Cosmetic and restorative dentist offers new services to complement his dental practice
By Mel Fabrikant Thursday, September 02, 2010, 01:54 PM EDT
According to recent statistics*, non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox® injections have increased 231% since 1997 and now account for more than 85% of all cosmetic procedures. Increasingly, dentists are putting their experience and expertise to work in the facial injectable market, using their in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy to introduce services that complement their existing work. At the forefront of this trend is Englewood Cliffs, NJ-based Dr. Bruce G. Freund, co-founder and CEO of the American Academy of Facial Cosmetics, an institution created specifically to educate and train healthcare professionals in facial injectable procedures.
Taking a cue from colleagues in the UK, where one in four dentists now offer cosmetic facial injections, Freund is one of only a handful of professionals in the U.S. recognized as a certified trainer of other healthcare professionals for both Allergan (Botox®, Juvéderm ™), and Medicis (Dysport, Restylane® and Perlane®). A trainer, lecturer and highly regarded dental physician with more than 25 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, Freund is consistently named among “America’s Top Dentists” by the Consumer’s Research Council of America.
“A dentist is really a doctor of the mouth and the surrounding facial anatomy. He or she must know anatomically every muscle of the face, as well as its vascular and nervous system. When injecting inside the mouth, we must consider all of the surrounding structures. This is what we do every day on every patient,” says Freund, who is founder and director of the NJ Center for Aesthetic Enhancement.
Freund’s practical, hands-on approach begins with a consultation, during which patients can have their questions answered about facial injectables and the range of products now on the market. Among the most frequently asked questions: In addition to a busy cosmetic and restorative dental practice, you offer cosmetic injectables. Why the addition?
Cosmetic injectables are a treatment option to mitigate the signs of aging. Previously, I concentrated on giving patients a more appealing smile. They left my office sporting a terrific smile but, in many instances, other cosmetic facial improvements could have enhanced their new look even more. From the beginning I realized how cosmetic dentistry and facial injectables went hand-in-hand.
Some people might say that it’s a reach for dentists, as opposed to plastic surgeons or dermatologists, to offer cosmetic injectables. How do you answer this?
After over 25 years in practice, I’ve given thousands upon thousands of injections associated with cosmetic and restorative dental work. It was actually my patients who prompted me to offer facial injectables. In fact they encouraged me to become a provider. My patients had a history of receiving injections painlessly and with such ease that it wasn’t a leap to consider facial cosmetic injectables. A dentist is a doctor of the mouth and the surrounding facial anatomy. He or she must know anatomically every muscle of the face, as well as its vascular and nervous system. I don’t think any other healthcare professional can say they perform thousands of injections every year that in some way affects facial anatomy. When injecting inside the mouth, we must consider all of the surrounding structures. Traditionally, the U.S. plays catch-up in healthcare advances with our European counterparts. Last year it was reported that one in four dentists in the U.K. are now offering cosmetic facial injections.
How do you decide which product is right for a particular patient?
As an Allergan and Medicis injectable trainer of healthcare professionals I’m often asked this question. My recommendation is driven by the patient’s needs, desires, and sometimes budget. The NJ Center for Aesthetic Enhancement offers all of the front line cosmetic injectables, including Botox®/Dysport®, Restylane®, Perlane®, Juvéderm™ and Radiesse® All are temporary. By far, Botox® is the most popular facial injectable, with Dysport® its newest competitor. As most people know they relax the muscles in which they are injected. They are most commonly used to smooth or eliminate lines across the forehead, frown lines between the eyes, and the crow’s feet around the eyes. Cosmetic injectables are an excellent solution for the person who doesn’t want plastic surgery, yet wishes to realize some improvement in the tell-tale signs of aging. Fortunately, public acceptance is so high that newer, longer lasting injectables are continually being brought to market.
A native of New York City, Freund received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry and holds memberships in many associations and societies including the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, the Bergen County Dental Society, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Academy of Osseointegration, the New York Society of Forensic Dentistry, the Academy of Computerized Dentistry and the Academy of Lasers in Dentistry.
*Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
About Bruce G. Freund, DDS
A native of New York City, Dr. Bruce G. Freund received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry in 1975. For many years Dr. Freund was a clinical instructor at both NYU and Mt. Sinai Hospital. He is currently on staff at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck in New Jersey. Focusing his practice on cosmetic and restorative techniques, he is nationally recognized as an authority in the placement of veneers, which he has been placing for over 25 years. Dr. Freund is CEO and Co-Founder of The American Academy of Facial Cosmetics and is a recognized educational trainer for Medicis and Allergan, the largest facial injectable cosmetic companies in the United States.
In his expansive career, Dr. Freund has served as a forensic consultant to the New York City Medical Examiner's Office, and provided aid in the dental identification unit following the September 11, 2001 attacks. An accomplished dental professional, Dr. Freund holds memberships in many local, national and international associations and societies including The American Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, Bergen County Dental Society, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, Academy of Computerized Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Academy of Lasers in Dentistry and the New York Society of Forensic Dentistry.
