Dr. Claudia Cotca

How do you define a successful result?

A result is successful when it is natural and functional, and exceeds the patient’s expectations. Ultimately, the result needs to make the patient happy.

What is unique about your treatment style?

My comprehensive diagnostic approach includes everything from esthetic-driven, facial symmetry-based smile design to oral cancer screening and diet profile development. I also value the significance of patient care post-treatment. I make it my priority to provide maintenance schedules with detailed descriptions to ensure optimized results. 

Describe your practice.

The Institute stands for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of the patient’s oral health and aesthetics. The office is immaculately clean with white décor, which translates the message of clarity and sharpness in our services, recommendations and practices, and allows the patient to be at the center of attention.

What do you think the future holds for cosmetic dentistry?

I am looking forward to advancements in laser procedures with a focus on smile design, teeth whitening and smile-based facial improvement; virtual integrated simulation of patient chewing patterns in real time with digital smile designs on computers; and quick and precise tooth kinetics with simulated high-grade porcelain restorations.

How do you ensure patient satisfaction?

As a clinician, I strive to provide results-driven treatments, which meet both the patient’s and my own expectations. During the treatment planning phase, I utilize digital X-rays, as well as video and photo portfolios to help patients visualize their concerns, treatment options and expectations. I value each patient’s input, as it helps me to achieve the best possible results.

What is your approach to cosmetic enhancement?

Cosmetic enhancement is dependent upon the functions and proportions of the skeletal, dental, muscular and soft tissue position. My experience and expert knowledge of the facial skeletal system, proportions and how they relate to the body give me the necessary parameters to create a natural-looking smile. 

How would your patients characterize you?

My patients would describe me as caring, careful, scientifically-driven, skillful and intellectual with a sharp eye for detail.

1. My happiest professional moment
   I am the happiest when I know I can help change the course of disease, and I am privileged to witness that process over and over again
2. Which three words best describe you?
   Nerd, loyal, meticulous
3. My motto
   Aesthetics depend on health
4. My greatest achievement
   To live humbly, to continually innovate, to execute excellent intellect, wisdom and skills in helping restore smiles and oral systemic comprehensive health
5. The future of my field
   A powerful collection of science-driven technologies, which allow for earlier diagnosis, more minimally invasive treatment options and new techniques that far outperform current conventional treatments
6. What i love most about my profession
   All aspects from technology and science to clinical results and prognosis
7. Career-defining procedure
   We offer a proprietary treatment to address temporomandibular disorders, which include symptoms from clenching and/or grinding to migraines and facial muscle tension
8. How my profession has evolved
   Technology has grown and pathology demographics have also diversified and increased in frequency and numbers, increasing demand for customized treatment options
9. What sets my practice apart
   My “C3 Advanced Aesthetic Oral- Systemic VIP Protocols” program gives you a customized oral profile of systemic conditions, the impact your oral health has on aging and results-driven treatment options
10. My best advice for female patients
    I recommend my “C3 Women’s Oral Health & Aesthetics” program including a robust anti-clenching and anti-snoring appliance
11. What is the future of your field?
    A powerful collection of science-driven technologies, which allow for earlier diagnosis, more minimally invasive treatment options and new techniques that far outperform current conventional treatments
12. What has been your career-defining procedure?
    We offer a proprietary treatment to address temporomandibular disorders, which include symptoms from clenching and/or grinding to migraines and facial muscle tension
13. What four things are nonnegotiable?
    Faith, lasers, innovative custom protocols and patient compliance

1. I have a crown and have detected a small black spot in the middle of the crown - if not a cavity then what?
   What our experts say:

   If we are speaking about an all ceramic crown, depending on the age of the crown, a black spot may be cement undergoing decomposition or breakdown, dye accumulation from foods, liquids, or smoke through a crack in the crown, the tooth, or through a margin channel, and/or it may be decay. A clinical investigation would be needed to depict the source and the nature of the finding.

2. I recently read that hydrogen peroxide causes oral cancer. Is this true?
   What our experts say:

   In my professional opinion, as a general and esthetic dentist, and as a toxicologist, I should state that every substance has a dose at which it projects thrapeutic and toxic profile.  Sometimes those concentration dosages are far apart, sometimes they are very near to each other.  FDA cleared products ensure that the concentrations provided in therapeutic formulations are safe to be used and they elicit a therapeutic effect.  Hydrogen peroxide is a very strong oxidizer, a scavanger for free radical (anti-oxidant like) generating complexes, which scavanges, if you will, other unpaired free radical linked compounds which are sometimes harmful.  Hydrogen Perioxide bleaches through this mechanism.  Of course, once the dosage surpases that dose that elicits the therapeutic effect it can cause harmful effects, like tissue sloghing and other progressive tissue breakdown, which may or may not lead to extreme conditions like cancer.  These extreme cases again depend on concentration and time exposure.  Therefore, it is extremely important to follow manufacturer and FDA recommendations and instructions, and be under the care and supervision of an expert clinician.

3. Can veneers be replaced?
   What our experts say:

   In my professional opinion, venners like everything else in life will age and they may even fail with time. If venners move, the effect is often breakage.  If the gum line seems to move away from venners, and the margins of the veneers trap food, it does suggest retreatment.  Venners are kept in place by very thin cement which with time can breakdown if not maintained, cleaned or not protected from excessive load during biting or chewing, griding or clenching. However, venners can only be properly bonded to enamel not dentin, therefore, depending on how much enamel there is after the old veneers have been removed dictates if you would be a candidate for new venners or crowns.  Of course, clinical evaluation and radiographic diagnosis would finalize the treatment options available.