​ Coffee: The magical drink that helps us get moving every morning! While many people are thankful for the power that coffee grants them, it can have repercussions for your smile. Yes, coffee can cause a number of issues for your oral health, impacting that pearly-white smile and the well-being of your mouth. So, should you ditch the coffee? Really...

​ As soon as children start losing their primary teeth and their adult teeth begin to emerge, the picture of what smile will look like starts getting clearer. That's when many children who show signs of needing orthodontic care begin seeing a specialist. While children can get orthodontic treatments early on to address smile issues like crowded or ...

​ If you have a missing tooth, or several missing teeth, you may be wondering what the best solution is. Or perhaps you've tried dentures or a bridge and are now wondering if you are truly happy with the results and what other options you have. Dr. Alexandra George is an experienced dentist in Pittsburgh. She said there are many benefits to dental ...

​ It's a term you keep hearing - maybe too much - but you better get used to it: The "selfie" isn't going anywhere anytime soon. These cute photos are all the rage on social medial, and they've generated a rush to cosmetic surgeons' offices to get that selfie-ready look most can only find in app filters. But what about the teeth? A new trend in cos...

​ Social media has become an undeniable force in many of our lives. With people posting everything from their gourmet breakfast to their smiling "selfies," social media has become an easy way to stay engaged in our friends' lives from the comfort of our phones and tablets. But as fun as social media can often be, it also has a more serious side - t...

 

Spring. It’s a time of renewal and hope. The snow melts, the flowers bloom and the summer birds return to their nests. We humans celebrate by swapping our dark, heavy coats for pastels and jackets, and if we’re really motivated, we deep clean the house. But why should our homes get all the love? What about our smiles? That’s right – spring is the perfect time to spring clean our smiles, too. Here are some great ways to make your smile beautiful this spring! Try Something New With the recent introduction of toothpaste tablets, designer flavored dental flosses and toothpastes, and xylitol gum, now is the perfect time to try a new oral health product to add some excitement to your care routine. Get (a) CleaningThe fastest and easiest way to get a spring-clean mouth is to schedule your regular oral health exam and cleaning. There’s no better feeling than a truly clean mouth with two rows of sparkly-clean teeth, to boot. Your exam is also your opportunity to diagnose any oral health issues and "clean house" in your mouth. Show Your Colors With winter darks being packed away and spring brights coming back out of hibernation, why not pick a few colors that will help make your smile bright? Blue or blue undertones help neutralize yellow and make your teeth look whiter. That goes for shirts, decorative scarves and, yes, even lipstick. Tackle Your Issues Suffering from jaw pain or temporomandibular joint disorder? Spring is the perfect time to get in control of your oral health and begin treating these ailments before the official kickoff of vacation season this summer. Imagine enjoying your favorite foods again this summer instead of missing out another season due to the pain. Start a Construction Program Spring is the perfect time to begin your full-mouth reconstruction journey. Tax refunds are here, the holidays are over, and the kids are finishing up with school. Now is the time to focus on yourself and make the improvements to your health and appearance you’ve been putting off while helping everybody else. Carve out a little you time and speak to Dr. George about getting new dental implants, partials, bridges, bonding or veneers and spring forward to a more beautiful smile. To schedule an oral health spring cleaning, give Dr. George’s office a call at 724-220-2347.

