THE CONFIDENT SMILE

By Todd Martin, D.D.S. 
Esplanade Dental Care

The number one recognized characteristic of an individual is their smile. Social, professional and economic success many times is directly attributed to appearance, yet for millions of people who are attempting to advance themselves, no attention is paid to the critical importance of their smile.

Billions (that's billions with a B) every year is spent on clothes, cosmetics and hair care products that are designed to make us look more attractive, be more competitive, feel sexier and become more successful. The fact is all of these products are irrelevant to the most recognized characteristic we value as a society….A HEALTHY, ATTRACTIVE SMILE.

With tremendous advancements in technology dentists are now able to give patients the smile they have always wanted, with absolutely no pain. New advances in whitening give many patients a whiter and more youthful smile in the comfort of their own home. Commonly referred to as bleaching, this process is one of the many safe treatment alternatives for whitening discolored teeth. Two ten-minute visits to the office allows the patient to whiten their teeth at home, which is very accommodating to many patients' busy lifestyles. Patients may desire to whiten their teeth prior to job interviews, weddings or class reunions assuring that, when they meet people, their smile exudes confidence and attractiveness. Always keep in mind the number one recognized characteristic of an individual is their smile.

For patients who are concerned about the shape of their teeth, another option may be porcelain veneers. Veneers are small porcelain coverings that go over the front of the patient's teeth. Veneers are used in many different situations. Patients who have had a history of tetracycline stained teeth are excellent candidates for porcelain veneers. Stains can be completely eliminated from a patient's smile, infusing a newfound self esteem and self pride one may have been lacking. Many people would like to have straight teeth or smiles that did not show gaps between their teeth. Porcelain veneers can be utilized in these situations to create beautiful smiles by incorporating a term we call "Illusionary Orthodontics." Frequently, crooked, misaligned and misshaped front teeth can be corrected without having to wear braces. In two sixty-minute visits, dentists can create a lifelong desired smile for patients assuring them their smile will never handicap their future desires.

Unfortunately, many people have prematurely lost some or all of the teeth. Today, missing teeth no longer have to be addressed with large cumbersome appliances such as partial dentures. Dental implants for many patients is a conservative form of tooth replacement ranging from one implant to multiple implants. Patients who currently wear full dentures will greatly benefit from as little as two implants to hold their bottom dentures in place, while giving them the confidence to eat anything they wish. The surgical success rate of dental implants is currently above 98% and can be completed with either local anesthetic or general sedation.

Remember, success is not an accident, it takes planning and the desire to achieve your goals. A healthy, confident and attractive smile is the foundation for insuring optimal self confidence. Look at your teeth when putting on your makeup or shaving. Could they be whiter? Could they be straighter? Would you like a more attractive smile? We can help you build the confidence to reach all of your goals and open the doors to a more successful, profitable and secure life. Reach out and take charge of where you're going!

Dr. Todd Martin's practice, Explanade Dental Care, specializes in complete dentistry for adults and children, including tooth whitening, dental implants, cosmetic bonding and also offers computerized dental imaging to help patients visualize the results. His practice is located in Downers Grove, IL. You can reach Dr. Martin at 630-493-0914.