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The Intricacies of Different Types of Smiles

SmileyFrom an early age, we are conditioned to flash a grin when we hear, “say cheese!” When you smile on command, does it look and feel natural? Some smiles happen organically, and some are forced. Either way, research shows that a smile can actually release endorphins into your body. So if you’re feeling blue, try smiling, even if you don’t feel like it. You may be surprised that turning your frown upside down may act as a mild anti-depressant. Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Thanasi and Dr. Maria Loukas , will happily share more information about types of smiles.

Smiles: Posed or Felt

Think of politicians on the campaign trail, or actors on the red carpet. Pay attention next time you see a celebrity at a big event, and notice their smile. Does it seem posed or felt? Posed smiles are obviously common in photographs. They are also utilized in response to audience cheers in the middle of speeches. As you can figure, posed smiles are not necessarily genuine. Felt smiles are much more likely to be sincere. You can differentiate a felt smile from a posed smile by noticing the contraction of muscles around the eyes of the person who is smiling. The next time you watch television, see if you can pick out the felt smiles from the posed smiles.

A smile restored with porcelain restorations and lip filler at Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge, IL
A smile makeover done in our Park Ridge office with porcelain restorations on the upper front teeth and filler to balance the lips. The two are usually planned together, because the lip frames whatever the teeth do.

The Power of Smiles on Careers

Quite a few careers involve working with others throughout the day. Smiling can make coworkers and superiors more comfortable, leading to a higher chance of job success. People even assume intelligence levels based on the quality and confidence of someone’s smile. If you feel that your smile is holding you back on the job, cosmetic dental procedures such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and teeth whitening might give you an edge when you’re up for a promotion. Men have especially begun to embrace teeth whitening more frequently in these modern times because they find it gives them a leg up when striving for job success.

Visit your Park Ridge Dentists

To schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, contact our Park Ridge, IL dentist office at (847) 696-1919Drs. Maria and Thanasi Loukas provide cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dental care to patients living in and around Chicago, Park Ridge, and the 60068 zip code.

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Dr. Thanasi Loukas, DMD General & Cosmetic Dentist (DMD)
Dr. Thanasi M. Loukas, DMD is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the owner of Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge, Illinois — a family practice founded in 1981. Dr. Loukas specializes in dental implant surgery and restoration, Invisalign clear aligners, cosmetic dentistry, bone grafting, oral surgery, emergency dentistry, and facial aesthetics including Botox, dermal fillers, PDO threads, and Kybella. He uses advanced 3D CBCT imaging and digital guided implant planning to deliver precise, predictable outcomes for patients across Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, and Chicago.