Advanced Cosmetic Course Completion | Shelby Township Michigan Dentist

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Admin

Dr. Barbat completed extensive training in advanced full-mouth reconstruction.

The intensive 48-hour course is the highest level of training possible through the renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. One of a few dentists in the country to achieve this level at the Institute, Dr. Barbat qualified for this advanced course through previous accomplishments.

"By blending artistic design and predictable science, we can give a smile the ideal size, shape and color while enhancing function and resolving discomfort," she states. Full mouth restoration recreates a natural form and function to those with crooked or missing teeth, gaps, discoloration, and symptoms of pain. Cosmetic dentistry has become an increasingly popular way adults can experience improved appearance, confidence, and self-esteem. Full-mouth restoration goes a step beyond cosmetic dentistry by also restoring a natural bite to promote good health and improved well-being. If you are interested in a smile makeover visit, call, or email our Metro Detroit Cosmetic Dental Office.

Posted in Cosmetic Dentist, detroit dentist, Metro Detroit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Friends Help Leads Better Smile | Detroit Cosmetic Dentist

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Admin

A best friend adds much pleasure to your life. Their very presence can bring a smile.

For Mona Cottick, her friend helped her find a beautiful, new smile!

Mona and her husband relocated from Oakland County to Macomb County nearly two years ago. Being closer in proximity to her friend, Mona inquired about a dental office. Dr. Ban Barbat was recommended highly. When Mona arranged the appointment, she was somewhat reluctant at first. An unpleasant prior experience with periodontal care left Mona concerned about a similar ordeal. She quickly learned she had nothing to fear.

At her initial appointment, Dr. Barbat conducted a thorough exam. During this time, she showed Mona a digital image her oral health status. This technology allowed Mona to see areas of decay in teeth she had assumed were fine. Together, they structured a program to restore Mona to optimal oral health. Dr. Barbat also placed crowns to protect several back teeth from further breakdown. As Mona grew more comfortable with dental visits, she discussed the appearance of her smile with Dr. Barbat.

During adolescence, Mona wore braces, twice. Yet, she felt her smile was not flattering. Prior dentistry had patched front teeth with tooth-colored fillings that were becoming more obvious as she aged. Her teeth were also stained and unevenly aligned.

Dr. Barbat explained today's options for smile enhancement, particularly porcelain veneers. During the discussion, Mona expressed concerns about having work done on front teeth due to her Multiple Sclerosis. She feared a lengthy procedure on front teeth would cause too much anxiety while in the chair. Dr. Barbat suggested One-Pill Sedation so Mona could doze through the procedure comfortably and totally relaxed. "I remember taking the pill an hour before the appointment and telling my husband on the way there ‘This isn’t working’," Mona states, "but all I remember was walking in and sitting down in the chair for treatment. The next thing I knew, I was finished!"

During this time, six of Mona’s front teeth were prepared for porcelain veneers. She returned home and napped before actually looking in the mirror to see her new smile! “I had beautiful, new teeth!” she exclaims. Mona and her friend met for breakfast the next morning. “I have never smiled as much!” Mona states. “I smile more and feel so much better about my smile. These look so natural!”

Porcelain veneers were recommended by Dr. Barbat for several reasons. In addition to providing a highly-natural look, durability is also better than most materials used in aesthetic dentistry, which enhances longevity. “I can eat anything,” Mona adds.

A retired teacher, Mona knew smile enhancement would be “quite an investment”. Yet, she was pleased at how the office was able to structure her care to be manageable to her budget.

Mona has much to smile about these days. She recently became a grandmother for the first time. In her free time, she enjoys creating stained glass and mosaic artwork. And, she has a best friend who regularly shares a smile she truly loves! “I smile everywhere I go now!” Mona says.To discuss today's smile enhancement options, call our Metro Detroit Cosmetic Dental office to arrange a consultation appointment or ask at your next visit.

Posted in Cosmetic Dentist, detroit dentist, Metro Detroit | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Perfect Holiday Gift! Invisalign or Invisalign teen | Discount + Free Whitening

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Admin

The Perfect Holiday Gift for your Family

Now, adults AND teens can enjoy flattering, healthy smiles without the discomfort and frustrations of brackets, wires and eating food in little bits.
Invisalign is a clear mold that can be removed for eating and brushing or flossing. Plus, they typically move teeth at a faster pace than traditional braces.
& Teen!Take Advantage Of Limited Time Holiday Savings On

Invisalign in Metro Detroit/Macomb County with Free In Office Whitening

Begin Full-Mouth Treatments Between
10/30 - 12/17/09 And Receive
SAVE $250 PLUS Make You or your special family member's teeth even prettier with a

Free in Office Whitening Treatment When Treatment Concludes!

These are not trays that you have to keep in your mouth over night, this is state of the art Zoom Whitening, whihc we have found to be much more effective.

Know of a special smile you would like to see smile MORE? Here’s a way to help them begin at a holiday-friendly rate! And it’s a gift they’ll thank you for with every smile! Come to Dr. Ban Barbat's Metro Detroit Cosmetic Dental office for more details.

