a
best
friend adds much pleasure to your life.
Their very presence can bring a smile.
For Mona Cottick, her friend helped
her find a beautiful, new smile!
Mona and her
husband relocated from Oakland County
to Macomb County nearly two years ago.
Being closer in proximity to her friend,
Mona inquired about a dental office.
Dr. Ban Barbat was recommended highly.
When Mona arranged
the appointment, she was somewhat reluctant
at first. An unpleasant prior experience
with periodontal care left Mona concerned
about a similar ordeal. She quickly
learned she had nothing to fear.
At her initial
appointment, Dr. Barbat conducted a
thorough exam. During this time, she
showed Mona a digital image her oral
health status. This technology allowed
Mona to see areas of decay in teeth
she had assumed were fine.
Together, they
structured a program to restore Mona
to optimal oral health. Dr. Barbat also
placed crowns to protect several back
teeth from further breakdown.
As Mona grew
more comfortable with dental visits,
she discussed the appearance of her
smile with Dr. Barbat.
During adolescence,
Mona wore braces, twice. Yet, she felt
her smile was not flattering. Prior
dentistry had patched front teeth with
tooth-colored fillings that were becoming
more obvious as she aged. Her teeth
were also stained and unevenly aligned.
Dr. Barbat
explained today's options for smile
enhancement, particularly porcelain
veneers. During the discussion, Mona
expressed concerns about having work
done on front teeth due to her Multiple
Sclerosis. She feared a lengthy procedure
on front teeth would cause too much
anxiety while in the chair. Dr. Barbat
suggested One-Pill Sedation so Mona
could doze through the procedure comfortably
and totally relaxed. "I
remember taking the pill an hour before
the appointment and telling my husband
on the way there ‘This isn’t
working’," Mona states, "but
all I remember was walking in and sitting
down in the chair for treatment. The
next thing I knew, I was finished!" During
this time, six of Mona’s front
teeth were prepared for porcelain veneers.
She returned home and napped before
actually looking in the mirror to see
her new smile! “I had beautiful,
new teeth!” she exclaims. Mona
and her friend met for breakfast the
next morning. “I have never
smiled as much!” Mona states.
“I smile more and feel so much
better about my smile. These look so
natural!” Porcelain
veneers were recommended by Dr. Barbat
for several reasons. In addition to
providing a highly-natural look, durability
is also better than most materials used
in aesthetic dentistry, which enhances
longevity. “I can eat anything,”
Mona adds.
A retired teacher,
Mona knew smile enhancement would be
“quite an investment”. Yet,
she was pleased at how the office was
able to structure her care to be manageable
to her budget.
Mona has much
to smile about these days. She recently
became a grandmother for the first time.
In her free time, she enjoys creating
stained glass and mosaic artwork. And,
she has a best friend who regularly
shares a smile she truly loves! “I
smile everywhere I go now!”
Mona says.
To discuss today's
smile enhancement options, call to arrange
a consultation appointment or ask at
your next visit.
Bring
This Problem To A Grinding Halt !
if
ridges on tooth surfaces look
flat or you occasionally wake
up with jaw soreness, you may
be grinding your teeth while you
sleep. Nighttime teeth grinding
is a habit of one-third of Americans
and employs ten times the force
of normal chewing. Not surprisingly,
it contributes to problems such
as loose teeth, headaches, and
pain in the temples and jaw.
To keep
your upper teeth from rubbing
against lower teeth, a custom-made
mouth guard is recommended. This
gives an exact fit so it is comfortable
for sleeping. The firm plastic
material of which it is constructed
often eliminates the urge to grind.
If you
suspect you are grinding your
teeth, or hear grinding from your
spouse, call our office at 739-2155
or mention your concerns to Dr.
Barbat at your next visit.
Please
join Dr. Ban Barbat & Staff
on Wednesday, Oct. 24
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Begin
The Holiday
Season With A Smile! Refreshments
Served
Your Guests Are Welcome
Donations Will Be Collected For The Samaritan
House
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Needs
List:
chicken broth, canned gravy, Dream
Whip, canned pumpkin, dry milk,
canned fruit, small cans coffee,
2lb. bag sugar, canned yams, boxed
stuffing mix, jello, evaporated
milk, 1lb. box/bag brown sugar,
boxed instant potatoes, 2lb. bag
flour
(Canned Food Donations
Can Be Made Through Nov. 8 At
Our Office During Normal Office
Hours.)
Advanced
Cosmetic Course Completion
recently,
Dr. Barbat completed extensive
training in advanced full-mouth
reconstruction. The intensive
48-hour course is the highest
level of training possible through
the renowned Las Vegas Institute
for Advanced Dental Studies. One
of a few dentists in the country
to achieve this level at the Institute,
Dr. Barbat qualified for this
advanced course through previous
accomplishments. "By blending
artistic design and predictable
science, we can give a smile the
ideal size, shape and color while
enhancing function and resolving
discomfort," she states.
Full mouth restoration recreates
a natural form and function to
those with crooked or missing
teeth, gaps, discoloration, and
symptoms of pain. Cosmetic dentistry
has become an increasingly popular
way adults can experience improved
appearance, confidence, and self-esteem.
Full-mouth restoration goes a
step beyond cosmetic dentistry
by also restoring a natural bite
to promote good health and improved
well-being.
•
Over 50 million Americans are
missing one or more natural teeth
•
10% of the U. S. adult population
are missing all of their teeth
(accounting for 18 million)
•
63% of adults are missing more
than one tooth; for those over
age 65, this jumps to 98%
•
People without teeth die at an
age that is ten years younger
than those with teeth
Periodontal
(gum) disease is the number one
cause of
adult tooth loss in the country.
The bacteria build-up of gum disease
enters the bloodstream, activating
white blood cells to release harmful
clotting factors and proteins.
Research
has linked gum disease bacteria
with heart disease, diabetes,
stroke, preterm babies, and memory
loss. It also indicates 30%
of the population may be genetically
susceptible to gum disease.
Findings
show the bacteria which causes
periodontal disease can be passed
from one person to another through
saliva. This means infected
adults can transfer the bacteria
to a mate or child by kissing
or sharing food or beverages.
Like
other diseases that form in the
body, gum disease begins silently.
When symptoms become obvious,
they include bad breath,bleeding
gums, soreness in the mouth, and
gum recession. Often, symptoms
are assumed to be temporary, enabling
the disease to progress.
If you
know someone who has symptoms
or may need evaluation, please
urge them to contact us at their
earliest convenience.
Looking
for a speaker for your group or organization?
Dr. Ban Barbat is an experienced speaker and
presents interesting topics on today’s
dentistry. Presentations include slides and
printed materials. To discuss your program
needs, call (586) 739-2155.
a
best
friend adds much pleasure to your life.
Their very presence can bring a smile.
For Mona Cottick, her friend helped
her find a beautiful, new smile!
