Smile transformation creates emotional journeys

April 14, 2008

The stress and worry during a complex dental case isn’t only felt by the patient - as all sorts of pressures, not least that of expectation, can fall directly on your friendly dentist’s shoulders.

But its worth it!

As a cosmetic and implant dentist, the greatest feeling in the world is when a mouth has been transformed and a person smiles for the first time with their new teeth.

The first reaction is revealed in the eyes - as bright as the north star, sometimes with tears, sometimes laughter and occasionally a stunned silence. But always there is a sincere joy at the lifting of that invisible veil of self-consciousness.

These are the jewels in my working life.

Nothing compares.

Posted by Andrew | Filed Under Aesthetic Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants | 1 Comment

Aesthetic Dentistry Conference:What about Botox?

March 23, 2008

Time to read: approx 2 minutes

I’ve just returned from the Aesthetic Dentistry conference at the NEC Birmingham (www.aesthetic-dentist.co.uk). It’s my first time at this particular event as I am more often found at the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry conference (www.BAAD.org.co.uk) or related events.

Those of you who have read past posts of mine or been on the website will know that I am a keen member of BAAD and actively involved in providing high end ‘aesthetic’ dentistry in my day to day private practice in Essex.

This ‘Aesthetic Dentistry’ conference was organised by a number of the cosmetic/aesthetic dental companies headed by Dr Bob Khanna. ‘Dr Bob’ as he is affectionately known in our little community is a dentist who has branched out somewhat from Aesthetic Dentistry to get involved (heavily) in non-surgical cosmetic enhancement ie Botox, Dermal Fillers etc.

I have to say that I have been a fence dweller on this subject for some years now -not least because it seems a bit crazy to be injecting people’s faces with Botulinum Toxin- a well known poison- simply to make a few crows’ feet recede for 3 0r 4 months. ‘Take poison, feel better’ is a contradiction in terms, surely?

More seriously, I have also been waiting to see if repeat doses of this stuff are going to cause any permanent damage….and I have to admit that considering how much of it has been administered over the years both here and in the US, there is no evidence of any ill-health effects providing the practitioner is properly trained. And Dr Bob showed some compelling before and after photos of his work that demonstrated what a difference these treatments can make. There is no doubt that in the right pair of hands and with an eye for the aesthetic/artistic, significant improvements can be made.

Should dentists be using this stuff?

Well the ‘it’s not proper dentistry’ thing is now out the window, with only very conservative types considering any cosmetic dental enhancement as ‘not proper dentistry’.

We have definitely reached a point where it is ‘okay’ to want to improve one’s self and one’s appearance and this now extends well into dentistry. So it’s hardly a quantam leap to go from providing cosmetic/aesthetic dentistry to including non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments as part of the modern cosmetic dental surgery services.

The other argument ‘in favour’ is that dentists have a specialist knowledge of the face, not just the teeth, including muscles, nerves and blood vessels, where they are and what they do. Add to this is the infamous familiarity we have for -dare I say it- needles, and I am beginning to believe my own rhetoric!

Watch this space….

Posted by Andrew | Filed Under Aesthetic Dentistry, Botox | Leave a Comment