R L Garabedian, DDS
1616 West Shaw Avenue
Suite C2
Fresno, CA 93711
559.229.6553
Fax 559.432.3261
About Us | Procedures | Common Problems | Case Histories | Contact | Links
March 7, 2007
Dear Dr. Garabedian,
For several decades, I had experienced fractured teeth, root canals, crowns, bridges, and titanium implants for lost molars. My dentist repaired and replaced teeth, but did not offer an explanation for my extensive dental problems. I have practiced excellent hygiene over the years, and I have my teeth cleaned every 6 months.
A few years ago I noticed that my teeth were wearing down, to the extent that I have now lost almost the entire posterior side of my front teeth, and about ¼ to 1/3 of the length. However, my dentist remained oblivious to the core problem. So, I found Dr. Garabedian on the internet while I was researching veneers. I made an appointment and told Dr. Garabedian that I wanted Lumineers, and that if a full-mouth restoration was warranted, then let’s do that immediately, because if we wait there is the possibility that I won’t have any teeth left to work with. Dr. Garabedian advised me that when he sees extensive dental work and missing teeth, absent a specific disease process, there is often a problem with the bite. The temporalmandibular joint, contiguous tissues such as the jaw bone, facial muscles, and the configuration of the growth of the teeth within the jaw, do not always work in concert. This may cause undue pressure and wear on the teeth because they are struggling to do their job in an imperfect environment. They force it. We may also grind because of stress. He asked me if I had headaches, neck tension, and pain in the joints of the jaw. I responded yes, but not joint pain. However, I had experienced soreness in my right ear that my physician was unable to diagnose for years.
Dr. Garabedian made a splint that I have worn for one year. I have experienced a reduction in neck tension and muscle pain, both tension headaches and migraine headaches, and the soreness in my ear is gone. Wearing the splint 24/7 has virtually eliminated grinding and has also resulted in changing the shape of my face in a positive way that people have noticed, lengthening the distance between my nose and my chin. Also, my jaw has the appearance of an increase in width, which also seems flattering. One day in January 2007, there was a cracking sound and a sharp pain in the right joint of my jaw, and the ear soreness disappeared. It has not returned.
Dr. Garabedian made impressions of my teeth the last week of February 2007, and we are now ready to “open up the bite” and install new built-up bridges, and beautiful Lumineers. I will have my smile back! Dr. Garabedian is the consummate professional. He is a highly educated dentist who wants to do the job right, not only for cosmetic reasons, but for the patient’s general health. It often requires extra time and a lot of patience on our part.
If you do not have bite disease problems and your goal is simply cosmetic, I have seen examples of Dr. Garabedian’s work in person, and the results are fabulous. You too can have YOUR smile back! But if you want a quick fix without a thorough correction of an bite disease problem, I would not recommend Dr. Garabedian. If you are willing to persevere, the rewards are worth waiting for!
Linda Anderson
