Dental Assisting Requires Attention to Detail and People Skills

As a dental assistant at Metropolitan Periodontists, P.A.  our job requires a lot of attention to detail. We need to be sure that we have everything ready for each patient’s procedure.  We offer a variety of treatment options to our patients and each patient’s treatment is unique.

Before a patient comes into the office for a procedure with Dr. Wilson, we review all their information and make sure Dr. Wilson has what he needs for the procedure. The information we need to know is; Does the patient have current x-rays, were they given prescriptions for the procedure, does the patient have any allergies or healthy condition and what specifically during the exam of the patient did Dr. Wilson tell the patient he will be doing. All this information helps us to be prepared and can also help a patient feel at ease when we are working on them.  We want our patients to know that we are taking the best care of them.

Although my focus is on the patient, I am always watching Dr. Wilson trying to anticipate what he is going to need during a procedure to make sure everything goes well. The little details make a big difference.

Dentistry truly is a people business.  The success of procedures is always a combination of people skills and paying attention to all the clinical details.

I have been working with Dr. Wilson for a year and a half and I can sense what he is going to do next when I am working with him chairside, or what he is going to need.  There are some subtle body language cues that he gives.  I don’t think he is even aware that he is giving me these cues or that I pick up on them.  There is a connectedness there and nonverbal communication which makes the procedure go smoother and faster for the patient.  Making sure our patients have the best experience possible is all due to good teamwork.

Stephanie, Licensed Dental Assistant

Metropolitan Periodontists

Minneapolis, MN

New Patients Welcome

Lisa Reviews Brushing and Flossing

Every patient thinks they know how to brush their teeth, and some do but most do not brush their teeth long enough. They think they are brushing for the recommended two minutes, but they are usually only brushing about 45 seconds.  You cannot do a quality job brushing in 45 seconds.  If a patient has gum disease or a history of gum disease then they have to brush even longer than two minutes and work harder than somebody who has never had a history of gum disease. 

If I notice a patient is having a hard time removing plaque from their teeth when they brush or floss, I will put a dye on their teeth that stains their plaque and ask the patient to remove it so they know what it takes to thoroughly clean their teeth at home.

When it comes to flossing, I try not to have anybody be a slave to the mirror, because if you are a slave to the mirror then you will only floss your teeth in the bathroom.  Instead, I try to teach them by feel.  I put the floss in their mouth and I floss their teeth for them and then I have the patient floss their teeth and give them feedback.

We also have other supplies to help patients with their oral care. For example, if a patient has larger spaces between their teeth, I will give them a tool that will clean those spaces better than flossing alone would.

What a patient does on a daily basis at home is far more important than what I can ever do for them. Not every patient is the same each patient deserves oral care instructions that fit their needs. I feel demonstrating brushing and flossing and then having patients repeat what I just showed them is the best way to teach them great oral care habits.

Lisa, Registered Dental Hygienist

Metropolitan Periodontists

Minneapolis, MN

Josh's Story

We at Metropolitan Periodontists take Oral Cancer very seriously. Sometimes it takes something very close to us to really understand the importance.  Please read our hygienists story and consider taking your screenings to the next level:

Josh's Story:

My name is Lisa, I am the hygienist for Metropolitan Periodontists and I would like to share my story about my son, Josh.

I have been in the dental field for over 20 years and when my son told me he

had a bump next to his tooth the last thing I suspected was cancer.   After

doing a few preliminary tests Dr. Wilson and I decided to have it biopsied.

The results came back benign.

When the cyst came back almost immediately, we went to the U and the recommended treatment was surgical removal.

The day of the surgery the surgeon was suspicious and decided to re-biopsy and that is when we got the shocking news that it was, in fact, cancer.  The shock still hasn't settled. Joshua doesn't fit the profile, he has never used tobacco and seldom drinks.  He's only 24 years old!

He wears a prosthesis for his palate and we are so thankful we caught it as early as we did.  

