Whitening, veneers, bonding, implants – cosmetic dentists have more options than ever to help patients achieve the smile of their dreams. And thanks to the blitz of reality television makeover programs, consumer awareness of cosmetic dentistry has reached an all-time high.
But it’s not just television that has prompted more people than ever to consider cosmetic dentistry. According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists (AACD), virtually all Americans (99.7 percent) believe a smile is an important asset, and three-quarters (74 percent) of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success. A whopping 96 percent of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to the opposite sex.
With so many choices available to consumers to improve their smiles, it is important for patients to ask their dentist about his or her experience in performing cosmetic dental procedures. “Any patient considering a smile makeover should make sure their dentist has had advanced training in cosmetic dentistry,” says Nicholas Davis, AACD president.
As you consider a cosmetic dental procedure, be sure to ask for these items:
* Before and after photos – Examine the dentist’s treatment results on other patients to make sure his or her work fits your dental needs.
* References – Get a sense from other patients as to what type of quality care the dentist provides.
* Continuing education – Be certain that your dentist is an active AACD member and has taken continuing education courses to keep up-to-date with the latest techniques in clinical cosmetic dentistry.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sampling Saliva for Breast Cancer at The Dentist's
University of Texas researchers believe that they have identified and created a test to detect protein markers within human saliva that point to increased possibility of having breast cancer. Considering people visit the dentist more frequently than their doctor, and that said dentist has ready access to your saliva, its quite possible that it will be the dentist performing routine breast cancer testing in the future.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
People Rate Their Smiles Higher Than Dentists Do
People Rate Their Smiles Higher Than Dentists Do
ScienceDaily (2008-01-03) -- People rate their smiles higher than dentists do, according to a new study. Teeth and eyes rated as the most important features of an attractive face, the study also found, and people younger than age 50 were most satisfied with their smiles. ... > read full article
Healthy Smile May Promote A Healthy Heart
ScienceDaily (Jan. 9, 2008)
Each year, cardiovascular disease kills more Americans than cancer. And while most people are aware that lifestyle choices such as eating right, getting enough exercise and quitting smoking can help prevent cardiovascular disease, they may not know that by just brushing and flossing their teeth each day, they might also be avoiding this potentially lethal condition.
A new article suggests that periodontal patients whose bodies show evidence of a reaction to the bacteria associated with periodontitis may have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease."The article "Markers of systemic bacterial exposure in periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease risk" was published in the December issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).
Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Periodontology.
Each year, cardiovascular disease kills more Americans than cancer. And while most people are aware that lifestyle choices such as eating right, getting enough exercise and quitting smoking can help prevent cardiovascular disease, they may not know that by just brushing and flossing their teeth each day, they might also be avoiding this potentially lethal condition.
A new article suggests that periodontal patients whose bodies show evidence of a reaction to the bacteria associated with periodontitis may have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease."The article "Markers of systemic bacterial exposure in periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease risk" was published in the December issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).
Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Periodontology.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Are you a candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
If you have been thinking about improving your smile, take a few moments and ask yourself the following questions to see if cosmetic dentistry is right for you.
Are you embarrassed about smiling in front of people?
Do you ever put your hand up to cover your smile?
Do you dislike your smile in photographs?
When you look through magazines do you envy the models’ smiles?
Do you wish your teeth were whiter?
Do you think you show too much or to little of your teeth when you smile?
Would you like to change the way your teeth or gums are shaped?
Do you have gaps or spaces between your teeth?
Are you considering braces for that perfect smile?
Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth?
Are you embarrassed about smiling in front of people?
Do you ever put your hand up to cover your smile?
Do you dislike your smile in photographs?
When you look through magazines do you envy the models’ smiles?
Do you wish your teeth were whiter?
Do you think you show too much or to little of your teeth when you smile?
Would you like to change the way your teeth or gums are shaped?
Do you have gaps or spaces between your teeth?
Are you considering braces for that perfect smile?
Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The deciding to change your smile can be a life-altering decision.
Improve Your Smile, Improve Your Life
In a recent survey of couples in Men’s Health Magazine, a non-white, yellowish-brown smile was ranked as the third most offensive quality in the opposite sex. Yet healthy smiles have the opposite effect and radiate excitement and vitality. Fortunately, healthy smiles can be acquired through the field of cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry has progressed beyond basic fillings and caps in contributing to enhancing personal appearance. In recent surveys, 92.5 percent of people agreed that an attractive smile is an important social asset. Another 88 percent said they always remember someone with an especially attractive smile. Furthermore, 85 percent of people agreed that an unattractive smile makes a person less appealing, and 74 percent believed that an unattractive smile could hurt a person’s chance of career success.
Although cosmetic dentistry can be promising, it does require some research if you’re considering treatment. A few “dos and don’ts” you’ll need to keep in mind if you’re considering a smile makeover include:
1.Don’t bargain hunt. Although it’s impossible to quote a fee for a smile makeover, the cheapest is not the best. Extreme caution is advised in selecting a doctor based on price alone. A bargain fee could buy you an inexperienced doctor.
