Valparaiso Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Jim Arnold, is preparing for a ten-day trip to India.  He will teach cosmetic dentistry techniques to Indian dentists.  Roughly 1000 dentists in four cities have signed up to hear Dr. Arnold lecture with Dr. Trent Smallwood. 

They will travel to Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi in a whirlwind tour around the country.  Dr. Arnold is excited about this opportunity to share his expertise with Indian dentists.  Drs. Arnold and Smallwood hope that their series of lectures is a hit because they intend to return several times per year to share their knowledge with a goup of dentists that is hungry for comprehensive training in contemporary techniques. 

 Find out more about this trip by visiting:  www.SmilesByArnold.com. 

Indiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Jim Arnold recently attended the Annual Conference for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in San Diego.  This is the most prestigious group of cosmetic dentists in the world and is attended annually by about 1000 cosmetic dentists from around the world.

Leaders in the field of cosmetic dentistry congregated in San Diego to share knowledge, expertise, and comaraderie.  There were more than 100 specific courses offered, and Dr. Arnold participated in several, sharing tips and learning in the process.  The Hornbrook Group was also in attendance.  This is the group of cosmetic dentists with whom Dr. Arnold teaches on a regular basis.  This was just another opportunity for Dr. Arnold to stay on the cutting edge of what cosmetic dentistry has to offer. 

To learn more about Dr. Arnold’s extensive continuing education schedule, please visit:  www.SmilesByArnold.com. 

Dr. Jim Arnold of the SmilesByArnold Foundation recently awarded a Chesterton High School Student with a college scholarship.  This graduating senior, Jacqueline Gill, was a fantastic recipient of this award.  In addition to being an exceptional student, she was very active in extracurricular activities and volunteers her time generously. 

The scholarship was awarded to Jackie for her all-around accomplisments in high school and for her intention to pursue a career in dentistry.  Dr. Arnold was thrilled to have an opportunity to help her to pay her college tuition because many people helped Dr. Arnold to do the same. almost twenty years ago. 

The SmilesByArnold Foundation was established to benefit the young people of Northwest Indiana.  This is just one of many contributions that the Foundation has made in the community this year.  Find out more at: www.SmilesByArnold.com. 

Dr. Jim Arnold of the SmilesByArnold Foundation recently awarded a Valparaiso High School Student with a college scholarship.  This graduating senior, Kevin Tran, was a fantastic recipient of this award.  In addition to being the captain of both the Valparaiso basketball team and the Valparaiso tennis team, Kevin maintained an excellent GPA. 

The scholarship was awarded to Kevin for his all-around accomplisments in high school and for his intention to pursue a career in dentistry.  Dr. Arnold was thrilled to have an opportunity to help him to pay his college tuition because many people helped Dr. Arnold to do the same. almost twenty years ago. 

The SmilesByArnold Foundation was established to benefit the young people of Northwest Indiana.  This is just one of many contributions that the Foundation has made in the community this year.  Find out more at: www.SmilesByArnold.com. 

Question: “Dr. Arnold, my last dentist charged $600 for a crown, and my new dentist wants more than $1000. Why are some dentists so much more expensive than others?”

Answer: This is a common question posed by consumers of dental services. Many people consider dental care to be a commodity, when it should be considered in terms of the actual service provided.

For example, I would consider products like televisions and cars to be commodities. There are certainly many different makes, models, and options available, but you can at least compare the same make and model offered by two different stores or dealers. Some stores and dealers might provide superior customer service or financing options, but the product itself is the same.

The same can not be said of dentistry or any other healthcare service. There are huge variations in terms of technical skill, training, experience, technology, materials, philosophy, and laboratory work. There are a tremendous number of details that go into making a crown or providing any other dental service, and these details (and the results) are never going to be identical from one dentist to another.

That makes comparing crowns and the associated fees just about impossible. Fees are generally based upon the costs associated with rendering treatment and the care, skill, and judgment of the particular dentist. That having been said, it is very difficult for patients to assess the quality of care they are receiving.

There are several basic guidelines that can be considered when evaluating a dental team, however. It is important that they ask questions about your medical and dental histories and spend time listening to and recording your responses. They should thoroughly examine your entire mouth and come up with a personalized treatment plan.

Most importantly, you should feel that your dentist and team are your dental advocates and that they really listen to you and want to help you to stay healthy. Your objective should be to receive services at a good value (quality at a fair fee) than it is to receive an inexpensive service that might not stand the test of time.

Find out more about the services that SmilesByArnold and Associates can provide for you at:  www.SmilesByArnold.com.

Dr. Jim Arnold attended the Indiana Dental Association meeting in Indianapolis in June.  It was a fantastic conference with multiple opportunities for learning new techniques and networking with colleagues from around the state.  Additionally, Dr. Arnold served as a delegate to the IDA representing the Northwest Indiana Dental Society in the Annual Legislative Meeting. 

