A WOW moment is an experience that infuses you with a feeling of exuberant exultation. Be it a first-hand accomplishment (passing the Bar, making a game-winning half-court shot, becoming a parent) or witnessing a truly remarkable achievement (Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon, Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” oratory, Michael Jordan performing other-worldly moves on the basketball court), a WOW moment can leave you with a sense of awe and wonder.
Well, I recently had a WOW moment in my office while caring for a most beloved patient (whom I will refer to as G) who was afflicted with a potentially life-altering dental crisis. G’s unwavering trust in me had her travel nearly two hours to be seated in my dental chair. She is a most elegant woman filled with poise and grace. And she was about to lose most of her upper teeth and with them, her beautiful smile and perhaps even her sense of “self.”
A bit of background. I first treated G many years ago. Then, as now, she was dealing with a significant dental dilemma. At that time I was able to restore her mouth, her smile, and her confidence. (I know this because she has emphatically and repeatedly told me so.)
After I completed G’s rehabilitation her job changed and she had to move away from the area. It then became an all-day experience for her to visit me for her routine care cleanings, examinations, etc. And the months passed.
Despite my repeated suggestions, which turned to urging, for G to seek more consistent dental care (I had made several referrals to fine dentists that were more conveniently situated) she refused – I mean REFUSED! – to see another dentist, even for a check-up. And the years passed.
Much to my distress, the state of G’s dentition dramatically deteriorated and barely two months ago she appeared in my office in crisis and in need.
Fast forward to now.
Last Thursday, I extracted nearly all of G’s upper teeth, performed extensive bone grafting, and strategically placed five implants. And here’s the really, really cool part – with a very sophisticated state of the art intraoral scanner, I was able to capture digital images of her mouth and the implants I had just placed (essentially capturing a very accurate digital impression of her jaws without the goo of a conventional dental impression). I then emailed the images and other pertinent information to a nearby digital dental lab that then computer-designed a beautifully elegant and precisely fitting provisional (temporary) using a computer guided three-dimensional milling machine.
Four hours later (all the while, G had remained reclined in my office watching television, drinking smoothies, napping, schmoozing with the office staff, and strolling about) I inserted the provisional restoration by affixing it to the newly placed implants and replaced all of the teeth I had removed earlier that day!
Did I mention that the temporary is elegantly designed, precise in fit, and absolutely beautiful? And, might I add, the digital impression captured in my office was so accurate and detailed that it took me but 30 minutes to deliver the eight-tooth temporary bridge and secure it to its implant foundation.
When G looked at herself in the mirror, she was ecstatic, my staff was jubilant, and I was on top of the world.
That’s what I call WOW DENTISTRY…exceeding expectations with the use of knowledge, experience, and honed clinical skills, coupled with state-of-the-art technology to achieve what was not so long ago…inconceivable.
Brett Berrie says
Beautiful story about “G.”
You are the BEST.
And nice follow up to Liz.
Liz says
I was googling my dental woes and came across your blog. I wish i lived anywhere near you, like G, I’d make the drive!
I am in such pain all i can do is sit and cry. I have terrible teeth, one dentist years ago said it was from taking accutane, my current dentist sausaid no, that it’s from bad habits (coffee, sodas, smoking, all of which I’ve cut back on). I have had several extractions, several root canals, and I was supposed to have a root canal today. I also have Narcolepsy, which the office is not aware of, and i couldn’t make my appointment today. The girl told me that because I’ve cancelled and reschedule so much, all i can do is call on a day i know I’m free and they’ll try to fit me in. For a while now I have felt that they do not like me, are not very nice when i call or cone in. Now i not only feel terrible for inconveniencing them, I am in tremendous pain, and no idea when i will be helped.
What is your advice? Do i try them again, or find anothwr dentist? We are also struggling financially, so often I’ve had to cancel an appointment because of that. Thank you for your blogs, they are giving me hope i can find a dentist who cares.
Dr. Sinkin says
Dear Liz,
I am so sorry for your dental troubles and obvious suffering. It appears to me that the scope of dental care will require more than just a few visits. You need to have a comprehensive treatment plan, a road map for your care, so that progress can be made with each visit rather than addressing frequent emergencies. It’s hard to accomplish successful care that ultimately gives you health and comfort if all that can be done is “put out the current fire.” I empathize with your situation, but you need to be in partnership with your dentist to get the help you need. Whether it’s with your current dentist or another, you need to be open about your difficulties and figure out a realistic strategy that is doable. You need to commit to keeping your appointments and your dentist needs to figure out a course of treatment that is right for you.For instance, Spending multiple visits performing root canal on one tooth as other teeth are deteriorating is not a formula for success for the next emergency is around the corner.
I don’t know how bad your dental condition is, but perhaps the first priority should be to stabilize your mouth: remove the hopeless teeth, eliminate decay and infections and than start the restorative process, namely giving you teeth that look and feel good. BUT, you will get there. The goal of each visit should be to bring you further down the road and closer to the final destination of completed care. The advantage of phased dentistry is that unexpected emergencies and pain can be avoided or minimized, progress will be measurable and the extended time frame for dental care will facilitate finances.
I suggest you speak with your dentist. Perhaps by phone scheduled at the end of his day so he can, listen to you and respond. If he can’t or won’t continue with your treatment, perhaps he can recommend someone to you that would be more suitable. If your dentist can’t help, begin your search for a new one. But you need to be open about your challenges and earnest in your commitment. Good luck.
Best,
Dr. Sinkin