This month, we are focusing on ways to improve the health and appearance of your smile.  We have elaborated on the benefits of brushing up on your oral hygiene regimen and explained the advantages of teeth whitening. Most people know their teeth and gums will be healthier with better brushing and flossing at home between your dental visits.  As discussed[…]

Did you know that whitening your teeth can actually make them healthier? This month, we have been discussing how to improve the health of your smile.  When you work toward a healthy smile, your work also enhances the appearance of your smile. Healthy habits like those discussed in our first 2018 blog help you reduce your risk for cavities and[…]

Happy New Year!  This week, many people are resolving to make changes for the better.  The most commonly made New Year’s Resolution is losing weight, both for improved health and improved appearance. While so many are focused on improving health and appearance, this is the perfect time to also consider improving your smile.  A healthy smile is a beautiful smile.[…]

Anxiety or Fear of Dental Treatment If you have never experienced anxiety or fear about going to the dentist, you are definitely in the minority. There are varying opinions on the correct use of the terms “dental anxiety”, “dental fear”, or “dental phobia”. Whichever term you choose, it is safe to say that it is a very common problem. When[…]

Do you hate taking dental impressions? Do you gag easily? Does the idea of a mouth full of impression material (a.k.a. goo, clay, putty, gobbledy-gook) make your heart race? You are not alone! You wouldn’t believe the number of patients who tell us they absolutely hate having dental impressions taken. It can be uncomfortable for people with strong gag reflexes,[…]

Instead of just dreaming, this year you can do something about it! Did you know that whitening your teeth is the quickest and most conservative way to improve your smile? Maximum results of take-home teeth whitening are usually seen within 14 days, so if you start now, you will have a bright, white smile just in time for Christmas. Stains[…]

What is a Dental Implant? Dental implants have been used predictably and successfully to replace missing teeth for decades. An implant is considered the best way to restore a missing tooth because it most closely resembles a natural tooth. It has a root form in the jawbone (simply called the implant or implant body), an abutment that projects out of[…]

The History of Dentures More than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth. Unfortunately, this state, called edentulism, is nothing new. Teeth have been removed due to decay and gum disease for thousands of years. People have also been attempting to replace those missing teeth for thousands of years. There is historical evidence that dentures were made as far[…]

Halloween: Making Good Decisions for Your Teeth Halloween is almost synonymous with candy, and most people know that candy can cause cavities. What many people do not know is that some candy is worse and more likely to cause cavities than other types of candy. As dentists, it is easy to be a killjoy on Halloween. Since we know kids[…]

Dr. Ann has been restoring missing teeth with dental implants for over 11 years, and she believes that the key to excellence is continual advancement based on resolute learning. Any long-term patient of Designer Smiles knows that Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren both attend far more hours of continuing education than is required by their licensure. This past weekend, Dr.[…]