I was listening to the radio on the way home from work the other day and heard an advertisement for a dental office. The ad stated that they were specialists in cosmetic dentistry and implants and that they are the “premier” dental office in the area.
There is no recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry or implants. Therefore, claiming that you are a specialist for either of these two areas is both illegal and unethical. While it is not illegal to say that you are the “premier” office, it too is unethical for advertising in dentistry.
While I have no problem with legal and ethical advertising in dentistry, what concerns me is over-advertising. The… (Read More)
Ethics in Advertising
April 2, 2012
Bridge vs. Implant
December 28, 2011
Over the past few weeks I have had numerous new and existing patients who have had the need to replace single and multiple teeth. Based on the conversations I have had with these patients, there seems to be some common misconceptions about replacing teeth. I would like to share my thought process that I communicate with patients when they are forced to decide between different treatment rationales.
Let me start by using an example of a new patient I had in yesterday. The patient presented with the chief complaint of pain. The diagnosis was an infection of a previously root canal treated tooth which was deemed non-restorable. The only treatment was extraction. The teeth… (Read More)
The Patching Theory
July 20, 2011
I would like to discuss some situations I have had over the past week with a few new patients. The common theme with these patients was the idea of “patching” things vs. treating for predictable long-term success.
There are many different ways to “successfully” practice dentistry. Success as defined by Webster’s is, “a favorable or satisfactory outcome or result.” Success can also be short-term or long-term. In dentistry, short-term success can be anything from a day to a few years. If you have a front tooth break and the dentist fixes it but it breaks a week later, it was successful for a week. The patient usually doesn’t look at it as being successful… (Read More)
Facts You Should Know – Part 2
December 16, 2010
This week is a continuation from last week’s column on facts you should know if you are having any dental work done other than a simple filling.
STAINS and COLOR CHANGES: All dental restorative materials can stain. The amount of stain generally depends on oral hygiene as well as the consumption of coffee, tea, tobacco, and some types of foods or medicines. Dental porcelain usually stains less than natural tooth enamel, and the stain can be removed at dental hygiene cleaning appointments. Natural teeth tend to darken with time more-so than porcelain crowns. At the time a new dental porcelain crown or fixed bridge is placed, it may be an excellent color match with… (Read More)