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Chapter Two: Myths, Deceptions and Misconceptions | New York, NY

When asked about they’re least favorite thing to do, many adults will say visit the dentist is at the top of the list. The reasons will vary, but it’s enough of an issue that many patients put off regular checkups as a result, making their dental health at risk for future issues. But dental anxiety is a real condition that affects many of our patients. Unfortunately, many of these fears lie within deeply held and unhealthy beliefs about oral health. In the book, Open Wider, Dr. Larry Rosenthal addresses and uproots these issues head on:

Dental visits are unpleasant. Have you been to a dental office lately? Big-screen TVs and aromatherapy are just a couple of the amenities there for you to relax and enjoy your dental experience.

Dental treatment is painful. Materials and bonding techniques are so advanced, patients are less aware that procedures are happening at all.

Teeth aren’t important features. Your teeth are not only responsible for your bite, but support the lower third of your face, affecting your overall appearance. You need to take care of all of your teeth.

Dental restorations last forever. Nothing lasts forever, and the better you care for them, the longer they’ll last.

Dentists aren’t doctors. DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. They aren’t scary like the movies say – they’re just normal people like you and me.

Dental procedures take a long time. With today’s dental advancements, basic dental procedures can be done as quickly as a pedicure or haircut.

Bad breath is diet-based. There are a few reasons you may have bad breath. If it becomes a common occurrence, it could be a health issue, like acid reflux or medication you are taking.

To learn more about dental myths, get your copy of Open Wider from Amazon.com today!

If you are interested in dental college courses, contact Aesthetic Advantage at 212-794-3552 to register today! Or visit www.aestheticadvantage.com for additional information.

Aesthetic Advantage proudly serves New York, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Boston, Rhode Island, California, South Carolina, North Carolina and all surrounding areas.

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Chapter 13: The Aesthetic Dream Team | New York, NY

It’s hard to argue the saying “there’s no I in team”, because behind every success is a team of people. Think about it – in any situation, there will always be a leader, but who are they leading? They need a team and dentistry is no different. To become the best, you must surround yourself with the best, and with that comes gorgeous smiles on happy, thankful patients. In chapter 13, we take a look at eight of Dr. Rosenthal’s “dream team” and how they are an integral part of the team…

Endodontist. An endodontist specializes in the roots of teeth, so all root canal work and diseases affecting the roots of the tooth fall into their lap.

Oral surgeon. When a patient needs a tooth extracted or some type of surgery to the face, it’s time to call in the oral surgeon.

Master ceramist. It is very commonplace for dental offices to send restoration work to a master ceramist in a lab to have cosmetic appliances created according to certain specifications.

Cosmetic or plastic surgeon. A cosmetic surgeon focuses their talents solely on face and neck issues a patient may have; a plastic surgeon who doesn’t have a particular focus.

Dermatologist. At times, a patient feels so downtrodden by their skin’s appearance, they begin to neglect their dental health as well. A dermatologist will improve the skin flaws a patient may have.

TMJ surgeon. Patients with sleeping issues have a whole separate specialist that works wonders with TMJ disorder and breathing issues.

Periodontist. Before any cosmetic work is done, a patient needs healthy gums. This is where a periodontist comes in.

Orthodontist. The orthodontist is called when a patient needs help with their “mouth posture”.

To learn more about Dr. Rosenthal’s personal dream team, get your copy of Open Wider from Amazon.com today!

If you are interested in dental college courses, contact Aesthetic Advantage at 212-794-3552 to register today! Or visit www.aestheticadvantage.com for additional information.

Aesthetic Advantage proudly serves New York, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Boston, Rhode Island, California, South Carolina, North Carolina and all surrounding areas.

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Chapter Nine: Proactive Adolescent Health | New York, NY

Believe it or not, but many of the dental problems we face as adults could’ve been completely prevented. It’s true – dental issues like crooked teeth and bad bites are consequences we face because of the way our dental health was handled as children. As parents, we need to be proactive with our children’s smile by staying on top of dental visits and dental hygiene at home. As children, we learn from our parents and carry it on through our lives. So, as parents, we can change the cycle by teaching them to care for their smiles early.

In this chapter, we learn ten ways we can be proactive with our tiny human’s teeth. Not only will this ensure a healthy smile but will also give the keys necessary to continue to maintain that smile as they grow:

  • Take them to a pediatric dentist.
  • Allow your dentist to take advanced images of your child’s teeth and oral structures in order to spot potential problems as they develop.
  • Ask for a thorough mixed dentition evaluation at age 6-7 to determine if there is enough room for your child’s entire set of permanent teeth to come in.
  • Understand the growth pattern to stage an intervention.
  • Pay attention to your child’s breathing, both awake and asleep. Noisy breathing isn’t normal.
  • Make sure they get the correct amount of fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
  • Teach your child that dental hygiene is the same as personal hygiene.
  • Avoid sugary snacks. Replace with teeth-friendly snacks instead.
  • Remember that your child’s face will change as they grow; avoid early procedures that may be outgrown.
  • Make dental health a family affair.

To learn more about a visual guide to the smile, get your copy of Open Wider from Amazon.com today!

