Cosmetic Dentist in Houston Says Conservative Approach Is Best for Smile Makeovers

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - Sep 13, 2012) - Despite the economic downturn, cosmetic dentistry continues to be popular in the U.S., with the total number of porcelain veneers and teeth whitening procedures having increased by as much as 300 percent in the past few years. In fact, recent statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) confirm that 99.7 percent of all Americans believe a smile to be an important social asset, while more than half of adults are unsatisfied with their own smile. Dr. Jeffrey Schultz, a dentist in Houston, says as the hard economic times persist and patients continue to look for effective solutions to their aesthetic needs, his practice has adopted a conservative approach to treating patients, focused on preserving natural tooth structure and enhancing the appearance of one's smile.

At his Houston cosmetic dentistry practice, Dr. Schultz says aside from cost, the most common concern patients bring up when considering a smile makeover procedure is fear of pain. Aided by a number of helpful payment plans, anesthesia, and comfortable treatment rooms, he says the conservative approach to performing cosmetic dentistry is designed to alleviate the most common and pressing patient concerns. By taking into account each individual's unique dental composition, Dr. Schultz says he is able to create a positive experience for his patients, as well as natural, beautiful results:

"Most patients are scared because they don't know what to expect," says Dr. Schultz. "They are worried that it's going to be painful or traumatic. Everyone has that fear to some extent, but we try to do a really good job of easing people's minds by using safe and effective anesthesia in addition to putting televisions and radios in each of our treatment suites."

The conservative smile makeover procedure begins with a thorough health history and a long questionnaire about the patient's expectations and concerns. Dr. Schultz says patients are then shown before and after pictures in order to try and get an accurate picture of what their idea of beauty looks like, as each person has different goals. "I personally like a certain, natural look," he says, "but what I like and what my patients like may be very different. We try to put those two together based on my experience with smile design."

Using a diagnostic wax-up, Dr. Schultz says he then takes impressions of the patient's teeth and sends them off to a lab which creates a customized "blueprint." After discussing adjustments with the patient, he says his team designs a temporary fitting of the blueprint so that patients can see what their final result will look like in their own mouth. Dr. Schultz says whether they are looking for porcelain veneers or a large-scale dental implants procedure, these two steps are essential for creating the most accurate, personalized treatment plan for each patient. He says the ultimate goal in using a conservative method is to achieve a radiant, natural-looking outcome while still retaining as much of the patient's tooth as possible.

"The more conservative the procedure, the more natural tooth structure that can be preserved," says Dr. Schultz. "We want to make sure we provide the healthiest, most beautiful results, which is why it is essential to see a qualified experienced dentist with the right credentials. By choosing someone with a more conservative approach, patients can get the best results and the healthiest, longest lasting outcome."

About Jeffrey L. Schultz, DDS, FAGD

A graduate of the University of Houston, Dr. Jeffrey Schultz attended dental school at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. He has dedicated numerous hours to his continued education, earning the Fellowship Award with the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Schultz is a graduate of the Hornbrook Group for advanced cosmetic dentistry training as well as a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He has also been selected as one of the Top Dentists in Houston by H Texas Magazine.

Located at 6565 West Loop South Suite 860 in Bellaire, TX, the Schultz Center for Cosmetic Dentistry can be reached at (713) 489-1350. Dr. Schultz can also be contacted online via the websites schultzsmiles.com or facebook.com/pages/Schultz-Center-for-Cosmetic-Dentistry/134134999943002.