48 Viva Tysons! • March - April 2010 VivaTysons.com

1. Why is it important to have a nice smile? Most people will agree that having a nice smile provides more benefits than just being aesthetically pleasing. A recent national study found that 75% of adults believe that an attractive smile is critical when finding their “dream job” and that 84% of men and women believe that a great smile is important when meeting their significant other. Studies have also shown that having a nice smile makes people more outgoing and much more likely to have greater self esteem. Having a nice smile provides health benefits as well, as psychologists and other health care providers all agree that smiling relieves stress, boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, releases endorphins (natural pain killers) and raises the serotonin in the brain. The lack of serotonin is one of the contributing factors to the cause of depression.

2. Are veneers my only option if I want a smile makeover?Depending on the condition of a patient’s teeth, there are several options for producing that perfect smile. For crooked teeth, Invisalign is a great option as it’s barely detectable and virtually painless. If a whiter smile is all you need, a professional bleaching session or an at-home bleaching kit will do the trick. For home-bleaching, Opalescence 10% has the best long-term effect. For a full-mouth makeover, porcelain veneers are the popular choice. However plastic veneers are a good option if price is important, as they are half the price of the porcelain. But they do have a greater tendency to chip or become discolored.

3. Why do I grind my teeth at night and how can I fix this?Teeth grinding is predominantly stress related and, as Washington, DC is one of the most stressful cities in the country, you can imagine the number of teeth-grinders that reside here. The best way to control teeth grinding is to wear a night guard that prevents posterior teeth from touching and decreases the intensity of grinding. The best guard available is the NTI-TSS plus night guard which is fabricated at your dentist’s office. However there are over-the-counter night guards available at most drug stores. Unfortunately, these night guards are not as successful in preventing the grinding and clinching of teeth as the ones made by your dentist. Another perk of wearing a night guard, is that if worn often enough, they may be able to break the habit of teeth grinding entirely.

4. How has cosmetic dentistry benefited your patients?From patient Angela Lichtenstein: "Twelve years ago I visited Dr. Ellenbogen to see if he could correct faulty veneers another dentist had given me and I’ve been smiling ever since! His comforting manner and meticulous care of my teeth left me with quality veneers that look the same as the day I received them. My new smile has boosted my confidence and my only regret is that I didn’t get them sooner!"

Recently named one of the Top Dentists for 2009 by the Consumer Research Council of America, Dr. Gary Ellenbogen is a graduate of Brown University and Georgetown Dental School. Located in the Tysons Corner area of Vienna, Dr. Ellenbogen has practiced cosmetic dentistry in the Washington, DC community for over thirty years. Below Dr. Ellenbogen answers some commonly asked questions about cosmetic dentistry.

Before and after photos of a veneer patient.

Ask the Doc . . .

Gary Ellenbogen Dentistry8100 Boone Boulevard Suite 100Vienna, VA 22182703-873-7504 www.garyellenbogendds.com