A recent survey conducted by CosmaLite brought to light what the first things are that we notice about a potential partner…and it is not your body shape!

Here are the respondents answer when asked what they noticed first about a potential partner:

1. 62% said the SMILE
2. 12.5% BODY TYPE
3. 12.5% EYES

When specifically asked about facial attributes, here are the answer to what they noticed first again:

1. 87.5% said TEETH
2. 66.7 COMPLEXION
3. 40% EYES
4. 33.3% NOSE
5. 26.7% HAIR STYLE/COLOR

When asked about the biggest turn-offs, here were their answers:

1. 31.3% said BAD BREATH
2. 25% CROOKED OR MISSING TEETH
3. 12.5% BODY ODOR
4. 18% LACK OF PERSONALITY
5. 12.5% UNKEPT APPEARANCE

These results are typical, putting a beautiful, healthy smile on top of the list for attractiveness over and over again.

We know these statistics are very similar when it comes to success with job interviews, raises, etc. YOUR SMILE MATTERS in this world.

I have spent my entire career perfecting my ability to deliver a beautiful, healthy smile, and there is no greater reward for a dentist than to see how their work changes people’s lives.

We can help you turn bad breath into a breath of fresh air.

When you are ready to get your smile on, give us a call, we are Louisville’s Smile Experts!

Keep Smiling,

Dr. Chris

PS: You can read this article yourself here: BAD BREATH ARTICLE

Porcelain Veneers are a beautiful, strong solution to getting the smile of your dreams, but ONLY if you end up with what you had imagined!
Designing a smile with porcelain veneers is the ultimate cosmetic dental procedure and requires significant planning. You would not get heart surgery from a dermatologist, right?
I have outlined a few essentials for you in this blog post to help make certain you do not end up with a mediocre smile makeover.

You have waited a long time to get the smile you want, so do it right the first time!

Step 1

Know what you want.

What type of smile do YOU find attractive? Do you like white teeth? If you do not know what you like, how is your dentist supposed to know? The worst mistake you can make is to let your dentist decide what looks good without your detailed input. A true cosmetic dentist makes porcelain veneers that fit you and your desires. How do you do this? I have all my patients go through a large selection of smiles that I have either made or found in magazines. Then I let them look these over for a week and bring back 5 they like and 5 they do not like. This then is used in a discussion on porcelain veneers and smile makeovers in which we find out what you really like, even if you did not know it yourself.

Wax Model

Step 2

Always create a preview model.

What is a preview model? Well, we use all the information from step 1 to create a wax model of your smile. This is our guide and will be transferred to your teeth in acrylic so that you can preview your smile. This preview smile then allows us to make changes directly to the composite/acrylic until you like what you see. This can take a few days or longer, but it is a critical step. You would not buy clothes until you tried them on and decided if they fit and look good right? So why would you let someone else decide what type of smile would look good on you? Porcelain veneers are permanent and define your smile!

Step 3

Approve the porcelain veneers prior to bonding them on.

I am always shocked to hear how many patients tell me that the dentist did not show them the teeth until they were permanently bonded on. What if you don’t like them? Too late, it is permanent. Always insist on seeing the final product on your teeth and approving it prior to allowing the dentist to cement it. You are the boss, you need to live with these porcelain veneers, not the dentist.

Following these simple steps will help you ensure that you get what you want. There are many more variables, of course, but you have direct control of the above steps.

Here are some more critical things to consider before getting you porcelain veneers:

1. What lab technician (not LAB) will make your porcelain veneers? You need to know that your dentist has a close relationship with the PERSON that makes the teeth, not a factory. Porcelain veneers require an artist and a highly experienced dental technician. The cost of using a master technician over a simple technician can be significant. This is why cheap veneers are not only cheap in price but also look and feel cheap.

2. What material will your dentist use for the porcelain veneers? There are many different types of porcelain that a dentist/technician can use. All have specific pluses and minuses. Choosing the best porcelain veneer for your case requires knowledge and experience from both the dentist and technician. There is no one “best” choice.

