What is Snap-on Smile?

Snap-On Smile is a patented, easy and painless way to obtain a beautiful smile. It was invented by a dentist who realized that not everyone can afford thousands of dollars to get a Hollywood smile make-over. After years of extensive research and development, your dentist can now provide you with a Snap-On Smile that is thin and strong with the look of natural teeth. You can eat and drink with your Snap-On Smile. It’s easy to care for and can be a temporary or permanent cosmetic solution. It’s available for upper and lower teeth.

Snap-On Smile’s unique, proprietary formula of hi-tech dental resin make it very thin yet extremely strong. It fi ts right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural looking smile—even if you have stains, chips, gaps or missing teeth.

And for many people, Snap-On Smile can be life changing. It gives back the confi dence to smile. Thousands of people worldwide have already experienced the unique benefi ts of Snap-On Smile.

Snap-On Smile is for just about everyone!

Snap-On Smile is an affordable and life-changing solution for people of all ages. Getting a Snap-On Smile simply requires two, short, painless visits with no drilling, no shots and no change in tooth structure.

It is an excellent choice for:

• Gaps, crooked, stained or missing teeth
• Those who are not candidates for bridges or implants
• Anyone who would like a Hollywood smile without the expense and discomfort of complex and invasive dental procedures
• Anyone who has an old-fashioned removable partial denture and wants a beautiful, more comfortable alternative

It’s easy, it’s painless and you can start today

1. You pick the style and shade of your new smile
2. Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth
3. You come back in about three weeks for a fi nal fi tting and you wear your Snap-On Smile home

How long will my Snap-On Smile last?

Snap-On Smile comes with a 12 month limited warranty against manufacturing defects, which is extendable to 3 years. Click here for full warranty terms. With proper care, your Snap-On Smile can last from 3 to 5 years. Just follow the Snap-On Smile dentist’s cleaning instructions and you’ll enjoy millions of smiles with Snap-On Smile.

Snap on Smile Before

Snap on Smile After

Due to advances in medicine and an increase in prolonged life expectancy, the number of older people will continue to increase worldwide. It is essential that all older adults practice and maintain good oral hygiene due to the high correlation between oral health and general health.

How should I care for my teeth as I get older?

Maintaining good oral health is not only vital to your systemic health—it can keep you smiling well into retirement. Brushing at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush is as important as ever. Flossing is very important, too—it helps to remove plaque from between teeth and below the gumline that your toothbrush cannot reach.

Am I more prone to certain oral conditions as I age?

As you age, you may be more likely to develop gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by the bacteria found in plaque that attack the gums. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums and bleeding when you brush. If you have these symptoms, see a dentist. Gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease if problems persist. In the worst cases, bacteria form in pockets between the teeth and gums, weakening the bone and causing the gums to recede, pulling back from teeth. This can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. As you age, changes in salivary flow and content may further lead to gingivitis, as well as cavities. Because approximately 80 percent of all American adults suffer from some form of gingivitis, it’s important to see your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups. If regular oral care is too difficult for you (see below), your dentist can provide alternatives to aid in brushing and flossing.

What if arthritis makes brushing too difficult?

Certain dental products are designed to make dental care less painful for people who have arthritis. It is sometimes recommended that people with arthritis try securing their toothbrush to a wider object, such as a ruler, to ease arthritic hand pain while brushing. Electric toothbrushes also can help by doing some of the work for you. Ask your dentist for other suggestions.

What are the signs of oral cancer?

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers, with roughly 35,000 new cases reported annually in the United States. Oral cancer most often occurs in people who are older than age 40. Oral cancer can form in any part of the mouth or throat. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery, and even death. Oral cancer has one of the lowest five-year survival rates of all cancers; this is primarily due to late diagnosis. See a dentist immediately if you notice any of the following: red or white patches on your gums or tongue, a sore that fails to heal within two weeks, bleeding in your mouth, loose teeth, problems or pain swallowing, or a lump in your neck. Your dentist should perform a head and neck exam to screen for oral cancer during routine checkups.

What can I do about dry mouth?

As you age, you may develop dry mouth. Dry mouth (xerostomia) happens when salivary glands fail to work due to disease, certain medications, or cancer treatment. The condition can make it hard to eat, swallow, taste, and speak. Drinking lots of water and avoiding sweets, tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine are some ways to fight dry mouth. Your dentist also can prescribe medications to ease the symptoms of severe dry mouth.

What else can I do to maintain good oral health?

Studies have shown that maintaining a healthy mouth may keep your body healthier and help you to avoid diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Older patients who are planning to enter a nursing home should inquire about on-site dental care. People who do not have teeth still need to visit the dentist regularly, since many aspects of oral health, such as adjusting dentures and oral cancer screenings, can be handled during routine dental visits. The best way to achieve good oral health is to visit your dentist at least twice a year.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Published with permission by the Academy of General Dentistry. © Copyright 2010 by the Academy of General Dentistry. All rights reserved

What is a laser and how does it work?

