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Big Shoes to Fill! A note on our practice philosophy.



If I had a dollar for every time a patient said that, I would be a wealthy woman! But in all honestly, I hear that on a regular basis. I feel this on a deep level and please know that I am working hard to honor Dr. Davis as I continue assimilating into the practice. At our team meeting one of the hygienists made the comment, "I know it's been two months but it feels like it's been longer than that- everything has just gone so smoothly and you've fit right into step with the daily flow".


Over the last two months I've made an effort to change very little and observe Dr. Davis as he interacts with patients. While Dr. Davis has stepped back from the majority of clinical procedures, he does see an occasional emergency or case. I've observed how kind, calm and compassionate he is as he communicates what the plan is for the day. He thinks about the long term implications of treatment and practices conservatively. Overall we share a very similar practice philosophy and approach.


For example, a cavity can start and remain in enamel for some time. While I've been in practices that were much more aggressive in treating decay, based on Dr. Davis and my experience, some patient education and monitoring can also be acceptable approach. If a cavity is clearly not passed the dentin junction on a radiograph, we believe that it is best to monitor. Once a tooth is worked on, then we know that tooth will need to have maintenance down the line. The best composite restorations can last 20-30 years. However, we don't always see that occur. You can get a cavity underneath any restoration as the junction between the filling and tooth is more susceptible to decay. If the existing restoration needs replaced, it may need a larger restoration or a crown. This can remove healthy tooth structure in order to create a restoration that can stand the forces of your bite. Once you prepare a crown, about 1 in 5 teeth may go on to need a root canal. So, as you can see, if we can "kick the can" down the line so to speak, we can prevent problems down the line or as least extend the time until those occur, if at all.


Conservative dentistry does have a down side. There are times where we monitor and watch and a patient ends up with a cavity that progresses rapidly. More often this is not the case, but it is worth mentioning. If you are diagnosed with incipient or "pre" cavities, it is so important to maintain a regular check up schedule. Our philosophy only works if the patient also shares a preventative mindset. If the cavity progresses we can address it when it is small.


In summary- you can expect the same great continuity of care. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions! We are always accepting new patients and while we are not in network with most insurances, we are able to bill out of network to help you file your claims.

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