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8 Unique and Unconventional Celebrity Smiles

Archive for January, 2019



8 Unique and Unconventional Celebrity Smiles

Posted on: January 23rd, 2019 by admin No Comments

There is nothing quite like seeing a larger than life star up on the silver screen. America has been fascinated with celebrities since the dawn of the film era more than 100 years ago. During that time, we’ve come to expect a certain “perfect” look to our stars and starlets.

Sometimes, though, a star with a unique look catches our attention and wins our admiration. Here are 8 of them, with a special focus on their smiles – because we are dentists, after all!

  1. Clint Howard – Clint Howard is one of those actors who you may not know by name, but when you see him you realize you’ve seen him in a million movies. He’s no matinee idol and he knows it, but he’s also one of the nicest, most talented guys in Hollywood. His smile is more than a little unusual, and that’s a big part of his charm.
  1. Julia Roberts – Julia Roberts is known as the “Pretty Woman” of Hollywood thanks to a big, bold smile that is larger than life. When she smiles wide, it’s as big as a fireworks display. No one has a smile like she does, which is one of the reasons why she’s a silver screen legend. Any dentist in Ocean County, NJ would be honored to have her as a patient.
  1. Miley Cyrus – For Miley, it’s not as much her smile that’s unconventional, it’s what she does with it that sets her apart. Like a young, female Gene Simmons (the famous bassist for the rock band KISS), she makes it a point to wag her enormous tongue any chance she gets. Smiles don’t get much more non-traditional than that.
  1. kirsten dunstKirsten Dunst – Dunst is an extremely talented actress who also boasts unconventional beauty, in part because she has the sort of smile you don’t often see in Hollywood. Look close and you’ll see why her teeth have earned her some cruel nicknames. She rises above it, though, through sheer talent and beauty that defies trends. And she’s a local! Dunst went to school in Point Pleasant before she rose to stardom.
  1. Anna Paquin – This True Blood star got as much attention as a child actor for her gap-toothed smile as she did for her talent. Paquin bucked Hollywood trends and decided to keep her smile just the way it is, gap and all, even though any dentist near Manahawkin, NJ could correct it for her. It has since become a signature part of her look, proving that unconventional and attractive are not opposites.
  1. Jim Carrey – The elastic-faced Jim Carrey is one of the funniest comedic actors of our time, and much of the credit has to go to his shape shifting facial abilities. If Carrey has a traditional smile, it’s usually hidden behind the kind of face-bending antics that few can imitate and none can match.
  1. Gary Busey – Gary Busey’s teeth are big. Really big. They’re a perfect fit for his eccentric personality, though, which is probably why he got extra large veneers to replace his teeth after a 1988 motorcycle accident. That big smile was too important a part of his image to “fix!”
  1. Ed Helms – He’s the toothless goof from The Hangover comedy films, the guy who made getting a tooth pulled out hilarious. He makes the list because there were no special effects used in the movie. He really did pull his tooth out! It turns out Helms has dental implants and temporarily took one out for the movie.

Did we forget anyone? Tell us in the Facebook comments and maybe we’ll include them in a future post!

25 Things You Wanted To Know About Dental Implants (But Were Afraid To Ask)

Posted on: January 16th, 2019 by admin No Comments

We all want the best possible smiles. We all want to look great. And we all want good oral health.

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Following tooth loss, damage, or other issues that may require corrective work, often the best way to get these things is with dental implants.

No, these are not traditional dentures. Dental implants are relatively new, but are quickly becoming the option of choice for many in the southern Ocean County, NJ area, including Manahawkin, Forked River, and Barnegat. Consider these facts to see how popular these procedures are:

  • About 1/4 of Americans over the age of 74 have lost all their teeth.
  • Among those between the ages of 35 and 44, over 2/3 have at least one missing tooth.
  • Approximately 30 million Americans are missing all their teeth in at least one jaw.
  • Some 500,000 people get dental implants every year.
  • Since 2006, over 5.5 million dental implants have been placed.
  • About 3 million Americans have dental implants.
  • The dental implant market in the United States has grown to $1 billion.
  • Despite all this, a mere 10 percent of dentists perform implant procedures.

The desire for dental implants is nothing new. In fact, humans have been experimenting with implants and ways to care for our teeth for thousands of years! Take a look:

  • Dental implants were being installed as far back as 600 AD.
  • Dental braces are even older, dating to about 2,000 BC.
  • The ancient Mayans used shell pieces to replace lost teeth.
  • The Greeks spent time philosophizing on ways to straighten teeth.
  • The modern toothbrush was invented about 1400 years ago in China.

Thanks to advances in dental technology, modern dental implants have taken off and are benefiting countless dental patients near Forked River, Manahawkin, and other southern Ocean County towns. Consider these facts:

  • Dental implants boast a 98 percent success rate.
  • Titanium alloys and other modern materials are used in dental implants.
  • Dental implant surgery is painless.
  • Modern dental implants have a decades’ long safety record under their belt.
  • Titanium can fuse with bone, allowing implants to help stimulate bone growth.
  • Modern implants will usually last your entire life.

