Michael Iott Dental Blog

We continually see more happy, smiling faces around NY after we have improved the smiles of our guests. I thought I would show you some of the high quality cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry we do. Our guests will tell you first hand, they feel so much better about how they look and feel.

Believe it or not, everyone has TMJ. TMJ is simply an acronym for the Temporo-Mandibular Joint, aka your jaw. When your jaw is causing pain, it is referred to by another acronym, TMD, which stands for Temporo-Mandibular Dysfunction ("TMD"). The Temporo-Mandibular Joint is located right in front of both of your ears. To find it, try putting your little finger into your ear, then open and close your mouth. You should be able to feel it moving.

The Temporo-Mandibular Joint is comprised of the lower part of your face, called the mandible, which also contains your bottom row of teeth and is attached to your head with ligaments and muscles. A small disc is located between the mandible and temporal bone that contains your upper teeth. The disc is comprised of cartilage and serves a very important purpose- that of cushioning the space between the two bones. When the joint is malfunctioning, sufferers can hear a clicking, crunching or popping sound when opening and closing the mouth. This is a dysfunction of the cushioning disc.

The goal of your dentist is to diagnose your jaw pain and suggest treatments to alleviate it, some of which can be accomplished at home. Understanding that every patient is different and experiences TMD in their own way, your cosmetic dentist will work with you to design a treatment plan that addresses:
· pain caused by TMD
· loss of mobility in the head, face, neck and upper back
· abnormal movement behaviors related to popping, cracking, or grinding noises experienced by the patient
· frequent related headaches
· patient education you on important do’s and don’ts
· home remedies so you can help yourself

Your cosmetic dentist will no doubt work closely with your personal physician to create a comprehensive treatment program that addresses every individual factor contributing to your painful symptoms. You don’t need to suffer! Click here to find out more about how Dr. Michael Iott can give you the treatment and tools you need to end the pain and get back into the swing of life!

Keith Urban New Teeth?

Keith Urban has lots to smile about lately! This year, the country singer, 38, who hails from Australia, scored a huge hit with his album, Be There. And in May, he was named the Academy of Country Music’s male vocalist of the year, just a month before he married Oscar-winner and fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman, 39. But part of the reason Keith is beaming so much lately may be that he finally has a grin to be proud of! In the early days of his career, his choppers were full of gaps, but no more. Star asked award-winning cosmetic dentist Dr. Debbie Davis of Boca Raton, Fla., what Keith may have done to get his new look.

According to Dr. Davis, who has not treated the country crooner, it appears that Keith has fixed the gaps in his mouth with veneers and/or crowns. Both procedures cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 a tooth, and can create a flawless set of choppers. But interestingly, Dr. Davis notes that Keith’s new look isn’t quite perfect. Why? “A customized smile with some imperfections makes it look real,” she explains, noting that he still has a slight gap between his two front teeth and his canines or “eye” teeth don’t match perfectly. “No one would know that he had his smile designed,” says Davis. “The true hallmark of a great smile makeover!”

Every dental school graduate is a general dentist, and many advertise their skill in cosmetic dentistry. But did you know there’s quite a difference between general dentists and cosmetic dentists?

Any dentist can advertise as a cosmetic dentist, believing their dental school training qualifies them to do so. However, true cosmetic dentistry skill is developed over years of commitment, money, energy, time and intense training. General dentists simply do not have the necessary advanced expertise.

Additionally, cosmetic dentists are passionate about the final appearance of your smile as they are about your oral health and they will work hard to provide excellent results from both standpoints. General dentists however, because of not having specialized training in understanding patient concerns about cosmetic aspects of their appearance, may be more concerned about your oral health results than the overall esthetics of their work.

Another difference is in the examination. General dentists may examine your mouth and, upon seeing no cavities or other oral health concerns, may announce your teeth are fine. However, cosmetic dentists understand that good oral health and a pleasing appearance are equally important. The point is that general dentists are trained to fix functional aspects of the mouth and teeth, whereas cosmetic dentists are trained to create function and beauty. For most patients, the less cosmetically oriented approach of the general dentist is no longer enough.

Cosmetic dentists are also committed to ongoing education and hands-on training that never ends throughout their careers. Each area of cosmetic restoration is complex, requiring the cosmetic dentist to have a thorough understanding not taught in general dental school.

And, finally, there are differences in communication. While the cosmetic dentist brings to bear all of his or her training, expertise, artistic talent and scientific knowledge, the general dentist tends to focus on the diagnosis of structural problems like cavities, cracks, and infections.

The bottom line for most patients is excellent oral care and an attractive smile. With busy lives to contend with, it simply makes sense to visit a cosmetic dentist who can efficiently and beautifully take care of both.

Considering cosmetic dentistry but worried about the cost? You’re not alone. Cosmetic dentistry procedures are up as much as 40% in the past 5 years, as more people realize the smart investment made in caring for their oral health.

Here is a brief list of the ways in which cosmetic dentistry can be customized to suit your needs:

· Teeth Whitening, both over-the-counter products and in-office techniques
· Porcelain Veneers - thin shells that correct chipped, cracked, worn, or discolored teeth
· Bonding - a special tooth-colored resin material that can be shaped and bonded directly to a tooth close gaps, whiten stained teeth, or reshape chipped teeth
· Orthodontic procedures for children and adults- teeth straightening and bite realignment are popular choices.
· Tooth-colored fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns repair and protect decayed or broken teeth with a natural look, s well as being healthier for gums
· Bridges and implants replace missing teeth and support the teeth you have left

Each of these procedures can be used individually or in combination to improve your oral health and the appearance of your smile, and the boost to your self esteem is great too.
However, the cost of cosmetic dentistry is the biggest reason why some never make the necessary investment. Although cosmetic dental procedures can add up, the cost does not have to be prohibitive, as most dentists will work with you to create a financial plan that addresses your goals and fits your available budget.

When it comes to your health, it’s important to think about the overall benefits, not just the expense. You may believe you cannot afford cosmetic dentistry. But can you afford not to invest in yourself, your health and your future success? Talk to your cosmetic dentist or contact Dr. Michael Iott to schedule a consultation. There’s no harm in finding out about your options and you may even be surprised to discover you can have the excellent health and beautiful smile you always wished for.

The 3000 adults and children who live and work in tiny Azama, near Otavalo, Ecuador, make their living on the flower plantations and in the cement industry. Children as young as six work alongside their poorly fed and poorly compensated parents.

The Azama Project allows the indigenous peoples of Azama the chance to the dream of better days, and it all began when Bonnie Lunt's People Helping People provided Azama with a school where children can discover the world through books, learn English and Spanish, and receive quality medical care, as well as dental care with Dr. Michael Iott, a respected New York City dentist. The dental program was jumpstarted by Monica Pelaez and Dr. Gustavo de Oliveira who went to Azama, Ecuador to pave the way for the beautiful people of this community to have the healthy and beautiful smiles they deserve.

Shortly thereafter, Monica Pelaez went back to begin the daunting task of reporting the files and collecting information about the lack of educational resources and the high carb diets that cause overwhelming dental issues for these gentle people. Monica took pictures to demonstrate that what we see behind these angelical faces is a sad reality of decay and future extractions. With help from the Azama project and all of the wonderful medical volunteers who have made it a reality, we are ready to change this potentially bleak future and make a huge difference for this community.

Dr. Michael Iott’s team will travel frequently to Ecuador to keep up the dental work, not only with a treatment plan but most importantly, with a prevention plan that has the eradication of dental diseases in the area as its major goal.