In The News

Cosmetic Dentistry Is Now The Standard

Dallas News March 31, 2008

Thanks to technical advances and consumer demand, cosmetic dentistry has come a long way.

"It's extraordinary what cosmetic dentists can do these days," said Dr. Lorin Berland of the Dallas Dental Spa.

"Early cosmetic dentistry consisted of unnatural porcelain crowns with metal rings around the gum, 'tin-can' braces, and in the extreme, removing ugly teeth and replacing them with dentures."

Now there are better whitening techniques, implants, veneers, porcelain crowns, clear braces and more. The demand for skilled cosmetic dental professionals is growing constantly – and not just for dentists, but also for their vital assistants and laboratory technicians.

"Cosmetic dentistry has really become the standard for dentists who would consider themselves true artisans in their trade, and have the case photos to prove it," said marketing professional Zach Hoffman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In March 2007, he helped launch the American Cosmetic Dental Association with his father, Dr. Howard J. Hoffman, a general and cosmetic dentist.

While a few dentists devote all their time to cosmetic procedures, most still operate general practices that incorporate aesthetics. Among those who opted to specialize is Dr. Gregory M. Lutke of Dallas Dental Solutions in Plano.

Dr. Lutke, 50, has two dental businesses. His practice deals solely with aesthetic dentistry, and his other company teaches digital photography and dental imaging to dentists and lab technicians.

"There really is an art to providing each patient with his or her most aesthetic result," he said. And "the ceramist [laboratory technician] is a key partner in the cosmetic process."

Postgraduate Work

Dental professionals have acquired these skills through postgraduate continuing education at an additional expense. High-level aesthetic procedures are not part of the general dental curriculum, Dr. Lutke said. But with advanced training, cosmetic dentistry can be highly profitable.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry offers a rigorous credentialing process for gaining accreditation. Members also can attend annual meetings and hands-on courses to hone skills and learn the newest techniques, said Laura Kelly, an accredited ceramist in San Ramon, Calif., who is the academy's president.

"Demand is high. We have seen an increase overall in dentistry, and specifically, cosmetic tooth-colored restorations have grown in demand," said Ms. Kelly, 44, who also owns a full-service dental laboratory that makes veneers, crowns, bridges and other fixtures.

"Patients' expectations are higher, and they are requesting more natural-looking teeth than ever before. [There's] consumer awareness through the media, shows like Extreme Makeover," she said.

"The desire for whiter-looking teeth is at an all-time high."

Aside from further education, cosmetic dentistry requires "greater hand finesse as well as a sense of touch," said Dr. Berland, 52, who has practiced in Dallas' downtown Arts District for 23 years. "Most importantly, a cosmetic dentist must develop an 'eye' to create teeth that complement the personality and the physical attributes of the patient."

Designing A Smile

In designing a smile, the dentist should communicate visually with the patient whenever possible. That's why Dr. B conceived a Smile Guide displaying 18 choices from which patients can select what's best for them.

He got his start at a dental laboratory while in high school. Later, he worked as a dental lab technician for a dentist.

"It was creating lifelike dentures for our patients that rejuvenated not just their smile, but their whole face, that convinced me to pursue being a dentist," Dr. B said. "It was thanks to these experiences that I was able to be right there at the beginning of cosmetic dentistry."

A Conversion With... Lorin Berland, DDS May 19, 2005
Americas Top (Cosmetic) Dentist in America Details February 2007
The use of Smile Libraries for Cosmetic Dentistry  Dental Tribune 2006
One of America's Best Dentists  Dental Tribune 2006
Why Every Dental Office Needs to Install Radiography
Tooth And Nails - Southwest Airlines Spirit, August 2005
Just In from Germany - June 24, 2005
Comfortably Numb: How Dentists Are Easing Your Fears - MSNBC.com, June 24, 2005
A conversation with Lorin Berland, DDS - In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Lorin Berland shares with Dr. Jeff Dalin thoughts about the innovations he has pioneered... RDH Magazine May 19, 2005
Lie Back and Be Pampered - MSNBC.com, September 15, 2004
CAD/CAM Technology: Gives Us More to Smile About - Dental Collaborations, Spring 2004
Dental Spas Leave Patients Smiling - Healing Lifestyles and Spas, November / December 2003
The Best Dentists In Dallas - D Magazine, December 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Introducing the Dallas dental spa - from Britian's leading dental journal: Dentistry, August, 2003
This Won't Hurt One Little Bit - Readers Digest, June 2003
	Root Canals Are Better With A Foot Massage, from TIME, December 30, 2002 - January 6, 2003
The Dentistry of the Future is Here Today, from Today's Woman, November 2000.
Dr. Happy Tooth - March 11th 1987