A recent article on the lifestyle blog Refinery29 featured a young woman who delayed her impending nuptials to undergo an extensive (and expensive) smile makeover. But the woman didn’t do it just for fun - she did it to look better in her wedding photos. The makeover ultimately cost the young bride $25,000 and stretched her engagement out to two and a half years, following the completion of the full-mouth reconstruction she underwent. So, what does a $25,000 full-mouth reconstruction include exactly? In the case of the story’s author, it included braces, dental implants, teeth whitening and a temporary bridge. With the average wedding now costing $25,714, this young bride spent enough on her teeth to get married twice! "I think the full-mouth reconstruction is absolutely a better investment," says Dr. Alexandra George, a cosmetic dentist from Wexford, Pennsylvania. That’s because, according to George, investing in your smile is investing in something that not only lasts, but also gives you confidence and makes you look and feel better. And with the average marriage only lasting 15 to 18 years, a beautiful smile may just last longer. "For patients with dental implants or orthodontics like the bride in the story, those should last a long time." According to George, orthodontic treatment should last a lifetime if well maintained. The average dental implant can last an average of 15 years, but with excellent maintenance can last much longer. So, what’s empowering this new generation of brides to take the appearance of their smile so seriously all of a sudden. Believe it or not, it may be something a lot less serious (and maybe more fun) than you think. "Brides are turning to social media for inspiration and getting motivated to perfect their appearances by seeing selfies of other brides and celebrities," George says. But why social media? After all, television and magazines have been around for ages, and both are known to showcase swarms of celebrities with perfectly aligned business-card-white teeth. George, for her part, thinks it could be due to a few things. First, the lack of airbrushing creates a sense of realness when looking at others’ photos. Second, these are "real" people with really great smiles "So it gives you that feeling of ‘I can have this too'," says George. And don’t underestimate those trendy filters, either. "Sometimes seeing a photo of yourself through a filter can show you what your potential is," George says. "If you see how good your own smile could look with some adjustments, that could be enough to encourage someone to finally take action." https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/11/217081/bride-teeth-whitening-wedding-smile

Augmented reality. It’s one of those futuristic, high-tech-sounding terms we’ve all heard once or twice but have no idea what it really means. Well, augmented reality is a little bit like virtual reality, except it changes what is already there - in other words, it allows you to see a projected image of something over an already existing thing or image. This fascinating technology is already being used in everything from video games to car repair and civil engineering – and it soon may have a new use: at your dentist’s office! You read that right - augmented reality could be coming soon to a dental clinic near you. Here’s why. Imagine you are preparing to invest in something you’ve wanted for a long time: a healthy, beautiful smile. But in order to do so, you need to invest in a full-mouth reconstruction – a deluxe smile makeover, if you will. The problem is, for the amount you’re investing, how can you be sure you’ll get the results you want? That’s where augmented reality (or AR) steps in. A new startup in Switzerland is developing software that uses augmented reality to superimpose an image of a made-over smile onto the faces of patients seeking to undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures, and it could change the whole industry. "Being able to show patients what kind of results they can expect will be a game changer," says Dr. Alexandra George of Wexford, Pennsylvania. "For some patients it's hard to imagine what that might look like." George performs everything from teeth whitening to full-mouth reconstruction in her Pennsylvania practice. She says the new software will be a useful tool for dentists. "The software doesn’t just superimpose an image – you can actually adjust that image," says George. "So if the patient doesn’t like what they see, they can make changes." And that’s very good news for both patients and dentists. "We want patients to be satisfied with their smile," George says. "If they’re able to get a better idea of what they can expect, that will eliminate any surprises in the end. And if they see something they don’t like, it empowers the dentist to be able to correct the treatment plan before the treatment even begins." That can save valuable time, money and frustration. "Bottom line, it’s your smile, and it's your money," George says. "We want you to be satisfied with our work, and if this software can create realistic expectations of what your final outcome looks like, everyone wins."

