Media & Press

Dentistry is a lot different today than it was in the 1950’s.  The average life-expectancy is longer and people need to take more preventative measures to insure that their teeth will remain strong and healthy throughout their lifetime.  It was a fact of life that as we aged, we would possibly lose some, if not all of our teeth, but recent advances in dentistry have made it possible to prevent this from occurring. In our present time, we expect to keep most if not all of our teeth for a lifetime.   Preventative dentistry can begin as early as childhood, but Dr. Craig Spodak states that it is never too late to begin.  “People need to understand that we have grown from a reactive society to a proactive society.  People used to visit the dentist if they had serious dental issues, rather than for routine cleanings, which are now the norm among younger individuals.”  Twice annual visits will keep teeth cleaner, stronger and free of disease causing bacteria.

There are many ways to insure your teeth will remain strong and healthy, but Dr. Craig Spodak stresses the importance of straight teeth in an effort to avoid future dental problems.  Some of us are born with naturally straight teeth, but unfortunately that is not the case for everyone.  80% of adults have some form of malocclusion or lower anterior crowding.  Genetics play a large role in determining whether your teeth will be straight and evidence shows that straighter teeth last much longer.  If a person suffers from crowding or lack of alignment, Dr. Spodak recommends a fairly modern procedure known as Invisalign.   Invisalign was created by two Stanford graduates and is a treatment that consists of a series of clear, removable aligners that you can change out approximately every two weeks. The orthodontic movement is built into each aligner.

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Aesthetics vs. Health:  The Ugly Secrets Behind An Unhealthy Smile

There is a great incongruity that exists in the field of modern dentistry.  As healthcare providers, our primary objective should be the optimal health and well being of our patients. Yet a simple research query reveals the prevailing definition of Cosmetic Dentistry to be “the branch of dentistry dealing with the appearance of the teeth.”  The characterization of dentistry as cosmetic is a misnomer, at best, and potentially dangerous to our well being.  We, rather, embrace the aptly expressed ideal of comprehensive oral care, “combining art and science to optimally improve dental health, aesthetics and function.”* Of course, we all want an attractive smile. The modern trend, though, of focusing on aesthetics vs. health only serves to mask the ugly secrets that hide behind an unhealthy smile, as well as devalue the multitude of healthful benefits of beautiful teeth.  Not only might seemingly aesthetic issues of decay, discoloration or overcrowding lead to bone or tooth loss, but recent research has corroborated the link between poor oral health and such conditions as heart disease, diabetes, systemic infection and more.

Consider the continuum of health.  A health conscious individual eats well and exercises regularly as a means to an end.  Sure, six-pack abs are attractive, but they are simply an outward manifestation of inner health. That’s why they call it physical fitness training, not physical cosmetic training. As we address the issues of gum disease, decay, crowding and discoloration, we usher our patients along the continuum from ill health to optimal health.  The cosmetic, aesthetic results are a BEAUTIFUL by-product.  Essentially, at the Spodak Dental Group, we firmly believe that a healthy smile IS a beautiful smile!

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