In 2002 through 2009, Dr. Freund was named one of "America's Top Dentists", and has frequently appeared on local and national news programs as a guest expert. Dr. Freund was featured on past editions of WNBC's Weekend Today, News Channel 10: NJ's Take Ten, and ABC News. He resides in Bergen County with his family. Dr. Bruce G. Freund located at 510 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632 (201) 568-0606 www.drbrucefreund.com
Taking a cue from colleagues in the UK, where one in four dentists now offer cosmetic facial injections, Freund is one of only a handful of professionals in the U.S. recognized as a certified trainer of other healthcare professionals for both Allergan (Botox®, Juvéderm ™), and Medicis (Dysport, Restylane® and Perlane®). A trainer, lecturer and highly regarded dental physician with more than 25 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, Freund is consistently named among “America’s Top Dentists” by the Consumer’s Research Council of America.
“A dentist is really a doctor of the mouth and the surrounding facial anatomy. He or she must know anatomically every muscle of the face, as well as its vascular and nervous system. When injecting inside the mouth, we must consider all of the surrounding structures. This is what we do every day on every patient,” says Freund, who is founder and director of the NJ Center for Aesthetic Enhancement.
Freund’s practical, hands-on approach begins with a consultation, during which patients can have their questions answered about facial injectables and the range of products now on the market. Among the most frequently asked questions: In addition to a busy cosmetic and restorative dental practice, you offer cosmetic injectables. Why the addition?
Cosmetic injectables are a treatment option to mitigate the signs of aging. Previously, I concentrated on giving patients a more appealing smile. They left my office sporting a terrific smile but, in many instances, other cosmetic facial improvements could have enhanced their new look even more. From the beginning I realized how cosmetic dentistry and facial injectables went hand-in-hand.
Some people might say that it’s a reach for dentists, as opposed to plastic surgeons or dermatologists, to offer cosmetic injectables. How do you answer this?
After over 25 years in practice, I’ve given thousands upon thousands of injections associated with cosmetic and restorative dental work. It was actually my patients who prompted me to offer facial injectables. In fact they encouraged me to become a provider. My patients had a history of receiving injections painlessly and with such ease that it wasn’t a leap to consider facial cosmetic injectables. A dentist is a doctor of the mouth and the surrounding facial anatomy. He or she must know anatomically every muscle of the face, as well as its vascular and nervous system. I don’t think any other healthcare professional can say they perform thousands of injections every year that in some way affects facial anatomy. When injecting inside the mouth, we must consider all of the surrounding structures. Traditionally, the U.S. plays catch-up in healthcare advances with our European counterparts. Last year it was reported that one in four dentists in the U.K. are now offering cosmetic facial injections.
How do you decide which product is right for a particular patient?
As an Allergan and Medicis injectable trainer of healthcare professionals I’m often asked this question. My recommendation is driven by the patient’s needs, desires, and sometimes budget. The NJ Center for Aesthetic Enhancement offers all of the front line cosmetic injectables, including Botox®/Dysport®, Restylane®, Perlane®, Juvéderm™ and Radiesse® All are temporary. By far, Botox® is the most popular facial injectable, with Dysport® its newest competitor. As most people know they relax the muscles in which they are injected. They are most commonly used to smooth or eliminate lines across the forehead, frown lines between the eyes, and the crow’s feet around the eyes. Cosmetic injectables are an excellent solution for the person who doesn’t want plastic surgery, yet wishes to realize some improvement in the tell-tale signs of aging. Fortunately, public acceptance is so high that newer, longer lasting injectables are continually being brought to market.
A native of New York City, Freund received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry and holds memberships in many associations and societies including the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, the Bergen County Dental Society, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Academy of Osseointegration, the New York Society of Forensic Dentistry, the Academy of Computerized Dentistry and the Academy of Lasers in Dentistry.
*Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
About Bruce G. Freund, DDS
A native of New York City, Dr. Bruce G. Freund received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry in 1975. For many years Dr. Freund was a clinical instructor at both NYU and Mt. Sinai Hospital. He is currently on staff at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck in New Jersey. Focusing his practice on cosmetic and restorative techniques, he is nationally recognized as an authority in the placement of veneers, which he has been placing for over 25 years. Dr. Freund is CEO and Co-Founder of The American Academy of Facial Cosmetics and is a recognized educational trainer for Medicis and Allergan, the largest facial injectable cosmetic companies in the United States.
In his expansive career, Dr. Freund has served as a forensic consultant to the New York City Medical Examiner's Office, and provided aid in the dental identification unit following the September 11, 2001 attacks. An accomplished dental professional, Dr. Freund holds memberships in many local, national and international associations and societies including The American Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, Bergen County Dental Society, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, Academy of Computerized Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Academy of Lasers in Dentistry and the New York Society of Forensic Dentistry.
In 2002 through 2009, Dr. Freund was named one of "America's Top Dentists", and has frequently appeared on local and national news programs as a guest expert. Dr. Freund was featured on past editions of WNBC's Weekend Today, News Channel 10: NJ's Take Ten, and ABC News. He resides in Bergen County with his family. Dr. Bruce G. Freund located at 510 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632 (201) 568-0606 www.drbrucefreund.com
