Press Release
For Immediate Release
GIVE A BEAUTIFUL SMILE TO A LOVED ONE AS A HOLIDAY GIFT
NY Dentist Recommends Cosmetic Dental Care as Holiday Gifts
New York, NY, December 6, 2006—Looking for a new type of holiday gift that will never be forgotten? One of the most thoughtful and enduring holiday gifts you can give to a loved one is a beautiful smile.
Advances in cosmetic dentistry offer a wide range of choices of treatments that can fit most holiday gift budgets, according to Dr. Terry Gotthelf, a Manhattan dentist. “Your loved one will smile like never before after receiving cosmetic care from a qualified dentist,” said Dr. Gotthelf.
“Cosmetic dental treatments are available at different cost levels, and some dentists follow our practice of offering gift certificates so the recipient can choose the best treatment for their needs after consulting the dentist,” said Dr. Gotthelf. “Cosmetic treatments are available as gifts with almost any budget,” she said.
She suggests bringing a photo of your loved one to a dentist to discuss the most appropriate treatments if the gift of cosmetic treatment is intended as a surprise. She described cosmetic dental treatments appropriate for a range of problems:
Healthy gums and teeth: “One of the most important and least costly dental health gifts you can give are a thorough checkup and gum treatment,” says Dr. Gotthelf. “Red, puffy gums and tarter on the teeth cause bad breath and are a cosmetic and romantic turnoff.” The latest research on gum disease shows that it’s related to an increased incidence of heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, and other diseases.
Teeth Whitening: There is a wide choice of techniques to whiten teeth according to Dr. Gotthelf, who recommends: --Deep Bleaching™
“Absolutely the most effective bleaching system available, with the most consistent results,” that involves two in-office sessions separated by follow up at home, using custom-fitted bleach trays that are made for your teeth to create a perfect fit, which keeps the bleach on your teeth for a longer period of time.
--In-Office Bleach
A system for results in just one hour using BriteSmile® bleach and special bleaching light. For best results, follow up with an at home bleach system once every few weeks, or come back to the office for a periodic BriteSmile touchup.
--Opalescence In-Office Bleach In-office bleaching in just one hour at a lower cost. For best results, follow up with an at home bleach system once every few weeks. “At home bleach systems vary in effectiveness, which is mostly determined by the fit of the delivery device (the tray or strip).”
--Custom Fabricated Bleaching Trays “We make molds of the patient’s teeth and create custom bleaching trays that fit the mouth perfectly for the most effective at home bleach possible. Wear it when you go to sleep each night for 14 days.”
--TresWhite At-Home Bleach System “Prefabricated, disposable trays already loaded with bleaching gel are adapted to the patient’s teeth. Wear for about 1 hour each night for 10 days.”
Cosmetic video imaging to preview your loved one’s new smile Many cosmetic dentists have the latest computer imaging software, allowing patients to preview what they will look like after cosmetic dental treatments.
Porcelain Veneers: Often described as "instant orthodontics," porcelain veneers are life-like and beautiful. “You can change the color, shape and size of teeth by bonding thin layers of porcelain to them. This process can be likened to getting fake finger nails--for teeth.” Porcelain veneers can help brighten front teeth and correct defects including:
- Spaces between the teeth
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings
- Permanently stained or discolored teeth
- Misshapen or crooked teeth
- Whiten dark yellow or stained teeth
- Cosmetic abnormalities (tooth shape, shade, lip and cheek support)
- Out-of-position teeth
Bonding: Tooth-colored biocompatible bonding and filling materials are used to fill in the gaps between teeth, making crooked teeth appear straight, closing spaces, and eliminating brown spots. “A natural looking tooth colored material is used to reshape teeth in just one appointment.”
Gum Sculpting: “An attractive smile is characterized by healthy gums, symmetry and the proportion of gum/tooth showing when you smile. Gum sculpting helps create a harmonious smile and is important when considering extensive treatments like a smile makeover,” says Dr. Gotthelf.
Replacing old fillings: Many people are embarrassed by old amalgam fillings between their back teeth, which look grey or black. Sometimes the front teeth have decay or worn out bonded fillings, which look brown or create gaps between the teeth. Replacing these old fillings with one of the latest bonded fillings can create a lasting, beautiful smile.
Crowns, Inlays, and Overlays: Used when a tooth is structurally weak and needs the strength of a laboratory fabricated restoration. Crowns can be all metal, such as gold, all porcelain or a combination of porcelain fused-to-metal. Inlays and overlays are used as stronger alternatives to bonded fillings. Like crowns, they are made in a laboratory for a stronger, more durable filling, and are custom fitted to your teeth.
Replacing Missing Teeth: Create a lasting beautiful smile by replacing one or more missing teeth with the latest reliable and aesthetic techniques. Once teeth are extracted, spaces between teeth allow the other teeth to shift, creating problems with the gums, bite and smile. Replacing missing teeth is much less costly in the long term than correcting the problem once the teeth have shifted.
Dr. Gotthelf said that frequently used methods to replace missing teeth include:
Dental Implants: For those who want to replace one or more missing teeth and are in good health, consider implants - a permanent dental replacement system. Implanted teeth are built on a "bionic" root made of titanium, which is placed into the jaw bone. This "root" acts as an anchor for one or more false teeth. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia. Implants are a highly successful procedure and are becoming more widely available.
Bridges replace missing teeth by connecting teeth with crowns to "fake" teeth, replacing the missing ones. These may be either fixed bridges, which consist of a false tooth fused between two crowns and cemented to abutment teeth, or removable bridges, which can be taken out of the mouth. These fasten to natural teeth with special clasps or attachments.
Invisalign® Invisible Braces Dr. Gotthelf says that many people’s teeth can be straightened and bite corrected using Invisialign® braces. Unlike the unsightly brackets and wires of conventional orthodontics, Invisalign braces are invisible and much more comfortable and easy to keep clean. Straightening of your teeth will also reduce the risk for tooth wear, decay and gum disease. Snap-On Smile For brighter teeth or a celebrity-like smile, an affordable, temporary alternative to cosmetic restoration, or a step towards a more permanent restoration is Snap-On Smile.
Dr. Terry Gotthelf, who established her mid-town dental practice 20 years ago, offers her patients a choice of a wide range of holistic therapies in addition to traditional dental techniques.
Dr. Gotthelf received a DDS from the New York University College of Dentistry. She also holds an MS in Psychobiology from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in psychology and philosophy from Barnard College. Dr. Gotthelf completed a General Practice Residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and she earned a Certificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implantology at the New York University College of Dentistry.
For more information, or for an appointment, please call Dr. Gotthelf’s office at
212 564-6682. Her office is located at 19 West 34th Street in Manhattan, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Visit her website at: www.DrGotthelf.com.
Contact:
Dr. Terry Gotthelf, DDS
212-564-6686
Idan Sims
Sims & Associates, Inc.
212-725-3838
917 940-7876
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