3. Experience. Porcelain veneers are the pinnacle of cosmetic dentistry. Your smile is one of the most important parts of “you”. You always put your smile out there, every single day. Everybody sees and judges your smile. Your smile helps define how you feel about yourself…I cannot over emphasize how important a smile really is. So, when it comes down to giving you the smile you desire, why would you not spend the time and money to find the best cosmetic dentist you can? Too many patients “try” their general dentist and end up with a smile they hate. Then they need to redo the smile, essentially doubling the cost of the initial investment. Do it right the first time, or don’t do it at all!

Porcelain Veneers can be incredibly beautiful and change your life in ways you  cannot imagine until you actually do it. So when you are ready, do your research and get the smile you want from a top cosmetic dentist!

Smile, It’s Natural

Dr. Chris

We have all seen it…

the dentist with bad teeth

the doctor that smokes and is overweight

the financial manager that is broke

WHAT do all these people have in common? They do not walk the talk!

For 2012 I suggest we all take a good look in the mirror and at those individuals that we entrust our lives to…our doctors, dentists, financial managers, teachers, and significant others. Are we/they living up to the rhetoric they stand for?

This is the year to put your health first. What do you have in this world if you do not have your health? Find a doctor and a dentist that focuses on YOU, your health and not just your insurance plan.

Looking back at 2011 I am proud to report that my office, Ideal Dentistry, fought for every patient against their insurance company, delivered only the best care we are able to, and focused on getting our patients out of the dental cycle, not into it.

2012 is a new year, a new beginning. You have the chance to wipe clean last years slate and begin with a new one. May I suggest you put “YOU” first this year and select professionals that walk the talk. Ask your doctor if they smoke, look into your dentists mouth, chose the person that fits the part, not the person your insurance company wants you to see. Skip a mocha late and buy organic food. Put your health first and you will have much more quality time in this life.

A clean, healthy mouth gives you good breath, a better smile, and most importantly, a healthy body.

Smile, It’s Natural,

Dr. Chris

What does Endocarditis, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s Disease have in common?

They all have been linked closely to the mouth!

Your oral health no longer is just about shiny white teeth and good breath, but your entire health depends on it.

The bacteria in the mouth can be very dangerous and literally kill you. Read the Mayo Clinic Report below to learn more about how these diseases are related to your mouth.

MAYO CLINIC REPORT

At Ideal Dentistry we have understood this link for a long time and focus on creating a healthier you, not just fix teeth. Every patient receives a very thorough consultation which includes an emphasis on nutrition, one of the major reasons why the mouth is breaking down in today’s society.

Addressing the cause of the problems rather than just fixing them is they key.

Look at it like this:

You have a thorn deep in your hand, so you see the doctor to address the pain. The doctor sees that you have pain, swelling and some bleeding, so he/she prescribes antibiotics for the swelling, cleans the wound and puts a brand new bandage on it for you. What is the problem with this? THE THORN is the problem, not the infection, the swelling or the bleeding!

This analogy can be used all too often for Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Osteoporosis and almost all other major disease.

The solution? REMOVE THE THORN.

We live in a pill society, meaning, when we have a headache we take a headache pill, when we have a stomach ache we take a stomach pill, when we have a disease we take a pill created for the disease. A pill will not solve your problem, only mask it. To make it even worse, each pill has a negative side effect that then often is addressed with, you guessed it, a pill.We want a quick fix for everything (think drive through food).

A pill society is wonderful for pharmaceutical companies – it makes them a lot of money, but it is terrible for you.

So, to summarize, don’t put off fixing your oral health or it will slowly kill you in a painful, expensive process. Find a dentist that is not a tooth mechanic but rather a biological mouth doctor.

Smile, It’s Natural

Doctor Chris

How is a patient today supposed to find a good dentist in Louisville? Everybody is a cosmetic dentist. Everybody is excellent. Everybody is cutting edge, UNTIL something goes wrong.

I am constantly amazed at how dentists try to undercut each other – “Come see us, we will do it for less!”, yet at the same time advertise that they are “the leading practice…”, “The Best Dentist…”, “Quality comes first…”. You have to be kidding me.

Dentistry is not like a used car lot. You cannot sell the same car for more or less -  Dentistry is an art, a craft, a service, a medical profession! Every procedure is entirely unique. Every veneer, crown, filling, is one of a kind. One size does not fit all.

Quality dentistry requires not only a good dentist but a good technician. Good technicians are expensive. We are talking about body parts here, custom made. You are not buying a new shirt, shoes or other accessory, you are literally fixing or buying new body parts.

