On Good Morning America they had a segment on a study done by Match.com
and it was a pretty simple study and they were just looking at
characteristics of people and what people found to be attractive. And what
they did discover was that the most important characteristic that people
found to be important was their teeth. How I look and how I present is
important. That I look sort of confident and attractive and like I've got myself together.
Your smile affects everything you do.
I deal with clients, I speak in public.
I just wanted to have a perfect smile or as perfect as I could get.
I had waited so many years to have this implant done and I wanted it perfect.
There's really no specialty of cosmetic dentistry
because all dentistry should be esthetic, as well as cosmetic.
As a prosthodontist I'm a specialized dentist with advanced training in oral
health issues. After dental school we complete a residency program, in our case
it's a three year program after dental school in which we get trained to deal
with the most complex patients with the highest esthetic demands.
Creating esthetics for a patient really involves an opportunity to potentially enhance
their appearance. Now enhancing the appearance means complementing their
parents as well.
So you can see what we can do with porcelain veneers and
porcelain veneers are a very conservative option. You watch TV and you see people
with big white teeth and so people think their teeth need to be big and white.
We want to see teeth that are symmetrical, we want to see teeth that match the
shape of someone's face, we want teeth that are proportionate to some body's appearance.
Healthy teeth can be lightened, not
necessarily whitened, which means you're taking it brighter you're making it lighter color.
A lot of our training is focused on the oral facial aspect
of that patient. She sat down with me watched me talk.
She would actually make me smile all different ways just to make sure my
smile was perfect. Matching a smile to the patient's individual personality is
probably the hardest thing to do and really one of the hallmarks of the specialty.
Okay could you move your jaw to the left side.
The teeth, the bite, the gum, the jaw relationship, the jaw movement has to be harmonious with each other.
As a prosthodontist we measure a lot of different times before
we actually initiate treatment. It was kind of the difference between buying
clothing off the rack or having something custom-made for you.
We do procedures that can be basic from one single crown to implants, dentures,
a combination of implants and dentures. When you're young dentistry is
basically about avoiding cavities and as you get older you find out that's
actually the least of your problems. A lot of the baby boomers are interested
in implants. Well they're at the age now where their restorations that they've
had such as their crowns or caps may be failing.
I wanted an implant instead of my crowns and I had a broken tooth on the bottom too.
We are going to do veneers and some crowns six on the top and about six on the bottom.
Are you excited? "I am."
We are highly trained dentists and when people are seeking the
best in dentistry they should be seeking prosthodontist.
I know I'm making an investment in avoiding real problems in my future.
It was not about the time, it was not about the money it was about doing it right.
I don't know why I'm one of these people who talk about that I have an
implant but maybe it's just because I'm happy with the results.
Oh it makes me feel great I mean I can go into my 50's knowing I don't have to do
anything with my teeth!