Each profession tends to be its own little niche, which is a good thing because it creates a unique space for our services and a place for you to learn and implement helpful ideas that can benefit you and the people you care about.

We’re excited to share this ongoing knowledge base of blog articles with this online community. These blogs provide timely and relevant information that’s conveniently accessible online. Indeed, we hope that this community will use the valuable information found in our regular blog posts, because they are an effective way for us to reach out to you on a monthly basis, while you still enjoy the comforts of your own home.

If you have any questions or want more information, we invite you to call our team at 601 Dental Studio in Pembroke Pines, Florida, today at 954-438-4444. We look forward to helping you in any way we can, and we thank you for the opportunity!

The post Welcome to Our New Blog! first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.

Being a loyal Invisalign advocate and premier provider of clear aligner therapy since 2002, Dr. Nadja A Horst has never been happier to introduce the cutting edge iTero Machine into her practice, 601 Dental Studio located in Pembroke Pines, FL.  This technology encompasses so many patient and practice advantages that it is difficult to cover it all.

The iTero Machine’s major contribution to technological advances in dental medicine have major implications for the patients “time” and “comfort level”.  All the talk these days is about “same day dentistry”.  The iTero machine is a digital impression scanner that uses a handheld wand, used by a dental assistant, to chart the topography of patients teeth onto a computer.  This can all happen within a matter of seconds.  Once the digital file is saved, it can then be sent directly to a lab, to an in-house milling machine, or a 3D printer where most dental appliances and tooth structures can be made and delivered to the patient in the same day.  Some examples include Night Guards, Retianers, Crowns, Dentures, and Implant Guides just to name a few.  Its significance to the world of dentistry is nothing short of Paradigm.  Dr. Nadja Horst is proud to pioneer the advancement of this new dental technology to all of her patients.

A patients’ comfort level is equally as important as their time, if not more of a dental anxiety factor.  Can you imagine going to your dentist for a nightguard, crown, invisalign treatment, or other procedure that traditionally would require shoving that tray full of GOOP in your mouth for minutes while it slowly drains down your throat and come to find that it isn’t necessary any more?  Well, here we are, NO MORE GOOP IMPRESSIONS!  The iTero uses its proprietary “wand” technology that is less debilitating with its touchless rapid light scanning technique that doesn’t require any impression molding materials.  No chlostrophobia, no choking, no sore gums, and definitely no more “trial and error” dental impressions. Once scanned, it can be stored indefinitely in the Cloud, or other online digital storage where a patient and their doctor has access whenever they please.  This is also great for being able to track a patients oral history and progress throughout their oral career.

Although a hefty initial investment for the Doctor, the savings over time in materials, clinical accuracy, and turnaround time can eventually add value back to the patients pockets.  On average, it is said that practices that have the iTero machine and other technologies run more promotions throughout the year than offices that use traditional methods of dentistry.  So not only can the patient save more money in the long run, they also save on time with optional “same day dentistry”, reap the benefits of a more precise technology for longer lasting dentistry, and experience less discomfort with impressionless digital scans.  On many levels, this is a Win, Win, Win for everyone!  

We are overjoyed for this opportunity to be able to offer this new capability to all our great patients who are deserving of great dental experiences each and every time they come to the office.  The end goal is for all of us to grow and progress in a more advanced way of living our lives.  

The post 601 Dental Studio: Introducing iTero Scanning Technology first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.

William just finished his Dental Appointment at 601 Dental Studio, P.A. on August 20, 2020 with a feeling of serenity and confidence.  He’s extremely happy that he didn’t cancel because the next thing worse than Covid-19, was the “gross sticky residue build-up feeling” in his mouth from months of being in quarantine.  He could literally feel the plaque build-up and layers of bacteria that had formed due to the absence of routinely seeing his dentist.  His gums were starting to bleed and his teeth were stained due to the bad habits accumulated from working at home.  A slight pain in his molar was starting to creep up.

Luckily for William, he called his Dental Office and they instilled a new level of clarity and optimism into the safety of his visit.  William was able to “Shake his Fear” because he now knew that his dental office “Had His Plaque” at all costs!

Like William, so many loyal dental patients are suffering with their oral health because of uneducated, propogated assumptions about the Dental Office Atmosphere and the risk of COVID-19.  The Truth of the Matter is, that for a Dentist who is deeply educated in areas such as Micro-Biology, and other areas of Molecular Science, it would be counterintuitive to think that Dentists aren’t at the highest level of preperation during a time of widespread speculation about how to stop the spread of a new virus.

