The Journey of a Visionary Cosmetic Dentist
QI: What inspired you to pursue dentistry. and how did you find your calling in cosmetic and esthetic dentistry?
Early on in my career, I remember coming across dental journals related to esthetic dentistry was drawn by how transformative nice smile was to the appearance of a patient. Subconsciously, I knew that a nice smile was something many of us desired and only something that a dentist could provide and I was committed to becoming an expert on the topic.
Q2: How do you define success in your work as a cosmetic dentist and educator?
I look at success through many lenses. Success as a cosmetic dentist is really defined by the satisfaction and happiness of your patient because that is truly who we are really serving. In terms of being an educator, to me success is inspiring other dentists to the best they can be. to enjoy dentistry by practicing, improving learning and to do not only what’s right but the right thing for the patient.
Q3: What core philosophy guides your approach to creating beautiful and functional smiles?
Creating beautiful smiles will almost always consist of both functional and cosmetic procedures. For cosmetics, it’s usually an elective procedure and the overarching principle of to “do no harm” is always in the “guiding Iight” and the approach is always towards minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.
However. as it is an elective treatment, context is also important. Patient understanding and informed consent is the driver of the treatment plan and all options need to be thoroughly and ethically presented to the patient. Sometimes the treatment plan has to be rnore invasive in order to achieve patients desired outcome.
Q4: MARPE and airway dentistry are transformative fields—how do they intersect with your work in esthetic dentistry?
What fascinates me about dentistry is how important the relationship of the lower jaw is to the upper jaw and how jaw size matters. Occlusion is really at the heart of this and “Form follows Function” and vice versa.
A truly beautiful and functional smile is wide and there is a reason why we always strive to have an ideal class I relationship of dental segments. In the past, the only way to have skeletal changes was through jaw surgery and orthodontics could only influence teeth position within the alveolar confines.
However, airway dentistry with early intervention, jaw expansion via distraction osteogenesis, orthodontics and restorative dentistry allows dentists to influence not only the transverse dimension but the anterior-posterior and vertical dimension to not only increase airway size but to give an incredibly esthetic smile. And all these in a non surgical approach for many cases. This will truly transform the multi disciplinary approach of esthetic dentistry.
Q5: Gneuromuscular dentistry is highly specialized. Could you explain its role in improving patient outcomes?
Occlusion has always been a highly debated topic, and I think all philosophies have converged in many ways. The area where there is the least agreement is how we relate the mandible to the maxilla in a 3D manner.
In Gneuromuscular Dentistry (which combines the principles of gnathology and neuromuscular dentistry), we strive to place the mandible in a relationship to the maxilla where the muscles of mastication are in a physiologic position. Quite often, the mandible relaxes downward and forward. This not only improves the airway but also reduces pressure on the TMJ and relaxes the muscles of mastication.
This mandibular position is maintained with a removable anatomical orthotic/splint that provides full anterior disclusion in all dimensions of movement. We also strive to recapture the TMJ disc if possible.
By placing the jaw in this GNM position, the muscle pain responsible for TMD can be reduced, and functional jaw movement improves. In addition, there is more tongue space, which usually helps with sleep and breathing. The function of the whole stomatognathic system improves, and there are also changes in head and neck posture. This can help reduce many TMD symptoms, such as jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and neck/shoulder aches.
Q6: Clear aligners like Invisalign have changed orthodontics. What is your vision for their future in smile design?
Clear aligner treatment as an alternative to traditional fixed braces is here to stay and improvements in materials and techniques will continue to see it as an essential tool in improving smiles. The ability to plan teeth movements in 3D plus the improvements in facial simulation will make it an essential tool in smile design especially when combined with restorative simulations.
Q7: When planning a smile makeover, how do you balance esthetics with long-term oral health?
If one is able to perform ideal dentistry e.g. teeth alignment before any restorative dentistry, this will only serve to enhance long term oral health. It’s when short cuts like inappropriate treatment plans are carried out that can impact long term oral health.
Q8: How do you tailor treatments to address unique needs, such as complex or functional issues?
