More Than Cosmetic Dentistry - A Beautiful Smile Can Lead To Health And Success

From the beginning of time man has just known what looks good and at first didn’t know exactly why. Flowers are beautiful. Some architectural structures look good and then there is the beautiful smile and face. But why do these things look good to us? The Greeks actually defined the mathematical components of beauty and were able to calculate it. They called it the "golden ratio also known as the Golden Proportion." Not understanding why, they knew that it felt good and it looked good, and they incorporated it into much of their art and into many of their buildings (including the Parthenon, which is generally considered to be antiquity's most perfect structure)

The Golden Proportion is a fundamental ratio found over and over again in nature that seems to please the human eye. Geometrically, it can be defined as the ratio obtained if a line is divided so that the length of the shorter segment is in the same proportion to that of the longer segment as the length of the longer segment is to the entire line. Mathematically, these ratios are such that the longer segment is 1.618054 times the length of the shorter segment, while the shorter is 0.618054 times the longer.

The secret was lost with the fall of Greece, but it began to resurface in the 16th century when Leonardo da Vinci utilized it in his painting and sculpture. Soon, many of the masters began to proportion their canvases according to the golden ratio, and it is still the shape most preferred today from anything from credit cards, car grills, to table tops.

So what does this have to do with teeth? A beautiful smile also conforms to the Golden Proportion. If you look directly at the perfect smile you will note that the central incisor width is 1.6 times the width of the lateral incisor and the cuspid is .6 times the width of the lateral incisor.

Not only does the beautiful smile conform to the Golden proportion but the symmetry is associated with health. Overlapped disfigured teeth are much more likely to be diseased. Maligned, decayed, discolored teeth most often represent overall poor health. Many systemic disorders are associated with dental diseases manifested by inflamed asymmetrical tissue conditions such as gum loss and inflamed swollen gums. Unattractive teeth are directly associated with poor general health. The beautiful smile is a healthy smile.

A cosmetically pleasing smile is the first thing people notice about you. The person with a smile that does not approach the esthetic ideal will most often be considered unattractive and unhealthy even if they have a great personality. The selection process for business, fun, sports, and especially a mate frequently begins with the most attractive prospect first. It’s just easier when the smile is cosmetically pleasing and person is more attractive otherwise. The selection process is a natural process because we instinctively know that the more attractive more symmetrical a prospect is the more likely that person is to be healthy and successful. Symmetry is associated with health and athletic performance. Studies have shown that the most successful athletes have higher degrees of symmetry. So the symmetrical pleasing smile is just another example of your success potential. The beautiful smile often leads to success in business and mate selection.

What if you are not born with that perfect smile? Correcting your smile is one of the easiest things that you can do to improve your actual health and the way that others see you. Cosmetic dentistry can make up where nature left off. We can correct those defects that were either genetically or environmentally induced. We can close spaces, straighten and whiten teeth, make the teeth and gums even and symmetrical and eliminate disfigured overlapped teeth. The smile is just the beginning. Cosmetic dentistry will not only improve your appearance but will also improve your health and increase your success potential. Give your self the best chance possible start with cosmetic dentistry one of the easiest personal enhancement options available today.

Smile your way to health and success.

Dr. Michael D. Williams is a fully trained cosmetic dentist, specializing in art of smiles. He is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Contact Dr. Michael D. Williams and schedule a free cosmetic screening.

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Cosmetic Dentistry Tips For Getting the Bright White Smile You've Always Wanted

Let's face it, not everyone is born with a perfect set of teeth. Because of this, cosmetic dentistry has really taken off and you no longer have to live with a less than perfect smile.

The topic of cosmetic dentistry covers a variety of areas, and each patient will require a different approach. Do you need dental implants? Teeth whitening? Fillings? These are a few of the many different topics that fall under the category of "cosmetic dentistry".

One of the more popular treatments that cosmetic dentists are applying to patients these days is teeth whitening. If you have stained teeth due to smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, etc., you can easily have your teeth bleached to a much lighter shade. It's a painless treatment that can really work wonders for improving your smile.

So, what about the affordability of cosmetic dentistry?

This is a question that I get asked quite a bit. Cosmetic dentistry is typically pretty expensive, however payment plans are becoming more popular these days... making the procedures and treatments more affordable.

So now that you know a little bit about cosmetic dentistry and you're aware that it isn't cheap, you might be wondering if it's worth it. In my opinion, you simply cannot put a value on the confidence that a winning smile gives you. Many who have lived with "bad teeth" their entire lives have suffered in the self-esteem department. Also, I don't think it's an exaggeration when I say that many employers would much rather hire someone with a great smile!

If you've been uncomfortable or unsatisfied with the way your teeth look, make this your year to do something about it. Sure, cosmetic dentistry has a price and you may need to do some extra budgeting in order to fit it in, but the results you'll experience in the end will certainly make it all worthwhile!

