The Digital Age
By Eric Seidel, DMD
It only seems like yesterday that we began scanning patients instead of using the traditional methods of impression taking. As we are all too aware, time goes so quickly and in reality what seems like yesterday is really closer to several years ago. As I have written before, dentistry is an ever evolving profession that can offer so many more technologies and improvements even compared to a few short years ago. Digital photography, digital X-rays, digital scanning for Invisalign, crowns and bridges, partials and in the near future full dentures are just a few examples. Additionally, virtual treatment planning, case presentation and Velscope oral cancer screenings are also important new addition to the digital age. It is important not just to jump on the latest trends because they are new. However, once technologies are proven to provide an equal or better result in a more comfortable or efficient manner then it is imperative that we embrace these technologies and integrate them into our practices.
Digital dentistry is not a fad or passing trend, it is the future of dentistry. Once embraced, learned and mastered it is truly transformational. A survey was done by a marketing company asking patients if they would be willing to pay more for a service if it could be done as well or better than before but in less time and more comfortably. The overwhelming response was yes. This is in stark contrast to what many inherently believe. The thought that something must be perceived as difficult, labor intensive and take a certain amount of time to have value. Apple Corporation understood this fallacy. True genius and ingenuity is not making something more complex but in make the complex more simplified. Making something that was difficult feel and appear easier. Although we don't charge any differently, using technology makes our day more fun and exciting. It is a win-win for patient and clinician alike.
Dentistry is not what it was even a few years ago. It will continue to improve and provide a nicer patient experience with improved techniques, technologies and materials. Don't let what you used to know about dentistry hold you back from experiencing where we are today......you may just be impressed!
Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is co-owner and general dentist at Gettysburg Dental Associates and an Invisalign Premier Provider.
Gettysburg Dental Associates
Eric Seidel, DMD | Cleveland Null, DDS
www.GettysburgDentalAssociates.com
Just Kids at Gettysburg Dental Associates
Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS | Kristin Russo, DMD
www.JustKidsGettysburg.com
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 334-8193
Fax: (717) 334-0884
www.gettysburgfamilysmiles.com
Showing posts with label Invisalign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Invisalign. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
Friday, 26 June 2015
Occlusion: What's the big deal?!
Occlusion: What's the big deal?!
By Eric Seidel, DMD
The term occlusion is used widely in dentistry. There are differing schools of thought on how to achieve it, what is ideal and why it is the essence of quality dentistry. There is one thing everyone agrees on: if occlusion is ignored if can cause the breakdown of the teeth, gums, bone, TMJ and even the failure of restorations and crowns that we use to protect teeth.
What is occlusion? Essentially, it is how our teeth come together. Malocclusion, or a "bad bite", is when this relationship is flawed and often destructive. The importance of trying to achieve an ideal bite is often ignored as it is easier to look at the mouth as a tooth by tooth system and discuss where a filling is needed here or a crown there, rather than spending the time to evaluate the entire bite system and create a plan that will correct the malocclusion that plagues so many people. One of the first things we do during a new patient or emergency examination is to evaluate the bite. It gives us an instant understanding of what the individual is facing when trying to become dentally healthy. After their initial emergency or chief concern is addressed, we always revisit the topic of occlusion and what we have available to be able to improve our patient's short and long term dental health. These can include equilibration, or readjustment of the existing bite to get both sides to meet more equally, especially during function. Nightguards are a good idea for anyone that shows signs of bruxing (grinding) or clenching and helps offset the damage that can occur to the teeth and gums while sleeping. Amazingly, most patients are unaware of their bruxism but the signs are very easy to recognize and hard to ignore. Invisalign or braces are an even better way to create ideal occlusion. Through an uprighting and repositioning of the teeth we can get them to function the way they were intended. This improves the health of the mouth during function and during rest. However, if a person is a bruxer a nightguard or retainer is still required at the end of treatment.
Choosing to do nothing results in recession, bone loss and broken or cracked teeth, fillings and crowns. TMJ issues can also result from poor occlusion. Whenever a restoration (filling or crown) fails the first thing that should be evaluated before redoing it is what caused it to fail in the first place. Most often is isn't the bagel they bit into or the gum they were chewing. These were simply the "straws that broke the camel's back". The fillings or crowns were weakened from a repeatedly destructive bite and simply broken during very routine use. Dental materials have improved greatly and are also rarely the problem if placed properly and used for their intended applications. It is important to learn from history and decipher what is the root cause of any failure. Much can be learned from these moments if the proper tests and time are taken.
I should have entitled this article "Occlusion: The Biggest Deal". I would encourage you to have your bite evaluated and see the advances that modern dentistry can provide for your long term dental health. You will be pleasantly surprised how simply, easily and painlessly we can make a profound difference in your dental health.
Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is a general dentist at Drs. Null, Seidel and Dental Associates and an Invisalign preferred provider.
The term occlusion is used widely in dentistry. There are differing schools of thought on how to achieve it, what is ideal and why it is the essence of quality dentistry. There is one thing everyone agrees on: if occlusion is ignored if can cause the breakdown of the teeth, gums, bone, TMJ and even the failure of restorations and crowns that we use to protect teeth.
What is occlusion? Essentially, it is how our teeth come together. Malocclusion, or a "bad bite", is when this relationship is flawed and often destructive. The importance of trying to achieve an ideal bite is often ignored as it is easier to look at the mouth as a tooth by tooth system and discuss where a filling is needed here or a crown there, rather than spending the time to evaluate the entire bite system and create a plan that will correct the malocclusion that plagues so many people. One of the first things we do during a new patient or emergency examination is to evaluate the bite. It gives us an instant understanding of what the individual is facing when trying to become dentally healthy. After their initial emergency or chief concern is addressed, we always revisit the topic of occlusion and what we have available to be able to improve our patient's short and long term dental health. These can include equilibration, or readjustment of the existing bite to get both sides to meet more equally, especially during function. Nightguards are a good idea for anyone that shows signs of bruxing (grinding) or clenching and helps offset the damage that can occur to the teeth and gums while sleeping. Amazingly, most patients are unaware of their bruxism but the signs are very easy to recognize and hard to ignore. Invisalign or braces are an even better way to create ideal occlusion. Through an uprighting and repositioning of the teeth we can get them to function the way they were intended. This improves the health of the mouth during function and during rest. However, if a person is a bruxer a nightguard or retainer is still required at the end of treatment.
Choosing to do nothing results in recession, bone loss and broken or cracked teeth, fillings and crowns. TMJ issues can also result from poor occlusion. Whenever a restoration (filling or crown) fails the first thing that should be evaluated before redoing it is what caused it to fail in the first place. Most often is isn't the bagel they bit into or the gum they were chewing. These were simply the "straws that broke the camel's back". The fillings or crowns were weakened from a repeatedly destructive bite and simply broken during very routine use. Dental materials have improved greatly and are also rarely the problem if placed properly and used for their intended applications. It is important to learn from history and decipher what is the root cause of any failure. Much can be learned from these moments if the proper tests and time are taken.
I should have entitled this article "Occlusion: The Biggest Deal". I would encourage you to have your bite evaluated and see the advances that modern dentistry can provide for your long term dental health. You will be pleasantly surprised how simply, easily and painlessly we can make a profound difference in your dental health.
Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is a general dentist at Drs. Null, Seidel and Dental Associates and an Invisalign preferred provider.
Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Invisalign Dentists Gettysburg PA
Clear Dental Braces - Invisalign
We are excited to be able to provide our patients with Invisalign™ invisible aligners. These innovative orthodontics mean many patients can have straight teeth in as few as 9–15 months! If you have overcrowding, widely spaced teeth, overbite, underbite, or crossbite, these solutions may be for you.
Instead of wires and brackets that need frequent adjustments, with this technique, we change the clear custom-made aligners approximately every two weeks. This reduces your time in the chair getting adjustments. Invisalign gently moves your teeth into a straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. No braces, wires, or headgear are required! This means no mouth irritation, and even better, no one will know you’re straightening your teeth because — it’s invisible! The clear aligners are easily removable so you can not only eat and drink what you want while in treatment, brushing and flossing are no problem!
Join the vast number of patients who have already discovered the joy of straightened
teeth — invisibly!
Are you a candidate for Invisalign? Find out for free! Call for a no cost/no obligation consultation at (717) 334-8193.
Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193
We are excited to be able to provide our patients with Invisalign™ invisible aligners. These innovative orthodontics mean many patients can have straight teeth in as few as 9–15 months! If you have overcrowding, widely spaced teeth, overbite, underbite, or crossbite, these solutions may be for you.
Instead of wires and brackets that need frequent adjustments, with this technique, we change the clear custom-made aligners approximately every two weeks. This reduces your time in the chair getting adjustments. Invisalign gently moves your teeth into a straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. No braces, wires, or headgear are required! This means no mouth irritation, and even better, no one will know you’re straightening your teeth because — it’s invisible! The clear aligners are easily removable so you can not only eat and drink what you want while in treatment, brushing and flossing are no problem!
Join the vast number of patients who have already discovered the joy of straightened
teeth — invisibly!
Are you a candidate for Invisalign? Find out for free! Call for a no cost/no obligation consultation at (717) 334-8193.
Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193
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