Women are requesting teeth fit for a princess. Beauty trends come and go, but at least one of them isn’t going anywhere anytime soon: the quest for whiter, brighter teeth and a healthy, beautiful smile. Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on elective cosmetic dentistry procedures – everything from teeth whitening to braces to porcelain veneers. But while whitening is among the most common and affordable cosmetic procedure, sometimes it's not enough to simply whiten the teeth. Some patients want a little something more to create a healthy beautiful smile like their favorite celebrity. Media outlets are reporting that right now the biggest trend in cosmetic dentistry is, not surprisingly, new princess Meghan Markle’s stunning smile. The American actress-turned-royalty has women around the globe rushing to their dentist’s office to capture that signature glow for themselves. So, what’s so great about that "Markle Sparkle" that everyone wants their own version of it? Trend spotters and dentists agree, it's not just the natural whiteness of Markle’s smile, but the spacing, tooth size and even her tooth-to-lip and -gum ratio that makes her smile so beautiful. But Markle isn’t the first or only celebrity to spark an oral-health trend. Julia Roberts’ iconic smile is still a popular request, as is Gabrielle Union, and even Markle’s own sister-in-law, fashion icon Kate Middleton. So, what can you do if you want some of that signature Markle Sparkle for yourself? Whitening: A professional whitening treatment from Dr. George may be all your smile needs to capture that "fit for a princess" glow. These in-office treatments can reduce stains and discoloration by several shades, giving you that celebrity gleam you deserve. Veneers: Veneers are a great way to correct cosmetic issues with the teeth. Thin layers of porcelain are custom fit to each tooth, improving shape, size and color. Veneers can hide chips, cracks and discoloration and create a gorgeous grin in about two weeks. Orthodontics: Orthodontics changes the positioning and alignment of the teeth. It can also improve the tooth-to-cheek and tooth-to-gum ratio, widening the jaw to create your very own megawatt smile just like the one celebrities such as Markle and Roberts are famous for. As for Markle, we have a feeling she’ll be an inspiration for more than just her smile for years to come. Between a Hollywood career, dazzling teeth and a fairytale love story, what’s not to smile about? To get that Markle Sparkle for your own teeth, call Dr. George’s office at 724-220-2347.

Surviving a cancer diagnosis and completing a successful chemotherapy treatment is cause for celebration. But after the celebration ends and life begins to return to its new normal, many chemotherapy patients are left feeling - and looking - very different than they used to.

Whether you have just completed your full-mouth reconstruction or are still in the middle of the process, the final outcome will be well worth the investment. But what will you do to celebrate once your treatment is complete? Here are some fun suggestions!

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.

Flossing your teeth is kind of like taking out the trash: It’s time consuming, it’s not always pleasant, but you’ve got to do it if you want a clean, healthy mouth - or home, in the case of the trash. In fact, flossing is so important that it is responsible for removing about 40 percent of the plaque and bacteria that sits on our teeth causing gum disease and cavities. Thankfully, there are many products out there to make flossing your teeth easier and more comfortable. But not all flossing products are created equally. Here’s why one tried-and-true product may be causing you more harm than good.

Smiling. For some of us, it comes as naturally as breathing, and believe it or not, it has almost as many benefits, too! For example, studies have shown that being smiled at by a stranger can improve your mood - and make you want to smile back. Smiling has even been found to boost the immune system, and people who smile often live an average of seven years longer than people who don’t. With all that’s known about the benefits of a simple smile, it’s a wonder more of us aren’t grinning ear-to-ear all the time.

Full-mouth reconstruction: it’s a mouthful, all right. Not only is it a lot to say, but it can also be a long, multi-stage procedure. The good news is, the benefits certainly outweigh the time and expense you invest into it. That’s because in addition to improving your smile, full-mouth reconstruction can improve a lot of other areas too. If you think full-mouth reconstruction is purely cosmetic, think again. Here are some significant ways that full-mouth reconstruction can improve your life.

If you are missing permanent teeth - especially back teeth that nobody can see when you speak or smile - you may not think replacing them is important, or at least not that urgent. But the truth is, the longer you go without replacing missing teeth, the more damage you could be doing to your health. That’s because, believe it or not, missing permanent teeth is more than just a cosmetic issue, it’s a health issue, too. Here’s why you shouldn’t put off replacing missing adult teeth.

