Press Room

You never get a second chance to make a first impression so make it with a beautiful smile. Here are some little known secrets to getting and maintaining a beautiful smile, even on a budget.

Thinking about veneers? Make sure your dentist sends a picture of your tooth color to the lab, so they can get the opacity of the porcelain correct for the coverage you will need.

To care for your crowns or porcelain laminates, make sure your dental hygienist goes old school, with a polishing paste. This process will bring out the bright without damaging your investment.

Flossing! Everyone knows they should do it, but who has the time? Along with brushing twice a day, make sure you floss too. Not flossing leaves behind excess food and debris that can get lodged, not only between teeth, but also under the gum line, which can accelerate tooth decay! And no! Rinsing longer doesn’t suffice, nice try.

Now for the Q & A.

Q: Can whiter teeth make you look younger?
A: Teeth that aren’t white can convey a subliminal message about your age.  When your teeth are whiter, it lightens up the face and makes the lips a focal point, instantly rejuvenating an older looking face.
    Fact: There are two common types of stains: intrinsic stains, on the inside of the tooth, and extrinsic stains, on the exterior of the tooth. Intrinsic stains do not respond well to tooth whitening products. Extrinsic stains are caused by highly pigmented foods and drinks. These stains can be removed or reduced with bleaching procedures.

Q: Are veneers my only solution?
A: If you only have a weak, broken, or extremely worn tooth then a crown may be a better choice. It will be more cost effective and could be covered by your dental plan. If you want to change the appearance of your smile on a grander scale, consider veneers. If your teeth have dark intrinsic stains, are slightly misaligned, have small spaces between, or you feel like your teeth are to small, veneers can restore your smile.
    Fact:  Both crowns and veneers will last roughly 15 years, depending on the original application and how well you maintain them. The fact is that you very well may need to have them redone at some point in your life. Care for them correctly especially at home and they may last even longer.

Q: How can I fix my crooked smile?
A: Whether your smile is crooked from genetics, crowding and shifting, trauma (from bad habits like biting pens, to using your teeth as tools). There are many solutions to give you a straighter smile, which can ultimately enhance the shape of your face.
    Fact: Your orthodontist will be able to give you the information you need to fix overcrowding, wide spaces, cross bite, overbite, or under bite. They will also go over the differences between traditional braces versus Invisilign. There are pros and cons to both, from price to aesthetics. Make sure you address any and all concerns with your orthodontist. In some cases a combination of both may work best.