Trans Zen Dental

Let me first begin by telling you how much effort it took on the behalf of Dr Bhatt to get me to admit I had a problem. I was in denial.

After that, I had surpassed denial and went into anger mode.

There was no convincing me that I had done anything wrong, let alone had a problem. But there it was, staring me in the face every single day:

I had a CAVITY!

I had to quickly drop out of all of the “CAVITY FREE CLUB” facebook groups that I had belonged to, agree to let Dr Bhatt look at it, and accept that I needed to do something about it before it got out of hand. For all you perfectionists out there, you know what I’m talking about. It’s like having a perfect driving record and then getting a parking ticket.
















The BEFORE photo: My cavitiy started on the biting surface of my tooth and creeped onto the cheek side of the tooth. Not only that, but it was sitting underneath the band I have on the tooth from braces.

Putting my compulsions aside, I had to address my dental issue STAT! A simple filling would have fixed the problem, except for one small detail: I am currently wearing braces, and the cavity had formed underneath a band. While I love my orthodontist to death, he did ensure me that I wasn’t getting my braces off next week (I am actually awful about wearing my rubber bands) and so began the challenge.

WITHOUT HAVING TO STICK ME WITH A NEEDLE, Dr Bhatt gently removed the decay. The cavity was small but challenging to remove. I didn’t feel a thing. She checked to ensure she removed everything and placed a small filling. The material she used is a fluoride releasing filling, which means the area is secure from becoming a cavity again! It looks beautiful, feels great, and I didn’t have to get numb for it! We are now visiting the idea of possibly replacing some of my old sealants to prevent this from happening again.
















The AFTER photo: a beautiful, tooth-colored restoration. I didn't have to take my band off, my tooth is healthy again, and I have absolutely no pain. Please forgive all the saliva!

With this cavity behind me, I have moved on with my life, and even better, I have admitted to myself that I had a problem. I have even joined a “ONLY ONE CAVITY CLUB” on facebook and am so thankful to everyone who helped me through this dark time in my life.

If you or someone you know is suffering from dental decay, help is available. Call your nearest Trans Zen Dental office today, toll free at 480.563.4936.

We have finally hit the peak of summer! Temps are remaining above 100 degrees, that backyard pool is finally getting some use, and everyone’s taking their much anticipated family summer vacation.

Unless you have actually come through our office, you may not know how lucky I am to work with the people in this office. Everyone supports each other and I can not think of a better, more positive place to spend my nine hours a day. It is our belief that if we love working together, patients will love being a part of our practice, too.

Up until this point, you've heard from me. For this next blog, I'm passing the spotlight on to Dr Bhatt, who is going to discuss what it is like being on her side of the dental chair.

I know Dr Bhatt has enjoyed blogging this far, and I know you will enjoy her post, too!

Conventional wisdom dictates that once you have found your look, you ought to stick with it. If you buy into that philosophy, though, you might be short-changing yourself. Let’s take a look at these statistics and it will really surprise you!

• 94 % of Americans polled said they notice a person's smile during the first encounter
  
• 99.7 % of Americans believe that a smile is an important asset
  
• 96 % of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to a member of the opposite sex
  
• 75 % of adults polled feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success
  

And now for the killer:

• Only 50% of adults polled are satisfied with their own smile
  

Labels: dental veneers, LVI dentist, shade tab, smile catalog, wax up

In a society where tanning salons and Brazilian waxing spas out-number Starbucks stores, it’s no wonder people are becoming increasingly aware of the impact their looks can have on their life. In the dental field, I hear of it every day: people unable to order certain foods on the menu because they can’t chew it, people with crooked smiles, cracked teeth, and even those who prefer not to show their teeth to their own dentist! Most of those smiles come with a disclaimer. Before these patients open their mouths to me, they must declare their disclaimer: “my teeth are really crooked” or “I have lots of staining”. Either way, my patients warn me of their own insecurities before opening up.

What most people don’t realize is that almost all smiles have imperfections. These imperfections can range from a charismatic gap inbetween the front teeth to many missing and badly decayed teeth. Some people are born with such crooked teeth, they have actually paid for their orthodontist’s family vacation cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Others hide behind such badly stained teeth, they have actually purchased stock in Crest Whitestrips. Even those who have perfect teeth can have an ugly metal crown showing in the back when they smile. Some of those imperfections are wonderful and add a charismatic sense of personality to a smile. For many, those imperfections are what make those smiles unique. But for some, the itch for a perfect smile must be scratched.

