Dental Associates Featured in Danbury News Times for New Digital Scanning Techniques

The Danbury News Times has featured Dr. Aaron Gilman, orthodontist with Dental Associates of CT, to discuss the benefits of a digital scanning tool has on new patients who come into Dental Associates offices in New Milford, Danbury, Newtown and Trumbull that can be fitted for their Invisalign braces more quickly, comfortably and accurately, thanks to a digital scanning system the practice began using late last year Read more here

The Danbury News-Times recently featured Pam Ash, a pediatric dental hygienist with Dental Associates. You can read the article here

Recently, The Newtown Bee has featured Dr. Kessler of our Newtown Office to discuss National Children's Dental Care Month.  You can read the entire article here

 Invisalign Eliminates the need for Traditional Cast Molds of the Teeth by Dental Associates of CT

 

Recently the Newtown Bee featured Dental Associates as the areas only provider of digital impression technology which eliminates the need for a traditional cast molds. You may read the news article below or click here for the PDF version.

 

A perfect smile is about to become more perfect for orthodontic patients at Dental Associates. On Tuesday, November 8, Dr. Gilman accepted shipment on the Invisalign digital scanner, a computerized system that will eliminate the need for the traditional impression molds of the teeth used by dentists to design a plan of treatment for orthodontics.

The new technology, only recently available through Invisalign, creator of the clear plastic retainers used to adjust dental bites without old-fashioned wires and bands, allows Dr. Gilman and staff to digitally scan the teeth using a special laser light wand that detects light and shadows from teeth . The software runs mathematical equations, interpreting the light and shadows as to where the teeth are, and a perfect model of the mouth appears on the screen.

“The computer essentially does the thinking for us. We can look at and study this model, and manipulate it,” said Dr Gilman. “The efficiency is one aspect of this technology, but the precision that it allows is really what drew me to it,” he said.

Dr. Gilman first read about the digital scanner technology in dental journals earlier this year, and invited a company representative to give a presentation at the office.  “After we evaluated it, I decided to purchase it. We’ll get a better product from Invisalign, because we are now providing them with better information, and that means our patients will get better results,” he said.

Prior to November 8, Dr Gilman’s patients preparing for orthodontics using Invisalign had to have an impression of their teeth made, in order for the company to create the series of clear plastic retainers used to move the teeth.

“The molds were good, but inaccuracies can occur. To make a mold, we are mixing a powder and water, and if the mix is not exactly right, there will be a slight imperfection to the mold,” Dr. Gilman said. Additionally, the materials used to make the stone cast of the mold can also have variations that result in a less than perfect final product. In some instances, the mold is inaccurate enough that the patient must be called back to the office and a new impression made. That results in additional time for both the doctor and the patient. For younger patients, especially, said Dr. Gilman, making the impression causes a gag reflex due to the texture and quantity of substance that must be used to make the mold. Until now, that technology was the best available, though, and orthodontists had to work with it.

With the Invisalign digital scanner, Dr. Gilman said, patients are not subjected to any unpleasant experiences to obtain a precise model of their teeth, other than a slight oral dryness from having air blown onto the teeth and having to keep the mouth open for the 15–20 minutes that it takes to get the digital impression.

The Invisalign digital scanner, unlike some of the other digital scanners available to dentists, does not even require the use of a powder on the teeth, he said. The process uses only light to scan the teeth, Dr. Gilman emphasized, “Just like the light in your laser pen. There is no radiation, it is not an x-ray. It is safe for both the technician and the patient.” Patients are provided with sun glasses to wear during the process, but only because the flashes from the light as the wand scans the mouth can be very bright. It is not mandatory, however, that patients wears them if the light does not bother them, Dr. Gilman said.  There is a large learning curve for using the Invisalign digital scanner, admitted Dr Gilman. “It’s a new way of thinking, to understand the computer image, and how to read it on the screen. It is very different from holding a stone model in your hand,” he said. Two technicians from Invisalign were in the office beginning November 8, for three days, for staff training, said Dr. Gilman. “It’s great, so far. This will become easier for us each time we use it, and I expect that we will soon be able to do a scan more quickly than we could ever make an impression. We’re always learning in the field of dentistry, every day,” he said.  Once Dr. Gilman reads the results of the scan, he sends the prescription and goals of treatment, along with the images, to Invisalign. Using a process called stereolithography, a manufacturing process using liquid resin and UV laser, an exact plastic replica of the teeth at each stage of treatment, known as a retainer, is produced for the patient.

