Five Tips for Finding the Right Dentist

Although it may not seem like it, dental practices are everywhere—even in towns that don’t boast a huge population. If you live in a big city and you don’t already have a dentist you trust, it can be overwhelming figuring out the best dentist for you in your community. The following tips can help you make the right choice, even with so many options—ahem—in your face.

1. Know Your Insurance Benefits. Your insurance provider’s website might offer a list of dental providers in your network, but first you have to find out what type of insurance you have. Dental HMOs limit your choice of dentist to an HMO network member; a PPO plan might have different copayment levels, depending on whether a given dentist is in or out of the network. If you don’t have insurance, ask about the practice’s in-house care plan, as these plans can save you money on cleanings and other procedures.

2. Know What Work You Need. Are you looking for cosmetic dental work or family dental work? Do you need a dentist who specializes in putting children at ease? Do you need someone to remove your wisdom teeth, like an oral surgeon? Even if you have an idea of what you need, if you haven’t had x-rays in a few years, it’s a good idea to start your search with a general dentist.

3. Know What to Ask. Take time to consider what’s most important to you in a dentist. Is their clinical experience and continued training key? Do you want the latest in office amenities such as neck pillows to make your treatment more comfortable? Are you looking for a practice that offers sedation dentistry to calm your dental fears? What about the latest technology such as digital x-rays to reduce radiation? Have a list of questions ready about issues that are important to you when you call to schedule your checkup.

4. Evaluate Convenience. Convenience can mean any number of things to you, such as location, office hours, available emergency care, evening and weekend availability, or fees and payment plans. Consider what convenience means to you before calling a prospective dentist.

5. Evaluate Compatibility. Consider how compatible your family and this prospective dentist are: does the practice seem like it is a good fit? Once you’ve done your due diligence in checking out the practice online and have gotten a positive impression, take the time to visit the practice and meet the dentist. Don’t be afraid to simply trust your instincts.

Smile Brighter: Tips for a Youthful-Looking You in 2015

Yellow teeth can be a sign of aging and can make you look older than you are. So this year’s New Year’s resolution is simple: regain your youth! Taking just a couple of simple steps can help you maintain or regain that bright, white, youthful-looking smile for 2015.

Tooth stains fall into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are the yellow and brown stains that occur on the surface of your teeth. Intrinsic stains occur inside teeth, making them appear gray or blue, and they have a variety of common causes, including:
• Childhood antibiotics
• Trauma that has led to the death of a tooth’s nerve (tooth turns grey, brown, or black)
• Overexposure to fluoride when young, resulting in a spotted or mottled look

Some surface stains can be removed simply with teeth-whitening toothpastes and over-the-counter teeth-whitening kits. These stain-removal methods, along with employing a good daily oral-hygiene routine, can help you begin to revitalize your youthful smile.

General teeth-whitening tips:
• Brush and floss regularly to avoid the stains that result from plaque buildup
• Get regular professional cleanings to remove tartar and stains that result
• Avoid smoking, which not only stains teeth but damages gums
• Avoid drinks that stain (coffee, soda, wine) and drink liquids through a straw when possible to avoid contact with teeth

Things to consider:
• Choose toothpaste that has been awarded the ADA seal of approval (these toothpastes will not fix stains that are intrinsic)
• Teeth-whitening kits take about 2 to 3 weeks to get the job done
• A common side effect of teeth-whitening kits is tooth and gum sensitivity

If you have deep stains or want to achieve a brighter smile quickly, having your teeth whitened by your dental care provider is the best way to go. Professional-grade whitening products can whiten your smile by 10 to 12 shades in a very short amount of time. Setting up an appointment for a whitening consultation is the best way to find out which method is best for you.

If you have intrinsic staining or a sufficient amount of dental restorations, teeth whitening may not work. Talk to your dental provider about alternatives like porcelain veneers or cosmetic crowns. Whatever the case may be, achieving and maintaining a brighter, whiter smile in 2015 is the perfect way to start the new year off feeling rejuvenated and looking your best.

Source: Dr. Bret Gilsdorf, DDS, FAGD

Team Summit Weekend in Las Vegas

Always on the lookout for ways to improve our patients' experience, six members of the Dentistry By Design team embarked on a trip to Team Summit in Las Vegas last weekend for a dynamic learning experience, some team-building activities, and a little fun!

L-R: Ashley, Dr. Gilsdorf, Justyna, Dr. Guess, Amber, Jessica

Day-time view from the balcony of The Cosmopolitan, where the team stayed at.

Night-time view from the balcony of The Cosmopolitan.

Amber, Ashley, and Jessica at the welcoming reception.

Team Summit is a comprehensive program that teaches individuals how to improve on their business practices, work more effectively with their peers, and have a greater impact on the community and industry.

In addition to the workshops they attended, the team also had the opportunity to listen to and learn from inspirational keynote speakers such as David Salyers, Seth Mattison, and Brandon Dawson. These speakers were a wealth of knowledge on topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, teamwork, and innovation.

David Salyers, vice president of national and regional marketing for Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Seth Mattison, founder and chief movement officer of FutureSight Labs.

Brandon Dawson, lecturer and CEO advisor on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business-building strategies.

During the Team Summit Awards Ceremony, Dentistry By Design received several awards, including the prestigious "Outstanding First Impression Practice Award", a recognition that is truly well-deserved by the entire office.

At the Awards Ceremony.

The team at the Awards Ceremony.

Of course, the weekend was not all work and no play. The team took the opportunity to let their hair down by enjoying some fine dining and catching the production of "O" by Cirque du Soleil at the Bellagio. The ladies even tried their hand at Blackjack but soon decided that they were better off sticking to dentistry!

Catching up with Professional Development Manager, Sara Barlow, at the Bellagio.

Waiting for the performance of "O" to begin.

Playing a round of Blackjack.

Overall, the Dentistry By Design representatives at Team Summit had an extremely fruitful and fun experience in Las Vegas. This could not have been possible without the cooperation of fellow team members who stayed behind to keep the office running smoothly, so a big round of thanks goes out to them! 

Las Vegas 2014

Dr. Gilsdorf completes world-renowned dental implant seminar

Congratulations to Dr. Gilsdorf for graduating from Implant Mentoring 2 at the Engel Institute! He completed this world-renowned seminar July 16-20 where he trained with international leaders on the latest techniques in complex implant surgery. During this intense training, Dr. Gilsdorf performed complex bone grafting, sinus lifts, membrane placement, soft tissue grafting, ridge augmentation and CO2-laser surgery on live patients.  The knowledge and experience he brings back to Kansas will benefit Manhattan and the surrounding communities for years to come. 

Pictured are: Dr. Gilsdorf with Dr. Engel after long days of fun and helping patients!

March is National Nutrition Month

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month! Every March, Dr. Gilsdorf and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and this year is no different. This March, we want you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.