With competition among younger colleagues growing, executives are increasingly turning to a variety of cosmetic surgeries and enhancements to remove any and all signs of aging. We'd all like to look better, younger and fresher. And we'd like it today, if possible. We're a dot com generation now. We'll buy the transformation, if it can be swift and painless. No bandages, please, and no time off work. Two fields of self-improvement that have been getting a lot of press recently, because of the staggering increases in demand for the procedures, are Lasik surgery for the eyes and cosmetic dentistry. According to reported figures, the number of Lasik procedures has more than doubled each year since 1997 when the excimer laser first gained FDA approval. In 2000, it's predicted over a million laser vision correction procedures will be completed. Cosmetic dentistry has now become its own subspecialty, driven by the burgeoning number of patients of all ages seeking remedies to imperfect teeth. Executives who once smoked or drank too much coffee are now clamoring to have their teeth bleached and whitened. Tired of Glasses or Contacts? Get the Byrd's Eye View Lasik (or Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is practically a one-stop-shop, permanent vision correction for those suffering from myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. It's a painless, easy procedure done on an outpatient basis, and the long term studies and test result show no significant problems. Teresa A. Byrd, Dr. Thomas J. Byrd According to Thomas Byrd, M.D., medical director of the Byrd Eye Clinic, the entire process should take three visits with the actual procedure taking no more than seven minutes. The first office appointments involves a comprehensive eye exam, computerized eye mapping study, viewing a short video and an in depth discussion with the doctor. The Lasik procedure "is more predictable and more stable," says Dr. Byrd. "There are no changes to your vision after six months." Dr. Byrd chooses to perform his procedures at the Laser Center in Troy "because they have the best keratome machine and the best equipment." The staff is well trained and it has an excellent outpatient facility. The procedure itself is swift and painless, taking 2-3 minutes per eye, maximum. Precision technology allows the corneal flap to be opened without cutting and to be resealed without stitches. The laser is an ultraviolet cool beam, preprogrammed by computer. In seconds the cornea is reshaped. The only anesthesia are drops to numb the eye, and a preoperative pill that makes you drowsy. After about 1 hour, the patient goes home to sleep for six hours. According Dr. Byrd, the only discomfort the patient might have is a slight gritty feeling which quickly wears off. You can return to work within 24-48 hours after this procedure. "Everyone has legal driving vision the next day," explains Dr. Byrd. The Lasik procedure itself is swift and painless, taking 2-3 minutes per eye Probably the hardest decision for most patients is not whether to have it done, but where and by whom. The decision should be based on the following criteria: the credentials of the physician performing the procedure and the reliability of the machine. "My whole world is about as big as a 50th of an inch," says Dr. Byrd referring to his years of experience working on the cornea of the eye. Having done thousands of these procedures, Dr. Byrd says, if you are considering this procedure you should have it done by a corneal specialist, someone trained in corneal transplantation. "You should go to the person who knows how to stay out of any problem areas." Although the ever cautious FDA still currently recommends a three-month waiting period between eyes, Dr. Byrd recommends having the bilateral procedure done at the same time. In a study published last summer where half the patients were done at the same time and the other half of the study group waited the suggested three month waiting period, there were no significant difference between the 2 groups. Studies confirm, however, that if we look at the test results of patients who suffer complications from Lasik, we find less than 1% of patients who went to a corneal specialist have problems, compared to up to 5% of patients of less well trained ophthalmologists. Dr. Byrd received both his Bachelor of Science and Medical Doctor degrees from the University of Michigan and went on to complete a three year residency in ophthalmology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He then completed a rigorous two year program at the LSU Eye Center in New Orleans. While there, he was chosen to be a co-investigator on the FDA study of Safety and Efficacy of the VISX laser and went on to manage the excimer laser program at LSU. In 1991 Dr. Byrd returned to Detroit where he became Director of the Cornea Service at Henry Ford Health System where he taught cornea and refractive surgery. In 1996 he opened the Byrd Eye Clinic. Smile: Cosmetic Dentistry Comes of Age With the advent of the 80's and the focus on self improvement, cosmetic dentistry evolved as the outgrowth of the desire to look more natural. The function of this relatively new field of cosmetic dentistry is to cosmetically change your appearance. The ideal candidate for this type of procedure is someone who would like to improve his appearance by having his teeth straightened, whitened, and/or lengthened. Although orthodontia has become more widely accepted with an older audience it is still not an option for everyone. It take an investment of time, perhaps two years, and doesn't address chipped, discolored or tiny teeth. According to Dr. Marc Cammarata, expert in the field of cosmetic dentistry, "without resorting to braces, you can achieve straighter, whiter teeth." Through the use of bleaching techniques and newer porcelain veneers, your teeth, and hence your smile, is more realistic avoiding the fake, lackluster and capped look of the past. "Today's porcelain veneers are more translucent. They last longer, wear better and look more realistic," says Dr. Cammarata. The actual process of cosmetic dentistry can range from simply bleaching the teeth at a cost of around $400 to full reconstruction priced depending on the individual's needs. Financing options are available should the patient require. Dr. Cammarata encourages client interested in investigating the process to come in for a complimentary consultation. Should you decide to have the procedure done, the actual process involves three appointments. "without resorting to braces, you can achieve straighter, whiter teeth." During the first visit, the patient has records and x-rays taken, and an in-depth discussion with Dr. Cammarata about what options are available. At this time, doctor and patient work to arrive at a mutually desirable outcome. Together they choose the size, shape and shade of teeth. During the second appointment, an impression is taken and sent to the lab. The patient's teeth are prepared and a temporary restoration is put in place. "The teeth will look better than what they came in with" assures Dr. Cammarata. Three weeks later the client returns to have the final restoration put in place. For those with the desire to have cosmetic dentistry but who are still hesitant about taking such a step, Dr. Cammarata offers to do a wax mock-up at the lab, so the patient will actually see what it will look like. Also there are albums of before and after photos to peruse to help in the decision-making process. Dr. Marc Cammarata attended Michigan State University where he majored in physiology and studied art. He did sculpting and took a lot of art classes which encouraged his later interest in cosmetic dentistry. He received his dental degree for the University of Detroit in 1988 and shortly thereafter joined a large group practice where he stayed for 2 years. It was during this time that he noticed patients were no longer interested in metal fillings and were looking for more realistic alternatives. Shelley Genord, Tammy Bonk, Dr Mark Cammarata, Tracy Montgomery Propelled by an artistic bent and fueled by what he saw as patients' desire for more natural looking teeth, in 1990 he opened his own practice in Farmington Hills, exclusively tailored to the practice of cosmetic dentistry. "I just stopped doing mental restorations and had gone to enough seminars that I decided it wasn't what I wanted to do." With his artistic background, he felt compelled to utilize his creative talents in the pursuit of cosmetic excellence. "It truly is a blend of art and science," he points out, adding "You have to use the artistic as well as the scientific part of your brain. In two to three weeks you see the results are excellent." As far as his continuing education is concerned, he enthuses, "Almost every course I have taken is on cosmetic dentistry because that is all I really like to do. I go about three times per year to different seminars to keep up on the latest advancements." Always willing to accommodate his clients, Dr. Cammarata points out "if you need it done within 2 weeks, it can be done." Aside from being a self-esteem booster, Dr. Cammarata says the actual final result is, "Patients are restored a more youthful look." Dr. Cammarata is a member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association and Oakland County Dental Society.