In the Doctors Lounge of our office building, a table of seven physicians were sharing lunch together when I plopped down in the remaining chair. I knew some of the men, but several were strangers and a stately old gentleman introduced me around.
After hearing I was a dentist, a young orthopedic surgeon went into a tirade, "What's wrong with you dentists? This guy operates on hearts. This man is doing limbs. That fellow is buried in old people and you guys are just drilling teeth. You dentists are offing yourselves. What is up with that?"
I lashed back, "When you make a mistake, you can bury it; but when we make an error, we see it every six months!"
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
DENTAL VENEERS VS DENTAL BONDING?
Dental Bonding—This is a process where a composite material is applied to the tooth surface by simple process of etching the enamel with a weak acid and followed by a bonding resin. This is usually a one visit procedure. This bond allows the dentist to place the dental composite material onto the enamel without destroying tooth structure. The dental composite materials are strong and color stable, but they can pick up stain and have a greater risk of fracture over time. A dental composite is a material that is a blend of a plastic resin material and hard porcelain particles. The composites are improving over time due to the dental industry’s hard work and dedication to research in this area of restorative materials. The increasing popularity and demand for an ideal composite has driven the dental companies to develop a wide variety of composite materials that can be used for a variety of dental solutions. Dental Veneers—This is a process where a thin custom manufactured hard porcelain is bonded onto a tooth that is minimally prepared or in some cases with no preparation. . This is usually a two appointment process. The first appointment, after the teeth are prepared or modified an impression is taken; the case is sent off to a dental laboratory for construction of a custom designed smile. There are many variables that go into smile design, but the most important part of the process is communication between all parties involved. Patient-to-Dentist communication is a bi-direction discussion clarifying dreams, wishes and expectations. The dentist needs to explain the risks and possible complications of the procedures and hopefully realistically meet the patient’s expectations within the limitations of the materials currently available. The Dentist and the laboratory will work out an esthetic result that will not only create a dazzling smile, but will also function properly. This planning process is important in order for everyone to have a clear understanding of the anticipated outcome. Smiling is a wonderful way to experience life. Patrick J Foy DDS
Monday, September 14, 2009
RESPECTED IN LIFE AND IN DEATH
'The human face is an empty power, a field of death ...
after countless thousands of years that the human face
has spoken and breathed, one still has the impression
that it hasn't even begun to say what it is
and what it knows.'— Antonin Artaud (1896-1948), artist, from a text to introduce an
exhibition of his portraits & drawings, Galerie Pierre, July 1947.
Cadaver is a strange noun. The word does not convey the reality of a lifeless human body. It gentrifies the leathery, formaldehyde-soaked corpse succumbing to our intimate dissection.
The Gross Human Anatomy course offers a comprehensive understanding of all physical aspects of the human body with a combination of classroom didactics and laboratory dissections. An entire year is devoted, with memorization of all the body pieces and parts.
I approached the class and cadavers with curiosity and trepidation. My own human form made it more relevant than most of my dental courses. But I had some anxiety about my ability to cut up a body and how the act might affect me.
Our first lecture began with a lesson on respect for the dead. Some altruistic person had donated the use of their body to help others gain valuable knowledge. Respect for these human remains must never be violated, with reverence for the solemn result we all reach.
Our cadavers were wrapped in green cloths to retain the moisture with formaldehyde, and the smell was more revolting than the sight. The first exposure we saw several bare backs and some de-skinned musculature. But the view was not distressing, and we were relieved that none of us threw up or passed out.
With the exception of the head and neck, we were gradually introduced to all body parts. Soon we became desensitized to the odor, spending hours manipulating and dissecting the dead. Even as our classmates were humped over a smelly, exposed cadaver it was not uncommon to snack. No body parts were allowed outside the lab, and if tempted, a student would be expelled.
I loved learning about my body through the looking glass the cadavers offered. The black lungs of a smoker and the ravages of cancer were opened and on display for all of us to experience. Here was physical evidence that we may have to live with what we do in life and what we eat.
It reminded me of what the Catholic nuns used to drum into our heads -- our bodies are God's temples and we need to treat them as such.
