Section I. Introductory Chapters:

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