- Published on
As a dentist, do you find you asking yourself, "What's next? Is this all there is?"
You need a new plan to take you where you want to go. Think about where you are going - give it a thought. And then put energy and effort to what your plan will be.
You need a new plan to take you where you want to go. Think about where you are going - give it a thought. And then put energy and effort to what your plan will be.
- Published on
You're probably going to wonder what in the world I'm talking about. There IS a correlation, so let me explain...
- Published on
Making the right, simple, tiny little decisions will greatly improve your life. This is true, whether you're a dentist, or in any other business or profession.
- Published on
Many dentists are taught to preserve primary teeth at all costs.
Well, primary teeth are important. However, they might also be problematic. The primary teeth might be the problem and not the solution. There are ways to identify when primary teeth are problematic and to learn what to do about it.
Well, primary teeth are important. However, they might also be problematic. The primary teeth might be the problem and not the solution. There are ways to identify when primary teeth are problematic and to learn what to do about it.
-advertisement-
ORTHO ARCH COMPANY
The D2 distalizing appliance was developed to simplify treatment of Class II cases during the initial stage of treatment. The patented D2 design treats to a Class I platform by the intra oral elastics forces. Molars are distal rotated into their desired position. Take advantage of early treatment patient cooperation. Brackets can be placed during or after the Class I correction is completed.
- Published on
Do others in your practice community embrace Early Treatment?
How do you perceive Pediatric Dentistry’s attitude toward Early Treatment?
How has membership in the AOS been helpful to you?
What sparked your interest in Early Treatment?
Which educators have influenced you?
Orthodontics is one of the areas of dentistry in which formal residency programs offer the dentist the luxurious opportunity to spend time focused singularly on the area of moving teeth into better positions.
And, like the other specialty areas -- pediatric dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery -- orthodontics is one area in the purview of the generalists, the GP and the pediatric dentist.
The American Orthodontic Society and other organizations have dedicated themselves to providing the same kind of education for the generalist that can be obtained in an orthodontics specialty residency, complete with ongoing continuing educational opportunities to continue to grow and develop mastery in the area.
Pediatric Dentistry residencies are fascinating stand-outs in the specialty areas of dentistry because the pediatric dentist is a generalist, a gate-keeper. The Pediatric Dentist provides comprehensive care to the child patient, just as the General Practitioner does to his patients.
The generalist is licensed to and should provide care in any and all areas of his education and his competence, including preventive and restorative care as well as endodontic, periodontic, surgical, and orthodontic care. Yet the Pediatric Dentist is often reluctant to provide “other-” specialty care, after his experience in his own “specialty” residency.
Somehow the dentist who completes the Pediatric Dental residency often comes to believe that they should provide, and should be comfortable in providing preventive and restorative care, the hallmarks of their residency training, and refer other specialty care.
We have seen the GP dentist who finds himself in a community where his patients need specialty care, often without adequate specialists available, be the lead in educating himself in such specialty care. The GP’s have been our knights in shining armor. The GP’s have looked for - and found - the educational opportunities they need, and brought the resulting competencies to their patients.
The Pediatric specialty community is an amazing resource for the child patients, their parents, and the GP’s, and I am proud of my specialty as its members broaden their interest and involvement in the area of orthodontic and craniofacial orthopedic treatment, bringing in their extraordinary working knowledge of growth and development, child patient management and their successes in transforming lives of these patients.
And, like the other specialty areas -- pediatric dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery -- orthodontics is one area in the purview of the generalists, the GP and the pediatric dentist.
The American Orthodontic Society and other organizations have dedicated themselves to providing the same kind of education for the generalist that can be obtained in an orthodontics specialty residency, complete with ongoing continuing educational opportunities to continue to grow and develop mastery in the area.
Pediatric Dentistry residencies are fascinating stand-outs in the specialty areas of dentistry because the pediatric dentist is a generalist, a gate-keeper. The Pediatric Dentist provides comprehensive care to the child patient, just as the General Practitioner does to his patients.
The generalist is licensed to and should provide care in any and all areas of his education and his competence, including preventive and restorative care as well as endodontic, periodontic, surgical, and orthodontic care. Yet the Pediatric Dentist is often reluctant to provide “other-” specialty care, after his experience in his own “specialty” residency.
Somehow the dentist who completes the Pediatric Dental residency often comes to believe that they should provide, and should be comfortable in providing preventive and restorative care, the hallmarks of their residency training, and refer other specialty care.
