DENTAL CARE

Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD

Q: I Don’t Want Any Surprises With My Front Teeth. Will There Be?

A: This is another common question that I am asked. It was just yesterday that someone had this concern. They were very happy with the way their front teeth looked but for certain mechanical and physiological reasons needed them reinforced and recreated, so to speak. Let’s back up for a moment. This question actually comes up any time that we are involved with the front teeth. It applies to caps (or crowns), full dentures, partial dentures and veneers. Now many times we want to alter how we look rather than restore or recreate what we once had. The good news is that in all of these cases, surprise does not come into the picture. Let me explain how we can control the final result and know where we are going before we even get there. The key to this is communication. Communication begins at your very first visit. This is why the patient needs to have some idea in their head of where they would like to end up from a cosmetic standpoint. Of course, if the patient is not particular, then we will create an esthetic and esthetically pleasing result based on our knowledge and experience. We are not talking about that patient. We are talking about the patient with definite ideas as to how the outcome should appear. For those patients, I need to spend a lot of time trying to ascertain their wants and desires. Sometimes what is wanted is not always realistic or can’t be accomplished for some outside reason. In the absence of that, I try to understand what the patient is trying to convey to me. Some patients convey these concepts very well but others….well frankly, it’s like pulling teeth! Please excuse the corny joke, but it is true. Many patients do not know what they want. They just know what they don’t want. It is not easy to make a positive out of a negative. In other words, “I don’t want this, but you must know what I do want”. The only way to satisfy the patient’s desires and create the end result that makes them happy is to spend a lot time. I spend time listening and looking. Sometimes I take photos... sometimes I take videos. These are all tools to show the patient what things look like to the rest of the world. Often all we need is a hand mirror and a good ear, but I am very goal oriented. These additional tools and examples help all of us come to conclusion. The other aspect of communication that I employ involves my laboratory. I can take models of your mouth and send this to the lab. I share photos with them and sometimes even send you to the laboratory so that they can meet you in person and hear your concerns. This is one of the advantages of using laboratory in town, rather than working with a lab across the country or overseas. Color, shape, and texture can all be communicated easier when we are all in same general location. I call, email, and even have live video conferencing with my laboratory to exchange ideas and concepts. Once the laboratory understands our end game, they create an initial example of the final result. Sometimes this starts by using a model of your mouth or a computer drawing. This ultimately evolves to a mock-up or try-in, as we like to call it, which will fit in your mouth. You can then look at the final result before it is final. Sometimes there are many try-in appointments in an effort to eliminate any problems that could crop up along the way. Sometimes this takes weeks or months to accomplish. All of this has one goal in mind. That goal being “no surprises”. At each of these appointments I change, verify or tweak our procedure. I get you involved. I look for and listen to your input. I give to you and and listen even more to your words to help create your custom smile. Whether it is a denture or a crowns on front teeth, we always know where we are going. We know what our final result will be before we get there. If you have any concerns about your smile or just are looking for a change or touch up, please call me at 440.951.7856. I would love to hear from you and look forward to speaking with you. Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD is an Ohio licensed general dentist and is on the staff of Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine.

The Healthy Smile 34586 Lakeshore Boulevard (¼ mile west of Route 91 on Lakeshore Boulevard) Eastlake, Ohio 44095 440-951-7856 Severance Medical Arts, Suite 603 5 Severance Center Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 216-371-2333 www.jeffreygrossdds.com