Cosmetic Dentistry Boston Blog

Invisible Dental Care For a Beautiful Wedding Smile - Boston, Canton

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:58:00 GMT

June is almost here, and June is wedding season. If you are a soon-to-be bride or groom and you have dental work you want done before the big day, now is the time! Don’t look back on your photos and be disappointed in your smile. For your wedding there are invisible, dental procedures to improve and beautify your smile in just a few visits.

With so many invisible solutions in dental care today, you just can’t wait for a better time. In-office teeth whitening is the fastest, most effective way to attain that natural, white smile you have been looking for. In-office teeth whitening will ensure that your teeth are natural looking rather than glaring white. Over the counter teeth whitening products just won’t do the job or get you the smile you want for your big day.

At Dream Smile Dental, we will look at all of your features - skin complexion, hair color, and eye color- and give you a smile to match. Everyone will think it is your joy or your up-do that is making you look younger and healthier. But after the “big day” your white teeth will last and last, bringing that “just-married” look with you for years.

Do you have chipped teeth, spaced teeth, misshapen teeth or slightly discolored caps or crowns? No problem. Dental veneers are another invisible but effective solution to create a beautiful white smile just in time for your wedding day. Dental veneers are thin porcelain veneers that adhere to the front of your teeth for a lifetime. Veneers can be used to elongate, brighten, and make teeth more uniform giving you a smile worth 1000 words.

For your big day, contact Dream Smile Dental about our invisible cosmetic dental procedures for wedding photos that you will love to look at forever.

Need Braces? Try Invisalign - Boston, Canton

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:59:00 GMT

Summer is almost here. If you need braces, this is probably not how you wanted to start the summer, but the news is not all bad. Now, with Invisalign invisible braces, you can straighten your teeth and no one has to know.

Like braces, Invisalign clear aligners address issues with the positioning of your upper and lower teeth. Unlike braces, Invisalign will gently push your teeth into their proper position. Braces do this with wires and brackets that are attached to your teeth, which everyone can see. Braces are effective, of course, but they can be painful and unattractive; they also require dietary restrictions and they make it difficult to take care of your teeth. As much as teens hate the idea of braces, Adults tend to hate the idea even more, because of their unattractive appearance and length of treatment time. Often braces can take years to do their job.

If you are a candidate for Invisalign braces, there is quite a contrast between this treatment and traditional metal braces. Invisalign aligners are clear, so they are unnoticeable. Invisalign makes treating malocclusion (crooked teeth) more comfortable and attractive; best of all the treatment period can often be less than 18 months.

Another benefit to Invisalign is the fact that the aligners are removable, allowing you to eat anything you want and make taking care of your teeth easier than with traditional braces. Every few weeks you will return to your dentist office for your next set of aligners which will gently move your teeth into the correct position. Again, treatment often takes less than 18 months.

During your initial consultation with an Invisalign Certified Dream Smile Dentist, we can determine if Invisalign treatment is right for your particular needs. Contact us. Right now, if you like us on Face Book, you can receive $500 off Invisalign treatment, click here.

Can Dentistry Make You a Better Athlete? Boston

Thu, 02 May 2013 20:56:00 GMT

Dentists not only keep patients’ smiles radiant—they’re also helping athletes become better, faster, and stronger.

Dentists in the growing field of neuromuscular dentistry are designing sports-performance mouthguards for serious athletes who desire a boost during competition.

The devices work by releasing jaw tension in athletes, who tend to clench their teeth while training and competing. We have become clenchers and grinders and this constant tension saps energy and reduces oxygen intake, causing an athlete to lose momentum. That’s where the mouthguard comes in.

By using a scanning machine that tracks a patient’s jaw movements and motor skills, dentists can find the precise position at which the facial muscles are most relaxed. Then the patient is fitted with a mouthguard, which moves the jaw forward, releasing tension and opening the airway to allow for increased oxygen intake. The plastic guards are similar to the ones that athletes wear to protect their teeth.

One study published in Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry found that wearing a special mouthguard improved participants’ auditory and visual reaction times when they’re given a specific task to perform.

Football players aren’t the only athletes wearing these sports mouthguards, it is also popular with golfers, baseball players, and weightlifters.

