There are 7 responses to "Celebrity Smiles".
Some dentists in New York are using the media to promote the Snap On Teeth to scam people out of their hard earned money. I have received numerous phone calls and messages from the public and dentists from around the world questioning the validity of this appliance. I am the inventor of the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance that took over ten years to develop. If you would like to learn about it, look up "The Overlay Cosmetic Appliance" published in the September 2004 issue of Dental Products report. My appliance was designed to help the aging population. It is a real shame that a few dentists hijacked my idea for their personal gain.
To see what I mean, please examine all of the propaganda on yahoo.com or Google search. The story keeps changing everywhere you read.
The Real Overlay Cosmetic Appliance
In today’s modern times, appearance has become an important part in many people’s lives. With the aid of modern technology, people are able to feel better and improve their self-esteem by improving their appearance. Unlike ever before, the baby boomers eighty million strong, and the wealthiest generation in the history of America, now at the peak of their earning potential will pay good money for cosmetic procedures such as braces, bleaching trays and porcelain veneers. On the other hand, what about patients who have worn down their teeth, lost too much vertical dimension and are no longer candidates for porcelain veneers or bleaching?
The only solution available until now was to open the vertical by crowning the posteriors and placing porcelain veneers or crowns on the anteriors at a cost that would be prohibitive to may people.
Personally having dark and worn teeth, I devoted many hours to find a less expensive alternative. After conducting a series of experiments, I developed an esthetic and functional bite-opening appliance that restores vertical, shade and length of teeth by covering the worn and discolored dentition. It also allows the crowns or veneers to be constructed a segment at a time, years apart. Since some insurance companies pay only a set amount a year, and most patients can only afford to have one segment done at a time, this appliance was designed to allow any section to be cut off and replaced with crowns or porcelain veneers. During the construction of the crown or porcelain veneers, that segment of the appliance can be modified to function as temporaries until the fixed work is completed. After the crowns or veneers are cemented and the segment of the appliance sectioned off, the rest of the appliance is still able to provide proper function and be aesthetically pleasing.
After wearing the appliance for several weeks and enjoying my new improved smile and overall aesthetics, I decided to remake the appliance by changing its design and eliminating all palatal coverage. The result of my work is what I now call the “Overlay Cosmetic Appliance.”
The metal onlays as seen in the following slides open the vertical dimension two
Frontal view
Occlusal-incisal view
Inside view
millimeters and the prepared denture teeth bonded to the framework make the metal occlusals undetectable. The clasps are also designed not to expose any metal and have excellent retention and stability. The occlusals were designed to prevent further tooth grinding, eliminating the need for a bruxism appliance. My lower posteriors were porcelain crowns that caused the excessive wear to my opposing natural dentition. According to the x-rays taken by my dentist, the biting forces against the opposing porcelain crowns caused the buccal wall of #2 to fracture, requiring it to be crowned. The overlay cosmetic appliance not only protected #2 eliminating the need for a crown, but also prevented further abrasion to other teeth.
Dentists who practice cosmetic dentistry will now have another alternative that they can prescribe for their patients. For patients who suffer from malocclusion that restricts them from proper function and wearing braces is not an option, this appliance can restore aesthetics and function for a fraction of the cost compared to other alternatives. Since to construct this appliance, in many cases, does not require tooth reduction or needles, it will attract more patients who are afraid of dentists or do not want to spend the kind of money to accomplish the same with crowns and porcelain veneers.
Compare the pictures of me with the appliance to the one without.
Dark and abraided teeth
My new look!
My kids tell me that I seem happier and smile a lot more.
The following is my dentist’s opinion regarding the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance.
“This is truly an interesting appliance. This appliance improves aesthetics, protects the existing dentition and can also replace missing teeth. Unlike a bridge, which requires the reduction of healthy teeth, and the stress that is put on them to absorb the shock of the bridge during mastication, this appliance shares the stress with the overlayed abutments and the saddles that replace missing teeth. This appliance does not expose any metal and has a completely open palate.
Combining Arvid’s invention with the other innovations, such as with implants, I can see this innovation changing the direction of removable prosthodontics. The name alone of this appliance “Overlay Cosmetic Appliance” is much more preferable to patients than a partial denture. Some patients who decide to improve their smiles with porcelain veneers, request them to be of the lightest shade. After the shade is approved and the facings cemented, weeks later some patients decide that the shade is too light. At that time, it is too late. With this appliance, you can have a try-in and if not happy later on, the shade can be changed. I am sure my practice and my patients will benefit from this innovation.”
