What is self-image? Self-image is mainly how you see yourself and how you believe others see you.
What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself.

They are both closely related because if you have a poor opinion of yourself and you look, your self-esteem will be low. Though we all know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, we also know that appearances do matter. Studies have shown that a person’s appearance can have a strong effect on their social and career success by influencing how others perceive them. The appearance of the teeth can have a dramatic effect on someone’s attractiveness, both in how they appear to others and on their own self-image and self-esteem.

The appearance of the teeth is one of the most important contributors to facial beauty. I’m not just saying that because I’m a dentist – your face is what people look at when you’re talking to them, and we’ve all seen beautiful people who become distinctly less beautiful when they smile and reveal their less-than-perfect teeth. Our smile is the most eye-catching feature on our faces.

However, teeth are often overlooked when someone’s looking to improve their appearance. A person with low self-esteem connected to their facial appearance can often be greatly helped by cosmetic dental procedures. And remember – it’s not just about making someone’s teeth look better, it’s also about making them more confident in their overall appearance. Nothing looks as good as confidence!

Dental makeovers have become more common, less invasive, and more effective in correcting deformities and cosmetic dental problems. The effect of these procedures can be nothing short of dramatic both in terms of appearance and also in terms of improving self-image and self-confidence. Ugly teeth are no longer a matter of fate; they are now becoming a matter of choice. Even the smallest change can make a dramatic difference in your smile and in the way you look and feel about yourself.

There are lots of options:

• Teeth whitening brightens teeth that are discolored or stained.

• Veneers are thin custom-made porcelain shells to cover the front side of your teeth. They are used to treat spaces between teeth, teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked.

• Braces are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do not meet properly. Invisalign (invisible brace!) is the new revolutionary straightening method without all the metal in your mouth.

• Bonding are tooth-colored composite resin used to treat worn down teeth, cracks and chips, spaces, stained teeth, and reshape the appearance of dental enamel.

Are you a candidate for cosmetic dentistry?

• Do you cover your smile with your hand to avoid people seeing your teeth?

• Do you use methods such as growing a mustache or smiling with your mouth closed to avoid showing your teeth?

• Are you generally unhappy with your smile and let it affect the way you communicate with people?

• Are your teeth not exactly the color you would like them to be?

If you answered yes to any one of these questions, and especially if you deal with people on a daily basis, you can be a candidate for cosmetic dentistry and should call a cosmetic dentist for a consultation to learn more about your options. You don’t have to be embarrassed of you smile any longer! Improve your self-image and increase your self-esteem.

If you’d like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and what your options may be, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 323-771-7254 or email us at stjamesdental@yahoo.com today.

P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don’t hesitate to have them call us. We’ll be sure to take good care of them.

By Ladan Zinati