So what is the point of this post you ask? Well, there are dentists out there that spend a lot of time and money getting the education needed to deliver premium are. There are dentists out there that work with top lab technicians and oversee every single case. There are dentists out there that really work hard to deliver top quality dentistry and stand behind it 100%. These are not the dentists I am talking about. This post is simply a reminder to patients to do their research.

Pick the best dentist you can find. Do not go by “The Top Dentists in the USA” plaque, it is something ALL dentists can buy. Do not go by the “on of The Best Dentists…” publication or plaque, it also is simply something dentists can buy.

May I suggest you read this article rather than trust any advertisement you may read.

Here are some of the local advertisements I picked up through goggle today:

Family Dental —————–  is the leading dental practice in the Louisville metro area

Dr. ——– is listed in “Guide to Americas Top Dentists”

Dr. —— selected as on of “The Best Dentists in America”

Let’s be real and focus on delivering the best dental care we possibly can.
Smile, It’s Natural,

Dr. Chris

The Ideal Smile Care Program has been very well received! To learn more about the program click here

Smile, It’s Natural

Dr. Chris

How Long Do Teeth Last?

Well, the average wear of teeth is about 0.3mm per year, so just when you are hitting your prime (50s) you have worn through the hard enamel (the strong outside layer of your teeth).

After the strong protective enamel is gone the wear will accelerate by a factor of 7! This means that while it took nearly 40 years for you to wear through the outside layer of the teeth, it will only take a few more to wear out the rest.

This all is of course assuming that you do not grind or clench your teeth, which most of us do.

Teeth are required for many things:

• Chewing
• Smiling
• Speaking
• Keeping Bone In Your Jaw
• Opening Jars (just kidding)

Of course having worn out teeth also indirectly affects many more things such as your confidence level, social behavior, career success, nutrition, food enjoyment, sensitivity, etc.

Often worn out teeth are coupled with old failing dentistry that is further degrading your health through tissue inflammation that directly affects how you feel. Who wants to feel their age?

HOW WORN OUT ARE YOUR TEETH?

Worn Teeth

Restored Teeth

Slight to Medium Tooth Wear

Medium Tooth Wear

Severe Tooth Wear

Severe Tooth Wear FIXED

So what can you do about worn out teeth?

Rebuilding a mouth requires a lot of experience and should only be done once. This is not something your insurance will “take care of”. This is something you do for yourself with a dentist who has done this many times over.

Dentists call this a “full mouth reconstruction” as we are rebuilding form and function.

Rebuilding your smile is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Most of the time patients who rebuild their smile get compliments from people asking them if they had a facelift or new haircut – there is just something different about you that they like but can’t put a finger on it.

Here at Ideal Dentistry we do many smile reconstructions (as well as fixing many botched smile reconstructions). During the entire process you are involved which will ensure that the outcome is what you had expected, if not better.

Here is a case study about a patient that came to my office with worn out teeth: WORN OUT TEETH

Contact us today to get a complimentary mouth reconstruction consultation – 800.852.5508  info@idealdentistry.com

Smile, It’s Natural!

Dr. Chris

IDEAL SMILE CARE Membership Plan

The Best For Less

Trade in your candy for a gift and enter to win an iPod Shuffle that day!

Enjoy your candy – pick some of your favorites, and then bring the rest to us at Ideal Dentistry and get a chance to win an iPod shuffle. We have teamed up with OPERATION GRATITUDE who will send the donated candy oversees to our troops – minus a fee hand selected pieces for the staffs secret desk drawer

The Bubble Truck will be there to provide some fun and games.

Whoever drops off the most candy will also receive the “Big Giver” gift…

So tell your friends and bring a bag of candy to Ideal Dentistry next Wednesday November 2nd between 4-6PM!

SAVE YOUR TEETH – TRADE IN YOUR CANDY

So you want a beautiful smile but porcelain veneers are not quite in the budget. Direct composite veneers, previously the only other option, require a master cosmetic dentist and a significant amount of time – this has kept most dentist from offering this service.

ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF COMPONEERS TO THE USA

Dr. Christian Hahn (along with 4 other top USA cosmetic dentists) has been selected by Coltene, the manufacturer of Componeers, to help train dentists to use this amazing new direct prefabricated composite veneer system in the USA.