In a society where faster internet and stronger coffee are a must, there’s no surprise that people are finding better and quicker ways to improve themselves, including their smile. The introduction of the hit TV show Extreme Makeover shed some light on common cosmetic dental problems. It also showed viewers how simple cosmetic procedures can enhance overall facial features. Celebrities have sought to be the first to have these cosmetic procedures done and their fans have followed suit. They have found fast and relatively painless ways to achieve the same smiles seen on TV.

This blog posting is the first of a two part blog. Part one will show that dental mis-haps can happen even to some of our most favorite (or bling-ing!) celebrities. Here, I will show you some celebrity smiles that could, in the very least, use a bit of an improvement. Commentary will describe what is wrong with the smile as well as quick procedures that can be done to improve the smile. Just think of this blog as What Not to Wear… except for your smile!

Tom Cruise: his midline is off (space between two front teeth isn’t in line with the rest of his face: gives his face an asymmetrical look and emphasizes his nose), inflamed gums, gummy smile, big teeth.

Recommendations: invisalign (invisible braces) to correct midline problems , dental cleaning (deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing may be recommended) and gingivectomy to clean gum tissues and clear gummy smile, dental veneers.

Mike Tyson: large gap in the front (called a diastema), two esthetically un-pleasing gold teeth.

Recommendations: removal of gold crowns, dental veneers across visible top teeth, eye brow wax (kidding!).

Jon Heder: gummy smile, fluorosis of teeth (white, chalky discoloration of teeth).

Recommendations: dental cleaning to reduce inflammation of gum tissues, gingivectomy to correct gummy smile, dental veneers.

Kirsten Dunst: two front teeth lean inwards, other teeth buck out. Short teeth (two front teeth are long, others are not in proportion).

Recommendations: Invisalign (clear braces) to correct alignment of teeth, dental veneers for mis-shapen teeth (longer and rounded veneers can create a more effeminate smile).























Flavor Flav: can't BBQ this 4th of July? I know someone who could lend you their grill!

Recommendations: check your clock necklace and run, don’t walk, to the nearest dentist!






















Jewel: crooked top teeth, crooked bottom teeth with chipping.

Recommendations: invisalign (invisible braces), ZOOM in-office whitening (commonly used on Extreme Makeover) small fillings for chipped bottom teeth.

A faster alternative: Lumineers on all top teeth

Avril Lavigne: pointy canine teeth (vampire teeth), crooked bite.

Recommendations: invisalign (invisible braces), ZOOM in office bleaching, lumineers (a brand name of veneers) on canine teeth.





















Amy Winehouse: missing tooth, cracked tooth (way in the back), bulky teeth, inadequate spacing.

Recommendations: dental implant with all ceramic crown (ceramics look like natural teeth, they don't have an ugly metal underneath them), crown in the back, invisalign (invisible braces), and dental veneers.


If you have any questions regarding any of the recommended procedures above or think you may be a good candidate for some cosmetic dental work, please contact Trans Zen Dental for a free cosmetic consultation with Dr Mena Bhatt (480) 563.4936.

To be continued...

Part two of my Hollywood smiles blog will complete my review of the good, the bad, and the ugly. In recap, part 1 discussed celebrity smiles that are less than perfect. I showed smiles we see everyday on the cover of US Weekly, and discussed possible options to cosmetically enhance these smiles.


I really like this blog because it shows that not only are celebrities actually just real people with everyday imperfections, but it also shows that they have placed a value in the appearance of their smile. Many have jumped on the cosmetic dentistry bandwagon and have loved the ride!


I must say, we have some very intelligent patients at our practice. Those who begin discussing their cosmetic concerns with Dr Bhatt have researched veneers and implants, know their benefits, but also know what a bad veneer looks like. We are moving into a new era where metallic white, symmetrical, blocky teeth are now just viewed as obviously restored teeth and are losing their appreciation. Patients want natural looking veneers, comfortable implants, and white teeth that don’t glow in the dark (who else has seen that Friends episode?). They want a full smile, and one that fits their facial features and skin tone. Some would say this is too demanding, but with the new materials in our dental labs and the comprehensive aesthetic education our cosmetic dentists have achieved, these wants are not only possible, but also affordable.


