MMS Endodontic Specialist's online newsletter for April and May 2018
UNIONTOWN, PA 625 Cherry Tree Lane Uniontown, PA 15401 (724) 438-0600 CUMBERLAND, MD 1415 River Ave. Suite B Cumberland, MD (240) 362-7107 MORGANTOWN, WV 9000 Coombs Farm Dr. Suite 304 Morgantown, WV 26508 (304) 594-1670
April/May 2018 www.mmsendo.com info@mmsendo.com
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MMS WELCOMES A NEW DOCTOR AND OPENS A NEW LOCATION MEET DR. CESAR GARCIA
I have been practicing dentistry since the mid-1980s. Back then, the dental field was a very different place. When I graduated from dental school in 1984, I had a working knowledge of many different specialties, including endodontics and periodontics. Our training was more comprehensive at the time because there was a shortage of dentists in the ’80s. Today, it seems like there are dentists everywhere, but back then, it was a very different story. Dental schools were teaching future dentists as much as they could, from oral surgery to orthodontics to periodontics. As a younger dentist, I sawmany patients for a range of issues. It was tough, and not everything worked as well as it does today. Treatments and technologies were different. Sometimes, a periodontal patient would come to me after a treatment didn’t deliver the results either of us expected. I didn’t always have the answer, but I wanted the answer. This inspired me to go back to school, where I focused solely on periodontics and dental implants. I love to learn and to be on the cutting edge of new technologies. Getting certified as a periodontist gave me the tools I needed to serve my patients better than ever. Since then, I have had the great fortune of serving on the faculty of the Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine as well as Ohio State University’s periodontology department. I also served as president of the Puerto Rico Periodontal Association and the Puerto Rico Dental Association in 2006 and 2007. I am excited to bring my experience to Morgantown and to the MMS team. I welcome the change of pace with open arms, and I cannot wait to explore the community, meet new people, and get to work helping our patients!
Another new face has joined the MMS team: Dr. Cesar Garcia! Dr. Garcia becomes the latest doctor to join our newest location inMorgantown, joining Dr. Hal Reed, who we introduced a fewmonths back. If you haven’t heard, we recently opened up a new office specializing in periodontics and dental implants. You can learnmore about MMS Dental Implants & Periodontics at mmsperio.com. We are thrilled to have Dr. Garcia on the team. We have no doubt he will help us continue to provide the best in patient care and better meet the needs of the community. Welcome, Dr. Garcia! I have only been a part of the MMS team a short time, but I already feel like part of the family. I joined the team in February, and that’s also when I moved to the Morgantown area. It has been a busy fewmonths for me and my family. It was a big move, though not a long one. My family and I came from Ohio, where I was on the faculty of Ohio State University’s periodontology department. I also worked in a private practice. I looked to MMS and Morgantown for a change of pace. I wanted to get out of Columbus and find a place that was a little more relaxing. Everyone in Morgantown has been very warm, welcoming, and friendly. Not only does the MMS team already feel like family, so does the community. Even on my first visit to Morgantown, everyone was welcoming. I am glad to be a part of such a friendly community. –TheMMS Team
–Dr. Cesar Garcia
(304) 906-4900 www.mmsperio.com
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WV (304) 594-1670 | MD (240) 362-7107 | PA (724) 438-0600
V I S UA L B RAND I NG Expanding Beyond Your Logo
When you think of visual brands, an iconic logo might pop into your mind. But logos are only the beginning of visual branding. While a strong logo is a terrific start, there are many other aspects that you should dedicate your time and money to. Here are a couple of tips you can follow to ensure successful visual branding. THE LOGO Start with your logo. You want your customers to notice you, and one way to do that is with a simple yet eye-catching logo. It’s usually the first interaction someone has with your company, so make it memorable. However, it’s important not to let your logo carry everything else. Saul Bass, logo designer for United Airlines and the Girl Scouts of the USA, states, “Logos are a great extension of the internal realities of a company.” A logo is representative and
The theme or design that you chose to represent in your logo should be present in your merchandise and promotional media.
Keep the same color schemes and style for everything, but vary the imagery and design. This helps associate the product with your company without printing the same thing over and over. When your visual brands match, it creates a bridge to your company. CONSISTENCY When your theme is inconsistent, you create mistrust between you and your customers. A changing logo or style will create a sense of uneasiness or suspicion that your company might not be authentic or reputable. Any visual element that you design to represent your company should remain the
gives your customers something easy to remember, but it doesn’t encapsulate your whole business. THEMES When you make promotional materials or certain merchandise, such as business cards or gift cards, the design should relate to your company. This doesn’t mean you should slap the logo on every item.
same. If it’s unavoidable, change it as minimally as possible. Consistency in visual branding builds trust and helps customers recognize you. Incorporating visual branding beyond your logo will bring more positive recognition to your company. Follow these tips to create great visual branding.
TEACHING TIPS:
The Importance of Straight-Line Access
One of the most helpful subjects we address while teaching endodontic therapy is the importance of developing a straight line of access. This refers to the transition zone between the pulp chamber and the canal systems. Having a smooth, straight transition from the coronal chamber to the canals will do the following:
There are many ways to create a straight line of access while accessing the pulp chamber. We typically use a 1958 Bur-Beaver to access the pulp chamber. Once the chamber has been located, we switch to an Endo-Z Bur from Dentsply Maillefer, which is a noncutting endo with a tapered, fluted bur. The noncutting tip can be placed directly on the pulp chamber, and the unroofing of the pulp chamber is completed. Displayed is a perfect example of how the straight-line access is utilized to provide excellent access and visualization into each canal system. The next time you perform endodontic therapy, try this simple technique to unlock the canals and make it easier for you to see, irrigate, and negotiate the canals.
