Successful Smiles Blog Has Moved

I'm very happy to announce that my Successful Smiles blog is now residing on my Website at: www.helainesmithdmd.com/blog.

Please update your RSS reader and head on over!

This blog will remain "live" but this is the last post.

You Are Not "Superficial" for Wanting a Better Smile

A few weeks ago someone posted to me on Twitter that cosmetic dentistry is for people who are "superficial."

And just recently, someone posted on another dental blog that the rise in cosmetic dentistry is "due to baby boomers concerned about their looks as they age."

These types of comments always get me steamed . . . and not because I'm a dentist but because the people making them are completely uninformed.

Unfortunately, the name for what I do is called "cosmetic dentistry." The key word in this phrase is "cosmetic" and it's the same word used in "cosmetic surgery" -- which generally connotes elective procedures designed to enhance people's looks (i.e. liposuction, nose jobs, etc.).

And because of this use of the word "cosmetic," insurance does not pay for many "cosmetic" dentistry procedures, even though these procedures often restore function to the mouth, jaw, etc.

As a cosmetic dentist, much of what I do is much more than simply "cosmetic."

Although replacing a patient's missing tooth or teeth enhances his/her smile, replacing teeth also helps the patient chew better, and it stabilizes the surrounding teeth. In other words, the patient receives oral health benefits as well.

Missing a tooth or teeth is akin to missing a finger or toe: sure, you can function, but if you could choose, wouldn't you choose to keep all of your fingers and toes? (I would.)

And would any insurance company say, "We won't pay to replace your missing finger -- that's a cosmetic procedure"?

In my newsletter this month I talk about the various treatment options available to fix gaps between teeth.

One of my patients had lived with his "gapped" teeth since childhood. Not only did they look bad, but he also had poor bite and a missing tooth.

Using all porcelain crowns and a bridge, I gave him a beautiful new smile.

When patients see their new smiles, they are often overcome with emotion. Sometimes they even cry.

They've been living with gapped, stained, broken, chipping or missing teeth for years. Yet they hear that wanting to get their teeth fixed is "vain." Only "superficial" people want straight white teeth.

Now they have a beautiful smile -- and the change to their self-esteem is tremendous. They can now smile without having to worry about how their teeth look.

And this where the miracle happens -- the miracle I see frequently in my practice: my patients' lives become transformed.

They feel better about themselves . . . and they have a healthier smile, too.

Back from vacation and feeling good

I've been quiet of late. I attended an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry conference and then went on a much needed vacation.

Now I'm back and as always with vacations . . . the peaceful relaxed feeling you had wears off after a few days of work.

Because the dental conference was in Hawaii, I had a chance to meet Miss Hawaii. Isn't she beautiful?


On another note, I'm also busy moving this blog to WordPress . . . stay tuned for the new URL.

I Love My Dentist Story Contest Winners

I have really enjoyed reading people's stories about why they love their dentists, so it was really hard to choose three winners -- because all of the stories were so good! However, after much consideration, Im please to announce the winners:

First place: Cindy Ludwig / Dr. Reid Clark -- "Patient Loses Fear of Visiting the Dentist"

Second place: Robin MacDonald / Dr. Eric Vanek -- "Dentist Helps Patient Out of 'Dark Cave' of Oral Health"

Third place: Tanya Kormeili, MD / Dr. Poneh Ghasri -- "California Dermatologist Explains Why She Loves her Dentist"

After reading the stories again, I understood the reasons why people love their dentists (and it has nothing to do with filling cavities):

1. Exceptional dentists eliminate all fear -- As a few of the contestants wrote, they were afraid to visit the dentist due to dental trauma from childhood. I understand this fear because many patients write to me telling me how they haven't visited the dentist in years because of fear.

Great dentists eliminate this fear through various methods: communicating with patients and using techniques and technologies to reduce pain. Dental procedures don't have to hurt -- and dentists should not be causing people trauma.

2. Exceptional dentists provide advanced procedures -- When it comes to dentistry, everything matters, from the office setting to the dentist's chairside manner. But most important, however, great dentists practice modern dentistry, whether it's one-visit crowns, dental implants or full mouth reconstruction. Dentists can no longer simply fill cavities.

3. Exceptional dentists provide exceptional care -- As many people pointed out in their stories, they loved their dentists because they had a personal one-on-one relationship with them. This relationship is what makes the difference between a good dentist and an exceptional dentist.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Sex! Mentioned in Boston Globe Article

The Boston Globe ran an article about social media in its Sunday, April 26 edition. In his article, "Increasingly, marketing isn't just one-way street," reporter Scott Kirsner talks about how advertising -- and reaching consumers -- is changing.

He uses examples from local area companies, including Dunkin' Donuts, BzzAgent, HubSpot -- and yes, my e-book, "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Sex!" Woot!

Eight Year Old Boy Loves His Dentist

Today is the last "I Love My Dentist" story. I saved this one for last because it's written by Aidan Thomas Hornaday, age eight. According to Aidan's mother, Aidan talked about his dentist at a media event and even handed out some of his cards -- which he keeps in an harmonica case!

Writes Aidan:

"My dentist, Dr. Ashish Patel, is the happiest dentist on the earth. His office is full of happy people and I love to go there. I feel good about my teeth there. And I feel good about myself there.

"I get my teeth cleaned and then I see Dr. Patel smiling and so happy to be looking in my mouth. He is the best dentist and has cool things in his office like headsets to listen to my favorite DVDs.

"I can tell he cares about me and my family. Even with hard stuff, like my mom's new crowns he was sweet and his machines are awesome. So if someone got a mouth full of cavities, I would say to go to Dr. Patel because he cares and he loves his patients.
"Even in the waiting room I watch amazing nature shows on his big screen. So it's not bad going there, it's great. They have done everything great that you can think of. It's all there. I am his happy patient."

Aidan, I'm glad you've found a wonderful dentist who knows how to give you exceptional care -- and that you won't grow up fearing the dentist. Dr. Patel should be proud that he has a patient like you.

Public Speaker Loves Both Dentists

When you need more extensive dental work, such full mouth reconstruction, you may have to see a cosmetic dentist who specializes in more advanced procedures. Celia Milton is one such person.

A New Jersey Wedding Ceremony Officiant and Minister, Celia writes that she was in need of extensive implants and reconstruction. Her regular dentist referred her to Dr. Robert Jaffin, DMD, a periodontist in Hackensack, NJ and Dr. Jorge Barrios, DDS, a prosthodontist in HoHoKus, NJ. Celia writes:

"When my regular dentist referred me to these dentists, I was terrified, and very depressed about the whole process. I am a public speaker; my appearance and my ability to speak (of course) is of primary importance to me.

"Every step of the way, Dr. Jaffin and Dr. Barrios made me feel comfortable, confident, and hopeful about my result. They worked together seamlessly, and the result is just amazing; my smile is beautiful and natural.

"They also went out of their way to involve everyone in their office in my journey. I can't say enough about their artistry, their professional expertise and their warm and concerned treatment of someone who was very obviously freaking out. I love them both."

Celia, thank you for your story! Your smile is beautiful.