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 don't 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 509-466-6979 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 about making over their smile. I think the makeover shows made people realize that there were certain imperfections that they could have fixed. And, cosmetic dentistry does not have the negative stigmas like you have with plastic surgery.

If 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 me at (509) 466-6979.

The right treatment for "TMJ" problems, treats the cause and offers a cure

I have successfully diagnosed and treated many "TMJ" patients. This problem is more common that one would think and is correctly referred to as TMD, which stands for Temporo-Mandiblular Disorder.

There are many health professionals who think they have the answer for TMD sufferers, and granted, they will have some success and some failures. In my opinion, the true measure of their success is more of a measure of their patients ability to adapt to their latest treatment, rather than responding to anything that is addressing the true cause of their problem.

We live in a society whose health professions develop treatment protocols for many ailments based on what is considered "NORMAL". The dental profession has typically tried to treat this very complex problem based on what our profession as a whole considers to be normal. Well, just what is "normal" when it comes to TMD problems?

TMD patients can have many signs and symptoms that elicit no pain what so ever, all the way to extreme chronic debilitating pain. If the treating health professional is not trained to identify these subtle signs and symptoms, they will be either missed all together, or diagnosed as something else. For that reason, it becomes very confusing and nearly impossible to establish what normal is because so many people have some form of this disorder and don't even know it.

As one of a rapidly growing number of Neuromuscular Dentists, I understand this phenomenon, and I help my patients find what is "normal" for each of them as individuals and help them get their quality of life back again.

How do we do this and why is it so successful... visit my blog again next week for more info, or give my office a call and we'll be glad to help 509-466-6979.

Link to Dr. Prabu Raman's blog

Click Here to visit the blog of Dr. Prabu Raman for more information on TMJ.

A couple thoughts about why we do what we do

One of the most gratifying aspects about being a cosmetic dentist is seeing cosmetic patients gain confidence. This is an amazing phenomenon that is discussed among cosmetic dentists all the time. When patients see their new smile for the first time, it's often a very emotional experience and tears of joy are quite typical and very gratifiying to everyone present for this moment . When someone sees an area that they consider a flaw suddenly transformed into a strength, you can see them lower their guard. 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 seem so natural expressing themselves. The truth is, they are relaxed and comfortable with how they appear. That quality is translated 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 see 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.