On average, over 200 photographs of the bride will be taken on the big day; not only by the photographer, but by friends and family too. This is a daunting prospect if you think that a professional camera lens tends to pick up on the smallest detail!

Imagine looking back over the wedding photos in years to come: will it bug you to see your stained, crooked gnashers grimacing at you? One thing is for certain, the camera never lies...

Cosmetic dentistry in the UK has boomed in response to public awareness (whipped up by celebrity endorsement) that an attractive smile is an essential asset for server al reasons, not

least for the older bride-to-be.

Cosmetic dentists have devoted years of study to these problems, using state of the art techniques and materials.

What are the options?
Chipped edges or small gaps can be easily restored using a technique call Cosmetic Bonding. This is when a tooth-coloured material call composite is bonded to the tooth. This can be done in a single visit.

If several front teeth need attention, an increasingly popular method is by bonding thin Veneers (like wafer of porcelain) onto teeth, instantly transforming the whole smile. Like all porcelain

cosmetic solutions,veneers are custom-made to suit the individual's requirements and pretty much any shape and shade of tooth can be achieved.

Tooth-whitening is thankfully no longer reserved for rich Hollywood celebrities, but is a simple, effective way for anyone who wants to brighten their stained, dulled teeth by a few natural shades. The technique is ideal if you have great-shaped teeth already. Cosmetic dental studios usually offer home-use 1-hour kits or a professional tooth-whitening service.

A dazzling smile is like an instant facelift - fantastic news for the Mahogany bride.