All Dentists Are the Same

Statistically, the average bonded white resin filling lasts 7 years...That means that some only last one or two years. My bonded resin fillings have lasted 22 years and counting....Why?

Average dentist's protocol for placing a resin filling: Steps

1.Administers Novocaine
2.Removes old failing filling or tooth decay
3.Starts bonding protocol
4.Places resin into tooth and shapes
5.Cures resin using one light from the bite surface only

My protocol for placing a resin filling: Steps

1. Administer Novocaine
2. Apply a rubber dam for complete isolation and visualization
3. Remove old failing filling or tooth decay
4. Use a tooth decay stain to guarantee that all tooth decay is removed
5. Place a bevel around all margins of the natural tooth to insure that filling does not permit saliva to get under new resin filling
6. Use a miniature sand plaster to completely clean the tooth for a perfect bonding surface
7. Start bonding protocol
8. Place resin into tooth and shape; Using a sable brush the resin in brushed over the beveled margin for complete sealing of tooth by the resin to insure a long lasting filling.
9. Using 2 powerful lights, the resin is cured (set) from both sides of the tooth (cheek and tongue) simultaneously  and finally from the bite surface. This improves the quality of the cured resin for long life.

The attention to detail is what enables my direct posterior resins last almost a quarter of a century or as long as a well placed mercury filling with much less chance of leakage. Why don't 95% of American dentists not place a rubber dam???

LAZINESS AND LACK OF CARING

All dentists are NOT the same any more than all baseball players, teachers, lawyers or car mechanics are the same.

Why do many Americans think or believe that all dentists are the same??? So that they can go to the cheapest dentist and not feel guilty.

This Is Why America Used to Work Better

Time is Running Out

Every four or five years, I write a blog about excellence. And in each blog I say, "If the American people do not buy excellence it will cease to exist."

Excellence in health care and dentistry ,in particular, is rapidly disappearing. Why? Who would like to spend 5,000, 6,000 or like myself 7,000 hours of high level, costly education if no one is willing to buy the exceptional care that a highly trained dentist is capable of delivering?

2018 was a relatively slow year for us and our first 'down' year since we moved to Saratoga. This does not bode well for those who want quality dentistry.

Just today a long time patient of 35 years called to tell me that he had a horrific toothache and the only thing that stopped the pain was placing an ice cube directly on his tooth. When the nerve of a tooth dies, gases are produced and because the body is 98.6 degrees, the gases expand and produce significant pain. The ice causes the gases to contract and stops the terrible pain.

This is a  patient who will not make it through the weekend because of the intense pain. I told him that I would call him right back. I called Root Canal Expert and asked for a favor for my patient.

Mission accomplished!!! I told my patient that he would get a call from Dr. Banch's office to provide the time. I also texted my patient:

Where else would you be able to get an appointment with one of the BEST doctors in the world with a few minutes notice?

His return text:

NO WHERE! Please.....never retire.

If you are considering treatment please have it done now or in the near future...Excellence will not be around forever and....

YOU are used to really good dental care....

A Good Guy With a Gun

We often hear that what we need are more good guys with a gun so that when a bad guy with a gun starts shooting, the good guy will stop him.

So how has this been working out?

For the forth time in a month, a good guy with a gun killed another good guy with a gun.

Helus, a 29-year law enforcement veteran, was set to retire from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office next year. He was among the first officers through the door at the Borderline when the shooting began November 8 and was shot as he tried to stop the gunman, who killed 11 others in the attack. 

From CNN today:

Helus later died at a hospital. 

Ayub said the accident was, in his view, "unavoidable." 

"They were ambushed almost immediately after entering," Ayub said. "They retreated and tried to stop the suspect with their own gunfire. And unfortunately, it was dynamic, there was a lot of movement, there was smoke, it was dark." 

Helus and the CHP officer entered the bar at the same time, he said, but at some point, Helus ended up between the officer and the gunman.

Three good 4 good people died because when the police arrive on the scene, they are unable to quickly discern who the good guys are and who the bad guys are.

So? What's the answer? I don't know but like other problems, the most apparent and easiest solution usually is not the right one.