We understand embarking on a major dental change is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You might have different concerns than other patients, but you all share one thing in common: There’s something about your smile that you wish could be enhanced.  The good news is, if you’re reading this, you’re not alone. More than half of all Americans want their teeth to be different, and cosmetic dentistry exists to help you find the enhancements you’re looking for.   We want to help you think through this decision so you can enjoy your smile and experience all the benefits that come with that. Below, we’ll respond to some common misconceptions we hear and give you the tools you need to pick a great dentist you can trust for your cosmetic changes. Debunking Common Misconceptions  Our team has been working to enhance smiles for decades. We’ve heard just about every objection...

Everyone loves the effects of a beautiful smile.  It makes many of us feel comforted and happy. It reflects joy and spreads that to other people near the source. It allows the person smiling to shine from within. It has the ability to instantly put a person in a better mood and convey a positive message to everyone. The benefits of a great smile aren’t just flowery abstractions, though.A beautiful smile accentuates and complements one’s features. It should complement the eyes and the complexion rather than out shine it, for a naturally beautiful look.  There’s real research to back up what a smile does to us, how it makes us feel a certain way and why it does that. There’s also research that goes into the makeup of a beautiful smile. Like a nice painting or great piece of architecture, there are certain aesthetic qualities that cause a smile to have...

A beautiful smile can light a room. The smile actually is considered by many to be a reflection of a happy, comfortable and successful life. It is intimately linked to our well-being, our pleasure and sensations with food, and communication, both verbally and non-verbally. But there’s one big problem.  We are not all blessed with the smile we desire. One recent study found that more than a quarter of people are not pleased with their smile as it is and even more do not like how their teeth appear in photographs.  Many patients live like this because they’re not aware of any other alternative, but better options do exist through cosmetic dentistry.   Cosmetic dentistry is dental work that enhances every aspect of a patient’s smile. This could include their teeth, their gums, or their bite. A reliable cosmetic dentist balances the art and science of the craft, relying on both their...

A vibrant, healthy smile not only is good for your oral health, it's contagious. The more you smile, the more others around you tend to smile as well. In order to get a healthy smile, it's important to keep it... well, healthy! Daily care of your gums and teeth is a must for any set of pearly whites. But even then, sometimes your teeth need professional dental work. Cosmetic dentistry truly works wonders for thousands of men and women who want their teeth to look and feel their very best. A dentist can perform a number of cosmetic procedures, including whitening, bonding, tooth reshaping, dental implants, crowns, bonds, veneers, and caps. Of those options, teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the United States. The process makes your enamel whiter via either laser treatment or bleaches. Under the right conditions, a cosmetic dentist can make your teeth 10 times...

Research tells us that smiling reduces stress and has long-term benefits for health and success. A smile sets off a chain reaction that courses through the muscles of the face, loops back into the brain, and releases serotonin and endorphins, which reinforces feelings of happiness and joy. So what might be getting in the way of someone’s smile? For some, fear or a lack of financial resources may have kept them from the dentist or orthodontist when they were younger, leading to decay and damage later on. It is also natural for teeth to yellow over time. Whatever the root causes, far too many people have a smile that doesn’t reflect their inner personality. Even more serious are the negative health effects of a flawed smile or damaged teeth. Cosmetic dentistry is the art of enhancing – rather than changing – a person’s appearance through various techniques applied to the teeth...

Having a healthy smile is a lot more important than you think. Here's why. The Health Benefits Did you know that studies have shown that poor oral health can actually lead to more serious issues? A study published in the British Medical Journal found that adults who don't brush as much have a 70% higher risk for heart disease than those who brush twice a day. Columbia University found that those who suffered from periodontal disease had twice as high a risk for Type 2 diabetes. Basically, if you want to extend your lifespan, you may want to invest in restorative dental care. The Economic Benefits Additionally, a healthy smile can yield economic benefits. About three-quarters – 74% – of adults believe that an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chance for career success. Studies have also shown that people who drank fluoridated water – water that's had fluoride added to prevent tooth...

What is involved with creating a predictable outcome for a smile enhancement?There are three levels of care—health, restorative and artistry—and they all need to be coordinated. Having an artistic eye is paramount. However, precise technical skills along with using current advanced technology is vital. What are some of the important factors for a natural beautiful smile?Color is always an important concern. I usually incorporate three to five subtle hues along with translucency in the biting edge. Plus, matching the whites of one’s eyes gives a very balanced look while allowing our two dominant features to complement each other. Shape and length are also artistically determined. Allowing for at least two millimeters of teeth showing creates a more youthful smile. I follow the profiles of the patient’s face for the most natural tooth form to give each patient their unique smile. What distinguishes high quality dentistry fromaverage dentistry?Artistry in dentistry is the ability...

