Testimonials

I got my curly hair from my mother. Most of it has fallen out. She also gave me her soft teeth. Over the years, I have lost more than a few of these also.
The denuded scalp I can live with. I never cared for toupees or those little rows of hair saplings. When the weather's bad I just cover it up. But tooth loss is very serious. I NEED my teeth for survival. Good nutrition is dependent upon chewing; chewing is dependent upon strong teeth. When a tooth is no longer salvageable (typically when it can no longer be crowned) it must be replaced with a prosthetic.

Until fairly recently, my only recourse was to replace the lost tooth with a bridge. This necessitated grinding the adjoining teeth on which the prosthetic was mounted. Every time I lost one tooth I really lost three.Because I equate my teeth with survival, I strive to approach the replacement process like a structural engineer assessing the job site.

The bridge option involves other consequences beyond modifying the natural configuration of the supporting teeth. Several additional engineering obstacles must be overcome. First and foremost is achieving the exacting precision that prevents bacteria from breaching the margin between the gums and the anchor teeth. Even if such precision is initially achieved upon installation, other forces serve to incrementally compromise that integrity.
Torsional dynamics must also be considered - individual teeth, firmly "anchored" in the jaw are much better suited to absorbing the considerable hydraulic forces resultant from chewing. Chewing on the front side of the bridge puts strain upon the rear.
No bridge lasts forever - not even the best bridge crafted by the best technician using the best tools in the best lab and placed by the best dentist.

Happily, there are now options available to address tooth loss. Implant dentistry should be regarded as one of the finest achievements of anatomical technology yet devised by man. Implant dentistry makes sense both scientifically and aesthetically. It's a clean technology - no invasive electronics or potent chemicals are required.

The implant itself is a marvel of engineering precision - a threaded titanium apparatus that is machined on the inside. It is essentially a piece of pipe smaller than the lead from a #2 pencil with threads on the inside and the outside. The mouth is painstakingly mapped to determine location, depth, and angle for the implant. Once placed, the post is screwed in. Finally, the prosthetic is attached.

The process of installing an implant supported crown can sometimes take much longer than it takes to receive a bridge. Implant supported crowns also cost significantly more. But life expectancy of the implant supported mechanism greatly exceeds that for conventional bridgework. Thus any considerations for installation expediency and cost need to be considered in the context of the implant's potential permanency.

I've spent quite a bit of time in various dentist chairs. Metaphorically, each chair has a different comfort level. As is true in any profession, there exists a range of talent in dentistry extending from the mediocre to the exceptional. Typically, you get what you pay for. I typically advise people NOT to select dentists from a health plan's provider directory. Though there may be exceptions, true talent does not rely upon such mechanisms - talent, in and of itself, will attract customers regardless of insurance incentives.
Dr. Hamid Shafie, founder of the Center for Oral Implantology at Johns Hopkins, will not be found in any provider directories. You can find him instead at the American Institute of Esthetic and Implant Dentistry, which he founded after leaving Hopkins. From this establishment at 2440 M Street he currently offers his exemplary talents. Dr. Shafie is an incredibly gifted artist and a scientist of the highest caliber and integrity.
I recently had an implant supported crown installed by Dr. Shafie. This was the finest dental experience I've ever gone through in my entire life. I have never felt as confident or as trusting that every effort was being exerted on my behalf than during this process. We of the greater metro area are priveleged to live in such proximity to many of the finest art galleries in the world.

Equally privileged are we also to have access to the artistically acclaimed and scientifically talented Dr. Hamid Shafie. I encourage you to seek his services.

Christopher Aubry
Grant Researcher
University of Maryland

Dr. Shafie is an unusual combination of a knowledgeable professional and a pleasant person. He possesses a dedication to his patients and is meticulous in his care. The most current methods of treatment are employed. The pleasant atmosphere in his office will put the most apprehensive person at ease. Dr. Shafie and his staff are an asset to the dental profession.

Terry Hardy

I had my jaw resected (half of the lower mandible removed) two years ago due to a locally malignant tumor contained inside my jaw bone. Needless to say it was a devastating blow to an otherwise active and energetic life.

A fine team of Oral and Plastic surgeons were able to re-construct the lost jaw bone using parts of my own fibulas (leg bones), hip bone, titanium bar and stainless steel screws. The original contour of my jaw has been replicated with only a fine scar left under my jaw line. All fine and well except, unfortunately, I lost one quarter of my teeth with the resection, leaving me unable to chew on one side of my mouth, unable to speak without a whistling toothless lisp and one side of my mouth was sunken-in where the teeth had been.

I was having difficulty returning to the busy engaging lifestyle I had before. My overseas lectures to the international community had become hard to understand and I was unable to eat some of the exotic foods I loved to sample around the world. Even basic nutrition was problematic. Then came Shafie!!

The head of Oral Surgery at Washington Hospital Center referred me to Dr. Shafie saying; "this guy knows all of the latest dental implant technology and he loves a challenge...." I was certainly a challenge; I had an anatomically incorrect jaw that had already endured multiple reconstructive bone surgeries and I was anxious to move on with my life! And oh yes, I have type one insulin-dependent diabetes.

We began with a detailed examination and patient explanation of the options available to me with recommendations on the best way to proceed. Dr. Shafie never showed any sign of doubt or indication that I might be a hopless case, quite the opposite! His determination and drive for perfection have produced astounding results!
Today I have eight new teeth that are color matched perfectly to my natural teeth. These "teeth" are part of an implant supported prosthesis that includes a natural looking gum component, including vein details, and a solid foundation that allows me to eat anything. My colleages and family are truly amazed by the transformation (and restoration) of my smile, speech and natural appearance. Those who don't know what I have been through....don't know!