Steven D. Wasowicz, D.D.S.
Darien, IL
Questions, call 630-969-8214
During the last few decades, the dental industry has made great strides in helping dentists enhance the appearance of their patients. With the use of high-tech computers and extensive training programs, dental manufacturers have transcended crown and bridge and implants into a new era of dental technology while allowing partial frameworks to drift closer to extinction.
I hope that this innovation will create a spark that will encourage the manufacturers to do the same for removables as they did for implants, crowns and bridges.
Well! It has been almost two years now and no manufacturer, dental lab, or dental association I contacted wants to see the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance available to the public. Besides the large interest expressed by individual dentist, the public and media, the dental industry would rather focus on a phony appliance that is good for only one or two uses at the cost exceeding a thousand dollars. Maybe the dental knowledge is getting so bad that there is a lack of understanding. With the dental technology programs closing around the country, dental technicians retiring and dentists not getting adequate training in dental schools regarding removable prosthodontics (the construction of full and partial dentures), the situation is only going to get worse.
Arvid Saunaitis
Former dental technician
tsaunaitis@msn.com
630-910-6520
Posted by: Arvid Saunaitis at May 13, 2005 7:22 PM
What are Snap on Teeth
You have probably read about the celebrity plastic snap on smile in newspapers or seen it televised on one of the network stations. The following are the public’s comments from google search under Snap on Teeth. “They look like a big hunk of white plastic stuck to your mouth.” “$1275-1800 per arch, a lot of money for some plastic in the wrong color”. Some of the responses that I received from the public and dentists are:
Dear Mr. Saunaitis
I was just about to schedule an appointment with one of the NY cosmetic dentists for a consultation for the "snap on smile" , when I saw an article online about your Overlay Cosmetic Appliance. I think your research/invention is fantastic. I would really love to have your appliance, Mr. Saunaitis. My dental situation is quite complex. I would be very grateful if you could help me. I have a malocclusion and also overcrowded teeth. I had palatal expansion surgery some years ago, but unfortunately it left me in pain and thus I could not continue with the treatment. I hate my ugly smile, and I feel like you might be my only hope at improving it. I have some impressions of my teeth that were taken in 2001. Maybe I could send you a digital image of them? Please let me know if you think you can help me. Dear Mr. Saunaitis
My wife is a cancer patient and can not have dental surgery to repair her very tarnished and damaged teeth nor can we afford it even if it were possible to do so. Your Snap On Teeth seem like an ideal solution. Is there dentist in the Seattle,
WA. area that can provide us with your Snap On Teeth?
Thank You for your time and help.
Dear Arvid
I recently went to a dentist in NYC that said he was the inventor of the snap on teeth.After spending $1500 on only about 7 lower snap ons ,I found your story on the Internet and was upset to learn he lied to me. I waited five weeks for the snap on and am not happy with it. It doesn`t fit well. I would have let him adjust it as he offered,but I was skeptical after finding out he is a liar. I want to return it and get me money back but he only offered to give me $500 back and keep the snap on. If there were a way I could let people know what he has done to me I would. I don`t understand how he can be getting away with telling people he is the inventor . He`s been on TV and in many magazines with this.I am sorry you are not getting the credit you deserve for this wonderful appliance. Best of luck to you!
Nikki
Dear Mr. Saunaitis
I have always wanted a better smile but could never afford it. I found out that you are from the Chicago area, I was born and raised there. I miss home sometimes. What I was wondering if you know anybody in the Reno Nevada area that does this? do you still do this in Chicago? I have all my family still there. Any help will be appreciated.
I'm sure you probably are getting tired of getting emails about your invention but here goes my story:
I'm a 53 y.o. dentist with yellow, very small (bruxism) teeth with a 2mm diastema. Snap on teeth for me (and my dad who has even uglier teeth than me) would be perfect. Are you still making these? Prefer porcelain over acrylic but anything would be better than what I have. Ideally, it would be nice if a more permanent solution coule be found where you could wear these during eating. Let me know if you can help me (and my dad) or if you know of anyone else that can.
Hello Mr. Saunaitis,
I'm very interested in your overlay appliance for myself. I was considering orthodontics and crowns, but this looks like an interesting alternative. I am enclosing photos of myself. I may need to shorten the upper right central incisor prior to taking the impression to make my smile look straighter. I have enclosed photos for you to evaluate. I am looking forward to your reply. Thanks
Hi Arvid
I am a dentist practicing in Ireland and would appreciate some further information on the snap in temporary 'smile' prosthesis. I understand that yours had a metal substructure. The appliances in the news at present seem to be all-plastic.
