I feel confident in my abilities as a well-rounded dentist, but it took a long time to reach this point. Over the past 30 years, my attempts to learn as much as possible about dentistry have given me the knowledge necessary to perform with a more positive disposition. I have worked for many different dentists in varied settings—high-end offices, clinics, and middle-of-the-road suburban practices. I’ve kept up with dental advances, read professional journals and books, and visited with specialists on a continuing basis. So, does all this make me qualified to write a consumer dentistry book? I believe so, and I hope that with the information you receive, you will be able to make more intelligent decisions and ultimately save your teeth and your money.

The Art and Science

A good example of how basic scientific principles are formulated, analyzed, and applied to clinical therapy is in the area of periodontology, the specialty that deals with the gums and the supporting bone surrounding the teeth. When these tissues become inflamed and infected—due mostly to accumulations of tartar, plaque and bacterial contamination—bone destruction can occur along with what are called pockets. A periodontal pocket is a separation between the gum and the tooth.