If you’re interested in a custom-fit, sports-performance mouthguard, look for a dentist around Boston like Dream Smile Dental who has taken a series of seminars or courses on the technology and who belongs to an organization such as the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, or the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Your chances of getting a proper fit are better if a practitioner is well versed in treating sleep apnea and other neuromuscular conditions, such as TMJ.

For more information, contact Dream Smile Dental.

Washingtonian

Snoring Causes Grumpiness and Arguments Between Partners - Boston, Canton

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:31:00 GMT

Between the long winter, the economy, and family stress, you don’t need anything else to argue with your spouse about. So stop snoring! A recent survey showed that snoring causes arguments between sleeping partners. In fact, 4 out of 10 couples with a snorer, argue with their partner! Snoring is the most common sign of sleep apnea.

Mild to moderate sleep apnea could be the cause of your snoring. Sleep apnea is usually a chronic condition that disrupts your sleep. When your breathing pauses or becomes shallow, you’ll often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep. This also causes a poor night’s sleep. After sleeping poorly, it is no wonder partners argue about snoring!

Most people who have sleep apnea don't know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A bed partner might be the first to notice signs of sleep apnea.

The survey revealed that as a result of snoring, sleeping partners are likely to move apart, grapple over sleeping positions and move their partner. But there is a better solution for sleep apnea. Severe sleep apnea is treated by a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). This is an air compressor and mask which delivers pressurized air through the nose when a person is sleeping. The biggest issue with this method is compliance. People don’t like to wear the mask.

There is a more comfortable alternative to treating moderate sleep apnea. A customized night guard called the SomnoDent is created specifically for your bite and actually opens up your airway. This allows more oxygen to enter your body and prevents or minimizes symptoms of sleep apnea, including snoring. Patients are more likely to use SomnoDent.

The survey also found that those who snore, 27% of people felt grumpy and irritable the next day, 21% felt tired during the day and 16% felt that they were less productive as a result of snoring.

To make an appointment with a sleep apnea dentist, contact Dream Smile Dental.

Stats from survey conducted by researchers at Nytol.

How to Find a Cosmetic Dentist

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:47:00 GMT

Many people want to improve their smile, but they don’t know where to start. How do you find a cosmetic dentist you can trust short of heading to LA and seeing the cosmetic dentist of the stars? If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist to help fix your smile, here are some tips that you should look for and consider.

Find out what the dentist's approach is. What is their training? How much continuing education do they have? Do they have pictures of other cases they have done? This decision is not just about Googling “cosmetic dentist”. You want to find out how much experience a dentist has behind them.

The cosmetic dentists at Dream Smile Dental have the skills, experience, technology and materials to create a beautiful individual and natural looking smile specifically for you. When choosing the shape, size and color of your new smile, the doctor will take precise measurements and factor in the color of your complexion and your facial features. These tiny details are what make your smile look natural. People won't even notice what's different about you, they'll just see that you're glowing.

Choosing a cosmetic dentist is a very important decision, everyone, including you, will see the results every day. Find out about their experience and what type of work they have done. Find out how and if they will stand behind their work. Look at their before and after images, and be sure that it is work they have done. Find out where the work is being processed as well. Is the lab work done in house, or overseas?

Your smile is important, it lets everyone around you know how you're feeling, and it's the feature that people notice about you first. So whether you want to improve your smile with dental veneers or a full-smile makeover, you want to make sure to choose the right cosmetic dentist to help you out.

For more information about the cosmetic dentists at Dream Smile Dental in Canton, contact us.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:04:00 GMT

Approximately 42,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013.

According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer kills approximately 7,880 people annually in the US. That is almost one person each hour every day. Smoking and tobacco use are both major risk factors. But the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients may surprise you. It’s the surprisingly young and healthy non-smokers. The cause: The deadly HPV virus.

A recent study showed that HPV is linked with certain types of oral cancer. 253 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers were tested. The results indicated that in 25% of the test cases, the tumor tissue was HPV positive. And 90% were linked to the culprit, HPV 16.

Oral cancer is a serious disease, but 90% of cases can be cured if found in their earliest stages. The problem, however, is lack of awareness and attention.

Oral cancer is more deadly than cervical cancer and melanoma, however, routine dental check-ups aren’t given the same value as annual doctor’s appointments. Your dentist can be your first line of defense in detecting oral cancer.