For more tips, visit the cosmetic dentistry forum at http://www.EnhancementForum.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Simpson now. Membership to the Cosmetic Surgery Forums is free, so sign up today!

Teeth Whitening - The Shortcut to Your Whitest, Brightest Smile

With the myriad of teeth whitening options on the market, it can be difficult to decide which product is right for you. For the quickest and most dramatic results, dentists specializing in cosmetic dentistry still offer the best solution with laser teeth whitening.

There are many other options available to people looking for a quick way to brighten their smile, but few methods produce the results seen in laser whitening. Over the counter teeth whitening kits are generally considered safe, although they can cause sensitivity. While in-office teeth whitening produces instant results, products you buy over the counter generally take longer and don’t produce the same level of whitening.

Why is My Smile Fading?

There are several factors that lead to yellowing or staining, including diet, medications and smoking. Coffee, soda, tea and red wine are major offenders. However, even if these items were cut out of your diet, aging is a natural process that unfortunately leads to dull, stained teeth.

The surface of the tooth is porous, so even with vigilant brushing, your teeth will stain over time. Thankfully, this damage is reversible with the teeth whitening technology now available. A brighter, whiter smile instills confidence and improves your entire physical appearance.

What Are My Teeth Whitening Options?

Before using any product, consult with your dentist. The degree of staining and your desired results are deciding factors in which method you should choose to brighten your smile. While commercially available treatments may whiten your teeth three or four shades, cosmetic dentists can produce amazing results – up to 14 shades whiter.

Occasionally, teeth are too damaged and stained for even laser whitening to produce desirable results. In that case, your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers. A veneer may be applied on a few specific teeth, while the others undergo a whitening treatment. If most of your teeth are affected, you might opt for several veneers.

In-office Treatment is by far the quickest and most effective teeth whitening method. In 45 minutes, you can expect your teeth to become 8 to 10 shades whiter. The cosmetic dentist begins by gently cleaning your teeth and removing plaque along the gum line. Because the peroxide compound whitening solution is so much stronger than the type used in home treatments, the dentist uses a rubber gum guard or barrier to protect your soft tissues from damage. They will apply the whitening gel 3 times, 15 minutes apart, and activate its stain-removing power with a special lamp or laser.

Rembrandt®, BrightSmile® and Zoom!® are popular types of in-office treatments that produce similar results. This is a great option for people with highly sensitive teeth or those who expect instant results. While it is more expensive than home treatments, the cost varies depending on the dentist performing the treatment, what type of gel they use and whether or not your insurance company is footing a part of the bill (most insurance providers do not include cosmetic dentistry in their coverage).

At-home Treatments should still be supervised by your cosmetic dentist. These treatments come in the form of a professional grade whitening gel with teeth trays, usually custom fit to your mouth. Your cosmetic dentist will examine your teeth before providing the whitening gel, to ensure that your mouth is free of cavities and decay. At-home whitening gel can actually cause damage to decayed teeth. They will also remove any excess plaque that could hinder the whitening process.

The gel-filled trays and worn overnight for two to three weeks, the time in which it takes to see maximum results.

Over the Counter Whitening Treatments are not as effective as teeth whitening treatments provided by or performed by your cosmetic dentist. Companies such as Colgate® and Crest® offer a wide variety of gels, strips, paint-on liquids and other solutions that are used for several weeks at a time. Many people find that the solutions cause excessive temperature sensitivity and prefer to use the stronger dentist’s office treatments for a shorter period.

These over the counter treatments do not produce the dramatic results that the in-office and at-home dentist’s solutions can and are therefore suitable for people looking to brighten their smile just a few shades.

Whitening Toothpastes work by removing surface stains from the tooth enamel. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dentist visits should produce the same results. Those with resistant tooth damage and staining from medications such as tetracycline will find that whitening toothpastes and over the counter treatments are ineffective.

How Long Will My Teeth Stay Whiter?

With proper care and regular touch-ups, your new bright smile should last for years. However, coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries and other foods can take their toll on your pearly whites. Avoid these foods and cigarettes to keep your smile looking its best.

After a professional in-office treatment, over the counter products can be used every few months to remove new surface stains.

How Much Will It Cost to Have My Teeth Whitened?

The cost varies according to which treatment you choose and your desired results. In-office laser whitening ranges from a couple of hundred to over a thousand pounds, while over the counter treatments are as low as £10. Porcelain veneers start around £350 per tooth and go up depending on the work needed to prepare the tooth and the cosmetic dentist applying it.

At-home or over the counter whitening is a good choice for those on a limited budget who don’t mind performing the whitening themselves each night. Visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning to remove excess plaque and check for tooth decay before applying any home treatment.

For those seeking instant results, those with sensitive teeth and those who are not concerned with the budget, in-office laser whitening is a quick, simple and painless way to a brighter smile. See your cosmetic dentist for a consultation.

About the Author:

James A. Wagner is a freelance writer and medical researcher.
You can find more information on teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and general dental care by clicking on the following link. http://www.whiteteethanswers.com
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