One of the continuing education seminars was given by Dr. Bill Dorfman from the hit ABC show Extreme Makeover.  He talked about the show and some of the lives that were changed by the various doctors who perform these extreme makeovers.  He also showed step by step techniques for creating beautiful smiles with contemporary cosmetic dentistry.  It was an entertaining and educational day for everyone in attendance. 

Dr. Arnold was responsible for hosting Dr. Dorfman for the day.  He introduced him to the seminar attendees, took him to various conference functions, spent the day sharing ideas, and took him to the airport afterwards.  It was a fantastic opportunity to learn first-hand from the most publically well-known dentist in the world.  It was a terrific experience all around.

Drs. Arnold, Shideler, and Wargo spent a full weekend with the team in Chicago in April.  They all attended a fantastic team-building program given by Dr. Paul Homoly.  Dr. Homoly is a leader in the field of dentistry and effective communication for the entire team. 

In additon to spending two days learning how to work more effectively with one another, they had a lot of fun.  Spending time outside of the office together was particularly valuable for the teams from the two offices to get to know one another.  One night all eighteen team members took Dr. Homoly out to dinner at Harry Carry’s restaurant.   A great time was had by all!

One of the major goals of the seminar was learning specific strategies to help us serve our patients more effectively.  It was a smashing success, and we know that you will notice an even higher level of customer service at your next visit.  Find out more “Office News” at our website:  www.SmilesByArnold.com.

Grillz are removable teeth covers that are usually made of gold, platinum, or silver. They can be made to fit over two, four, six, or all of the upper and/or lower teeth. Often gems are also incorporated into these metal “frameworks.” Some people even incorporate their initials, symbols or words into their grillz. A grill can cost anywhere from twenty to several thousand dollars per tooth, depending upon the type of framework and the number and quality of gems used.Hip-hop artists have been wearing grillz for more than a decade. They were popularized and began to enter the mainstream after the 2005 song “Grillz” by the pop-artist Nelly. There are now men and women of all ethnicities having grillz custom-made to fit over their teeth. Additionally, many teenagers are emulating their favorite MTV stars.

Unfortunately, these dental “accessories” can be very damaging to the teeth and gums that they cover up and bite against. Teeth can be chipped or broken; cavities can form, and gum disease can be caused by the bacteria and food that become trapped under these appliances. If cheap metals are used, allergic reactions can also be a problem.

Usually, grillz are removable, which means that they can at least be cleaned regularly, but jewelry cleaners can create adverse reactions such as burning the gums. If they are cemented in place, the results can be particularly devastating because there is no way to keep the teeth clean.

It has become a multi-million dollar business, seemingly overnight. In some cities, there are jewelry stores and mall kiosks doing a brisk business selling and fabricating these trendy mouthpieces. First, an impression is made of the teeth. Then the appliance is either made on-site, or it is sent to a jeweler and completed within a couple of weeks. In many states, these impressions can only be made in a dental office, however.

Personally, I would not allow my children to wear grillz – not because of esthetic concerns, but due to the inherent risks. If you choose to allow your son to wear a grill, please make sure that he only wears it occasionally. He should keep it clean and be diligent in caring for his teeth and gums. You should probably plan for additional dental expenses associated with more frequent cleanings and possible harmful consequences of his appliance.

For more information on Grillz or any other dental topic, please visit:  www.SmilesByArnold.com.

SmilesByArnold and Associates is excited to announce that Dr. Jim Arnold is now Invisalign certified.  He is now treating patients who need orthodontic treatment that can be accomplished with this fantastic new hassle-free appliance.  Many patients come to Dr. Arnold for porcelain veneers.  Sometimes their ultimate result of treatment is better and more conservative if the teeth are straightened slighty first with Invisalign orthodontics.   

FDA approved Invisalign is the “invisible” way to straighten your teeth without wearing conventional metal braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable custom-made aligners to move your teeth. Because you remove your aligners before you eat and drink, there are no food restrictions or problems with flossing or brushing. This technology is also more comfortable, avoiding the mouth abrasions that can be caused by the metal and wires of conventional braces. And this technology is also more convenient, since you are likely to spend less time in the doctor’s office getting adjustments.

Invisalign uses 3-D computer imaging technology to design the complete treatment plan, from the initial teeth positioning to the desired final positioning. This 3-D imaging allows you to preview the final positioning of your teeth before you start treatment. Custom-made aligners are created based on the imaging information. Each of these aligners moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about 2 weeks. Typically, you will visit your dentist once every 6 weeks for “progress reports.”

Not every situation can be treated with Invisalign, so call our Chesterton dental office at (219) 926-5445 or our Valparaiso dental office at (219) 531-8914 to get an evaluation to see if you can be helped with this new technology.  Visit us online at:  www.SmilesByArnold.com for more information.