redoing only the six front teeth represents a big savings over bonding or veneering the entire mouth. And it looks great, as a smiling Anna Marie Cseh, Ford's 1995 supermodel of the year, below, can attest. Dr. Lowenberg veneered her upper front teeth, bonded the upper side teeth and bleached the lower ones to hide small, brownish, widely spaced teeth, left.

Bleach Out Stains and Darkness

Bleaching, which is relatively inexpensive, can be done in the dentist's office or at home. For in-office bleaching, the dentist treats teeth to make them more readily accepting of the bleaching solution, which is generally 30 to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide plus a catalyst. While on the teeth, the solution is exposed to a high-intensity light source that oxidizes the chemicals, helping to whiten teeth. A variety of light sources—even lasers—can be used. In-office bleaching typically requires one to three office visits and periodic touch-ups (every few years). Costs range from $125 to $500 per upper or lower row of teeth per visit. Laser bleaching, which can run $500 to $1,000 per row, takes a single visit and may be more cost effective, says New York dentist Irwin Smigel, D.D.S. The laser technique, however, is not yet nationally available.

At-home bleaching kits, sold only through a dentist's office, use a customized mold filled with a solution of carbamide peroxide that fits over teeth. The process takes longer