Teeth whitening is a fantastic way for our Destin and Panama City Beach-area patients to complement their orthodontic treatment and draw more attention to the beautiful smiles Dr. Runnels has helped them achieve.
At Dr. Runnels’ offices, we go beyond traditional orthodontic treatment to ensure our patients’ smiles stay beautiful and strong with additional options such as teeth whitening and sports mouth guards. We call these options “Runnels’ Extras”, and are proud to offer them to our patients so that we can provide truly comprehensive orthodontic and cosmetic dentistry care. Learn more about teeth whitening and sports mouth guards, two of the most popular options available to Dr. Runnels’ patients.
After orthodontic treatment, it is not uncommon for our patients to simply want to accentuate the beauty of their smiles by creating a brighter and more youthful appearance. No matter what your motivation is, Dr. Runnels is sure to offer the right teeth whitening option for your unique situation at his offices in Destin and Inlet Beach. We invite you to contact Dr. Runnels office to learn more about the variety of teeth whitening options we offer our Destin and Panama City Beach-area patients.
Sports mouth guards are a must-have for anyone who participates in active sports. Not only can teeth be easily broken or knocked out during contact sports, but our patients who wear braces are also at a high risk for painful cuts in their mouths when they suffer a sports dental trauma. We understand that many patients and parents of kids in orthodontic treatment may be tempted to purchase a “boil and bite” over-the-counter mouth guard, but Dr. Runnels and his team in Destin and and Inlet Beach strongly recommend against this.
These “do-it-yourself” mouth guards are nearly impossible to fit properly, and it’s not uncommon for them to become stuck on a patient’s braces and cause damage or even pull the brackets entirely off the teeth. They also will prevent tooth movement. If you or your child plays sports or enjoys an active lifestyle, it’s vitally important that you contact Dr. Runnels to have a customized sports mouth guard made so that you can keep that smile beautiful and healthy for many years to come.
Laser gum sculpting at Dr. Scott Runnels’ office is an excellent way for our patients to enhance the beauty of their smiles. Many people have what is commonly known as a “gummy smile”, when the gums fall too far below the lip line. This can make the teeth appear smaller than they actually are and can often create a more juvenile appearance to the smile. Fortunately, advances in dental technology have allowed Dr. Runnels to employ lasers to gently trim a patient’s gum line to create a more harmonious appearance.
How does it work? Well the first step in the laser gum sculpting process is to numb the area being treated with a local topical anesthetic. Once the patient’s comfort is ensured, Dr. Runnels uses a diode laser to gently remove excess gum tissue and sculpt the gums into a more balanced appearance. The laser cauterizes the gum tissue while they cut, so bleeding and recovery time are dramatically reduced. Laser gum sculpting can be completed in one easy visit and patients experience only minimal swelling discomfort during the recovery period, which lasts less than one week. To learn more about whether laser gum sculpting may help you achieve the smile of your dreams, we invite you to contact us to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Runnels.