When I first moved to Los Angeles from New York, I was shocked when a dentist tried hustling me with a teeth whitening system. At least this is how I perceived his sales tactic. My immediate response was to roll my eyes and exclaim: "Only in L.A., where everyone is a MAW (model-actress-whatever)." "In New York," I smugly thought to myself, "people are content with their yellow teeth and urine-stained streets." Now, mind you, this pre-dates Crest White Strips and the Times Square cleanup.

Nevertheless, I recently decided to have my teeth whitened with the Zoom! Professional Chairside Whitening System at the offices of Dr. Matt Zarinnia in Encino, Calif.

What made me come around and consider the $600 procedure? One, I'm pretty low maintenance grooming-wise, preferring to do my own hair, manis and pedis. (I will splurge for brow waxing and periodic massages.) So it did seem like I was long overdue for some indulgence.

Secondly, the first thing I notice about a person is their smile. Perhaps reviewing so many red carpet photos has worn me down. Tom, Halle and Julia radiate not just because they've been buffed to perfection and wear expensive clothes. They beam because of their teeth. Zarinnia dropped the juicy tidbit that a somewhat stellar star had just been in to see him for this very same treatment in preparation for a Playboy shoot. I'm not so sure that anyone browsing through nude photos cares about tobacco stains, but Chiclet-perfect teeth sure must make you feel confident enough to strike the necessary suggestive poses.  

To start, Zarinnia checked my teeth to make sure they were in good condition. They were. A technician applied a clear gel on my teeth. It was explained that most clients require two 15-minute zapping sessions under the Zoom! light. When I reached that point in the process, however, she gently suggested that we go for one more. Then and only then would she do the big reveal.

As I waited, I grew worried that perhaps the technician had gone overboard. Remember that Friends episode in which Ross' teeth glowed in the dark? When I finally examined them in the mirror, my first question was: Are you sure they're not too bright? "Not at all," she responded. I wasn't at all convinced.

What did I know? Later when I lasked my husband if he noticed anything different about me, it took him six guesses. "But your teeth were always pretty white!" he said in his defense. And my colleagues have yet to notice, even though I let it be known that I had gotten something done.

Perhaps they thought I was hinting at plastic surgery. I do know one thing: Like the patient who repeatedly goes under the knife, I'm already thinking, "Again, again! Lighter, brighter!" Thankfully, I can now whiten once a month in the comfort of my own home using the follow-up trays. Think I'll schedule my next session right after a pedi!