Gum Goddess on September 17th, 2008 10:12 pm
I have been a dental hygienist for 20+ years and I will tell you that I have seen the Snap on Smile appliance transform patient’s lives. Is it the ultimate treatment? In most cases, no. The permanent work would be the optimum.
However, when a patient has financial issues and has to chose between proceeding with upwards of a $5,000 restorative case or doing nothing, this is a beautiful and more affordable option. The appliance actually helps the patient move forward with the final restorative case because when they see how great their smile can look, they want it to be permanent.
There are also people who are medically compromised who have benefitted greatly from this, as well as severely dental phobic patients who refused all previous recommended treatment because they went into a sweat at the thought of having an injection.
It is NOT recommended for severely periodontally involved patients and no ethical dentist would place this over decayed teeth. If disease is involved, that needs to be addressed first.
It’s sort of like a padded bra. It enhances your appearance, but if you’re sagging underneath, it isn’t going to correct that, yet is isn’t going to hurt it either (but you still have to shower!). It makes you feel better, more confident when you think you look good. It is a short or long-term temporary cosmetic fix. And most importantly, it makes the patient wearing it happy.
Instead of knocking something you really don’t know anything about first hand, go to the source instead of making comments based solely on your opinion or someone else’s opinion that you’ve read. There are a lot of people out there ready to drag a good idea or product down because of their ignorance. Talk to people in the profession who are using it and find out from them the facts.
I’m sure they will be at the Greater NY Dental meeting in Nov. Go to their booth and check it out for yourself. (Now why does the dental industry still support this product?)

Dearest Gum Goddess.
In response to-“I have been a dental hygienist for 20+ years and I will tell you that I have seen the Snapon Smile appliance transform patient’s lives. “Do you work for him now? Here are comments from the people whose lives he transformed. The comments are from his video clip on You Tube.
Don’t waste your money! I got mine today and i almost cried! They look so fake and they are so bulky and i paid 800.00 for a fake piece of plastic! This Is a big rip off!
coachj57 (2 weeks ago) Show Hide
Don’t waste your money, I wasted $2,700 for upper and lower. I look like Mr. Ed, can’t speak correctly (like Mr. Ed with a bit in his mouth), are uncomfortable and feel like you have a mouth full of plastic play teeth.
As usual, advertising that doesn’t come through on the promise.
rashidakelleyjohnson (1 month ago) Show Hide
I totally agree with ilianexy. I got the upper unit last year- the teeth are extremely bulky. They make you look like Fire Marshall Bill (Jim Carey’s character on in Living Color). I was hoping that this would be a good option but- they have many more kinks to work out.
coachj57 (2 weeks ago) Show Hide
I am glad I am not the only one to have issues.
blockbyblock (1 month ago) Show Hide
ok,,,,, ok…. ur ridiculous!
ilianexy (2 months ago) Show Hide
I want him to show someone talking and eating with the snap on smile, is impossible! He is a really nice dentist with a great idea, is just not ready for the market yet, because is useless, mine is in the drawer for almost a year with no use. I know he will have lots of patients complaining. I will uplaoad my video with them so u can see what I am talking about!
ilianexy (2 months ago) Show Hide
I have them. Cost me $1,500. They are molded plastic, painful because is really tight, you cannot speak at all, you cannot eat anything with them, they did 3 impressions to get it right none worked. They look very unnatural and gigantic, just ridiculous. I want my money back!
fashionplus07 (3 months ago) Show Hide

Your next statement “However, when a patient has financial issues and has to chose between proceeding with upwards of a $5,000 restorative case or doing nothing,” can be best answered by the person whose life he transformed. “ I wasted $2,700 for upper and lower. I look like Mr. Ed, can’t speak correctly (like Mr. Ed with a bit in his mouth), are uncomfortable and feel like you have a mouth full of plastic play teeth.

Distinctive

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Lies, Myths, and Fairytales told in Dentistry
Myth #1. All you have to be is a good dentist and patients will flood your office.
Reality: The public doesn’t know the difference between a good and a bad dentist.
Good Dentists are usually to busy helping patients and don’t spend enough time to promote their dental practices. Bad dentists know how to attract unsuspected patients and later talk them into procedures they don’t need.
Myth #2: Advertising and Marketing is unprofessional.
Reality: Advertising and marketing is the best way to educate the public on what they need and to sell them what they don’t need.
Myth #3: We are in a Recession.
Reality: While The New York Times and CNN is brain washing everyone about the doom and gloom of our economy, those who know how to take advantage of the situation also know how to profit from it. I believe that while some dentists are using this philosophy to promote business, other dentists use it to “clean patients”. The term clean is a term thieves use on the streets in Russia to rob unsuspected tourists.
Distinctive

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I really do like your model of having the new age reporters…i.e ‘news leders’ one day b/c I would love to tell auntentic, honest stories on the web, get real feedback on it, be viewed as a credible journalist and not get paid pennies for it. And I also would like a life outside of news like a husband and kids one day(something the current world of local and esp. national reporting seemingly lacks to offer). I think with the right tools and the right mindset this idea of ‘news leders’could become really big on the internet. I’ve researched ‘online reporters’ a million gazillion times and haven’t been able to find much, but I hope this changes in the future. It’s definitely moreso what I would be interested in being…

Having a Perfect Smile May Be a Snap: “Snap-on Smiles”
They are uncomfortable, and only good for looks. I sound like a horse with a bit in its mouth. When I speak, I sound like I have a speech problem and it constantly gives me a headache. Don’t waste your $2,700 like I did. I have gone back to my dentist for so called adjustments with no improvements. I contacted the company that made them and they said they would remake them but my dentist does not want to do it.
Bottom line, it is false advertising like most things you see on TV like the miracle cleaners, male enhancements and fitness products.
All these companies are in it to make money, they could care less if you come back again because of the profits they make the first time.
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