We have seen the GP dentist who finds himself in a community where his patients need specialty care, often without adequate specialists available, be the lead in educating himself in such specialty care. The GP’s have been our knights in shining armor. The GP’s have looked for - and found - the educational opportunities they need, and brought the resulting competencies to their patients.
The Pediatric specialty community is an amazing resource for the child patients, their parents, and the GP’s, and I am proud of my specialty as its members broaden their interest and involvement in the area of orthodontic and craniofacial orthopedic treatment, bringing in their extraordinary working knowledge of growth and development, child patient management and their successes in transforming lives of these patients.
From the time I graduated from dental school at the University of Kentucky, I was fascinated by the possibilities of orthodontics for the dental patient. And, following my residency in Pediatrics at U of Connecticut, I was offered a year-long fellowship in the orthodontic department there, by Dr Sam Weinstein.
While at UConn, I learned from Dr Charlie Burstone, Dr Lou Norton, Dr Ravi Nanda. I was still fascinated - and fortunate. Dr Lenny Carapezza was an invited speaker on several occasions, and shared his passion for orthodontics in the practice of pediatric dentistry.
Dr Walter Doyle was the world’s first dual specialist in Pediatric Dentistry (then Pedodontics - Indiana University) and Orthodontics (Boston University), boarded by examination in both specialities. I had the magnificent fortune to join Dr Doyle in his practice.
Educationally, I could not be more privileged. And that is why I am passionate about teaching interested pediatric dentists and GP’s what I have been so fortunate to learn and practice.
We dentists are a funny bunch. The dentists in one’s community often are insulated and unaware - perhaps wary - of their geographically close colleagues. Yet, as we extend out into the world - for me, all over the United States, and to Dubai, UAE and Greece, we find colleagues hungry to learn and practice at a new transformative level. What a privilege and honor it is to share with our colleagues!
While at UConn, I learned from Dr Charlie Burstone, Dr Lou Norton, Dr Ravi Nanda. I was still fascinated - and fortunate. Dr Lenny Carapezza was an invited speaker on several occasions, and shared his passion for orthodontics in the practice of pediatric dentistry.
Dr Walter Doyle was the world’s first dual specialist in Pediatric Dentistry (then Pedodontics - Indiana University) and Orthodontics (Boston University), boarded by examination in both specialities. I had the magnificent fortune to join Dr Doyle in his practice.
Educationally, I could not be more privileged. And that is why I am passionate about teaching interested pediatric dentists and GP’s what I have been so fortunate to learn and practice.
We dentists are a funny bunch. The dentists in one’s community often are insulated and unaware - perhaps wary - of their geographically close colleagues. Yet, as we extend out into the world - for me, all over the United States, and to Dubai, UAE and Greece, we find colleagues hungry to learn and practice at a new transformative level. What a privilege and honor it is to share with our colleagues!
- Published on
By Claude Hammond
Dentists from New York to New Mexico attended the July 13-15 ELEMENTS Orthodontic Finishing course, taught by Dr Chris Baker. The course, which provided 20 hours of ADA CERP continuing education credit, used some of the latest and most effective methods and approaches in orthodontic finishing.
Some of the comments for the course include:
• "...the theme of having the finished case in mind at the beginning was excellent."
• "...clinical results backed up findamentals."
• "Dr Baker is extremely knowledgable. Everything flowed without a hitch."
• "Excellent review of diagnosis and information about new modalities of treatment."
• "Useful information presented in-depth. Well-presented. I will use this in my practice."
• "Not only clinical learning, but a resort-like setting."
• "I am 'wowed' by a completely new presentation with all new information!"
• "I am bringing home a new paradigm of case management."
• "Learned many principles that are essential to orthodontics."
The next ELEMENTS weekend is August 17-19: The Great 'Way Too' Weekend: Practice management techniques for financial independence and career happiness.
Dentists from New York to New Mexico attended the July 13-15 ELEMENTS Orthodontic Finishing course, taught by Dr Chris Baker. The course, which provided 20 hours of ADA CERP continuing education credit, used some of the latest and most effective methods and approaches in orthodontic finishing.
Some of the comments for the course include:
• "...the theme of having the finished case in mind at the beginning was excellent."
• "...clinical results backed up findamentals."
• "Dr Baker is extremely knowledgable. Everything flowed without a hitch."
• "Excellent review of diagnosis and information about new modalities of treatment."
• "Useful information presented in-depth. Well-presented. I will use this in my practice."
• "Not only clinical learning, but a resort-like setting."
• "I am 'wowed' by a completely new presentation with all new information!"
• "I am bringing home a new paradigm of case management."
