IN Woodland Hills Summer 2017 | Page 25

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT YOUR DENTAL HEALTH Smile On SPONSORED CONTENT with Dr. Paulin Dr. Paulette Paulin loves to see you smile. She has the distinct honor of being a past President of the American College of Prosthodontists and a former professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthodontics. You know that your smile is in good hands when you walk into her office. Dr. Paulin is a specialist in prosthodontics which requires three or more additional years of postgraduate training after finishing dental school. Prosthodontists have extensive training in the restoration and replacement of teeth as well as TMJ dysfunction and bite problems. “Some of the dental services we provide in our office encompass the smallest fillings to complete oral reconstruction,” Dr. Paulin said. “We provide comprehensive dental services from cleanings and x-rays, to crowns and bridges, to dentures and partials, to TMJ and tr eatment for bite problems. But our most common procedures that we do are cosmetic and implant dentistry, where we strive to preserve the remaining natural teeth and bone in a healthy state for as long as possible, and to provide alternatives for replacement that the patient is happy with esthetically, functionally and comfortably.” To do that, Dr. Paulin utilizes state-of-the- art dental implants to replace missing teeth, a process that not only restores the area where the missing tooth was, but also outlasts any other replacement options. “Dental implants are titanium tooth roots shaped like the root of a natural tooth. For patients missing one tooth, a single implant and crown can be used for replacement. If a patient is missing multiple teeth, a bridge can be constructed on top of the implants. For patients who are missing all of their teeth in either the upper or lower arch, we can attach a denture to the implants to provide retention, support and stability. Even people missing only one tooth can be set up for a cascade of events that compromise the neighboring teeth. The remaining teeth want to shift into the space, predisposing them to an increased risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay, which leads to further tooth loss. “In our office we use the Nobel Biocare Dental Implant System, which is the world’s most used implant system and has the most scientific documentation, with more than 40 years of publications on their safety, predictability, clinical success and longevity.” Dr. Paulin said that many times, if the missing tooth is not one visible by smiling, people tend to ignore its replacement, which is a bad choice. “The back (posterior) teeth are so very important for proper diet, nutrition and overall quality of life,” she said. “When one or more teeth are missing and not replaced, there are unhealthy additional forces placed on the remaining teeth that could result in fracture and faster deterioration. It can also cause bite problems, shifting of the surrounding teeth, TMJ dysfunction, as well as physical facial soft tissue changes that make the face appear sunken and aged.” Dr. Paulin said missing teeth will also lead to bone loss and further tooth drift, as teeth surrounding the missing space shift. It’s a common problem, as it’s estimated that 69 percent of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth. The American Dental Association estimates that the number of people missing all of their teeth at more than 20 million, and those missing between 11 and 15 teeth at 100 million. Dental implants are a relatively minor surgical procedure typically performed with just local anesthetic to numb the area. Dr. Paulin cites patients who have resumed their schedule soon after they received their implant, highlighting the ease of the procedure. What’s more, implants can be anchors for crowns, bridges and dentures, securing dentures firmly so they don’t “move around and float,” a common complaint among denture wearers. For more information, contact Paulette P. Paulin, D.M.D., dental specialist in prosthodontics and implant dentistry, at 412.823.4948. Woodland Hills | Summer 2017 | icmags.com 23