My Blog
Posts for: March, 2015

We are often asked about restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures and the role they play in a smile makeover. We are also faced with people wondering whether or not they can benefit from treatment. For this reason, we developed the following self-assessment to help you determine whether or not cosmetic dentistry is right for you.
- Do you avoid smiling in public or for photos?
- Are you self-conscious about spaces and gaps between your teeth?
- Do your teeth make you look older than you feel?
- Have you ever held back or restrained a smile?
- Do you feel that your teeth are stained or yellow?
- Do you hold your hand in front of your mouth when talking, laughing or smiling?
- Do your teeth look old and worn down, making you look and feel older?
- Do your teeth appear short because of a “gummy” smile?
- Are your teeth crooked, chipped or crowded?
- Do you wish you had someone else's smile?
If you answered, “yes” to one or more of the above questions, then you could benefit from a smile makeover. However, that is the easiest part of the process. The next step is the one that probably matters the most — scheduling a consultation with us. During this appointment you can discuss the specifics that bother you about your smile using your responses from our self-assessment test. You can also learn about the many treatment options available for providing you with the smile of your dreams.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Contact us today to discuss your smile makeover questions or to schedule a consultation. Or, learn more now when you continue reading the Dear Doctor article, “The Impact Of A Smile Makeover.”

A woman as gorgeous and funny as Sofia Vergara surely planned to be a model and actress from the get-go, right? Wrong! Sofia’s first career choice actually was to be… a dentist! That’s right, the sexy star of TV’s Modern Family actually was only two semesters shy of finishing a dental degree in her native Columbia when she traded dental school for the small screen. Still, dental health remains a top priority for the actress and her son, Manolo.
“I’m obsessed,” she recently told People magazine. “My son thinks I’m crazy because I make him do a cleaning every three months. I try to bribe the dentist to make him to do it sooner!”
That’s what we call a healthy obsession (teeth-cleaning, not bribery). And while coming in for a professional cleaning every three months may not be necessary for everyone, some people — especially those who are particularly susceptible to gum disease — may benefit from professional cleanings on a three-month schedule. In fact, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to having professional teeth cleanings — but everyone needs this beneficial procedure on a regular basis.
Even if you are meticulous about your daily oral hygiene routine at home, there are plenty of reasons for regular checkups. They include:
- Dental exam. Oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease are much easier — and less expensive — to treat in the earliest stages. You may not have symptoms of either disease early on, but we can spot the warning signs and take appropriate preventive or restorative measures.
- Oral cancer screening. Oral cancer is not just a concern of the middle aged and elderly — young adults can be affected as well (even those who do not smoke). The survival rate for this deadly disease goes up tremendously if it is detected quickly, and an oral cancer screening is part of every routine dental visit.
- Professional teeth cleaning. Calcified (hardened) dental plaque (tartar or calculus) can build up near the gum line over time — even if you brush and floss every day. These deposits can irritate your gums and create favorable conditions for tooth decay. You can’t remove tartar by flossing or brushing, but we can clear it away — and leave you with a bright, fresh-feeling smile!
So take a tip from Sofia Vergara, and don’t skimp on professional cleanings and checkups. If you want to know how often you should come in for routine dental checkups, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor articles “Dental Hygiene Visit” and “Dental Cleanings Using Ultrasonic Scalers.”
Learn more about how dental implants can promote better jawbone health and a healthier smile.
About Dental Implants
Dental implants offer patients a long-term solution to replacing one, several or all of their missing teeth. By surgically placing a small, titanium post into the jawbone of the missing tooth’s socket we create a dental prosthetic that acts just like a natural tooth’s root. After the implant is placed, a couple months will pass in which the natural tissue and bone surrounding it will begin to grow and fuse with the metal implant, making it a permanent fixture within your jawbone.
After this takes place we will uncover the implant and place a metal abutment on top. An abutment serves as a connector to securely hold an artificial tooth to the implant. Once the abutment is placed on we will cement the dental crown on top to revive your once toothless smile.
Dental Implants and Jaw Health
Dental implants boast a lot of unique benefits that other tooth loss treatment options don’t. One of the biggest benefits of getting dental implants in Batavia is that it preserves the health of your jaw. When you lose a tooth you will also start to notice bone loss. Over time, this lose of jawbone density will cause your cheeks to sink in, which can make patients appear older than they are.
While dentures and dental bridges can’t actually preserve bone loss, dental implants can. This is because the implant is actually placed into the jawbone. Furthermore the tissues and bone surrounding the metal easily meld with titanium through a natural process known as osseointegration. Once this occurs your implant is permanently stabilized in the jawbone. Not only does this prevent bone loss from occurring but the implant actually promotes the growth of healthy new bone cells.
Other Benefits of Dental Implants
Besides preventing bone loss, dental implants also offer other advantages. First, they are designed to look and feel just like natural teeth. In fact, no one will be able to tell that your implant isn’t actually a real tooth.
Since dental implants are surgically placed into your jawbone, you won’t have to worry about the implants moving around or slipping while eating or talking. This is often an issue for someone who wears dentures. Dental implants offer lasting confidence to enjoy meals and talk with colleagues without worrying that they might slip around or make noise.
Furthermore, you can treat implants just like natural teeth. Instead of having to purchase cleaning products, as you would with dentures, dental implants can be brushed and flossed just like a natural tooth. No need to change your entire oral care regime once you get dental implants. Just take care of your implants and they will take care of you!
If you want to find out whether dental implants are right for your smile, set up a consultation with your Batavia dentist, Dr. John C. Koechley, DDS today. We would be happy to get you on your way to a new and improved smile.