Ben and Gary Show Episodes

Welcoming you back to Smiles International

Thank you for entrusting Smiles International with your dental health care needs. We want to take this opportunity to make you aware of the precautions our office is taking to ensure the safety of our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your D.C. & McLean Dentists for Patient-First Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry.

Dr. Gary Kaihara, Dr. Benjamin Watkins, and Dr. Dan Pinto of Smiles International are committed to earning your trust. Caring for you drives our patient-first approach to dentistry in D.C. and McLean. Our facilities and our approach to each procedure are designed for you and your family’s lifetime of dental health, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry and prosthetic tooth replacement with implant teeth, dentures, partials and dental bridges. Our cosmetic dental care renovates your smile with solutions for chipped teeth, crooked teeth and discolored teeth, including...

Can You Make My Crown Match My Teeth?

Answering this question is our guest Rick Bishop, a Certified Dental Technician Specializing in Dental Ceramics.

"It's a big advantage to have the lab in the office. I can go see the patient to do more than just pick a simple shade. I look at all aspects of the patient's natural teeth which in turn makes the final crown match that tooth. This personalized service that this office provides is key to the crowns success. Whether it's one tooth or many.

Working as a team and the great relationship that the lab and the Drs have, makes it possible for us to meet the patients expectations.

Linda's Retirement Party!

Our lovely Office Manager Linda Grant retires from Smiles International. She has been with us for 30 years and we are sad to see her go. (She still has to see us at least twice a year! Gotta keep those teeth clean!)

In this episode we have a heartfelt conversation with her during her wonderful office retirement party, and get a sneak peek of her longtime husband, David. 

We also talk about her new puppy Nike (aka her new job), as well as life after her Smiles International career. 

You will be missed Linda! Don't be a stranger!

Titanium Vs Ceramic Implant Materials

The boys confess that they've been naughty before Christmas.

 The question asked was this: What are dental implants made of?

Dental implant materials are either titanium or ceramic. Titanium ones are more common in the US. Ceramic ones, also known as zirconium and white metal, are growing in use and popularity in Europe.

Differences in implant materials

Titanium implants have three parts, the part in the jaw bone, the part that supports the crown, and the crown.

Ceramic implants are usually one solid piece that the crown attaches to with a carbon fiber screw.

Advantages of titanium implants

Titanium implants are predictable, strong, stable, and long lasting. They have some give such that they are less susceptible to fracture. Their three component design allows for crown angle correction if needed.

Titanium implants have evolved to make them easily integrated into the jaw bone. Early implants had a highly polished smooth...

Smiles International Celebrates

The entire Smiles International team gathered for lunch at the Fairmont Hotel in DC to celebrate the holidays as 2019 comes to a close,

In this episode, we post a few short excepts from the party.

We wish you all a very happy holiday season. See you next year!

Mini Implants - What You Need To Know

Recently, new minimally invasive dental implants have been in the news. The docs talk about how they are different from traditional implants and cases where they make sense.

Difference between minimally invasive and traditional Implants

Minimally Invasive Implants

Mini implants are skinnier than traditional implants. They are made in one piece - a thin spike topped with a ball to attach a crown.They were originally created to stabilize removable dentures. 

They have some drawbacks. Because of their skinny shape, they are susceptible to breaks. They cannot be repaired.

They also require a lot of cement to stabilize the attached crown. Cement can irritate the gums and lead to bone loss.

Because the crown attached to it is wider than the ball head, it is difficult to clean under it, causing gum irritation.

They can be a good solution as a temporary measure.

Traditional Implants

Traditional implants are wider. They are made in two part....

Does Oil Pulling Replace Brushing And Flossing?

What Is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling, also known as "kavala" or "gundusha," is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes.

This action supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health.

How It Works

Coconut oil contains Lauric acid, an antimicrobial agent that's able to fight pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and yeasts.

Does It Eliminate The Need To Brush And Floss?

To remove plaque, a mechanical action is needed. Swishing a liquid is not sufficient. Mineralized plaque aka calculus must be cleaned by a professional.

No, it doesn't take place of brushing flossing. And oil pulling takes a lot of time!

It is an interesting concept which does no harm, unless you spit out the oil in your sink everyday. Then you may need a plumber.

BTW, Ben is in Scranton PA today...

This first episode of the Ben and Gary Show was aired as a Facebook Live broadcast and never published. Since, we've gotten better cameras, lighting and editing. Enjoy:

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

 Often a patient comes in and wants cosmetic dentistry. Actually, the American Dental Association does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty.

We like to think in terms of aesthetic dentistry as the face, the lips, and the contours of the smile must be considered in improving the look of teeth.

It is not enough to change the look of the teeth. It is also a must to consider the function of the teeth. Sometimes restorative measures precede aesthetic improvements.

For us, we want to understand the expectations of patients and work with them collaboratively to make sure everybody is happy with the final results.

We have a process for this. 

• complete diagnostic evaluation
• discussion of options including costs
• preview of the new look with photo mockups or...