Dentists alone wouldn’t even think about returning to work if they weren’t convinced that the spread of COVID-19 couldn’t be contained and controlled for the safety of their staff and patients.  This is the moment William decided he could TRUST his Dentist and the Protocols that they put in place.  601 Dental Studio, P.A. took the time to explain to William that he would be Isolated from Airborne Arisol Particals and Physical Contact throughout the entire process of his visit.  This meant being shielded and singled-out during “Check-In”, isolated and controlled while in the dental chair, and strategically “hands-off” during Checkout Procedures.

Dentists also realize that their services are essential to their society and if optimal standards are not established, fearful patients will either avoid their oral health, or try to remedy things themselves from Dr. Google.  Both are extremely risky and terrible ideas.  This is another reason William didn’t cancel his dental visit; he realized that if he waited any logner, the cost to fix all of his dental issues would be “Through the Roof”. 

From a pure business standpoint, and at the benefit of both the office and the patient, a Dentist realizes that it is always financially prudent to control smaller dental issues in smaller increments of time than create a scenario that would prolong a visit and having to fix larger, more costly items later on.  This is the Gold Standard in Dentistry – To Sincerely and Compassionately Protect The Health and Financial Basis For All Patients.

As William checked out of his visit, he smiled knowing that 601 Dental Studio, P.A. has been open during the Covid Season and that they gave him their full efforts and attention to ensure his safety during his visit.  He’s glad his skepticisms were reassured.

The post Dental Offices Have Your “Plaque” During COVID Season!!! first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.

We admire your ongoing resilience to these unpredictable times that we are currently facing.  We believe in your courage, optimism, and conscious efforts to stay safe at all costs.  601 Dental Studio wants you to know that we have fully concentrated our efforts on remaining your top dental priority.  Our measures to eliminate risk are at the highest level.  Since our Re-open on 5/18/2020, 601 Dental Studio has implemented tremendous barriers that have proven to be incredibly efficient which gives us the confidence we need to provide the highest level of dental services available.  Our team understands your fear, stress, and anxiety of COVID-19, and we want to reassure you that we are fully prepared, actively booking dental appointments, and relaying our support to you in any way that we can.

The images above showcase some of the major protocols and equipment that we have implemented to keep our patients safe.  If you are experiencing a dental emergency, or just need a routine cleaning, we are here for you.  Please do not hesitate to call us for any questions regarding any of our new protocols.  We wish you the best and hope to see you soon!

• UV STERILIZATION LIGHTS
• AEROSOL SUCTION UNITS
• AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS
• PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
• SOCIAL DISTANCING
• TEMPERATURE CHECKS
• ADDED ISOLATION ROOM BARRIERS
• PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS

Sincerely,

Dr. Horst,
Dr. Prato,
601 Dental Studio Team

The post 601 Dental Studio Taking Serious Measures Against COVID-19 first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.

You are In Control!

Oral Disease affects 44% of the worlds population (3.9 billion people) while SEVERE Periodontal Disease affects about 20% of middle-aged adults (35-44 years old).  90% of school children and 100% of adults have some form of tooth decay.                      

The list of SCARY statistics are endless.  This next statistic is the worst for Americans because it hurts the most “at the wallet”.  In the USA alone, $110 billion is spent yearly on oral healthcare.  If there are 220 million people in the USA on average, aged 18+ (estimation), then the cost per person = $500/year.

If a person lives to the average life expectancy in USA of 80 years old, that makes the Lifetime Cost of Dentistry = ((80 – 18) x $500) = $31,000

Not only does the cost of dentistry hurt, but when the infections caused by periodontal disease enter your bloodstream through your “bleeding, infected gums”, people are exponentially at high risk of (HEART ATTACK, STROKE, Diabetes, Heart and Kidney Disease, Alzheimer’s, Asthma, Osteoporosis, and Cancer).  Ongoing research is constantly linking more issues to this problem such as (Anxiety, Depression, Disfigurement, Acute and Chronic infections, Eating and Sleep Disruption, and can result in an Impaired Quality of Life).  By routinely visiting your Dentist during the various stages of your oral development can substantially add years to your life and money in your bank account.  The number 1 concern for Americans is how their confidence level relates directly to their success level in life and the relationships they make.

