Nov
The answer to the question, ‘How important is your smile?’ primarily
revolves around the preferences and desires of an individual. Since the
desires and preferences of a person are variable, their expectation from
a smile is variable too. As each person is different, their needs and
reasons for wanting to improve their smile varies, but it is important
to make certain that a person does not go overboard in their desire to
improve their smile.
A person’s smile and facial appearance does a significant job in
communication in initial contact with another person. Since patients are
people who can understand this fact, Dr. Mark Cruz thinks that they
should be the ones deciding on the importance of their smile. Upon
receiving questions like, ‘How bright should my teeth be?’ from his
patients, he always says that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and
that an individual should be the one solely responsible for deciding on
the type of result. Patients should never be pushed by a dentist into an
outcome that they may or may not really desire. In order to help his
patients make this vital decision, Dr. Cruz often educates and helps
them to narrow down their exact desire and expected outcome. In essence,
he makes their desires and expectations a bit more objective and less
subjective, providing reality over high expectations.
Once his patients make their decision about their expectations and
desires more objective, he will use his array of cosmetic dentistry
procedures to help them achieve their result. A beautiful and dazzling
smile is achieved through procedures and processes like orthodontic
treatment, porcelain laminate veneers, resin composite bonding, or a
combination of these. Depending on the diagnosis and the prescribed
treatment, patients can expect to enjoy their results for a significant
amount of time, as well.
Mark A Cruz graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 and started a dental practice in Monarch Beach, CA upon graduation. He has lectured nationally and internationally and is a member of various dental organizations. He was a part-time lecturer at UCLA and a member of the faculty group practice and was past assistant director of the UCLA Center for Esthetic Dentistry. He has served on the National Institute of Health/NIDCR (National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research) Grant review Committee in Washington D.C. as well as on the editorial board for the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice (Elsevier) and is currently serving on the DSMB (data safety management board) for the NPBRN (national practice-based research network.