Dr. Shafie and his staff perseveered through an intricate custom design and fabrication process to fully restore my chewing, speaking and smiling abilities. He stood with me and offered encouragement at times when I thought we may not achieve sucess. His compassion for his patients and passion for his profession are exemplary models for all physicians. I don't think I could have received finer care or a better quality finished product anywhere else in the medical community.

"Life is too short to dance with people who can't smile". Just Dave

The day I walked into Dr. Shafie's office is the day my life changed forever. For many years I was too embarrassed to smile, and was in pain because of the condition of my teeth (or lack of teeth). People would say to me "why don't you smile"? Most of us associate smiling with being happy, whereas, I associated smiling with the pain of embarrassment. I was even too embarrassed to go to a dentist. All that has changed because of the impeccable work Dr. Shafie has done with my teeth! I'm now proud to smile, and I owe it all to the the expertise of Dr. Shafie. Not only did he give me my smile back, but he did it pain-free! Also, Dr. Shafie is an extremely personable and caring person -- during all my visits to his office, he always had me laughing. (Sometimes at him! (wink)).

I broke my jaw in several places and lost a few teeth in a car accident I was involved in several years ago. Even after many jaw reconstruction operations, I had given up hope of having my jaw, teeth…….. everything in my mouth go back to normal. Dr. Shafie did more than what I had hoped for: (after four and a half years of painful procedures) he made my smile ten times better than it EVER was. In addition, my jaw alignment, lip support, and almost everything that had been affected by the car accident returned to its natural state. Dr. Shafie was able to make it look as though nothing ever happened to my jaw, teeth, everything. Not only that, but no matter how grueling any particular procedure was, I still left Dr. Shafie's office laughing because of his wonderful sense of humor. Also, I worked for Dr. Shafie for awhile as a volunteer doing secretarial tasks and because of that he wrote me a great recommendation that helped me to get me into a prestigious university…… which is the only reason why I am writing this testimony. No, I am joking, I meant every word of it and Dr. Shafie's dedication to his profession and success has encouraged me to pursue my ambition as well.

About a year and a half ago, I chose to go through a lengthy and costly program to restore my dental health. The decision wasn’t easy to make. My oral status had deteriorated to the point that nine dental implants, several crowns and five porcelain veneers would be required to restore my health. Cost was a major issue as the total expenditure of the treatment was comparable to that of a luxury car. Pain and suffering was another factor. The treatment would start with an in-hospital surgical procedure under IV sedation to reshape my jawbone. Three more surgeries would be required to place the dental implants, although those could be performed in an oral surgeon’s office. There would also be countless visits to Dr. Shafie’s office and I would have to drive back and forth to his office in downtown Washington DC for each.

I should never have left my health deteriorate to the point that such a major treatment would be required to restore my quality of life. But there was no point in agonizing about it. I had to either go with the treatment and all the accompanying stress or continue living with limited food choices and the embarrassment of not being able to smile in public because of my missing teeth. Fortunately, after many years of going to the wrong dentists, I was referred to Drs. Shafie and Eskow and I immediately realized that I had fallen into the right hands. Dr. Eskow would perform the surgeries to place the implants, graft bone material and prepare the gum tissue. Dr. Shafie would be responsible for the prosthetic part of the work, i.e. crowns, veneers, etc…

My two dentists have different styles. Dr. Eskow is a more senior guy with a reputation of being the best oral surgeon in the Capital Area. Dr. Shafie on the other hand is about my age and is a more academic type. His style is less formal than Dr. Eskow’s. Yet, I felt very comfortable with both. It was clear that their concern for my health was genuine and went beyond the financial motivation. They also worked hand in hand and that, with my full cooperation, would be critical to the success of the treatment.
During the year it took for the treatment to complete, I started to enjoy my visits to Dr. Shafie’s office. Because of the time spent in traffic each visit took me a whole afternoon. Fortunately, I discovered that the trip could be made more enjoyable by taking a detour through Rock Creek Park. Also, Dr. Shafie and I became good friends. There was no inhibition and we discussed our own familial matters, as well as countless other topics from cars all the way to politics. Amanda, Dr. Shafie’s Office Manager is also a very pleasant person to be around. Together, they provided the settings to make my trips to the dental office feel more like visiting a neighbor or friend.

There were a few emergencies that required immediate care. I would email Dr. Shafie about them and he would propose to meet me at his office sometimes late at night or on a Sunday morning. Paradoxically, he seemed more concerned than me with each situation and was the one who insisted to meet me at these odd times. I had never met a doctor or dentist who showed the same level of concern for my health as he and Dr. Eskow did. I mention Dr. Eskow less because, him being the surgeon, I didn’t have to visit his office as often as Dr. Shafie's, but he provided the same level of excellent care.

My treatment is now over. I have been enjoying my new mouth for several months already and I would never have suspected the amplitude of the repercussions the treatment has had on my quality of life. I feel and look a good ten years younger than I did before the treatment started. My food choices have increased dramatically and this diversity has had a major impact on my overall health. Since the dental loss had happened gradually over many years, I had gradually become accustomed to a very limited lifestyle. In contrast, the completion of my treatment has suddenly restored my young and active lifestyle. Looking back at the decision I made a year and a half ago. I am so glad I decided to go with the treatment at my family’s insistence. Drs. Shafie and Eskow were never pushy, but my spouse was and I am glad she favorably influenced my decision to make this major investment in my health. I have no doubt that my life expectancy has increased as a result of the treatment and, even if it hadn’t, I get much more enjoyment out of my new mouth than I would have gotten out of a Mercedes or even a Ferrari. Anyways, Honda rules :-)

-clkphd