The number 1 culprit of tooth decay and gum disease, aside from not visiting your dentist routinely, is SUGAR CONSUMPTION!  Americans especially fall victim to bathing their teeth in sugary drinks such as (Colas, Coffee Drinks, Fruit Drinks, Sports Drinks, Energy Drinks, and Alcaholic Beverages).  It can be considered the worst type of diet to be on, yet almost all of us are guilty of these inconsidered pleasures.  It may seem that every time you go to your Dentist, and also one of the main reasons people avoid them, is because they see that you are not brushing, flossing, and rinsing as recommended, and you are afraid of the “fear-striking” feedback and “guilt-trip” that is innevitably about to ensue.

Fortunately, even with the slight application of genetic presuposition, which can be unfolded with newer technology, such as ORAL DNA TESTING (ask your dentist), Dentistry is very predictable and preventable.  The worst statistic a dental patient can succome to is their thought that dentistry is expensive “Now”, in the “Present”.  The TRUTH is that this “Preventable Dentistry” is CHEAP, (especially because most dental insurances cover most of it), it’s the “Recovery Dentistry”, in the “Future” that is Painfully Expensive; (dental insurance phases out at this point and very little is coverd).

It’s as simple as sticking to your dental schedule and listening to your dentist’s recommendations; they are your friend, your oral-health guardian angel, and your overall health coach.  Have faith that their knowledgable care is the right path for you to better yourself in all aspects of your life.  It is no coincidence that the word “Happiness” is what describes a big, bright smile on the face of a commited, disciplines dental patient.

The post Dentistry: From Scary To Merry! first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.

Dental Safety – When visiting your dental office, observe the cleanliness and appearance of routine maintenance, or lack there of, of equipment, tools, and dental materials.  Make sure that the dental office is OSHA Certified and Trained.  Staff appearance and general overall hygiene also play an important role in how they seem to value these important aspects of a safe dental environment.  Safety equates directly to the physical and mental comfort level for the patient, which in a dental setting, needs to be at a very high level.  The number 1 reason patients have anxiety about visiting the Dentsit is because they are nervous about their “comfort level”.  Another thing to be aware of, is that your personal health information (allergies, health issues, etc.) are reviewed in front of you by the Dentist.  Most offices are required to take you blood pressure before they begin any work.

Dental Security – The first thing that typically happens when you begin a new experience with any Dental Office, is they make you fill out a slew of paperwork.  Some of those pages will relate to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).  Being HIPAA Certified means that you personal information is protected and secure according to your rights.  A patient should also inquire about what measures are being taken to secure this data within their profile; are firewalls in place?, are data backups being regularly performed?, are e-mails and other communication channels properly encrypted?  Make sure that you ask for copies of all corresponding documents within the Dental Office for your own personal record.  Examples of documents may include any “Explanation of Benefits” from your insurance company, receipts of payment, any documents that you personally sign, and prescriptions.  In todays world, Personal Information is considered by many to be the largest asset sought after by cyber criminals to exploit.  Make sure you are ready and prepared for this ongoing war.

Full Financial Disclosure – “Understand your Dental Insurance”.  This daunting contract, with confusing language and misleading provisions, can be a nightmare to understand.  Since we all value our time more than wanting to give any portion of it to understanding a dental insurance plan, PLEASE TRUST YOUR DENTAL TEAM!!!  It is assumed in most dental practices that a patient will want FULL DISCLOSURE of what their copays are for procedures performed at their time of visit.  Make sure that your Dental Team is prepared to unfold a FULL BREAKDOWN of Dental Benefits, especially the procedures being rendered at the time of visit.  They will typically present you a Treatment Plan with Estimates before they start any work.  Make sure this happens and that you understand it.  (A bad dental office will not present a full breakdown, will not provide accurate treatment plan estimates, will tell you its your responsibility to understand your copays and plan provisions, will send statements with large balances at the end of the month).  In all cases, patients should request an anual copy of their complete Accounts Receivables Ledgar, any receipts of payment, and all recorded “Explanation of Benefits” documents from the Insurance Company.  A good office will have all of these scanned and securely locked away ready upon request.