The benefits of Componeers:

• Less than half as expensive as porcelain veneers
• requires only 1 visit to complete
• Very minimal or no tooth reduction
• repairable with the exact material that the veneers are made out of
• Polish to an incredible luster
• Very stain resistant

Dr. Hahn is part of the continuous development of Componeers and is the first to offer this incredible system in Kentucky. If you are looking for a beautiful smile that is affordable, contact Dr. Hahn and get a FREE CONSULTATION for your Componeer smile.

For a limited time Dr. Hahn is looking for cases to use in his lectures. These cases will receive an additional discount!

To find out more about Componeers, contact our office at 502-228-4585 and visit the Componeer website here.

Watch a short video on the Componeer System here.

Smile, It’s Natural,

Dr. Chris

Do you LOVE the color of your teeth?

How about getting your teeth whitened professionally, either with trays or ZOOM, for a donation to a good cause?

Ideal Dentistry is donating all proceeds from teeth whitening for this week, 9-19-2011 through 9-24-2011, to St. Francis.

Professional Tray Whitening for $199

Professional ZOOM Laser Whitening $350

So if you have been thinking about whitening your teeth and getting that beautiful smile for Fall, this is the time!

We would also encourage you all to attend the Sophisticated Living Polo Match on the 24th of September. You can sign up for the whitening promotion there as well. Please visit the event site for details.

Dr. Christian Hahn will be playing in the Polo Match. Come support your dentist!

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 502-228-4585.

Smile, It’s Natural,

Dr. Chris

Does a smile make that much of a difference? Ideal Dentisty in Prospect KY is known as the cosmetic dentistry center of Louisville. Daily I discuss porcelain veneers, direct veneers, and other smile enhancing procedures with my patients. The recession has changed how we look at many purchases such as cars, houses, new clothes, etc. BUT, what about your smile?

A smile is not a “luxury”, but rather a key. A smile unlocks doors, makes you feel better about yourself, and helps you reach your full potential. I could go on and on about how a smile gets you the better job, the raise, the warning instead of a ticket…you name it, but instead I will ask you to judge for yourself.

Let’s see how YOU feel about the smiles below. ASK yourself these questions as you look at the before and after photos. Be honest with yourself.

1. Which person would you date?
2. Which person is more attractive?
3. Which person would you hire?
4. Which person looks younger?
5. Which person looks healthier?

Assuming they are all the same except for their smiles…

The smiles on the RIGHT are the actual smiles. Real or fake, it does not matter, their lives have been lifted up because of it.

In a recession you need to work harder on yourself. You need to stand out and smile. More people are competing for the same job, and more people work daily to keep their job.

Your smile is one of your best tools for success in life, and there has NEVER been a better time to get your new smile than now.

With the advent of GROUPON, specials have emerged everywhere. Dentists everywhere are looking for new patients. The recession has hit every profession.

Pick the best dentist and make them an offer they cannot refuse. Get the smile you want, now, for less than ever before. Everybody wins.

At Ideal Dentistry we have seen an INCREASE in smile makeover cases lately. Why? People are investing in themselves. They are planning ahead. They are getting incredible deals on something that will actually improve their quality of life.

If cosmetic dentistry is something you have been thinking about for a while, contact us to find out what we can do to give you that winning smile!

Smile, It’s Natural,

Dr. Chris

If you want to experience the life changing benefits of a beautiful smile, give us a call!

Smile, It’s Natural,

Dr. Chris

A friend of mine, Alex Nguyen (an exceptional dentist), just wrote a blog post about adult orthodontics. His explanation of why adult braces are not only about cosmetics is simple and to the point.

Many patients feel they are too old to get braces – some don’t even know that braces are a treatment option.

Here is the blog post, reprinted with permission from Dr. Nguyen(original article here):

It is not uncommon that I recommend my patients to consider orthodontic treatments to straighten their teeth.  Sometimes my adult patients’ initial reaction would sound something like:  ”I am too old for that, and I never thought about the cosmetics of my smile…”

Having straight teeth is not ALL about cosmetics.