2.Do ask to see before and after pictures of patients previously treated. Also, ask
about the extent of a doctor’s post-graduate education in cosmetic dentistry. It’s
extremely important to understand the doctor’s skill level and if he or she has the
ability to create smiles that suit people’s facial characteristics.
3.Don’t rush. A doctor who promises to have your smile completed in a week is
rushing the procedure. Patients are required to wear temporary teeth for at least
two to three weeks to ensure that their speech adapts. This can take even longer if there are changes in the patient’s bite.
4. Do make sure you pass the initial screening. Most people are able to proceed with smile changes but if there are signs of jaw joint troubles, especially if there’s
difficulty in opening the mouth, this should be treated first. Any medical problems
should also be discussed in detail with the doctor.
5. Don’t cut your smile short. When you decide to have your smile changed,
carefully examine your full smile from all sides. Treating only the front two, four
or six teeth may result in dissatisfaction with the final results. If there are
unattractive silver fillings or teeth that appear yellowish, brown or black, the new
smile will look unnatural and incomplete.
6. Do expect to have photographs and molds taken of your teeth. These will allow the cosmetic dentist to study your smile in more detail. More importantly, communication with the dental laboratory is essential in producing the final
results.
7. Don’t allow a doctor to touch your smile unless he or she has a laboratory
experienced in cosmetic dentistry and occlusion (how the teeth bite together).
Avoiding this warning will result in poor results and total dissatisfaction. In many
occasions, cosmetic dentists have been asked to re-treat the teeth to achieve the
desired results.
8. Do continue to have regular check ups and cleanings, as these allow the doctor to monitor the treated teeth. It is imperative that excellent home care continues.
9. Do choose a doctor who performs this type of treatment daily and who has limited his or her area of practice to cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry. Be sure the entire dental team has also upgraded their skills in this advanced area of dentistry.
Changing your smile can be a very rewarding life experience. Those who value and take pride in their appearance have felt the difference a new smile makes in their lives.
At the conclusion of every case, I am fascinated to watch an individual’s personality transform and evolve. It is truly a humbling experience to watch an individual look in the mirror and smile with confidence for the first time.
In a recent survey of couples in Men’s Health Magazine, a non-white, yellowish-brown smile was ranked as the third most offensive quality in the opposite sex. Yet healthy smiles have the opposite effect and radiate excitement and vitality. Fortunately, healthy smiles can be acquired through the field of cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry has progressed beyond basic fillings and caps in contributing to enhancing personal appearance. In recent surveys, 92.5 percent of people agreed that an attractive smile is an important social asset. Another 88 percent said they always remember someone with an especially attractive smile. Furthermore, 85 percent of people agreed that an unattractive smile makes a person less appealing, and 74 percent believed that an unattractive smile could hurt a person’s chance of career success.
Although cosmetic dentistry can be promising, it does require some research if you’re considering treatment. A few “dos and don’ts” you’ll need to keep in mind if you’re considering a smile makeover include:
1.Don’t bargain hunt. Although it’s impossible to quote a fee for a smile makeover, the cheapest is not the best. Extreme caution is advised in selecting a doctor based on price alone. A bargain fee could buy you an inexperienced doctor.
2.Do ask to see before and after pictures of patients previously treated. Also, ask
about the extent of a doctor’s post-graduate education in cosmetic dentistry. It’s
extremely important to understand the doctor’s skill level and if he or she has the
ability to create smiles that suit people’s facial characteristics.
3.Don’t rush. A doctor who promises to have your smile completed in a week is
rushing the procedure. Patients are required to wear temporary teeth for at least
two to three weeks to ensure that their speech adapts. This can take even longer if there are changes in the patient’s bite.
4. Do make sure you pass the initial screening. Most people are able to proceed with smile changes but if there are signs of jaw joint troubles, especially if there’s
difficulty in opening the mouth, this should be treated first. Any medical problems
should also be discussed in detail with the doctor.
5. Don’t cut your smile short. When you decide to have your smile changed,
carefully examine your full smile from all sides. Treating only the front two, four
or six teeth may result in dissatisfaction with the final results. If there are
unattractive silver fillings or teeth that appear yellowish, brown or black, the new
smile will look unnatural and incomplete.
6. Do expect to have photographs and molds taken of your teeth. These will allow the cosmetic dentist to study your smile in more detail. More importantly, communication with the dental laboratory is essential in producing the final
results.
7. Don’t allow a doctor to touch your smile unless he or she has a laboratory
experienced in cosmetic dentistry and occlusion (how the teeth bite together).
Avoiding this warning will result in poor results and total dissatisfaction. In many
occasions, cosmetic dentists have been asked to re-treat the teeth to achieve the
desired results.
8. Do continue to have regular check ups and cleanings, as these allow the doctor to monitor the treated teeth. It is imperative that excellent home care continues.
9. Do choose a doctor who performs this type of treatment daily and who has limited his or her area of practice to cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry. Be sure the entire dental team has also upgraded their skills in this advanced area of dentistry.
Changing your smile can be a very rewarding life experience. Those who value and take pride in their appearance have felt the difference a new smile makes in their lives.
At the conclusion of every case, I am fascinated to watch an individual’s personality transform and evolve. It is truly a humbling experience to watch an individual look in the mirror and smile with confidence for the first time.
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