Dans Papers - June 1, 2007 - Smile, Beautiful!

The term "Cosmetic Dentistry," also called "Aesthetic Dentistry," applies to any procedure that enhances your smile and improves your overall appearance. Far from being a fad, aesthetic dentistry has moved into the mainstream of healthcare. Each year, thousands of people are visiting their dentists in order to maintain optimum health and create more attractive smiles. Cosmetic dentistry can produce a beautiful smile and so much more.

Prior to 1970, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" was the standard of dental care received by most patients. Dentistry was a reactive profession. Dentists would focus on existing pain and ignore any other questionable symptoms. Patients became conditioned to treat only immediate problems. This mindset created future complications often resulting in tooth extractions and ultimately to false teeth. Combating the problems at earlier stages could have prevented tooth loss.

Seventy-five million American baby boomers have discovered they have failing dental health. Their desire to achieve improved physical appearance has brought countless individuals to seek the advice of cosmetic dentists. Many of these boomers are looking to rid themselves of the unsightly mercury restorations and improve their appearance and physical health. They are discovering how advanced dental care not only repairs tooth damage but also improves their looks, adds to their total wellness and may relieve chronic pain.

Today, in medicine and dentistry, advancements in technology and technique are accelerating at a faster pace. Dentists have learned new methods that require proactive approaches. Although most of us are born with structurally sound teeth, it is our own responsibility to preserve them. As we go through life, excessive wear and tear can be detrimental to retaining healthy teeth. Our teeth are exposed to sugars, acids, chewing, grinding, braces and general abuse. Periodic checkups can keep you ahead of any potential problems.

Picture your teeth traveling down the river of life. There are rocks, rapids and a waterfall waiting at the end of the river. At no point in your travels do you want to be tossed over the edge of the falls, which represents the loss of your teeth. To combat this force, we must constantly paddle upstream in order to maintain oral health longevity. Your dentist can be your captain on the river, helping you navigate away from the waterfall, ensuring you retain your beautiful smile.

Currently, dentists detect deterioration and breakdown of teeth and bones at a much earlier stage. This early awareness enables them to treat problems before they reach a critical state. One of the positive results of this proactive philosophy is a newfound realization that our teeth are connected to our total body wellness. Our overall health can positively be affected by procedures performed by your dentist. For example, restoring a worn, sunken, collapsed bite may often improve other chronic health symptoms. Some of these physical ailments, which may be eliminated from the use of advanced dental techniques, include morning headaches, neck stiffness, ear pain and various joint pains. Popping joints, clicking jaws, face and eye pain can also be relieved by procedures performed by a dentist with advanced training.

Jaw position is a delicate matter of balance. If the bite is out of alignment, jaw and facial muscles will strain and create spasms that are perceived as pain. As these muscles continue to strain, our bodies react by moving our teeth, which causes grinding and creates pain and tooth wear. An unbalanced bite is often one of the main causes of cosmetic problems. Correcting the bite is essential to insure good mouth functioning. A Rolls Royce with a smashed windshield is just as undesirable as a sparkling smile with a misaligned bite.

Finding a qualified cosmetic dentist may require some research. The dentist should have many years of postdoctoral restorative and cosmetic training.

Patients should be able to view before and after photographs of cases actually performed by the dentist. The office should be clean, organized and utilize the latest technologies such as digital x-rays, lasers, digital photography and computerization. Most importantly, the doctor and office staff should create a relaxed atmosphere giving the patients adequate time to explain their concerns and needs.

Dr. Guy A. Spinner is a graduate of New York at Buffalo Dental School, and The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He has completed over ten postdoctoral hands on courses over the last six years. He is listed on the Internet at www.leadingdentists.com and www.drspinner.com.

Dr. Spinner's office, Smile Solutions, is located at 16 Old Riverhead Road, Westhampton Beach. For more information call (631) 288-9000.