The misalignment of teeth can cause a variety of problems ranging from TMJ issues, to bone loss, to excess fractures and wear facets on the teeth.  This type of break down in the dentition can take many years to manifest. Unfortunately, sometimes when the patient starts to notice the problems, the solutions may require a complex combination of orthodontics and restorative treatments.

Properly aligned teeth actually follow very scientific principles created by nature to establish the most stable functional foundation.  When teeth are properly aligned, certain functional movements of the jaw allow for optimum chewing, relaxed muscle state, and ideal joint health.  The cosmetics of the smile is automatically achieved secondarily when the functional foundation is established.  Finding the right orthodontist is key to successful treatment.

Hence, when you choose to have orthodontic treatment done, you are stabilizing the most important aspect of the dentition:  To allow you to sustain life by being able to chew effectively throughout the course of your life span.  As the human life span continues to lengthen, it is extremely important to make sure that you will continue to have a stable dentition for your chewing needs.

In the photos below you will find a smile with “crooked teeth”.  Whereas the patient was never concerned with the cosmetics of her smile before, she has lately been concerned with the fractures lines and wear facets indicated by the red arrows.  Her question to me at the last check-up was:  ”What would my teeth look like…say ten years down the line…”

My answer to her was:  ”They would look more broken down, and you will also notice problems with the back teeth as well.”

So as you can see… My recommendation for this patient to choose orthodontic treatment was based on achieving proper function, and not ALL about cosmetics.

Smile, It’s Natural

Dr. Chris

Oak Tree

The mighty OAK is a great analogy to you, the mighty HUMAN.

Both the oak and you need stability to grow strong and live long. Here is how the oak tree does it:

Oak Roots

Oak trees have a strong roots system that nourishes and supports the tree.

In human beings we need a strong root system to nourish and maintain the body as well. Over the past 13 years I have developed a 5 root stability program that allows you to become the strongest and healthiest “you” that you can be. Each one of these 5 roots is essential to helping you escape the dental cycle and even more importantly, live a healthy long life. At Ideal Dentistry we treat each patient according to this stability program helping them ensure their dentistry lasts longer and they live healthy, productive lives.

Here are the 5 roots of the Stability Program:

1. INFECTIONS
2. DECAY
3. FUNCTION
4. NUTRITION
5. ORAL HYGIENE

Satisfy all the requirements in the above 5 categories and you too can ensure your mouth is healthy.

To learn the details of each root just become a patient of Ideal Dentistry and take the first step towards dental peace.

Smile, it’s natural.

Dr. Chris

A beautiful smile is a treasure. It helps you in every aspect of life from your social life to your work life. Smiles open doors, confuse an approaching frown, are contagious and release endorphins, making you feel better.

A beautiful smile changes how other people think of you, and more importantly, how you feel about yourself.

A beautiful smile allows you to express yourself and engage others more easily.

Here is a collection of statements made over time about smiles. Enjoy.

1. When someone smiles in is universally known as an expression of happiness which is recognized by almost all cultures.
2. A frown uses more muscles to contract and expand then a smile does.
3. Smiling releases endorphins and makes us feel better, even when you fake a smile you can feel better.
4. A person that smiles more is deemed to be more pleasant, sincere, attractive and more sociable then a on-smiling person.
5. We are born with the ability to smile, it is not something that we copy. For instance, even blind babies are able to smile.
6. Humans are able to differentiate between a real smile and a fake smile by seeing the difference in a persons eyes when they smile.
7. Newborns tend to have more preference for a person with a smile then a person that is not smiling.
8. It boosts your immune system: Smiling really can improve your physical health, too. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system.
9. Smiles are contagious: It’s not just a saying: smiling really is contagious, scientists say. In a study conducted in Sweden, people had difficulty frowning when they looked at other subjects who were smiling, and their muscles twitched into smiles all on their own.
10. We still smile at work: While we smile less at work than we do at home, 30% of subjects in a research study smiled five to 20 times a day, and 28% smiled over 20 times per day at the office.
11. Smiling helps you get promoted: Smiles make a person seem more attractive, sociable and confident, and people who smile more are more likely to get a promotion.
12. Smiles are the most easily recognizable facial expression: People can recognize smiles from up to 300 feet away, making it the most easily recognizable facial expression.
13. Smiles are more attractive than makeup: A research study conducted by Orbit Complete discovered that 69% of people find women more attractive when they smile than when they are wearing makeup.
14. Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.  ~Jim Beggs
15. Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.  ~Mark Twain
16. The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.  ~William Shakespeare, Othello
17. I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.  ~Author Unknown

So, be sure to smile at someone today, you will brighten both your days!

