Preserving Smiles, Improving Lives: Unmasking the Dr. Medha Gupta's Magic

I am originally from Kolkata, where I completed my schooling. I pursued my Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S) from Christian Dental College in Ludhiana, and later obtained a Masters in Prosthodontics with a focus on Crown and Bridge as well as Implantology from M.R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital in Bangalore. Alongside my dental journey, I discovered a passion for writing that had always been within me. I decided to reinvent and nurture this passion, leading me to work as a content writer specializing in healthcare. Over time, I took on roles as a content manager and content creator, catering to multiple clients not only across India but also internationally. Presently, I find myself in a career phase where I am effectively juggling both my dental expertise and my writing pursuits. However, I am on the brink of making a decision to transition fully into one of these paths.

This is a very common question that I frequently encounter from most of my clients. This is mainly because my profile as a prosthodontist may not seem to align naturally with that of a writer. Nevertheless, I have a definite answer to that query. I've always possessed a natural inclination towards reading – not necessarily writing. In medical schools, especially professional institutions, there are numerous individuals who excel in their field of study yet struggle with effective communication. This phenomenon often results in a reliance on others to convey their thoughts. I'm not referring solely to patient interactions or chair-side conversations, but also to how my clinic or institution presents me. Unfortunately, I find myself unable to express my ideas the way I intend, due to certain limitations.

I observed this issue in my practice, particularly in an urban setting like Bangalore. Many patients, even those who are highly educated, well-off, and well-read, surprisingly lack awareness about oral health. Consequently, I encountered recurring cliché questions from them, such as whether dental cleaning weakens teeth or if enamel is being ground away. These were basic inquiries that one wouldn't expect from such patients, yet they persisted. It became evident that there existed a substantial gap between medical communication and the ability to convey the same information in a manner understandable to the average person.

This realization marked the starting point of my journey into content writing. I happened to have connections with individuals involved in various forms of sales and communication, though not necessarily in healthcare. This led me to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) at Kixar, an Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality company based in Bangalore. Their primary project was to develop a medical device aimed at assisting BDS students in their college education. My role began as an SME, and it became apparent that my proficiency in medical communication surpassed what I had initially believed. I received commendation for my efforts, which motivated me to delve deeper into writing.

LinkedIn played a pivotal role in this journey. It became a platform where I could showcase my medical knowledge and writing skills. Through my presence on LinkedIn, I noticed a demand for individuals who could bridge the gap between medical expertise and effective marketing. Healthcare professionals and corporate sectors were seeking someone who could not only optimize their content for search engines but also ensure that it resonated with readers. This marked the point where medical professionals like me were being sought after to fulfill this unique role. This is how my interest in content writing within the healthcare sector blossomed.

Fast forward a couple of years, and I find myself thriving in this realm. The journey has been rewarding, and I am excited to see where it leads next.

Honestly, I haven't been able to grasp Kannada fluently. However, navigating Bangalore hasn't posed much difficulty due to the willingness of many Kannadigas to converse in languages other than Kannada. Hindi and English have proven to be effective communication tools for me. While I do comprehend Kannada, especially within the context of prosthetics, I am unable to speak it fluently. So, yes, language has presented challenges in my day-to-day life, but when it comes to my clinical practice, I believe that effective communication isn't solely dependent on language. In moments when patients truly need assistance, alternative means of communication are available beyond just language.

For me, when a layman walks in and inquiries about what an implant is, I would explain that it's the closest thing to a natural tooth that a dentist can provide. It serves as a replacement for your natural teeth without affecting the surrounding teeth or other parts of the mouth. Essentially, it's a titanium fixture inserted into your jaw. While it's a surgical procedure, it's completely painless due to the use of anesthesia, and the entire process takes no longer than 30 minutes.

From this implanted fixture, we can provide you with an artificial tooth – a ceramic tooth tailored to your preferences in terms of color and shape. The best part is that you can avoid the potential difficulties associated with procedures like root canals, teeth grinding, or drilling, as the implant eliminates the need for these interventions.

As I've previously explained, an implant serves as a prosthetic device used to replace missing teeth, essentially restoring what's absent. This implies that the patient needs to have a tooth or teeth that require replacement. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that individuals should only consider implants after losing their teeth. In some cases, severely decayed and compromised teeth, where alternatives like root canals are not feasible, might warrant extraction and subsequent implant placement.

So, the ideal scenarios for considering implants range from cases of missing teeth to extensively decayed teeth. This also includes situations where there are multiple gaps in the dentition, issues with the bite or smile, numerous cavities, or significant gum problems. However, an important caveat is that medical fitness plays a crucial role in determining whether an implant is suitable. Since an implant integrates with the bone, medical conditions like certain blood disorders, osteoporosis, extreme calcium or vitamin E deficiencies, chain smoking, kidney issues, among others, need careful consideration. Comprehensive diagnostics and consultation with the patient's general physician are essential steps to ensure that an implant is the best and safest option for the patient.

The primary advantage, which holds immense importance, is that dental implants don't harm your natural teeth. In the case of bridges, particularly crowns and bridges, a significant amount of grinding of your natural teeth occurs as we work to provide you with artificial teeth. This process of crafting false teeth can lead to the loss of your natural enamel. However, with implants, your natural teeth remain completely untouched.

Another key benefit of implants is their long-lasting nature. When I mention this, it doesn't imply that challenges won't arise. Anything within your body requires maintenance – just like your hair or skin. If you neglect maintenance, numerous issues can emerge. The same principle applies to implants. Regular maintenance from both your side and the dentist's side is crucial. Yet, implants are designed to be a lifelong solution. As long as you diligently uphold high-quality maintenance practices, you won't need to replace implants every few years, as is often the case with other alternatives like dentures or bridges.