help with his appearance. Olyphant’s teeth were not crooked although they were far from perfect before he had veneers placed. The veneers help to give him a much more perfect smile. Before the cosmetic procedure, Olyphant’s gums were showing a bit too much. Veneers and whitening treatments have brightened up his smile.

7. Miley Cyrus had a bit of a snaggletooth look when she was younger. At 15 however, she underwent cosmetic dentistry to have veneers placed on her teeth that would give them a more perfect alignment. The veneers made her teeth straighter and her front teeth look far less prominent than they did before the procedure. Her small incisors were also covered in order to make them more balanced with the rest of her smile.

8. Victoria Beckham reportedly grew up being very ashamed to smile. Her teeth were crooked and she had a very prominent gap in the front of her top teeth. Several years ago, Beckham spent a reported $40,000 on cosmetic dentistry in order to give her a more perfect smile. She received veneers and teeth whitening treatments to brighten up her.

9. Ben Affleck had a smile that was many years in the making. Before his procedures, Affleck had small teeth that were unevenly spaced. Extensive dental work on the actor included porcelain veneers, teeth whitening treatments and crowns as well as extensive whitening. His complete overhaul cost upwards of around $20,000 according to insider reports.

10. Catherine Zeta Jones has been through many changes since her early acting days. In her earlier years, she had a rather large gap between her front teeth as well as fang-shaped teeth on the sides. Her beautiful teeth today are likely the result of porcelain veneers as well as some costly teeth whitening treatments

11. It is certainly no secret that George Clooney has had a bit of cosmetic dental work done. The actor has reportedly undergone more than $30,000 worth of dental surgery over the years. Porcelain veneers were also on Clooney’s list of things to do. A teeth grinding habit left Clooney with a crooked smile for many years. Porcelain veneers were used to lengthen the teeth that Clooney had ground down and a laser treatment was done on his gums in order to expose more of his natural teeth.

12. Demi Moore is no stranger to cosmetic dentistry procedures either. She has reportedly spent more than $12,000 on her veneers and laser teeth whitening treatments in order to receive the beautiful smile that she flashes today. Moore had straight teeth in the beginning but was simply not satisfied with the shape of her teeth. The veneers that she chose made her teeth all perfectly uniform and laser whitening gave Moore her perfectly bright smile.

13. Oprah Winfrey is rumored to have benefited from Invisalign braces at some point. Although her teeth were never in terrible shape, Winfrey did want them to be more uniform. Invisalign braces are clear plastic alignment aids that are undetectable (almost invisible braces) so no one knows that they are being worn. These braces can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the misalignment.

14. When Nicolas Cage began acting he did not have the perfect set of teeth that he has today. Cage has undergone several dental treatments including braces. In fact, he was sporting silver braces at the Annual Writers Guild awards in 2003 on his lower teeth. Before braces, Cage’s teeth were crooked. After braces he has also had teeth whitening treatments to give him the perfectly bright smile that he has today.

15. Sharon Stone has one of the most recognizable smiles in Hollywood. Stone however, did not always have this perfect smile. She has spent thousands of dollars on veneers as well as laser teeth whitening treatments in order to get the beautiful smile that she shows today.
Celebrities flash their beautiful smiles at every chance and many have no idea just what these celebrities paid for these perfect smiles.
Cosmetic dentistry is a popular way to perfect a number of imperfections and give everyone a more perfect set of teeth. If you have problems with your teeth and you want a celebrity smile, consider the procedures that these celebrities had in order to give them their perfect choppers.