• Provide a repeatable glide path for each canal
• Minimize file fatigue while working the case up
• Increase the amount of light able to enter the canal system to locate additional canals
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DISPELLING A MYTH Is There a Link Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Root Canals?
In 2015, a study published in the journal Nature suggested that certain proteins might be transmitted between people during medical treatment. Shortly after that publication, the myth of a link between Alzheimer’s disease and root canals took off. A number of media outlets around the world reported the story and portrayed it as a public health concern. In the study, the proteins in question were those said to cause Alzheimer’s and dementia. Additionally, the study suggested Alzheimer’s was transmissible between humans. It also suggested that contaminated surgical instruments were the main avenue of transmission.
surgery or other medical treatments. However, it’s important to note that the study never mentioned endodontic or dental procedures as a “risk factor.” The study’s author, Professor John Collinge, said, “Our current data has no bearing on dental surgery and certainly does not argue that dentistry poses a risk of Alzheimer’s disease.” Here’s what Dr. Terryl A. Propper, speaking on behalf of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), said on the matter: “There is no evidence that root canal treatment poses a risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. There are procedures in place to minimize infection risk from endodontic instruments such as files and reamers. Many endodontists employ single-use instruments, and, if not, instruments are thoroughly sterilized
prior to each use.” Dr. Propper, who was the president of the AAE at the time, went on to say, “There is nothing definitive in this study. Questions remain and the study authors acknowledge that more research is needed.”
It was implied that contaminated surgical instruments transmitted the proteins from one person to another during
ANNIE DUKE’S ‘THINKING IN BETS’
What a Poker Pro Can Teach You About Risk
Annie Duke may seem an unlikely business consultant given that she’s best known as a professional poker player. But the lessons in her new book,“Thinking in Bets,”extend far beyond the felt. Duke, who studied psychology at UPenn and has consulted for a number of companies, takes the decision-making lessons she learned at the poker table and applies them to the hard choices we have to make in business. To emphasize the nature of her work, Duke begins with an introduction called “Why This Isn’t a Poker Book.”She writes that the process of thinking in bets “starts with recognizing that there are exactly two things that determine how our lives turn out: the quality of our decisions and luck.” When you make a decision, you rarely have perfect clarity regarding all the factors at play. This imperfect picture is what makes every business decision risky. Duke argues that ignoring inherent risk results in dangerous outcome- based thinking. As an alternative, she proposes that you acknowledge that not every decision will be the right one. This way, you can investigate the nature of your decision-making process and improve it without being blinded by lucky (or unlucky) results.
cards the other players hold. You can make educated inferences based on the information you gather, but there is always going to be a risk in calling a bet. The process parallels howwe decide what’s best for a company. We analyze all the information we have at hand and make a projection about the best option. Until the decision plays out, we won’t know the outcome.
Though Duke knows more about poker than just about anyone,
she doesn’t limit her examples to gambling. She writes with equal skill and depth about everything from CEOs to football coaches.“Thinking in Bets”is a comprehensive overview of risk assessment that provides countless tips on how to improve your decision-making. Even if you have no idea whether a flush beats a straight, you’ll find“Thinking in Bets”a valuable addition to your leadership library. Entrepreneurship requires making millions of decisions. Don’t you want to make them better?
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Poker provides a fertile analogy for this concept. It’s a game of imperfect information. No matter howmuch poker you’ve played, you never knowwhich
WV (304) 594-1670 | MD (240) 362-7107 | PA (724) 438-0600
9000 Coombs Farm Dr. Ste. 304 Morgantown, WV 26508
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WV (304) 594-1670 MD (240) 362-7107 PA (724) 438-0600
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The MMS Team Continues to Grow!
Your Logo Shouldn’t Run Your Business
The Importance of Straight-Line Access
Alzheimer’s and Root Canals: Are They Linked?
Entrepreneurship Library: ‘Thinking in Bets’
Have You Tried This Natural Healing Remedy?
EARTHING: SLEEP LIKE YOU’RE ON VACATION
referred to as‘free radicals’... Free radicals lack sparks of energy known as‘electrons.’”When a molecule lacks electrons, it gives off a positive charge. An unbalanced positive charge contributes to inflammation, which can then cause many chronic diseases, including heart disease. You should balance your natural positive charge with a negative charge. How can you safely expose yourself to a negative charge? Just let your skin touch the earth. Earth gives off a mild electric charge, with plenty of electrons to balance out our overabundance of free radicals. There has yet to be a large-scale scientific study about the benefits of earthing, but current research is promising. One study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found earthing helps reduce blood viscosity, which is a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Another study in the
Journal of Inflammation Research showed that earthing might speed up healing. Firsthand accounts from individuals who practice earthing often report lower stress levels, increased energy, and better sleep. Many people who practice earthing make it a point to walk outside barefoot on grass, soil, or sand at least once a day. You have to be careful where you walk, as you don’t want to get cut on sharp rocks or broken glass. An alternative to walking barefoot is to use an earthing pad, which can imitate the negative charge of our planet inside your home. Earthing is quickly gaining a following in the health community. If you are looking for a natural way to improve your overall health and sleep better, why not try taking a walk? Just remember to leave your shoes behind.
Have you ever fallen asleep on the beach after swimming in the ocean? If you have, you know it’s the most restful and relaxing sleep imaginable. You might have thought it was just the result of warm sunlight and vacation vibes, but research suggests you may have been experiencing the effects of a practice called“earthing.” Earthing, sometimes referred to as“grounding,” helps bring our bodies into a natural balance. The theory states that our bodies naturally develop a positive charge. As leading nutritionist Dr. John Briffa explains,“During the normal processes of metabolism, the body generates what are called ‘reactive oxygen species,’which are commonly
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