This common question is heard in dental offices all across the country. Crooked, unevenly spaced teeth can keep you from looking and feeling fabulous. Maybe you hide your smile in photos, or are focused on what people are seeing when you laugh. But adults are rarely keen on wearing bulky and unavoidably noticeable metal braces for the years it takes to complete treatment. At Smiles by Arnold and Associates, we take a revolutionary approach to teeth-straightening using Invisalign clear braces and other cosmetic dentistry options. Your ideal smile is attainable, and treatment is more conservative and lifestyle-friendly than ever.

You may see the result of “instant orthodontics” with porcelain veneers in the attached photos.

Did you wear metal braces in the past, but now your teeth have shifted out of place? Traditional braces are certainly effective at moving teeth, but especially now that you’re an adult, there are more factors to consider. For instance, you don’t want to compromise your professional appearance, or you may have an important event coming up with lots of photographic evidence. Bottom line: you’d rather not be sporting metal in your mouth! No problem. There may be a better solution for you, including: Read the rest of this entry »

I think that our new sign came out GREAT!  Stop by to check it out and say “hi” if you are in the neighborhood! 

Jim

SmilesByArnold & Associates

Northwest Indiana Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

www.SmilesByArnold.com

219-926-5445

SmilesByDrGibson & Associates

Naperville Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

www.SmilesByDrGibson.com

630-357-3333

Happy Spring, My Friends! 

Now that Spring has arrived, it seems that many people are interested in having whiter, brighter smiles.  This seems like a good time to offer a 50% discount for anyone interested in Zoom! Teeth-Whitening between now and May 31.  Zoom! In-office whitening takes about one hour and can whiten most people’s teeth from 3 to 8 shades. 

If this is something that interests you, please call Suzi (Naperville 630-357-3333) or Angie (Chesterton 219-926-5445) or Tammy (Valparaiso 219-531-8914) for more details.  We will also be happy to provide gift cards if you have a friend or family member who would like to have brighter, whiter smiles. 

We hope to see you soon.  In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine!!! 

Dr. Jim Arnold

SmilesByArnold & Associates

Northwest Indiana Invisalign, Cosmetic, Family, and Sedation Dentistry

www.SmilesByArnold.com

219-926-5445 or 219-531-8914

SmilesByDrGibson & Associates

Naperville Invisalign, Cosmetic, and Family Dentistry

www.SmilesByDrGibson.com

630-357-3333

In 2009 we were honored and thrilled to be voted the “Best Dentist/Dental Practice” and “Best Cosmetic Dentist” in Northwest Indiana.  That is a tremendous honor, especially considering that there are nearly 500 dentists in our area.  Thank you to all of our wonderful patients and friends for voting for us to receive this award. 

“Best of Region” voting has begun for 2010.  If you are happy with the level of care and service that you received from us over the past year, we would appreciate your vote again this year.  Voting can be done (between now and April 21) by following this link:  http://www.nwitimes.com/app/bestof/.  You simply vote for the business/businesses of your choice, making sure that you make a selection for at least 20 of the categories. 

Thank you SO much for your continued support.  We will do everything we can in 2010 to exceed your expectations of us!  J

The Smiles By Arnold & Associates team recently attended a seminar in Tampa.  The seminar was hosted by the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics. 

Dr. Jim Arnold has been on the Board for the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE) since 2004.  He served as the International Fellowship Committee Chairman for three of those years. 

ACE is an organization of exceptional dental professionals from around the world who is committed to being the best that they can be.  While the primary focus of ACE is promoting the advancement of cosmetic dentistry, the group is devoted to helping dentists to maximize their enjoyment of and success in dentistry.  This provides dentists with the tools necessary to provide excellent dental care to their patients. 

ACE hosts continuing education for dentists all over the country on diverse topics ranging from cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, laser dentistry, Invisalign dentistry, sedation dentistry, sleep apnea treatments, NTI utilization for migraine prevention, spa dentistry, dental practice management, and communication.  Dr. Arnold is very proud of his affiliation with and participation associated with ACE. 

