Is Your Dentist Offering You the State-of-the-Art Treatment Alternative to Crowns?
National Experts have, for many years, been guiding/teaching Dentists to place more conservative, minimally-invasive Onlays instead of Crowns!
Yet, still today in 2010 the vast majority of practicing dentists are still (aggressively) cutting teeth down for Crowns instead of learning the newer, less-aggressive Bonding & Onlay Techniques. For Reasons Why Dentists Still Do Crowns ... Click Here
We at PHD have been routinely placing Onlays instead of Crowns for the past 5 years -- and, even though the procedure is technically a bit more demanding, will continue to do so -- because it is the right thing to do for the health of your teeth.
Dr. Gordon Christensen of Provo, Utah is, almost without question for the past 20 years, the most recognizable and trusted worldwide dental authority on restorative dentistry techniques and materials. He travels and lectures virtually everywhere to share his vision and he continues to "practice what he preaches" as he still sees patients for exceptional treatment. His research (Clinical Research Associates) is virtually unchallenged as guiding DDS types into doing the right thing for their patients. He travels across the globe sharing and teaching wet-fingered dentists the best procedures that we should be provding for our patients.
Dr. Christensen's view on the subject of Crowns vs Onlays is very clear. He is not a fan of cutting a tooth down for a Crown, just because it is the easier treatment, one that practicing dentists have been providing for patients for scores of years. He has even gone so far as referring to Crowns as "Tooth Coffins" (meaning Crowns can lead to the death of the inside, root canal- nerve part of the tooth) in a clinical essay trying to prod dentists to do the right thing and cut-back on all that cutting!
Instead, Dr. Chrisensen and almost every other reputable national "guru" or expert on the subject preaches (and has been preaching for quite awhile) that general restorative dentists should be preparing weak or fractured teeth more minimally and then bonding an ONLAY on top of the tooth. Yes, it takes more time... but it is most definitely worth it for optimal oral health.
Learn why the "Cheap" Foreign-type (CHINESE) Labs usually will NOT do an Onlay -- they will only make Crowns.... Click Here
Dr. Christensen and most every national authority on restorative dentistry understand the benefits of an Onlay over a Crown to include ...
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Less Trauma to the Nerve inside the tooth (less chance of a Root Canal being needed on this tooth)
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Less chance of recurrent decay at the edge of the restoration (called the margin) ... since the margin of an Onlay is in a higher, more cleansable area and the margin of a crown is at the gum line
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Due to the above 2 considerations... a Crown is more likely to have to be re-made than a properly performed Onlay by a skilled and experienced provider of minmally invasive dentistry
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YET.... If another restoration is ever needed, there is more tooth structure to still work with under an Onlay as opposed to under a Crown.
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Onlay is a better looking restoration than a Porcelain fused to Metal Crown -- No Black line showing at the gum line
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MINIMALLY INVASIVE DENTISTRY ... At PHD We Call it Conservative Common Sense
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).