Cosmetic Dentistry Santa Monica
TLC's 10 Years Younger TV Series - Reina's Dental Makeover
Dr. Sam Muslin was the featured dentist on the television series Ten Years Younger, airing on "The Learning Channel". For over four years, this program has reached out to people who need and want to revitalize their appearance; and of course, their look is not complete until their teeth are addressed. Reina wanted minimal treatment on her teeth, so non-invasive dentistry was used to give her straight-looking, white teeth with as little treatment as possible.
Gum Disease
The first issue that needed to be dealt with was the gum disease throughout her mouth. The problem was a result of years of neglect because she never received effective "home care" instruction from her previous dentists. After following Dr. Muslin's recommendations, involving the use of a power toothbrush, a WaterPik ®, and a custom teeth-whitening system, Reina's gum disease began to disappear and her oral health dramatically improved.
Teeth Whitening
The peroxide used in the whitening system acts as an antimicrobial agent, which kills the bacteria that cause gum disease. The patients can simultaneously improve the health of their gums while whitening their teeth. The strength of the whitening solutions was gradually increased for Reina, so as to reduce sensitivity that is commonly experienced with bleaching. The combination of improved home care and the teeth whitening system that Dr. Muslin customized for Reina gave her the best results possible. Zoom II, BriteSmile, Crest Strips or other whitening products can work okay, but do not get the long-lasting results of a customized teeth whitening technique.
Porcelain Veneers
Non-Invasive dentistry for Reina involved no-grinding porcelain veneers that were placed on only three teeth. Porcelain veneers were used to make all of her upper teeth appear straight. This technique, also known as "Instant Braces", gives the patient straight, white teeth in only 2 weeks.
The results are incredible because the patient has veneers that look completely natural and will last for many years, all without grinding down her natural teeth. The dentist has to be highly skilled to place a single porcelain veneer in the middle of her smile and match it perfectly to the rest of her teeth.
Dental Bonding
The lower teeth were esthetically reshaped and bonding was added to one tooth that had a crooked edge in order to make the top edges of her teeth look straight. This patient now has straight, white teeth on her upper and lower arches and had minimally invasive dentistry completed along with teeth whitening. The technique also improved her health and reduced the amount of food traps that cause gum disease.
Laser Gum Surgery
The upper gum level is uneven. The gums are thick, infected and have overgrown. Laser gum surgery was completed to give the gums a level appearance and balance the sizes of the teeth. Laser gum surgery, in combination with teeth whitening, also helped kill the gum infection.