Thanks to the Drs. Rinchuse for their interesting response to my article. I appreciate their comments, which will inform readers about the Essix-based appliance and provide references for those who want to learn more.
I applaud the entry of new and innovative concepts into any area of dentistry, especially orthodontics. Such innovations provide additional services for the public, as well as more treatment choices for practitioners, whether general practitioners or specialists.
Although I have been a board-certified prosthodontist for 34 years, I encourage any general or specialist dentist to become involved with the fixed, removable or implant prosthodontic procedures, or the maxillofacial prosthetic procedures, with which they have received education, and with which they feel competent. My belief has always been, "If I would not have me perform a given procedure on myself, I will not perform that same procedure on a patient until I gain more competence."
I feel that dentistry itself is a specialty of medicine, and I encourage general dentists, as well as specialists, to become involved with as many procedures as they feel they can master and incorporate into their practices. The simpler a procedure is and the fewer challenges it poses for patients, the more service our profession can offer to the public we serve.
Of course, "specialists" should have the most ability to serve patients for the most difficult conditions.
