Whiter teeth for the Holidays

When we finish cosmetic work on a patient, there is something almost all of them say to us. It is almost said in confidence, so as not to hurt others’ feelings. They say something like, “Now that my teeth are so white, I am noticing how dull and dingy other people’s teeth really are.”

It’s a pretty common reaction to suddenly having whiter teeth. As a dentist, I see all kinds of teeth. All are white to some degree (unless they are gold or are full of black filings). Because white teeth come in so many shades, many people do not notice how everyday behaviors slowly darken and dull a smile. The process is slow and before you know it, the color of your teeth is affecting your smile and your overall appearance.

Most people know the usual suspects for this slow deterioration of color: drinking coffee, smoking and the antibiotic, tetracycline. But many people just do not realize how simple and affordable whitening can be. You can choose permanent methods like porcelain veneers that will not stain or you can opt for in-office or take-home whitening that can improve the shade of your teeth in a short amount of time. Some in-office whitening treatments take only about an hour and will last you for years.

Whitening is one of the most common requests we have among patients. If the idea of whitening your smile seems like a good idea, why not call us today at (425) 258-6429 to learn more? Or you can click here to read more about your options on my web site.

Extreme Makeover was on ABC again last month

In case you have never seen it, Extreme Makeover was a huge hit a few years ago and there are still a lot of makeover shows on television. Before that, a makeover used to mean a new hairstyle and new make-up. The makeover shows have really shown that improving one's appearance can be done in many ways including smile makeovers.

Since Extreme Makeover first aired, I've noticed a big increase in the number of casual conversations I have with people making over their smile. I think the makeover shows made people realize that there were certain imperfactions that they could have fixed. And, cosmetic dentistry does not have the negative stigmas like you have with plastic surgery.

In fact makeover shows demonstrate how fast and easy cosmetic dental work can be. I am not sure how accurate those shows make the recovery times seem for surgery; but I do know with cosmetic dentistry, we can complete a smile makeover in two visits. That is accurately portrayed on makeover shows.

I invite you to click through my web site to see my smile makeovers... some of which might be considered "extreme". And, if you want to talk about a smile makeover for yourself or refer a friend who has been thinking of getting one, please call or email me.

A couple thoughts about why we do what we do

One of my favorite parts about being a cosmetic dentist is seeing people gain confidence almost immediately. This is one of the amazing results of cosmetic dentistry and it is a phenomenon cosmetic dentists talk about all the time. We see this in our practice when people see their new smiles for the first time. When someone sees an area that they consider a flaw suddenly transformed into a strength, you can literally see them lower their guard down. All of a sudden it’s okay for the rest of us see their real personality come out.

Here is an interesting observation about confidence. Attractive personalities draw people in because they can seem so natural expressing themselves. The truth is that they are relaxed and comfortable with how they appear. That is what is translating into confidence. This is one of the main reasons people seek out cosmetic dentists to enhance their smiles. We get a lot of patients who just want to let their "Real Me"

out for everyone to see but won’t because they are unhappy with their smile. I think this is why we so many dramatic changes in personality and confidence with cosmetic dentistry. It really is gratifying.

Maybe you are thinking about cosmetic dentistry for this reason. If you are, email me here and we can set up a consultation to discuss the possibilities for you.