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The Lure of a Beautiful Smile Reigns Even in Uncertain Times

Patrice A. came in a few weeks ago determined to upgrade her smile. And even when the recent up-and-down stock market days forced a few hasty delays--four rescheduled appointments!--the 42-year-old financial planner finally got the new smile she always wanted.

"I've been spending every day calming the nerves of my clients, but I still kept to my plan," she said. "More than ever, as the world can appear so uncertain, I want to make sure that I don't lose my perspective. I don't want to lose sight of my goals."

And so it was that the finance specialist this week sported a new look that began with a session to whiten her teeth, and a procedure to reshape her gum line. The final step concluded when she walked out of the office with eight exquisite porcelain veneers.

"It was just the mental lift she needed--and just the reassuring smile she needed--to continue her work with clients who are worried about their security," said Daniel J. Deutsch, DDS, at the Washington Center for Dentistry, in Washington, DC.

Dr. Deutsch notes the surprising and powerful draw of self-improvement--even in times of transition and change. He also reports that patients still are using their options with low-interest finance plans like Care Credit (http://www.carecredit.com/).

Be well...judi

It wasn't too long ago that Marlene W. achieved her goal of attaining a new smile of glossy white perfection! But, last week, when she walked into our office for the first time, she wasn't happy.

She decided to trade her 20 veneers for a "natural veneer" look. "I realize that slight imperfections give you a better, more realistic, result," Marlene said.

And our doctors could not agree more.

"We keep a book of photos of beautiful models with 'natural' teeth to show our patients the American ideal of a healthy, beautiful smile," says Dr. Daniel J. Deutsch.

Our doctors intentionally design smiles with "imperfections" in mind--variations in color, subtle asymmetries, even teeth that are slightly rotated.

"We aim for a beautiful version of what nature intended, not something that is denture-perfect," says Dr. Deutsch. "Patients should look like they were born with a beautiful smile. That's the ultimate success."

And an ultimate healthy appearance appears to be on the minds of an increasing number of patients like Marlene W. who desire a smile with a natural look. "Now my teeth are not all the same color, and my new veneers are not exactly the same on both sides of my mouth," she says. "I now feel like it looks like nature, not only my doctor, had a hand in creating my smile."

This week was a banner week when it comes to helping people get their needs met--immediately--with our special technique for Art-Sculpt veneers!

Last Wednesday, a young professional woman called up asking for veneers. And she wanted them NOW!!! Good thing Dr. Peter Rinaldi was on hand to work his magic. And lucky was the patient, who was the happy recipient of a special--and unusual--technique few dentists can pull off with such artistic ease.

You see, in the talented hands of Dr. Rinaldi, this lovely woman walked out of the office with 20 exquisite veneers--in just three hours! Here’s how.

Most offices' first-visit for veneers:
- Smile design
- Photos
- Models
- Impressions to make the temporary veneers that would arrive in a few days, or a few weeks, to be inserted in the patient's mouth.

Our "Special" Art-Sculpt Veneers Visit:
- Smile design
- Photos
- Walk out with a beautiful new smile--in a few hours!

These "instant veneers" are created from an amazing method that involves sculpting exquisite, lustrous trial veneers right onto existing teeth, with minimum preparation. And the patient enjoys trying out a gorgeous new smile while waiting for the permanent veneers--that arrive in a matter of days!

And what is the reaction from our patients? "Wow! This is awesome!"

Be well...judi

I just returned from a vacation to the islands that dot the shoreline of the country of Croatia. Known as the "Dalmatian Coast," this part of the world boasts heavenly turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea.

And by happy coincidence, I had already met one of our tour guides three years ago on another trip! A handsome young man in his 30s, he loves to help travelers discover new places and appreciate the cultures of other people. I was happy to be reunited with him. And as I complimented him on how wonderful he looked, I suddenly realized that his smile looked different--and terrific.

And just as that thought occurred to me--as if reading my mind--he excitedly shared his news: "Can you see the difference since you last saw me?" he asked. "I had bonding done on my front teeth. I used to try to hide my smile, and this has changed my life. I'm smiling all the time now."

That's when I recalled that his front teeth used to be dark, and some were also chipped. Now they were lighter, straighter--and much more handsome! It's amazing how a little bonding can mean so much. It surely did the trick for his smile--and for his new happier state of mind!

Be well...judi

Can We Talk? Instant Messaging G-L-O-B-A-L-L-Y About Your Smile...

Who would have guessed just a few years ago that we would be carrying on practically real-time conversations--over the internet--with patients from England and Kuwait?

People are trolling all over cyber space for info about veneers, Invisalign, implants, whitening, gum lifts. They are informed dental consumers--constantly on the look out for updated knowledge to help them make good choices for treatment. And with today's business travel going more global than ever--patients are totally comfortable coming for appointments on a stopover in the Nation's Capital. They love getting hotel and restaurant info from our website. No problem.

One young businessman is coming for new veneers while he is in DC for a few weeks before returning to his job in Kuwait. Another just emailed from London about getting new crowns to improve his smile.

What a small world!

Be well...judi

Time was when the "Face Lift" was the iconic symbol of the ultimate makeover. Having skin redraped and tucked around the face was the ideal antidote for the aging face. But now, "Rejuvenation Dentistry" is just as commonplace. In fact, many patients arrive at our office determined to upgrade their smile--as "Step No. 1" on the journey to a newer, younger self.

"No matter how youthful my skin looks, I know I can't look younger if my smile still looks old!" said a patient recently on the day she received her 10 new veneers. "As a matter of fact, I think that a younger, healthier smile--by itself--can do more for an aging face than just a face lift."

Times sure have changed.

Be well--judi

It's no longer surprising that hundreds of people every year become our new patients after finding us on the internet. Every one searches for every thing nowadays.

As expected many are new to the area,and they are looking for a new dental practice--usually a place near their work. But you might be surprised to hear that many are not new to Washington and they already have a dentist--one they actually still like!

"Hi" I'm thinking about having veneers done," they say. "My dentist is a nice guy. But I don't feel comfortable having him do this kind of work. I just don't think he does much of it."

We hear this quite a lot. And who can blame them? Cosmetic dentistry not only is a big step for some of us, but it also can be a big financial investment. This conflict reinforces how difficult it can be for patients to choose the right place, and the right doctor. I advise these patients to do two things:
1.Visit different dental offices on the web, look at before and after photos--of actual patients treated in that office (some doctors buy stock photos).
2.Try to make an appointment to pay an on-site visit to meet the doctor, and hear what he/she has to say about your case.

These steps reveal the doctor's level of experience and also (and this is important) whether the doctor has "good taste in teeth." In the end, there needs to be an intuitive feeling of comfort--that this doctor will understand and provide the correct result.