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The return of spring calls for new beginnings. If you visualize yourself in bloom, what feature would you most like to improve? Could it be a dull smile that makes you look older? No matter what dental issues you may have, metro Detroit professionals offer a range of the most advanced therapies to revitalize your smile and take years off your appearance.
Teeth that are worn, cracked, chipped, or discolored can be renewed with tooth contouring, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and crowns. Silver fillings that have blackened show your age, so consider replacing that material with tooth-colored composite resins. For the whitest and brightest smile, try in-office or at-home tooth-bleaching. Restore your smile and boost your confidence with minimally invasive gum treatments, invisible braces, and natural-looking dental implants.
A healthy, youthful smile also relies on good oral habits. Brush your teeth lightly for two minutes, at least twice a day, and floss daily. See your dentist for regular cleanings and exams. Making simple lifestyle changes — like chewing sugarless gum after meals and drinking more fluoridated water throughout the day — will help keep your smile as sweet as spring.
Q: I’m too young to look old! I want a great new smile, and I want it yesterday! How do I “shop” for my new smile?
A: To assure that your smile is picture perfect, seek an exceptional dental practice. Dr. Craig Goldin, Dr. Marcy Goldin, and Dr. David Whalen of the award-winning Cosmetic Dentistry Institute provide all phases of general, cosmetic, sedation, and implant dentistry, so you can have all of your dental problems conveniently treated in one office.
“Whatever your dental needs are, your visit will be comfortable and painless, as well as efficient and high-tech. With cosmetic dentistry, a beautiful new smile can change your life,” says Dr. Marcy Goldin, an adjunct clinical lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
Dr. Craig Goldin is the only accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in eastern Michigan. AACD Fellowship is recognized as the highest level of competence in cosmetic dentistry, and only 65 dentists in the world have earned this distinction. He is also a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, which allows him to both place and restore state-of-the-art dental implants.
“Beautiful, natural-looking implants can last a lifetime and allow you to smile, chew, and speak more confidently,” says Dr. Craig Goldin, who also has advanced training and certification in IV sedation. “With sedation dentistry, patients who are anxious or busy can be totally relaxed and have multiple dental procedures done in as little as one visit.”
“Everything we do,” adds Dr. David Whalen, “is driven by our pledge to go above and beyond for our patients.”
Q: What should I consider when looking for a new dentist?
A: Concern, credentials, and commitment to the profession.
Dr. Aziza Askari, who has a very strong commitment to and passion for her dental profession, has received comprehensive training in full-mouth reconstruction including implants, oral surgical procedures, cosmetic dentistry, personalized smile makeovers, and sedation. She is a graduate of the University of Sciences in Philadelphia (pharmacology) and the Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, and holds the prestigious combined D.M.D./M.B.A. degree. Dr. Askari has also been recognized by the University of Michigan for Advanced Education in Dentistry. She remains at the forefront of her profession by pursuing continuing education opportunities.
Recognized as a Top Dentist in Hour Detroit for many years in a row, Dr. Askari is a member of select dental organizations and has earned numerous certifications, including: Sustaining member of AACD; Sedation by Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation (DOCS); Laser Proficiency from the Academy of Laser Dentistry; Invisalign, Implants, and Teeth-In-An-Hour by Nobel BioCare; Advance Aesthics by Hornbrook Group; and MAGD Mastership from the Academy of General Dentistry.
What do those accreditations mean? It means that Dr. Askari doesn’t rest on her current knowledge, but continues to seek out medical and technological advances in her field so she can provide the best possible patient care.
Q: What can I do to get rid of my CPAP machine?
A: Many people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are reluctant to wear a CPAP mask over their nose while they sleep, as they find it cumbersome and uncomfortable. Dr. Dolores Baran points out that a majority of OSA patients can be successfully treated with a custom-fit, FDA-approved oral appliance.
“This alternative therapy holds your jaw in a forward position to prevent the tongue from falling back into your throat and blocking your airway. It allows you to sleep and breathe easier,” she says. “Patients with sleep apnea experience multiple pauses in breathing during sleep, which can result in lifethreatening health problems. In most cases, patients are more compliant using an oral appliance than a CPAP mask.”
