Bette Affleck was unhappy with the overall appearance of her smile, which included crooked, discolored and poorly restored teeth from years of improper treatment.  Dr. Ravin performed a full mouth restoration to improve the appearance and health of Bette’s smile so she could regain her self-confidence and reduce her risk of decay and other serious conditions.

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Dr. Ravin’s June Case of the Month, Claudine Hall, sought treatment to improve her smile for her upcoming wedding, and was so pleased with the results that she wanted to share a photo from her wedding day with Dr. Ravin.  Claudine’s beautiful new smile helped showcase how happy she was on this memorable day!

Claudine Hall came to Dr. Ravin seeking to improve the appearance of her smile quickly and conveniently before her wedding coming up this July. Dr. Ravin produced stunning results with plenty of time to spare so to ensure that Claudine looks her best on her special day!

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Michael Asaro had a damaged front tooth that he sought treatment for from other dentists no success. Frustrated with his appearance and the inability to achieve the results he desired, Michael finally came to see Dr. Ravin a few years ago. Dr. Ravin was able to successfully correct Michael’s tooth and provide him with a smile that he is proud to show off!

Due to their sensitive nature and prominent location, the teeth may be susceptible to damage caused by a fall, accident, sports injury, fight or other type of traumatic event. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, you may experience a chip, crack or fracture in the tooth, tissue injury or a tooth that is knocked out or misaligned for more severe injuries.

If you are experiencing bleeding, swelling, severe pain within the mouth area, or have any missing or loose teeth, there is a chance you are experiencing a dental emergency and should seek immediate care. Seeing a dental professional right away could be the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

In addition to tooth injuries, many people often experience cuts, scratches or tears in the gums, lips, cheek or tongue, which should be treated by your dentist as well in order to reduce the risk of infection and ensure proper healing. This tissue damage can affect the health of your teeth and overall mouth if not treated properly.

Emergency dental care often includes reattaching a tooth that was knocked out, placing a crown, bridge or implants, perform a root canal or other methods to stop bleeding, relieve pain and reduce the risk of long-term damage. It is important to keep any teeth that fall out, if possible, so that they can be reattached without the need for prosthetic replacements. Individual treatment will vary depending on each patient’s specific case, but dentists like Dr. Ravin are highly experienced in handling these sensitive injuries with highly effective results.

The best defense against dental emergencies is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. This can be done by taking special precautions to protect the teeth, especially when participating in high-risk activities. Athletes who play contact sports such as football or hockey should always wear a mouth guard to protect the teeth. Certain activities, such as chewing on ice or eating hard foods can also lead to tooth injury and should be avoided. Seeing your dentist on a regular basis ensures that the teeth are strong and healthy enough to sustain mild injuries.

Tatiana Grabowy is a 33-year-old wife and mother of two who was unhappy with the appearance of her front teeth, especially after having repeated fillings performed over the course of several years. Tatiana often felt embarrassed by the appearance of her teeth and did not like to smile in front of others. She needed a permanent solution from a dentist she could trust.

After a thorough evaluation of her whole mouth, as well as a discussion of her goals for treatment, Dr. Ravin developed a treatment plan for Tatiana. He performed gum surgery and front aesthetics to give Tatiana the smile of her dreams. Now, Tatiana shows off her smile as often as she can and could not be happier with the results of her cosmetic treatment provided by Dr. Ravin.

Tatiana is just one of the many patients to receive the smile of her dreams under the delicate care of Dr. Ravin. The pictures below demonstrate the stunning results of her treatment.

Dr. Ravin was recently featured on Better Connecticut to highlight his commendable volunteer dental services that he provides to poor nations across the world.

Over the past few years, Dr. Ravin and his wife have made annual trips to Haiti to provide dental services to hundreds of people who cannot afford to properly care for their teeth. As one of the most impoverished nations in the world, even before the recent tragedy, many of these people have such a multitude of problems that they cannot make dental care a priority. Regardless of financial status, Dr. Ravin believes that all people deserve quality dental care to keep their teeth as healthy as possible.

During a weeklong mission, Dr. Ravin and his volunteer staff saw an average of 160 patients each day, performing procedures in a parking lot to patients of all ages. In addition to his annual trips to Haiti, Dr. Ravin is also planning trips to Cambodia and other countries in need.

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season. As one of my New Year’s resolutions, I have resolved to communicate more effectively via my blog. This new monthly dental blog, “Dental Bytes” is my attempt to reach out to all of you in cyberspace. The blog, I hope, will contain interesting and sometimes thought-provoking information about dental care, so that you may be better informed and make wise decisions about your dental needs. It will not contain our usual pleas that you brush, floss and gargle after meals, especially after those wonderful holiday meals and parties with family and friends.

“Men and Their Appalling Dental Habits”

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education, men are less likely to visit the dentist than women. This traditional stereotype has been confirmed by an online poll of general dentists and patients.

Nearly 45% of the respondents felt that men don’t see the need to go to the dentist, and 30% of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. Nearly 18% revealed that men just don’t have the time for a dental visit, and about 5% of the men don’t even have a regular dentist.

This trend may be disappearing, as more men are climbing back into the dental chair for a surprising reason.

“Looking for a Better Job? Start by Visiting a Dentist”

With lay-offs and company closings throughout the country, many middle-aged men are competing for jobs with younger men, which makes that winning smile a major factor in the job search.

“In my practice, more men are coming in and requesting bleaching, veneers and bonding,” says AGD Spokesman J. Nick Russo, Sr., DDS FAGD.  “Many have noticed the positive effects from a colleague’s improved smile and realize that a great smile has a lot of value in the business world.”

Dr. Russo also points out that in the past most men worked for one or two employers throughout a lifetime and many did not think about the way their overall appearance affected their professional life.

These new cosmetic concerns for men need to be transferred to an increased awareness among men about the overall health benefits associated with seeing a dentist biannually.

“As a dentist, I want men to come see me because they are concerned about their health; however, I am glad to see them for whatever reason they come in,” says Dr. Russo. “Many times after men come back to the dentist they realize that proper maintenance and biannual checkups are the key to improving the way one looks and feels.”