“This is the only medical device company that makes a custom-made device,” noted Dr. Gilman.

The digital scanner at Dental Associates is also the first one in the area. The portable scanner will move between the four Dental Associate offices in the state, he added, so that all Dental Associates orthodontic patients will have access to what he sees as a superior means of determining the best Invisalign treatment.

“There will always be a place for the cast molds,” said Dr. Gilman.  While the majority of his patients opt for the wireless, clear Invisalign product, from children through adults, there are some patients for whom Invisalign is not the best means for orthodontic treatment.

“We still need the cast molds for the palate expanders [that many children have before braces],” he said, but he foresees a not too distant future in which the new technology will even be able to create virtual images for expanders, too. The digital scanner is not an inexpensive tool, said Dr Gilman, but he is happy to invest in it to provide a better product to his patients. “There is no additional cost to the patient,” he said. “It is the cost of creating a better smile for my patients by using a new technology that is here, and I’m happy to do that,” Dr Gilman said. “I think if something is being done, it should be done right. This kind of accuracy means greater precision. We will have a better treatment, because it is more accurate [than the cast molds].”

With the holiday season now upon us, Dental Associates of Connecticut has teamed up with the United States Marine Corps Reserve, collecting toys for the Toys for Tots Program.  Collection boxes are located in all five of our locations in Connecticut.  The toys donated should be new and unwrapped, and may be dropped off during business hours up until December 17^th as follows:

Location         Address                         Days/Times

Danbury        36 Padanaram Rd       Mon – Thurs  8am-8pm,   Fri – Sat 8am -5pm

                        19 Padanaram Rd       Mon – Thurs  8am-8pm,   Fri – Sat 8am -5pm

Newtown       11 Church Hill Rd        Mon – Thurs  8am-8pm,   Fri – Sat 8am -5pm

New Milford  1 Aspetuck Avenue     Mon – Thurs  8am-8pm,   Fri – Sat 8am -5pm

Trumbull        1 Hawley Lane            Mon – Thurs  8am-8pm,   Fri – Sat 8am -5pm

Dental Associates of CT Halloween Buy Back Results!

 

Despite Storm Albert that cancelled Halloween events throughout Connecticut, Dental Associates of CT was able to Buy Back 773 pounds of Halloween candy in the Greater Danbury and Trumbull areas during its 9^th Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back on Nov. 8th, 2011.

 773 POUNDS OF CANDY COLLECTED IN ANNUAL HALLOWEEN CANDY BUY BACK PROGRAM THAT RAISES AWARENESS FOR GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE AND SUPPORTS THE TROOPS OVERSEAS.

Hundreds of kids came to the dental practice’s four offices in Danbury, Newtown, New Milford and Trumbull to sell their candy in the annual effort to raise awareness for good dental hygiene. They were paid $2 a pound from the tooth fairy, up to 10 pounds. In addition, the children were encouraged to write a letter to a serviceman overseas, as part of Operation Gratitude, a California-based organization that sends care packages to servicemen that include the Halloween buy-back candy. “Our offices were overflowing with candy, which is not something you usually see in a dentist’s office,” said Dr John Iwasaki, Pediatric Dentist. “People don’t realize the impact candy, especially gooey, chewy types have on teeth, especially if they’re not brushed immediately,” he said. “It’s also nice to participate in a program that brightens the day of our men and women serving in the military.”

Since starting this program in 2003, the Dental Associates of CT Tooth Fairy has bought back nearly 5 tons of candy. Parents brought their children to one of the offices, placed their bags of candy on the scale, and the tooth fairy paid them. “The children left the office without the unhealthy, cavity-causing candy, but instead with some crisp dollar bills and a positive experience from visiting the dentist’s office,” said Dr. Hemant Dhawan, Pediatric Dentist.