Are these made on a Biostar or are they waxed up?
What is the material do you know?
Are the teeth placed individually on top of the real teeth or are they all part of a 'molded' set?
It is all-interesting what you have started here!
It all started after NBC 5 in Chicago broadcasted my new invention the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance on August 4, 2004. My invention the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance is a removable dental device that goes over the existing dentition and as the media explained it, gives old looking teeth a new look. It also restores the vertical dimension with metal onlays, the retention is provided with inconspicuous clasps and the shell teeth that cover the existing dentition achieve the aesthetics. Other uses and Benefits:
Less expensive and invasive as compared to crowns and porcelain veneers.
Does not require long numerous appointments to perform tooth preparations.
More appealing to dental phobics
Can replace missing teeth and shares the shock of mastication with the overlaid abutments and saddle areas.
Repairs can be performed to accept additions.
Can be utilized with implants, crowns and attachments.
The restored vertical prevents jaw problems
Can correct malocclusion and restore needed chewing ability
Unlike porcelain crowns, the metal onlays do not fracture.
Wear resistant to opposing porcelain crowns or denture teeth.
Shade or denture teeth can be changed at any time.
Can close spaces between teeth and make crowded teeth look straight.
Unlike the Snap on Smile that has been around for the past thirty years and used in theatrical performances to create various characters, the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance was created to help the aging population that is holding on to their teeth much longer than previous generations. While the Snap on Smile is extremely fragile, and can only be used for appearance purposes (if the lab constructing it knows how to do it rite), the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance is durable and can be worn all the time.
Wearing the appliances my self has made me realize many new things. I have noticed that even some celebrities that are over forty and have not had full mouth reconstructions, exhibit the same aesthetic and speech related shortcomings. One such an imperfection is showing of the tongue when smiling.
This type of problem in usually and unsuccessfully masked with long mustaches such as one worn by a Chicago’s past and famous football coach Mike Ditka. Unless he is a dental phobic or cannot sit in a dental chair for prolonged periods of time, he can certainly afford to have this problem corrected with fixed dental work. They probably believe as I did that since I don’t show any teeth when smiling, I am fine the way I am. After wearing the appliance, now I do not leave the house without it. In addition, ever since I began smiling more (picture below), I noticed that I show a lot of teeth when I smile.
I was sincerely hopping that my invention would encourage the manufacturers to invest and help bring recognition to the partial framework industry (needed in the construction of the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance) the same way as they did for crown and bridge. Unfortunately my determined attempt turned out to be a colossal miscalculation. The manufactures already have equipment and supplies available that can be modified to simplify the construction process of the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance and to eliminate the handling of hazardous materials from the construction process. Everyone I contacted refused to assist me. Even though the finished appliance is safe for the patient, the construction process is very health hazardous to the technician. The handling of hazardous materials and lack of partial technicians to assist me are the main reasons I stopped making the appliance and no longer work as a dental technician. For those reasons, in addition to low wages and being overworked, other talented partial framework technicians are retiring or leaving the dental lab industry as well. With all of the talent gone from the removable sector of dental technology, I am afraid that no one else after me will be able to reproduce the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance. However on the other hand, wiping out partials may increase the sales for crowns and veneers (big money for dental spas).
Through ought generations, dental technicians in the USA have bin scared into believing that any negative comments about the dental industry will lead to the end of their professional carriers. Even today, dental technology is kept in the dark so the public continues to believe that the dentist is the only one responsible for the construction of their appliances. This has bin done to control profit margins for the dentist. The dentist usually charges the patient 3 to 15 times the lab fee. The technician, after graduating a two-year dental technology program from a community college starts out at little over minimum wage. Today most of colleges have already closed their dental technology programs do to lack of enrolment.
Even though I’m no lodger a dental technician, I intend to begin holding seminars for doctors and the few technicians that are left and still care about quality dentistry. The seminars are called Forum for Prosthetic dentistry. If you would like to be notified about the upcoming events, write E-mail to tsaunaitis@msn.com or a letter to Arvid Saunaitis, 1921 Wellington Rd. Woodridge Il. 60517 U.S.A.
