Dr. Jorg-Peter Rabanus

Greetings,

You have arrived at this web site, because you are most likely trying to find information about cosmetic dentistry.

You may be looking for a cosmetic dentist. Or you may just be looking for enough information to make up your mind where, when, and how to address your concerns about your teeth.

How do you get the smile you've always wanted?

The only person, who will eventually decide which way to go, is you. My web site is here to help you understand what you can expect from cosmetic dentistry.

Many dental offices claim to be specialized in cosmetic dentistry. However, there are only about 250 dentists worldwide to have qualified for accredited member status in the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (www.AACD.com). The academy is the largest international organization specifically dedicated to the art and science of cosmetic dentistry.

How do you find a cosmetic dentist who is truly experienced with the art of cosmetic dentistry?

Ask questions.

You should find out how many veneers the dentist has done and how many years he has practiced cosmetic dentistry.

You should ask whether or not the dentist had any formal training in cosmetic dentistry. Find out whether he is accredited by the AACD or at least a member of the academy.

Ask to see before-and-after pictures of patients. Make sure the dentist shows pictures of his own patients, not just pictures that he bought by some marketing companies.

Assess your own feelings about this:

How do you feel about what you see?
Does the cosmetic work look balanced and natural?

Ask for testimonials and references of patients who have gone through the process.

The dentist should know about smile design and understand how the whole face interacts with the smile he is creating. He should be able to tell you about the amount of visible tooth that is considered aesthetic and how much the lips should be supported by the teeth.

Like the cut of a diamond, where the facets have to be the right proportion to get maximum brilliance from the stone, all the elements of a beautiful face are in harmony.

Recent studies on the best-paid magazine models revealed the current ideal of facial aesthetics: the sultry lips of Vanessa Williams, the clear and soft lines of Cindy Crawford, and, quite naturally, the seductive smiles of Jennifer Lopez and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

How experienced is the cosmetic dentist in performing corrective gum procedures?

To create a harmonious smile, you often have to correct the gum line. Some smiles are too "gummy". In other smiles, misaligned teeth create uneven gum lines. To correct problems like these, it is not enough to just place "beautiful" porcelain veneers. The relationship of gums and teeth has to be right as well.

Does everyone know what "dentin bonding" is?

Dentin bonding is a product of long and extensive research. It creates an intimate link between a dental material and your natural tooth. Let your dentist explain to you how it works. Listen very carefully...

Without dentin bonding, porcelain veneers and crowns may develop dark margins, decay, bad breath, or even fall off. Your dentist has to rebuild a tooth that is at least as strong as your natural teeth. And this is only achieved with the proper use of dentin-bonding agents.

How does your cosmetic dentist communicate with the lab that fabricates your teeth?

There should be detailed drawings, information on shape, shade, and translucency Š without translucency you would end up with teeth that look like they have been painted with white-out. Photographs should go to the lab so that the technician knows without question what he is dealing with. There should be information about your bite and the relationship of your jaws. The lab should be well-experienced in fabricating cosmetic restorations.

There is a lot cosmetic dentistry can do to improve your smile. Get informed. Read this web site, contact me and ask questions. I will try to answer all of them.

Dr. Jorg-Peter Rabanus

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