The Connection

For years, dentists have tried to prevent patients from cavities, gum disease, infections of the teeth and infections of the surrounding tissues of the teeth. Did you know that by preventing some of these issues, dentists are also helping prevent patients from other health issues such as elevated blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, increased blood pressure or more pain in arthritic patients? When there is inflammation from gum(periodontal) disease, or inflammation from an infected tooth, this increases inflammation in other parts of the body. This is because your immune system is working hard to protect the body from infection. The immune system does this by sending healing cells, with the help of blood, to an area to protect it from an infection but the side-effect to this, is swelling and inflammation. This means higher blood sugar levels in the diabetic patient, an increase in blood pressure and more inflammation in joints for the arthritic patient.  So what can people do about it?  People can start with good home care for their teeth and gums.  This means brushing a minimum of twice a day for 2 minutes each time you brush, making sure to remove bacteria at the gum line and flossing once a day to remove bacteria from between the teeth. Brushing and flossing alone will not do the trick. People should also see a dentist regularly to have a routine dental cleaning with a licensed dental hygienist (LDH).  An LDH is trained to remove bacteria from below the gum line where your tooth brush cannot reach, thus, helping to prevent infection or even detecting an infection early.

At Metropolitan Periodontists, P.A. we specialize in the treatment of gum disease. We use advanced technology to treat patients with active infection or chronic inflammation in their gum tissue.  Our hygienist is the only hygienist in the State of Minnesota to use a camera below the gum line.  She can see the hardened bacteria on the roots of the teeth and she is able to remove it with confidence for our patients. We also use a laser to treat gum disease which is more comfortable for patients than the traditional surgery done to treat gum disease.  If you or someone you know has been told that you have gum disease, schedule an appointment with us.  We would be happy to help you become a healthier you.

What is Wilckodontics?

Orthodontic treatments are well known for their bulky wires, metal brackets, and long-term treatment schedules. In fact, it hasn't been that long since it was almost considered a rite of passage for kids to sport a mouth full of metal during many of their years in school!

Wilckodontics promises to change the perception that a straight, healthy smile takes a long time to achieve. The orthodontic procedure is also known as Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics – AOO – and can provide the same results as traditional therapies, but in much less time. In fact, many patients discover the process takes less than a year, from start to finish, which is approximately 3-4 times faster!

How does it work?

The procedure was first developed by two brothers Thomas Wilcko, a periodontist, and his brother William Wilcko, an orthodontist in the 1990s. They worked together to create a new straightening system that focuses on manipulating and softening the bone, rather than just relying on applied pressure to make adjustments.

The AOO technique involves making small perforations in the alveolar bone. This encourages the bone to generate a large amount of calcium in order to heal. The period of healing is known as osteopenia, and lasts 20-55 days. During the period of osteopenia the bone is softer and teeth are more easily manipulated and moved using braces. For this reason, patients are fitted with braces first and then undergo the surgical procedure with Dr. Wilson.

Benefits of Wilckodontics

The main reasons to opt for Wilckodontics include:

• Shorter treatment time
• Increased strengthening of bone – this can result in a better facial profile and support for teeth
• Less discomfort with adjustments, since the jaw bone is already soft
• Choice of braces includes Invisalign
• Less chance of relapse – the bone generates a very strong bond, holding repositioned teeth in place.

Patients enjoy a lot of flexibility with this procedure – the most obvious advantage being the amount of time the procedure takes. Patients usually recover from the surgery within a week to ten days, and adjustments are made approximately once every two weeks. Ceramic or metal braces can be used with Wilckodontics, and there are no age restrictions. Because it takes a lot less time Wilckodontics is hugely beneficial for working adults who feel inhibited and restricted by long-term treatment.

So, if you are in the market for a straightened smile, it doesn't have to mean years of uncomfortable treatments! Contact Dr.Mark Wilson of Metropolitan Periodontists in Minneapolis about Wilckodontics and start planning for a beautiful smile in no time!