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Arvid Saunaitis is a former dental lab owner, educator, publisher and researcher. With more than 25 years of experience, he has developed techniques that better integrate crowns, bridges, and implants with the removable sector of dental technology. He has been published in various dental journals, newspapers and was broadcasted on radio and television. He has combined much of his research into a full day slide presentation entitled Forum For Prosthetic Dentistry.
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Posted by: Arvid at December 22, 2005 4:54 PM
You can grin like a star!
BY TANYANIKA SAMUELS
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Golub-Evans, who first started making prosthetic teeth for theatrical performances, has been fitting his patients with perfect pearly whites for about two years nowManhattan dentist Marc Liechtung is another of the few dentists nationwide who offer the prosthetics, which cost $1,000 to $1,500 per set. He has been fitting his patients with the snap-on teeth for about three months. SO WHO INVENTED THEM?
NY.Newsdday.com-Golub-Evans offers the upper arch, starting at $1,500. Dr. Marc Leichtung, another Manhattan-based cosmetic dentist, offers upper and lower arches starting at $1,275 each. Leichtung also promises his product, dubbed the "Snap-On Smile," can chew through the toughest foods, while the "Red Carpet Smile" can only withstand soft foods.
NY,Daily News- Wearers can eat with them, but it is recommended that they eat only softer foods, like yogurt or mashed potatoes. SO CAN THEY EAT THE TOUGHEST FOODS?
The following are the public’s comments from Google search under Snap on Teeth. “They look like a big hunk of white plastic stuck to your mouth.” “$1275-1800 per arch, a lot of money for some plastic in the wrong color”. “They are not worth the money, I wasted mine. And I am angry”. “I heard that they could make it look like any celebrity’s teeth (or maybe that was something else) Well, I live near New York, and I heard that "Snap on teeth" actually look like "Snap on teeth". And after seeing them, I was really disappointed”.
Posted by: Mike at December 23, 2005 8:41 PM
To develop the construction process of the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance took me 10 years and a lot of money to develop. However, with all the talented partial technicians gone from the dental industry, I could not fill the request of more than 1,000 interested dentists all by my self. The bigger question now remains “will there be any labs that make conventional partials that patients can eat with?” Since I’m no longer in the lab business, the only thing that I am trying to do, is make people who can not afford expensive implants and bridges aware of what is facing them. I tried to accomplish it through the media, but the media was only interested in aiding a few dental scam artists.
A technician familiar with only one part of the construction process usually handles each procedure in the lab. The technician that oversees the entire process from start to finish is the department head or laboratory owner. For a technician to reach that level of expertise requires talent, dedication, and a minimum of five working years under the supervision of an experienced technician. The trainee must also posses verbal skills and know terminology in order to be able to read and decipher what the doctor expects of him. This requires the trainee to have a brain bigger than a pea, which is not possible with high school drop out burger flippers that are being trained to replace the experienced technicians today. The manufacturers love this, since remakes generate more sales. Who cares just as long as I personally fill my pockets today. Everyone has such a tight grip on the dental technology industry that it will soon die from suffocation. The ones that are profiting from the situation quickly reject any new idea that is introduced to solve the problem. After the doctors are forced to look for quality work over sees, where dental technology is a respected profession, there will be no more need for the manufacturers to offer free educational trips to Hawaii to those who are profiting from the situation. After the money stops rolling in, the party's over. I hope I spelled everything correctly, since many in the dental industry worry more about my spelling than solving this problem.
The solution is obvious. No one in his or her right mind will stay in a profession that you cannot earn a decent living in. Offer the patient three labs they can choose from. Top of the line, (soon to be extinct) you can guarantee the work. Middle of the road (draw your own conclusions). If the patient chooses the low end, they are responsible for their choice. If you pay for a Kia Rio, don’t expect the performance of a Cadillac.
By allowing the patient to choose and pay the lab bill, will free the doctor from the consequences of the patient’s decision. If the patient sticks with quality, it will reduce the doctor chair time and unnecessary aggravation. The doctor’s fee based on 3-15 times the lab fee will destroy the dental technology industry in the US.
Posted by: Arvid Saunaitis at January 23, 2006 5:00 PM
I wish there was something more I could do
By inventing the Overlay Cosmetic Appliance, I have developed a brake through dental technology that can improve the quality of life for people all over the world. However, not having the resources needed to accomplish such a task by myself, I requested help from dental associations, manufacturers, laboratories and even the media. I presented documented evidence of how my invention has worked and changed the lives of a number of people, including my self. Besides NBC news networks, few news papers, Dental Products Report Journal published in the US, Quintessence Journal of Dental Technology and Private laboratory both published in the UK, as well as the public and private dentists, no one else would give me the time of day. The big question now is why?
