Roanoke Virginia Dentist Paul Henny Fine Restorative Cosmetic Esthetic Dentist

Paul Henny, DDS, PC

Dentist, cosmetic Dentist, Roanoke Virginia

1213 Corporate Circle, SW

Roanoke , Virginia 24018

540.774.1577

www.paulhennydds.com

Roanoke Virginia Dentist Paul Henny Fine Restorative Cosmetic Esthetic Dentist

Roanoke, Dentist, Paul, Henny, cosmetic dentist, TMJ, veneers, crowns, smile, makeover, Pankey, Dawson, Restorative, Esthetic, Aesthetic, Comprehensive, virginia

The following text is an excerpt of his website.

Dr. Henny maintains an esthetically-focused restorative practice in Roanoke, Virginia. Additionally, he is a national speaker in dentistry, a visiting faculty member of the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and visiting lecturer at the Jefferson College of Health Sciences. Dr. Henny is also a member of the Roanoke Valley Dental Society, The Academy of General Dentistry, The American College of Oral Implantology, The American Society of Osseointegration, The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He is Past President and co-founder of the Robert F. Barkley Dental

Study Club.

Would you like to learn more about Dr. Henny?

In A Spirit of Caring, an international website for information on the practice of health-centered dentistry recently interviewed

Dr. Henny regarding his upbringing, career, practice and advice.

Paul Henny’s journey is significant because he is a leader in the next generation of dentists who have created health-centered practices. Paul’s generation will carry on and improve the work of the pioneers of health-centered dentistry.

Paul Henny was born on June 4, 1958 and grew up in Portage, Michigan. He received a BS from the University of Kentucky and his DDS from the University of Michigan. ISOC interviewed Paul on February 23, 2003.

Paul was interviewed by Lynn Carlisle of www.spiritofcaring.com on February 23, 2003.

Spiritofcaring.com is an internet resource for dentists interested in developing a patient-centered, collaborative relationship oriented practice. He maintains a Restorative & Esthetic dental practice is Roanoke, Virginia and is President of the Bob Barkley Study Club www.bobbarkley.com He can be reached via e-mail at paul@paulhenny.com

ISOC: Looking back, what were the most significant events as a child that influenced your career as a dentist?

Paul: My orthodontist growing up seemed to really love his work. He was always positive and up beat and seemed intellectually challenged by the work. My father was an Oral Surgeon and I never really got that sense of satisfaction with work from him. My father’s brother was a very prominent internationally recognized Oral Surgeon as well, so I very much grew up in a “dental culture”. Finding my own preferred flavor was the challenge for me.

ISOC: Who have had the most important influences on you as a dentist?

Paul:

1. Walter Doyle, an Orthodontist in Lexington Kentucky who had an unbelievable “outside the box” occlusally based practice. He was a great mentor to me and was one of the first people to support my vision of transitioning my practice to a more health centered, comprehensive care model.

2. Pete Dawson, who opened my eyes to much of what I needed to learn about and master to become who I wanted to become.

3. Avrom King, who heavily influenced my thinking early on.

4. Bob Barkley, although I never met or saw Bob speak, I feel he is a part of my life almost every day.

5. L.D. Pankey, a true visionary to dentistry and the Institute founded in his honor.

6. Frank Spear, a masterful clinician and teacher.

7. Bob Winter, the clinician’s clinician and a genuine and humble person.

8. Carl Rogers for helping me see that being an effective dentist could be so much more if I could master some of his teachings.

9. Scott Peck – Life is difficult, so get over it and get on with it

10. Bob Sweazy, who picked me up when I was down, dusted me off and told me to get back in the game of life.

ISOC: What has been your most difficult time as a dentist?

Paul: When I realized, after about three years of practice, that I did not like being a dentist and that if I didn’t find a way to practice that was more congruent with who I was inside, I was going to have to start all over and find something else to do with my life.

ISOC: What was the happiest time for you as a dentist?

Paul: When I started to see that many of the Avrom King / Barkley/ Pankey concepts that I had initially bought into via sheer faith start to positively influence my practice direction.

ISOC: If you had a chance to change anything as a dentist, what would it be?

Paul: Not much. I hated the first few years, but without those seeds of discontent I never would have been motivated to pay the price to master many of the things that I do almost effortlessly on a daily basis today.

ISOC: How did you and your spouse meet?

Paul: She actually was a patient of mine who came to me because her mother was my hygienist and had this feeling that if she could just get us to meet one another we would click. She was right. You know what they say about a woman’s intuition…

ISOC: Please recall one of the best parts of your marriage.

