Health

Innovation Leads to Winning Smiles: Lebanese Dentist Dr. Mohammad Waizani Offers Insight Into the Science of Quality Veneers

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2022

Dr. Mohammad Waizani has developed a reputation for giving his patients the smile they deserve. His highly-sought after veneer procedure uses a microscope for more accurate and long-lasting results. Considered highly innovative in the dentistry world, his patients’ testimonials serve as proof of the procedure’s effectiveness.

We sat down with Dr. Waizani to gather further insight into the process of applying veneers and learn more about the types of cases that benefit from this smile-saving technique.

Are there any preconditions to receiving veneers?

The primary condition for receiving veneers is having what we call a “normal bite.” There are many different kinds of bites, including open and closed bites. Veneers can be applied to normal bites. When we do veneers for normal bites we try to remove the minimum amount of the tooth to retain as much of the tooth’s original structure as possible. This also helps to reduce instability or sensitivity, as well as ensuring that the color will be natural and not appear fake. When you think about it, if you remove a little bit of the tooth, then the ceramic layer we place on after that can also be thin. The thinner the layers, the less fake and bulky the tooth will look.

How does the procedure work?

In the first session, we prepare the tooth and take measurements. This procedure takes around two hours to two and a half hours. When we finish, we put the temporary on the teeth. This offers protection from sensitivity and allows the patient to go about their daily life, and walk with a smile on their face.

After one week, the veneers are finished in the lab and the lab sends them to our office. Once we receive the veneers, we can proceed with gluing them on. Usually we do the upper jaw alone and the lower jaw alone so the full smile needs around two weeks from start to finish.

Where does the microscope come in and why is it so important?

We employ microscopes in the procedure, to reduce the amount of surface enamel typically removed in the installation process. Using a microscopic approach, we are able to reduce the typical width of the removed layer from between 0.8 and 1.5 millimeters to a mere 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters, keeping teeth stronger and healthier. The less we remove, the less damage can occur and the teeth continue to look great for a longer period of time.

How long do veneers last?

Like the teeth you are born with, veneers, when properly cared for, don’t have an expiration date. As long as the patient cares for their veneers the same way they would with their natural teeth, they are a long term cosmetic solution for improving your smile while maintaining a very realistic and natural aesthetic.

Are there any age requirements for veneers?

We never do veneers for anyone under the age of 18. When we do veneers, or any preparation for veneers, the teeth should be fully matured so that’s why 18 and above is the perfect age. There are also the wisdom teeth to consider but that’s a different story. We don’t have to wait for wisdom teeth to apply veneers.

What are some of the reasons your patients choose to receive veneers?

There are three overarching cases where we recommend veneers: shape, color, or both. Some people have a good shape to their face and jaw, but they don’t like the color of their teeth or vice versa. In some cases it is both the color and shape that the patient wants to improve. If they have a normal bite and we just want to change the color, we will remove a minimal amount of the tooth. If we have a normal bite but we want to change the shape, we will remove more.

Are there different types of veneers?

Dental veneers come in many different forms. Dr. Waizani’s natural veneers make use of porcelain molds for more natural looking and natural feeling teeth. Porcelain contains particles particularly similar to those found in organic human teeth, allowing light to pass through in a similar manner. Where alternative veneer materials reflect light, porcelain’s translucent quality allows for artificial veneers that are virtually indistinguishable from normal tooth enamel, in addition to being more resistant to staining and chipping.

For more information, or to book an appointment with Dr. Waizani, contact waizani@outlook.com

Health

How to Help Your Child if You Think They Might Have Autism

Published

5 days ago

February 3, 2023

Michelle Langton

Do you suspect your child might have autism, but you’re not sure? While only a professional diagnosis can tell you for sure, there are many ways you can support your child while you get a diagnosis and create a plan.

Here are some of the best ways to support a child you think might have autism.

Try a variety of therapies

While you’re in the process of getting a formal diagnosis, start trying different therapies with your child to see if anything resonates with your child. Every child with autism is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. There are several types of therapy you can try that are low-cost or free, including play therapy, speech therapy, floortime, ABA therapy, and more.

Although your child will need a formal Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis to get ABA therapy, it’s worth noting that once you have a diagnosis, you can get in-home therapy, which will make things easier on you and your child. Organizations like Golden Care Therapy in New Jersey will send an ABA therapist to your home to work with your child in their own environment. Getting in-home therapy will reduce the stress your child may feel from being in a new and unfamiliar place.

The more therapies you try, the better chance you have of getting a head start in supporting your child, whether or not they get diagnosed with autism.

Get your child some sensory toys

Kids with autism need to stim, which is just a fancy way of saying they need something to stimulate their senses in a way that allows them to mitigate and disburse the sensory overload they’re feeling. Without toys, kids will find ways to stim using just their bodies and their surroundings, but toys can be extremely helpful and less damaging depending on your child.

Every child is different, so it might take a bit to find toys they like. However, you can find some excellent suggestions from The Aspie World on YouTube. Some toys spin, squish, make noise, or are a series of magnets that can be reshaped. If your child is already fixated on certain types of toys, try to find something that matches their existing interest. For example, if they like soft textures, find some plush toys with a velvety-smooth texture. Try all types of toys to see if they help your child.

Seek a professional diagnosis

Getting a professional diagnosis is the best way you can support your child when you think they might have autism. Once you have a diagnosis, that opens the door to getting services that will help them immensely. Not just while they’re young, but it will help them in their adult life, too. For example, if your child moves out on their own, and they struggle with self-care and household chores, they’ll need a professional diagnosis to get in-home services from the state.

A professional diagnosis will tell you if your child is on the autism spectrum, or if they have a different disorder. Depending on the therapist you choose, they’ll likely be able to diagnose your child with any relevant comorbidities, which are common with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Learn about autism

Next to getting your child professionally diagnosed, learning about autism will help you support your child in many ways. There are many misconceptions about autism that can make it hard to spot the signs of autism. One of the best people to learn from is Tony Attwood. He’s considered the leading expert on Autism Spectrum Disorder and is extremely knowledgeable.

One of the most important things you can learn from Attwood is how to spot Autism in girls. For various reasons, it’s harder to spot autism in girls and some girls don’t get diagnosed until they’re in their 40s. Attwood gave an excellent talk about Asperger’s in girls back in 2015, and you’ll learn a lot from this speech.

Although Attwood’s speech focuses on Asperger’s, it is part of the autism spectrum. As a diagnosis, Asperger’s has been officially merged into the diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Support your child in every way you can

When you suspect your child might have autism, it’s important to support them in every way possible. While you’re seeking a professional diagnosis, start trying simple solutions, like play therapy and toys for stimming. See how they respond. Once you get a diagnosis, your child’s therapist will suggest next steps to help your child long-term.