From the monthly archives:

April 2009

How Do I Pick a Good Dentist?

by hahndds on April 19, 2009

IF you’ve got a dentist that you’re delighted with then…

Skip this blog entry

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If not, please read on…

Louisville has lots of “family dentists“, “cosmetic dentists“, “we cater to cowards dentists” and now even “advanced cosmetic dentists“. 

Trying to work out who’s right for you is probably pretty confusing, especially when so many dentists are claiming to be experts.

Truth be known, “family dentistry” never was and never will be a speciality and, “cosmetic dentistry” is just about on any dental sign these days.  Who is not a cosmetic dentist?  Read the blog about cosmetic accreditation to see what you need if you really want a cosmetic dentist…ACCREDITED COSMETIC DENTIST

So the question remains:

How do I pick a good dentist?

Well, let me introduce myself.  My name is Dr. Christian W. Hahn.  I live locally and just over 4 years ago I established Ideal Dentistry in Louisville.  Now, I’m not saying that I’m the right dentist for you.  Perhaps you already have a dentist that you are very happy with and would never change.  But, if you are looking for a dentist at the moment, here is what I have to offer.

A simple concept

My dental practice is based on a very simple and very old idea:

“Do unto others as you would have them do onto you”.  That’s right – The Golden Rule.  I founded Ideal Dentistry with exactly that rule in mind.  So, how does The Golden Rule translate into dentisty?  Please let me give you a few examples:

The office is state-of-the-art

When I have dental treatment done for myself I want it done as well as today’s technology will allow.  I want treatment that looks great, feels great and lasts as long as possible.  This cannot be achieved using 1970s, 1980s or even 1990s technology.  Dentistry is evolving fast and I invest time in keeping up so that whatever treatment I do, I know that it’s the best around.

 

I do not use amalgam (mercury) fillings

Having three children made me realize that I could never use amalgam.  I wouldn’t even consider putting amalgam in their teeth, so in good conscience I could not put it in any one else’s.  Quite simply – I believe amalgam is second-rate.

I recommend for you exactly the treatment I chose for myself.

Every treatment recommendation I make for you is what I would choose for myself.  That means I would never recommend a denture if there is a better alternative and I never recommend patch ups or short-term solutions.  What I do is look at your teeth and give you straight advice – the treatment I would choose for my family, my best friend or myself.

I only do treatment I can do very well

I am sure you have heard the expression “Jack of all trades, master of none”.  I decided that at Ideal Dentistry I would focus on things I do really well.  At Ideal Dentistry I only do adult restorative dentistry – that is I look after adults who want their teeth restored, enhanced and maintained.  I do not routinely see children less than 12 years of age, I do not extract wisdom teeth unless they are simple and I don’t do treatment I don’t believe in.

An adult environment with no waiting

When I go to a doctor I don’t want to be kept waiting an hour in a room, with tatty magazines to read and a crowd of people all around me.  So you’ll notice my client lounge is a little bit different.  It’s modern, sunny, and we have an espresso machine.  There are quality coffee table books to read.  But, nice as it is, you won’t spend long there because the chances are better than 95% that I’ll see you on time.

Personalized attention

Have you ever been to a dental office where the dentist was hopping arounf from room to room or, even worse, where you never knew which dentist you were seeing until they turned up?  That’s not what I would want.  So, at Ideal Dentistry, I am the only dentist and I set aside the time to focus 100% on you.  You’ll find you get your dentistry done in a lot less appointments this way.

 

Limited openings

Ideal Dentistry commenced in January 2006.  By the reaction and acceptance so far we are obviously filling a need in the area.  We are not a high volume office so we only have a maximum of 8 openings for new clients per week.

 

Please may I make a suggestion

If you decide that this is the kind of treatment you want, then here is what you do.  The first step is to have a thorough check-up and get any needed x-rays.  The entire cost for this procedure is $295.  When you’ve had that done I’ll be able to tell you the full story about your teeth, give you clear, no-mucking around recommendations and an exact cost for any treatment you need.  Where you go from there is up to you, but if you like what you’ve read here I hope you stay around and bring your friends.

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Single Tooth Makeover

by hahndds on April 15, 2009

What a difference a small white filling can make.  Here is an example of a filling I did this morning.  The old filling, an amalgam filling (50% Mercury, 50% silver), was leaking and had recurrent decay under it. 

Old Amalgam Filling
Old Amalgam Filling
Improved Esthetics and Function
Improved Esthetics and Function

 

The “white filling” is placed after gently removing the old filling and any associated decay.  Then a complex bonding procedure is followed closely, ensuring a perfect bond and beautiful aesthetics.  All too often old silver mercury fillings like this result in fractured teeth which then require extensive rebuilding, root canal therapy, or even removal of the tooth.  Prevention and early intervention are the only two ways to significantly reduce the risk of this happening.

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Last week a new patient came to my office seeking a second opinion on 4 front veneers that were done. Her concern was that they did not match (too white/opaque) and did not look real.   Well, she was right, the veneers did not look real, and they were cemented with opaque white cement, blocking out all light and creating a white-out like tooth.  The sad thing was, these 4 front teeth were the least of her problems…

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT my dentistry!

does this match?

does this match?

After doing a complete exam, radiography’s, digital photos and a tooth by tooth analysis it became apparent that she has almost completely worn out her teeth.  Bone loss was present on all teeth, pointing towards an advanced stage of gum disease.  Soon she could loose all her teeth, and the aesthetics of her 4 front teeth would not matter…very sad.

Worn out teeth

Worn out teeth

Normal tooth wear usually results in us wearing out our teeth in our early to mid 50′s.  The enamel, the strong outside layer of our teeth, will be worn through and the soft dentin, the underlying layer, wear out 7 times as fast.  This results in quick loss of tooth structure and event loss of function and esthetics.  Who wants to go through that?  You won’t be able to chew very well, and your smile will be anything but good looking.

Living a long and healthy life is everyone’s goal.  Once we retire we want to do all the things we could not do before.  That will not be the time to spend a lot of time and money on your teeth.  At that point you want to live your life to its fullest!

So, here at Ideal Dentistry I rebuild smiles and mouths every single day.  I do not put blinders on and focus on only your 4 front teeth.  I am a mouth “doctor”, not a tooth mechanic.  This means it is my duty to help you live a long and healthy life, focusing on how your teeth relate to that.  Being able to chew and smile is something we take for granted until it goes away

Rebuilding a smile is difficult and requires experience.  Smile “rejuvenation” is something I enjoy and have been doing for many years.  I combine aesthetics and function with every case, making sure you do not run into the same trouble that this patient did.  You can have a beautiful lasting smile, it is completely up to you. 

If you are wearing out your teeth and would like a consultation on how to keep your teeth for the rest of your life, call Ideal Dentistry today and schedule a Quick Look Consultation to get an idea of where you stand.

502-228-4585

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EVERYBODY seems to be a Cosmetic Dentist…Here is the Scary Truth

April 8, 2009

You have an accident and get a facial laceration – a big cut across your cheek.  Where do you go to get that fixed?  A General Surgeon?  No, a Plastic Surgeon. You have a bad case of acne, nothing seems to make it better.  You want the best and right treatment. Where do you go? [...]

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Ideal Dentistry New Patient Exam

April 7, 2009

So you decided that enough is enough. Waiting in the “waiting room” forever, only to be seated and rushed through a procedure you are not even sure you quite understand. Every time you see the hygienist the dentist comes in and finds more work that needs to be done. You are told sensitivity is “normal” [...]

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