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Men Need/Want a Great Smile, Too!

"A young, healthy smile now is part of good grooming." So says Dr. Daniel J Deutsch, at the Washington Center for Dentistry, about the increasing number of men who seek out esthetic dental services in his practice.

"It used to be that women patients talked about cosmetic concerns when it came to their teeth," he says. "But now more and more men ask about keeping up their looks with bleaching, veneers and bonding."

Dr. Deutsch explains that many of his male patients are noticing how a colleague's improved smile provides important currency in the world of business.

And that business environment has changed. Men no longer can expect to work for one employer in their lifetime. And today's lay-offs and company closings are forcing middle-aged men to compete for jobs with their younger counterparts, making appearance a desirable factor in the work place.

"It used to be that men waved off the notion of the smallest appearance-related treatment," says Dr. Deutsch. "Now, they're calling up and scheduling to have it all done at once."

We recently greeted a new patient with our usual: a warm welcome, a tour of the office and an offer of a bottle of cool spring water. But, this visit was anything but routine for the 29-year-old education administrator.

And so it was surprising to note that the otherwise sophisticated and cool professional seemed clearly uncomfortable in our office. We later learned that a bad experience as a young girl had made her deathly afraid of the dentist.

"This is a typical instance where a trauma at the dentist early in life can shape the kind of dental patient you will be as an adult," says Dr. Annie Yu, at the Washington Center for Dentistry. "Stating he intended only to "check" on a very loose tooth in her mouth, the dentist instead yanked hard. The tooth was not ready to come out. Trauma resulted for the then little girl patient who had placed a lot of innocant trust in the only dental professional she knew."

The patient now is dealing with a complex problem: anxiety about dentistry and dental problems stemming from neglect from anxiety about dentistry. "Sometimes these traumas leave deep scars," says Dr. Yu. "So we try to ease them back into a dental comfort zone and stable health."

Dr. Yu's approach includes making shorter appointments that are easier to tolerate and nitrous oxide and oral premedication that help ease anxiety. "All of these strategies help the patient experience a new reality in the dentist's office that is not threatening and much more comfortable," Dr Yu says. "These things really work."
Be well...judi

Electric Toothbrushes Up the Wattage of Your Pearly Whites!

Here's the latest word when it comes to toothbrushes: Go for power! Whether run by battery or electricity, these auto-brushes come in a wide variety: Some pulse. Some rotate. Some pulse and rotate. And some vibrate at "sonic" speed.

No matter the version--dentists and dental hygienists tout the effectiveness of an electric-powered toothbrush. And get the one with a small round head. Brushes with large heads don't easily reach into small areas--like the backs of rear molars.

"You need to get bristles--which mimic the curved shape of the gum tissue around each tooth--to run right along that arcing line," says Soosan Mehrani, our hygienist at the Washington Center for Dentistry. "And the mechanical action works as an exercise machine for your gums, keeping them pink, tight--just like they should be!"

And so it's no surprise that dental professionals observe that motorized models are less technique-sensitive. "How often are we tired before bed and fail to give our all to proper brushing," Soosan says. "This often leads to food building up in certain areas, causing inflammation and problems."

So the answer is an electric model that pulses and rotates in a consistent way--no matter how tired we are. We get a solid, competent brushing every time, even in the back of the back of our mouth. And our smile stays healthy the electric way! And may the force be with you!

Be well...judi

Today's Job Applicants Add Teeth to Their Appearance Checklist

These have been challenging times for Annette S.--who recently joined the ranks of unemployed attorneys in Washington, DC--and soon after joined the ranks of people with a brand new smile!

"I was out on the job market for the first time in years, and the first thing I thought was 'I need a better smile,' " says the mother of two young boys. "I need everything going for me when I feel like competition is so fierce."

Annette searched online, and chose our office after viewing the before-and-after photos on our website. "The photos showed real people getting good looking smiles," says Annette, who explains that it was so important to get a natural look that would be right for her.

"The smiles we display on our website--of our very own patients--are key reasons many people feel comfortable coming here," says Dr. Daniel J. Deutsch, of the Washington Center for Dentistry, in Washington, DC. "When it comes to such an important thing like a smile, people need something to help them decide who to trust."

And so after one whitening session, gum reshaping, and six veneers--Annette now glows with the confidence of a woman with a stunning smile. A smile that is just right for her.

Be well...judi

Ever wonder where high-profile celebrities in our area get their beautiful smiles? Well, when it comes to professional athletes, news anchors and reporters, well-heeled fundraiser-types, government, business big-wigs and fashionistas--we can proudly say: "THEY COME HERE!"

While we can't name names, we do get our share of patients who might be termed
A-Listers--for those of us who keep up with those things.

But the curious thing we can divulge is that when it comes to their smiles, the well-known are extremely interested in ways to keep up appearances--with little or no detection.

Fortunately, today's advanced dentistry works well in the "subtlety" department. Especially when it comes to the new esthetic of keeping things "natural."

Here are examples of treatments that make a big difference, but easily go undetected:
* Whitening and Invisalign invisible braces provide a clean, bright, symmetrical new look.
* Whitening and four upper porcelain veneers work wonders for a new look.
* Whitening and four upper front porcelain crowns and four lower porcelain crowns create a young, healthy new smile.
* Implants, whitening and porcelain veneers fill out the lip-line and provide a young, healthy look.
Be well...judi

Contractors and political organizers are not the only workers spiffing up things around here for the big inaugural doings next week. It appears many people have been spiffing up other things for the new regime as well: Their smiles.

"Call it inaugural fever, but one patient who has been thinking about improving his smile for along time, was so excited about our new president coming to town that he decided now is the time to look his best for all the parties and celebrations he's going to," says Dr. Sherman H. Telis, of the Washington Center for Dentistry, a practice located just a few blocks from The White House.

Here's the rundown on the new smile:
* Our technician conducted a Britesmile whitening session to lighten all existing teeth.
* Our periodontist, Dr. Madjid Matin, reshaped the gum tissue around the front teeth to provide a graceful new smile line.
* Dr. Telis placed eight lustrous all-porcelain crowns to create an exquisite new smile.

"Now he's happy to face the inauguration in 2009!" says Dr. Telis.

And it appears inaugural fever reaches as far away as Moscow. From thousands of miles--but only a cyber-click away--our first new patient from that part of the world came all the way to our office this week--for a complete smile makeover!! She was certainly happy to be visiting during such a momentous time for our country.

"This beautiful young woman said she researched dentists all over the internet, and we are immensely flattered that she felt instantly comfortable coming here to get the smile she always wanted," says Dr. Daniel J. Deutsch, also of the Washington Center for Dentistry. "And being here this week is a bonus."

Here's the rundown on her new smile:
* Our technician conducted a Britesmile whitening session to lighten the shade of the existing teeth.
* Dr. Peter Rinaldi placed ten beautiful all-porcelain "Art-Sculpt" veneers across the top of her smile.
* Dr. Deutsch placed seven exquisite all-porcelain crowns and bridges to enhance and replace missing teeth on her lower arch.

The Happy Inaugural Result: Two stunning new smiles that would befit any new administration.

Be well...judi