Winter Wonderland & Biophosphonates

I just returned from a great ski trip in Breckenridge, CO.  The twenty – two dentists that went included five alumni from my University pf Pennsylvania dental school class (class of 81).  That was more than typically  attend our yearly alumni reunions. We were very lucky – 11 inches of snow fell the first night we were there and the town of Breckenridge was putting on its annual ice sculpture contest!

As is typical of these outings we combine some continuing education.  This year’s speaker was John Tillner D.D.S.  and the topic was Biophosphonates.  Biophosphonates are drugs typically prescribed to increase bone density.  In a very small percentage of patients this can cause poor healing following mouth surgery.  If you are a patient on these medications, our office will discuss the risks and benefits  with you and your physician if surgery is required.

After spending three days and nights in weather ranging from -37 degrees (wind chill on top of the mountain) to 18 degrees, I really do appreciate our Southern California ideal weather!

The Chic-Flic

The Chic-Flic is a combination lip plumper and teeth whitener – available in a compact case with a mirror and light.  We had some fun in our office doing a  little plumping.  Can you guess who belongs to these lips?  Both are post – plumped dental assistants. Stop by our office and sample the lip plumper.

                                                       

Happy New Year!

       From our families to yours:   Have a great 2012!

Happy Holidays!

The holiday season has started.  I say this every year but it seems like just a few months ago we were packing up our decorations and preparing for the cruel Southern California winter (just kidding).  I would like to take this opportunity to thank  my great staff: hygienists Brenda, Mai and Chau; assistants Stephanie, Ashley, Sol and Cathy; and front office managers Yvonne and Lori.  They all work very hard to facilitate the provision of quality dentistry to our valued patients. I would also like to extend my gratitude to these valued patients.  I am humbled by your trust, friendship and kind words. Thank you for allowing me to treat your families and friends.

From my family to yours:  Have a safe and fun holiday season!

Dental Assistant Extraordinaire

  I would like to dedicate this blog to Sol Lacson, my Registered Dental Assistant for the last twenty or so years.  Sol was a practicing dentist in the Philippines  and achieved great results with limited materials and equipment.  How do I know this?  The proof can be found in the mouths of her three children!  Mom’s dental work was just recently replaced - bonded fillings that had lasted over twenty – five years!  I hope my current dental work will last as long.  Her knowledge and intense interest in everything dental has served me well over the years.

Sol is a proud grandmother to six (and counting) children and a devoted wife and mother.  She is winding down her work commitments but doesn’t hesitate to come to the office and help out when needed.  Our patients  and I will miss her everyday presence, her kind and gentle demeanor, and her valuable dental skills.   Over the years  Sol has been more like a colleague than an employee. Join me in wishing Sol a long, happy and healthy retirement .  Thank you Sol.

Autumn in Princeton

I just returned from visiting my son at college for freshmen parent weekend. My son is doing well trying to juggle an extensive swim practice schedule with academics and social activities. His main emphasis when he was with me was on eating and napping, but he did find the time to give me a great tour of the campus.
We were very lucky. The season is changing and the colors are amazing. Living in California for the last thirty years, I forgot just how nice it was to witness such dramatic changes in nature.
In a month or so, winter will set in and he will be fighting the cold and snow trying to ride his bicycle to practice and class. During those times he may think back to the three days in October when nature cooperated and displayed its majesty.

Having Fun @ the Dentist

     Yes, dentistry can be fun!  In previous blogs I have written about the many new innovations that we have incorporated in our daily practice of dentistry.  Sonic  cosmetic fillings,  the Isolite mouth system, Zirconium crowns, multi media flat screen entertainment and educational programs, digital x-rays, Invisalign teeth straightening, dazzling teeth whitening, implants, veneers, lasers - the list goes on and on. Our dental procedures are quicker, prettier and last longer. I am excited about the upcoming American Dental Association meeting. This meeting will showcase the next great dental products.   It is a great time to be a dentist  (and a dental patient).

Summer Fun and College Woes

       My family and I just returned from our vacation in Maui.  My son is starting college next week and this could very well be our  last vacation together as a family.  Everyone says that time passes quickly so cherish every moment with your children.  They are correct.  I will miss the baseball catches, tennis matches, swim meets, soccer tournaments, driving lessons, family dinners, and vacations.   I will miss those moments of enlightenment, when the imparting of knowledge makes you feel proud to be a dad.  I sadly  will also regret the times I could not be there for my son.  Work and educational requirements sometimes forced me to forego a sporting event or a special school function.  I am not the first to say this but if you have children, you will never obsess over attending too many functions for your kids but you will regret the few that you do miss.  I will try to do better with my daughter’s remaining years in our household.  Enjoy the time you have with your respective families.  Aloha

Amazing Sonic Dentistry

In the dental field we have been using instruments that vibrate at the speed of sound for a long time.  Most of you have had the dental hygienist scale the hard deposits off your teeth with an ultrasonic scaler (you know, the vibrating instrument that shoots water all over your face!).   Recently, we started incorporating sonic instruments to really clean the canals in teeth during root canal therapy. Now we have a sonic instrument to facilitate the placement of white fillings on back teeth.  This will revolutionize the way dentists restore teeth.  At the present, most dentists fill these teeth in many layers, curing the material one layer at a time. This is done to compensate for the shrinkage of the material as it is cured and to insure that the light that sets up the material reaches the deepest parts.  It is a very  time-consuming protocol, usually requiring 30 -40 seconds per increment.  Also, when layering the material it is very difficult to avoid getting little voids between the layers.

SONICS TO THE RESCUE!

We now have an instrument that vibrates the white filling material at the speed of sound and converts the thick resin into a flowable state that can easily fill the entire cavity at one time. Once the machine stops, the resin turns back into a more viscous form that can  be shaped and carved by the dentist into a beautiful representation of the original unblemished tooth.  The special material also includes more photo-initiators to allow the whole restoration to be cured at once.

Everyone benefits from this new technology.  Sonic assisted fillings are better (less voids) and faster.

Dr. David J. Hauss, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry:  www.drhauss.com

Summer

I wish all my patients, present and future, a great, relaxing, and stimulating summer.  Although I have to keep reminding myself, there is more to life than just teeth.  My family will be busy this summer getting my son ready to start college.  He will be attending Princeton University where he will compete on their swim team and study engineering (no interest in dentistry at this point).

There is a new piece of dental technology that I will be trying out in the next month. My blog would not be complete unless I mentioned some aspect of dentistry! Kerr Dental  has come up with a way to bulk fill white fillings.  The material is sonically vibrated into the cavity which allows the restoration to be placed, without voids, in one application. This will improve the fit and reduce the time to place.  Better and faster – who can argue with that?

Enjoy your summer.