When many people here the term "full mouth reconstruction," it causes some confusion. Full mouth reconstruction sure sounds serious, and even painful - but believe it or not, it's not as scary as it sounds. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly full mouth reconstruction means and how it can help you, keep reading!What exactly is full mouth reconstruction, anyway?Full mouth reconstruction is the process of completely correcting your smile through a variety of different medical procedures. Full mouth reconstruction isn’t merely a functional and health-related restoration, but a cosmetic restoration, too.Full mouth reconstruction comprises a combination of different procedures, all designed to restore health, beauty and functionality to your teeth. Each procedure and its duration varies by individual, but all procedures are customized to help you look your best.What procedures are considered part of full mouth reconstruction?Full mouth reconstruction can entail a combination of many different procedures. Common procedures may include:• Orthodontics• Dental implants• Veneers• Bonding• Crowns• Bridges• Neuromuscular dentistryTo begin full mouth reconstruction, Dr. George will first look at the condition of the teeth. If they are healthy, no further work on the teeth themselves may be required. However, if they are not, they may require fillings, crowns, root canals or even tooth extraction. Once the teeth are healthy, the next stage of reconstruction can begin.If teeth have been removed, time is of the essence in getting them replaced. This can help prevent or reduce bone loss and periodontitis, and it can even help keep your bite in place and increase the odds of your implant successfully taking to your jaw. If an implant is not an option, bridges may be a suitable plan B.Once the teeth are healthy, the next step may be to address the alignment of the bite. This not only improves the look of your smile, but will also improve the health of your teeth. That’s because when your teeth are in proper alignment, they will wear more evenly and be less likely to chip or break. They will also be less likely to cause bruxism (teeth grinding) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). If TMD is already present, neuromuscular dentistry may be used to correct the bite and address any issues with the jaw or bite. This can be done with custom orthotics, orthodontics or both.Once any TMD or bite issues are corrected, any damage to the teeth can be repaired. This may include veneers or bonding. Veneers can change not just the color of the teeth, but also the shape and size. Bonding is similar to veneers in that they both address the appearance of the teeth, but the procedure and how the materials adhere to the teeth are different. With veneers, a thin sheet of porcelain is attached to the tooth. Some of the tooth is cut away to make room for the veneer, and then the veneer is attached to the outward-facing portion of the tooth. The benefits of veneers include that they are durable and don’t stain, so you can change the color of your teeth without worry that it will darken or stain over time.Bonding is more like a filling. It covers just a portion of the teeth, and it does not last as long as a veneer. It can also stain, but unlike a veneer, bonding does not require custom shaping and can be done in one visit. If no veneers or bonding are required, whitening treatment may also be an effective option.BenefitsIn addition to improving the appearance of your teeth and smile, full mouth reconstruction can also improve your bite and ease tension in the jaw, neck, back and head. It can also eliminate bruxism as well as the signs of past bruxism. And finally, full mouth restoration can improve something money can’t buy – your self-confidence.To learn more about how full mouth restoration can restore your healthy, beautiful smile, give Dr. George’s office a call at 724-934-3422 and schedule an appointment today.

It’s that time of year again, when the days get longer, the grills get hotter and millions of parents across America experience the bittersweet emotions of watching their children graduate from high school and college. Graduation brings with it many new and exciting opportunities, like traveling abroad, choosing a major and entering the job market for the first time. What should be an exciting time in any young person’s life can often be marred with frustration and insecurity - especially if that young person is embarrassed or ashamed of their smile. That’s because in addition to causing its share of health issues, having a bad bite, broken or crooked teeth, or even noticeably missing teeth can harm people’s perception of you. It’s bad enough in social situations, but studies have shown that having a bad smile can also seriously hurt your career aspirations.

 As we age, it’s normal to experience many changes to our face and bodies that, let's be honest, aren’t too desirable. We slow down physically, our hair turns gray, and as our skin loses collagen, it becomes thinner and less elastic. Thankfully there are many options out there to help stave off the ravages of time for as long as possible. Staying physically fit can help keep us active long into our senior years, and a relaxing trip to the day spa can rejuvenate our spirits while it corrects our hair color. We can even eat a low-sugar diet, wear lotion with an SPF or get cosmetic treatments like Botox or fillers to help maintain a youthful glow. But sometimes these preventative measures just aren’t enough.