In addition to donating the candy to Operation Gratitude, Dental Associates of CT will give a portion of the candy to local charities like the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury and local food pantries. “After learning about our program we also had two schools participate by encouraging their students to donate their leftover candy. Combined these schools donated over 250 pounds to our efforts,” said Cindy Manning, Manager of Community Outreach, Marketing Public Relations.Both schools will receive a gift card to a local business supply store as a gift from Dental Associates of CT for choosing to minimize their intake of unnecessary sugar and supporting our campaign.

Trade your Candy for Cash at our 9th Annual Candy Buy Back Event!

A trip to Dental Associates of CT can be very rewarding for your child as our Tooth Fairy prepares to Buy Back your Halloween candy for $2 per pound, up to 10 lbs per child .

 

When: Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Where: At the following Dental Associates of CT locations/times

 

LOCATIONS/TIMES

9:00am—11:00am

NEWTOWN—11 Church Hill Rd

(203) 270-4586

 

12:00pm—2:00pm

NEW MILFORD - 1 Aspetuck Avenue

(860) 355-4138

 

12:00pm—2:00pm

TRUMBULL - 160 Hawley Lane

(203) 380-0660

 

3:00pm-5:00pm

DANBURY—19 Padanaram Rd

(203) 748-8055

October is National Orthodontic Health Month, celebrated by the orthodontists at Dental Associates of CT.  

 

Halloween can be a scary time for teeth. The  Orthodontists at Dental Associates offer these tips to keep teeth safe from decay, and protect braces, clear aligners and other orthodontic “appliances” during the Halloween season:

Avoid sticky situations with your braces.

Stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include hard or chewy candies, caramel, licorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind) and jelly beans.

Also steer away from nuts, taco chips and popcorn (especially unpopped kernels).

Good alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties. If you consume sweets, do so in moderation. Avoid the temptation to grab another handful from the bowl filled with treats. Parents may want to limit the time during which children can eat from the Halloween candy bowl, whether they are in orthodontic treatment or not. Brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season, when teeth may receive more exposure to sweets that can cause cavities. Orthodontic patients should be especially conscientious about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods.

During the month of October, Dental Associates of CT will be supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation's mission to promote early detection. When you come in for your cleanings, we'll be giving our patients the "Give Hope Pink Pack" featuring a specially imprinted pink Oral-B Advantage sensitive toothbrush, toothpaste & dental floss. So schedule your cleaning today!!

There is an urgent appeal from the American Red Cross since blood is in desperately short supply. Severe weather across the country has kept even loyal donors from donating. Dental Associates of CT will host a blood drive at their Newtown location, 11 Church Hill Rd on Friday, September 23rd . The American Red Cross “Save-A-Life-Bus” will be on site from 9:00a-1:45p. Please help the Red Cross to stay prepared by donating blood. You can sign up in our Newtown office if interested!

From The ScienceDaily (July 18, 2011) — an important study in the identification of unrecognized diabetes and pre-diabetes in a dental setting, published in the July 2011 issue of the Journal of Dental Research, researchers at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine found that dental visits represented a chance to intervene in the diabetes epidemic by identifying individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes who are unaware of their condition.  To read more...click here.

EROL GUND, D.D.S.                                                                     JOHN IWASAKI, D.D.S.

 

DRS. EROL GUND AND JOHN IWASAKI INTEGRATE  ORTHODONTIA WITH PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY for the best

treatment plan options at their practice, Dental Associates of Connecticut.

 

DR. EROL GUND (left) completed his dental and orthodontic training at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. DR. JOHN IWASAKI (right) earned his D.D.S. at the University of Colorado Dental School and a Master of Science in pediatric dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; he also completed a cerebral palsy fellowship. Dr. Gund feels fortunate to work in a group practice where "the patients benefit tremendously." He works with both children and adults and incorporates the latest technology into his practice. Recognized as one of the top 100 orthodontists in the country who use Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces, he enjoys educating the public about good dental health at community health and charity events. "People are holding onto their teeth longer," he says, and braces can help adults because "orthodontia encompasses the entire mouth." He notes that proper orthodontic care is essential to good oral health, helps prevent bacteria that have been linked to overall health problems, and also gives people confidence and a lifetime of great smiles. He believes in having children checked as early as age 7 to detect growth problems, which are easier to correct at a younger age.