Paul: Our deep friendship and common vision of our future together.

ISOC: What are the most significant things you have learned from your marriage?

Paul: Balance between one’s personal and professional life is a struggle but is essential. A great marriage is a tremendous foundation for personal and professional growth.

ISOC: How many children do you have?

Paul: A two year old and another one on the way.

ISOC: What is it like to be a parent?

Paul: Amazed most of the time. I marvel at their pure joy and passion for life.

ISOC: Where have you worked/practiced as a dentist?

Paul: Lexington, Kentucky, Whidbey Island Washington (USNR) , Charleston, South Carolina (USNR), South Boston, Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia.

ISOC: Why did you move or change positions?

Paul: As I stated earlier, I was generally unhappy as a dentist when I first started in Lexington. At that point, I decided a good solution to my woes would be to join the Navy, “see the world”, and decide if I wanted to spend the rest of my life being a dentist. After three mostly fun years, the answer was “yes” but not in the military.

So I moved to South Boston, Virginia - a small Southside town of about six thousand and associated with a man who had done some training a the Pankey Institute. He as in the autumn of his career. I had heard of the Pankey Institute and thought it might be a good buy-out opportunity. As is often the case, the practice was much less than I had been led to believe, so after a year and a half I left for Roanoke to purchase a retiring dentist’s practice with the specific intention of transitioning it to a comprehensive care practice

model. The rest is history.

ISOC: Why did you choose dentistry as a career?

Paul: I pretty much grew up around it. In my case, this was almost a negative as I do not think I really had thought enough about doing other things as well. Consequently I ended up committing myself to be a dentist after I became one which seems a bit backwards to me…

ISOC: What do you like most about practicing dentistry?

Paul: The depth of the interpersonal contact. The sincere gratitude that my patients express frequently in the patient-centered environment we have been able to create.

ISOC: Least?

Paul: Accounting, left-brain business stuff, especially when I am tired.

ISOC: What goal in life did you have as a child or teenager?

Paul: To become an Orthodontist

ISOC: What did you enjoy the most as a young person?

Paul: Custom building bicycles and taking long trips on them.

ISOC: Did you have a favorite subject as a youngster in school? What was it?

Paul: Writing, English literature, Psychology and Sociology.

ISOC: Where did you attend college? What was your favorite subject?

Paul: I received my B.S. from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Although I majored in Biology, Botany fascinated me and I almost switched my major and pursuit of dentistry.

ISOC: Where did you attend dental school? Your favorite subject? What was your dental school experience like?

Paul: I attended the University Of Michigan School Of Dentistry. For the most part, I did not enjoy my dental school experience. I did however connect with a few instructors who seemed to care about me and to no surprise, I thrived under their mentorship. More specifically, my favorite area became prosthodontics as I really enjoyed working with these types of patients.

ISOC: Were you happy in college?

Paul: Yes, I had I great time at Kentucky and really grew a lot socially and intellectually during that period.

ISOC: In dental school?

Paul: Not really. I spent a lot of time wondering if I had made a big mistake following my father, uncle and brother into the profession.

ISOC: What important values did your family impart to you?

Paul: Integrity. Pride for the profession of dentistry, determination, focus, the need for personal development and independence.

ISOC: Dental school?

Paul: Respect for the profession in addition to the essential need for professionalism.

ISOC: How would you describe your dental school experience?

Paul: As I stated earlier, not too great. I say this as well because I had the privilege to teach at both the University of Kentucky and Washington dental schools which both had developed a much more humane way to develop young adults into dental professionals.

ISOC: What kinds of things do you enjoy doing outside of your professional life?

Paul: Spending time with Susan and Julianne, writing, traveling, lecturing, teaching, and occasionally cooking.

ISOC: Have you attained your major goals in life? Paul: Not yet.

ISOC: What has surprised you about practicing dentistry?

Paul: That it can be so humanistic and nurturing for all parties.

ISOC: What professional accomplishments are you most pleased with?

Paul: Appointment to the visiting faculty of the Pankey Institute, being asked to speak at prominent national meetings, being considered by some as a thought leader in dentistry.

ISOC: What of your personal qualities have improved the most over the years?

Paul: My communication skills with my patients - and because fine dentistry is a collaborative effort – the type and quality of the dentistry I have been able to provide for my patients.

ISOC: Least?

Paul: I’m still too computer illiterate and my ignorance is starting to get quite expensive.