Dr. Baran has completed advanced training for oral appliance therapy so she can provide a comfortable, safe, and effective alternative for patients who are unable or unwilling to use a CPAP. Call today to see if you’re a candidate for oral appliance therapy.
Q: How can you treat gum disease without invasive surgery?
A: One of the latest treatment options starts with a microscope. Dr. Joseph Nemeth is the first periodontist in Michigan to be trained and personally certified by Montreal dentist Dr. Mark Bonner in his technique “Cure for Periodontal Disease,” a new noninvasive, nonsurgical therapy for gum disease.
“We use a microscope to identify harmful bacteria that are causing the gum disease. We clean the teeth, and the patient uses home care techniques to kill the bacteria and eliminate the disease,” Dr. Nemeth explains. “We don’t have to cut or stitch the gums. It’s really remarkable.”
Dr. Nemeth also uses LANAP laser-based therapy to painlessly treat gum disease, targeting the source of inflammation without removing any healthy gum tissue.
“LANAP not only stops gum disease, it’s the only laser cleared by the FDA for the regeneration of bone and soft tissue that has been destroyed by the disease process,” he says.
Dr. Nemeth was the first periodontist in the state to be trained and certified in the minimally invasive Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Technique to lengthen receding gums with no incisions or stitches. If a patient has a “gummy” smile, Dr. Nemeth recontours the excess gum tissue so the teeth look appropriate and beautiful.
“It’s very exciting that we can help our patients enjoy a healthier and more attractive smile using these ultraminimally- invasive techniques,” he says.
Q: Can physical therapy help my TMJ pain?
A: When treating TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), the specially trained physical therapists at Team Rehab will analyze a patient’s posture, look for dysfunctions in the patient’s neck, and examine the range of motion of the jaw to detect where the TMJ stems from and to develop an individualized program of treatment for each patient. Physical therapy treatments may include ultrasound, moist heat, ice, stretching, and exercises that help improve posture and muscle strength. Manual therapy can also be used to relax the muscles of the neck and face, relieving any stiffness in the muscles of the jaw and neck. Physical therapists may also work on the muscle structures inside the mouth, to move the temporomandibular joint out of a compressed state and into a painless state of rest. Team Rehab therapists can ease your TMJ pain.
Q: Is it possible that I could be hurting my teeth at home?
A: A strong coating of enamel protects your teeth from decay and sensitivity. Although enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, it can wear away due to certain foods you eat and your oral care habits.
Highly acidic foods and drinks — including citrus fruits and juices, carbonated soda, black coffee, and wine — are very abrasive to tooth enamel. Just four daily acidic experiences can put your enamel at risk.
Consider these steps to prevent acid wear:
• Reduce your exposure to acidic foods and drinks.
• Avoid sipping acidic drinks. Use a straw to protect your teeth.
• Drink water while you eat acidic foods.
• Chew sugar-free gum with xylitol between meals to boost saliva, which reduces acids and strengthens teeth with calcium and other minerals.
Brushing your teeth too soon after eating an acidic meal also weakens tooth enamel. Instead, rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride-containing mouth rinse, or eat a calcium-rich dairy product like cheese. Wait at least 30 minutes and then brush gently, using a soft toothbrush and low-abrasion fluoride toothpaste.
You may want to add an enamelstrengthening dental product or a remineralizing treatment to your oral hygiene routine. If you have questions regarding enamel loss, call Dr. Mindy Salzberg-Siegel to discuss your concerns.
Q: What’s the difference between Sleep Disordered Breathing and Sleep Apnea?
A: Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is an umbrella term for anything that disrupts the natural ability to breathe when sleeping.
Apnea is a stoppage or pause in breathing. It can last several seconds to several minutes, and occur 5-30 times or more per hour. When this happens the heart rate slows, blood pressure rises, the brain is aroused, and sleep is disrupted. Your physician can definitely diagnose Sleep Apnea and which type through a Sleep Study.
Snoring can be an obvious indication, but not necessarily. Other signs include mouth breathing, an open bite, and dark circles under the eyes. In children, SDB can mimic behavioral problems often associated with ADHD.
Dentists trained in SDB have solutions to enhance natural jaw development and correct mild to moderate cases. It’s also an effective TMD and headache treatment without surgery, drugs or injections. The benefit for children is even greater: enhanced airway development, proper jaw formation and a beautiful smile, usually without braces.
