A Complete Team

Exceptional results in dentistry are no accident. At the Atlanta office of Goldstein, Garber, Salama & Gribble, the creation of beautiful, natural-looking smiles is the result of world-class expertise by a team of specialists known locally - and internationally - for their work. Backed by a staff of 35, the doctors perform the full gamut of dental care-from routine functions like cleanings, to esthetic treatment including orthodontics, porcelain laminates and crowns, to complex surgical specialties such as dental implants.

The practice is considerably enhanced by the presence of the Oral Design Center whose director, Master Ceramist Pinhas Adar, blends art and science in the pursuit of beautiful, functional dental restorations that strikingly imitate nature.

THE ANATOMY OF A SMILE

No matter what type of enhancement or restoration is required, diagnosis and treatment planning are the first steps. At GGS&G, no single dentist but instead three dualtrained specialists lead a diagnostic team that combines the strongest clinical skills with high-tech strategies like computer imaging. Treatment planning is a step-by-step sequence tailored to the specific needs of each patient. The team concept means that the strategy that's selected reflects the combined wisdom of all team members involved, a great advantage over the expertise of one dentist.

Patients are urged to become co-therapists and educated dental consumers, knowledgeable about the processes and the options before them.

The practice, which marks its 70th anniversary next year, is today led by Drs. Ronald Goldstein, David Garber, Maurice Salama, Henry Salama, Angela Gribble Hedlund, and Cathy Goldstein Schwartz. Most of the doctors hold academic teaching posts, and travel throughout the world lecturing to fellow dentists about the techniques for which the GGS&G practice has become recognized.

THE MAGIC OF COMMUNICATION

Master Ceramist Pinhas Adar is one of the world's most celebrated dental ceramists-he brings an artist's eye to the creation of dental restorations that are not only natural, but enhance what nature provided. An author and teacher, Adar works with the GGS&G doctors on appropriate cases-the team concept works especially well as Adar is located in the same West Paces Ferry office suite. But his expertise is also sought by doctors across the U.S. and beyond who require the highest quality restorations, that simply cannot be duplicated by traditional dental laboratories. Mr. Adar's goal is to share his knowledge and help others see what is possible. He does this by teaching his techniques and philosophies to both dentists and technicians through the world, as well as at his Oral Design Center.

A recent collaboration between the doctors and Mr. Adar resulted in a striking new smile for Mrs. Lourdes Zaczac. A resident of Miami, Mrs. Zaczac read a magazine article about the GGS&G practice and decided to come to Atlanta for a consultation. The case was complex because it involved "re-doing" some former restorations that had proven unsatisfactory.

The patient is a key member of the dental team. Here Mrs. Lourdes Zaczac consults with Dr. Ronald Goldstein, Mr. Pinhas Adar and Dr. Maurice Salama. Mrs. Zaczac found it interesting to view her mouth on closed circuit video and see firsthand how she appears when speaking naturally.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE

Mrs. Zaczac became informed about the possibilities and-as a self-described "perfectionist"claimed, "I care about quality and I care about the best possible outcome, so I didn't mind making the trips between Miami and Atlanta," she says today.

Her treatment plan called for a combination of porcelain laminates, crowns, and cosmetic laser sculpting by Dr. Maurice Salama to correct her "gummy smile." Recalls Dr. Goldstein: "Although we do have a fully staffed inhouse laboratory of our own, this patient was seeking the ultimate in esthetic ceramics. I chose Pinhas because of his expertise and unique training." Another reason Mr. Adar was brought into the case was the patient's desire to retain as much of her original tooth structure as possible.

The patient knew she did not smile freely, disliked the color and shape of the old crowns, and wondered if anyone could improve her smile.

Dr. Goldstein explains: "We went with a conservative choice of laminates with a few crowns, only where necessary. And when you do that it takes a Master Ceramist to match the esthetics."

In addition to the high-tech tools and new ceramic systems, Mr. Adar relies heavily on personal communication. He works with the patient and the doctors from the beginning, listening to their desires, assessing the possibilities, and reflecting these in exceptional, handcrafted restorations. "I want a patient to fully understand the choices in terms of materials, budget, and outcome," he says. He is a strong believer in provisionals or temporary restorations that permit the patient to "live with" the changes a few weeks before they are made permanent.

Adds Dr. Goldstein. "In most offices the dentist has to interpret the patient's wishes, then translate the message to a technician. But working together with the patient, Pinhas directly hears and interprets the desires and expectations. It's more than convenient, it's essential. In the case of Mrs. Zaczac, the teamwork approach resulted in a full smile that not only met, but exceeded her exacting expectations.

Mrs. Zaczac enjoys smiling now and doesn't mind telling the story of The Dental Team she found in Atlanta at GGS&G.

Goldstein, Garber, Salama & Gribble is an affiliate of Genus Aesthetic Medical & Dental Group. For further information on their dental practice visit them on the Web at www.goldsteingarber.com or call (404) 261-4941 to speak to a patient coordinator.