ISOC: Have you changed over your lifetime?

Paul: Absolutely.

ISOC: Looking back, what major value, principle or philosophy is the most important to a dentist?

Paul: Authenticity.

ISOC: Is this different than what you thought early in your career?

Paul: Yes, I would have said something clinically oriented – without authenticity other skills are greatly diminished.

ISOC: What has been your biggest lesson learned?

Paul: Most people want the best for themselves - they may not yet know what that means or how they can get it. I now see my primary role is to help people make the best choices for themselves.

ISOC: What was the main turning point in your life?

Paul: When I met Walter Doyle and realized that the practice of dentistry could be so stimulating and very different than I had ever imagined. When I first met him at age 58 he was like a kid in a candy shop with a passion for dentistry like none I had ever seen before.

ISOC: If you could live your professional life over, what would you change?

Paul: Not too much. It hasn’t been easy but it is through the struggle that one grows in wisdom andstrength.

ISOC: What are the most important books/authors you have read in your professional life?

Paul: Carl Rogers, LD Pankey, Bob Barkley, Lynn Carlisle, Avrom King, Pete Dawson.

ISOC: What important wisdom/thoughts would you impart to dentists?

Early in their career?

Paul: Get your head out of the sand and see how people you admire practice. If you don’t have someone that you admire, seek one out through the Pankey Institute, Bob Barkley Study Club, or other values - based organization. Mid-career?

Paul: Get moving. If you have a dream - make hay. Time is precious. Late career?

Paul: Savor the value of your life’s work. Find congruent ways to share what you have learned with others which will make their journey easier.

ISOC: What do you think will be your greatest legacy?

Paul: Hopefully teaching and facilitating positive change in others.

ISOC: What is easiest for you in the practice of dentistry?

Paul: Now - helping patients learn what they want for themselves and helping them to achieve / attain it.

ISOC: Hardest?

Paul: Seeing too many people in a day. I just can’t (and won’t) practice like that any more. It is a loose – loose arrangement. The patients never get your full attention and thus full and proper care. As a result, the patients feel rushed and cheated and the dentist rarely feels gratitude from his /her patients. This perpetual cycle has a strongly negative impact on the psyche of dentists over time and is likely one of the reasons the

suicide rate of dentists is so high.

ISOC: Looking out ten years, what do you think dentistry will be like?

Paul: For most…de-professionalized, more corporatized, more feminine, more governmentally controlled… in other words, a squeezed and unhappy group of people. But for the few… the best of all professions and for the patients under their care, the best that dentistry has to offer.

ISOC: Challenges?

Paul: Meeting the growing demand for basic care, particularly in underserved areas.

ISOC: Practice models?

Paul: Most will be high volume large group practices. The small nimble patient-centered practice will continue to gain strength and interest.

ISOC: What will no longer be important?

Paul: I don’t know.

ISOC: What new things will be required?

Paul: Higher and higher levels of measurable competency. I think that basic competency exams are on the horizon.

ISOC: What can you tell dentists about: L.D. Pankey, Harold Wirth, and Bob Barkley?

Paul: Only that I never had a chance to meet any of them, yet they live on through their work which has had a huge impact on my life. They help me see the world through better eyes.

ISOC: What is their most important legacy?

Paul: To help dentists see patients as people with the same motivations and priorities as anyone else and to help them to sort things out and get what they want out of dentistry.

ISOC: What circumstances / people led to the creation of your health-centered / relationship-based practice of dentistry?

Paul: Recognition that conventional approaches to care (although cloaked in titles such as “preventive dentistry”) were generally failing and ineffective. Thought leaders like Pankey and Barkley began to ask “why” and dared to step outside the box and experiment with methods which ultimately proved to be much more effective with regard to connecting with patients and moving them toward optimal health.

ISOC: Where do you see health-centered dentistry in ten years?

Paul: Gaining momentum but still being a minority player in the whole market.

ISOC: What kinds of things did you enjoy doing as a child?

Paul: Bicycling, cross country skiing, distance running, music

ISOC: Did you like to read? Favorite books and authors?

Paul: Almost any Steinbeck & Hemmingway

ISOC: What person had the most influence on you as a child?

Paul: I would have to say my mother who holds a masters degree in education. She had a laser sharp idea of how she wanted her children to grow and develop. Particularly with regard to each of us learning to be independent thinkers, morally grounded, and financially independent as well.

ISOC: What was the most traumatic time in your life as a child or teenager?

