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today GNYDM 25 Nov

By Robert L. Harrell, DDS n There is an overwhelming need to treat patients suffering with chronic headaches and other symptoms affecting the head and neck areas. According to the National Institutes of Health, between 15 and 45 mil- lion Americans exhibit some form of TMJ/D issues.1 Statistics from the National Headache Foundation indi- cate that more than 45 million Ameri- cans endure recurring headaches, and within this group, 28 million suffer from migraines.2,3 Research suggests up to 80 percent of head- achesresultfromdentalforce-related problems. A staggering number of people don’t know why they’re in pain or have been unable to find long-term relief. Many are unaware that dental force-related issues — either specifi- cally related to their mouth or as a result of traumas such as whiplash — can be the root cause of their pain. They usually don’t tell their den- tist or physician about their chronic pain, and they’re unaware treatment exists. I was fortunate to recognize the need for caring for these patients in a manner that provides long-term relief. After learning about the Tru- Denta system (www.drsdoctor.com, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), I incorporated this complete assessment and thera- peutic technology into my practice (Fig. 1). The TruDenta system reflects an understanding and application of current research attributing dental force imbalances to muscle dysfunc- tion in the head and neck area. Dig- italassessmenttechnologiescombine with treatment modalities proven in sports medicine and physical ther- apy as well as specialized education. Using TruDenta, dentists can restore patients to proper dental force bal- ance, eliminate recurring pain and provide desperately needed care. After integrating TruDenta into my practice and marketing this treat- ment, I found many patients with sim- ilarstories,allsufferingfromongoing pain, beginning to believe they were un-helpable and having exhausted nearly every available resource to findasolution.Theysoughttreatment for chronic pain, not necessarily a dentist or dental treatment. Once my team and I began treatment, we found that within a 10- to 12-week period, our patients experienced life-chang- ing relief and the system proved successful. We’ve experienced professional growth, and I’ve expanded my prac- tice in previously unimaginable ways, all by assessing and treating dental force-related conditions and their symptoms, including headache/ migrainepain.We’vegainedpersonal satisfaction by making a difference in people’s lives, and my practice has witnessed increased financial growth. I truly believe dental head- ache care, and a headache clinic within a practice, is a model for suc- cess that my dental colleagues may want to consider. Treating patients with TruDenta is straight forward. Through the train- ing and education process, which includes on-site hands-on instruc- tion and four to six weeks of dis- tance courses, my auxiliary team and I found ourselves fully prepared to offer TruDenta treatment to our patients. A year ago, I decided to open a separate headache care clinic within my practice. A goal was building awareness, so we used the marketing resources provided by TruDenta to initiate a marketing campaign. We targeted individuals seeking a solu- tion for their pain who remained in the dark about this option. Building upon this awareness, we applied sound marketing strategies, such as proactive and free public relations, which resulted in news coverage on Fox News and articles in local news- papers and magazines. Currently, we’re examining social media as another vital publicity outlet. The results have been well worth the effort. The clinic is flourishing, and within recent weeks, we’ve had just shy of 100 patients wait for TruDenta treatment scheduling. We don’t want to turn anyone away and are focusing efforts on hiring additional staff to accommodate the influx of patients in need of care. We also want to help potential patients burdened with financial constraints by examining every insurance and assistanceprogramavailabletomake treatment possible. It is an extraordinarily satisfying experience to provide someone with a solution that takes away their pain. Fromaneconomicstandpoint,provid- ingTruDentacaretapsintoanewmar- ket of clients directly benefiting from your services, which helps ensure increased revenue during economi- callyunstabletimes.Ihumblybelieve dental headache care, a clinic within a practice and the TruDenta system representanamazingopportunityfor dentists to help individuals reclaim power over their health and lives. In their eyes, this makes you a hero. References 1. National Institute of Dental and CraniofacialResearch,www.nider. nih.gov/DataStatistics/ByPopula tion/Adults/. 2. National Headache Foundation, www.headaches.org/education /Headache_Topic_Sheets/. Migraine. Accessed July 3, 2012. 3. Headache. US News and World Report. 2006. www.health.usnews. com/health-conditions/brain -health/headache. Accessed July 3, 2012. exhibitors48 Greater New York Dental Meeting — Nov. 25, 2012 Stay ahead of the curve operative challenges and dramati- cally reduces the total time in treat- ment. These implants can often solve the problems of time, money and perceived pain for most patients who otherwise do not proceed with care. Manyclinicalreportscitetheadvan- tages of the implant design and mate- rials in the following ways: ANEW is composed of Grade V titanium alloy, with the threaded portion of the implant mechanically roughened to maximize the bone-implant interface. The tapered design facilitates implant placement and promotes initial stabil- ity. In addition, the screw-retained prosthetic design allows for disassem- bly of restorations without tapping, ultimately protecting the implant. ANEW narrow body implants have met the most precise implantology standards, having undergone rigor- ous testing, research and clinical use by the profession. First used in 2000 and granted FDA approval in 2004 for long-term use as determined by health-care providers, ANEW Implants are widely recognized by cli- nicians and universities worldwide. The first results were published in 2004 showing consistently favorable results. In 2005, the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants published a histology study where Dr. Michael Rohrer reports the percentage of bone in contact with the body of Dentatus implants is in “the same range and sometimes higher than what is usu- allyseenwithconventionalimplants.” In 2007, Dr. Stuart Froum, et al, from the New York University Depart- ment of Implant Dentistry published a study in the International Journal of Perio and Restorative Dentistry fol- lowing 40 Anew implants in patients for one to five years post-loading. According to the study, “No failures were reported, yielding a 100 percent survival rating.” Here at GNYDM For more information on the TruDenta digitalassessmentandtherapeuticsys- tem, stop by the booth, No. 3302. About the author Robert L. Harrell, DDS, is a general dentistpracticinginCharlotte,N.C.His practice focuses on treating advanced restorative cases, TMJ/TMD and cos- metic dentistry. He can be reached at drharrell@charlotteheadachecenter. com. implant 7 from page 46 5 Fig. 1: Image of the complete TruDenta digital assessment and therapeutic sys- tem. (Photos/Provided by TruDenta) 5 Fig. 2: Dr. Harrell’s trained staff provides TruDenta therapy. TruDenta offers a way to cure patients suffering with chronic headaches and other pain