Arvid Saunaitis.
Former Dental Lab Owner Researcher
Inventor
Posted by: Arvid Saunaitis at February 15, 2006 8:50 PM
Please, give exact name of the Dentist in NYC who (you said) claims "Snap-on smile " is his invention. I live in the area and like to know the truce. Without names your statement is not valid. Thank you in advance. Yelena T.
Posted by: Yelena at June 6, 2006 12:33 AM
This article written by me can be found in British Library Direct and was published in 2003 by PENNWELL in Dental Economics Journal, Woman Dentist Journal and the RDH Journal.
Excerpt:
Dental manufacturers are competing to improve the technology in crown and bridge and are not paying attention to an industry that is facing extinction. If technicians continue to leave the industry at the same rate and are not replaced, it will affect the medical industry as well. After all, teeth are part of the digestive system.
For the past 20 years, I have worked hard to prevent this quickly approaching disaster by publishing suggestions, contacting dental and government organizations, and asking private corporations for assistance. Unfortunately, I have failed. I strongly believe that if something is not done soon, the damage will be irreversible and an aging population and future generations will suffer.
Other publications that published my submitted concerns:
Chicago Sun-Times- Baby boomers save their pearly whites-By Jim Ritter
Chicago Sun-Times- Brain drain threatens dental health- Featured letter to the editor
Voice of the people- Chicago Tribune
Dental Economics Journal- Quality as the Stepping Stone to Success
Woman Dentist Journal- The time factor in preventing a dental disaster
PFA Dental World Newsletter- The Last Strive to Save a Dying Dental Art
Spectrum Dental Journal- Canada
Dentistry Today Journal- In search of help and leadership
My next step
After contacting a number of dental manufacturers, labs and associations for help, I found it frustrating to learn that the industry is not interested to see removable prosthodontics (full and partial denture construction) advance. As the dental technology programs around the country began to close and technicians who construct partials to leave the dental lab industry, dental manufacturers started investing a lot of money into the fixed sector of dental technology (crown and bridge construction). Since no money was invested in partial denture construction, the technicians who make partials continue to work with hazardous materials like monomers and silica and are the lowest paid in the lab industry. If the departure of skilled partial denture craftsman from the industry continues, the damage to the removable sector of dental technology will be irreversible and affect the quality of life of many aging Americans.
Hoping to show the partial technician a sign of hope, I invented a removable dental device that snaps over the existing teeth and covers the worn or discolored dentition giving the patient a perfect smile instantly. The appliance is also durable, does not cover the palate and the patient can wear it all the time removing it only for cleaning. As compared to crowns and veneers that coast approximately $20,000, the new device accomplished the same for only $2,000-3,000 depending on the dentist.
After my breakthrough was broadcasted on NBC news stations around the country and MSNBC news, published in the Chicago Daily South town, Reporter and Progress papers, Dental Products Report, Quintessenz Dental Journal in Britain and Germany and also in another British dental journal called Private Dental Laboratory, it quickly gained popularity among dentists and the public all over the world. However, after dental manufacturers refused to assist me in producing equipment to simplify production and I was unable to find any dental technicians to help me construct the appliances, I realized that I failed again and decided to take a different approach.
Since dentistry is a boring subject, instead of writing a nonfiction book regarding what does the future hold for dentistry, I introduced a mob twist to the story which now makes it an interesting read. Even though a good portion of the 121,000-word crime fiction story actually happened, a short synopsis of the novel reads as follows:
After the modernized Chicago mob infiltrated the health care industry to hide illegal activities, one business owner’s life turned into a nightmare. Squeezed by the mob and implicated in a dangerous predicament by his friend who’s having an affair with a gangster’s woman, he faces double jeopardy and must run for his life. When a private investigation agency owned by his brother and an ex FBI agent get involved, they race against time to gather evidence the FBI needs to start making arrests.
In case you are wondering what this is all about, since I don’t have an agent to represent me and don’t have any ties with book publishers, I am contacting you for your help in getting my story published. I feel that even though this is a novel, it will shine a new light on this spinning out of control problem in the dental industry before it’s too late.
Sincerely,
Arvid Saunaitis
dentalforum@msn.com
Posted by: Arvid Saunaitis at May 20, 2008 7:18 PM
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