So, we’ve seen the ugly. Bring on the good and the bad:

American Idol finalist Elliot Yamin had far from perfect teeth when he began singing with the Idol crew. What was once a dull, crooked and broken smile has now been fully restored with the help of some quality cosmetic dentistry. Elliot’s dentist considered his larger than life personality along with his exaggerated facial features (especially his accentuated nose and large eyes) when constructing his dental veneers. This dentist did a beautiful job of making his smile look large and wide without making the veneers appear “too white”.

























Whether she’s Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus, we know one thing: Billy Ray has gotten her smile reconstructed at the young age of 15. Let’s start with the positives: her teeth are rounded, giving her a more feminine smile. Her two front teeth are accentuated and the other teeth are smaller, giving her a more youthful appearance. The color match is great, also. The negatives: these are only starter veneers. Her problem was a gummy smile, and so she had undergone gum surgery to remove excess gum tissues. The veneers are quite small, and for what they were given, the dentist did the best they could. Miley (or Hannah… whichever you prefer) still hasn’t matured into her facial features and is still expected to grow around her smile. Because she is so young, she will have to pay another visit to the dentist to get a more mature smile. Hopefully she will be old enough to drive herself to her next veneers appointment.
























Country singer Keith Urban has more than a beautiful wife and flourishing career, he has a mouthful of quality dental veneers. Keith had many gapped and rotated teeth, and those photos are circa 1996. His new smile is great because it looks natural. The square front teeth look more masculine, and as with Elliot Yamin, his teeth were constructed larger to compensate for his larger nose. They fit the frame of his face very well, and the dentist even left a bit of a gap in between the two front teeth. This gap, commonly called a diastema, is viewed by many as a unique feature and one they wish to keep in their newly constructed smile.

























Knocked Up’s Katherine Heigl wanted straight teeth before her real-life wedding and turned to the invisalign system. She was able to continue her acting career (which has flourished recently) and straighten her teeth without the metal mouth associated with braces. As beautiful as her smile is, I can’t help but to defend the invisalign system by saying that Miss Heigl never completed her treatment, and that is why you still see some teeth still out of line.
















Who Wants to be a Millionaire’s Regis Philbin has improved his smile with 10 dental veneers. His obvious choice to improve his smile has enhanced his small facial features and widened his smile. He should have asked the audience or phoned a friend when it came to the color choice, however. While this color looks great on Halle Berry, these blue-ish veneers are too white for his skin tone. And THAT’s my final answer.













Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker has also followed suit and gotten herself a mouthful of dental veneers. Carrie Bradshaw’s smoking addiction is a great reason for Parker to don dental veneers. Veneers give permanent whitening and are excellent choices for smokers, or coffee, tea, or red wine drinkers. These stain-resistant veneers have one consideration that I am now beginning to see in the office: they were more than likely placed in the early 90’s. With t emergence of teeth whitening in society, teeth have a new kind of white now, and many people are having their current veneers or crowns replaced with new veneers that don a more appropriate, but natural white.
























Rent Malcom X and you would almost argue with me on this one, but Denzel Washington also has a mouthful of veneers. He was actually asked to remove them for his part in the movie, and you can definitely see a noticeable difference. African American men can actually wear a very white veneer and pull it off, but I think Denzel went a bit too white on this one. A good rule of thumb: you don’t want your veneer whiter than the whites of your eyes.






















Hilary Duff’s smile has been under constant critique by bloggers all over the web. In my opinion, her veneers are beautiful. They fit the frame of her face nicely and her lips fall naturally on them. They are a bit square at the edge which gives her a dominant look, but they are rounded to give her a more feminine smile. The color is white but is still natural. I love showing this photo to patients when they are working with the doctor on designing their smile. I feel Hilary has a very mature smile with beautiful feminine curves.




The truth is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and no one smile looks good on everyone. Porcelain veneers, dental implants and ceramic crowns are custom made to fit you. Your smile should reflect who you are and should make you feel good about yourself. A good cosmetic dentist will talk to you about your options, but will also get to know you. They will also want to know what you like in a smile and what they can do to enhance and design something you are proud of. We want you to feel confident in yourself and know that you can have a smile worth noticing.


