This dental implant case took about one year to complete. We started with CT scans and placed eight dental implants in each jaw. These photos show completion of the lower jaw.

Dr. Dan Vogel and Dr. Richard Pitz, both New York dentists, obtained a patent on Optically-Cured Space-Frame Reinforced Dental Composite Restorations. Dr. Pitz has retired from private dental practice. Dr. Dan Vogel now works at The Center For Special Dentistry.

The Center for Special Dentistry
425 Madison Avenue @ 49th Street
NYC 10017
(212) 758-1000
www.NYCdentist.com

Professor Sharon McLaughlin teaches senior dental hygiene students in the post-graduate Prosthodontic Department at NYU Dental School. She also oversees patient care rendered by these students.

Professor Sharon McLaughlin, RDH, BS, MM, Dental Hygienist
The Center for Special Dentistry
425 Madison Avenue @ 49th Street
NYC 10017
(212) 758-1000
www.NYCdentist.com

Dr. Dan Vogel joined The Center for Special Dentistry in August 2011. Dr. Dan Vogel was originally a dental lab technician for 15 years who worked in the dental practice of Dr. Richard Pitz at 400 East 54th Street. Dan went to NYU dental school and returned to Dr. Pitz’s office to share space and build his own dental practice. Dan joined us this summer after Dr. Pitz retired. He has been a wonderful addition to our practice.

Dan’s new address:

Dan Vogel, DDS
The Center for Special Dentistry
425 Madison Avenue @ 49th Street
NYC 10017
(212) 758-1000
www.NYCdentist.com

It is well worth taking a year or two off before you start dental school to work with Dr. Dorfman. After working in the office for over a year, I cannot begin to explain just how much I have learned. Aside from learning a wealth of dental information (terminology, anatomy, instruments, steps and instruments used for procedures, clinical tips, how to interact with patients, etc.) that will help immensely when I start dental school, I have also learned the ins and outs of running a successful dental practice. You will get out of it what you put into it. If you show Dr. Dorfman that you are eager to learn and willing to work hard than he and the other dentists in the office will take the time to teach you all aspects of dentistry, many of which you will never learn in dental school. It is also a great opportunity to see if any specialties interest you.

I could go on and on about all that I have learned from this program and how much it will help me in dental school and as a practicing dentist. Simply put, this is an invaluable experience for any pre-dental student. I strongly recommend any pre-dental student to apply for this program.

I studied at The Center for Special Dentistry for two consecutive summers and have recently begun a one year full time experience before attending dental school. The Student Program offers a unique opportunity to experience high-end dentistry and gain exposure to a variety of specialties including oral surgery and endodontic, periodontic, orthodontic, pediatric, and cosmetic dentistry. At any given time there are a number of students in the office, so what you get out of the internship is largely dependent on how much time you spend in the office and what you do with your time there. While your responsibilities are at first limited, your demonstration of interest in the office and eagerness to contribute are key to gaining the trust of the doctors and senior interns and eventually taking on more responsibilities. During my first summer interning, there were a number of us actively seeking opportunities to help around the office and become involved. It didn’t take long before we were cleaning and preparing treatment rooms, scanning and filing documents, and assisting some of the dentists. That’s not to say, however, that they delegated responsibilities freely. As I stated before, you only got as much out of the internship as you initiated, and those interns visiting the office sparingly or texting all day in the staff room certainly may have missed many of these opportunities. While I was interning I actively participated in the daily responsibilities of the senior interns and gained an enormous amount of knowledge in both dental treatment and the business of managing a practice. If you’re looking for meaningful dental experience and are willing to put your time in, then I highly recommend applying for this pre-dental school program.

– A.C.

Students of dental implantology should visit our free online resource, NYCdentist.com/Linkow, to read four complete textbooks written by Dr. Leonard Linkow, a pioneer in dental implants.  These books provide historical insight into the era or early modern implant dentistry.

Mandibular Dental Implants

Maxillary Dental Implants

Theories and Techniques of Oral Implantology (Volume 1)

Theories and Techniques of Oral Implantology (Volume 2)

As a practicing dentist I personally like and use BioHorizons dental implants (among other brands) but I would not buy shares in the company.

There are many dental implant manufacturers and each make claims for the superiority of their brand (e.g. Laser-Lok).  Beyond a certain point in quality many implant dentists feel that “a screw is a screw” and success depends more on how the implant is placed surgically and the quality of the prosthesis it supports.  In other words, success depends upon the carpenter not the screw.

Competition is fierce and discounting is commonplace in BioHorizons core business of dental implants and it became more intense in November 2010 with the purchase of Implant Direct by Sybron, a division of Danaher.  I can understand why the private equity firm behind BioHorizons wants to recoup their investment now but they can keep their stock.

Read The Wall Street Journal article.

BioHorizons (BHZN) has filed a plan for a $100 million IPO later this week.  I like BioHorizons dental implants but that doesn’t make me want to buy the company.  Dental implant pricing has become very price competitive and this will only further increase with the November 2010 combination of Sybron, a Danaher (DHR) company, with Dr. Gerald Niznick.  Danaher is trading near its 52 week high for a good reason.  BioHorizons also does not appear to offer a unique competitive advantage over dozens of competitors.  This IPO does not interest me.

I worked and studied at The Center for Special Dentistry for three years full time and learned more than I ever could have imagined when I applied to the program.

You get out of the program, what you put in it. Dr. Dorfman has been teaching a long time and carefully observes the learning curve of each of the students and pays attention to their willingness and effort in the office. When he can, he will share with you what he is working on and will introduce diagnosis and treatment planning and educate you on different cases. He practices intelligently and teaches you about the business side of dentistry as well. Before this program I did not realize all that it took to run a practice and am extremely grateful for everything that I have learned. I will use all the skills that Dr. Dorfman has taught me for the rest of my life and implement many of them in my career!

Students who made the greatest effort were able to learn the most in the program. Dr. Dorfman is EXTREMELY giving and wants his students to succeed. I HIGHLY recommend this program and encourage everyone to apply!