Page 18 - Masala Lite Issue 158 | February 2024

18 COVERED

crafts beautiful smiles by combining dental
science and artistic precision.

BY AYUSH MADAN

our smile is the first thing people notice when they look at you. A beautiful
smile is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also a reflection of your oral
health and well-being, capable of boosting your confidence and leAvinashng
a lasting positive impression on those around you. Recently, I had the
pleasure of sitting down with a seasoned cosmetic dentist who has a decade of
experience in transforming smiles, Dr. Avinash Sajnani. Avinash runs his own private
practice called Prosmiles, with locations near Don Muang Airport, and in Rama IX.

As someone who has worn Damon braces since 2018, I have a vested interest and
fascination with dentistry. I was the first in my family to undergo teeth realignment,
and not only has it changed the way I smile, but it also fundamentally changed my jaw
structure and overall craniofacial development. Since I started my treatment, however,
a lot has changed. Modern dentistry now utilises laser mapping and 3D printing to
dramatically reduce treatment time and cost for patients. Moreover, dentists now
know more than ever about how our diet and lifestyle affect our teeth, and are able
to create better preventative measures against plaque and cAvinashties, ensuring
our teeth remain clean and pristine for as long as possible.

Originally from Kota Bharu, Malaysia, Avinash was born to a Malaysian mother and
Sindhi father. Despite his diverse background, Avinash’s Thai language skills are
remarkable, comparable to that of a native speaker. Greeting me at the sliding door
of his clinic in scrubs, with a dental loupe around his neck and a big pearly smile,
Avinash’s infectious positive energy and playful attitude immediately put me at
ease. As I sat down to learn more about him and his field, Avinash told me how his
journey to dentistry had taken him across the world, from Queensland, Australia; to
Bangkok; to Lisbon, Portugal; where he specialised in dental implants and restorative
and cosmetic dentistry.

About a year ago, tragedy struck when Avinash lost both his parents in a fire. Despite
this devastating event, he has shown incredible resilience, shouldering the responsibility
that came with it. In addition to caring for over 100 patients, he also takes care of
the hotel business his parents left behind, managing five different properties in the
Ratchada area. Moreover, Avinash not only nAvinashgates the challenges of his
professional life, but also balances his roles as a devoted father, showing his unwavering
commitment to both his family and his profession. Dr. Sajnani tells Masala more.
Do you think modern diets have worsened people’s teeth?

Did you always know you wanted to be a dentist?
Before we think about diet, it’s important to acknowledge human anatomy. Unlike
I always knew science was my forte, and I always had a great passion for art. Initially, I carnivores who have sharp canines and a hinging jaw, and herbivores whose molars
explored the idea of being a medical doctor but the long hours, the work-life imbalance, grind side to side, humans have teeth which translate in four different directions. Hence,
and the lack of any artistic aspect in the job ultimately made me decide not to pursue we have adapted to eating everything, so the best diet is what works for you. What I
that path. The reasons I turned away from medicine are exactly the reasons I decided will tell you about is foods to avoid. Foods which are high in sugar or acidic foods are
to be a cosmetic dentist. I love this career because cosmetics starts from an artistic more likely to wear your teeth enamel. Even more important is the frequency of our
approach, which then requires science to achieve the end result – a perfect blend of food intake, which people tend to overlook. Every time we eat, our mouths become
the two. I’m really passionate about my job, and I love doing it. Ask my wife if you an acidic environment to help digest the food. Grazers who snack throughout the day
don’t believe me [Laughs] – I could be in bed at night, and I will still be watching end up creating an acidic environment and allowing it to neutralise multiple times
videos about dentistry, constantly learning more about my craft so I can improve. a day, eventually causing teeth decay. Eating less frequently means better dental

What did your education look like working up to this position? health and less cAvinashties.

I was in Queensland, Australia for my secondary education, and followed that up What does your day-to-day routine look like?
with a Bachelor of Science at Griffith University. After leAvinashng Australia, I came I prime my day by waking up early and getting some sunlight. Next, I hop into a cold
back to Thailand and enrolled in the International Dentistry programme at Rangsit shower and then go to the gym. I love working out in the mornings and I try to go
University. I say that with some hesitation, because it really was not ‘international.’ as much as I can. It sets me up for the day and gets me in the right mental state to
The first few years of the programme were all in Thai. Suffice it to say, I got rick-rolled give quality treatment to my patients. Imagine trying to stitch a garment, except
into it. I took Thai classes every day in preparation for the dental exam. But after it’s an extremely small hole in the back of someone’s mouth, with a sloshing tongue,
that, I ventured into my speciality, which ended up being in cosmetic dentistry. I was saliva, and even blood all swirling around. And you have to do your best to try not to
then trained in Lisbon, Portugal by my mentor Dr. Paulo Maló, who is renowned in hurt them. No pressure, right? That is why I try to be in the best possible headspace
the field of dentistry for his All-on-4 implantation technique. I would say it was far before I come in. After the devastating tragedy of losing both my parents, I stepped
from a traditional mentorship. The man had his own farm, made his own wine, his back from dentistry a little to look after the family business and so that I could spend
own cheese, and even his own olive oil! We would go hunting and drive around on more time to spend with my family. So when I get done with work at around 8pm, I
his tractor. It was an incredibly cool experience. go home to spend the few hours I have with my wife and my two-year-old son, Rish.

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 158 - FEBRUARY 2024