Dr Mena Bhatt is an LVI-Global trained aesthetic dentist specializing in dental veneers, implants, and invisalign invisible braces. Her consultations are always free, and we welcome you to set up an appointment today to discuss what she can do to improve your smile.


Call Mary at 480.563.4936

Labels: celebrity smiles, dental implants, dental veneers, Hollywood smiles

One of my favorite times of year is celebrating the 4th of July. What could be better than warm weather, parades, fireworks, watermelon seed spitting contests, and root beer floats? In my home town of Greendale, Wisconsin, the 4th of July is more than a paid holiday, it’s a festival!


A typical 4th of July in Greendale actually begins two days prior, when the Greendale Lion’s club sets up their tents and corn cob roasters. These tents add color to downtown Greendale and cause the entire village to smell of barbeque and cotton candy. The age 60 + gentlemen spend their entire Independence day weekend peeling corn, selling beer tickets, and grilling up authentic Milwaukee brats (with sauerkraut, of course). During the day, kids can purchase cheap tickets and enjoy carnival rides and games. The Greendale High School Marching Band always has their booth set up, and for about a dollar, you can try your hand at winning a goldfish. The coffee shops, bakeries, and Ricardo’s famous pizza shop are open all day and all night for passer bys.


The morning of the 4th, people are out before the sun is up, setting out blankets and lawn chairs to reserve their spot for the parade. The marching band is warming up and the floats are getting their finishing touches at the Southridge Mall parking lot. My uncle is captain of the Greendale Fire Department, and always rides first on the fire engine, followed by police, Clydesdale Horses, cheerleaders, baton twirlers, clowns, accordion bands, and many more.


Afterwards, everyone heads over to the now-crowded Ferches Malt Shoppe for a serving of their famous frozen custard. The rest of the day is spent with friends, family, and the largest barbeque you can get your hands on. At night, cover bands perform live down at the village in large beer tents. The Greendale fireworks show usually starts around 9:00, lasts for about 10 minutes, and is quickly followed by the cover bands starting up again. It’s a huge family event and a community spectacle.


If small town Greendale doesn’t suit your fancy, you can head down to Lake Michigan’s lake front and enjoy 13 stages of live music, beer, margaritas, boat rides, BINGO, carnival rides, and some of Milwaukee’s best food at Summerfest. Their Big Bang fireworks show, televised every year, is one of the many breathtaking features during the summer in Milwaukee, and the festival runs for 10 days, being named the world’s largest music festival.


But in all seriousness, the 4th of July is celebrated not to keep fireworks shops in business, but to celebrate the birth and successes of our country. Through all of the world wars, the gold rush, “Black Friday”, the Great Depression, the flappers of the 20’s, alcohol prohibition, the death of Elvis Presley, Cuban Missile Crisis, hippies of the 60’s, the Watergate Scandal, Saturday Night Fever, the Challenger, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and everything in between, our stars and stripes have stood for our freedom. Despite what we may hear about on the news, we put this all aside for one day to celebrate our nation’s history and future.


Whether you are planning on barbequing up some brats, marching in a parade, or simply spending your holiday with friends and family, we wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July.






















This is a picture of historic downtown Greendale, also known as "the village". This 4th of July, the village will be packed with people celebrating our nation's Independence.

























This is my Uncle Russy, captain of the Greendale Fire Department. He always rides in the first engine, leading the parade along with the police department. When I was a child, I used to ride on the engine with him and throw candy to the parade-goers. Fun fact: my sister was born in Greendale Ambulance 404.
























My younger brother, Robert marching with the high school band. They have beautiful band uniforms but don't wear them for the parades because it will be around 90 degrees and 60% humidity when they are marching. Fun fact: me, my two sisters, and my brother all marched for Greendale High School's band.

















My dad, my sister Elizabeth, and my mom waiting for the parade to start. This is a rare sight in that: 1. Neither myself nor my sister were actually in the parade (we are usually either with the band marching or singing with the community theater) 2. my grandpa wasn't in the picture for some reason, and he's usually sitting with us with a beer in his hand 3. my parents didn't bring their dogs this time.