To celebrate Oral Cancer Awareness month please make an appointment with Dream Smile Dental for a dental visit and oral screening.

World Dental

Better Mouth Protection with PlaySafe Custom Mouth Guards

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:06:00 GMT

Spring Sports season has just begun and for most schools that means baseball, lacrosse, rugby and volleyball. All can be highly damaging to your child’s mouth and teeth. Did you know that more than 5 million teeth will be knocked out from sporting activities this year? But, it is also estimated that over 200,000 oral injuries will be prevented by custom fitted mouth guards. Protect your child's teeth with a custom fitted mouth guard; your child can even have it customized with their team’s color.

More than 34% of sports injuries involve the face. But research also shows that a risk of injury is decreased 99% of the time when a play safe mouth guard is being used. The cost of replacing a tooth can cost more than $3000 not to mention the lifetime care and maintenance involved after the fact.

But there is more to our sport mouth guard than just protection. Store bought mouth guards are not custom made for your child’s mouth so they are not as effective or safe. Additionally, generic mouth guards cannot be modified for braces or missing teeth and require the athlete to have their jaw clenched when playing. This takes effort out of their game and causes muscle fatigue.

Playsafe mouth guards will stay in place with no effort because they are an exact fit created from the mold of your child's teeth, so your child’s attention can be on the game. Boil and bite mouth guards often fit poorly with thin spots and holes from biting through the material. Playsafe mouth guards offer 9 times more protection than over the counter mouth guards.

For better protection for your child’s teeth, check out PlaySafe mouth guards. For more information, contact Dream Smile Dental.

Orthodontics are Not all the Same

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Your teeth are not straight, don’t worry, it is not the end of the world. This does not mean you will be stuck in unattractive metal braces for 3 years. There are various orthodontic treatments, including-, but not exclusive to-, braces. Dentists and orthodontic procedures are not all the same. Do your research, not only on the procedure you want or need, but also on the dentist’s office you choose to go to.

You have alternatives when it comes to orthodontics. For those who don't want to be seen wearing braces, Invisalign is a popular choice. But just because you have chosen Invisalign clear braces, you should still choose the best provider. Invisalign is not the same in every dental office. It is a tool in the hand of the dentist just like a saw. Because you know what it is, doesn’t mean you can build a house. Dream Smile Dental received the “Elite Provider Award” in 2012 from Invisalign. That means they are in the top 1% of providers in North America!

Another orthodontic treatment is Neuromuscular orthodontics. Neuromuscular orthodontics incorporates facial development for a more attractive appearance. It uses modern technology to assess the function or dysfunction of the jaw and creates the optimum bite for your specific case while creating your new beautiful smile. It's not just about straight teeth, straight teeth are the end goal, but it's also about form and function. There are actually some orthodontic treatments can cause TMJ issues and sleep apnea.

Whether you were born with crooked teeth, your teeth have shifted over the years, or you have had an accident, orthodontic treatment including Invisalign, done by the experts at Dream Smile Dental, can solve almost every problem without braces.

We offer FREE Invisalign consultations. If you want to find out how much your specific case will cost, our new state-of-the-art digital x-ray machine will take one quick, 15 second sweep of your mouth and the doctor can let you know right away, contact us.

A Bad Night’s Sleep Can Be Dangerous

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:39:00 GMT

A good night’s sleep can be hard to achieve. Are you or is someone you love constantly snoring, suffering from potentially dangerous sleep apnea which is keeping you from getting quality rest at night?

If you or your significant other is waking up two to three times a night with severe snoring or if you feel drowsy and find it hard to concentrate during the day, it could be because of sleep apnea.

In order to give your family and your work the focus they deserve, you need a good night’s sleep. Anyone suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) will wake up several times a night. This means you are not achieving all four necessary stages of sleep which will leave you unable to concentrate, forgetful and irritable throughout the day.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by an obstruction of the upper airway. One of most common symptoms is repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep and is a common reason why people don't get the necessary healthy sleep they need.

Of course, those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea need to breathe and get oxygen into their lungs while sleeping, so their body wakes them up. If the body is waking itself before reaching all four stages of sleep, it will not get the rest it needs.

Insufficient sleep results in more than just daytime fatigue, slower reaction time, and an inability to concentrate. Constant fatigue can also lead to respiratory disease, stroke and heart attack.

