for the Protection of Posterior Teeth PHD Employs Minimally Invasive Dentistry...
Dr. William Schlotz and Associates at PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry are one of a very few St. Louis area dental offices that believe in, and practice, Minimally Invasive Dentistry according to the principles of the WORLD CONGRESS OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE DENTISTRY in California.
A very good example of this treatment philosophy is the treatment of posterior fractured teeth. At PHD, we employ a treatment technique called an ONLAY to protect fractured teeth in the back of the mouth. Onlays are a tooth-sparing, conservative approach to treat a weakened or fractured tooth.
In contrast, most dental offices in St. Louis, even today in 2010 still use CROWNS as their old reliable treatment approach. Crowns are a more aggressive (read: more tooth is cut down) treatment method for saving a weakened posterior tooth.
For Reasoning as to Why Dentists STILL Do Crowns... Click Here...
For an Understanding of What National Experts Have to Say about Crowns v Onlays .... Click Here
What Exactly is an Onlay?
An Onlay is a tooth-sparing, minimally invasive method of protecting a fractured or weakened posterior tooth. It is a state-of-the-art treatment choice employing minimally invasive, conservative dentistry technique and materials...
The Dentist, during a Conservative Onlay preparation, removes only the weak, fracture-prone TOP portion of the tooth – leaving the remaining underlying stronger aspects of the tooth untouched and, thus, more healthy.
"During a Crown procedure ... the DDS will Cut the enamel
on all 4 walls of the tooth all the way to the gum line,
only to then glue a "cap" on the tooth with cement....All this in the name of protection! "
A Crown Procedure can lead to unnecessary trauma to the tooth leading, possibly, to Root Canal Treatment down the road (in 5-15% of cases). The not-so-virtuous cycle of seemingly never ending dentistry might have just begun! An Onlay, on the other hand, involves more judicious & selective tooth removal combined with a tooth strengthening bonding process.
Think of a Crown as a “Cap” extending down & covering the whole tooth;
Think of an Onlay as a “Beret” covering just the weak, top portion of the tooth;
Think Twice before allowing your tooth to be victimized by overly-aggressive Drilling.
We believe ONLAY treatment to be the best dentistry that we can offer to our patients to repair fractured or weakened teeth. We firmly believe this to Best Dentistry Treatment in 2010.
INFORMED CONSENT...
At PHD, we believe in a proper informed consent, including multiple treatment choices. However, sadly, the overwhelming majority of dental offices offer Crowns as the only treatment choice when a tooth is fractured or is very weak. We will offer Onlays as a treatment choice, along with, Crowns -- and we will list the benefits and the risks of each. You then will be informed properly ... and properly equipped to select what makes sense for you.
The above is NOT stated in a manner exhibiting superiority over other Dentists or their chosen method of practice in any way what-so-ever. This would not be ethical. There are many fine dentists in the St. Louis area who don't believe, for whatever reason, in the philosophy stated above. These, likely, are highly competent practitioners who have just chosen to practice dentistry in a different manner from which we believe. This is the nature of a free marketplace of healthcare services.
The above is an endeavor, attempt and effort toward Patient Education ... in order to enhance the knowledge base of the general population and of prospective dental patients in particular. We firmly believe in Patient Education at PHD -- and, consequently, in a thorough process of INFORMED CONSENT.
*Standard Disclaimer and Patient Information per: Missouri State Board Regulations as pertaining to Teeth Whitening, Cosmetic, Sedation & Implant Dentistry...
All are non-specialty interest areas that require no specific educational training to advertise. Drs. Schlotz and Von Rump are GENERAL DENTISTS and are engaged in the practice of GENERAL DENTISTRY in the State Of Missouri. Thus, they are NOT licensed in the specialties of prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics or oral-maxillofacial surgery.
TMJ Treatment is a non-specialty area not recognized by the ADA and requires no specific educational training to advertise.
*Standard Disclaimer and Patient Information Regarding Oral Sedation and Dentistry performed under General Anesthesia (commonly referred to as Sleep Dentistry)
Conscious Sedation is taught as part of post graduate residency programs approved by the ADA. Dr. Wm Schlotz and Von Rump have not completed such an ADA approved residency program.
It is a requirement (set forth by the Missouri Dental Board) that a licensed dentist be further licensed (Division of Professional Registration, State of Missouri) to perform oral sedation (aka Enteral Conscious Sedation) in the state of Missouri. Dr. Schlotz and Team have taken the Mandatory Training and Education for this licensure which includes over 20 hrs of training and education in the area of Oral Sedation and Medical Emergency Management. Dr. Schlotz and Team have also taken a 2nd Non-Mandatory course (of 25 hrs) in Oral Sedation and Emergency Medical Management.
Upon this licensure in the field of Oral Sedation, an "Enteral Conscious Sedation Permit" is thereby issued to licensee. Dr. William J. Schlotz has received certification and has been issued License #2009005253.
PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry has received an ENTERAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION SITE CERTIFICATE issued by the Missouri Dental Board (certificate/license #2009004858).
Dr. Schlotz and Von Rump are not providers of Deep Sedation Dentistry (wherein the treating dentist is also responsible for the deep sedation - commonly referred to as "sleep dentistry").
General Dentistry at PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry is performed under General Anesthesia ONLY in concert with Premier Dental Anesthesiology (Board Certified MDs) as the attending caregivers and physicians of the general anesthesia.
PLAZA HEALTH Dentistry has been issued, by the Missouri Dental Board, a DEEP SEDATION/GENERAL ANESTHESIA SITE CERTIFICATE (#2008025661).