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Lynn with her new crowns provided by Dr. Djawdan. (Hair by Fern Hill at Hudson & Fouquet, makeup by Pamela Lehmann) (Photo by Marilou Burleson)

What a Difference a Smile Makes!
Makeover Magic Follow-up
By Kimberly Raspa

In September we ran a story titled "Makeover Magic" that followed three women, Lynn, Leah, and Kim, who were selected by What's Up? Annapolis magazine to participate in our first professional makeover story. One of the services we were able to offer-thanks to local businesses-was the option of tooth whitening. However, the condition of Lynn's teeth required more than simply whitening. Under the direction and care of Dr. Kian Djawdan, Lynn was placed into an 8-week treatment program to prepare her teeth for a complete makeover.

"When we had the initial consultation, we knew she needed full mouth reconstruction which is essentially rebuilding what is worn, broken, and/or missing in the mouth," Renee, Dr. Djawdan's wife and assistant says. After discussing Lynn's concerns, Dr. Djawdan mapped out a treatment plan to correct the relationship between gums, bone, muscles, and teeth. "We had to create a vertical dimension where her [jaw] muscles wanted to be," Renee describes. This required Lynn to wear a custom made orthotic appliance, which helped retrain her facial muscles to a new jaw position that felt comfortable. However, the comfort came at a disciplined cost as Lynn was required to wear the orthotic 23 1/2 hours a day over a 4-week period. "She's now more comfortable and has less tension in her muscles," Renee says. "It's like a nonsurgical face lift," Dr. Djawdan describes the process. The lengthening of Lynn's face and new placement of the facial muscles in a relaxed position caused a decrease of deep facial creases, resulting in a younger looking face.

After the removal of orthotics, Dr. Djawdan cleaned cavities, and defective crowns and amalgam fillings from her mouth. He then took detailed impressions, digital pictures, and bite registration to be sent to the lab to duplicate Lynn's permanent crowns. He fit Lynn with temporary provisional crowns while waiting for her permanent crowns to arrive. A few weeks later, she walked out of Dr. Djawdan's office with a completely new smile. "A better smile and a better image-put it all together and you get a full mouth makeover. That's what we did for Lynn," Dr. Djawdan says. "You can't ask for a more cooperative person, pleasant, and excited about everything. It was a joy to work with her."

Lynn's teeth before meeting with Dr. Djawdan. (Photo by Kimi Raspa)

Everyone's teeth are different, so the work necessary to produce a bright smile can be done in a few different ways. For maintenance that doesn't require critical alterations, there are whitening systems-Zoom and BriteSmile-that aim to make your smile 8-14 shades brighter. Other techniques include chemical whitening, mild acid whitening, abrasive tooth brightening, and laser tooth whitening. These are usually performed in an office setting, so consult your dentist before you decide on a treatment.

If you'd rather deal with your teeth in the comfort of your own home, at-home treatments are also available. Normally these are bleaching solutions that come in the form of a gel (applied directly onto the teeth) or a mouth guard (gel is applied onto the mouth guard or the mouth guard comes pre-applied with whitening agent). The time they take to produce results can vary from hours to days or weeks. The objective for these products is to bleach the tooth enamel with peroxide and other bleaching agents. Another solution, which isn't so immediately gratifying, is using whitening toothpaste that contains chemicals that brighten teeth. To tell if the product is likely to be safe and effective make sure to choose one that is flagged with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.

Lynn with Renee (left) Djawdan and Dr. Djawdan. (Photo by Marilou Burleson)

For Lynn, the joy of her transformation extends beyond her teeth. At the time we met for an update (late September), she had increased her weight loss to almost 21 lbs. and was still meeting with personal trainer Pamela Lehmann at Evolutions. She even stopped in at "Makeover Magic" participant and hair stylist Fern Hill at Hudson & Fouquet who touched up her hair color (free of charge) in preparation for her "after" photo shoot. "When I met you for the first time, I had a leg brace. Now every single morning I walk 2 1/2 miles with my dog," Lynn says. "I feel so much better. My mental clarity has transformed my mind, not just my body. I have more confidence when I talk in meetings. I used to feel intimidated but now I don't have a problem making my point." Even Lynn's life at home has transformed. "My married life is better," she beams. "We've been married 32 years and it's reawakened romance. We have more appreciation for each other."

With new crowns, Lynn is required to do routine cleaning, regular checkups, brush, floss, and use fluoride rinse at home, recommended by Dr. Djawdan. "The upkeep is nothing," Lynn says. "I get my regular 6-month exam and make sure my gums stay [healthy]. It's a lot easier than the originals [teeth]."

"People are so with me, they have an excitement for me doing this," she says. "Annapolis is a neat place. It's a small town so everyone knowing about this has been wonderful for me."