My Blog
Posts for tag: cosmetic dentistry

Now that the holidays are behind us and spring is ahead of us, winter doldrums may be setting in. If you are feeling a little blah, it might be time for a pick-me-up—and what better way to lift the spirits than by giving your smile a boost?
There are several ways to achieve a more attractive, confident smile, depending on your individual dental situation. Here are some possibilities:
Teeth Cleaning. If it sounds simple, it is! During your regular cleaning appointment, in addition to getting rid of plaque and tartar that cause dental disease, we use a polishing paste that removes surface stains.Not only will your teeth feel smoother, they'll look brighter.
Teeth whitening. If your teeth are yellowed, they can take the pizzazz out of your smile and make you look older. Professional teeth whitening is an easy way to upgrade a smile, and we can control the level of whitening—whether you want dazzling Hollywood white or a more subtle shade.
Dental bonding or veneers. If your teeth have gaps, chips, discoloration or a poor shape, dental bonding or veneers may be in order. Bonding is a way to repair minor defects in a single visit by applying tooth-colored material to the tooth. Veneers, which can be applied in as little as two visits, are thin porcelain shells that cover the entire front surface of your tooth. With both bonding and veneers, we custom color-match the materials so your smile looks completely natural, only better.
Crowns, bridges or dental implants. If you have a tooth that is not sustainable on its own, a lifelike crown can replace the visible part of the tooth, making it look good as new. If you have one or more missing teeth, a crown or bridge supported by dental implants can look and function like natural teeth.
Orthodontic treatment. If your teeth are not as straight as you'd like, orthodontic treatment can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile and give you newfound confidence. This original “smile makeover” is not just for teens; people of all ages undergo orthodontic treatment. Not a fan of traditional metal braces? Not to worry—you may be a candidate for clear orthodontic aligners, which are nearly invisible and can be removed for meals and special occasions.
Gum surgery. If your teeth seem small or you think your gums show too much when you smile, changing the contour of the gums through periodontal plastic surgery can have a big impact on the look of a smile. Reshaping the gums also helps the teeth appear more prominent.
As you see, there is an array of options for enhancing your smile, and we're more than happy to help you develop a treatment plan that is right for you. So consider sprucing up your smile and boosting your spirits with a tip or two from this list.
If you would like more information about enhancing your smile, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Cosmetic Dentistry.”

Love at first sight—it's an endearing notion found in movies and novels, but perhaps we're a little skeptical about it happening in real life. Then again, maybe it does once in a blue moon. According to supermodel Gisele Bündchen, something definitely happened the first time she met pro quarterback Tom Brady in 2006. And it all began when he smiled.
“The moment I saw him, he smiled and I was like, 'That is the most beautiful, charismatic smile I've ever seen!'” Bündchen said in an article for Vogue magazine. That was all it took. After a three-year romance, they married in 2009 and have been happily so ever since.
Both Brady and Bündchen have great smiles. But they also know even the most naturally attractive smile occasionally needs a little help. Here are three things our happy couple have done to keep their smiles beautiful—and you could do the same.
Teeth whitening. Bündchen is a big proponent of brightening your smile, even endorsing a line of whitening products at one point. And for good reason: This relatively inexpensive and non-invasive procedure can turn a dull, lackluster smile into a dazzling head-turner. A professional whitening can give you the safest, longest-lasting results. We can also fine-tune the whitening solution to give you just the level of brightness you want.
Teeth straightening. When Bündchen noticed one of her teeth out of normal alignment, she underwent orthodontic treatment to straighten her smile. Rather than traditional braces, she opted for clear aligners, removable trays made of translucent plastic. Effective on many types of orthodontic problems, clear aligners can straighten teeth while hardly being noticed by anyone else.
Smile repair. Brady is a frequent client of cosmetic dentistry, sometimes due to his day job. During 2015's Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks, Brady chipped a tooth, ironically from “head-butting” his Patriots teammate Brandon LaFell after the latter caught a touchdown pass. Fortunately, he's had this and other defects repaired—and so can you. We can restore teeth as good as new with composite resin bonding, veneers or crowns.
This superstar couple, known for their advocacy of all things healthy, would also tell you a beautiful smile is a healthy one. You can help maintain your smile's attractiveness with daily brushing and flossing to lower the risk of staining and dental disease, regular dental visits, and “tooth-friendly” eating habits.
And when your teeth need a little extra TLC, see us for a full evaluation. You may not be in the spotlight like this celebrity couple, but you can still have a beautiful smile just like theirs.
If you would like more information on ways to enhance your smile, please contact us or schedule a consultation.

