Talking teeth: Free dental seminar by Dr. Mitchell Josephs promises to be fun and informative
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Palm Beach dentist Dr. Mitchell Josephs really enjoys talking about dentistry.
To his patients.
To his staff.
To his fellow practitioners.
And especially to his guests during his popular free public seminars — the next one of which, "Teeth for Life XXIII," is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens.
“We’re going to cover everything people need to know about how to choose the right dental office for their specific needs,” says Josephs, who keeps the mood light, interactive and fun.
“I’ve done standup comedy at local clubs in the past, and this is just another fun and informative way to put a mic in my hand,” he notes with a laugh.
Among the topics Josephs plans to cover:
How porcelain veneers can transform your smile.
His unique no-cut dental implant surgical technique that yields faster and more comfortable post-procedure healing.
Digital X-rays, which minimize the patient’s exposure to radiation.
The use of an intra-oral camera, which finds current and potential future problems that standard X-rays simply cannot detect.
A simplified approach to the often-complex work of full-mouth crown and implant reconstruction.
Explanation of why the so-called “teeth in a day” approach to dental work can be very risky.
Why you should beware of TV commercials and internet advice for dentistry.
Digital impressions with a unique device called iTero: It eliminates the “gagging goop” that dentists have used for decades.
Painless high-tech shots containing electronic anesthesia, which is an advancement of traditional local anesthetics.
The proper approach to securing loose dentures with special implant attachments.
Alternatives to crowns to preserve healthy tooth structure.
Financial realities
Another topic Dr. Josephs will speak about is how much money people are often forced to spend on their dental health.
He recalls that at a standup comedy workshop he attended years ago, one of his fellow attendees was, by day, a financial planner.
While they were chatting during a break, the financial planner shared that he tells his clients who are entering retirement that their out-of-pocket dental expenses could easily reach or exceed $200,000 during the course of two or three decades.
The figure stunned Josephs.
“But the more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right.”
And what’s more, the need to spend that kind of money during one’s 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond isn’t necessarily because previous dentists did anything wrong.
The simple fact, says Josephs, is that “20th century dental materials used during 20th century dental procedures weren’t always meant to last a lifetime.”
Josephs says one of the ways to increase the likelihood of your current dental work lasting the rest of your life is to have it done with state-of-the-art materials and dental techniques.
“Spending the money now can save you a fortune in the future.”
Connection between mental and dental health
During the early stages of the pandemic when the country was in lockdown, dentists nationwide reported an increase in patients suffering cracked teeth — no doubt due to folks grinding their teeth because of stress.
Considering that we’re in the midst of economic inflation, it would stand to reason that dentists may start seeing more cases of cracked teeth again.
If you’re concerned that either you or your loved ones may fall victim to this, Josephs has a few suggestions:
1. Get a custom-made night guard made from digital impressions at a dental office. Yes, they can be pricey and most dental plans don’t cover them — but the money this device will save you down the road in avoiding far more serious dental issues is more than worth it. And don’t bother with the “heat-and-wear” over-the-counter products sold at pharmacies because not only won’t they be effective, but they also “could cause problems,” Josephs says.
2. See your dentist regularly — at least twice yearly — for cleanings, exams, X-rays and other imaging. This is the way to detect potential problems in their earliest stages.
3. If your dentist says "get a crown," listen to him or her. “This is the ultimate way to protect a tooth as it wears down because the crown covers the tooth completely,” explains Josephs.
4. If you’re having trouble sleeping or experiencing other teeth-grinding complications, such as migraines or jaw pain, talk to your physician about the advisability of using sleep-aid medications and/or muscle relaxers. Other ways to reduce stress include yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and vigorous physical activity.
Friday’s seminar
All attendees on Friday will receive a free copy of Josephs’ latest book, “Tooth Talk! What Educated Patients Need to Know About 21st Century Dental Treatment.”
In addition, Josephs will make a $25 donation on behalf of each attendee to the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“After our last seminar, we made a donation of more than $2,000,” says Josephs.
Seating for Friday’s seminar, at which complimentary food and refreshments will be served, is limited — but there are a few seats left.
If you go
What: Free dental seminar, "Teeth for Life XXIII," hosted by Dr. Mitchell Josephs
When: 11:30 a.m. Friday
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 4431 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens.
To register: Call 561-832-2917, email drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com, or visit palmbeachdentist.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dr. Mitchell Josephs to offer free dental seminar Friday July 22, 2022