Dental implants are about more than just cosmetic fixes, too. They have genuine benefits that can help you in several ways, including:

  • They prevent jawbone loss by stimulating bone growth.
  • They help you maintain your appearance, with no “sunken” jaw issues.
  • Implants help you speak better because they recreate the condition your jaw should be in.
  • Implants are more permanent than traditional dentures.
  • Cavities are a thing of the past; dental implants cannot get them.
  • They can prevent shifting of your teeth.

As you can see, dental implants are far from something to fear. Quite the opposite! They are a revolution in dental care that are here to stay. That’s why we’re proud to offer them in Barnegat, NJ!

5 Conditions That Should Prompt A Dentist Visit

Posted on: January 9th, 2019 by admin No Comments

If you’re like most people, you’ll invent a host of reasons to avoid seeing your dentist. Don’t worry, we’re not insulted. We’re used to it by now!

But the fact of the matter is, if you begin to experience one of these five conditions, you really need to see your dentist as soon as possible. It may help you avoid a lot of misery down the road!

Toothache

A toothache is nothing to take lightly. The pain you’re experiencing is a sign that something is wrong. You may feel as if you can tolerate the pain or that you can “tough it out,” but letting a toothache go unaddressed is asking for trouble. Whatever the cause of your pain, your condition could worsen. In a worst case scenario, you could even end up losing the tooth. Better to address it early, when there’s a good possibility the issue can be fixed with minimal fuss.

Chronic Bad Breath

Everyone gets bad breath every now and then. It’s common and can be easily triggered by the things we eat. A normal bout of bad breath is nothing to worry about. Chronic bad breath, on the other hand, is a sign of deeper problems that must be addressed. It may be “only” as serious as gum disease, which you’ll want to catch early to begin treatment. It can also be a sign of more serious issues than that. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, it’s important to have your dentist take a look as soon as possible so serious problems can be treated early.

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Cracked or Chipped Teeth

One of the most common problems any dentist in Ocean County, NJ near Forked River will deal with are cracked and chipped teeth. The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry is effective and affordable, with many options available to you. The bad news is, left unaddressed, some issues like this become more than a cosmetic issue. Cracked teeth can cause persistent pain and can lead to serious infections that may put your other teeth in danger, too. Even if you don’t mind how they look, at the very least you should have your dentist examine them to be sure your teeth are in no danger of future issues.

Jaw Pain

Pain in the jaw can come from a number of courses, including toothaches, sinus infections, and more. If you are feeling persistent jaw pain, have it examined by your Ocean County, NJ dentist near Manahawkin to determine the source of the problem. As with anything, the key to avoiding serious issues is to catch them early.

Bleeding Gums

If you experience bleeding gums during/after brushing, there may be an issue that needs addressing. In many cases bleeding gums are merely caused by improper brushing techniques. That is easy to fix. In other cases, however, they may be a sign of gingivitis or other underlying issues. As with all such issues, catching them early gives you the best chance of avoiding more serious complications.

If you experience any of these conditions and live in Barnegat, Forked River / Lacey, Manahawkin, or other areas of Southern Ocean County, call to make an appointment today!

6 Ways to Prepare For Your New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on: January 2nd, 2019 by admin No Comments

The New Year is here again, and you’ve got some goals in mind. Maybe you want to lose a few pounds, or read some of the classic novels, or be a more patient driver.

Believe us, as dentists serving southern Ocean County, NJ, we know many of our patients have big goals for the year ahead!

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Whatever you goals, remember the following and you’ll be well prepared to ensure those New Year’s Resolutions are not mere hot air:

  1. Keep Track Of Your Successes – If you’ve resolved to read 12 classic novels this year, post about your progress to Facebook. If you want to get more exercise, keep a log of your daily progress. If you are trying to lose weight, take weekly pictures to track how you’re doing.
  1. Allow Yourself To Celebrate Achievements – The road towards your final goal may be a difficult one, so don’t be shy about patting yourself on the back now and then. Rewards for meeting key milestones – losing you first five pounds, running a mile for the first time, going three months without alcohol, etc. – are well-earned. Give yourself a day off from work, go shopping, or some other reward that won’t set you back.
  1. Be Ready To Reassess – Making big changes in your life is a noble goal, but big changes often come with roadblocks you may not have foreseen. That’s okay. Be prepared to periodically reassess your goals and to adjust them as necessary. That’s not failure, it’s simply being smart and realistic.
  1. Put Something Of Value On The Line – Loss can be a great motivator. Consider making a friendly wager that you can meet your goals, or use a site like stickK.com, a site set up by behavioral analysts through which you can forfeit a chosen amount of money if you don’t succeed. Quite a motivator!
  1. Let Others Do The Work For You – With some goals, it’s possible to automate the process and/or let others do the heavy lifting for you. Saving money, for instance. If you want to save more, arrange for your employer to direct deposit a specific amount from each paycheck into a side account. Opt for the bank not to send you monthly statements on that account, and do not accept a bank card. Before you know it, you’ll be building savings with no effort at all.
  1. Mix And Match For Better Success – If you hate exercise but love music, use your exercise time to catch up on music you may have missed. If you want to eat better and love to eat out, start eating at restaurants that specialize in healthy food. If you want to read more but have a hard time staying focused, take a book with you to the gym and use that time for reading. The combinations are endless, and they can help you meet your goals.

But the most important thing to remember is both the simplest and the most difficult: Be positive.

Good luck!