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You are as you see yourself

Although times change, human nature does not. Today the same motives prompt us to seek outward portrayal of inner desires through esthetic treatment. But the modern scientific approach dictates that this path to self-assurance must be based on sound dental practice and keyed to total health.

However, the way you see yourself and think others see you has a great deal to do with the way you feel about yourself. If you feel good about your smile, you are far more likely to respond to others using it as a form of communication. A charming smile can open doors and knock down barriers that stand between you and a confident and richer life.

It has been said that "the eyes have it" but recent studies show this is not the case. Dr. Richard C. Burns of the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, has documented observations that the mouth is the focal point of many emotional conflicts, the first source of human contact and a means of alleviating or expressing pleasure, discomfort or displeasure.

You Deserve It!

Your smile impacts how your feel about yourself!

It is the first and lasting impressions you make on others.

At some point, you have looked in the mirror and wished for a brighter, whiter, more dazzling smile.

Do you have a new job on the horizon, a wedding, graduation, high school reunion or another great reason to treat yourself?

Perhaps you notice a co-worker or friend's teeth as they smile an laugh, wishing you had that kind of confidence in how your teeth looked.

A positive change in your smile will have a dramatic effect, helping you personally, socially and professionally.

As you begin planning for cosmetic dentistry, it is very important to realize that not all dentists are equally qualified. An LVI dentist has received prestigious postgraduate training in the latest techniques in cosmetic dentistry, making them part of an elite group that sets the standard for all other dentist through their training in aesthetic reconstructive dentistry.

Schedule your appointment today, why wait for a stunning new smile!

Headaches? Tell your dentist!

Headaches are generally classified into several basic types: Sinus, Cluster, Tension and Migraine. You can determine which type you have by discussing it with your physician or dentist. While headaches are typically treated by your physician, improper occlusion (your bite) may play a significant role in certain types of headaches as well as other head and neck pain. One type of headache, tension, is by far the most common - estimated by some to be the cause of as much as 90% of all headaches. Further, they are headaches that often originate in, or pain is referred to, the muscles of your forehead. The muscles of the temple area of the forehead are muscles that play and important part in the posturing and closing of the jaw. If your occlusion (bite) is not right, it can lead to abnormal tension in the muscles - one of the several possible causes of tension type headaches. If the bite is not corrected, the muscles may remain tense for long periods of time. The contracted muscle does not get a chance to rest and soon suffers from poor circulation - thus a lack of needed oxygen and the accumulation of waste products of metabolism. The result can be pain in the form of a headache. New technology now allows your dentist to objectively evaluate the state of these muscles and various other factors that may be affecting your bite.

What is a post?

A dental "post" is used in instances where the tooth's nerve has been removed. They are not always necessary. Using them depends on how much chewing force will be exerted on the bite and how much tooth structure is left.

Your Natural Teeth - keep them if you can

Sometimes I look at myself and my friends to measure how we are all aging. I would say that none of us has done anything too drastic to retain our youthfulness. You know we keep our hair nice, try to keep the extra weight off, perhaps a little botox... But it was the loss of a tooth in one of my friends (that I have known since high school) - that really got my attention. It wasn't a front tooth but one on the side, visible when he smiles. It was the first time that I really thought of him as older.

The effects on extracting a tooth that can be saved - reach farther than the cosmetic - it also affects the support of the jaw and losing even just one tooth can result in a collapsed bite.

Never extract your teeth if there is another alternative available.

Bonding - a quick compromise but a poor long term solution

Composite resin, used for tooth coloured fillings can be useful in treating chipped or crooked or discoloured teeth. This is called "bonding". The treatment usually consists of building the crowded teeth out or creating adjacent teeth with even edges. The result is an illusion of straightness and whitening that can be most pleasing.

Although the result is immediately appealing... it is short term. The composite resin, while an excellent and healthy alternative to "mercury-amalgam" fillings, it is not a designed to be a cosmetic restoration. The resin will quickly pick up stain, depending on your eating, drinking (and smoking) habits. It will dull in time, largely due to the abrasion of toothpaste and use of mouthwash.

There is no better long-term solution than a porcelain restoration, supported with good oral care and regular visits to an excellent dentist and hygienist.