Not All Crowns Are Created EQUAL!
Our staff members who handle the main telephone lines occasionally get calls from people asking, “How much do you charge for a crown?”
This is similar to calling a shoe store and asking, “How much are a pair of shoes?” This question is too complicated to answer with a figure, since crowns can vary greatly in quality, size and complexity.
In our office, Dr. Barbat is highly-trained to evaluate how each crown will fit with adjacent teeth. Even a minor misalignment can cause problems with your bite, which can result in broken or worn teeth, jaw joint problems, tooth fractures or cracks, headaches and even migraines.
While ensuring a healthy bite, patients also appreciate Dr. Barbat’s commitment to the natural look and feel. “Today’s materials and techniques enable dental labs and skilled technicians to craft restorations that have a very natural luminosity. This means that the crowns and veneers our patients receive have the natural look of a tooth, even reflecting light the same way,” explains Dr. Barbat.
In addition to the look, feel and function of your crown is the longevity. An inexpensive crown may save you some money up front, but eventually, you’ll understand why it was so cheap! Crowns are constructed of materials that must be able to withstand years of heavy-duty wear and tear. The less-expensive ones are made of less-expensive materials. Thus, they’ll break down sooner from cracks, fractures and breaks.
Dr. Barbat has selected some of the nation’s most reputable dental labs to construct crowns and other restorations for her patients. A natural-looking temporary is created for the patient to wear while the lab creates the final porcelain restoration according to her specifications of shape, shade and luminescence. Once completed, the patient returns and Dr. Barbat places the restoration and ensures the result is a precise match.
Remember, you get what you pay for and crowns are no exception. Dr. Ban Barbat is proud of the beautiful, quality smiles she creates.
For just a few examples, visit her web site’s Smile Gallery at WhereLastingSmilesBegin.com
Snore (silence)… Snort… Gasp… (repeat) Sound Familiar?
Sleep Apnea is a serious problem that is coming to light as one of the most under-diagnosed, life threatening medical disorders in our society. Statistically, it is more dangerous than drunk driving and has been associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weight gain, depression and stroke.
Those who suffer with sleep apnea endure a nightly pattern where they stop breathing for up to a minute, then wake up gasping for air. This can occur for a hundred or more times a night.
Those who are dependent on insurance coverage for treatment are typically required to have their sleep apnea diagnosed through a sleep study. Because of the hassle of spending the night at a sleep center, many are never truly diagnosed. For relief, some sufferers try one-size-fits-all gadgets, only to find they’ve wasted their money.
Now, a wonderful, effective alternative has presented itself in the form of a ‘take-home’ sleep study. Dr. Barbat can arrange for a home sleep study using a third party provider, Sleep Optima. Several of her patients have already found this to be an effective device, yet simple to use.
The cost is reasonable and medical insurance typically covers half. The testing device is shipped right to your home. To begin the test, you simply push one button when you are ready to go to sleep. When you awaken in the morning, you push the same button to turn it off, place the device in the envelope provided and put it in the mailbox.
Within several weeks, Dr. Barbat receives the results, which have been read by a Board Certified Sleep Doctor. If an oral appliance is recommended, Dr. Barbat’s office works with Sleep Optima to obtain appropriate coverage information from your medical insurance. She can begin your treatment with a custom-designed oral appliance that is comfortable and will not interfere with your sleep.
Because sleep apnea is such a dangerous condition that goes undiagnosed, Dr. Barbat now provides complimentary screenings for adult patients. When you arrive for your hygiene appointment, you’ll begin with a brief screening form to complete. Your hygienist will review the results with you and recommend an appropriate course of action, if any is needed.
Through Sleep Optima, sleep apnea sufferers can get a true diagnosis without an expensive or time-consuming process. Call (586) 739-2155 to ask about Sleep Optima for yourself or someone you know.