Paul: The death of my very best friend in a car accident shortly after high school graduation.

ISOC: What was the happiest time in your life as a child or teenager?

Paul: Winning some rather hard earned long distance races locally and regionally during high school. These were some of my first experiences with the need for self discipline, delayed gratification, and how glorious the wins can be if you stay focused and stick with something that you really want to happen.

ISOC: Please tell me about a human relations incident in your dental career. How you felt about it at the time; how you feel about it now; what you would do differently.

Paul: When I first started trying to implement comprehensive exams into my practice routine, the reaction of many patients was very negative. I was devastated, as I viewed it as essential to the diagnostic and planning process. In spite of my good intentions, my patients seemed to think that I had cooked up a sneaky way to

get them to unnecessarily spend more money on their mouth. I quickly realized that if I didn’t improve my communication skills simultaneously with my clinical skills, I would go nowhere and my dream would die.

In a Spirit of Caring is conducting a series of interviews with the pioneers and practitioners of the health-centered/ relationship-based model of practicing dentistry. The interviews provide a fascinating look at people and events that led these individuals to this way of practicing. They also give valuable insight, advice, and resources for dentists seeking ways to enhance the way they practice.

TMJ

Esthetic (cosmetic) dentistry is specifically designed to enhance the appearance of the teeth and smile. Since "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", this type of dentistry is highly personalized, artistic, and creative. Esthetic dentistry varies from simple procedures which render results within an hour, to complex treatments which may take several appointments to complete. Particularly with regard to addressing complex issues such as crooked, misshaped, missing, or badly damaged teeth, Esthetic dentistry should only follow careful study, discussion, and goal-oriented planning. Esthetic dentistry should also never take precedence over dental health.

So how do you go about choosing the right dentist to address your esthetic needs? It may come as a surprise to you that most dentists receive no formal training in cosmetic dentistry during dental school and that cosmetic dentistry is not a formally recognized specialty in dentistry. Thus, success in finding a properly trained and experienced Esthetic dentist will require some research on your part. Since you will see changes made to your smile in the mirror every morning, we recommend selecting a dentist who can demonstrate a proven track record in Esthetic Dentistry.

Any competent dentist with substantial experience with esthetic dental procedures will be more than willing to talk about their training, experience, and show you numerous photographs of specific cases they have done which are very similar to yours. If you are talking to a dentist who is showing you cosmetic examples out of a purchased book and who has no examples of their own work to show you, then you may be talking to someone with limited experience in this area.

We believe successful relationships begin with mutual trust and understanding. Therefore we feel it is important that you know

we are committed to:

Caring & Comfort: We are committed to making each and every one of your visits comfortable, predictable and safe.

Health-Centered Philosophy: We shall strive to always develop an individualized approach to addressing your needs which best support your goals and enhance your health.

Empowerment: We shall always strive to help you learn about your status and needs in such a way that you will have all of the resources necessary to confidently participate in the decision-making process.

Golden Rule: We shall strive to keep your needs and desires foremost in our minds and never let a third party negatively influence the quality of the care or advice we provide.

No Surprises: We shall always strive to inform you of what to expect regarding any course of action we choose to pursue together. This includes a commitment to keep you abreast of financial and other obligations associated with those choices.

Deference: We shall always honor the fact that you are the expert regarding the priorities in your life.

Quality: We shall strive to stay abreast of the latest advancements in dentistry, as well as, make available to you the most appropriate materials and pain-free techniques.

Integrity: We shall strive for openness and honesty in our relationship with you. And we shall stand behind our advice, our decisions, and our work.

Here are 14 questions which can help you decide if you are a candidate for Esthetic Dentistry:

1. Are you unhappy with the appearance of your smile in general?

2. Are your teeth noticeably stained, yellow, or otherwise discolored?

3. When you smile, are you able to see any missing teeth?

4. When you smile can you see uneven, crooked, or crowded teeth?

5. Do your teeth look too small for your face?

6. Do you have spaces between your teeth?

7. Are the edges of your upper teeth worn flat?

8. Do the old fillings in your teeth tend to make them look too dark?

9. When you smile, do your teeth seem to tilt one way or the other?

10. When you smile, does gum recession make your teeth look too long?

11. When you smile, are your gum levels at the necks of your teeth noticeably irregular?

12. When you smile, does it seem like you show too much gum tissue?

13. Are you embarrassed to smile when you have your picture taken?

14. Do you have a habit of covering your mouth with your hand when you laugh

because you are embarrassed about the appearance of your smile?

