Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you. However, flaws in one’s teeth can make a person self-conscious about smiling. Therefore, we realize how important your smile is to your confidence. This is why, as your East Portland, Oregon dentist, we use the latest techniques to keep teeth healthy and create beautiful smiles.
5 Reasons to Have a Great Smile
Here are just a few reasons smiling is important.
- Smiling helps reduce stress.
- People feel more confident when they have healthy, attractive teeth (National Survey June 2018)
- Smiles are contagious. For example: How do you feel when you are greeted with a smile? A smile from someone makes you want to smile back.
- People view you as more attractive and sociable when you smile.
- When you smile, you project confidence. This can help you get business and close deals.
On the other hand, damaged teeth such as broken, chipped or stained teeth are problems that can make someone self-conscious and reluctant to smile. The good news – with today’s dental technology we can do a lot to improve a smile!
What Cosmetic Dentistry Can Do for You
The word Cosmetic comes from French, cosmétique which came from Greek kosmētikos meaning skilled in arranging. So Cosmetic Dentistry is like "re-arranging" your teeth so that you can have a beautiful smile.
Cosmetic Procedures
There are many types of Cosmetic Dentistry. Here is a list of some of them and what they can do for you:
Teeth Whitening
Our dental office whitening treatments are much more effective than over-the-counter treatments. You will get better and more long lasting results. Additionally, you will want to have professional cleaning done before whiting your teeth. Plaque, tartar, and other debris can cause uneven whitening. Therefore, we recommend professional cleaning before any whitening treatments.
Crowns
When a tooth has become damaged beyond the simple fix of a filling it requires a crown. For example, a crown can be used to protect a weak tooth from breaking, hold together an already broken or worn tooth, cover a tooth which has a large filling or dental implant.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge literally bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth. It is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth to fill the gap. A bridge can restore your smile and your ability to properly chew and speak. It also maintains the shape of your face and helps prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
Implants
Dental implants replace tooth roots. They provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. They are durable and will last many years and could last a lifetime. It will help with the problem of deteriorating jaw bone because there will be a “tooth” there to create the force of a natural tooth.
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit over teeth. They provide a natural, attractive look. They can be used to fix chipped, stained, misaligned, worn down, uneven or abnormally spaced teeth. Getting veneers usually requires two visits to complete the process with little or no anesthesia required during the procedure.
Gum Reshaping
Gums that are too low or too high on can affect your smile. For example, gums that cover too much of your teeth can make your teeth look smaller. Whereas gums that are receding can make your teeth look too long. Gum reshaping can even out an uneven gum line to make your teeth look more uniform.
We work together as a team here at Dr. Carothers Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to keep up with the latest techniques to give you a healthy and confident smile. Contact us today and schedule an appointment. The sooner we get started the happier you will be with your smile. (503) 257-3033
Sincerely,
Dr. David N. Carothers, DDS