All dentists are the same, right?

Let me let you in on a little secret...There are good dentists, average dentists and how shall I say it...less than average dentists. This should really be no surprise to you since it is the same with any profession or industry. We have all had less than average car mechanics , plumbers or teachers who did not meet our expectations. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Bill Gates are definitely not average in their respective fields. You may have to do a little homework and invest some time in finding a dentist who is truly excellent . It definitely will be worth your time and effort.
A good friend of mine who lives in Buffalo called me up three years ago and said to me, " Do you know that you did a crown for me 30 years ago and it is still in my mouth?" From a consumer standpoint, there is no better value than excellent dentistry.
Find good people to take care of you be it your physician, lawyer, accountant or auto mechanic. Quality costs more but it is worth it.

Dental Marketing

We are all influenced by marketing...Some marking is accurate, informative and helpful. Other marketing tries to convince us that something is not what it is. In general, marketing is a technique for making the average look special so that we buy it. Let me give you an example. Those that market dental services will use the term "metal free" in dental advertising which gives the public the idea that "metal free" is a better type of dentistry. This IS NOT CORRECT. There is no better dental material than gold. There is no worse material than non precious metal (ie no gold) as a dental material. "Metal free" is being used to convince you, the public, that the dentist is practicing a 'higher' or more technologically advanced type of dentistry. Great dentists use metal materials in dentistry and mediocre dentists are often "metal free."
What is my advice? Go to the best educated and most skilled dentist with a proven track record demonstrated by photographs of many cases whether or not they use metal in their treatment. Like everything else...There are good metals and bad metals: gold and titanium are good while mercury and non precious are questionable.
Don't let the marketing folks fool you into thinking the mediocrity is a form of Excellence.
If anyone would like to discuss this topic, please call my office at 518 583-1116 and I will find the time to chat with you. On a personal note, I just had some of the broken porcelain crowns on my back teeth replaced with GOLD.

The Dean at SUNY/Buffalo visits Dr. Benjamin

I used to be a major Alumni contributor to the Dental School at SUNY/Buffalo until recently. In fact, I helped found the first Esthetic Center within a University with my mentor Dr. Fred McIntyre. I became disenchanted with the Dental School because the faculty liked teaching the same material that I was taught way back in the 1970s.
The Dean came to my new office to inform me that he had been working diligently to change minds and incorporate the material and techniques that I had been demanding for more than 10 years.
I am honored to have played a role in moving the State University of NY School of Dental Medicine into the 21st century. Perhaps I can now make my monthly trips to Buffalo to teach dental students, post doctural and practicing dentists how to do the best possible dentistry for their patients. We all win when we can convince others to strive for excellence.

Our new patients

I am the new dentist in town (Saratoga) and as such, we are getting many new patients who are willing to give us a try. Most of our new patients have heard that I am a good dentist or have heard or seen our marketing pieces. Our new patients are not necessarily looking for 'cosmetic dentistry' but just want a competent and caring dentist to do their regular dentistry such as cleanings and fillings. Every new patient has commented on what a pleasant experience their visit has been (even though it was a little garbled because of the Novocaine.)
Thanks to our new patients who are willing to give us a chance to be their dentist. We sincerely appreciate it and will do everything possible to provide you with the best possible care.

Makes me Sad

Many of my long time Troy patients are scheduling their appointments in our beautiful new office in Saratoga Springs. Some of my patients have asked to have their records transferred to another dentist for convenience. I have to be honest and say that that we are saddened, disappointed and hurt that we will be losing some of our patients.
The Marketing Experts will probably say that I shouldn't BLOG about how I feel and should just talk to you about teeth.
Each of my patients is important to me and I have done my best to take care of you. I have to tell you that after 30 years....................I still hate to lose a patient.

Let me help YOU

My last patients at the end of the day on Wednesday and Thursday wanted me to improve their smiles with beautiful porcelain veneers which I would have LOVED to have done for them. I did a direct resin mock up to diagnose and demonstrate to my patients what the final outcome of treatment with porcelain veneers would look like. More importantly, the direct resin mock up told me that the best way to improve their smiles was NOT by placing veneers but rather by seeing an orthodontist. Both of my patients thanked me for my honesty and integrity for wanting to help them get the best treatment. I worried that by placing veneers that I would be removing too much tooth structure and weakening their teeth.
On May 29, 1977 I took a vow to never knowingly hurt another human being while providing dental treatment. I want you to know that I truly care about doing the right thing for you, my patient.

"My regular dentist"

Many patients see me for a consultation about improving their smiles. While talking with my new patient, I often hear them say," I want to improve my appearance and 'my regular dentist' doesn't do cosmetic dentistry. Being a regular dentist AND a cosmetic dentist is really the same thing. A superb 'regular' dentist IS also a superb cosmetic dentist and vice verse.
I want you to come to my office for 'regular' dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry. I am truly flattered to be considered an expert in cosmetic dentistry but I am really just a good regular dentist.
Let me be your REGULAR DENTIST as well as someone who can improve your smile.

Encourage Your Children to Become a Dentist

I decided that I wanted to be a dentist when I was 9 years old. There has not been a day in more than 30 years that I have regretting my choice of a life career. One of the few 'failures' that I have had during my career is that I have not been successful in encouraging one child to become a dentist. Not One. Dentistry offers so much for those that enter the profession: Art, science, crafts, medicine, surgery or all of the above at the same time. Because dentists are among the most trusted professions, we learn a great deal about our patients: their joys, sorrows, difficulties and successes. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to care for another human being in an ethical and concerned manner.
I would like to suggest to those that read this post and have children that you encourage your children to consider Dentistry as a life career. They will thank you for it.
I love being a dentist.

Ten Years Younger

I performed a miracle this week!
I treated a middle aged, tall, attractive, successful male patient this week who came to my office because he thought that he looked old. What he was saying, in not so many words, was that his teeth were severely worn down so that when he smiled, he could not see any of his teeth. I am guessing that he saw a picture of himself in a family photo and was not pleased by what he saw. This week I started treatment to restore his entire mouth back to its original health so that all of his teeth would look they way they did when he was 25-35 . When my patient left in his temporary crowns, he looked like the the handsome man of his younger years. The gray hair still gave him away as a mature gentleman but his new smile made him look 10 years younger.
The appointment lasted all day as he was my ONLY patient of the day. It was thrilling to have him thank me and shake my hand when he left.
I just love being a dentist.

What about me?

We use the term cosmetic dentistry to describe fixing front teeth. Someone suggested recently that I describe dental problems that can be changed with cosmetic dentistry because everyone wants to know, "What about ME? What about MY teeth? Can he fix MY smile?"
When I meet a new patient for the first time at a consultation appointment, the first thing I ask the person is, "What brought you here and what are you looking for?" The concerns that people have about their smiles or appearance are:
1. The size of my teeth; my teeth are getting really short and it makes me look old
2. The gaps between my teeth; I have always hated the spaces
3. My teeth are all different colors; my old fillings don't match my teeth
4. My teeth are dark; I want white teeth again
5. My teeth are crooked; I always wanted straight teeth.
6. I show too much gum tissue; I hate my gummy smile and I want to look normal.
7. My teeth are chipping at the edges. I want full size teeth again
I can help you change anything that you don't like about your smile. If you don't see your particular problem with your smile on this list, please email me or call for an appointment so that we can discuss ways to improve how you look . People love to see other people smile and if you are ashamed to smile, don't wait....... Call today for an appointment.