Pistachio green, colorful tights, quilted clothing and full-mouth restoration. What do these things all have in common? They’re all hallmarks of this fall season. But while fashion trends come and go, some things are designed to last a lot longer. That’s where full-mouth restoration comes in to play. Full-mouth restoration is the perfect way to have a beautiful smile that outlasts all the trends and still looks great when those trends are in vogue again. Better still, fall is a great time to start your full-mouth restoration makeover! With the kids heading back to school and the holiday photo season approaching, why not get your smile back in style with these timeless smile makeover techniques? Dental Implants, Bridges and Dentures One of the most effective ways to create a healthy, more youthful-looking appearance is to replace missing teeth with dentures, bridges and implants. These solutions can be either removable or more permanent, but all three close any unsightly gaps in the mouth and help fill out the face in the process. They can also stop further bone degeneration that may cause more lost teeth and difficulty chewing. In fact, the sooner you replace lost teeth, the better the chance solutions like dental implants will work. Orthodontics Whether they be traditional wire-and-bracket braces, clear aligners or neuromuscular orthodontics, taking steps to better align your bite not only creates a beautiful aesthetic, but can also align your bite and eliminate any excessive wear on your teeth from a bad bite. They can also alleviate pain from conditions like temporomandibular joint dysfunction. You may not have a perfect smile by the time the winter holidays roll around, but you’ll be well on your way! Veneers Porcelain veneers cover all kinds of flaws on the teeth. They can cover minor chips, lengthen the teeth, create a more streamlined even look to the teeth and even change the color of the teeth. Best of all, they are stain resistant, so you can still indulge in all those pumpkin spice lattes this fall without the worry of discoloring them. Veneers are made of thin porcelain sheets that are custom formed to fit your individual teeth, and then permanently adhered to the outward face of each tooth. The process takes just a few weeks and can get you the bright white smile you’ve always dreamed of. To learn more about your full-mouth restoration cosmetic dentistry options from Dr. George, please give the office a call at 724-220-2347.

There are many reasons to undergo orthodontic treatment, from simply wanting a straighter smile to needing treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders or to eliminate a bad bite. With all these benefits to wearing braces, orthodontic treatment is well worth the cost. But one commonly believed benefit of orthodontic treatment in general has been recently discovered to be untrue, and it may take you by surprise. A recent study from the University of Adelaide in Australia found that the commonly held belief that realigning the teeth makes patients less likely to develop cavities and tooth decay is simply not true. The theory was that better alignment allowed for easier brushing and flossing – and while this is usually still true, what isn’t true is the notion that the teeth somehow require less care post-orthodontic treatment than before orthodontic treatment. The study looked at dental records from patients from ages 13 to 30, tracking their oral care habits. It also monitored the number of filled, lost and decayed teeth. Researchers found no difference in the rates of these dental issues among those who wore braces in the past and those who didn’t. So, what does this mean? It means that orthodontic treatment is not a free pass to neglect your oral hygiene, and proper care – including brushing and flossing - is still necessary to maintain your oral health. To learn more about proper oral health and care following braces, please contact Dr. George’s office at 724-220-2347.

Invisible aligners have revolutionized the way we realign teeth and treat dental disorders. Years ago, the often painful and cumbersome wire-and-brackets style of braces were the only options available for straighter teeth. Nowadays, patients have a choice. But could those choices come at an unexpected cost?

For older generations, getting a mouthful of very obvious metal braces was somewhat of a rite of passage - bonus points if you had to wear headgear. But today’s teenagers have it comparatively easier. Sure, many teens still have to wear braces, but the braces of today aren’t like anything most adults had as teens.

For many people, their smile is a big source of pride - something they hope people notice when speaking to them. But for many others, their smile can be a source of shame and embarrassment, even if they’re actively trying to improve their smile. This can be especially true for adults and even teens who wear braces.

Bad breath. It’s one of those things that lots of people have and nobody wants- or wants to tell them about. Whether you know your breath isn’t as fresh as it should be or you’ve had to find out from someone else, bad breath can be embarrassing and isolating. But don’t take it lying down. There are plenty of ways to combat it- but doing so means locating the source. If you’re at a loss as to why your breath needs assistance: stat, before you panic, see if your mouth has any of these issues.

Let’s face it: There are very few people who enjoy wearing braces. It’s bad enough when you’re a pre-teen or a teen, but it can be really embarrassing as an adult. The important thing to remember when sporting a metal mouth is that it’s not only temporary, but the result will also be a beautiful, even smile. Still not sure you’re ready to let anyone see you in braces? Check out this list of celebrities who wore braces under the scrutiny of the Hollywood spotlight – and lived to tell the tale.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, each year, Americans spend about $2.75 billion on cosmetic dentistry services. The kicker: Most of that cost is probably not covered by insurance, and even when plans do cover procedures such as veneers or braces, they may not cover all of the associated costs. With the average cost of braces hovering around $5,000 per person, but going as high as $7,500, and the average dental insurance policy only covering about $2,500 for a lifetime, that can equate to a significant out-of-pocket investment.