A CPAP machine (continuous positive air pressure) has been the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine is an air mask that only allows you to sleep in one position, is uncomfortable and to some, embarrassing.

Now there is a better way to treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. OSA can be treated by making a custom fitted sleep appliance that goes right into your mouth and positions your jaw to allow the maximum amount of oxygen into the lungs. This custom appliance is more comfortable, non-restrictive and far less embarrassing. People find it much more comfortable than a CPAP machine.

To find out more about sleep apnea and your treatment options, contact Dream Smile Dental.

Repair Missing Teeth for Health and Confidence

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:18:00 GMT

No one knows better the importance of a beautiful smile than one who struggles with missing teeth. You may hesitate to meet people and struggle in new situations. Your smile is directly related to your self-confidence.

But missing teeth don’t only affect your smile and self-esteem. Missing Teeth can have a far reaching domino effect on your bite and overall oral health. Healthy teeth can do more than give you an attractive smile; they can protect you from more serious health problems. Dental implants provide a permanent solution to missing teeth.

A missing tooth usually causes other teeth to shift into the missing space. This mis-aligns your upper and lower jaws causing teeth to space out, crowd, flare out or chip due to uneven forces when the teeth come together. Tooth movement can also lead to root damage and extreme wear and tear on your gum line and jawbone. Gaps between teeth are also the perfect place for food and plaque to collect which leads to tooth decay.

Dental Implants are the next best thing to a natural tooth. Dental Implants substitute for the missing tooth’s root so they are perfect for replacing missing adult teeth, because they are a permanent, comfortable solution that resemble natural looking teeth. With dental implants, your teeth will never feel unnatural; you will only see the positive difference in your smile. Today, implants provide you with quick, comfortable, affordable and attractive permanent teeth that will improve your health and your self-confidence.

While it is important to have your missing teeth repaired for aesthetic reasons, it is also very important to have them repaired for health reasons, contact Dream Smile Dental for a consultation.

Avadent for Natural Looking Dentures

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:42:00 GMT

Let’s face it, seniors are more active than when traditional dentures were developed. You don’t have time for regular dentures, nor do you want to put up with the inconvenience of them either. You shouldn’t have to. Now with Avadent, you can live life the way you want to.

Avadent dentures increase patient satisfaction with better fitting, better functioning and more aesthetically pleasing dentures. But there are many more benefits to choosing Avadent that make this a better choice for the active and busy seniors of today.

At Dream Smile Dental, we take a digital record of your mouth and create your beautiful new Avadent smile with a precise, computer fit, in just two appointments. Your dentures look and feel as natural as the teeth you were born with.

Reduced Appointments. AvaDent can cuts the amount of time you spend in the dentist chair by more than half! You new natural looking smile is easier than ever.
Exceptional Fit. AvaDent takes digital records and creates your virtual denture right on the computer. The design is then precision milled for extreme accuracy and fit.
Permanent Digital Record. Only AvaDent Digital Dentures offer the convenience and protection of a permanent digital record. Should you ever lose or damage your AvaDent dentures, we can produce an exact duplicate for you.
More Bio-hygienic. This new process reduces the buildup of bacteria helping to eliminate sore spots and “denture breath.”

For more information on Avadent, contact Dream Smile Dental.

The Right Pediatric Dental Care For Your Child

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:18:00 GMT

When it comes to your child's teeth, the best choice is to take them to a pediatric dentist. Your child’s teeth deserve and need specialized care. But there are other benefits too. A pediatric dentist makes the entire dental experience much less stressful for your child which helps to instill the right oral health habits at a young age.

When children are comfortable it is much easier for them to learn and understand the importance of taking care of their teeth. Studies show that the more informed your children are when it comes to oral health, the more likely they are to cooperate and continue good dental habits into adulthood.

Is your child developing good oral habits? Take advantage of Dream Smile Dental's $99 Pediatric New Patient Special!

This is what one happy parent had to say, "This was my son's first visit to the dentist and it was great. He really enjoyed it and the techniques the dentist used to get him to participate were perfect. I'm pretty sure he will enjoy going to see the dentist in the future."- A DSD Parent

When your child is in the hands of a pediatric dentist, you are ensuring that your child receives exceptional dental care specific to the needs of growing children.

