It emphasizes good hygiene and nothing else. But with cosmetic dentistry, the emphasis is different. Like cosmetic surgery, the emphasis is on the way we appear to other people. Cosmetic dentistry do not just take care of the health of our teeth, it also takes care of the way it looks. This means that the procedures that patients of cosmetic dentistry have to go through do not just involve one or two simple procedures like cleaning and extraction, it might also involve whitening of the teeth and putting braces. You might have braces and retainers put on you. It all depends on how drastic the changes the cosmetic dentist need to do on your teeth. The price difference however depends on the level of experience and the training that these cosmetic dentists have. Remember that these dentists have what they call the aesthetic advantage, meaning that beyond taking care of your teeth and making sure that your teeth are healthy, they are also making sure that your teeth are aligned perfectly together for a great smile. This is perhaps because people are more open now to changing their appearances now than before with all the Hollywood stars getting some nips and tucks on every part of their faces and body. The trend will naturally progress to teeth. But with all the new names in the cosmetic dentistry field, it will be hard for some to choose a good cosmetic dentist. Studies in the United States show that people who have great sets of teeth and pleasant faces are more trusted by others. They appear to be more honest, warm and more engaging compared to people who do not have great smiles. One reason for this is perhaps on the act of smiling. People who do not have a great set of teeth will feel self-conscious when they smile compared to those who can smile freely and easily. These dentists have probably trained under skilled professionals in the same field. Experience This is another important factor in choosing your cosmetic dentist. Before signing up for a procedure, check his or her credentials. How many years has the dentist been doing cosmetic dental procedures? What kind of reconstructive work has he done through the years? Thus, it is important to take note of the main symptoms of the condition, which include the following: inability to open the mouth widely; pain when biting or opening the mouth; tension in the lower jaw muscles; pain in the jaw area when yawning or chewing; painful gritting, popping and clicking of the jaw joint; locked jaw; and adjoining headache, facial pain and neck pain.