Make CroftonLiving Your Home

Dr. Klocko graduated from case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry
in 1985 and did her General Practice Residency at the
Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Her office is located
at 1375 Defense Hwy.
in Gambrills, Maryland. She can be reached
at 410-721-7020.

HEALTH UPDATE
October 2006
The Klocko Center, Cosmetic, Restorative & Family Dentistry
By Dr. Karen Klocko, DDS, as published in Suburban Scene, October 2006

Have you noticed lately that every dentist in general practice is a cosmetic dentist? Every ad in the phone book touts the life changing wonders of cosmetic dentistry. While it is true that all general dentists, by virtue of their license to practice, are qualified to do cosmetic dentistry, not all are created equal.

The past ten years have been wonder years for dentists and their patients who want to improve the look of their teeth. The revolution in dental materials and procedures has taken the art of cosmetic dentistry to levels only dreamed about two decades ago. It stands to reason that if the materials and procedures have changed so drastically, then there is a need for dentists to have additional training to enable them to deliver the esthetics that patients now desire.
If you are interested in improving the look of your teeth and your smile, take the time to choose a dentist who has had advanced training in cosmetic dentistry.

There are many naturally beautiful smiles in the world, and they are each unique. A dentist who is interested in cosmetic dentistry must learn the art and science of natural smiles. If a smile is going to look naturally beautiful, then it must fit into the patient’s face.

For this reason, treatment plans must begin with photographs of the patient. The dentist needs to ask how much tooth shows when the patient smiles? How much shows when the patient talks? Are the teeth too short? (Short, worn teeth make a person appear older than they are.) Are the teeth too long? Does the patient show too much gum when they smile? Are the teeth dark and stained?

Once a decision is made on tooth position, shape and color, they must decide on restorative materials. Do they use cosmetic bonding? Do they use porcelain veneers? Do they use porcelain crowns?

After the decisions on position, shape, color and materials are made, then they need to consider how to add the small esthetic ouches that make teeth look like teeth. Natural teeth have subtle changes in shade from the top of the tooth to the bottom of the tooth and those changes must be reproduced in our restorations. In a natural smile the teeth are not all the exact same shade. The two front teeth are the brightest and the canines (eye teeth) are almost a full shade darker. When restoring the front teeth, the dentist must plan for a “shade progression” so that the teeth do not look like “chiclets.” There are many other details such as surface texture and translucency that add to the beauty and naturalness of our restorations.
With all the elements of a beautiful smile in place, the dentist and the laboratory technician work together to create the intricate restorations. An integral part of any cosmetic dentistry is the dental laboratory. The dentist must have a lab that has the artistic ability to fabricate the restorations.

When all of the details are in place a beautiful, natural smile results. So, if you are interested in cosmetic dental treatment, do some research, and find out if your dentist has the skills to deliver the smile you deserve.