Dr. Iwasaki currently serves as section chief of pediatric dentistry at Danbury Hospital and is former president of the Connecticut Society of Pediatric Dentists. He has published research articles on sedation monitoring of pediatric dental patients. He enjoys working with all children, including those with special needs such as physical disabilities or autism spectrum disorders. He treats every patient with the utmost dignity, regardless of abilities or challenges. In addition, he says, "Every age is a little different. You have to understand the psychology of what you can and cannot do."  Click here to read the full .PDF

The students in Mrs. Shollar’s second grade class at Consolidated School in New Fairfield wanted to thank Dental Associates of CT for their donation to their class as winners of the 2^nd Grade Reading Challenge.  The class voted to use the $250 award to buy nonfiction books for the class library to be used for their final Unit of Study in Reading Workshop, which was “Information Text” (also known as nonfiction).  Each child selected a topic to research, and then searched on Amazon.com for a book they wanted to buy to aid in the writing of a report.  Durable, plastic portfolios were also purchased as a way to teach the children how to take notes on their topic and how to keep them organized.  Each child put a nameplate in the book they selected with their name and the year on it so that children in future classes could enjoy the books as well, and know who and when they were selected.  A large plastic tub was also purchased to hold the nonfiction books so that they are available for the children to read each day and for the future second grade classes as well.

Thank you to Dental Associates of CT for your generous gift to support Reading in our classroom!

 

Shelter from the Storm Benefit selected as a “Business with a Big Heart”

Friday, May 6, 2011

Dinner, Music & Auction

6–10 pm at the Matrix Corporate Center

39 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury, CT

 

 

Tom Chapin, Grammy award winner and internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, will perform at Newtown High School in Sandy Hook, Connecticut on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at 3PM. The concert produced by “The Little House that Roared" will include rising young stars from around the state, including Daria ... Musk, Sam Wieser, and Katie McMorran.

For more information you can print the PDF here

Or for information on ticket Sales  Here

Please help support this great cause!

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

 

 

     

As a special treat for you and your family, Dental Associates of Connecticut invites you to be our guest for a free family screening of “My Dog Skip” at The Palace Theatre in Danbury. No tickets are necessary. The tooth fairy and Dr. Fox will hand out a toothbrush and toothpaste while supplies last.

 Danbury Palace Theatre info

 

 

 

Dental Associates of CT wants to thank everyone who contributed toys to their recent “Toys for Tots” campaign. Our boxes were overflowing with new, exciting toys that made many young children very happy this Christmas.  We are so fortunate to be a part of the Marines’ “Toys for Tots” Foundation efforts in supporting children’s needs in our communities. "Hats off" to them for another successful year!

With the holiday season now upon us, Dental Associates of Connecticut announces that they will once again be teaming with the United States Marine Corps Reserve, collecting toys for the Toys for Tots Program.

Collection boxes will be placed in all 5 of their locations in Connecticut. The toys donated should be new and unwrapped, and may be dropped off during business hours up until December 18^th as follows:

Location Address                            Days/Times - All Offices

Danbury 36 Padanaram Rd           Mon-Thurs 8am-8pm

                19 Padanaram Rd           Fri-Sat 8am-5pm

Newtown11 Church Hill Rd       

New Milford 1 Aspetuck Ave   

Trumbull 1 Hawley Lane            

Thom Goracy, Practice Administrator for Dental Associates of Connecticut, said the annual collection campaign helps to provide toys to needy children throughout the area. We want the holiday season to be as happy and joyous for as many children as possible; we look forward to being a part of this annual event. We are proud of the fact that our employees make significant contributions towards this campaign.

 

 

Dental Associates of CT wishes the BFYF Junior Midgets All The Best as they advance from winning their 2010 New England Regional Championship title to compete in the National Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida Saturday, 12/4/10. 

