READING COSMETIC DENTISTRY

An inside interview with LocateADoc.com

Describe the most rewarding experience that you have had working with a patient?
It's impossible for me to identify my most rewarding experience, as there are many patients of whom I have very fond memories. I can perhaps narrow the question down by looking at it from different perspectives. The patient who taught me a wonderful lesson about life & the other, whose treatment was to have been only a short term fix. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to place implants in a 95 year old gentleman of Italian decent. As we talked, I mentioned how I've recommended implants to people who were in there 50's & 60's, only to be told they were too old. I asked, "Why is it at 95 you want to have implants?" He replied, "I always lived my life to the fullest & enjoyed everything possible. Now, at my age, there aren't many things I can do; but I've always enjoyed fine food & wine. That was possible until I got these upper dentures. Food & wine just don't taste the same. That's why I want implants." After our discussion, I made a conscious decision not to take things for granted, & enjoy as he said, everything to the fullest. The other most rewarding experience was a school teacher who never smiled, due to untreated severe periodontal disease. Her teeth were hopeless; but emotionally, she was unable to accept losing them. To improve her smile, minimal periodontal therapy and cosmetic dentistry were accomplished as a short term fix. Cosmetic bonding was accomplished in one day.(See Case 7 for photos) She now had time to emotionally prepare for loss of her teeth and replacement with implants. She was so happy that day,she cried. She was excited to be able to walk into her third grade classroom and smile; because she couldn't wait to hear the comments from her children. Unfortunately, what we hoped would be a short term fix turned out to be permanent. She was diagnosed with lung cancer which had spread to her brain. Several months after she died, her daughter stopped by to say thank you for her mother. She relayed that her mother's smile makeover was the bright spot during the last year of her life.

In a perfect world, when would you like to retire, where would you go and what would you do?
In a perfect world, I already do what I love. My profession is exciting and allows me the opportunity to be creative and leading edge, which for me is very fulfilling. I have never had any thoughts or dreams of retiring to do something else.