Brightening your smile can enhance your overall appearance. Most people have at least one aspect of their smile that they would like to improve. Fortunately, many options are available to enhance a smile’s appearance – from proper maintenance to restorative and cosmetic treatments.
Okamoto and Bigley Dentistry in Pasadena and the surrounding area can help you improve your smile. Our team will help determine the right treatment to help you meet your smile goals. Contact us at 626-440-9095 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
The Benefits of an Improved Smile
Patients who deliberately work to improve their smile are more likely to smile freely, which can have many benefits. Researchers have shown that the physical act of smiling can make you feel happier through a hypothesis known as facial feedback. According to the facial feedback hypothesis, when the facial muscles form into a smile, it can trigger feelings of actual happiness in the brain.
Beyond the positive inward impact of a smile, smiling can also positively affect others. Research published in the journal Brain Science has also demonstrated that people who smile more often have happier relationships and are rated more favorably by others. The same researchers have also posited that people who smile more live longer.
Addressing Concerns
Everyone has a unique smile, so patients need to find a dentist who understands their wants and needs. Seeking professional help to improve a smile is a big decision that should involve thorough research and consideration. Communication throughout the treatment process is an important part of ensuring that the patient is comfortable throughout the process and satisfied with their results.
Patients should seek treatment from a dentist who values their input and is open to discussing any questions or concerns. It is important for patients to receive the necessary information and professional input before going into the treatment process. Listening to such concerns allows Okamoto and Bigley Dentistry to create a customized treatment plan to improve each patient’s smile.
What care techniques help maintain a healthy smile?
A smile’s health plays an important role in its appearance. Proper dental care techniques play a vital role in sustaining and improving a healthy smile. Although a healthy smile is not achieved overnight, developing healthy dental habits can help improve the look and health of teeth. Some techniques that support healthy teeth and gums include:
- Brushing teeth twice a day
- Flossing at least once a day
- Limiting staining foods or drinks
- Receiving prompt dental treatment
- Scheduling regular dental check-ups
What types of restorative dental procedures are available?
A restorative dental process takes into account the teeth’s function as well as their appearance. People who may benefit from restorative dentistry include those with missing teeth, teeth that have decayed, broken or chipped teeth.
A restorative dentist can help improve the function of teeth and the appearance of a smile simultaneously. Some common types of procedures utilized by a restorative dentist include:
- Fillings: A filling can repair a defect in a tooth that has been caused by decay or trauma. Restorative dentists can use filling materials that closely match the color of natural teeth for an ideal appearance.
- Crowns: A crown is a cap that fits snugly over a tooth to correct its shape and size. Restorative dentists can use crowns to correct the appearance and function of a damaged tooth.
- Implants: A dental implant is a metal piece that is inserted into the bone socket and can help correct defects from missing teeth. A crown can be fitted onto an implant.
- Bridges: A dental bridge is a partial denture permanently anchored in the mouth and can help restore gaps left behind by missing teeth.
- Veneers: A dental veneer is a thin shell placed at the tooth’s surface to correct a tooth’s color, size, or shape.
Patients who have a dental restoration performed should ask Okamoto and Bigley Dentistry about how to manage their restoration afterward. Depending on the type of work performed, they may be advised to avoid foods that are of certain textures or temperatures for a specific period.