If you are interested in dental college courses, contact Aesthetic Advantage at 212-794-3552 to register today! Or visit www.aestheticadvantage.com for additional information.

Aesthetic Advantage proudly serves New York, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Boston, Rhode Island, California, South Carolina, North Carolina and all surrounding areas.

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Chapter Seven: Secrets to a Brighter Smile | New York, NY

Because we cannot escape the constant presence of the “selfie”, having a great smile is key to looking your best. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the whitest teeth possible. This is likely due to some type of lifestyle choices we are making, both good or bad. Bad habits like smoking are obviously hurting the shade of your teeth but taking certain prescriptions can also cause some coloration damage. The good news is that we can do something about brightening our smile, from basic dietary changes to a professional treatment session. Simple changes to our lifestyle can not only improve our dental health, but our overall health as well.

In this chapter, Dr. Larry Rosenthal shows us some tips to keeping our smiles as bright as we can. We present “Doctor Larry’s Guide to Whitening”…

  • Use a straw when drinking dark-colored, carbonated, or acidic beverages
  • Eat detergent foods high in roughage that stimulate saliva flow
  • Brush after every meal with a soft toothbrush or electric toothbrush
  • Cut out sugary beverages or limit them to mealtime
  • Floss daily or use an oral irrigator
  • Use toothpastes and mouthwashes with fluoride whitening agents
  • Change your toothbrush every month or two, tops
  • Get your teeth professionally whitened no more than once a year
  • Ask your dentist about using home whitening products between professional sessions
  • Use bleaching agents in moderation

To learn more about a visual guide to the smile, get your copy of Open Wider from Amazon.com today!

If you are interested in dental college courses, contact Aesthetic Advantage at 212-794-3552 to register today! Or visit www.aestheticadvantage.com for additional information.

Aesthetic Advantage proudly serves New York, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Boston, Rhode Island, California, South Carolina, North Carolina and all surrounding areas.

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Chapter Six: Three Levels of Care | New York, NY

As a dental professional we walk a fine line with our patients that know exactly “what they need” and cannot be convinced otherwise, and patients that have no clue what they need because all they know if that it hurts or is ugly and would like it fixed. The former is a much tougher patient because they will insist upon treatment options that may not be the best for them because “someone told them about this particular option”, and their teeth look fantastic. It is our job to figure out a way to convince them that they can trust you enough to know what is best for their smile. And it all comes down to three levels of care – where health equals beauty.

Level one: oral health care and maintenance. Our mouths are the first line of defense for many of the illnesses and infections we encounter in our lives. And in order to keep ourselves healthy, it is important to maintain a proper level of dental hygiene and maintenance in order to keep our bodies running. Proper daily dental hygiene routine and consistent checkups will ensure that this happens.

Level two: restorative care. When it comes to restorations, it is important to discuss five key points: comfort (how the restoration feels), convenience (how long the procedure takes), durability (how long it will last with proper upkeep), affordability (and if it fits within budget) and appearance (how they feel mentally).

Level three: aesthetic care. When discussing dental treatment options, it is also important to give aesthetic options as well. The color, size and shape of the teeth themselves, how much are visible when in use and their improved overall appearance.

To learn more about a visual guide to the smile, get your copy of Open Wider from Amazon.com today!

If you are interested in dental college courses, contact Aesthetic Advantage at 212-794-3552 to register today! Or visit www.aestheticadvantage.com for additional information.

Aesthetic Advantage proudly serves New York, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Boston, Rhode Island, California, South Carolina, North Carolina and all surrounding areas.

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Chapter Five: The Smile Assessment | New York, NY

In the age of the selfie, it is important to many that their appearance is always on point. We get our nails done and our hair cut on a regular basis, we find the nicest clothes we can afford to always look our best. But more important is our smiles. For most of us, we have plenty of things we would like to change.

What if you could have that smile you always dreamed of? It is important that you take a good look at what exactly you would like done so you can properly discuss an appropriate treatment plan with your dental professional. Before your initial consultation, think about these six questions:

Priorities. What would you like to accomplish? Give a basic but honest idea of what you your goals are at the end of this process.

Health. How is your health? Do you have any toothaches or irritations developing inside your mouth? Your dental health will play a part in what dental procedures are available to you.

Hygiene. How is your hygiene? As a reminder of the previous question, keeping your dental hygiene routines is very important.

Appearance. How do you feel about your appearance? Really take a look at your features, both facial and your smile and express your concerns.

Fear. How do you feel about visiting the dentist? While many have some type of fear of the dentist, today’s technology can relieve any concerns you may have.

Cost and convenience. What are your views of the time and money involved? Dental work can become expensive and time-consuming, depending on your particular case. Take this into consideration as well when deciding on your next step.

To learn more about a visual guide to the smile, get your copy of Open Wider from Amazon.com today!

If you are interested in dental college courses, contact Aesthetic Advantage at 212-794-3552 to register today! Or visit www.aestheticadvantage.com for additional information.

Aesthetic Advantage proudly serves New York, Atlanta, Florida, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Boston, Rhode Island, California, South Carolina, North Carolina and all surrounding areas.