Whether you want to look good or feel good, it all begins and ends with one thing—a smile. An attractive smile makes a lasting first impression, gives you confidence, makes you generally happier, and is good for your overall emotional and physical health. And the only way to get that smile you’ve always wanted is through the incredible work of cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry has made leaps and bounds when it comes to fixing and enhancing smiles. From tooth-colored fillings to whitening, veneers, orthodontics, and implants, the products and procedures that make up cosmetic dentistry could help you achieve a brilliant and healthy smile.
A treatment being used as an alternative to braces by many dentists and orthodontists is Invisalign®, a series of custom-made plastic trays called aligners. In many cases, Invisalign can move teeth as effectively as conventional braces; however, it is important for the doctor or orthodontist to recognize when Invisalign is appropriate for the type of problem being treated. The treatment time and quality of results can be the same as braces.
Larry Majznerski, DDS, MSD, was West Michigan’s first Invisalign Elite Preferred practice and first to incorporate Invisalign 3D Digital scanning. He has been in private practice for twenty-four years. “When I use Invisalign, I expect the same excellent result as I would with braces—and if not, I simply will not use it,” Dr. Majznerski said.
Orthodontic treatment alone could address aesthetic concerns. But often, especially in adults, it is used in combination with cosmetic dentistry to achieve a better outcome than cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics alone could provide. Prerestorative alignment and correcting bite problems could greatly facilitate the dentist’s ability to deliver a more ideal cosmetic treatment, as well as improve a patient’s overall health.
“It all kind of falls in a line,” said Ellen Tavarone, DDS, owner of Lake Eastbrook Family Dentistry. “Straight teeth are easier to clean and floss, and less likely to develop gum disease and cavities.”
Like all dental work, cosmetic dentistry is not permanent and it does need to be maintained. Dr. Tavarone advises that in order to quickly get the smile you want, make sure to brush two times a day for two minutes and floss once a day, at night, to keep gums healthy. Having six-month checkups and cleanings are also important to maintaining a healthy smile.
Read more about cosmetic dentistry in the August issue of West Michigan Woman!
Written by: Chelsea Stoskopf is West Michigan Woman magazine's editorial assistant