• "Learned many principles that are essential to orthodontics."
The next ELEMENTS weekend is August 17-19: The Great 'Way Too' Weekend: Practice management techniques for financial independence and career happiness.
- Published on
What is Early Treatment as You Practice It?
Funny how verbiage changes from year-to-year and generation to generation. But I can sincerely say that orthodontic treatment is an awesome option for many patients - and not that many years ago, you might have thought it odd that I would use the word, “awesome” to describe orthodontic treatment.
After all, “awesome” meant something that would induce an overwhelming feeling of awe, like seeing Michelangelo’s ‘David’, carved from one piece of stone, in all its detail, or seeing the immensity of the Grand Canyon.
Today, “awesome” is used to describe things that we like. Orthodontic treatment might be called awesome, when we mean pretty great, OR when we mean it induces true awe in its results.
After all, “awesome” meant something that would induce an overwhelming feeling of awe, like seeing Michelangelo’s ‘David’, carved from one piece of stone, in all its detail, or seeing the immensity of the Grand Canyon.
Today, “awesome” is used to describe things that we like. Orthodontic treatment might be called awesome, when we mean pretty great, OR when we mean it induces true awe in its results.
At what age or stage of development do I recommend Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Another term that has changed is, “Early Treatment.”
Not that many years ago, again, “Early” treatment meant treatment of a nine, or ten-year old patient. Now, “Early” treatment may mean treatment of a twelve-month old Class III patient.
As the evolution has occurred, of orthodontic treatment by generalists, the “gate-keepers” of comprehensive dental care, (including our modern terms, the “GP”, and the “Pediatric Dentist") the meaning of “Early Treatment” has broadened. This has meant a broadening of possibility for the child patient and for his or her parents.
This expansion of treatment possibilities provides opportunity for beauty and lifetime function that can only be called awesome - in every sense of the word. Now, Pediatric Orthodontics brings miraculous and amazing possibility to the child patient and his parents.
Not that many years ago, again, “Early” treatment meant treatment of a nine, or ten-year old patient. Now, “Early” treatment may mean treatment of a twelve-month old Class III patient.
As the evolution has occurred, of orthodontic treatment by generalists, the “gate-keepers” of comprehensive dental care, (including our modern terms, the “GP”, and the “Pediatric Dentist") the meaning of “Early Treatment” has broadened. This has meant a broadening of possibility for the child patient and for his or her parents.
This expansion of treatment possibilities provides opportunity for beauty and lifetime function that can only be called awesome - in every sense of the word. Now, Pediatric Orthodontics brings miraculous and amazing possibility to the child patient and his parents.
What are the benefits of providing Early Orthodontic Treatment?
In pediatric residencies around the country, young doctors learn the term, “FLK”. That is a descriptive acronym, standing for, “Funny Looking Kid.” We can now offer children the opportunity for early esthetic changes that erase the risk of being an “FLK”.
A thumb-sucker who otherwise may suffer from a distorted maxilla and mandible, openbite and protruding tongue can be treated as soon as the two-year molars are erupted, not having to grow up as a FLK and have dental compensation treatment provided in the difficult middle school years.
A Class III infant can be treated at around age 12 months, and avoid being thought of as “tough”, as a “bully”, and not be teased.
A Class II child with severe protrusion can avoid having repetitive trauma to the protrusive incisors, with fractures, and need for root canal treatments, barely after the permanent incisors have erupted at age seven or so, and then future crowns being done and redone.
A child with crowded incisors can have much more stable alignment of those incisors when treatment is begun before the teeth have completely erupted and connective tissues formed to hold them in rotated and unattractive positions.
Can you imagine, less relapse? Can you imagine a child not being teased by other children, “Why do you have so many teeth? They are ugly!”
A thumb-sucker who otherwise may suffer from a distorted maxilla and mandible, openbite and protruding tongue can be treated as soon as the two-year molars are erupted, not having to grow up as a FLK and have dental compensation treatment provided in the difficult middle school years.
A Class III infant can be treated at around age 12 months, and avoid being thought of as “tough”, as a “bully”, and not be teased.
A Class II child with severe protrusion can avoid having repetitive trauma to the protrusive incisors, with fractures, and need for root canal treatments, barely after the permanent incisors have erupted at age seven or so, and then future crowns being done and redone.
A child with crowded incisors can have much more stable alignment of those incisors when treatment is begun before the teeth have completely erupted and connective tissues formed to hold them in rotated and unattractive positions.
