What does a smile do?

A smile let others know you’re happy.  It produces a chemical reaction in your body that actually makes you happier.

A smile lets others know you’re friendly.  It puts complete strangers at ease, and causes them to smile too! A smile is contagious.

A smile shows love.  We smile to let others know it’s okay, we smile at our babies and children, we smile our forgiveness, approval, and love for people we care for.

A smile shows savvy.  People who smile often and whose teeth are white and aligned are perceived as smart, confident, and financially secure.

A smile belongs to a youthful spirit.  Babies smile freely because they’re uninhibited, and people playing with babies wear wide, joyful smiles because we feel an intimate freedom in our souls during those interactions.

A smile is universal.  No matter your age, race, gender, or culture, we all smile, and we all interpret a smile to be a positive sign.  We gravitate towards those who smile, and others gravitate towards us if we smile.

A smile can change!  Just as our bodies, minds, and hearts are continuous works in progress, so can be our smiles.  They can become straighter, whiter, and healthier. We then become more inclined to show them off.

Are you ready to more fully experience the power of your smile?  Make an appointment with your dentist, and you’ll have taken the first step towards your most beautiful, powerful smile.

Natural, Comfortable Tooth Replacement

Dental implants are excellent options for people who may have lost a tooth or teeth, due to periodontal disease, injuries, or other reasons.  Dental implants are substitute for the roots of missing teeth.  They act as an anchor for a replacement tooth or a set of replacement teeth. The benefit of implants is they do not rely on other teeth for support, so your dentist can replace a tooth with or without supporting teeth in place.  Dental implants are also very natural-looking and feeling, so you may forget you ever lost a tooth!

In a 2009 medical breakthrough, dental surgeons developed a way to use stem cells to rebuild teeth.  As technology continues to improve, so will your experiences at the dentist’s office… and so will your smile!

Listen to Dr. Sarah Roberts discuss Anti-Aging for Your Teeth.

Dr. Sarah Roberts recently made a guest appearance on the radio talk show Super Human Radio.  You can listen to Dr. Roberts discuss Anti-Aging for Your Teeth here.  In addition, here are a few interesting takeaways from the show, for those interested in truly understanding how to keep their smiles – and themselves – as young and healthy as possible.

1. First, the best way to maintain a youthful smile is PREVENTION.

2. Eat healthy foods.  People who eat too much junk food or are diabetic have more sugar in their blood.  Since this blood, minus the red cells, surrounds your teeth and gums, sugary blood can cause bacteria to grow and decay to occur.  Thus, teeth can rot or become discolored.  The connection between eating healthy, non-sugary foods and healthy smiles is clear.

3. Brush your teeth 2-3 times per day for about 2 minutes each time.  Use a soft toothbrush, angled at 45 degrees.  An excellent option for brushing is the Sonicare toothbrush.  Sonicare works well because it has a sonic vibration that loosens debris you can’t see.

4. If you absolutely cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chew gum.  After a meal, the pH levels in your mouth are more acidic, which can cause decay.  Chewing gum balances the pH in your mouth.

5. If your smile already shows signs of aging, you have many cosmetic options to improve the look and health of your smile, including whitening, orthodontics and procedures to lengthen teeth that have been ground down due to stress (many people actually grind their teeth while they exercise or sleep – which ages your smile).

6. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum line to make it smooth and even, which is a crucial aspect of a beautiful smile.

7. If you chose at-home whitening, make sure you chose a name brand.  Whereas many off-brands have compromised the integrity of their product, name brands put a lot of effort into managing the pH of their product.  This ensures their products are safe for tooth enamel.

8. Whatever your smile situation, there is usually a cosmetic solution.  Remember, cosmetic dentistry is not simply about aesthetics; it is also about health.  Beautiful smiles are healthy smiles.

Q&A: Why do silver fillings fall out?

The average amalgam or silver filling lasts about 10 years according to research studies.  Although I have seen amalgam (silver) fillings lasts up to 25 years in practice.  The amalgam filling material is not bonded to the tooth.  The amalgam filling is closely adapted to the walls of the remaining tooth structure but leaves microscopic gaps.  As the amalgam filling corrodes around the edges, decay may develop in these areas.

In addition to the amalgam filling corroding, it may also expand as it ages causing further breakdown of your tooth with cracks. Some cracks can be minor but others can destroy the tooth and result in tooth loss.

It is your dentist’s responsibility to check your teeth and let you know when any restorations need replacement.

Are You A Candidate for a Smile Makeover?

Happiness is the best facelift. –Joni Mitchell

Your smile is so important.  Smiling and laughing are keys to more than just looking more attractive – though people who smile often are perceived as more attractive than people who do not smile as often.  The act of smiling and laughing is actually proven to reduce stress and release tension.  So smiling is important for your entire well-being.

However, some of us do not smile as often as we would like, because we’re concerned about our smiles.  If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may be a candidate for a Smile Makeover.

• Do you not smile as often as you would like because you don’t feel confident about your teeth?
• Do you feel your smile holds you back in your professional or personal life?
• Do you feel your teeth are too long, too short, too wide, or too narrow?
• Do you feel your teeth aren’t white enough?
• Do you have noticeable gaps between your teeth?
• Are any of your teeth chipped or broken?
• Do you have difficulty flossing due to crowded teeth?
• Do you feel your gums show too much when you smile?

If any of these questions apply to you, a Smile Makeover could drastically improve your self-esteem, confidence, health and appearance.

Invisalign FAQ - And a Holiday Discount!

Here are a few questions we get from patients about Invisalign.  If I don’t answer your question here, please leave it in the form of a comment and I’ll respond!

Is it possible for me to picture how my teeth would look after cosmetic dental treatment?  Yes. Our office offers the latest technology in computer imaging, so we can give you a good idea of what your teeth will look like after cosmetic dental improvements.

Does Invisalign really work?  Yes.  Invisalign is clinically proven to straighten teeth without metal or wires.  There are plenty of before and after case studies and satisfied clients as well.

What do the aligners look like and what are they made of?  The aligners are made of medical-grade clear plastic and custom shaped to fit your mouth perfectly.  They are difficult to notice when worn.

How much does Invisalign cost?  The cost of Invisalign varies according to the extensiveness, but can cost anywhere from $3500 to $5500.  Currently Crabapple is running a special for $1000 OFF Invisalign Treatment + Free Whitening, if you and a friend become fans of our Facebook page.

Will insurance cover Invisalign?  If you have Orthodontic coverage, Invisalign should be covered just like traditional braces, but coverage varies from policy to policy.

How does Invisalign work?  Whereas traditional metal brackets and wires pull our teeth in the desired direction, Invisalign gently presses directly on to the teeth, moving them in the direction of the aligners.  For this reason, it is very important to keep your aligners in between 20-22 hours per day.

Will my teeth stay straight after treatment?  Yes.  We offer several different types of retainers, so we can chose the type that works best for you.