Ask The San Diego Cosmetic Dentists

Smile lift..

Q. My teeth look yellow, worn and crowded.  My smile does not seem to show as much as it use to I would like to look younger.  What are some options?

A. As we age, our teeth wear down, discolor, crowd and chip. As facial muscles weaken, our lips hang lower and our smile begins to droop. A smile lift brightens the smile, straightens the teeth and builds a bigger smile that will take years off of one's appearance and icrease one's self esteem and confidence. An improved smile helps tighten the facial muslces, which hives you a more youthful look. You can see your new smile, before changes are made, through digital photography and computer imaging. using methods like veneers, whitening, gum recountouring, and enameloplasty you can have the smile of your dreams.

Teeth Whitening...
Q.  I have several friends who have whitened their teeth. Some had sensitivity, some did not. What causes this?

A. Whitening is an excellent and affordable way to give you a beautiful smile. It is one of the most requested services in my office. Several factors can contribute to whether a patient has any discomfort during or after whitening. If teeth are in need of restorations (from active decay), they have root surface exposure, or have thin enamel they can be sensitive. Most patients who have discomfort find that it subsides after a day or two or with the help of over the counter medication (i.e. Tylenot or Advil). You can schedule a consulatation in my office to determine if in office whitening is a good choice for you.

Gum Recontouring...
Q. I have a gummy smile. What can be done to show more tooth and less gum tissue?

A.  Often times, people appear to have short teeth when i nreality it's the gum tissue that's at the wrong height. By gently sculpting the gum tissue to more ideal propoetions, I can give you teeth that appear longer and more attracitve. This procedure takes a minimal amount of time and involves no bleeding or stitches, and in most cases, it does not require altering your teeth in any way.

Sedation Dentistry...
Q.  How does sleep dentistry work and how would I know if I would be a candidate to have it done?

A.  Sleep dentistry really works. You are given a small pill an hour prior to your dental appointment. Your companion will accompany you to the office By the tiem you arrive you will be very drowsy. You will be escorted into the sleep room, covered with a warm blanket, and placed on a monitor to watch your vital signs. You are a candidate for sleep dentistry if you have limited time to complete your care and would like to have everything completed in just one visit, if you have had a traumatic dental experience or difficulty getting numb, or have a bad gag reflex.

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.

1. Are you embarrassed about smiling in front of people?
2. Do you ever put your hand up to cover your smile?
3. Do you dislike your smile in photographs?
4. When you look through magazines do you envy the models’ smiles?
5. Do you wish your teeth were whiter?
6. Do you think you show too much or to little of your teeth when you smile?
7. Would you like to change the way your teeth or gums are shaped?
8. Do you have haps or spaces between your teeth?
9. Are you considering braces for that perfect smile?
10. Do you have crooked or misaligned teeth?