Dr. Papageorgiou and Dr. Benz

Dr. Papageorgiou: “Greetings Mr. Benz, I am very pleased that you took the time to answer some questions for me and also to further expose the aspect of aesthetics in your specialty and in mine. Thank you very much first of all and maybe just introduce yourself briefly.”

Dr. Benz: “I have been a dentist and entrepreneur for many years with several locations in Bern (www.centrodent.ch/de) and Zurich (www.edel-weiss-zahnaerzte.ch). My great passion, and thus the focus of my practice, is aesthetic dentistry. Despite my many years of practice, I follow the rapid developments in this field very closely. This is the only way I can achieve the best results for my patients. And that is my claim. It is obvious to combine good dental function with dental aesthetics together. One with the other, i.e. function with aesthetics too. I think it’s similar with you, isn’t it ?”

Dr. Papageorgiou: “Yes, you raise an interesting point there! A connection between function and aesthetics also exists in plastic aesthetic surgery. A simple and understandable example is XXL liposuction, in which several liters of fat are removed by liposuction. Patients then find it much easier to start regular sporting activity, as pronounced obesity impairs body function. Comparable to patients after a breast reduction or breast lift, or even an abdominoplasty. Have you ever had plastic aesthetic treatment ?”

Dr. Benz: (laughs) …. “Yes of course with you …!”

Dr. Papageorgiou: “I know….Ok, we’ll switch to the you.”

Dr. Benz: “The Low Dose Botox treatment is the only thing I’ve done so far. Twice a year I treat myself to it. After all, it doesn’t just relax you externally, it also relaxes your mood inside.” (www.vassiliospapageorgiou.com/procedures/faltenbehandlung)

Dr. Papageorgiou: “There you address the effect of “negative biofeedback”…. Yes, the less stressed you look and express yourself facially, the less stressed you feel. For me, perhaps the most important aspect of Botox treatment. You also stress others less with relaxed facial expressions.”

Dr. Benz: (smiles) “I know friends who get botoxed together with their partner regularly, every 4-5 months. Often the result is also helpful for the relationship. You look more relaxed, feel more balanced, and then you just act a little calmer, especially when there’s stress.”

Dr. Papageorgiou: (laughs) “I feel the same way. So, now we are almost at the end, so last question for you. What does aesthetics mean to you in everyday life and in general?”

Dr. Benz: “Difficult question, but I will try to answer it.”

Dr. Papageorgiou: “Yes … It needs a deeper way of looking at it.”

Dr. Benz: “Exactly…So let’s start. First of all, let’s note that there is no universal aesthetic that is perceived as the same by all people, so aesthetics is viewed very differently depending on the culture and must also be viewed by us as doctors. There are huge cultural differences! And that is also good, because diversity enriches our lives. It is perhaps like salt or the spiciness of food: different tastes, different opinions. Basically, to stay with this example, a doctor must behave like a chef and offer the best solutions individually after a detailed discussion. For example, I would never have touched the gap in Jane Birken’s teeth, she was unique in her overall appearance precisely because of this gap. I see it differently with the singer Jacques Brel. Aesthetics in everyday life are tremendously important. A well-groomed, individual appearance of a person behaves similarly to a people-friendly architecture. It gives meaning to people and their lives. And we humans need to work and create, but also celebrate our lives.”

Dr. Papageorgiou: “I couldn’t agree with you more! Thank you so much for the interview!”