Irwin Smigel
| Irwin Smigel | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Dental Surgeon |
| Known for | Dental Surgery |
| Website | www.smigel.com |
Irwin Smigel, is an American aesthetic dentist and entrepreneur. Acknowledged as “one of the great pioneers of aesthetic dentistry” by Dentistry Today.[citation needed] The National Museum of Dentistry created The Smile Experience, marking the achievements of his career in aesthetic dentistry.[citation needed] New York University College of Dentistry formally recognized Smigel as “the father of aesthetic dentistry,”[citation needed] as Smigel is credited with developing the bonding technique for aesthetic dentistry, as well as trailblazing tooth whitening, laminates, veneers and non-surgical facelifts. He has been celebrated as an “uberdentist” by WWD, and a “tooth genius” by Teen Vogue.[citation needed]
He is the author of Dental Health/Dental Beauty and has written over a hundred articles on the subject of dental aesthetics. Smigel is the founder and current president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, diplomat of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry, and is the creator and spokesperson for Supersmile. Smigel has been involved with many major developments in dentistry over the past three decades, including: laminates, veneers, changing facial structures and teeth whitening. Smigel is on the editorial advisory board for New Beauty Magazine.
Smigel and his wife, Supersmile CEO Lucia Smigel, have two children: the writer/comedian Robert Smigel and Bellanca Smigel Rutter, and six grandchildren: Russell, Erik, and Aaron Rutter, and Daniel, Ethan, and Rory Smigel.
Contents
Career
Smigel graduated from the New York University College of Dentistry in 1950.[citation needed]
Bonding
In 1970, Smigel set out to change the reactive nature and pain-associated image of dentistry by turning dentistry into an aesthetic art. That year, Smigel developed the bonding technique as a way of repairing chips and cracks in teeth as well as reshaping teeth that are too small or out of alignment. The composite tooth bonding material can also be used to fill cavities in place of silver amalgam fillings. Smigel was the first to introduce dental bonding as a technique to fix imperfections and fill gaps using this painless technique.
In 1977, Smigel founded the American Society for Dental Aesthetics and he has served as president of the organization from 1977 to today. In 1997, he founded the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry. That same year he was appointed as director of American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry and has remained so for over twenty years. He is also a regent of the International Academy for Dental Facial Aesthetics.
In 1979, Smigel published the nationally best-selling book Dental Health/Dental Beauty, which prompted an appearance in the TV show, “That’s Incredible”. On that show Smigel performed the first nationally televised bonding demonstration in front of 50 million viewers.[citation needed] The appearance brought bonding and dental aesthetics to the forefront of the American public and piqued public curiosity as well as acclaim in the dental community.[citation needed]
Tooth whitening
In the mid-1980s, Smigel created a whitening toothpaste to brighten the teeth of his first generation bonding patients. This toothpaste became the basis for the Supersmile line, of which Smigel is the developer and international spokesperson.
Today
Smigel currently practices on Madison Avenue in New York City. He is a visiting lecturer for several postgraduate aesthetic dentistry programs, including the University of Minnesota Dental School, SUNY School of Dentistry – Buffalo, University of Missouri Dental School, Case Western University and the Baylor University School of Dentistry.
Publications
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- Dentistry Today – Publication: From 1983 to 1995 Smigel contributed to every issue in the section labeled “Smigel on Aesthetics.”
Television appearances
Smigel has appeared as a guest on a wide range of national television programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Regis & Kathy Lee, NBC News, ABC News, Fox News, CBS News, CNN and other major talk shows.
Honors
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 1994: Outstanding Contribution to Aesthetic Dentistry Award.
New York University College of Dentistry creation of the Irwin Smigel Prize in Aesthetic Dentistry presented to dentists for outstanding contributions to the world of aesthetic dentistry.
Irwin Smigel Aesthetic Clinic opened on September 2000 at Hadassah Dental School in Jerusalem.
In June 2009, the National Museum of Dentistry, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, honored Smigel in a new historical exhibition called The Smile Experience.
References
- Things That Can Stain and Damage Your Teeth
- Inaugural Irwin Smigel Prize Presented
- Tooth Truth. Renowned Aesthetic Dentistry Pioneer Dr. Irwin Smigel takes a bite out of our oral healthcare questions
- Dr. Smigel Recently Featured in the News
- Supersmile Inventor Dr. Irwin Smigel reveals secrets
- The Smile Experience exhibition