Posted in Cosmetic Dentist, dentist shelby twp, detroit dentist | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mouthguards: Improving Athletes Games

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Admin

Neuromuscular mouth guards

Mouth guards are designed to distribute the impact on the jaw by force that can cause injuries such as lacerations, damaged teeth and concussions. Neuromuscular mouth guards are extremely different than the over the counter types. Some athletes such as Derrick Dockery swears by his neuromuscular mouth guard. After misplacing his for a few games he can immediately tell the difference.  Some may question if this is partially all in his head.

"The hardest part is to distinguish if it's psychological," Dockery says. "Is it? … I got more winded the games I didn't have it in compared to the games I did have it. My breathing felt different when I wore it. It seems like you have more energy."

By aligning the lower jaw over the C1 and C2 vertebrae a clear path is created to increase air intake. The increased oxygen helps the muscles perform stronger tasks and repeat those tasks longer.

"If you pull the jaw forward, your tongue is forward, you have more space in the back. It's that simple," says Alex Naini of AestheticDentalSpa.net, a neuromuscular dentist in Vienna, Va., outside Washington D.C., who fitted Dockery. "Anything that pulls the jaw forward opens the airway and automatically releases tension in your jaw joints. You have more space to let oxygen into your lungs."

Dr. Ban R. Barbat in Shelby Township, Michigan, knows the importance of jaw alignment and how it can help you increase your oxygen intake. If you are an athlete you should consider talking to your Dentist about improving your game.

Posted in Cosmetic Dentist, dentist shelby twp, detroit dentist | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Study links Sleep Apnea & Type 2 Diabetes

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Admin

A recent study indicates that there is a statistically significant association between type two diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during the REM sleep cycle. Dr. Kamran Mahmood and his colleagues from the University of Illinois in Chicago and colleagues evaluated a multi-ethnic sample of 1008 patients including Caucasians (16.9 percent), African Americans (66.9 percent) and Hispanics (14.9 percent) for OSA using polysomnography, an evaluation of brain waves and other body functions during sleep.

Dr. Mahmood states "Type 2 diabetes is a multi-factorial disorder. REM-related OSA and its metabolic effects need to be investigated in more depth, and this can provide another unique avenue for intervention and control of type 2 diabetes." The prevalence of type two diabetes was 30.1 percent in patients with OSA compared to 18.6 percent in patients without OSA

"We believe that REM-related OSA is a marker of early OSA, especially in women and patients younger than 55 years," Mahmood noted in a prepared statement. "Generally, OSA is worse in REM sleep compared to non-REM sleep because of neurologically mediated impairment of skeletal muscles of upper airway and ventilation. This may be the reason for closer association of REM-related OSA and type 2 diabetes."

Does your signifigant other complain about your snoring? Do you wake up in the morning feeling drained and unrested? Dr. Ban Barbat may be able to help. OSA also know as sleep apnea is a serious problem that your dentist can help you with.

Source: Reuters

Posted in Dentistry In The News, Metro Detroit, Sleep Apnea | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Your Dentist can improve your golf game?

Posted on November 9, 2009 by Admin

A new study shown at CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), shows that golfers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that received nasal positive airway pressure (NPAP) for their disorder improved their daytime sleepiness scores and lowered their golf handicap by as many as 3 strokes. Researchers suggest that the possibility of improving your golf game may be a great motivation to improve NPAP compliance rates within the golfing community.

"OSAS can lead to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, all side effects which can negatively impact a person's ability to golf to the best of one's ability." said Marc L. Benton, MD, FCCP, Atlantic Sleep and Pulmonary Associates, Madison, NJ. "As any golfer knows, when your ability to think clearly or make good decisions is compromised, the likelihood of playing your best is greatly diminished," said Dr. Benton. "Through treatment with NPAP, we can improve many cognitive metrics, such as attention span, memory, decision-making abilities, and frustration management, which may, in turn, positively affect a person's golf game."

Study resultes showed that the best golfers, defined as HI <12, had the most substantial improvements in their game. Within this group, the average HI dropped from 9.2 (+/- 2.9) to 6.3 (+/- 3.0); the SQ score from 10.8 (+/- 1.9), to 2.8 (+/- 2.6).

"The biggest handicap improvements occurred in the lower handicap, often older golfers. This group typically would be expected to trend in the opposite direction due to age-related deterioration in strength and endurance," said Mr. Friedman. "The drop in handicap among the better golfers probably reflected that the major limiting factor was not golf skill but cognitive compromise that improved when the sleep apnea was treated."

Dr. Ban R. Barbat, a dentist in the greater Detroit area, can help improve not only your golf swing but your quality of life.