  There’s no better feeling than knowing that you look as healthy on the outside as you feel on the inside. With more than 25 years of experience in reconstructive, cosmetic and laser dentistry, Dr. Koval combines skill and a keen eye for natural aesthetics to beautifully and gently enhance your smile, allowing your inner confidence to shine through. You’re invited to view our Smile Gallery at askdrkoval.com to see our extensive collection of BEFORE and AFTER photos of smiles by Dr. Christine Koval. Improving your quality of life is the best gift you can give yourself! Call for a complimentary consultation today!

Did you know that every time you smile, you throw a little feel-good party in your brain? Research tells us that smiling reduces stress and increases endorphins, which has long-term positive benefits for health and success. Sadly, there are people who actually hold back their smiles due to a lack of self-confidence about their appearance, which keeps them from enjoying this natural phenomenon. Dr. Christine Koval has decades of experience in restorative, cosmetic and laser dentistry. Her caring demeanor, coupled with her credentials and professional reputation, helps her patients to realize how a more beautiful and healthy smile will enhance their life. By utilizing the most current technology and her keen eye for aesthetics, Dr. Koval can help you achieve a smile that is natural, that looks more youthful ... but still looks like you. After more than 25 years in practice, Dr. Koval has helped hundreds of community members to...

  Having unattractive teeth and gums can easily cause people to stop smiling and avoid social events. But they don’t have to continue to suffer thanks to cosmetic dental services. Because of several technological improvements, cosmetic dental problems are easier than ever to repair. If you feel self-conscious from unattractive teeth and gum problems, here are five popular cosmetic dental services in Sarasota, Florida that you help you start smiling, again. Tooth Whitening The cosmetic dental treatment that’s probably the one most recommended by a cosmetic dentist is teeth whitening, also called bleaching. This is done to remove stains caused from foods, coffee, tea or discoloration due to poor oral hygiene. Although some people bleach their teeth at home, it’s safer and more effective to have your teeth whitened by a dentist. This process entails a dentist creating a custom-made mouthpiece so that the right amount of bleaching solution is used....

  The teeth are a vital component to overall health. They are specifically designed to last a life time. However sometimes, they simply don't. Whether it's through years of neglect and poor oral care or through an unfortunate accident, sometimes teeth are lost or pulled. Missing teeth lead to an abundance of problems including the loss of chewing capability, poor appearance, strain on the remaining teeth, and diminished overall health. When facing the loss of a tooth, a dental implant offers numerous benefits as a viable option to replace the missing or damaged tooth. What is an implant? A dental implant in Sarasota, FL is a man made substitute for the root of a missing tooth. It is an artificial tooth root or anchor that is surgically inserted to hold a replacement tooth or crown. It is an ideal option for those who have lost teeth from periodontal disease, tooth decay,...

You have always been there for others - for your life partner, for your children, for your business associates ... for anyone who has needed you. Now it's YOUR time. It's time for YOU to get the smile you've always wished for. Dr. Christine Koval has more than 25 years of experience in restorative, cosmetic and laser dentistry. Her caring demeanor, coupled with her credentials and professional reputation, helps her patients to feel more confident, and to realize how a more beautiful and healthy smile will improve their lives. By utilizing the most current technology and her keen eye for aesthetics, Dr. Koval can help you achieve a gorgeous, natural-looking smile. Dr. Koval has helped hundreds of community members to look and feel better. It's YOUR time - time to get the smile of your dreams. Call for a complimentary consultation today!    

Words are often not needed when you are met with a warm and gracious smile. A beautiful smile relaxes barriers and can help create trust. You may not realize it, but your smile can allow someone to really want to listen. If you have been hiding your smile, Dr Koval can help you. After all, for more than 25 years she has been helping community members look and feel their best. Call Dr Koval for a complimentary consult to take your smile out of hiding!  

We all want to look and feel healthy and youthful, no matter what our age. There are many things we diligently take care of to keep our appearance in line with our self image, including hair color and style, toned skin, and bright eyes. But the most overlooked feature is often our smile. No matter how much we improve other features, it's truly our smile and our teeth that reflect good health, a youthful appearance and impeccable grooming. For more than 25 years, Dr Koval has helped hundreds of community members look and feel their best. Call Dr. Koval for a complimentary consult to discuss your age defying options!  

