FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 2000
CONTACT:Jann Ingmire[email protected]
Fred Peterson[email protected]
McCormick Place Convention Center (Rm. 115)Chicago, Illinois312/791-6625 or312/440-2806 (ADA)
Vanity No Longer a Bad Word
CHICAGO -- Smile enhancement is the reason many patients actually want to come to the dentist's office. So says David A. Garber, D.M.D., who will present the latest information on restorative and cosmetic dental procedures at the American Dental Association's (ADA) 141st Annual Session, Sunday, October 15, 2000, at McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago.
"Dentistry has evolved dramatically over the past few years by virtue of the less invasive conservative and restorative materials we now have available that provide predictable long-term results and are so much more natural looking, " Dr. Garber says. "We're moving from a needs-based dental practice to a want-based practice, i.e., from taking care of pain to improving the way people look and feel about themselves."
Many of his patients are baby boomers with some discretionary income who he says have this desire to look younger and feel better about themselves. "Adhesive stick-on dentistry is often a non-invasive way to enhance the way people look by providing them with prettier, whiter teeth through cosmetic dental procedures," Dr. Garber notes.
He says the approach to smile enhancements has changed, as well. "Up until recently, the cosmetic techniques were primarily focused on taking care of problems in single teeth. Now, we look at the whole smile. We can revamp an entire smile and develop harmonious dental-facial relationships."
Dr. Garber uses computer simulation or imaging to work with the patient to decide what the finished smile will look like. "The dentist becomes an artist, except we are working in reverse with the frame first -- the smile. We have to compose or rearrange the graphic elements, the teeth, the gums, within that frame in an appealing way, not just fix individual teeth."
Bonding, (which uses tooth-colored materials to cover discoloration, repair chips or fill in gaps) or bleaching the teeth (to make them whiter) are two of the most affordable procedures that can enhance a smile, Dr. Garber says. Laminate veneers are another option. Veneers are thin custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the visible surfaces. Veneers are similarly used to close gaps or cover teeth that are stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked.
"Dentists have been working with veneers for almost 20 years, and they've proved to be one of the most successful procedures done by dentists. They really can change the way a person looks," Dr. Garber adds.
More invasive procedures include using periodontic (gum) sculpting techniques to enhance the way people look. "If someone has a very gummy smile and won't fully open their mouths to smile because of it, we can usually help that patient," Dr. Garber explains. "I can sculpt the gum tissue by lifting it toward the upper lip, so more of the teeth and less of the gum show when the person smiles."
Dr. Garber believes enhancing your smile is just another way people can present themselves in the best light possible. "It's the same idea as women applying make-up every morning or men shaving. They are self-enhancements that should not be considered vanity. Everyone wants to look good and to feel good, and now dentists can jump start that pursuit."
For more information about the American Dental Association's (ADA) position on this and other health issues, visit the ADA Web site at www.ada.org.
###
RSS