Posted in Cosmetic Dentist, detroit dentist, Sleep Apnea | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Periodontal Disease can lead to Heart problems

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Admin

It’s not easy to say if you are at risk for heart disease, but recent research suggests that you ask your Dental Care Provider. Several studies conducted by Cardiologists, and by Periodontists (gum disease specialists) now suggest that there are several connections between dental health and heart disease. If you have gum disease, false teeth, or deteriorating teeth you are more likely to have heart disease. These studies suggest that keeping your mouth healthy is one of the keys to having a healthy heart. One of the most common was periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a large amount of bacteria that is in the mouth. Many studies have revealed that people who need heart transplants, suffer heart attacks, or need heart surgery were more likely to have dental problems. You can’t get by with normal brushing and flossing because the gums can bleed and let the bacteria into the blood stream. This can cause bacteria to line up on the walls of your arteries, which leads to atherosclerosis and artery blockage. It can also cause bacterial endocarditis, which is a form of strep bacteria that causes vegetative matter to grow in the valves of your heart. Prevention is vital. This means flossing regularly & getting two teeth cleanings a year. If you are diagnosed with gum disease, you should check with your Dentist about antibiotic mouthwashes that can help remove bacteria from your mouth before flossing. At Dr. Ban R. Barbat’s office we can help keep your heart healthy and prevent health problems in your future.

Posted in detroit dentist, heart disease, Periodontal Disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame inducts Jessica A. Rickert

Posted on October 28, 2009 by Admin

“Anyone wishing to be successful should develop their whole person, including their personality.”

– Jessica A. Rickert

The Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame was opened in 1987 on the anniversary of Michigan’s ratification of the Women’s Suffrage Amendment. This center displays exhibits on the cultural and historic achievements of Michigan women. It also is home to the Belen Gallery, which displays the work of Michigan women artists and photographers. Nominees are sorted into one of two categories – contemporary or historical – and are assessed for their achievements in a variety of areas, including community service, civil rights, entertainment, politics and business. Jessica A. Rickert is one of the contemporary honorees for 2009.

In 1975, Rickert became the nation’s first American Indian woman dentist. Rickert will be joining more than 200 inductees including Rosa Parks, Betty Ford, Lily Tomlin, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Aretha Franklin and Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Levi Rickert, her brother, nominated her in 2008 to be placed into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. On October 21, 2009 she was inducted in East Lansing, along with nine other women being honored for their societal contributions.

A founding member of the Society of American Indian Dentists, Rickert is only the third American Indian dentist in history. Ms. Rickert descended down from Chief Whitepigeon for whom the town of White Pigeon, Michigan is named. She has helped erect dental clinics for two Michigan tribes and authors a dental column read in many prevalent American Indian newspapers.

Rickert hopes that more American Indian women will be nominated to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. “When my brother nominated me he told me that the three American Indian women in the Hall of Fame are all deceased; there were no living ones represented. I couldn’t believe that was possible because in the state of Michigan there are all kinds of accomplished American Indian women.”

To be a success in the health field, according to Rickert, you have to be a hard worker with a good work ethic. “You need a great character and good heart and should always strive to be as straightforward and truthful as you can be. You have to have a certain personality to be in the health field and be willing to help other people out. Anyone wishing to be successful should develop their whole person, including their personality.”

Posted in Dentistry In The News, Metro Detroit | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Cancer Hazards related to Gum Disease

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Admin

Commonly associated health hazards for chronic periodontitis (gum disease) go way beyond your mouth. People have been warned for years that persistent periodontitis can be one of the causes of heart disease. Gum disease may also be a risk factor for many other cancers of the head and neck a new study suggests.

The journal: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, the study included 207 control subjects & 266 patients with cancers of the head or neck treated from 1999 to 2005.

Dr. Mine Tezel, The State University of New York, Buffalo, & his colleagues noted: “Alveolar bone is the ridge of bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth, holding them in place. Loss of this bone is typically seen with severe periodontal disease.”

The report indicates every millimeter of alveolar bone loss increases the risk of head and neck cancer more than 4 times. (One millimeter is about the size of a pinhead.) This was also noted in subjects who never used tobacco or alcohol.

We aren’t just Cosmetic Dentists but here at Dr. Ban R. Barbat's Dentist office we’re committed to go above and beyond in periodontal health. We want our patients to live a long and healthy life. By helping a small problem now you can avoid a lot of trouble in the future. Promote your overall health. It’s the time

We want to make you aware of this very important study. If you do not take care of your gums, you are not just harming you mouth but your entire body.  Make sure to brush, floss and have regular checkups.  You may say "I don't have the time" but think of all of the time and money one of these horrible diseases will cost you.

*SOURCE: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, September 2009.

Posted in Cosmetic Dentist, Metro Detroit, Your Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

About Our Blog

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Admin

It is my hope that this blog will bring to light information about our practice for our patients of record as well as for potential new patients.  Not only will I be sharing news from the practice, I will also include information on special offers, tips, behind the scenes stuff, and some fun stuff too.

There will be LOTS to share!  So, please stay tuned as we get the ball rolling...

Until then, please feel free to catch up with previous newsletters or our Facebook page.

Ban R. Barbat, DDS

Posted in Cosmetic Dentist, Dentistry In The News, Metro Detroit, Your Health, Your Teeth | Tagged , , | Comments Off