The modern dental office has so many different technologies that are tied together and their interaction works together in a synergistic way.  This is great for the patient and the office.  Going Chartless, email reminders, pre-medication alerts, digital xrays ---all contribute to better care for the patient. In our search for excellence I have found that we can never stop improving. Always being alert to a rapidly changing environment.

Smile. Smile in a mirror.  What do you see?  What are you happy with?  What are you not happy with? As they say in "Nip and Tuck," "What don't you like about yourself?"  Cosmetic Dentistry is as much a thought process as it is a service.

This is not your father's Oldsmobile.  Do you remember that ad campaign?  Well, this is not your father's dentistry.  Dentistry is practiced in a totally different manner today.  In one generation the approach to dental care has changed dramatically...

It is clear that digital x-rays have many advantages and very few (if any) disadvantages, are they rapidly becoming the standard of care?

What goes into the cost of making a dental restoration?  Most of the many steps it takes to do quality care are not ever seen by the patient.  What are those steps and which steps would you remove if the restoration were going into your mouth?

What does it take to have a great smile? Some bleaching, a couple of porcelain veneers, a smile makeover?  How much does it cost?  Does insurance cover cosmetic procedures?

The Journal of Periodontics just had an article that lower oxygenated patients and those that have higher BMI (body mass indexes) are far more likely to have periodontal disease. WARNING: If you are obese, you are at increased risk for more than you already knew about.

I am almost finished with my own Invisalign that I started three months ago.  My lower incisors are now straight, I have a better bite and the slight spaces that I had between some of my top teeth are gone.  My enthusiasm for this technology has remained high.

The practice of dentistry combines medicine, science and art. The practice of cosmetic dentistry combine medicine, science and art, but brings that art to a higher level.  The pursuit of excellence in anything is a worthy goal.  The pursuit of excellence in dentistry is not only a worthy goal, but is a goal that has many facets that all draw upon each other.  The comfort of the patient, the 'science' of the material, the health of the tooth, the cosmetic aspects of the restoration, the bite, the gum all enter into that pursuit of excellence.

Driving to the office this morning, my thoughts went to the brave men and women that protect us every day.  It is Memorial Day weekend and the steaks, burgers and franks will be on the grill.  Let's not forget to pay tribute to the people that have sacrificed for us.