WHY SO MANY PATIENTS COME BACK
Dr. Barbat and her entire team strive to create a positive experience for every patient at every visit. In addition to skilled care, they utilized advanced materials and technology to enhance your comfort and treatment results.
When a patient leaves the practice for any reason, “it feels like a close family member moved away,” states Beckie, Administrative Coordinator. The relationships formed with each patient create bonds that go beyond their smile.
Some situations, however, do cause patients to seek another dental family. “When this occurs, our main desire is that they find one where they can maintain good oral health to the level they’ve experienced here,” states Dr. Barbat. “I hope our care leaves a lasting impression so they know the benefits of having optimal dentistry.”
While Dr. Barbat understands that some circumstances cause patients to have to switch, she also appreciates the large percentage that come back. About 28% of patients who leave eventually return, mainly because they want to resume the standard of care they know they’ll receive.
One patient recently shared her reason for returning:
When Cari first became a patient of Dr. Barbat’s, her workplace was near the office with insurance that was ‘in-network.’ When her job changed, so did her coverage. “I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Cari explains. Rather than have dental care elsewhere, she went without it. “I missed my Hygienist and the whole business there,” she shares. “Plus, I’ve had a lot of work done and they are really good at working out payment plans and things like that.” Cari has now returned to Dr. Barbat, traveling 24 miles each way for the dental care that is right for her.
Dr. Barbat adds, “Our doors are always open to patients who wish to return. We also welcome patients who need procedures that are deemed elective.”
2016 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Dr. Barbat is pleased to announce that Eisenhower High School graduate Silvia Aluia is the recipient of the 2016 Ban R. Barbat, DDS-PC Scholarship.
This scholarship, which is awarded annually to a high school senior interested in a health-related career, will help Silvia in her quest to become an orthopedic surgeon. She will begin her studies at Michigan State University this Fall.
While maintaining a 4.21 grade average, Silvia was active in both academic and civic activities throughout high school. In addition to volunteering at the Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, Silvia is an accomplished musician and dancer with the Macomb Ballet Company.
This marks the 15th year that Dr. Barbat has awarded this scholarship to an area student. “We are pleased to support our local students this way. I applaud Silvia for her many accomplishments thus far in life,” states Dr. Barbat. “She will make a valuable addition to the medical field.”
AFFORDABLE WAYS TO IMPROVE A SMILE
Very few of us are born with a beautiful smile. But smiling is good for us, from the inside out!
Studies have shown that smiling can boost your mood, even if you smile when you don’t feel like it. People who smile often not only project a more positive and outgoing individual, they can extend their lifespan by up to 10 years, on average.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to detract from the appearance of a smile and, therefore, the confidence to share it. A chipped tooth, teeth that are discolored, crowded and crooked teeth, having a ‘gummy smile’ or a gap between front teeth — any of these can cause an individual to feel awkward when smiling.
Modern cosmetic dentistry offers excellent options to repair these flaws, many at a very affordable price. These include:
TEETH WHITENING: One of the fastest and least expensive ways to improve the appearance of a smile is to whiten it. A white, bright smile is more appealing and often perceived as healthy and well cared for. We offer the ZOOM II whitening system that is priced affordably. This in-office process provides far superior results than over-the-counter types at drug stores. Plus, the whitening you’ll achieve will last far longer.
BONDING: For chips and even some gaps, bonding offers a natural look and feel that is both affordable and done in a single visit. This is a material that is ‘painted on’ teeth. It is shaped to repair flaws and then polished for a natural finish. Bonding may also be used to elongate teeth to correct an uneven smile line.
GUM CONTOURING: Reshaping gum tissue is not a costly procedure, but the results can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of a smile. When an individual shows too much gum tissue above upper teeth when they smile, it’s referred to as a ‘gummy smile.’ This can be repaired with comfort and precision in our office using a dental laser. The laser is also ideal for reshaping gum tissues over single teeth to even out the gum arch to match neighboring teeth.
