Special
Archives February 2004
Smiles
Out of Shadows
By Pat Lawrence
Few treatments are more beautifying than a woman’s own happy
smile but dental problems can turn smiles into anxiety and embarrassment.
Cosmetic dentistry has been enormously successful in restoring smiles
lost to crooked, malformed or discolored teeth, degenerative disease
or changes from aging.
Dentist Mark Simpson of Creative Cosmetic Concepts says, “Technological
advances in dental materials and procedures have given us the most durable
and beautiful solutions we’ve ever had in dentistry.” He
says the rapidly growing popularity of whitening treatments reflects
the value people put on their smile. “The most common complaint
I hear is “I’m not happy with my smile. What can I do to
make it better?”
Dr. Simpson says, ”There are a wide range of safe, long lasting
options to look better and feel better– and the procedures can
all be done comfortably.” He says one of the most dramatic
changes in faces comes from properly redesigned dentures “using
dental implants to support the dentures so they stay in place.”
Although many people use adhesive creams, Dr. Simpson says they can
actually lead to more destruction of the bone, because “They make
people feel confident, without fixing the problem.”
With full mouth rehabilitation, all the teeth are prepared at the same
time, assuring that the face is balanced and the bite’s right.
“It usually takes place in one visit. Premedication and
options like Valium or nitrous oxide keep patients comfortable, and
they leave looking and feeling good.”
Veneers are one of the beautiful solutions to bad teeth. “They’re
made of ceramic – made in a lab and fired in an oven – so
they don’t absorb stain and can be used on discolored, crooked,
misshapen or fractured teeth.” Dr Simpson says he has placed
over 24,000 veneers in his practice.
For missing teeth, he suggests dental implants., “Existing teeth
aren’t needed for support with implants. We put in a small titanium
post. Bone grasps on to it just like to a tooth. The
post stimulates bone to minimize shrinkage, unlike a bridge which allows
bone to shrink from under it.”
Instant straightening is another major advance in dental care.
Using a veneer or crown, teeth are prepared and a replacement is shaped.
“Generally several are done at a time, six or eight, for natural
color and a complete smile.”
The all-ceramic crowns that Dr. Simpson often uses are just as strong
as those backed by metal, though different circumstances call for different
materials. To mask a dark tooth, a 22 K gold structure can be used.
Dentists frequently cite “the vertical dimension” as a
major concern. As the measurement from the jaw to the nose shortens,
with aging or from lack of support for teeth, it makes faces look older.
“It changes how the lips appear because teeth aren’t supporting
them. Women who have worn dentures will say ‘I’ve lost my
lips!’ They also lose the showing of their teeth when they
smile. Dental implants restore their smiles.”
Advances in whitening teeth have attracted national public attention.
Dr. Simpson says, “Aging and certain liquids darken teeth. The
whitener dissolves organic matter that has been absorbed into the tooth.
It is a permanent change.” Different concentrations are used at
the dentists office, at home prescribed by the dentist and over the
counter. “Dentist offices use the strongest concentrations.
For maximum results, the material must be in intimate contact for a
longer time.”
West Virginia historically alternates between first or second in the
US for missing and bad teeth, yet people with bad dental experiences
can be anxious, even terrified, to see a dentist. Dr. Simpson says,
“It’s essential to share fears and concerns with the dentist.
Talk about your budget. Hear your options. There are conservative treatments,
treatments in stages, payment plans, or other financing.
Most importantly, all these procedures can be done comfortably.
Have everything - including prices– explained beforehand, so there
are no surprises.”
Although his practice focuses on the cosmetic side, Dr. Simpson says
prevention is the most important part of dentistry. “Just
because there is no pain doesn’t mean things aren’t going
on. Waiting till it hurts can cause greater damage. Regular checkups
can show loss of bone structure, developing problems and provide an
opportunity for early intervention. With all the possibilities
in dentistry, no one should ever have to hide their smile.”
For more information, call 304-344-2861 or visit Creative Cosmetic
Concepts at 400 Allen Drive, Charleston or www.msimpsondds.com.
Copyright © 2001-2009 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business
Organization Resource List • Women Owned Businesses • Support Our Advertisers
Maintained by TEABROOKE
Website Design | SEO | Social Media Consulting
Related Sites | XMLSiteMap | Web Portal
Landing Zone SEO - Website | Search | Usability | Results | Goodness
Send an Email About This Article