To most, the primary components of a great smile are brightness and symmetry—that is pearly white teeth that are not crooked or misaligned. However, the appearance and positioning of the gum line is often overlooked in the element of a smile. Gums that cover too much or too little of the teeth, and/or are unevenly positioned across their length can impact the overall aesthetics of your smile. For example, gums that cover too much of the teeth can make them look unusually small. Or, gums that do not cover enough can make the teeth appear unusually large and expose the teeth’s roots. Uneven gum lines can make the teeth appear uneven in length and individual teeth odd sized relative to the others.

While dentures have long served as the primary replacement for lost teeth, dental implants are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for tooth replacement and restoring oral function and confident smiles. Not only are dental implants more comfortable and natural feeling than dentures, but also represent a more permanent solution that more effectively boosts overall oral health, then dentures. Unlike dentures, implants transfer chewing force to the jawbone, and help maintain the jawbone’s shape and density that would otherwise degrade over time due to the missing root(s).

While oral health is the primary focus of most dental offices, many people also seek out dentists for cosmetic reasons. This may be an appeal to vanity, but cosmetic dentistry also provides health benefits by boosting self-confidence and enhancing overall emotional well-being. Among the easiest, and most noticeable cosmetic dental treatments are professional teeth whitening treatments. Such treatments go above and beyond store-bought whitening toothpastes, rinses and treatment kits, and the dental professionals of Southwest Florida’s Island Tower Dentistry offer customized whitening trays, or a more permanent solution such as porcelain restoration.