Lakewood Complete Dentistry Blog

Should I Enhance My Teeth with Veneers or Cosmetic Dental Bonding?

March 21, 2025

Lady smiles with pretty teeth

Cosmetic dentistry has allowed countless patients to enhance their smiles by concealing defects like chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misshapenness with beautifully lifelike restorations. There are a wide variety of aesthetic dental treatments available, and veneers and cosmetic dental bonding are among the most popular. Here’s a brief overview of how these procedures work as well as a few of their pros and cons.

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Why Are My Gums So Red and Sore?

March 13, 2025

Lady has oral pain in dentist's chair

While the teeth are usually the most noticeable part of the smile, the gums serve the crucial role of providing them with the circulation, nutrition, and structural support they need to stay healthy and beautiful. Unfortunately, the gums can be compromised by factors like injury and infection, which can lead to serious long-term consequences like tooth loss and possibly dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia and sepsis. Here’s a quick overview of why your gums may be sore and inflamed and what you can do about it.

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Reversing Time: The Origin & History of BOTOX

February 13, 2025

A woman getting a Botox injection

Since it first earned FDA approval for cosmetic applications 1989, BOTOX®, also known as botulinum toxin, has quickly become the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States. In fact, the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons estimates that 7.4 million injections were performed in 2022 alone. But what is it, and where did this injectable treatment come from? Here’s a brief history of BOTOX®, and how your dentist can use it to make you appear more youthful!

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Dermal Fillers: The Secret to a More Youthful Look

February 2, 2025

a patient smiling after receiving dermal fillers

If you’ve looked in the bathroom mirror recently and noticed that your face is beginning to show signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sunken cheeks, or sagging lips, you might be starting to worry that your days of looking youthful are behind you – but this isn’t true! With the help of dermal fillers, you can enjoy results that have you looking youthful and vibrant once more. Keep reading to learn a little more about dermal fillers and how they can be used to promote incredible, natural-looking results.

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I’m Interested in Invisalign, But How Long Will the Treatment Take?

January 23, 2025

Two Invisalign trays resting in the palm of someone’s hand

You want to straighten out your crooked teeth, and you know you have two options for doing so: traditional braces or Invisalign. Many patients find Invisalign to be the more comfortable and convenient treatment, but how long will it take for you to complete it? Weeks? Months? Years?

Truthfully, the exact amount of time you could end up wearing Invisalign aligners varies. Don’t worry, though – this post will tell you what factors could affect your timetable!

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Will It Hurt to Have My Invisalign Attachments Removed?

January 16, 2025

A man putting on an Invisalign aligner

Invisalign attachments are designed to make your orthodontic treatment more efficient by helping to keep your aligners in place. Though they are painless to apply, these “bumps” can cause your teeth to be a bit more sensitive on days when you advance trays. A common question many patients have about them is if it hurts to remove them. Here’s what you can expect from these accessories, and why there’s no need to fear Invisalign attachments at any stage of treatment!

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Now’s a Better Time Than Ever to Brighten Your Smile! Here’s How Teeth Whitening Has Evolved Over Time

December 13, 2024

Before and after teeth whitening

If you look at the cosmetic dental treatments available today, you might notice that they are safe, administered in sanitary environments, and only minimally invasive if at all. However, people have tried a wide range of methods to pretty up their smiles over the centuries, and many of them would be downright gross or scary by modern standards. Here’s a brief overview of a few primitive teeth whitening treatments to help you appreciate just how amazingly safe and effective modern cosmetic dental procedures are.

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Cosmetic Dentistry Produces Amazing Results, but Is It Safe?

Lady thinks something over

Cosmetic dentistry has transformed the smiles of millions of people into beautiful new states, but some prospective patients may be concerned about whether these treatments are safe. The truth is that these procedures are safe, comfortable, and generally noninvasive. Here’s a brief guide to a few popular cosmetic dental procedures as well as how your dentist will ensure your safety and comfort.

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Can Gum Disease Cause Alzheimer’s?

November 21, 2024

Woman with gum irritation

The mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. This means, if you are experiencing gum disease, it can have a negative impact on your overall wellbeing. It has even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading to learn more about the connection between gum disease and brain health as well as some steps to keep your gums healthy going forward.

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The Effects of Gum Disease: Its Impact on Your Facial Shape

November 14, 2024

person with lower gums that appear red

Gum disease is quickly becoming one of the most common oral health problems seen by dental professionals today. Impacting millions of Americans, its damaging effects can spell disaster for patients’ oral and overall health. But did you know this harmful infection can also take a toll on your facial shape? Keep reading to learn what can happen if you fail to receive treatment and what you can do to avoid looking much older than you really are.

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