"People ask me all the time, what makes your office different? - This is some of what I tell them..."
I am different because every patient's oral and overall health is treated as if it were my own. It starts with the initial appointment where I spend a full hour with each and every patient - to understand their concerns, their point of view, their history, and the direction they want to go with regard to their oral health.
I see one patient at a time. During your appointment, you and you only will be my focus. Likewise, the office runs on time, rarely will any patient wait even five minutes before being seated.
Dentistry today is not what it was 30, 10 or even 5 years ago. Technology, techniques, materials, and sometimes, even the research that backs them, are continually changing. I practice evidence based dentisty. Dentistry that is based on the most current research. I do not subject my patients to "Dental Fads" or marketing gimmicks (Zoom bleaching for example). By being on the cutting edge, my patients recieve the absolute best possible care dentistry has to offer, with the confidence that every procedure, diagnosis, and treatment modality is evidence based. This builds the trust that is the cornerstone of my practice. I am a conservative, proactive diagnostitian. I look at every mouth as if it were my own and ask, "what would I do; what would I want to have done, given..."
I strongly believe that the most important responsibility of being a doctor is the ability to diagnose a condition, and then have the time and knowledge to explain every, and all treatment options. Only when a patient fully understands where they are and what their options are, can they make an informed decision as to where they want to go.
Great results are not accidents! For the benifit of our patients, I use the best materials, the best labs, and the best technologies and techniques. Here are a few examples of why we are different:
1. Comprehensive. I do not believe in treating "teeth" or "gums" or "mouths," I believe in treating people. I truly believe I am the quarterback to the oral health of all my patients. I can only accomplish this if I understand each individuals needs, wants, desires, and as importantly, where each individual has come from and where they hope to go. All treatment plans are custom tailored for each individual. This how I can have recall patients who live in Japan, patients that are receiving Invisalign therapy who live in Seattle, and patients whom I manage tooth sensitivity in South Africa. I am available to my patients by phone and email 24hours a day for anything.
2. Do you know the why and how a procedure is being done? I feel it is very important that each and every patient understands and "sees" what is actually being done and why. That is why a "before" and "after" picture is taken of all procedures. We are proud of our work and we want you to see it!
3. Your time is valuable. Most of our all ceramic crowns and restorations are made in one visit, here in our office, using cutting edge, CAD/CAM technology. Teeth that would otherwise require a full crown and often root canal therapy, and posts and build-ups, can be saved with a single, simple Cerec onlay or inlay restoration. www.cereconline.com
4. Worried about Radiation? Digital radiography allows our patients to receive 1/5th - 1/8th the amount of radiation needed to expose a conventional film, and the image is instantly available!
5. With Invisalign, patients can have their teeth straightened without braces! It is amazing what the difference simply straightening and little whitening can make in ones overall appearance. www.invisalign.com
6. Dental Implants are standard of care. However, the success of them can largely depend on how they are restored. Do you know the difference between a "custom abutment" vs a "pre-fabricated" abutment?
7. "White" restorations or "silver?" Amalgam, composite, ceramic, gold? Removable or fixed? Implants or "Bridges?" How long will it last? I think it is very important for patients to understand all their options with regard to restorative materials, and additionally what is involved and what to expect relative to each.
8. For all anterior cases, "smile make-overs," veneer and crown cases, we will have the laboratory technician come to our office to custom design shape and color with you.
9. Knowing when someone else can do a procedure more accurately and more precise, ultimately resulting in better patient care, better health, and a better result, is a "pride" factor many doctors have difficulty facing. My broad training in the USAF allowed me to study and practice every specialty. However, being a "jack of all trades and master of none" is not in my patients best interest. My simple rule of thumb and philosophy is this - No matter what the situation and without hesitation, I will refer a patient to the best possible specialist or doctor for a given procedure. I refer because I feel that another provider will be able to provide better care for a patient than I for a given procedure. I do not blindly refer, but will take into account each patients needs and wants to match skill and personality. I often advise patients to get second options, especially for larger procedures.
"Our aim must be not merely the meticulous restoration of that which is missing, but also the perpetual preservation of that which remains." (M.M. DeVan, Dentist)