BriteSmile® is the state-of-the-art in highly successful professional level teeth whitening. And amazingly, BriteSmile® technique creates results you want in just one hour! Dr. Henny and his staff have been trained in the BriteSmile® technique which consists of a dentist applied gentle proprietary whitening gel in combination with a patented wavelength-matched gas plasma treatment light. At this time, Dr. Henny is one of the only dentists in all of Central and Southwest Virginia with this training and the BriteSmile® teeth whitening technology. The BriteSmile® technique creates dramatic lightening of the teeth (up to 8 shades lighter in some cases) in just one visit. BriteSmile® eliminates the need for patients to use "take home" whitening trays with gels for six hours at a time and for a week or more. BriteSmile® also avoids much of the sensitivity commonly associated with the "take home" whitening technique and eliminates the disappointing and unpredictable results that the majority of our patients report with over-the-counter products!

BriteSmile® is dentistry’s leader in single-visit, safe, professionally assisted teeth whitening. The patented blue spectrum light system and proprietary whitening gel yield predictable, effective, and exceptional results and 98% patient satisfaction in just one hour.

Invisalign braces are a revolutionary new way to straighten teeth without using wires, brackets or bands on the sides of the teeth. Invisalign works by using a series of ultra-thin clear "aligners" continuously worn over the teeth which slowly ... invisibly move the teeth to a predetermined final position typically over a period of 8-18 months. Invisalign allows patients to eliminate unsightly crowding and mis-alignment of the teeth. Only teeth which are free of decay and healthy from periodontal disease are able to be moved by this system.

To find out if you are a candidate for this revolutionary approach to improving smiles, call for a free initial consultation. Fees range from $3,000 - $6,000 depending on the complexity. Financing is available in most cases.

Click the Photo Gallery link above to view sample cases treated with Invisalign.

How much does Invisalign® treatment cost?

As with other types of orthodontic treatment, the cost of Invisalign® is highly dependent on the complexity of the case. The cost of Invisalign treatment is sometimes less than that of conventional braces when only a few teeth need to be moved. For other cases which involve more tooth movement and more treatment time, the fee is sometimes 10-15% more than that of conventional braces. Thus, fees can range from $3,000.00 - $6,000.00.

Does Invisalign® really work?

Yes. In both clinical research and in dental practices worldwide, Invisalign® has been proven effective at straightening teeth. Invisalign® utilizes gentle forces to slowly move teeth around in the jawbones in much the same fashion as conventional braces – only faster and almost invisibly!

Does insurance cover the cost of Invisalign® treatment?

Because dental benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, you should review your plan coverage. However, if you have orthodontic coverage, Invisalign® will likely be covered to the same extent as conventional braces. If you have coverage, we will instruct your insurance carrier to pay you directly as we do not take assignment of benefits from insurance companies.

Can I any see some pictures of completed Invisalign® cases?

Yes. Several previously treated cases have been photographed and can be viewed on www.invisalign.com

How are Aligners made?

Invisalign® uses 3-D computer scanning and imaging technology on molds taken of your teeth to create “virtual models” of your teeth and bite relationship. These models are exact digital replicas of your teeth and bite. A patented computer software program is then used to straighten the teeth on the “virtual models” as directed by Dr. Henny and as desired by you. These changes are then reviewed with you at a treatment planning conference within about three weeks. At that time, Dr. Henny will show you how many teeth need to be moved to achieve your goals and tell you how long your case will take to treat as well as how much the treatment costs would be. When you are ready to proceed with treatment, Dr. Henny will instruct Invisalign to make a customized set of Aligners which will move the teeth as planned. The Aligner fabrication process takes about two weeks to complete.

What are the primary benefits of Invisalign®?

There are five primary benefits of Invisalign®:

1. Invisalign® is nearly invisible - you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

2. Invisalign® is removable - you can eat and drink what you want in treatment; you can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene.

3. Invisalign® is comfortable - there are no metal brackets or wires to cause mouth irritation; no metal or wires also means you spend less time in the dental chair getting adjustments.

4. Invisalign® allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start - so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

5. Invisalign® treatment is generally faster by about 20-30% than conventional braces.

What are aligners made of?

Aligners are made of thin, clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.

What do aligners look like?

Aligners are thin and clear. They fit over the tops and sides of the teeth. Some dentists refer to them as “corrective contact lenses for teeth."

Is Invisalign® a new way to straighten teeth?

