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HEALTH b EAuTy
Changing Peoples' Lives... BY ASH PARMAR PORCELAIN VENEERS In December, I was privileged to attend a world-class dental seminar in Istanbul. e Course was with arguably the best porcelain veneer dentist in the world called Galip Gurel, and also a pioneering dentist/technician called Christian Coachman who teaches about the Digital Smile Design concept. In this article, I am going to focus on the latest updates on porcelain veneers – many times an excellent solution for improving a smile. A person may be embarrassed with his or her smile due to problems such as crookedness of teeth, gaps between teeth, discolorations or even missing teeth. In modern cosmetic dentistry, there are numerous options available. e key pre-requisite for doing porcelain veneer treatment is to have teeth in the RIGHT POSITION first. is often means a course of orthodontic treatment (i.e. braces) beforehand. Once this is achieved, then the amount of tooth preparation is very minimal (up to 0.5mm only), or indeed none at all. When the thin porcelain veneers are bonded to the outer layer called enamel, then the long-term strength and success rates are very high (nearly 98% after many years in a recent study published by Galip Gurel and his team). e Course I went on was a live demonstration. ere was a young man called Mahmut who had damaged his teeth a lot from acid erosion (caused by drinking a lot of fizzy drinks). His teeth appeared to be much smaller, darker and with gaps between them. It 36
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HAVING FUN AND LEARNING FROM THE BEST - ISTANBUL DECEMBER 2013
was obvious that Mahmut was really embarrassed with smiling – photos and a video were taken of him talking and smiling. e smile was then analysed using sophisticated computerized techniques to really understand where his smile was, and where the cosmetic dentist could take him. e technician then also created aesthetic wax ups on a model of Mahmut’s teeth. is was a “mock up” or a blueprint of his new smile. Special white filling material was then used to create a trial smile in his mouth within minutes. e new portrait photographs and video showed a completely new person. Mahmut was smiling confidently and this was evident by the sparkle in his eyes. Christian finally created an emotional Keynote presentation with music to show the young man’s transformation. Seeing the emotional reaction from Mahmut and also how the new smile with porcelain veneers will completely change
his life was a very special moment for us all. is emotional reaction (often with tears) is also what I have experienced many times, and it is humbling to acknowledge what cosmetic dentistry can do for someone. So returning back to Smile Design By Ash in Chigwell, UK I feel invigorated and excited about implementing the latest skills I have learnt from my mentors. One of the most exciting and innovative services I will now offer is a consultation for any person that is embarrassed with their smile to come in and have a complimentary Digital Smile Design concept just like what Mahmut had. Using photos, video analysis and mock ups (or a trial smile in the mouth), I will be able to immediately show how the smile will look in relation to the full face. Most of my advanced dental training in the past has been in America, and in recent years I have selected the best dentists in Europe to understand what
both continents have to offer. So, whether someone is after a “Hollywood white smile”, or a “beautiful, natural, more European smile”, my master ceramist technician and I can create this. Finally, I would like to announce the launch of a new idea called “Whitening Wednesdays”. As a dental practice, we will offer any patient teeth whitening treatments at half price (i.e. 50% off ) if they come in on a Wednesday. We only use ZOOM, the No.1 professional whitening system recommended by dentists. So if you have straight teeth, but simply want them whiter so that you look younger and feel more confident, then book in a date for a Wednesday! For other concerns, please phone our Patient Care Coordinator Dee on 020 85000544. Also don’t forget to check out our newly launched and redesigned website www.smiledesignbyash.co.uk ■