The Tradition Lives On

For centuries, a beautiful smile has been one of the most coveted personal assets. History records that both the Egyptians and the ancient Hebrews devised ways to create artificial teeth. More than 4,000 years ago, the Japanese sought to improve their appearance with a traditional method of decorative tooth staining. Today, the dental practice of Goldstein, Garber and Salama in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood continues the tradition by creating brilliant, healthy smiles. The context is thoroughly modern and the capabilities of this multi specialty practice are without equal in the U.S.

BEYOND BEAUTY

The professionals of GG&S bring together a universe of dental talent and a dedication to fine quality. "My father, who started the practice, preached excellence in every undertaking" explains Dr. Ronald Goldstein. Today, that commitment is embodied in the work of Dr. Ronald, Dr. David Garber, Dr. Cathy Goldstein Schwartz, Dr. Maurice Salama, Dr. Angela Gribble, Dr. Henry Salama, and Master Ceramist Pinhas Adar.

The work of these talented practitioners ranges from routine dental functions such as cleanings, to the most complex esthetic and surgical specialty procedures such as implants and smile enhancements. No task is too small or too basic, the doctors maintain. Whatever the dental challenge, they meet it quickly and with predictable quality, and at fees that reflect the diversity of treatment. The doctors point to a popular misconception that beautiful smiles are only for the "rich and famous." Techniques such as bonding, contouring, and bleaching are surprisingly cost-effective and non-invasive.

"We recognize that the purpose of a 'beautiful smile' is much more than improved appearance," explains Dr. Garber. "An individual's self-confidence and ability to succeed in the workplace and in personal life can be incredibly enhanced by esthetic treatment." Adds Dr. Goldstein: "Form, function, and beauty are closely linked. The end result of porcelain laminates, or crowns, for example, is usually improved health and function as well as a more radiant smile."

The office, which celebrates its 68th anniversary this year, is a comprehensive dental practice, offering the full range of preventive, restorative, and surgical options. From fresh flowers in the reception area to the ultra-comfortable furnishings and art-filled walls, the office radiates a serenity designed to put patients at ease. And it does.

This combination of quality and comfort attracts a diverse patient population. In-town neighbors—teachers, laborers, and business people—rub elbows with well-known artists, authors, film stars, and sports and media personalities, including patients who travel from Europe, Japan, Australia, and Israel to be treated by GG&S doctors.

DENTAL IMPLANTS: OPTIONS IN EXCELLENCE

One of the most exciting developments in dental restoration is the implant—a surgically inserted permanent replacement for missing natural teeth. Evolved from the technology used to replace hip and shoulder joints, today's implants use a space age metal known as titanium to form a durable artificial root which attaches to the remaining bone. These "roots" are topped with beautiful ceramic "teeth" whose likeness to natural teeth is virtually indistinguishable. Dr. David Garber, Dr. Henry Salama, Dr. Maurice Salama, and Mr. Pinhas Adar are among the world's foremost experts in dental implants.

Says Dr. Garber, "Historically, implants were used for the totally edentulous (toothless) patient. In recent years improvements in the technique have made it an option for patients who have suffered accidents, sports injuries, or for any reason are missing a single tooth or just a few teeth."

The GG&S office approaches implants quite differently from most other practices. "Knowing that a patient's real concern is a return of esthetics, phonetics, and function, we start by identifying the ideal look and location for the finished tooth," Dr. Garber explains. "Then we recreate bone and soft tissue (gums) where necessary to support that ideal restoration. It's an approach that emphasizes total dental/facial harmony."

Dr. Henry Salama adds that the decision to perform an implant is a complicated one in which the patient participates fully. "We consider all the alternatives, and together with the patient decide which choice best suits their personality, lifestyle, esthetic demands and, of course, budget—but irrespective of choice, the treatment options must be equally effective."

Interactive computer simulation of implant placement in a complex case is aided by Columbia Scientific's Simplant software. Multispecialty treatment planning is the key, agree Maurice Salama, Dr. David Garber, Dr. Henry Salama, and master ceramist Pinhas Adar.

The most advanced all-ceramic crown available begins with input from Dr. Cathy Goldstein Schwartz and Mr. Pinhas Adar. Data is transferred by modem to Sweden where the world's strongest all-porcelain core will be shipped back in 4 days. Then Mr. Adar begins building the porcelain in his laboratory.

Dr. Cathy Goldstein Schwartz and Pinhas Adar

THIS IS TEAMWORK

Another unique feature of the office is the team approach to treatment. Drs. Garber, Henry Salama, and Maurice Salama are all dual-trained dental specialists, permitting a highly productive cross-fertilization of ideas and techniques that works to the benefit of patients. Another integral member of the treatment team is Mr. Pinhas Adar, an Israeli and European-trained Master Ceramist whose reputation for creating life-like restorations is known throughout the world. Working independently, Mr. Adar operates the Oral Design Center of Atlanta, a studio laboratory which creates custom restorations.

Many dental offices have access to good quality laboratories, but by working with Mr. Adar, the office is able to go a step beyond and offer a highly individualized and personalized service that strongly affects the end result. Mr. Adar explains: "I work directly with patients from the first appointment through to the final placement of a restoration." GG&S patients are not just names on a stone model, but are individuals whose personality, skin tone, hair style, and coloring are all considered in the creation of new teeth. The result of Mr. Adar's artistry is a creation that can either match existing teeth perfectly—with all the properties of a natural tooth-like translucency, fluorescence, reflectivity, and subtle markings—or create a whole new smile.

These unique capabilities are not lost on patients like Dr. Barbara Yarn, an Atlanta anesthesiologist who needed the resources of the entire GG&S team. Orthodontics, implants, and esthetic surgery set the stage for Dr. Goldstein and Mr. Adar to create her new smile. "When I first met with the team, I described the look I wanted. They helped me visualize it on a computer screen and, much like an artist, Pinhas took what I described and brought it to life exactly the way I wanted it."

But Dr. Yarn says that what "touched her the most" is when she realized that Mr. Adar, Dr. Goldstein, and other members of the team "cared about my new look as much as I did. I felt they were always doing their best for me." Dr. Yarn especially enjoyed working with a GG&S patient coordinator who served as her chief point of contact throughout the restoration process.

YESTERDAY'S DREAMS, TODAY S INNOVATIONS

Research by Dr. Henry Salama and others has led to dramatic improvements in implant dentistry. Among these is a highly accelerated implant placement process the GG&S doctors call "Teeth-In-A-Day." Traditionally, there is a three-month period following extraction before implants can be placed, then at least six months before the final restoration is complete. Innovative surgical methods permit the GG&S team to complete certain cases in a day's time. Says Dr. Henry Salama, "One of the most anxiety-producing episodes is being without teeth during the implant process — we've basically eliminated that problem."

A GREATER GOOD

Whether your need is for simple bonding to repair a space between teeth, bleaching to whiten and brighten already healthy teeth, or highly complex oral surgery, the GG&S approach blends warmth and personal attention with the highest level of dental treatment The result is beauty, as well as something far greater. Just ask Dr. Barbara Yarn who explains: "I was recommended to the office by a colleague who said one thing she wanted to do before she died was to have her smile redone by Goldstein, Garber and SalamaI decided to see for myself and I can say without hesitation that the result has been completely satisfying."