2010 Ban R. Barbat Scholarship
Dr. Barbat is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2010 The Ban R. Barbat Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a student interested in a health related career. This year’s scholarship winner is Utica High School senior Kayla Roy! Kayla received a $1,000 scholarship based on her academic accomplishments and future aspirations. Kayla will be attending Alma College in the fall.
As a student at Utica High School, she maintained high GPAs in advanced placement courses and was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Hispanic Honor Society, and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board.
Kayla has also volunteered her time in numerous areas, including mentoring and tutoring younger students and for organizations such as the Red Cross and March of Dimes.
Since 2002, The Ban R. Barbat Scholarship has awarded over $9000 to graduating seniors to help defray the costs of college expenses. “We are pleased to support our community in this way,” states Dr. Barbat.
“Education is such an important investment when it comes to our children and this is one way we help to ‘pay it forward,’ so to speak.”
Why Dr. Ban Barbat?
Patients of Dr. Ban Barbat are confident in how she oversees their oral well-being for many reasons. Recent comments are:
…because she respects me and listens to me.”
“I know she’s going to take good care of me and makes sure I’m never in pain.”
“…she treats me like she really cares about me, because she really does.”
Dr. Barbat has terrific relationships with her patients and is committed to only the very best for their needs and goals. You may also be interested that, in addition to her exceptional “chairside manner,” her qualifications include a long list of prestigious achievements.
1993: Doctorate in Dental Sciences & Dental Residency – University of Michigan School of Dentistry (top ranking in comprehensive care and crown & bridge procedures)
1994: Began dental practice as an Associate Dentist in Shelby Township
1997: Began private practice in Shelby Township
Professional Affiliations:
- FELLOWSHIP, Las Vegas Institute For Advanced Dental Studies
- MEMBER, International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics
- CERTIFIED, Pure Power Mouthguard
- CERTIFIED, Invisalign & Invisalign Teen
- Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances
- Neuromuscular / TMJ Diagnosis & Treatment
- Conscious Sedation (including “The Complex Sedation Patient”)
- Esthetics in Dentistry (including porcelain veneers, bonding techniques, crowns, inlays, onlays, fillings & whitening)
- Endodontics (root canal therapy)
- Periodontal Therapy
- Laser Dentistry
- Bone & Tissue Grafting
- Dentures & Precision-fitted Partials
- Dental Implants
Additionally, Dr. Barbat’s annual continuing education hours far exceed those required by the Michigan State Dental Board, which requires an average of 20 hours annually. Dr. Barbat completes over 80 hours yearly, on average.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why your care is so thorough, so precise, and so far beyond expectations, you’ll know that Dr. Barbat is fully dedicated to her chosen career, and more importantly, to YOU!
Spotlight On Dawn – Registered Dental Hygienist
- Number of years with Dr. Barbat: Nine
- Native of: Grand Blanc, MI
- Hygiene School: Mott Community College and University of Detroit
- Enjoys most about her position: “My patients and being part of their health care.”
- Favorite Food: (If dining:)”Anything Italian!” (but if preparing:) “Desserts!”
- Favorite Movie: Somewhere In Time
- Favorite Book: “When I’m at odds, the Bible.”
- When not in the practice, Dawn enjoys: Cooking, sewing, decorating, gardening and swing dancing.
- Special Note: Dawn’s older brother, Lt. Col. Yancy Edmonds, is currently serving in Baghdad, Iraq at Camp Liberty Freedom.
Staff Members Give Their All
Dr. Barbat’s staff members are so giving with many highly involved in community activities.
On August 13-15, Dawn participated in the ‘Susan G. Komen 3-Day For The Cure’ in Metro Detroit, walking 20 miles each day for 3 days in this national fund raiser for breast cancer.
This had personal roots for Dawn, as she shares, “My grandmother died 28 years ago with breast cancer. My father’s three sisters have had it, with one dying of it. I also walked for many others who impacted my life, including friends, patients and mentors.”