How does a dentist stay up to date?

Dentists stay current By reading dental journals, by practicing dentistry,participating in study clubs and through attending continuing education courses. In New York State it is mandated that dentists must have 45 hours of continuing education every time they renew their licence(every 3 years) Every year around Thanksgiving the Greater New York Dental Convention is held and many courses are offered for dentists to attend. This year I am taking a course on Invisalign certification part two. Also at the convention booths are set up by various vendors to display the latest technology.

Sometimes the Simplest Dentistry is the Best?

We've all heard the expression 'Less is More' and sometimes it applies to dentistry. The best dentistry is dentistry not needed. Clearly, A healthy mouth and healthy teeth should be the ultimate goal of every dentist caring for a patient. Oral health can best be accomplished simply by a combination of good patient homecare, diet, and maintenance of a proper recall schedule. At recall appointments the dentist and hygienist must be observant and pick up small problems before they become bigger. If a particular area of the mouth is displaying inflammation, then it should be noted and the patient encouraged to clean that area better. Sometimes the patient has to be 'coached' on his or her tooth brushing technique. This is accomplished by having a patient demonstrate the technique that they use and the hygienist or dentist can suggest technique improvements. Sometimes a simple change of toothbrush can help. It is not enough to just say "do a better job".
Although Dentists and hygienists must hone their skills in performing clinical procedures, sometimes the easiest problems to fix are the most important. Prevention and small easy to do repairs are the key to maintaining a healthy mouth and preventiing tooth loss. It really is true that "A stitch in time save nine". Often times it is worth the extra time spent looking for hard to find problems during a dental exam, since small problems that are easiest to correct are often the hardest to find. It is not hard to detect a large cavity on a patients radiographs, but it actually can be difficult picking up small cavities, as they are just starting, beause they can be hard to see.

Although all dental professionals pay lip service to prevention and preventive dentistry, sometimes not enough effort is made in actual clinical practice. Probably it is not surprising, but when I taught preventive dentistry, it seemed that dental students were far more motivated with learning about how to make crowns or perform periodontal surgery than they were in Preventive Dentistry. It seems that it is human nature that health care providers are interested in perfecting skills that will make them money and often the simplest and easiest to master skills are not learned or given the emphasis that they deserve.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

There are several reasons why people need root canals. Root canals are recommended if the pulp tissue inside the nerve is necrotic or if the patient has pain and sensitivity to hot or cold that can't be alleviated by any other means. If the pulp tissue(the nerve,the blood supply,tooth cells and connective tissue) inside a tooth dies(loses it's blood supply) then the contents must be removed and disinfected. Another indication for root canal could be if a tooth's pulp tissue is exposed because decay is in contact wtih the pulp. When cleaning out the cavity if the pulp is exposed then dentists often recommend that the tooth undergo root canal treatment. Exposed pulps usually do not heal and will eventually become infected if not removed. Still another reason that root canal therapy is recommended is if a tooth has a pulpitis that won't go away; the tooth may be extremely sensitive to cold and possibly hot. Sometimes, especially with a tooth with a crack in it, crowning it can help limit the sensitivity, but sometimes even after crowning a tooth sensitivity remains. Performing a root canal on the tooth will eliminate the sensitivity. Endodontiic procedures (Root Canal)have a high success rate when properly performed and assuming proper anaesthesia, patient often experience little or no pain while undergoing the procedure.

Do You Accept My Dental Insurance?

Most times when I am asked this question, the person asking me really wants to know whether I am a 'participating' dentist on their dental plan. The only dental plan we participate with is Delta Dental.
We do 'accept dental insurance' and after we often do accept assignment of dental benefits and our patients are only responsible for their portion. If a patient has a PPO plan they can usually come to us and just pay their portion of the bill, the part not payed for by their dental insurance.

What is the Most Cosmetic Material for the Fabrication of Crowns or Porcelain Laminates?

In my opinion feldspathic porcelain is the clear winner. It has been used for natural porcalain restorations for over 80 years and while other materials may be stronger, there is nothing, except possibly bonded composite material that is more cosmetic and natural looking. Bonded composites, while initially more natural looking, don't hold their surface detail and shine the way that porcelain restorations do. When felspathic porcelain is backed and bonded to composite resin is quite strong and restorations designed and placed properly can last for many years. Restorations made with feldspathic porcelain can be highly translucent and handle light in a natural way similar to tooth structure. Although some restorations look good inside, they look unnatural when seen in direct sunlight. Properly made all porcelain restorations look good both in doors and also outside.