Sensational Smiles
Your Smile: the Ultimate Accessory
There is a saying that, “You’re never fully dressed until you have your smile”.
And it is the absolute truth!
Countless studies have shown your smile is the first thing people notice when you walk in a room, but it also really tops off your outfit and gives a lasting impression to others.
A great smile is not only the thing that gives you that extra sparkle, but it also creates an inner confidence and glow. When you’re feeling good and confident about yourself, your smile has a different look compared to when it’s forced. Dr. Salvator’s goal is to help all his patients experience the confidence a beautiful and healthy smile can bring.
We welcome you to experience the warm and inviting office and discover what can be done to enhance your smile and oral health. Whether it is veneers, implants, bonding, Invisalign, or general dentistry Dr. Salvator has the vast experience and credentials to help you achieve not only a beautiful smile but a healthy smile. Afterall, when it comes down to it, the healthiest smiles are the most beautiful.
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Placing patients at ease is one reason comfort measures have been added to standard dental visits, but the primary reason Dallas area dentists are giving routine check-ups a makeover is because they want to do whatever they can to entice patients to keep their regular check-ups, as research shows there is a direct link between one’s oral health and their overall health.
anyone who is apprehensive about going to the dentist, the words ‘comfort’ and ‘enjoyable’ don’t typically come to mind. However, comfortable and enjoyable dental visits are the norm in many of today’s modern dental practices, where dentists and staff members create a positive experience from the moment you arrive. Weighted blankets, noisecancelling headphones, televisions above the dental chairs to watch your favorite movies, dim lighting, soothing music, and spa-like touches are common perks you may be treated to at your next dental visit.
BY JENNIFER SANDER HAYES
“The mouth is connected to your body’s entire system,” says Dr. Ashly Cothern a general and cosmetic dentist in Dallas. “The medical community has known this for decades, but people are now beginning to realize that if they want to be the healthiest version of themselves, it all starts in the mouth. The way I explain it to my patients is that they are one big tube, beginning
“ We have a lot of stressors in today’s world. You can’t walk out of your front door without experiencing some level of stress during the day. Stress manifests itself in your oral health and, unfortunately, can get taken out on your teeth.” ASHLY COTHERN, D.D.S.
with their mouth. Bad bacteria and inflammatory properties in the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause a host of problems in the gut, brain, and heart. When it comes to health, some things are out of our control, but there are plenty of things we can control, and at the top of that list is healthy teeth and gum care.”
Dr. Tina Lalangas with Lalangas Family Dentistry says there is a proven link between oral health and brain and heart health, as the same bacteria that adheres to the teeth has also been found in the heart and brain. “I continually talk to my patients about the importance of good oral hygiene, particularly as we get older,” she says. “Sometimes, routine dental care every six months isn’t enough. Some patients need to come in more frequently for cleanings, as inflammation in the gums has been linked to inflammation in the cardiovascular and neurological systems.”
Dental health is important at every stage of life; in fact, most pediatric dentists recommend parents bring their children to the dentist before age 2 for the first dental visit. However, older adults are often impacted the most by unhealthy teeth and gums. A lifetime of missed dental appointments and general wear and tear on the teeth can negatively affect their health. Dr. Sara Chen, a prosthodontist at Aesthetic Dentistry of Plano, says patients often aren’t aware they have dental issues because they can’t see any changes when they look in the mirror daily. Eventually, after many years of gradual tooth wear and breakdown, patients will start to notice their teeth are shorter in appearance and worn down. Patients may also start to experience discomfort and pain which can be an indicator that they need their smile restored.
“Wear and tear will eventually occur on everything in the body, teeth included,” Dr. Chen says. “As we age, the enamel layer on our teeth begins to wear, and, unfortunately, enamel doesn’t regenerate. You cannot grow it back. Once the protective enamel layer has been worn through and dentin is exposed, the tooth will start to wear down 10 times faster, which could cause the bite to collapse. Another dental issue that often goes unnoticed is gum disease. As we age, our immune system weakens, and periodontal disease can destroy the bone in your mouth without any symptoms or pain. For the optimal beautiful smile, both teeth and gums need to be in ideal health.”
Dr. Lalangas says everything from acid reflux to hormonal changes later in life can affect the health of the mouth. “As we get older, our bodies change and our hormones change, which affects our health,” she says. “Often, older adults are on more medications and that can
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have oral implications, such as dry mouth, which can lead to more sticky plaque build-up. People can cruise through their 20s and 30s without oral health issues, but then all the sudden, the slight changes that occurred through the years will have a big impact. This is why it is important that dentists tailor an oral health treatment plan for patients during each stage of life so that we can avoid these bigger problems down the road.”
In between dental visits, dentists recommend brushing with an electric toothbrush twice a day and daily flossing to combat gum disease. Not only does flossing reduce plaque between the teeth, but it also conditions the gum tissue and decreases inflammatory properties in the mouth. “If you aren’t flossing, you are missing 40 percent of the tooth structure,” Dr. Cothern says. “Don’t skip your routine cleanings. Your dentist will know if you have inflammatory properties in your mouth, even if your gums don’t bleed when you brush at home. I can usually tell when there are stressors in my patients’ lives because they are revealed in the health of their teeth and gums— grinding and clenching teeth, cortisol levels, and sleeping and dietary habits. It’s all really telling of what is going on systemically.”
Dr. Sal La Mastra with Hamlett & LaMastra DDS says the latest dental technology has played the most significant role in helping his patients achieve a healthy smile which, in turn, benefits their overall health. Not only are the latest tools, such as digital X-rays, lasers and digital impressions, more efficient, they also yield better results and make the dental visit more comfortable for patients.