Smile, It’s Natural,

Dr. Chris

Ideal Dentistry – The Truth about Decay

Nobody likes to see the dentist, yet our lifestyles are geared towards tooth decay and inevitable dental visits. Cavities are “normal” and expected, yet they are completely preventable.

Each new patient at my practice receives a comprehensive exam and then, most importantly, a consultation on where they stand, how they got there and what it takes to avoid any future dental problems.

Here is a general synopsis of the information you can expect during your consultation:

There is a common misconception out there that bacteria eat teeth and cause the cavities. Well, that is simply not true. Bacteria do not eat teeth. Bacteria eat junk food, candy, sugar, etc., then “release” acid as a waste product. This acid sits on the teeth, demineralizing them. This demineralization is what we call a cavity.  In other words, acid causes cavities, not bacteria.

So imagine this. You have a brand new car that was just waxed and buffed. As water and dust fall onto the paint it easily blows off due to the shiny slick surface.  Water pearls right of a freshly waxed car.  Now how about a car that has a very old scratched paint job with swirl marks all over it. It is dull and dingy without any shine. Dirt sticks to it and water just sits on it. Well, the same thing happened to teeth.

Acid does not only cause decay but it makes the entire tooth surface more like sandpaper, not glass. The acid slowly eats at the surface taking away that shiny glassy look and feel. Now every food particle sticks to the teeth. Bacteria live in this food that sticks to the teeth and release more acid, which in turn makes the tooth more like sandpaper. Now those “pearly whites” are not pearly anymore by any means. They are food traps. This trapped food, bacteria and waste product also gives you bad breath!

The 2 minute rule of brushing was created for perfect “pearly white” teeth, not for sandpaper like tooth surfaces. 2 minutes of brushing on sandpaper teeth is almost useless. Double or triple this time, at least, if you want to actually clean all your teeth. Taking this into account, how many kids that have acid eaten teeth that are now more like sandpaper actually brush correctly for 2 minutes? I venture to guess very few. The national average for all people is more like 1 minute.

If you have clean, shiny hard teeth then 2 minutes of brushing and flossing will maintain your mouth very well, but if you have less than perfect teeth due to constant acid exposure then you need to brush longer and more frequently. The good news is that teeth can remineralize!

This is the most important dental question anyone could ask. If you understand this then you know how to prevent cavities as well as seeing the dentist. We know that cavities are actually caused by acid eating into the teeth, therefore the goal is to eliminate acid from the mouth. A quick lesson on pH: Teeth demineralize at a pH of 5.5 or less. So, anything that has a pH of 5.5 or less should be avoided. Soda, diet or regular, has a pH around 3-4. Most mouthwashes have a pH in the mid 3s. Flavored water has a pH in the 3s. All these products create an environment in your mouth that dissolves your teeth and helps bacteria grow. There are only a few liquids that are not acidic, regular water being one of them. After taking a sip of soda it takes 20 minutes, in a healthy mouth, to get the pH back to neutral (7.4). So, if you have to drink a soda, drink it quickly, do not sip, and rinse with water afterwards.

The moral of the story – check and be aware of the pH of what you eat and drink - You are what you eat!

Yes, you can rebuild and remineralize your teeth, naturally! With the right amount of minerals in your diet/saliva your teeth will rebuild themselves. The key is to rebuild your teeth quicker than they are breaking down. Every person’s teeth break down and rebuild at different rates. Some people seem to never get cavities regardless of what they eat or drink, while others just look at a soda and get decay. Your best bet is to focus on rebuilding your teeth while eliminating acid from your diet.

So, how do you rebuild teeth? There are several products out there that help rebuild teeth such as fluoride and MI Paste, a calcium derived product. Furthermore, your saliva needs to be plentiful and packed with the right minerals. Certain medications such as allergy medications reduce the saliva flow and that significantly impacts the ability of your saliva to protect and rebuild your teeth. A healthy well balanced diet is very important. Avoid processed food, preserved food and junk food. Buy whole organic and natural products whenever possible. Snack on vegetables such as carrots and celery, not chips. Drink lots of spring water, not flavored water. Essentially, if the earth does not make it then avoid it!