However, disease is not a judgment, and the anatomical and genetic variations are totally out of our own control. Death was addressed only briefly as a rare outcome of poor judgment or a failure to activate emergency services during a heart attack. This was my introduction to clinical death and daily living with the eventual human mortality.
The heads of our cadavers were unveiled during the second half of the year. Each face was a unique structure with its own distinctive shape, a summation of individual features, nose size, projection, lip fullness, width, eye shapes, hair color, length, hairline, forehead, cheekbones, chins short and long, all singularly spaced to create the silhouette of their humanity. Curiously, the teeth did not seem to matter anymore.
Most troubling to me was that suddenly each individual's face took on the reality of a human life. For months these cadavers had given us hands-on experience with the working organs of what we knew were dead people; but the face revealed a personality and an identity that I was no longer able to deny. The lady with multiple surgeries altering her organ anatomy looked like my seventh-grade teacher. The body known for his well-defined muscle structure was revealed to be an innocent-faced young man
For weeks I was preoccupied about why these people had shared their deceased bodies with science. Should I share my organs, eyes, body parts and pieces that might further the quality of life for someone? Our bodies only decay after our death, so why not help mankind with knowledge that may positively affect the future?
I finally came to grips with the great gift these people were sharing with our class. In their death, they gave the gift of knowledge that allows us to give better treatment for hundreds of our patients now and in the future.
The temples of these anonymous lives were our teachers, and their souls are left in God's good hands.
-- Patrick J. Foy, DDS
after countless thousands of years that the human face
has spoken and breathed, one still has the impression
that it hasn't even begun to say what it is
and what it knows.'— Antonin Artaud (1896-1948), artist, from a text to introduce an
exhibition of his portraits & drawings, Galerie Pierre, July 1947.
Cadaver is a strange noun. The word does not convey the reality of a lifeless human body. It gentrifies the leathery, formaldehyde-soaked corpse succumbing to our intimate dissection.
The Gross Human Anatomy course offers a comprehensive understanding of all physical aspects of the human body with a combination of classroom didactics and laboratory dissections. An entire year is devoted, with memorization of all the body pieces and parts.
I approached the class and cadavers with curiosity and trepidation. My own human form made it more relevant than most of my dental courses. But I had some anxiety about my ability to cut up a body and how the act might affect me.
Our first lecture began with a lesson on respect for the dead. Some altruistic person had donated the use of their body to help others gain valuable knowledge. Respect for these human remains must never be violated, with reverence for the solemn result we all reach.
Our cadavers were wrapped in green cloths to retain the moisture with formaldehyde, and the smell was more revolting than the sight. The first exposure we saw several bare backs and some de-skinned musculature. But the view was not distressing, and we were relieved that none of us threw up or passed out.
With the exception of the head and neck, we were gradually introduced to all body parts. Soon we became desensitized to the odor, spending hours manipulating and dissecting the dead. Even as our classmates were humped over a smelly, exposed cadaver it was not uncommon to snack. No body parts were allowed outside the lab, and if tempted, a student would be expelled.
I loved learning about my body through the looking glass the cadavers offered. The black lungs of a smoker and the ravages of cancer were opened and on display for all of us to experience. Here was physical evidence that we may have to live with what we do in life and what we eat.
It reminded me of what the Catholic nuns used to drum into our heads -- our bodies are God's temples and we need to treat them as such.
However, disease is not a judgment, and the anatomical and genetic variations are totally out of our own control. Death was addressed only briefly as a rare outcome of poor judgment or a failure to activate emergency services during a heart attack. This was my introduction to clinical death and daily living with the eventual human mortality.
The heads of our cadavers were unveiled during the second half of the year. Each face was a unique structure with its own distinctive shape, a summation of individual features, nose size, projection, lip fullness, width, eye shapes, hair color, length, hairline, forehead, cheekbones, chins short and long, all singularly spaced to create the silhouette of their humanity. Curiously, the teeth did not seem to matter anymore.
Most troubling to me was that suddenly each individual's face took on the reality of a human life. For months these cadavers had given us hands-on experience with the working organs of what we knew were dead people; but the face revealed a personality and an identity that I was no longer able to deny. The lady with multiple surgeries altering her organ anatomy looked like my seventh-grade teacher. The body known for his well-defined muscle structure was revealed to be an innocent-faced young man
For weeks I was preoccupied about why these people had shared their deceased bodies with science. Should I share my organs, eyes, body parts and pieces that might further the quality of life for someone? Our bodies only decay after our death, so why not help mankind with knowledge that may positively affect the future?