PORCELAIN VENEERS: The ideal material for reshaping and enhancing teeth is porcelain. Porcelain veneers and crowns have exceptional durability, resist staining and even reflect light as natural teeth. Too, their longevity is exceptional. While more expensive than other esthetic options, their value is superior. And, in many cases, applying just four veneers to teeth most visible in a smile makes a dramatic difference in appearance.
The best way to determine the best options for you (which may be a combination of two or more) is to arrange a consultation. This time will provide an opportunity to discuss your desires and learn which options can fulfill your goals at a cost you’ll be able to manage comfortably. We can also have our Financial Coordinator discuss payment options – some that require no down payment with no interest.
Call 586-739-2155 to request a no-charge consultation.
NOT ALL CROWNS ARE CREATED EQUAL
A rose is a rose — or is it? As we know, roses come in all colors and sizes. The same is true for dental crowns (or ‘caps’) since they can vary greatly in quality, size and complexity.
Dr. Barbat is specially trained as a Neuro-Muscular Dentist to evaluate how each crown will fit with adjacent teeth. She knows that even a minor misalignment can cause problems with the bite. This can lead to broken or worn teeth, jaw joint problems, tooth fractures or cracks, headaches and migraines.
While ensuring a healthy bite, patients also appreciate Dr. Barbat’s commitment to a natural look and feel. “Today’s materials and advanced lab techniques can create restorations that have a highly natural luminosity,” explains Dr. Barbat.
In addition to the look, feel and function of your crown is the longevity. An inexpensive crown may cost less up front, but eventually you’ll understand why it was priced lower. Crowns are constructed of materials that must be able to withstand years of heavy-duty wear and tear. When made of less-expensive materials, a crown can need replacing sooner due to cracks, fractures or breaks.
Dr. Barbat works with one of the nation’s most reputable dental labs to construct crowns and other restorations for her patients. Once the restoration is made to her specifications, Dr. Barbat places the restoration and ensures proper bite alignment.
In about anything today, you get what you pay for and crowns are no exception. Dr. Barbat is proud of the smiles she creates. See examples on her web site’s Smile Gallery at WhereLastingSmilesBegin.com.
MIGRAINES? HEADACHES? DIZZINESS?
Bite Alignment Could Be Source Of Problem.
If you wake up with sore jaw joints or headaches, your bite alignment may be causing the problem.
When upper and lower teeth do not meet properly, the jaws attempt to self-adjust during sleep in an effort to alleviate stress or strain to the TMJ (‘temporo-mandibular joints’ or jaw joints). In the process, the action tends to transfer one problem to another. As the jaws shift during sleep, the teeth clamp together, triggering a grinding motion.
When teeth grind back and forth, the action can wear down tooth enamel and lead to frequent headaches, migraines, sore jaw joints, dizziness, ear ringing, and limited ability to fully open the mouth.
Teeth that are misaligned are also more susceptible to cracks, breaks and chips. When these problems occur, costly repairs are often needed. If a tooth breaks below the gum line, however, it will likely require removal. This leaves the patient with an entirely new set of decisions and associated costs.
To determine the precise cause for misalignment, we may advise diagnostics for the TMJ. This process determines if your TMJ is the actual source of your problems. If so, a treatment plan is devised to help restore your bite to proper alignment without over-treating or under-treating.
In some cases, misalignment can be easily corrected by reshaping selected teeth. If more extensive reshaping is needed, crowns may be necessary. In situations where misalignment is more severe, orthodontic realignment may be needed to fully restore harmony of upper and lower teeth.
When realignment is necessary, Invisalign may be an option. This is especially appealing for those who prefer to avoid the brackets and wires of traditional braces. Invisalign uses clear molds to move teeth that can be removed for eating and brushing.
As a Neuro-Muscular Dentist, Dr. Barbat cautions, “the problems related to bite misalignment will only worsen without treatment. Resolving it early can save greatly in treatment time and expense.”