When a cracked tooth makes you nervous about biting down on hard foods or a discolored tooth makes you self conscious about smiling, it's time to visit our Sarasota, Florida, office to consider inserting a porcelain crown. Just as you may apply a concealer to cover up a skin imperfection, you can cover up tooth imperfections with pieces of porcelain formed to fit your mouth, delivering the appearance of a healthy tooth. We can do this for individual teeth or multiple teeth, and we may also consider adding a bridge to fill in gaps caused by missing teeth. This process is safe and pain is minimal, but what can you really expect? Consultation & Preparation Every crown procedure starts with a thorough examination. This is an important step which allows us to consider all possible solutions to your problem before determining that a crown is the best way to improve your...

Tooth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures requested by patients these days. After all, who doesn't want a brighter and whiter smile? Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths floating around about teeth whitening. One cosmetic dentist in Sarasota, FL has taken the time to dispel some of these myths for us. This way, you can make a better informed decision regarding tooth whitening. Myth 1: Store-Bought Whitening Kits Are the Best There are so many store-bought tooth whitening kits and products available these days, so why would you bother going to your dentist's office to have whitening done? Well, contrary to popular belief, the kits you can buy in stores simply aren't of the same quality as the whitening solution used in a cosmetic dentist's office. Yes, they do contain many of the same ingredients, but they simply don't tend to be as effective. Furthermore, when...

The teeth are an extremely important and often the most neglected part of our body. Many people do not realize the importance of their teeth until they run into dental problems. In reality, your teeth do not just help you break down your food before swallowing. They also serve another very important purpose -- contributing to your overall appearance.Your appearance is what creates an impression on people and impacts your daily life by quite a bit. A healthy smile with even, white teeth can indeed go a long way. A study revealed that a bright white smile was one of the things that created a great first impression with almost 90% of Americans. If you have a healthy smile and your dental condition is top-notch, it can provide you with confidence and make your personality pop. If you are facing dental problems, it is prudent to deal with them pronto, so...

In spite of what many of us think, restorative dental care isn't just about aesthetics. Yes, there is much more to a healthy smile than the way it looks -- and getting some work done can improve patients' quality of life in ways that they may not expect. Here are just a few: Enjoy Your Favorite Foods AgainThis is a big one. When cracked and chipped teeth, missing teeth, or dated dentures are a reality in your day-to-day life, you can forget just how wonderful it was to enjoy some of your favorite foods whenever you wanted to. For example, it typically takes a full mouth of teeth to enjoy the barbecue classic corn on the cob. In some cases, dense, chewy foods, like steak, may be off the table. Patients with missing teeth or tooth sensitivity typically shy away from extreme temperatures, meaning that indulging in coffee, tea, and other hot beverages...

Currently, over 3 million Americans have dental implants, and studies show that, on average, dentists fit another 500,000 patients with full or partial implants every year. It's no wonder, given that implants can ensure the 69% of Americans ages 35 to 44 missing one or more teeth have a new, full mouth of teeth with a success rate of 98%. If you believe dental implants are the best way to improve your smile, it is essential to know how to care for them -- immediately and over the long-term.24 Hours After SurgeryTechnology in dentistry is ever improving, but -- as it stands -- it is wise to follow a soft diet for the first 24 hours during tooth implant healing or, in most cases, the first 24 hours after restorative dental care. Patients should stick to soft foods that do not require chewing, like applesauce, oatmeal, grits, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and...

Over the next 15 years, about 200 million people will join the ranks of existing edentulous patients, meaning 200 million more people will be missing one or more adult teeth. The reason for declining dental health is fairly straightforward: given increasingly busy lifestyles, more Americans and people all over the world neglect to visit the dentist regularly, if at all. Thankfully, this is something that dental patients can easily change -- and they're not in it alone, either.The Dentist That Comes To YouThanks to the SmileFaith Mobile Mountain Dental and Medical Bus in Letcher County, Kentucky, over 60 more Americans have a full mouth of teeth. A group of volunteer dentists took turns manning the mobile dental bus and fitting patients with dental devices for missing teeth, including crowns, bridges, and full-mouth dentures. It is a 100% free service, enabling patients who may not have transportation and/or adequate funding to count...