For me, understanding the patients long term is one of the keys to treatment planning in complex cases. It’s also really important ensure the patients have a basic understanding of oral health and what it will take to enhance and preserve long term function. In our practise, we will present an ideal plan and alternatives. What is ideal academically may not be realistic for the patient. Dentistry is always about context and the final decision is always a guided decision by the patient and the dentist.
Q9: What motivates you to educate and mentor the next generation of dentists?
I will always remember the first overseas course I attended. The amount of care, unselfish sharing and seeing what these instructors were doing in their everyday practise truly inspired me. The rush I felt was something that I wanted my fellow colleagues to experience as a fellow professional and that has inspired me till today.
Q10: What advancements in dental technology excite you the most, and how do they influence your teaching?
Any improvements that help us to deliver treatment in more efficient manner always excites me. If it allows me to treat the patient with less pain, better results, more cost effective and lower down time for the patient and I would always want to know more. If it works in my hands and there is good evidence behind it, I would like to share this.
Q11: What do you see as the greatest challenges facing dental professionals today, and how can they be addressed?
I think the biggest challenge is probably “brain rot”, no thanks to social media. Dentistry is not about instant gratification but about building a healthy and functional stomagnathic system is essential for good health. Social media tends to create high expectations in patients and for the younger dentists, some might get swept away with all the “perfect and ideal advanced” work done by others and may feel inadequate. Formal continual education is something that all dentists need to continue as professionals. The professional and craftsmanship mindset is essential for one to develop the skills of dentistry.
Q12: Can you share any memorable feedback or moments from your teaching or public speaking engagements?
It’s always memorable when we conduct our live patients courses. Prepping a veneer case and delivering a full smile makeover case in front of live participants always gives everyone a “rush”! We’ve done it more than 10 times and it’s always great fun when you see the participants really learning and enjoying the process.
Q13: Dentistry can be demanding. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
In life we can achieve almost Anything we want but not Everything we want. I set goals I want for myself, not just professionally as a dentist and a business owner, but personal goals, goals as a husband, father, son, brother and friendship. I review these goals frequently and block off time for each area as much as I can. It’s never perfect but I get to do the important things with people I love and who cares for me.
Q14: What hobbies or activities help you unwind and stay inspired?
I like to read to be inspired and of course meeting people and attending courses. And I schedule time for active exercise 3 times a week as much as I can indulge.
Q15: How do you integrate wellness and mindfulness into your daily routine to stay focused?
I spend an hour a week to plan a week ahead but it’s always dynamic and flexible and I may not accomplished all my tasks that week. But it helps to keep me focused. What get scheduled tends to get done.
Q16: Traveling for speaking engagements can be hectic. How do you manage the challenges of a busy schedule while staying energized?
When I travel to lecture, I’m strict about my diet before the lecture. No alcohol, no processed food and no sugar as much as possible, I will even skip meals before my lectures to keep my mind Sharp. I actually have more time to exercise when traveling to speak and that helps. After lecture is over, its cheat meal time… I indulge but not too much!
Q17: Who has been your greatest influence or mentor in life and dentistry?
I have been fortunate to have many mentors and teachers along the way and I’m always grateful and thankful to have my business partner and good friend Dr Jerry Lim who has always been a constant inspiration and always having my back for more than 25 years.
Q18: Where do you see the future of cosmetic dentistry heading in the next decade?
I think taking the cue from more developed countries, the demand for cosmetics will continue to increase and new techniques will make it more accessible and affordable so that more patients can benefit.
Q19: How do you foresee the integration of AI and digital workflows reshaping patient care?
I keep abreast on tech developments and have incorporated digital workflows in my practice which have enhanced patient-care experience. But I’m no expert in AI and the field is moving so much faster than we expected. I’m sure it will continue to help facilitate dentistry in many aspects and will open whole new areas and help bring specialized treatments more to a wider group of patients, which is a good thing.
Q20: What advice would you give young dentists who aspire to specialize in esthetic and advanced dentistry?
“Never stop learning (not just healthcare but non-medical like patient communications/customer service/leadership/business) and always put patients interest first… just like how you would treat your family”.
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