One of the most common questions I get when discussing digital dentistry is "how do you work on a digital articulator and get the mounting right?" I want to share the two common ways we are doing this today, both of which are quick and easy. Read More
How To Use a Digital Smile Design for Intraoral Mock-Up
Today we move between the digital and the analog world to accomplish the goals of aesthetic dentistry. A mock-up is a key tool in helping patients want aesthetic dentistry and visualizing what the changes will accomplish. In this video I will walk you through how to go from a digital smile design to an analog mock-up with the patient. Read More
My Dental Hero
Most of the dentists I know who have found success did it with the help of a significant mentor. I have been extremely lucky that my mentor, my dental hero, is also my dad. There are also many other dentists who would list my dad as their mentor, and recently he was honored by The Pankey Institute for 30 years of teaching and supporting world class dental Read More
The Importance of the Pre-clinical Interview
Having a pre-clinical conversation with every new patient has become a routine part of our new patient experience. This has become an invaluable time that we use to begin the process of developing a relationship with the patient. I choose to do this in a non-clinical setting. We use a consultation room where we sit in a private setting and can discuss Read More
Dental CE That Inspires And Engages
Over my career I have attended quite a few dental CE programs. Many times I go to learn a specific technique or material, or to increase my understanding of practice systems. Some of these experiences are a success because I learn one new thing, but over the years I have realized that I come home from some programs inspired and engaged. My production and Read More
Restoring After Silver Diamine
I recently had a patient with recurrent decay at the margin of two lower molar crowns. We used Silver Diamine fluoride (Advantage Arrest) at the margins to arrest the decay. As predicted the tooth structure turned hard, but also black and the area stayed cavitated. I was then faced with the tough decision when replacing the crown of dropping the margin Read More
Implant Dentistry at 99?
A patient of mine who happens to be 99 years old and still has a full compliment of teeth just had #10 break off below the gum line. He wants an implant restoration. To further complicate the situation, his daughter-in-law called in to tell us to just make him a flipper. Should a 99 year old have an implant? Do we have any obligation to communicate Read More
Pearls Part I
We all have little pearls or tricks that we have either discovered or were introduced to by someone else that we use everyday. Most of the time, we either assume everyone knows about it or nobody else would want to know about it, so we keep it to our selves. Here I have discussed 3 simple pearls that make a huge difference in my practice everyday. If Read More
Digital Bite Splints
Many of us use bite splint therapy as a way to deprogram muscles, confirm a seated joint position, protect teeth and restorations from wear, treat TMD symptoms and engage patients. Most of us fabricate these ourselves in a conventional manner with alginate impressions, analog bite records and cold cure acrylic. Some utilize a lab to fabricate their splints Read More
Best Day Ever
Sometimes the best days in our practices are not the ones where we make the most money or do the most complex dentistry. Sometimes it is changing someones life with fairly simple procedures for "relatively" low cost. Read More