For years, dentists have used removable appliances (active retainers) for various forms of tooth movement. Today, with the application of Invisalgn’s® new computer technology and custom fabrication process, Invisalign® can do most things that can be done with wires and brackets in a very precise and predictable fashion.

How long has the Invisalign company been around?

Align Technology, Inc. is the parent company that manufactures Invisalign® It was founded in 1997 and services dentists from all around the world.

How many patients have been treated with Invisalign®?

Invisalign® has been successfully used on over 3,000,000 patients worldwide and this number grows daily.

Do doctors need special training in order to use Invisalign®?

Specific training and experience is needed to provide Invisalign® treatment. A dentist must be certified by Invisalign® as well. An esthetically trained restorative dentist like Dr. Henny can provide you with Invisalign® treatment as well as plan for and properly address other inter-related dental issues.

How can Invisalign® effectively move teeth?

Like brackets and archwires, Invisalign® Aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign® not only controls forces, but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage.

Has the FDA cleared Invisalign®?

Yes, the FDA has reviewed Align’s application and in August 1998 determined that Invisalign® is exempt from 510(k) pre-market notification.

What is the minimum age of a patient that Dr. Henny can treat with Invisalign®?

Dr. Henny can treat the vast majority of patients who have fully erupted molars. This commonly occurs by the age of 14.

I have crowns on some of my teeth. Is this a factor in Invisalign® treatment?

No, crowns typically do not prohibit the use of Invisalign®.

Can Invisalign® be used to close gaps between teeth?

Yes. Unless the spaces between the teeth are unusually wide, they can be closed easily with the Invisalign® System.

I have a bridge. Is this a factor in Invisalign® treatment?

Because bridges firmly link two or more teeth together, they can prevent those teeth from moving. Dr. Henny can determine if pre-existing bridgework will be an issue during the treatment process.

Is Invisalign® treatment painful?

Most people experience minor discomfort for a few days at the beginning of the use of each new Aligner. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure or soreness which goes away after a couple of days. In virtually all cases, this soreness can be successfully managed by the use of Tylenol or Motrin.

How often must I wear my aligners?

At all times except when eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth. Aligners should be worn all day and all night, except when eating, brushing and flossing.

Will wearing Invisalign® Aligners during the day affect my speech?

Like all orthodontic treatments, Aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people. In the beginning, you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having Aligners in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by the Aligners should disappear.

Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?

No. Unlike traditional wires & brackets, you can eat whatever you desire while in treatment because you remove your Aligners to eat and drink. Thus, there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favorite foods, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Also, it is important that you brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your Aligners to maintain proper hygiene.

Will smoking stain the aligners?

We discourage smoking while wearing Aligners because the Aligners to become discolored.

Can I chew gum while wearing aligners?

No, gum will stick to the Aligners. We recommend removing your Aligners for all meals and snacks.

What's the best way to clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your Aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water. Special cleaning tablets are also available.

How often must I see Dr. Henny while I am under active Invisalign treatment?

Dr. Henny will schedule regular appointments – usually about once every two to six weeks. In this way, Dr. Henny can monitor your progress and make sure that the treatment is proceeding as planned.

Can anything be done after Invisalign® treatment to prevent my teeth from moving again?

Most patients will need to wear retainer at night only following treatment to prevent any possibility of the teeth shifting of the teeth over time. Retainers will be made for you as part of your initial treatment fee for this purpose.

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain, which can be bonded to the outer surfaces and edges of the teeth. Veneers are used to improve the size, shape and color of teeth.

Since veneers are thin, they rely on the underlying tooth structure for strength. Therefore, only teeth which are strong, and free of decay or extensive repairs are candidates for veneers.

See “ ” for examples of how veneers

can be used.

Dentistry by Paul A. Henny, DDS

Crowns or “caps” are used to restore teeth which have suffered extensive damage due to decay or fracture. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance of teeth.

Crowns can be made of porcelain, porcelain and metal or all metal. Location, esthetic and function demands are considered when selecting which type of crown to use. Crowns generally cover over most of a tooth whereas a veneer will only cover over part of the tooth.

See “ ” for examples of how crowns are used.

The days of dentures having to look like “false” teeth are long past us now. Today a dentist with proper training and experience can make a denture look virtually identical to natural teeth.

Natural teeth, however, are still the best option for most people as well-fitting dentures are only about 30% as efficient with chewing.

For those having difficulty with their dentures,

implants can now be used to replace or anchor

them to the jawbones.