A laser is an instrument that produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy. When laser light comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction. The light produced by the laser can remove, vaporize, or shape tissue.

Are lasers used in dentistry?

Yes, lasers have been used in dentistry since 1990. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that lasers can be used as a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of dental procedures. Lasers are often used in conjunction with other dental instruments.

How are lasers used in dentistry?

Dental lasers can be used to:

• correct speech problems caused by a tongue-tie, which prevents normal tongue movement.
• uncover partially erupted wisdom teeth.
• remove decay from a cavity and prepare the tooth for a new filling.
• remove muscle pulls, as seen in orthodontic patients.
• manage gum tissue during impressions for crowns.
• remove swollen tissues caused by medications.
• perform biopsy procedures.
• remove inflamed gum tissues and reduce the amount of bacteria within a periodontal pocket.
• remove or reshape excess gum and bone tissues during crown lengthening procedures.
• treat abscessed gums and infections in root canals.
• reduce the discomfort of canker and cold sores.
• activate whitening chemicals that are used to lighten teeth.

What are the benefits of using dental lasers?

There are several advantages. Dentists may not need to use a drill or administer anesthesia, allowing the patient to enjoy a more relaxed dental experience. Laser procedures can be more precise. Also, lasers can reduce symptoms and healing times associated with traditional therapies; reduce the amount of bacteria in both diseased gum tissue and in tooth cavities; and control bleeding during surgery.

Are dental lasers safe?

If the dental laser is used according to accepted practices by a trained practitioner, then it is at least as safe as other dental instruments. However, just as you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from prolonged exposure to the sun, when your dentist performs a laser procedure, you will be asked to wear special eyeglasses to protect your eyes from the laser.

How can I be sure my dentist is properly trained to use a laser?

Ask your dentist questions about the extent of his or her laser education and training. Make sure that your dentist has participated in educational courses and received training by the manufacturer. Many dental schools, dental associations, and the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) offer dental laser education. The ALD is the profession’s independent source for current dental laser education and credentialing.

How will I know if treatment with a dental laser is an option for me?

Ask your dentist. Although the laser is a very useful dental instrument, it is not appropriate for every dental procedure.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Published with permission by the Academy of General Dentistry. © Copyright 2010 by the Academy of General Dentistry. All rights reserved

What is the best dental insurance plan for me?
Although there is no perfect dental insurance plan, some plans will be better than others for you and your family. Dental insurance plans primarily differ in how much you have to pay. Although no plan will pay for all of the costs associated with your dental care, some plans will cover more than others. With any dental insurance plan, you will pay a basic premium, usually monthly, to buy the dental insurance coverage. In addition, there are often other payments you must make. These payments will vary by plan, but they are essentially deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

What questions should I ask?
Consider these questions when selecting a dental plan: • How much will it cost me on a monthly basis? • Are there deductibles I must pay before the insurance begins to help cover my costs? After I have met the deductible, what part of my costs are paid by the plan? • Which dentists are part of the plan? • Where will I go for care? Are the offices near where I work or live? • If I use dentists outside of a plan’s network, how much more will I need to pay to receive care? If you have access to dental insurance, it’s a good idea to elect coverage. But if you can’t get dental coverage through work, you might be able to buy an individual dental insurance policy.

What types of dental plans are available?
Dental insurance plans usually are described as either indemnity (fee-for-service) or managed care. Indemnity and managed care plans differ in their basic approach. The major differences concern choice of providers, out-of-pocket costs for covered services, and how bills are paid. Usually, indemnity plans offer a greater choice of dentists than managed care plans. Indemnity plans pay their share of the costs of a service only after they receive a bill. Managed care plans have agreements with certain dentists to give a range of services to plan members at reduced cost. In general, you will have less paperwork and lower out-of-pocket costs if you select a managed care-type plan and a broader choice of dentists if you select an indemnity-type plan. Managed care plans are dental PPOs, POSs, and dental HMOs. Some dentists, called non-participating or insurance-free dentists, do not accept any insurance in their practice.

What is a dental discount plan?
A number of companies offer dental discount plans. For a monthly or annual fee, you get access to a network of dentists who will work for discounted rates. However, there are no guarantees that your dentist will provide services for the discounted rate for the entire term of your plan membership. Be sure to check with your dentist to make sure he or she is a member. You also may want to talk with your dentist about other financing arrangements. Many dentists are willing to work with your financial constraints.

ALTHOUGH NO PLAN WILL PAY FOR ALL OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR DENTAL CARE, SOME PLANS WILL COVER MORE THAN OTHERS. 

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Published with permission by the Academy of General Dentistry. © Copyright 2010 by the Academy of General Dentistry.  All rights reserved