Table of Contents

Section I. Introductory Chapters:

1.  A Primer on Typical Oral Problems
2.  Case Illustrations

Section II. Designed for Perfection – Introduction and Links to Chapters

1. The Teeth – each unique
2. The Living Tooth
3. Supporting Structures – a hermetic seal
4. The TMJ – it all hinges on this
5. The Bite – are you centered?
6. Esthetics – are you pretty?

Section III. Diseases,Damage and Abnormalities – Introduction and Links to Chapters

1. Infection: Decay – the cavity bugs
2. Infection: Gum Disease – from gingivitis to loose teeth
3. Infection:  Into the Pulp
4. Grinding Teeth – wear o’ wear have your little teeth gone?
5. Toothbrush Abrasion or not? – cavities with no infection
6. TMJ Dysfunction and Orofacial Pain – what’s the cause – what to do?
7. Crooked Teeth – mixed genes
8. Esthetics – deviations from perfection
9. Missing Teeth – nature abhors a vacuum
10. Soft Tissue and Bone Lesions – systemic or local

Section IV. Diagnosis  – collecting information to define the problem – Introduction and Links to Chapters

1. PAIN– what Brings you to the Dental Office
2. Soft Tissue Examination
3. X-rays
4. Periodontal charting
5. Esthetic Evaluation
6. Stress, Anxiety, and patients sense of well-being
7. Health History and other Information

Section V. Introduction to Restoration Section, and Intro to Materials, with Links to Chapters

1. Opening Ceremonies of the Dental Appointment – anesthesia and isolation
2. Fillings:  Back teeth – Design and the use of Silver Amalgam
3. Fillings: Front teeth – Design and the use of Composite Resin
4. Fillings:  The rise of adhesive dentistry
5. Gold Fillings and Inlays – the ultimate dentistry
6. Gold Onlays and Crowns – Posterior Restorations
7. Porcelain Onlays and Crowns
8. Gold vs Porcelain vs Both!
9. Buildups– reconstructing the core of a tooth
10. Root Canals – a bum rap?
11. Extractions– $1200 or $75?
12. Periodontal therapies – scaling and root planning – scraping off the barnacles
13. Tooth Replacement – bridges, partial dentures, or implants?
14. Implants – new roots?
15. The Collapsed Bite – full mouth rehabilitation?
16. Full Dentures – all teeth replaced
17. Orthodontics– for kids and for grown-ups
18. Cosmetic Dentistry – the Hollywood smile
19. Dentistry for Kids

Section VI. Treatment Planning  – salesmanship or catch-up ballgame?

1. Sequence – What to do and in what order
2. Alternatives based on patient and financial limitations – all or nothing or something between?

Section VII. Welcome to the Real World

1. Training of dental professionals – from the top down
2. The Skills of Dentistry
3. The Dental Laboratory Technician – who does the rest of the work?
4. High Technology – lasers, computers, CAD/CAM and 3D modeling
5. Insurance Coverage? – third party payers who don’t want to pay
6. Selection of a Dentist – what is their priority?
7. The Ethics of Dentistry
8. The Business of Dentistry and YOU