Each of us has our own "Chair-Side"manner, the way you are and interact with patients. As with many things this is a part of dental practice we develop once in practice and usually only after we have finally gotten comfortable with the clinical pieces of our profession. In this video I'll share about my own manner with patients and look at some of the Read More
The Goal of Mastery
As dentists we are often focused on mastery, whether that is in regards to a specific clinical procedure or in the running of our businesses. One of my great mentors helped me understand that "mastery" is really about receptiveness to learning. This receptiveness to learning has been the key for me staying engaged and really enjoying dentistry. Read More
Mocking Up Teeth For Ortho
In this video I want to share a technique I use to mock up peg laterals during ortho treatment. The goal is to get optimal results with interdisciplinary care. The orthodontic component is much easier and more predictable when the patient has optimal tooth size and shape. I will show you a direct mock-up as well as a new digital approach that has changed how Read More
PMMA Bonding Tips
One of the recent advances in dentistry that has advanced the options I can offer my patients is milled PMMA. We can mill full coverage appliances that fit like a dream and overlays. With beautiful materials like TelioCAD from Ivoclar we can even mill long term restorations. Opening vertical and phasing dentistry to accommodate patient finances is much Read More
DISC Profile
I had the fun experience of doing a DISC personality profile with my team recently. We all went online and completed the profile, and then the day of our team meeting a DISC management expert worked with my team remotely over the internet. It was incredible to get to know each other in a deeper way, even though we thought we knew each other well. I think Read More
BeamReaders Radiography Service
I have been finalizing a complex TMD case and we are ready to restore. For this challenging case, I used BeamReaders. an online service providing a review of diagnostic images by professional radiologists. BeamReaders analyzed the X-rays and helped me confirm that her joints were stable and I had taken bite records in the correct position. Having them read Read More
Tips & Tricks for Isolite
I jumped into adhesive dentistry as soon as I graduated from dental school. One of the most critical aspects of the technique is isolation and moisture control. One of my favorite tools is the Isolite, or Isodry. With that said there are some things I have learned about sizing an Isolite or adjusting one for greater effectiveness and patient comfort. These Read More
Two Tips: Impression Taking & Seamfree
Capturing the posterior of an impression without getting pulls, or missing part of the second molar can be really frustrating. I will share how to use inexpensive paper tape from the drugstore to create a post dam on impression trays. We are often coached not to "wet" our composite instruments as we create seams, or layers of unfilled resin and weaken the Read More
Remembering A Mentor
This last week I lost one of my mentors in dentistry and in life. These occasions are always times of sadness, but also joy as we reflect back on the life of the person we just lost. Lou inspired me to be a dentist, but more then that he inspired me to give back and reach for all I can do. Read More
Angular Cheilitis
Angular Cheilitis is caused by a fungus, and can be very frustrating for dental patients and for us. Sometimes it can be isolated as red patches at the corners of the mouth, but other times it can spread down onto the chin and even onto the neck. Dealing with it in a quick and efficient way is important. We'll look at what not to recommend and the Rx that Read More