Can you imagine, less relapse? Can you imagine a child not being teased by other children, “Why do you have so many teeth? They are ugly!”
Traditional orthodontics at age 11 - 13 is “Late” treatment.
Most any child with adverse growth - growth that is off the normal - can benefit immensely from treatment to direct and redirect growth toward the normal. And, many children and their parents can rejoice in “Phase I and done” - orthodontic treatment in the mixed dentition, when the permanent incisors and molars have erupted. The bite can be corrected, the tooth alignment can be made beautiful, and the space can be created in the upper and lower jaws to allow the remaining teeth to erupt without problems. Phase I and done can happen with a knowledgeable pediatric orthodontist, in more than 50 percent of children.
There are children who will need a second phase of treatment because of severely ectopic - out-of-place - erupting teeth, or because of adversities like tongue position, severe trauma, extra teeth or missing teeth. For those children, the Phase I treatment will reduce the length and complexity of Phase II treatment, will reduce the need for permanent teeth extractions, and will improve the view the child has of himself - and the view others - peers, teachers, coaches, and other parents - have of the child.
The Phase I treatment will reduce the need and risk of need for surgeries later. Phase I treatment provides more stability, and less need for compensation - moving teeth around to hide the FLK face. The Phase I treatment will reduce the need for the child to adapt to less-than-ideal growth, less-than-ideal bites, and less-than-ideal esthetics.
There are children who will need a second phase of treatment because of severely ectopic - out-of-place - erupting teeth, or because of adversities like tongue position, severe trauma, extra teeth or missing teeth. For those children, the Phase I treatment will reduce the length and complexity of Phase II treatment, will reduce the need for permanent teeth extractions, and will improve the view the child has of himself - and the view others - peers, teachers, coaches, and other parents - have of the child.
The Phase I treatment will reduce the need and risk of need for surgeries later. Phase I treatment provides more stability, and less need for compensation - moving teeth around to hide the FLK face. The Phase I treatment will reduce the need for the child to adapt to less-than-ideal growth, less-than-ideal bites, and less-than-ideal esthetics.
What would you say to a Pediatric Dentist who is reluctant to do Early Orthodontic Treatment?
While we are considering terms and the changing meanings of terms, let us consider that “Early” treatment is NOT a great term, as it may imply, “too early.”
Traditional orthodontics at age 11 - 13 is “Late” treatment.
Yet, let us not label "Late" treatment as negative, either. Let us expand our views of orthodontic and orthopedic treatment to celebrate Interception Orthodontics (iOrtho™) which transforms smiles and lives as early as possible.
Interception Orthodontics is available and prudent as early as possible, and feasible. Let us give our child patients a beautiful self-view, give their parents the most beautiful children, make it easier for the patient and parent because the younger a child, the better the compliance. Let us reduce the need for permanent teeth extractions and surgeries, provide more stability, have growth follow our treatment as guide, and help our patients need less compensation and less adaptation. And, let us create healthy occlusions for lifetimes.
Traditional orthodontics at age 11 - 13 is “Late” treatment.
Yet, let us not label "Late" treatment as negative, either. Let us expand our views of orthodontic and orthopedic treatment to celebrate Interception Orthodontics (iOrtho™) which transforms smiles and lives as early as possible.
Interception Orthodontics is available and prudent as early as possible, and feasible. Let us give our child patients a beautiful self-view, give their parents the most beautiful children, make it easier for the patient and parent because the younger a child, the better the compliance. Let us reduce the need for permanent teeth extractions and surgeries, provide more stability, have growth follow our treatment as guide, and help our patients need less compensation and less adaptation. And, let us create healthy occlusions for lifetimes.
What Early Treatment protocols do you routinely use?
Bottom line - treat as early as it is possible -and feasible - to redirect and harness growth, to provide child patients a beautiful self-view, provide their parents the most beautiful children, make it easier for the patient and parent through the compliance of the young child, to reduce the need for permanent teeth extractions, for surgeries, and for compensation treatments, to provide more stability and the healthiest occlusions possible for lifetimes.
- Published on
Here are some vital tips for creating the 'Secret Sauce' that creates success in pediatric dental and orthodontic practices. This is what to do...
- Published on
There is a certain 'secret sauce' in each successful dental practice. For the dentist to be successful in life and career, and to experience happiness along the way, generous portions of this 'sauce' need to be applied on a daily basis.
- Published on
As a young reader, I was inspired by the heroics of brave and smart girls in fiction, like Nancy Drew and nurse Sherry Ames. This helped put me on the path to nursing, dentistry and orthodontics.