On Tuesday, November 2nd, our Tooth Fairy collected 1725 pounds of Halloween candy from our four offices.  Hundreds of local children traded their candy for cash and wrote notes to our troops to accompany the shipment of candy oversees via Operation Gratitude.  Local schools and individuals also contributed to the cause by donating many pounds of candy.  We'd like to thank the community for their continuous support of this event.  We're proud of the children for sacrificing the sweets ...We expect less cavities as a result of this annual effort!

 

 

 

Dental Associates of Connecticut is proud to be part of the Danbury Whalers medical team.Dr. Scott Solomons has joined the medical team and will provide support during the 2010 hockey season. Danbury Whalers

 

To compile this list, topDentists, a data research firm surveyed dentists in Fairfield County who are listed with the American Dental Association. Each one was asked, “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?”

All dentists and specialists were asked to evaluate peers, taking into careful consideration years of experience, professional background, continuing education, patient manner, use of new techniques and physical results.

Those surveyed could nominate dentists deemed worthy of consideration and were asked to set aside personal or political bias and base decisions only on knowledge of a colleague’s work. Final selections are made after careful vetting of credentials with state dental boards.  There were six dentists selected in the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery category and Dr. Kenneth Wachs was one of them.  Here's the link to the complete article  Top Dentists

Events

08/13/2010	Brookfield Concert - Beyond the Wall
08/07/2010	SWIM Across the Sound Marathon
April 2010	April is National Facial Protection Month
02/2010	National Children's Dental Health Month
12/18/09	Toys for Tots Collection
10/2009	National Orthodontic Health Month
10/4/09	A Community United Against Domestic Violence 4K Walk
10/19/09	19th Annual Great Pumpkin Classic 4K Run and 2K Health Walk
10/31/09	Halloween on Main Street, Newtown
11/3/09	7th Annual Candy Buy Back
9/26/09	Annual Health and Safety Fair
9/7/09	Newtown Labor Day Parade
8/20/09	Business Volunteer Council Back Pack Distribution Day
7/24-25/09	Village Fair Days, New Milford
6/26/09	Newtown High School Hockey Fundraising Tournament
6/22/09	New Milford Chamber of Commerce Golf “Fore” A Cause
6/17/09	Women’s Center of Greater Danbury 1st Annual Fundraising Breakfast
6/12/09	11th Annual Benefit Breakfast for the American Red Cross in Western CT
6/6/09	Newtown Parks & Recreation 35th Annual Rocking Rooster 5K Run/Walk
5/21/09	Cartus Annual Employee Wellness Fair
5/1/09	Kiwanis for Kids Breakfast and Auction
3/31/2009	Know Your City Day
3/28/2009	Discovery Science, Math & Technology Workshops
3/3/2009	Dr. Iwasaki Talks with the Danbury News-Times about Pediatric Dentistry
1/24/2009	Dental Associates Honored by the New Milford Chamber of Commerce
12/17/2008	Toys for Tots
11/4/2008	6th Annual Candy Buyback
10/31/2008	Halloween on Main Street
10/25/2008	Dr. Gund talks with Buzz Lightyear
9/22/2008	1st ANNUAL DENTAL ASSOCIATES INVITATIONAL
9/1/2008	Newtown Labor Day Parade
8/30/2008	3rd Annual Newtown Road Race and Dental Associates Kid's Run
8/21/2008	CityCenter Family Concert Series
8/14/2008	CityCenter Family Concert Series
8/12/2008	Summer Tunes at Old Mine Park
8/7/2008	CityCenter Family Concert Series
7/31/2008	CityCenter Family Concert Series
7/29/2008	Summer Tunes at Old Mine Park
7/26/2008	New Milford Village Fair Days
7/25/2008	New Milford Village Fair Days
7/24/2008	CityCenter Family Concert Series
7/17/2008	CityCenter Family Concert Series
7/15/2008	Summer Tunes at Old Mine Park
7/10/2008	CityCenter Family Concert Series
7/1/2008	Summer Tunes at Old Mine Park
4/11/2008	What Women Want Expo
2/1/2008	National Children's Dental Health Month