Event Reports

Professional Panel Presents at
September Stated Meeting

 NYCDS members turned out in large numbers for the panel discussion on “Anterior Tooth Crowding:  Treatment Alternatives & Predictable Outcomes” held at the September 12^th Stated Meeting.  The distinguished panel was moderated by NYCDS Vice President James H. Doundoulakis, who planned the event with the Program Committee whose members included Alban Burke, Maurice Edwards, Gail Schupak and John Varoscak.  Each presenter addressed the issue of tooth crowding from their own professional perspective.   Fraya Karsh, DMD, Olivier F. Nicolay, DDS, and Larry W. Rosenthal, DDS, spoke about treatment options based on periodontics, orthodontics and restorative dentistry respectively.  After a fifteen minute presentation by each panelist, Dr. Doundoulakis asked each doctor few follow-up questions. The full panel answered questions at the end of the presentation. Members of the audience appreciated hearing the differing approaches of each panelist to the challenges of addressing overcrowding in the “esthetic zone.”

 Dr. Karsh underlined the importance of a patient’s ability to have good oral hygiene. Esthetic restorations with poor or diseased foundations are unacceptable.  She emphasized that paramount in treatment planning and case presentation is the necessity to preserve the interdental papilla and to make sure that the patient is able to visualize the final result and understand the limitations of treatment. It was noted that the best esthetic treatment involves considering all aspects of a healthy mouth and periodontal disease must be handled before orthodontic and restorative treatment.  From the orthodontic perspective, Dr. Nicolay outlined three ways to resolve dental crowding:  dental reduction through extraction(s) or inter-proximal reduction (IPR); arch expansion; or a combination of expansion and IPR. A common thread among all the speakers was to understand patient expectations and try to determine if those expectations can be met.  Dr. Rosenthal tells patients he is “enhancing nature” and tries to help them to have realistic expectations. He stressed the importance of involving periodontic and orthodontic specialists in the process as well as the importance of good communication with both patients and the dental lab.  

 Prior to the start of the presentation there was a brief business meeting. President Patricia Sukmonowski encouraged member participation in the upcoming Greater New York Dental Meeting. The Nominating Committee’s slate of candidates for 2012 officer and board positions were announced; President Elect – James Doundoulakis, Vice President – David Shipper, Secretary – Marci Levine, Treasurer – Maurice Edwards, Directors at Large – Marc Gainor and Gail Schupak, Alternate Directors at Large – Ken Cooperman and Benjamin Godder. The full slate will be voted upon by the membership at the next stated meeting on November 7^th.  Dr. Sukmonowski, who served as Chair of the Nominating Committee, thanked the members of the Committee. The meeting was graciously sponsored by Marotta Dental Studios.