Doesn’t everyone love a train wreck?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

Train wrecks. It is Gold Dust’s unofficial description of a full mouth rehabilitation case that has every element of complexity — pathology, parafunction, destruction and disease. And we LOVE them! There is nothing we do that is more rewarding than restoring function and a natural smile back to someone who lost it many years ago.

The photos above represents a patient who’s life is about the change with the advances in dentistry and the opportunity for an amazing continuing education event. (Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos)

See how Dr. John Nosti diagnoses, treatment plans, prepares, provisionalizes and cements 20 restorations in the first phase of this patients full mouth rehabilitation. Dr. Nosti, who also hold a dental license in Illinois, will present the latest in techniques, materials and processes to assist you in treating these difficult, multi-dimensional cases. Every participant with have “ring-side” seats to this incredible event as he shares his secrets to unraveling train wreck cases, into predictable long-lasting dentistry. Dr. Jason Olitsky joins Dr. Nosti with his expertise in the area of preparation design, aesthetic considerations and tips for a stress-free appointment!

Course will be May 18, 19 and June 8,9th right on Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago. Check back for progress photos, videos and highlights!

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Marketing Genius or Misleading the Consumer? You decide…

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

I’m a sucker for a nifty marketing angle. I love usable swag and unique branding. So imagine my delight at Spring Training this year when from across the stadium and through the stands and outfield laws,  I observe a sea of bright yellow fan/shade handheld items with a simple “Smile” printed on one side and www.smilegeneration.com on the reverse side.  My existence as a geek of all things dental, I have to ask the promotional crew manning the Smile Fan/Shade popsicle stick delights, “What exactly is www.smilegeneration.com?” Well the answer I was given was interesting.  ”This is a group that ‘selects’ only the best and most qualified dentists in your area and provides you a referral to an office in your geographic are. Only Smile Generation Approved dentists are listed on the website. There is a variety of criteria they base this decision on and there are more than 40 offices they have selected in the Phoenix area. And, none of the dentists listed pay to be on this list such as with 1-800-DENTIST.” Hmmmm… when asked how this group was funded, I was told by “sponsorship.” Indeed?

A quick search on my IPhone tells me, www.smilegeneration.com is a website owned and operated by Pacific Dental Services. That’s right, a dental services organization with more than 250 affiliate offices on the west side of the country. What “approved offices from a variety of criteria are selected” for the referral? Well naturally PDS offices! The same search functionality that exists on both websites www.smilegeneration.com and www.pacificdentalservices.com. Put in the same search fields and the offices listed are exactly the same.

But www.smilegeneration.com also includes user reviews!! It must be legit. Of the 100′s of reviews that are posted and more than 300 that I personally read… all offer only a 5 smile face rating. There was also no mechanism for me to post an unbiased review on www.smilegeneration.com or the practice’s individual website.

“Why do you care?” Paul Lindsey, CEO of Gold Dust asks me. “Is it because you didn’t think of first.” My honest gut reactions is …maybe. Except, I know the integrity of your marketing message is as important as the message itself. I care because I know there is a fine line between marketing genius and misleading the public, while in the process discrediting what I think is a terrific organization like 1-800-DENTIST. Why else do I care? Because hundreds of practices that I’ve personally worked with are being out-marketed. The demand for a practice to be social media savvy and market direct to the consumer has never been greater!

Over the next 3 months, Gold Dust’s initiative is to bring our clients the best in Social Media coaching with webinars focused on attracting the dental consumer. Check our blog on April 2nd for a schedule of world class speakers. We look forward to support your inner Marketing Genius!

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If you’re teeth are straight but still ugly…

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

There is a terrific trend in dentistry for more conservative treatment options for patients. You’ll see many of these services marketed directly to the consumer with Invisalign clear aligner trays, 6 Month Smiles, in-office whitening like Zoom and at home whitening such as Crest Whitestrips.

There does exist the reality that many of the products and services, while really valuable are not the only answer to aesthetic dentistry dilemma that many of our patients find themselves in. Bottom line you can’t make an ugly shaped or permanently discolored tooth look pretty. Emprethins and no preparation veneer options, remain an ideal choice for mis-shapen, permanently discolored, short or pitted teeth.

For more information on dentists that are certified in Emprethins and for the best dental ceramics in the country, contact 800.513.6131 or see examples at www.golddustdental.com.

Dentistry by Dr. Josh Stelzer, Ceramic Artistry by Gold Dust Aesthetic Team

 

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Protect yourself from failure with a Dental Warranty…

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

What happens when a patient who has had a beautiful smile design, or extensive dentistry has failure through no fault of the doctor? To keep the doctor/patient relationship intact for loyal patients, many clinicians choose to re-do or remake at no charge, or to simply pass along the lab fee. This results in loss of production for the practice,  loss of confidence with your patient and countless man hours invested in negotiating the best route to ensuring happy patients.

While Gold Dust is proud to stand behind our work with a “guarantee” against material failure, a warranty actually protects the patient and the clinician against no fault circumstances of failure, most routinely up to 5 years. That’s right, a warranty would provide coverage up to the original fee the patient paid for the work, meaning no loss of production. If your patient is in a biking accident, the doctor is paid for the remake.  If a composite fails or chips, the doctor is paid up to their original fee.