Contact Dream Smile Dental for your pediatric dentistry appointment.

Dream Smile Dental Review

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:14:00 GMT

Writing a review after reading the very limited reviews about DreamSmile Dental, because none of the reviews or comments mirror my personal experience with Dream Smile Dental! I have been a patient for just over a year and have been completely satisfied with ALL treatments I have received by the various practitioners working within this practice....

After years of allowing anxiety and embarrassment to keep me from proper dental care and maintenance as well as the complete hassle and time consuming issue of having to be referred "out of office" for procedures the average dentist and dental office cannot perform (i.e. oral surgery, orthondicts, etc.) I was repeatedly referred to Dream Smile Dental and I could not be more grateful!

From my very first consultation with Dr. Schwartzman I was convinced I had found the place for me. I was inquiring about overall oral health as well as cosmetic dentistry and and left that appointment with a starter treatment plan and assurance that any and all work I would need to achieve my goal of the "perfect smile" could and would be executed under her care, in one office, and in a timely manner. The plan started with a complete exam and cleaning by Stacey M. (side note.... I would follow her anywhere at any cost! AMAZING hygienist) followed by a tooth extraction by an oral surgeon, completing my treatment with Invisalign (I had been told by 2 other dentist offices that I wasn't a candidate for Invisalign because I was too complex of a case and that I would need to wear traditional metal braces for a minimum of 2 years, not an option at 30 years old!)

Needless to say all I needed was to find an office that offered state of the art equipment, treatment and dedication to the craft of dentistry. In less than 1 year I have completely transformed my smile and in turn have transformed my life!

I can also say I have never been "pitched or sold" on any service or treatment and in fact I was advised against far more costly services and treatments such as veneers.

Wrapping up this review I have missed or canceled several appointments and have never been charged any fees and in fact I have always been accommodated to fit my own very crazy schedule and 90 mile one way commute to Dream Smile Dental. Bottom line, I am passionate about all involved in my smile transformation and they have truly changed my life! Corny maybe-true yes. Thank you all.

Dream Smile Dental Named Elite Invisalign Status for the 4th Year

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:21:00 GMT

Invisalign clear aligners are a new and better way to treat crooked teeth. Through the use of clear aligners rather than metal brackets, Invisalign helps adults and teens achieve the smile they are looking for with more comfort and convenience.

Invisalign aligners are perfect for many patients, and at Dream Smile Dental we can help determine if they are the right fit for you. This is what we do! After treating over 1200 lifetime patients with Invisalign, Drs. Ronkin and Shwartzman are proud to be named "Elite Providers" by Invisalign for the 4th year in a row.

Invisalign aligners can be removed so that you can properly take care of your teeth allowing for you to brush and floss more completely than with traditional braces. Because they are clear, they also let teens or adults who use them to more comfortably and confidently go through their day with a self confident smile.

For more information on how Dream Smile can use our years of experience and expertise to fit you into Invisalign braces, contact us.

Get Your Youthful Smile Back

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:01:00 GMT

Our smile is our most important commodity. It expresses how we feel, shows our self confidence and makes our first impressions. But as we grow older, our smile shows our age. There are ways you can change that.

When we are young, our smile shows more top teeth and as we age our smile shows more of our lower teeth. This is because as we age we lose collagen in our lips and gravity takes over. Our upper lip begins to sag and cover our upper teeth while our lower lip sags showing the lower teeth.

Sometimes this can be “fixed” by using dental restorations. This "instant facelift" effect is achieved using a a non-invasive concept called Neuromuscular Dentistry.

Also, as we age our teeth get more yellow. This is because over time our teeth absorb more and more of the color from our eating and drinking habits causing teeth staining.

This can be remedied by regular brushing with a whitening toothpaste (we recommend Supersmile). Occasional in-office teeth whitening can also brighten up your teeth for longer lasting, natural looking results.

As we age the mineral structure of our teeth also changes causing our teeth to become less porous. As a result, over time, teeth get more opaque and loose that translucent quality of our youth.

Dental Veneers are the perfect solution. Porcelain veneers and a skilled cosmetic dentist can give you a beautiful, natural, younger-looking smile.

For more information on how Dream Smile can alter the effects of a aging smile, contact us.