Mirror, Mirror

Last year, more than ten mil lion Americans had a cosmetic procedure. If you’re considering plastic surgery or a cosmetic enhancement, here are some things you should consider en route to the “new you.”

Are you ready?

You may have considered a change to your appearance long before divorce became a reality. Or perhaps, this is a special gift you’d like to give yourself, now that you’re on your way to creating a new life for yourself. If, after careful consideration, you are certain this is the right choice for you, the next important step is to educate yourself about the procedure, the specialist, and the cost. This step is every bit as important as educating yourself about the divorce process and choosing the right divorce professionals to guide you through it.

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery has undergone a facelift of its own over the past several years. Patients today can choose from a wide array of procedures to enhance their appearance; many today are minimally invasive and involve shorter recovery periods than ever before. In fact, as plastic surgery increases in popularity, more and more men and women are choosing these minimally invasive procedures. Though still popular, facelifts did not make the top-five surgical procedures in 2005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Regardless of the trends in plastic surgery, it’s important to note that the treatment must always be individualized to the patient, stresses Dr. Michael A. Eisemann, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the Medical Director of the Eisemann Cosmetic Day Surgery Center in Houston, Texas.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon 

Here are some points for you to consider as you make this important decision:

1. Be sure to choose a doctor who has been Board Certified member by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
2. Do your due diligence. Research practices and procedures by visiting Web sites of various plastic surgeons as well as those of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the 
   American Board of Plastic Surgery.
3. Check business practices with your State Board of Medical Examiners. Make sure your surgeon adheres to a strict code of ethics.
4. Ask for a referral from a physician you trust and ask for references or testimonials from the surgeon’s past patients.
5. Ask if he or she operates in accredited medical facilities.
6. Don’t rush into plastic surgery: consult with more than one plastic surgeon before making your final decision.

Cosmetic Dentistry

It’s true: when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you. Today’s cosmetic dentistry can boost your appearance as well as your outlook on life. Veneers are one of the most requested procedures at the Dallas-area office of Dr. Vicki Borowski, DDS, Cosmetic General Dentist. “Most patients are looking for simple waysto enhance their smile,” she says. “This has prompted the reintroduction of No Prep porcelain veneers that require no or minimal tooth structure removal.” Here’s a look at some of the other popular procedures:

• Whitening – 
  Today’s ad-vanced whitening technologies, like Zoom® In-Office Whitening System, allow you to whiten your teeth several shades in just one appointment, with no more messy trays or gels!
• Implants – 
  Like natural teeth, dental implants are an-chored by “roots” that are im-planted into the jaw bone and topped by crowns. They can be used for single or multiple-tooth replacement. According to Dr. Borowski, implants have advanced so much in recent years that the results are both predictable – and very natural. “We can literally rebuild your smile from the root up,” she says.
• Invisalign® –
  With the Invisalign system, you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing that you’re wearing a dental appliance. Another benefit? “The tooth movement is extremely gentle-each set of aligners is worn for two weeks, after which the next set in the series is inserted-so discomfort is minimal,” adds Dr. Borowski.

Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist

If you’re hoping to enhance your smile, here are some tips to consider when choosing a professional:

1. Look for an American Dental Association (ADA) dentist who has also been certified by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the largest international dental organization dedicated to the art and science of cosmetic dentistry.
2. Ask for and review the dentist’s before and after photos.
3. Ask for references from other patients.
4. The AACD also recommends that you ask if your dentist has taken continuing education courses to keep him or her up-to-date with the latest techniques in clinical cosmetic dentistry restoration/replacement?
5. Who will actually perform the procedure – the “expert,” or one of his or her staff?