Protect your patients. Protect yourselves with Dental Warranty Corp. Call Parker at 800.691.7234 and ask about customized plan and preferred pricing as a Gold Dust Dental Lab customer.

www.dentalwarranty.net

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Full Mouth Rehabilitation LIVE Patient Demonstration Course with Dr. John Nosti

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

Clinician & Course Director: John Nosti DMD, FAGD - Mays Landing, NJ

You’ve no doubt heard the expression, those who can’t do… teach. It’s ironic when you are a dental school student and your prosth professor hasn’t practiced in 20 years but impractical to learn systems, protocols and efficiencies from  There simply exist few clinicians who treat as many full mouth rehabilitations and complex cases as Dr. John Nosti and he practices in not one but two locations!

The Clinical Mastery Series presented by Gold Dust, is honored to host a LIVE PATIENT Full Mouth Rehab course in Chicago May 18, 19th and June 8, 9th 2012.  This Over the Shoulder program allows you, not only to benefit from the lecture and instruction but see Dr. Nosti IN ACTION, from records to cementation. Witness every step live and by his side. This intimate learning environment will be limited to 15 clinicians. . . so don’t wait to register. For more information, go to www.clinicalmastery.com/img/pdf/Full%20Mouth.pdf!
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Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition Participants Receive Smile Enhancements

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

Gold Dust’s co-owner and ceramist, Rob Maatta just seated two more smiles with Dr. John Badolato of Scottsdale, for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition. Participants receive life changing procedures as they meet goals in their weight loss over the course of 365 days. Gold Dust is privileged to be the dental lab of choice and excited to participate stay tuned for the dramatic transformations!

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Continuing Education – - Clinical Mastery Launches Advanced Level 2 Occlusion Program

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

Dental Continuing Education is a professional investment and if you are going to make worthwhile — the subject matter must be relevant and timely, the presenters need to be experienced, knowledgeable, unbiased and REALLY great mentors and it needs to be structured so you get the most out of the least amount of time spent.

Hard to find you say??? Clinical Mastery Series presented by Gold Dust is privileged to launch an Advanced Occlusion program featuring Dr. John Nosti and Dr. Mike Smith. Ultimate Occlusion – Level 2 will be the next step in your occlusion journey with a focus on treatment planning difficult cases and case presentation. Achieve the confidence to predictably treat partially endentulous, stepped occlusions and full mouth rehabilitation in the 2 1/2 day program.

Feb 10, 11 2012 – Las Vegas, NV

June 29, 30th – Chicago,  IL

October 29, 30th – Philadelphia, PA

Description: This course was developed for the clinician who desires to master successful treatment planning for patients presenting complex occlusions, including partially endentulous, stepped occlusions and full mouth reconstruction. This 2 1/2 day program will provide and interactive, advanced occlusion experience with a focus on treatment planning and case presentations.

Course Objectives: 

  • Participants will successfully treatment plan and present to their peers three cases with complex occlusions
  • Participants will be able to provide patients with a phased plan for treatment to match their economic limitations
  • Participants will be able to predict restorative outcomes with the use of splints and orthotics in case management
  • Participants will be provided hands on overview of advanced instrumentation and diagnostics — including joint, muscle and teeth analysis
  • Participants will learn advanced principles of equilibration with an in depth study of when, where and how to equilibrate.
  • Participants will observe case presentation techniques for a variety clinical conditions and patient circumstances

Tuition: $2900. – sign up by December 31, 2011 and receive a $400 discount off the program

Limited to 16 participants per program *** Don’t wait to reserve your spot!!! 

Call today for more details – 800.513.6131 or go to www.clinicalmastery.com

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Does this smile look familiar?

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

It could be the smile of one of your dental team. If so, what’s the problem?

Many people might evaluate this smile and say it looks nice. Her teeth are more or less in alignment, from distance her teeth look pretty straight. But the truth is your patients do not evaluate their smiles in their dental office from distance … they are close, oh so close when discussing, treating and caring for your patients. Does your team members reflect the true quality of the dentistry you do???? It may be sensitive question but a reality when it comes to what is your patient’s perception.

The best marketing tool you have is the 3rd party endorsement… someone else who accepted treatment, who can speak to the experience. Your team members are some of the most powerful marketers in your practice if positioned properly. They can talk to your patients about their experience with anesthesia, provisionals, cementation, what they eat, how they care for their teeth and the like. It’s this bridge to your patients that is built and solidifies their own treatment recommendation.

Take an inventory on the team members who interact with your patients daily. Is this the finest example of what you do in your practice?

We recently completed this 20 unit minimal prep Empress Esthetic case, in partnership with Spring House PA cosmetic dentist Dr. Josh Stelzer, on a key team member of his clinical team. He presented a full mouth rehabilitation case this morning. Coincidence? Even he doesn’t think so.

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Educational Partnering with Mfg of Empress Esthetic and e.Max Veneers

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Gold Dust Dental Lab

Gold Dust hosted an exclusive group of educators and members of their ceramic team at Ivoclar Vivadent’s headquarters to learn the latest materials advances and techniques for delivering world-class dental restorations.  This group provided real world insights to the clinical application and laboratory fabrication of IPS Empress Esthetic and e.Max materials.

Clinical educators  include (from left to right) Dr. Trent Smallwood, Dr. Chad Yenchesky, Dr. Mike Smith and members of Gold Dust’s Aesthetic team (Luke, Haley, and Heather).

 

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Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition Contestant Gets a New Smile

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Gold Dust Dental Lab
LARHONDA

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ABC\’s Extreme Makeover:Weight Loss Edition Episode 5 Watch ABC’s New Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition Episode 5 as trainer Chris Powell, inspires and trains a young woman of more than 400lbs to lose more than 200 lbs in 365 days. … Continue reading →

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