DesertSmiles

Dr. Wilcox spent 3 days this last week attending continuing education at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He was one of 25 dentists from across the US and Canada attending lectures from Dr. Kent Smith of Dallas. He is a dentist who has treated patients for sleep apnea and snoring for over ten years and is a expert in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine.

The field of Sleep Medicine is literally growing daily with the realization of the severity of sleep apnea and associated health risks. Nearly 70% of adults are estimated to have some degree of sleep apnea and in some cases it is life threatening. The effects on cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes are becoming more understood. Other ramifications vary from GERD to impotency, not to mention the effect of poor sleep on one’s performance and ability to enjoy life to the fullest. It is estimated that nearly 20% of Americans sleep separately from their bed partners due to snoring.

We will be adding more information to our website shortly (www.DesertSmiles.com) to help patients understand the ramifications of untreated sleep breathing disorders such as apnea and snoring. We will have more information regarding oral appliances and their use and effectiveness in treating sleep breathing disorders. For more information feel free to contact DesertSmiles at 602-978-1790.

For more information on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, sedation dentistry or sleep apnea in the Phoenix, Peoria, and Glendale Arizona areas please contact Dr. Wilcox.

Dr. Wilcox spent two days last week at the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics in Austin, Texas. This is a group of elite dentists from across the U. S. who specialize their practices in providing the finest in cosmetic dentistry, as we do for patients in Glendale, Phoenix and other sections of Arizona. For more information visit our website www.DesertSmiles.com or call 602-978-1790. Whether you are interested in Lumineers, porcelain veneers and crowns, dental bleaching or other restorative dental procedures you will find valuable information.

Dr. Wilcox and his assistant Kim Lyons recently attended an advanced training course at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry to update our use of the CEREC technology. We have had this CAD-CAM technology for several years which allows us to make porcelain crowns and onlays in one visit. The recent software advancements allow for higher quality restorations with a simplified design process. We also were trained with the ability to customize color and glaze here in the office which will allow us to do more of the color matching in cosmetic areas which have had to go to the lab previously. This also allows us to complete more sedation dentistry cases in one visit without a temporary required and a second visit.

As we strive to provide the finest in Glendale cosmetic and restorative dentistry we are constanting attending continuing educaton to bring you the latest techniques and dental technology.   For more information visit www.DesertSmiles.com.

Dr. Wilcox returned last week from an extensive training program in one of the latest techniques in cosmetic dentistry - Durathin Veneers. The program was led by Dr. Dennis Wells in Nashville, Tennessee. A select group of some of the top cosmetic dentists in the country were present, including leaders from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Durathin Veneers are a cosmetic procedure where the teeth are not prepared as in traditional veneers. Only about 30% of patients desiring a smile enhancement are candidates for this technique. The marketing of the Lumineer product has created a greater awareness of the possibilities of non prep veneers. We feel Durathin is a superior product based on our experience and research with other high quality cosmetic dentists. We are proud to be only one of two Arizona dentists who have been trained to offer this outstanding service.

We will be adding some photos of cases soon to our website. If you would like to learn more about the possiblities of Durathin veneers visit www.durathinveneers.com.

Dr. Wilcox, Shelley, Joyce, and Kim attended three days of intense training at Dallas Digital Dental Solutions last weekend. In our quest to bring you the finest in Phoenix cosmetic and restorative dentistry, this training allows us to upgrade the quality of our photography tremendously. This will allow us to communicate more effectively with our patients regarding their condition and treatment options. We will also begin taking our own after photos here in the office and be able to offer our smile makeover cases beautiful after prints. Look for new photos in our Smile Gallery early in 2008. Traveling, time out of the office, tuition, new camera, and new software requires considerable expense. But without constant improvement and investment, we can not provide the best in cosmetic dentistry in Glendale and the state of Arizona.

Dr. Wilcox was in Chicago the week of July 20 attending the annual meetings of the International Academy of Comprehensive Aesthetics. There were over 750 of the top cosmetic and restorative dentists from around the world in attendance. Speakers such as Dr. Bill Dorfman of ABC’s Extreme Makeover show gave presentations on a variety of topics. Dr. Wilcox attended lectures in the topics of porcelain onlays and cerec one-visit restorations. An update from the Las Vegas Institute (LVI) on the latest changes in material use in their cosmetic, restorative and occlusion courses was given. Updates in the latest in digital xrays, cosmetic imaging, and photography was also attended. As we strive to provide the latest in Phoenix cosmetic dentistry, continuing education is an integral part of our commitment to be the best we can be.

Dr. Wilcox traveled to Austin, Texas to attend a symposium on esthetic dentistry and web optimization sponsored by the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics.  This organization is made up of the very elite in cosmetic dentistry from the U.S. and Canada.  We are always trying to stay on the leading edge of cosmetic dentistry and hearing from and networking with the best is a terrific opportunity.  Esthetic techniques and technologies continue to advance and we do everything we can to keep pace and be a leader in Phoenix cosmetic dentistry.  We also learned of new ways to continue to improve DesertSmiles.com so it can serve our existing patients and those wanting to learn more about cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Glendale, Arizona and the areas well beyond our website reaches.

The entire clinical staff recently attended a course in the medical management of emergencies in the dental office. The speaker was Dr. Stanley Malamed of USC who is a world recognized leader and author in this field. The common causes of medical issues related to dental treatment were reviewed and appropriate treatment protocols discussed. With my extensive background and training in sedation dentistry, we as a staff are continually updating our emergency preparedness. We want you to have the finest in Phoenix cosmetic dentistry - SAFELY!

Dr. Wilcox attended a three day convention and seminar session in Las Vegas last weekend presented by the Sirona Corporation. They are the company responsible for the one visit crown CAD-CAM technology we use in the office. There are many new advances in the Cerec technology which will allow us to expand its use in the coming year. The changes are primarily in the improved appearance of the new milling materials to allow us to do more cosmetic restorations is one visit in the near future. Also the software is being upgraded considerable to allow even more accuracy in the fit and speed of milling. As we strive to provide the finest in Phoenix cosmetic dentistry Cerec will prove to be a valuable technology for our patients as we move forward in our pursuit of excellence.

Dr. Wilcox attended a two day seminar this past weekend in Kansas City sponsored by the DOCS organization.  It was an update on the latest in sedation techniques especially in dealing with patients with significant medical conditions.  There was considerable time spent reviewing the latest in drug interactions that must be evaluated prior to sedation dentistry.  The most current thinking in antibiotic premedication and antibiotic therapy for dental infections was also presented.

This is just another example of the several hundred hours a years we spend keeping current with not only the latest in cosmetic dentistry but all aspects of patient comfort and safety.