“These days, the most important thing to look for when choosing a dental practice is upto-date technology,” Dr. LaMastra says. “For example, digital X-rays create less radiation for the patient and are much more comfortable than traditional X-rays, and 3D imaging of the teeth helps the dentist to immediately diagnose a potential problem and refer patients to a specialist if needed. Digital scanning with full facial photography is helpful for cosmetic dentists to design a smile. This requires minimal to no preparation of the teeth and is minimally invasive, which patients appreciate. Dental lasers can also be used for gum contouring and filling cavities. In some cases, we don’t have to use anesthetic at all to fill a cavity when we use a laser.”
Veneers and dental bonding are the most requested cosmetic dental procedure in Dr. La Mastra’s office, followed closely by whitening procedures. He says these cosmetic options make the most difference in his patients’ smiles in the fastest way possible. “Many of my patients also request Invisalign to straighten their teeth,” he says. “I often combine Invisalign with
gum contouring to correct the height of the gums for an even better aesthetic outcome.”
Dr. Chen says her practice still finds value in traditional, hand-crafted restorations but she also aims to combine traditional methods with digital technology. “Patients are more comfortable in the chair, and we can merge the digital scans with the 3D jaw scan to plan implant cases extremely accurately,” Dr. Chen says. “We take a comprehensive look at what a patient needs and build from a foundation of health and function before finishing with cosmetics. A beautiful smile lasts so much longer once the gums are in ideal shape. The result is so much more rewarding when we take a comprehensive approach that addresses overall health as well as the aesthetic outcome.”
How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist
While you may remember going to your parents’ dentist as a child, there are numerous advantages in making sure your own child’s dental health is under the care of a board-certified pediatric dentist, rather than a general or family dentist. In addition to four years of dental school, pediatric dentists complete another multi-year specialty training program and a pediatric residency hospital and clinical training program.
“Kids aren’t small adults,” says Dr. David Sentelle, a pediatric dentist with Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Frisco. “Pediatric dentistry requires completely different training from other dental specialties. All the senses can be overwhelmed during a dental procedure, and kids can get really scared. Pediatric dentists are trained to treat the child in addition to how to protect them and put them at ease during their dental visit, particularly medically complex children.”
Pediatric dental offices are designed and operated with children in mind. For example, at Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry, the entire staff participates in frequent training on child and human psychology to better understand how to be proactive and meet their young patients’ needs. “We have different tools, depending on the child’s needs, such as weighted blankets, toys with different textures, and quiet rooms for kids to receive treatment without a lot of stimulation,” Dr. Sentelle says. “We have bright murals on our walls with inviting, fun colors. We are really in tune with the complexities of treating all different kiddos and meeting them where they’re at. We don’t push kids beyond what they are capable of or comfortable with. Pediatric dentistry requires a lot of patience, and that’s OK, because our patients are kids!”
Dr. Paul Rubin with Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry says the experience a child has at the dentist early on can set the tone for their dental care throughout
Paul I. Rubin, D.D.S. David Sentelle, D.M.D., Ph.D. MPH
Discover the best in pediatric dental care at Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry! The doctors, Dr. Paul I. Rubin and Dr. David Sentelle, have more than 30 years of combined experience and are dedicated to providing gentle and compassionate treatment. With a total of nine children between them, they understand the lifelong impact of integrating oral health with overall health from an early age.
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry offers state-of-the-art dental care that is integrated into the emotional, physical, and mental health of the families they serve. Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry has three practices to serve health-conscious families in Frisco, Prosper, and McKinney. From the first visit, the doctors and staff focus on creating a comfortable and educational environment to promote lifelong systemic health and well-being. The practice begins caring for patients in infancy by utilizing advanced procedures, including soft tissue lasers for infant tongue tie/lip tie to support new mothers in breastfeeding, as well as minimizing speech, feeding, and facial development issues. Optimizing health and serving your family will ensure that nothing is overlooked when it comes to your child.
lonestarkidsdds.com
Left to right: David Sentelle, D.M.D., Ph.D. MPH; Paul I. Rubin, D.D.S.
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In today’s modern pediatric dental practices, the sounds are fun, the colors are fun, and the environment is more like what kids are used to when they play.”
DAVID SENTELLE, DMD, PHD, MPH
life. “This is why we recommend a child’s first visit at six months after their first tooth appears,” Dr. Rubin says. “They are coming in for a preventive check. We call it a ‘happy visit.’ It’s really more about having the parents meet us so we can teach them healthy habits and prevention techniques. A lot of times, parents are more nervous than the kids because of their own negative dental experiences as a child. First-time parents often don’t know what to expect from a first pediatric dental visit, so early check-ups allow both the child and parents to have a positive experience and see that it is not scary to come to the dentist, especially after the first few times. Most often, kids start to look forward to their dental visits because they are so fun. Once the child, dentist, staff, and parents have bonded, the visits become so much easier for the child.”
When looking for a pediatric dental practice for your child, Drs. Rubin and Sentelle recommend considering the following tips:
• Be sure the pediatric dentist is affiliated with local hospitals for emergency dental surgeries.
• Ask if continuing education is offered to staff members.
• Does the dentist recommend the first visit between age one and 1.5?
• Will the practice allow parents to be nearby during dental procedures?
• Does the dentist provide comprehensive dental care beyond cleaning and fillings, such as screening for obstructive sleep apnea and frenectomy surgery for nursing infants?
• Check if the practice provides the latest technology in pediatric dentistry, such as BPA-free fillings and white zirconia crowns.
• Does the practice offer sedation dentistry, including laughing gas, oral conscious sedation, and sedation administered by a licensed anesthesiologist, for children with high anxiety?
• Check Google reviews from other families.
• Visit the office and ask to speak to the dentist and staff about their approach to care and get the overall feel of the environment.
• Ask if there are several locations for convenience.
