Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth and, as a result, feel uncomfortable smiling and suffer from low self-confidence. Fortunately, there are numerous cosmetic treatments available to alter or restore the appearance of the teeth to help patients achieve the smile of their dreams.

While you may think that cosmetic dentistry services are only for the rich and famous, most of our cosmetic treatments are performed on patients just like yourself who were tired of dealing with missing, crooked, cracked or discolored teeth. These treatments can range from an at-home whitening kit to repairing a single tooth to reconstructing an entire mouth.

A beautiful smile can reflect a good first impression, which is important for professional and personal encounters throughout your life. More and more people are now choosing to undergo cosmetic dental treatments to secure a more confident and memorable first impression.

Cosmetic treatments performed by an experienced dentist can alter the length, shape, position and color of the targeted teeth through a series of minimally invasive procedures. Some of the most common include bonding to fill in gaps or change the color of the teeth, crowns or bridges to replace missing or damaged teeth, and veneers to customize the appearance of the teeth with shells that are placed over the front of the existing teeth.

Most of these treatments are affordable, and all are considered safe procedures that can significantly improve the appearance of your smile with no major risks. Each patient’s treatment will vary depending on the current condition of their smile and their individual goals.

Some of Dr. Ravin’s brilliant cosmetic work can be viewed in his Case of the Month studies, as well as in the Smile Gallery on this website.

Tatiana Grabowy is a 33-year-old wife and mother of two who was unhappy with the appearance of her front teeth, especially after having repeated fillings performed over the course of several years. Tatiana often felt embarrassed by the appearance of her teeth and did not like to smile in front of others. She needed a permanent solution from a dentist she could trust.

After a thorough evaluation of her whole mouth, as well as a discussion of her goals for treatment, Dr. Ravin developed a treatment plan for Tatiana. He performed gum surgery and front aesthetics to give Tatiana the smile of her dreams. Now, Tatiana shows off her smile as often as she can and could not be happier with the results of her cosmetic treatment provided by Dr. Ravin.

Tatiana is just one of the many patients to receive the smile of her dreams under the delicate care of Dr. Ravin. The pictures below demonstrate the stunning results of her treatment.

Dr. Ravin recently appeared on Better Connecticut to showcase the unique cosmetic work he performed on one of his patients.  John Hill drank only bottled water for several years while working overseas, keeping him from receiving sufficient amounts of fluoride, a substance often found in tap water that helps prevent decay. To compensate for this shortage, John took fluoride supplements but ended up taking too much, which resulted in his teeth turning a yellowish-brown color.

The discolored teeth affected John’s self-confidence and forced him to avoid smiling for years, that is until he visited Dr. Ravin.

To correct John’s discolored teeth, Dr. Ravin applied crowns to the teeth and also improved the gum line for straighter, more even teeth. The result was beautiful, bright teeth that John is now proud to show off! His confidence has been restored and he happily smiles everywhere he goes.

To learn more about how Dr. Ravin transformed John’s smile, watch the video below.

Dr. Ravin was recently featured on Better Connecticut to highlight his commendable volunteer dental services that he provides to poor nations across the world.

Over the past few years, Dr. Ravin and his wife have made annual trips to Haiti to provide dental services to hundreds of people who cannot afford to properly care for their teeth. As one of the most impoverished nations in the world, even before the recent tragedy, many of these people have such a multitude of problems that they cannot make dental care a priority. Regardless of financial status, Dr. Ravin believes that all people deserve quality dental care to keep their teeth as healthy as possible.

During a weeklong mission, Dr. Ravin and his volunteer staff saw an average of 160 patients each day, performing procedures in a parking lot to patients of all ages. In addition to his annual trips to Haiti, Dr. Ravin is also planning trips to Cambodia and other countries in need.

Greetings friends, patients, colleagues and relatives:

I hope that you enjoyed the January edition of “Dental Bytes,” my initial attempt to reach out to all of you in cyberspace. Though I alluded to flossing last month by saying that my blog “will not contain our usual pleas that you brush, floss and gargle after meals,” I changed my mind.

DENTAL BYTES

ALL About Flossing

Do you really need to floss? Yes! Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to the teeth and gums in between the teeth, polishes tooth surfaces and controls bad breath. Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including places where toothbrushes can’t reach. This can lead to gum disease. When you floss daily, you increase your chance of keeping your teeth for a lifetime and decrease your chance of getting gum disease.

Why should I floss?

Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than the toothbrush. A toothbrush cleans the tops and sides of your teeth. Dental floss cleans between them. Though Water Picks have benefits, floss is the best choice.  Many people just don’t spend enough time flossing and many have never been taught to floss properly. When you visit us, we will be happy to instruct you.

Which type of floss should I use?

Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed, wide and regular. Waxed floss is easier to slide between tight teeth or tight restorations; however, the unwaxed floss makes a squeaking sound to let you know your teeth are clean. Bonded unwaxed floss does not fray as easily as regular unwaxed floss, but does tear more than waxed floss. Wide floss, or dental tape, may be helpful for people with a lot of bridgework. Tapes are usually recommended when the spaces between teeth are wide. Whether they are flavored or unflavored, they all clean and remove plaque about the same.

How should I floss?

There are two flossing methods: the spool method and the loop method. The spool method is suited for those with greater manual dexterity. Take an 18-inch piece of floss and wind the bulk of the floss lightly around the middle finger. (Don’t cut off your finger’s circulation!) Wind the rest of the floss similarly around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger takes up the floss as it becomes soiled or frayed. Maneuver the floss between teeth with your index fingers and thumbs. Don’t pull it down hard against your gums or you will hurt them. Don’t rub it side to side as if you’re shining shoes. Bring the floss up and down several times, forming a “C” shape around the tooth and being sure to go below the gum line.

The loop method is suited for children or adults with less nimble hands, poor muscular coordination or arthritis. Take an 18-inch piece of floss and make it into a circle. Tie it securely with three knots. Place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Use your index fingers to guide the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth, going below the gum line and forming a “C” on the side of the tooth.

How often should I floss?

You should floss at least once a day to give your teeth a good flossing, and should spend at least two or three minutes each time you floss.

What are floss holders?

You may prefer a pre-threaded flosser or floss holder, which often looks like a little hacksaw. Flossers are handy for people with limited dexterity, for those who are just beginning to floss or for caretakers who are flossing someone else’s teeth.

Is it safe to use toothpicks?

In a pinch, toothpicks are effective at removing food between teeth, but for daily cleaning of plaque between teeth, floss is recommended. When you use a toothpick, don’t press too hard, as you can break off the end and lodge it in your gums.

Do I need a Water Pick (irrigating device)?

Don’t use water picks as a substitute for brushing and flossing. Water Picks can be effective around orthodontic braces, which retain food in areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. However, they do not remove plaque.  We may recommend a Water Pick for patients with gum disease.