Jul 14, 2008 9:17 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: New Dental Procedure Reshapes Smiles
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Whether you use braces or surgery to improve your smile, it could be a very painful process. But a new procedure is offering dramatic results with little discomfort. Also making headlines in the health world is the good news regarding the link between exercise and Alzheimer's Disease.
CBS 2's Dr. Holly Phillips has the latest news on these two hot medical topics.
It seems getting plenty of exercise may slow the effect of Alzheimer's Disease. A pre-limb study shows those with early signs of the disease that were physically fit suffered less damage as a result. The brain shrinks with age, but it doubles for those suffering from the disease.
Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way since the days of basic braces, and now gums are getting a makeover too. A new laser technique is making the gum-lift a fast and easy fix.
Leta Lenik wants a new reason to smile.
"I don't like the way my smile is. The drive is to look and feel better, to not be self conscious when I smile," said Lenik.
She's not only unhappy with her teeth but also her gum line.
"Very often patients have problems with their gum line. They have gum lines that are uneven, that are asymmetrical, they are disproportional," said DDS Joseph Zelig.
To change that, Zelig, a Periodontist, is giving Leta a gum-lift.
"The gums are the frame around the teeth just like a frame around a picture," said Zelig.
Zelig used to do the procedure with a scalpel which required heavy anesthesia and stitches. He now uses a laser to remove unwanted gum in less than an hour.
"There's minimal to no bleeding. There's no discomfort to the patient. There's very often no stitches needed," said Zelig.
With the old procedure patients could only have liquids and soft foods for up to two weeks until their stitches came out. With the laser, patients have soreness for a day or two and can normally eat almost right away.
"I think it looks much, much better. I'm really happy with it. Now we can wait for the next family reunion so I can smile in the pictures," said Lenik.
But that new smile doesn't come cheap. The gum lift costs around $500 a tooth. Leta's new look cost her $2,500. But she's happy, and it shows in her smile.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Massive Crib Recall Set, Sources Say 55 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments