You probably already know that smiling often is an important way to appear friendly and to show others you are like-able. But did you know smiling can also make you appear more competent? Those were the results of a study conducted by researchers at Penn State University, who discovered that service workers who smile were perceived as being better at their jobs – and more pleasant to deal with – than those who did not smile.
Despite the important role a great smile plays in both our professional and social lives, many of us avoid smiling, smile infrequently, or offer half-hearted smiles because we don’t like the way our smiles look. Crooked, crowded or discolored teeth and other dental problems can have a big bearing on the way our teeth and our smiles appear to others, as well as how we feel about ourselves. When we’re not confident about the way our smiles look, we’re less likely to smile – and therefore, less likely to be perceived as being friendly, competent and like-able.
Most people are familiar with the role of cosmetic surgery in helping people feel more confident about their face or body; but did you know there’s a corollary for the smile? It’s called smile design, and it involves a series of simple dental procedures designed to help you get the great smile you’ve always wanted.
What types of procedures you ask? Well, that depends on your needs. Smile design was developed to be flexible and 100% customizable to meet each patient’s unique needs. Procedures might include orthodontic straightening using Invisalign®’s system of removable aligners, caps or veneers to improve the appearance of broken or chipped teeth, bridges to replace missing teeth, and many other options, each of which is designed to address a unique concern.
At Dentistry for All Ages, smile design begins with a health history and interview to determine what bothers you most about your smile and what you’d like your smile to look like, as well as any other dental health concerns you may have. Then, we use a tool called the Dawson Diagnostic Wizard to evaluate and analyze your needs through a series of images – both x-ray and photographic – so we can determine which procedures will get you where you want to be.
Next, we’ll sit down with you to explain the procedures so you understand the steps involved in redesigning your smile and what each procedure will achieve. We’ll spend time talking with you about all your concerns so you feel confident about the decisions you’re making and the care you’ll be receiving. We’ll even get in touch with your insurance company on your behalf to determine which procedures your insurance will cover. And if you don’t have insurance or if your insurance only covers a portion of your treatment, we can help you explore other financing options so your procedures will fit into your budget.
At Dentistry for All Ages, we believe in developing long-term relationships with our patients, which means that even after your smile design is complete, we’ll continue to work with you through checkups and exams to help you learn the best tips and techniques for caring for your healthy, beautiful smile.
Once your smile design is complete, you may find that caring for your teeth is easier, since crooked, misaligned teeth will be properly spaced, making brushing and flossing much easier. And if you’ve been experiencing frequent headaches due to poorly aligned teeth, your smile design procedures may even help those headaches disappear.
Dr. Freano has special training in bite balancing and other state-of-the-art treatment techniques, which means you can feel confident you’re getting the best treatment possible. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call and begin your journey to a healthier, more beautiful smile!