I finally came to grips with the great gift these people were sharing with our class. In their death, they gave the gift of knowledge that allows us to give better treatment for hundreds of our patients now and in the future.
The temples of these anonymous lives were our teachers, and their souls are left in God's good hands.
-- Patrick J. Foy, DDS
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Smile of Your Dreams
Bleaching teeth has become a common procedure in most dental offices and it has grown in popularity over the years. There are many over-the-counter bleaching products, in-office bleaching and a wide variety of methods and techniques currently available. The efficacies of bleaching products are dependant on simple chemistry. The amount of time the bleach is left on the tooth and the concentration of the bleach product will determine how fast and effective the whitening process will be. If you have had fillings or crowns in your mouth you should be aware that the bleaching products will not alter the color of your previous dental work. Therefore it is wise that you consult with your dentist before you begin to use any of these products. In some cases the bleaching process may cause an increase in sensitivity especially if there is gum recession present. These special circumstances can be successfully managed with consultation and planning with your dentist. Recently, I personally have become an enthusiastic fan of the new Crest Whitestrips Supreme that is available through your dentist’s office. They are about 80% more effective than the over the counter Whitestrips. There are other professional bleaching products that can be placed in custom mouth trays and this process in some cases may be more desirable. Whatever bleaching technique you decide to use, I recommend discussing with your dentist the options available and the risks and benefits of each system. Today it has become easier and more economical than ever to have the smile of your dreams. Patrick J Foy DDS
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
WHAT WILL BE IN YOUR BOX?
“Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your good health has vanished.”
Og Mandino quotes (American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996)
Joe was a fifty-year-old Iowa optometrist who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He decided to continue to practice as long as he felt capable, but eventually the tumor would win out.
One cold January day, he drove to work as he had for more than twenty years and began a typical morning. After he had completed a few eye examinations, he was startled to find something subtle had changed in his motor skills. It hit him hard to realize that his health had finally deteriorated to the point where he could no longer work. All the years of education and career challenges suddenly stopped; it was time for him to go.
Without notifying his staff, Joe found a small cardboard box to pack up his belongings. He walked around from room to room searching for the treasures of his life, gathering all the personal items that he wanted to take along. But now the common things that he had used daily took on a new and different value. He was amazed at the simple mementos he collected. The picture of his three daughters when they were toddlers crammed into a wading pool, the fathers day present of a mug that read ”World’s Greatest Dad”, framed pieces of art that one of his daughters painted in grade school, and many other small tokens of love from family and friends that filled the box with twenty years of joy. Not one item in the box had anything to do with his career; everything had to do with the people he loved.
Joe walked to the front desk where his staff standing by and quietly announced, "I'm done.” Then he limped to the door, clutching his precious box, and left work for the last time.
-- Patrick J. Foy, DDS
Og Mandino quotes (American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996)
Joe was a fifty-year-old Iowa optometrist who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He decided to continue to practice as long as he felt capable, but eventually the tumor would win out.
One cold January day, he drove to work as he had for more than twenty years and began a typical morning. After he had completed a few eye examinations, he was startled to find something subtle had changed in his motor skills. It hit him hard to realize that his health had finally deteriorated to the point where he could no longer work. All the years of education and career challenges suddenly stopped; it was time for him to go.
Without notifying his staff, Joe found a small cardboard box to pack up his belongings. He walked around from room to room searching for the treasures of his life, gathering all the personal items that he wanted to take along. But now the common things that he had used daily took on a new and different value. He was amazed at the simple mementos he collected. The picture of his three daughters when they were toddlers crammed into a wading pool, the fathers day present of a mug that read ”World’s Greatest Dad”, framed pieces of art that one of his daughters painted in grade school, and many other small tokens of love from family and friends that filled the box with twenty years of joy. Not one item in the box had anything to do with his career; everything had to do with the people he loved.
Joe walked to the front desk where his staff standing by and quietly announced, "I'm done.” Then he limped to the door, clutching his precious box, and left work for the last time.
-- Patrick J. Foy, DDS
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