He achieved Fellowship in ACE in 2003, which was a tremendous achievement requiring a full year to accomplish.  After passing a rigorous written exam covering all aspects of comprehensive esthetic and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Arnold submitted cases to the Board.  Once these cosmetic cases were deemed exceptional, Dr. Arnold passed an oral exam and won Fellowship status.  Very few cosmetic dentists around the world have achieved such a high level of excellence in cosmetic dentistry.

Dr. Arnold was happy to take his three office managers and Dr. Gibson along for the course.  The team came back to their respective offices fired up and ready to take great care of their patients. 

While Dr. Arnold spends most of his time providing exceptional dental care to the patients of Northwest Indiana and Chicago, the people of Naperville are fortunate to have his services, as well.  Please check out our Smile Gallery to see some examples of his work at:  www.SmilesByArnold.com. 

If you’re like some, you may think that a truly beautiful smile is out of your reach. But at Smiles by Arnold and Associates, we want you to know that you don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy an attractive set of teeth. Through cosmetic dentistry treatments like porcelain veneers, our dentists create bright, well-shaped teeth that give patients a great reason to smile!

What are porcelain veneers?
These ultra thin porcelain shells are bonded to the surface of teeth that are chipped, stained, misshapen or otherwise flawed to create an aesthetic result. Remarkably durable, veneers can last 15-20 years or more with proper care, and the procedure requires only a conservative amount of tooth preparation.

The porcelain veneer process
If you’re interested in revitalizing your smile with porcelain veneers, one of our dentists will meet with you in a personal consultation at our Valparaiso or Chesterton dental practice. Your dentist will want to discuss your individual situation and any dental problems you may be experiencing, along with your Northwest Indiana cosmetic dentistry goals. If you like, bring pictures of smiles you admire to this appointment as a handy reference. Patients who would like a whiter smile should consider a teeth whitening session so the veneers can be tinted to  match the new, brighter shade.

In just a few simple appointments, your porcelain veneers will be custom-fabricated and placed on your teeth. All you have to do to maintain the veneers is keep brushing and flossing regularly, as well as continue to attend periodic cleanings and checkups at our office.

We invite you to make an appointment for a consultation at Smiles by Arnold and Associates with Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, Dr. Wargo, or Dr. Gibson. Let us show you how we’ve created confidence-building smiles for countless Northwest Indiana cosmetic dentistry patients. We love making dreams become a reality with exceptional dental care!

Orthodontic treatment  is a wonderful service provided by many dental professionals. Straightening the teeth is a fantastic way to conservatively improve one’s smile and make chewing more efficient. Traditional braces have been very effective for a long time, but Invisalign usage has also become a very attractive option for many people.

Many patients – especially adults – don’t want to have metal brackets and wires in their mouths to move their teeth. They are often concerned about esthetics during the treatment process. Another common concern is the potential for abrasions or ulcerations on the inside of the mouth from the braces.

Invisalign minimizes these concerns with the use of clear “aligners” that are custom-fit to the teeth, are very esthetic, and aren’t as likely to rub the inside of the mouth. These aligners are similar to rigid bleaching trays, and they gradually move the teeth to more desirable positions. Each aligner is worn for two weeks and moves the teeth slightly until the final positions are attained.

Because patients remove the aligners before eating or drinking, there are no food restrictions or problems with brushing or flossing. Patients are usually seen only once every six weeks to check on the progress and to receive their next sets of aligners so they generally spend less time at the dental office.

Invisalign treatment generally costs between $5000 and $7000, but not everyone is a good candidate. Some people are still better served by traditional orthodontic techniques. You should consult with a certified Invisalign dentist or orthodontist to find out whether or not it will work for you.

The entire treatment plan is designed with 3-D computer imaging from the initial teeth positioning all the way until the desired final positions. This same 3-D imaging allows patients to preview the final positioning of teeth before even beginning treatment.

For information on this or any other dental topic, you may visit: www.SmilesByArnold.com.  Dr. Arnold may be reached via e-mail at: drarnold@smilesbyarnold.com.