Letters To the Publisher

Dear Howard,
My partner and I are strongly considering the purchase of a CEREC III however, we are not sure just how effective it will be in a busy office. My partner has been in practice for 12 years, and I have been practicing for just over a year, so my schedule at present is a little more flexible. Our office is in a fairly affluent area where most people put a premium on good esthetic care. Any thoughts on implementing a CEREC for maximum utilization? Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Dr. D. Beninato

Greetings Dr. D.,
Buying a CEREC is like buying a Steinway & Sons piano. Someone will have to learn how to play the CEREC machine. The CEREC is simply as good as its user. I have seen people work the CEREC like Beethoven. I would first recommend that you find a piano teacher and then go observe them in their own office.

I first flew to Detroit and watched Mark Morin, one of the first dentists in the U.S. to use the CEREC in action. Even Rella Christensen made the pilgrimage to Mark’s office. I later had Mark Morin and Doug Voiers (also an extremely experienced CEREC trainer) come to our Today's Dental family practice in Phoenix and train the entire staff. I would find a CEREC III mentor, get trained in advance, and then, and only then will you know what you are getting into.

Since I lecture most weekends I can tell you from the field that every seminar I give has a CEREC III user who just totally loves it and wouldn't trade it in for the world. In the same room another dentist tells me the CEREC III reminds him of the time he bought an electric guitar when he was 12, yet never spent the time to learn how to play it. You have to be committed to learning this exciting technology. If you master the CEREC , you can do just about anything with it. I know, I've seen a few of the masters! I'll attach some of their contact info for you to get in touch. Also, please consider sending some of the ‘masters’ this email for their input. Also you could log onto the message boards at www.dentaltown.com where we have set up a CEREC forum that has over 211 postings in 35 different CEREC Opics.

Here is the contact information:
Mark Morin DDS
Office: 248-828-9989
Email: drmorin@earthlink.net

Douglas Voiers DDS
Office: 440-933-3270
Email: dwdds@earthlink.com
Website: www.drvoiers.com

Carl Boscketti DDS
Office: 603-772-3351
Email: boscketti@aol.com

Richard T. Masek DDS
Office: 619-464-4142
Email: smiledr@mysmile.com
Website:mysmile.com/cerec2

I hope this all helps! I know it is a huge decision!
Howard

Dear Howard, I just read your Howard Speaks article in the most recent DentalTown Magazine. Your statement that when someone refers to cosmetic dentistry, you immediately think ortho and bleaching is so true. Rarely do I hear that someone promotes a conservative approach toward dentistry that is so right-on. I enjoy doing veneers and the results I get as much as anyone, but I really encourage people to consider ortho and bleaching first.

Once a tooth is cut, it forever becomes a series of increasingly larger preparations and increases the chance for endo. Sure it looks great now, but if the same result can be achieved through ortho and bleaching, DON’T CUT THE TOOTH! Inform the patient that in 10-20 years, all those beautiful veneers will need to be redone or patched to some degree or another.

Our old dental instructors seemed a little behind to us naive dental students when they stressed the sanctity of enamel (within reason), but when I see margins of older veneers (mine and others) chipping, re-decaying, staining, etc. I really can see the logic behind the sanctity of enamel.

I have a small practice, see 5-10 patients daily with 2 cross-trained RDA’s and I do all my own hygiene. That is the way I like it. I get to spend 30 minutes with every patient two or more times each year and we have terrific relationships. I wouldn’t put my friends (patients) in the position that I have unjustly cut down their teeth when there is a better, more conservative and longer (lifetime, instead of 10-20 years) alternative.

God bless you. Keep your prayers for all those affected by the recent terrorist events. God bless America.
David Roholt, DDS

Dear David,
As shock and outrage resulting from the unconscionable terrorists attacks wane, many no longer eligible to fight in Americas military must be asking themselves, “What can I do to help my nation in this time of need?” Tears of compassion and displays of flags are appropriate. Certainly donate blood and send money, but my response to said query would be to advise all patriots to live their lives fully. In this time of national crisis, be the best person, best dentist, best citizen your talents allow. Thankfully it has been many years since American’s have been called upon to defend our nation, but we can never forget that freedom has perpetually demanded a price of vigilance, courage and sacrifice to maintain. Our time to pay that price has come, and loyal Americans must embrace this opportunity. If citizens quit traveling, quit investing, quit spending in our timidity, we allow the forces of evil to compound their terrible, bloody victory.
Howard