Dr Gatti's Blog a Lawrence Dentist Reflections

Technology, new research and state of the art equipment can really make a difference in your smile!

At the Studio, we enjoy restoring a person’s smile by using various restorations such as porcelain crowns, veneers and Cerec restorations. However, prevention is always the best option and we now have a longer list of products that can actually help us remineralize enamel in ways we couldn’t before: that is from the bottom up. Remember that enamel breaks down under the surface first. Then after some time, the top layer caves in, creating a hole.

We’ve known for a long time that fluoride works on the surface of enamel. It is best when used frequently in small doses. It gives the enamel a chance to rebuild the fluorohydroxyapatite molecules that are acid-resistant and is very helpful in preventing demineralization. Xylitol is a product found in certain brands of chewing gum and mints which acts directly on bacteria and is very helpful in remineralization protocols. Other products being used to actually rebuild the enamel include amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), casein phosphopeptide-ccalcium phosphate (CPP-ACP, also known as Recaldent), the arginine bicarbonate/calcium carbonate complex and calcium sodium phosphosilicate complex (NovaMin).

Sounds confusing, right? Let’s remember that, in order to maintain intact enamel, its imperative that healthy saliva be present. Healthy saliva has calcium, phosphate, fluoride, and bicarbonate among other things in it. Each has its own job to do and, when it’s not there, chaos happens, white spot lesions form in the enamel, and eventually it collapses in on itself, creating a hole, better known as a cavity.

What to use where becomes the next question. Of course, there’s no one answer. The bottom line is that you need a diagnosis; only then can you formulate a treatment plan and figure out what products are going to be the best fit. I highly recommend you talk with your dentist or a cosmetic dentist and seek his or her help in sorting out which products will be most helpful for you.

The many facets of cosmetic dentistry  in Lawrence 

Over the past several weeks I have been addressing many facets of cosmetic dentistry. I have looked at what is involved in whitening teeth, how interdisciplinary dentistry is often times involved and how cosmetic dentists view situations differently than just disease prevention.  I thought over the next couple of weeks I could show you some cosmetic cases that we have been able to accomplish. Some will be relatively simple and others will be very complex.  I will try to show a couple of each type of case with each posting. Let’s see if I can’t keep it fun and interesting.  

Case I

When Alix was young she sustained trauma to her front teeth which led to discoloration that was very disconcerting to her. As we discussed available options with her it became clear that she was not only concerned about the coloration of the traumatized teeth, but also about the spacing, the positioning of the lateral incisor and the overall coloration of her teeth as well. 

These are issues that can be best addressed by a cosmetic dentist.

After discussing multiple options she decided that she would like to involve as few teeth as possible, but yet she wanted to have a great smile. 

The treatment involved whitening all of her teeth and the placement of porcelain veneers on her front four teeth.

See what you think? 
This is Alix’s un-retouched photo!

Case II

Sharon never really liked (this really is an understatement of how she explained it to me – but I think you get the idea) the spaces between her front teeth. She was alright with the overall coloration, however if she were going to address her smile she ideally wanted her teeth to be whiter and brighter.

After reviewing the options, waxing up an option on her models and then “mocking up” her smile temporarily in her mouth, it was decided to limit the treatment to the front four teeth.As with the previous case we were able to whiten her teeth, then place porcelain veneers on her front four teeth. She was elated with the outcome and still finds it hard to believe that she got such a dramatic result with only involving four teeth. Take a look!

Being a Lawrence Cosmetic Dentist is…

In an another post, I sorted out the differences between the branches of dentistry. Today I want to reflect on what it means to me to be a cosmetic dentist.

Every cosmetic dentist is concerned about the appearance of the teeth and smile while working on the oral health of patients.

When I am working with my patients I will evaluate how important the appearance of their teeth and smile are to them. The majority of my clients want their mouths to be healthy and to look natural. Every dental restoration, whether it is a crown, implant, veneer, bridge or filling can be made in such a way as to achieve an esthetic, natural looking result. Dental restoration is the primary work of a cosmetic dentist.

Obviously, people come to me for different reasons. Some want to create a truly dazzling appearance. Others have dental problems and want their mouths to be healthy, comfortable, and able to chew normally. So, whether you want a “perfect” smile or to just subtly enhance your existing healthy smile, it can be accomplished. There is both an art and science to creating a beautiful smile that will give you confidence. So, for me, a cosmetic dentist, it is always looking at how the veneer, crown or implant can result in natural appearance. 

To attain the result you want we have to begin with the end in mind. Everyone has a different concept of beauty, and it holds true to oral health and appearance as well. Some clients come to me knowing that they want their teeth to look a certain way. Others don’t really have any idea of what is possible. In either case we have developed means to assure the correct result for you is attained. 

Planning the cosmetic result is essential to attain a natural, beautiful result.

Cosmetic dentistry without regard to function will often lead to failure. Porcelain veneers and crowns can be done in a manner that makes it virtually impossible for anyone to detect that they are not your natural teeth. Not every case is complex, but they almost always take careful planning and study. So, whether I am restoring one tooth with a crown or rehabilitating your entire mouth with veneers, crowns and implants, I want the end result to be beautiful, functional and appear natural.  

Cosmetic dentistry is the same everywhere, I chose Lawrence as my home, and I enjoy the work that I do in this town. This is what it means to me to be a Lawrence cosmetic dentist.