Dorit Kemsley isn't shy. Best known to fans as an outspoken and sometimes outrageous cast member of the reality show Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kemsley is never reticent about “mixing it up” with fellow castmates or their significant others. Recently, though, she confessed to something that left her less than confident: her smile.
Kemsley has been self-conscious about her smile because her teeth looked noticeably short, worn down from an unconscious habit of grinding her teeth. Although teeth grinding is more common among children (who normally grow out of it by adolescence), it can persist into adulthood, usually from difficulties managing high stress (a likely component in the fashion designer/reality show star's busy life).
Stress-induced teeth grinding can occur during waking hours or, more likely, during deep sleep. The accumulating, long-term effects from the habit can lead not only to worn teeth but to weakened gum support, a high risk of tooth fracture or jaw pain and dysfunction.
So, how do you know if you grind your teeth, especially if it's only happening at night? Typical signs include sore jaws after awaking from sleep, increased tooth pain or sensitivity or, like Kemsley, a noticeable difference in your tooth length. Your family or sleeping partner may also complain about the “skin-crawling” noise you make during the night.
There are ways to lessen the effects of teeth grinding. The first step is to have us verify the underlying cause for the habit. If it's tension from stress, then you might reduce the habit's occurrences by learning better stress management or relaxation techniques through individual counseling, group support or biofeedback therapy. We can also fit you with a mouth guard to wear at night or through the day that reduces the force generated during teeth grinding.
And if you've already experienced accelerated tooth wear like Kemsley with a resultant “small teeth” smile, you might pursue the same solution as the RHOBH star: dental veneers. These thin, life-like wafers of porcelain are custom-made to mask imperfections like chips, staining, slight tooth gaps and, yes, worn teeth.
Veneers are often less expensive and invasive than other cosmetic techniques, yet they can have a transformative effect, as Kemsley's Instagram followers have seen. In conjunction with other dental treatments needed to repair any underlying damage caused by a grinding habit, veneers are an effective fix for the smile you present to the world.
If you suspect you may have a grinding habit, see us for a complete examination. From there, we'll help you protect your teeth and your smile.
If you would like more information on teeth grinding habits and their effects, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Teeth Grinding.”
Dentists love saving teeth, making them healthy and improving their appearance. However, tooth loss still happens from time to time due to decay, injury, gum disease and other issues. To fill smile gaps, Dr. Kevin Thomas and Dr. Aaron Chenette from Cohasset Dental frequently recommend dental implants to qualified patients. Natural-looking and performing, these prosthetics complete smiles and make them strong.
A dental implant and you
A dental implant is the closest thing to a real tooth. It has a titanium metal root, a metal alloy post and porcelain crown. Through osseointegration, the jaw bone bonds to the titanium implant after Dr. Thomas or Dr. Chenette place it during a simple, in-office surgery.
To qualify for any dental implant procedure, you must have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant device and to withstand the intense forces of oral function (biting, chewing and speaking). During a dental implant consultation at Cohasset Dental, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, review your medical history and take digital X-rays and sophisticated three-dimensional images of your teeth, their roots and surrounding bone structure.
From there, your dentist will customize a treatment plan. You'll know the details on your implant procedure, and if you are receiving multiple implants to support a denture or bridge, you'll understand how the implants will be placed and how to care for your dental prosthesis.
Will you do well?
Most dental implant treatments succeed. The implants fully integrate, and they stay in place for years. In fact, the current success and retention rate is around 97 percent, says the Institute for Dental Implant Awareness. As time goes on and you use your implant more and more, your jaw bone density, width and height will increase, improving the strength and health of your jawbone.
To keep implant sites healthy for the life of your smile, brush daily and floss every day. Get six-month professional cleanings and examinations at Cohasset Dental. If you smoke, seek help in quitting by talking to your primary care physician. Tobacco can cause implant failure because of an infection called peri-implantitis.
In summary, dental implants...
- Look, feel and act like real teeth
- Improve the quality and quantity of supporting jaw bone
- Anchor bridgework or dentures
- Let you smile with complete confidence
Learn more
If you have smile gaps, don't wait any longer to learn all about dental implants from Cohasset Dental. Call the office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Thomas or Dr. Chenette, and explore all your tooth replacement options. Phone today: (781) 383-9393. We have early morning hours.
Many adults are inspired to go to the dentist for checkups because they want a better smile aesthetic. They want their teeth to have a Hollywood appeal, but there is one or more tooth problem preventing that. Common dental imperfections include tooth gaps, crowding, misalignment, stains, and tiny or large teeth. Explore your cosmetic dentistry options with a cosmetic dentist at Cohasset Dental in Cohasset, MA.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
It’s not necessary to treat dental cavities with amalgam silver fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are a better choice for most patients who are concerned about the cosmetic appearance of their teeth. They are colored and contoured to match the unique shade of the affected tooth.
Teeth Whitening
Where retail products fail, professional teeth whitening provides patients with very noticeable results after just one appointment. Your dentist uses a special whitening gel that is not available to the public which can scrub away years of stains.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontia is focused on changing and bettering the position of the teeth. The orthodontic options offered by your Cohasset, MA cosmetic dentist include metal, ceramic, and lingual (hidden) braces. Adult patients often prefer a discreet and more comfortable solution called Invisalign.
Dental Bonding
Some patients have minor cracks, gaps, and chips around the front teeth. In many cases, this can be resolved with a treatment called dental bonding and contouring. Layers of ceramic material are pressed against the surfaces of the teeth, hardened, then shaped to make your smile look more even, full, and gently contoured.
Veneers and Crowns
When the teeth seem like they are beyond repair, veneers and crowns can save the day. Veneers are placed over a row of teeth to improve their appearance and shape. Crowns are commonly placed on individual teeth that are damaged, out of place, or discolored.
Explore Your Options
Take some time out of your schedule to visit Cohasset Dental in Cohasset, MA to explore the various ways a cosmetic dentist can make your smile look better. Call the office at (781) 383-9393 today for an appointment with Dr. Kevin Thomas or Dr. Aaron Chenette.