Often fillings are placed and the reason given is that there was decay. Well, yes, obviously there was decay, but why was there decay? The focus, first and foremost, needs to be on how the decay got there in the first place, otherwise decay will come right back around the filling or on another tooth. During your consultation we will evaluate your current dental health, diet and hygiene. This will give me a baseline on how decay prone you are. From here we work on building a strong foundation that is decay resistant.

Smile, It’s Natural!

Dr. Chris

Smile, It’s Natual!

This is our tagline for a reason here at Ideal Dentistry. More and more people are re-discovering the benefits of eating natural, organic foods! You are what you eat is one of the best statements ever coined.

Just the other day somebody bought some cupcakes for a birthday party here at Ideal Dentistry. The thought was great, but I was stunned by the incredibly long list of ingredients! Here is a photo of the ingredient list of the cupcakes:

Really now, what DOES it take to make cupcakes? I did a few searches for natural cupcakes, and below is the list I came up with:

1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons Baking Powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

That is 9 ingredients, not counting the frosting for the NATURAL cupcakes.

The “grocery store” cupcakes have OVER 60 ingredients!

Are you kidding me? 60+ ingredients?  There is something wrong here…

“Food” for thought.

Keep smiling,

Dr. Chris

JULY/AUGUST PROMOTION: Get 10 Beautiful Veneers And We Will Straighten Your Lower Teeth With Invisalign For FREE

Beautiful Porcelain Veneers are the key to a perfect smile, but until recently precious tooth structure had to be removed prior to placing veneers.

As modern dentistry has progressed, porcelain veneer systems such as Lumineers, Durathin, Pearls and many others were invented that are all able to create a beautiful smile without cutting teeth!

The problem now is mostly operator error – meaning, these zero tooth reduction veneer systems do not work for everyone. Case selection is critical. Using these veneer systems on the wrong case will simply make the teeth look big and bulky, and probably worse than they did before.

So how do you know if you are a candidate for these zero preparation veneers? Well, you will need an experienced cosmetic dentist that has done many of these cases, not someone who is just learning. And how do you know your dentist has the experience? Simple, ask to see actual cases, speak to patients who had the procedure done, ask about the lab technician they use – the technician, not the lab. Check for testimonials, reviews, and lastly but certainly not least, does the dentist have enthusiasm for what he/she does?

Below are some photos of a case I completed last week. This case required zero tooth reduction. 10 porcelain veneers were placed, and in this case I used emax, and specifically an opal ingot.

Every patient selects the color, shape and overall look of the smile.

AFTER Smile - Zero Tooth Cutting Veneers

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

Porcelain Veneers On Model

Inside Of Porcelain Veneers

Single Veneer

Right After Bonding Of Veneers To Teeth

Bonded On Porcelain Veneers

AFTER Smile - Zero Tooth Cutting Veneers

BEFORE Smile

Smile, It’s Natural!

Dr. Chris

Ideal Dentistry has made a commitment to providing quality cosmetic and general dentistry for all ages, and we do this using the most natural procedures and dental materials available.

It is not hard to see how the world is changing – most of us have noticed the trend towards healthier foods and lifestyles all around us. Salads and oatmeal at McDonalds, organic foods in the grocery store, every business wants to go green….the list is endless, but dentistry seems to have fallen behind. Many dentists and dental organizations still hold onto the stone age belief that silver mercury fillings are the best option, even if most of Europe and Canada have banned them. Products recommended by most dentists (mouthwash, toothpaste, etc.) are simple concoctions of chemicals. There is nothing natural about going to the dentist, unless you see Ideal Dentistry.

At Ideal Dentistry we make an active effort to find more natural, less invasive options for our patients.

• The products we recommend are natural – you can read the ingredient list and know what is in them!
• We do not use antiquated dental materials such as mercury
• Our office is earth-friendly. We save as many natural resources as possible whenever possible
• Our job is to help you become healthier and then keep you that way! We teach you how to avoid seeing us

Watch the video below to learn a little more about what makes us different here at Ideal Dentistry. Then, if you are looking for a more natural solution, we welcome you.

Smile, It’s Natural

Dr. Chris