Your Best Interests – As a dental patient, first impression is everything.  Your gut will immediately tell you if your best interests are about to be had.  Is the dental team friendly and greet you with a smile?  Do they offer you any amenities such as coffee, blankets, ipad videos, “same day dentistry”, and any other additions that can improve your overall experience?  Some offices even offer a “Concierge Service” to improve your comfort level.  Does your dental office make “Follow-up” calls after major procedures?  Are you notified on your birthday?  Do they remind you of your routine dental cleanings?  Do they attempt to create long-lasting relationships?  Or, do they take on the form of a “Used Car Dealership”?  Trust your instincts and ask yourself if you are in good hands.

The post Trusting Your Dental Office first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.

Dental Insurance is definietly purposefully tricky to confuse the average consumer.  Their strategy is to add enough language that they eventually won’t have to cover nearly as much as you think they will cover.  And even when something is legitimately covered, it is up to the Front Desk of your Dental Provider to fight against omissions, technicalities, and hidden verbage.

Here is a small list of major stipulations that can determine if your Insurance will cover a particular procedure.  It may be wise to carry this list to every dental appointment you attend.  If you are unsure, ask your Dentist for a “Predetermination” or call the Insurance Company directly.

• Frequency Limitation (How often you can have a certain procedure done)
• Waiting Period (How long you need to wait until your coverage kicks in)
• Is your Provider “In The Network”? (Ask your Insurance Carrier)
• Do they pay on “Seat Date” or “Prep Date”? (Mostly for Crowns)
• Do they “Downgrade” Resin Fillings to “Amalgam” Rates?
• Do they “Downgrade” Crowns?
• Which Fee Schedule you are attached to. (Sometimes it varies)
• Can procedures be “Billed” on the same Date of Service?
• Do I have a “Calendar Year Plan” or “Anual from Start Date”?
• Do some procedures count as other procedures? (Mostly Cleanings)
• Is my procedure classified as “Preventive”, “Basic”, “Major”? (Varies)
• How much more of my Anual “Maximum” do I have remaining?

The list can most definitely be ongoing.  Luckily, that is why most dental offices have a “Treatment Coordinator” to mitigate most of the liability associated with Insurance lingo and its confusing nature.  I also beleive your policy details can be found on your Insurance Company’s Website.  It’s always a good idea to double check since Dentistry can get pricey; especially if you haven’t done your homework.  The main takeaway is that Dental Insurance and the Cost of Dentistry doesn’t need to be freightening and can be exposed at your leisure.

The post Dental Insurance & The Cost of Dentistry (Part 1) first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.

First of all, Invisalign has spent the most R&D dollars (Research & Development) for their proprietary materials, technology, and systematic approach out of any other “Clear Aligner” company on the market today.  This directly translates into faster treatment, less pain, and better results.  Customer service, warranties, replacements, payment plans, etc. are all other great reasons to go with Invisalign.

Having had traditional braces when I was in college and finally entrusting Invisalign at the age of 25, I can honestly tell you that invisalign was way more comforting, both mentally and physically.  Metal strips, tightening tools, attachments, and the fear of all those being twisted in your mouth is enough anxiety to kill a small horse.  I hated it!!!  As for Invisalign, when you go in for your first visit, the dentist is able to trim the trays as needed, outside of your mouth, to nestle around your gums comfortably so there isn’t any initial discomfort.  I requested this and it was easy as pie.  The only discomfort I felt with Invisalign is during the first 2 tray period (about 2-4 weeks.  Your teeth aren’t use to moving so there will be some discomfort (sore feeling); nothing a couple of advil or ibuprofen can’t fix.  After the first 2 trays, my teeth were use to the movement and I didn’t feel a thing.  My treatment was 19 trays total, or about 9 months.  Oh, I almost forgot, I am also a “Grinder”.  Wearing my trays actually eliminated the pain associated with this and slowly helped me stop my grinding.  This was an unexpected miracle that seems to happen to most people who started Invisalign.

I found also that more compliant patients, (those that wore their aligners like they were suppose to) didn’t need to see the dentist as often to track the progress.  This is how precise Invisalign is.  Of course, this depends on the patient, the dentist, the treatment, etc. etc.  All in all, I would rate the discomfort a (3 or 4 out of a 10) for the first 2 weeks.  Sinus Surgery being a 10, a dental cleaning being a 1.

For best results, choose Invisalign, Listen to your Dentist, and Be Compliant!  It was one of the best life choices I could have made.  Straight teeth can change your entire course for better opportunities, better relationships, and a healthier life.

The post Will Invisalign Hurt? first appeared on 601 Dental Studio.