Cosmetic & General Dentistry
Dental School: University of Pittsburgh
Years in Practice: 21
You stay on top of current dental trends through seminars and study clubs. According to your recent research, what are some current advances in the field?
We are now able to use a camera and software to immediately create a 3D model of a person’s mouth. These 3D scans replace the gooey impressions, giving us the ability to create same-day crowns, or can be sent to labs for fabrication of Invisalign, mouth guards, implant crowns and much more.
What is dental sleep medicine and why is it important?
The body needs oxygen, and dental sleep medicine helps our patients ensure they are getting enough oxygen when they sleep. Trained dentists can visually see signs in the mouth of possible restricted breathing, or obstructed sleep apnea. Some signs include nighttime grinding, narrow palate, large tongue, small airway and enlarged tonsils. Once diagnosed, patients have immensely improved their health with a CPAP machine or with an oral appliance therapy device.
What is dental bonding, and why is it popular among your patients?
Dental bonding is a beautiful, conservative alternative to porcelain veneers and crowns. Given proper indications, resin composites can be used to rebuild worn tooth structure or create ideal tooth form. The wonderful thing is that it gives immediate results. I’ve had many patients cry with joy after an hour session of front-teeth cosmetic bonding.
Which teeth replacement option are more patients choosing these days – bridges, dentures or implants?
Implants, without question. Implants are the closest to natural tooth form and act independently.
We hear you’re a golfer. What are your favorite Valley courses?
I love playing with my 9-year-old twins and my husband. My favorite Valley courses are Wild Horse Pass, the Short Course at Mountain Shadows and The Phoenician. My ultimate escape throughout the summer is playing the Seven Canyons golf course in Sedona amongst the deer, javelina and red rock while watching the sun set.
Which celebrity smile do you most admire?
Cate Blanchett. Just love her smile.
Who is your favorite dentist in popular culture?
[The dentist in] Good Luck Chuck played by Dane Cook. Chuck demonstrates that dentists can be fun, funny, talented and sentimental at the same time.
Going to the dentist regularly appears on popular phobia lists. What is your biggest fear?
Amusement park giant swing rides. Something about swinging hundreds of feet off the ground in a chair hung by chains gives me the heebie-jeebies.
“If I wasn’t a dentist, I’d be…”
An oil painter. I’ve loved art since I was in grade school. I took private art lessons in high school, had multiple art classes in college and express my love for art through my cosmetic dentistry now.
