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For people interested in inventions, or creating technology or software, or starting a company — inventions sometimes sit ‘right under our nose’, and we don’t even know it. M. Marc Liechtung, DDS

It was a spring day in 2008 when I received a call from my father that would forever change my life both professionally and personally. Unsuspecting of anything unusual, I answered only to hear him frantic.

“Could you please head over to your grandmother’s nursing home, her partial was thrown into the incinerator by her roommate who suffers from dementia. Your grandmother is exponentially upset, she has a myriad events to attend and she’s in hysterics over this. Could you please head over there and see if you can do something”?

“Dad, it takes weeks to have another partial made“ I replied, insistent my father asked me again to head over and see what her options were.

Determined to fix this problem I had my head assistant Sylvia — who has been with Manhattan Dental Arts for 28 years, pack me a hand engine, acrylic, impression material, composite and I made his way over to her nursing home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where I then proceeded to hand craft her a temporary. After a grueling 9 hours I had accomplished my goal and my grandmother was ecstatic.

Nonetheless, the work didn’t stop in Williamsburg. On my drive home my brain was working a mile a minute. Seeing how overjoyed the instantaneity of the hand-crafted temporary made my grandmother, I knew he there had to be a way to gauge the same reaction from people in similar situations. Thus, the idea for the Snap On Smile ® emerged and the search for the perfect material began.

The ideal material was a material that possessed the following properties:

· flexible enough to snap on over existing teeth to secure retention,

· come in various shades or colors

· did not stain

· did not get soft or imbibed with liquids thus enhancing the longevity

· removable by the patient and could appeal as a completely non-invasive appliance which meant no drill or preparations and would not need cement or bonding agents.

Once I found the perfect material — crystalized resin acetyl, the Snap On Smile ® was born and there was no turning back.

From hereon my life exponentially changed, both professionally and personally and this was one of the most exciting aspects of my career. Everyone wanted to know about the Snap On Smile ®; I was asked to speak on several TV shows, such as, The View, CBS Early Show, The Couch and CNN Headline News, just to name a few. Through the Snap On Smile I was able to travel the world and lecture about the Snap On Smile to various dentists and to large groups of practice decision makers and having met a a multitude of influential people along the way.

My career would undergo another metamorphosis when I sold Snap On Smile ® to DenMat (Lumineer) and signed a 2 year contact to lecture for the company around the world. While traveling proved to be enjoyable it was hard to leave behind my family and so I made the decision to focus on my private practice in New York. With the combination of an excellent team and superb teamwork, the practice grew into a multi-million dollar one allowing me the confidence to open 4 more practices that all provided out-of-this-world customer care and quality and outstanding service.

After careful consideration, I decided to sell my practice to a large private-equity-backed Dental Service Organization (DSO) in order to be able to grow the 4 practices I had freshly acquired. As with everything in life, there are positives and negatives associated with selling your practice to a DSO. Positively speaking, the advantages are as follows:

· A DSO tends to price practices slightly higher than the traditional doctor to doctor purchase.

· There is no need for a mortgage contingency which is the status quo in a conventional transaction.

· The selling doctor is able to stay and practice with his original staff which is actually getting more to your practice than the original pay day

· Many things, such as, malpractice insurance bonuses for production and other perks can and should be negotiated with the corporate buyers

· If the doctor owns the real estate, as well as, the practice then this is another added perk upon selling to a corporate entity. The doctor has the chance to have a very strong and every financially stronger opportunity as opposed to a conventional doctor to doctor transaction.

While this sounds nothing short of a positive experience there are also negatives associated with selling to a corporate entity as a dentist. Below are a few reasons why selling to a corporate entity might be negative:

· From a legal perspective, legal fees and the size of the purchase agreement will be so much more arduous than a standard deal. The doctor who is selling will find that they will acquire higher legal fees than any other type of transaction

· Pre-close is a very critical time period for the seller. The DSO or corporate entity will scrutinize the TTY or the Trailing Twelve Months of Revenue. If a doctor does not maintain the numbers between agreement and close, they will recall the deal or conversely, they will change (lower) the purchase price. This is never in favor of the seller.

· Selling to a corporate entity can create several issues post close as well. Large groups tend to impose their own supply orders. This means they will expect the doctor and staff to use different materials and they almost always try and use a less expensive lab. This can create a problem for the selling doctor who has established long term relationships with particular labs, as well as, their sales rep from various vendors. Several things can and should be negotiated prior to the closing

· Another negative that can arise is concerning staff. Although it will like a honeymoon at the beginning, after a period of time the DSO will turn on particular staff members. The fact is that these are long standing staff members that have become family throughout the years. To the corporation it’s a large salary that can be replaced. We as clinicians will have no say whether this happens or not.

In an ironic turn of events, I was approached by the same DSO that I sold my practice to with the offer to buy it back. The corporation was not experienced with running a practice as big as Manhattan Dental Arts and in as diverse a location as the Upper West Side. Once again, I found himself in a position in which the offer was too good to refuse. I bought Manhattan Dental Arts back and have been practicing at the office since August 2018. Although I originally embarked on an entirely different journey I am wholeheartedly excited to continue seeing all of my long-standing patients along with his new patients.

Selling to a DSO or corporate entity is a decision that must be made after much thought and consideration, there are both positives and negatives associated with selling to a corporate entity and it is important to weigh both against each other, but one thing I can say with certainty is that SOS (Snap-On-Smile) and DSO have ultimately been two life-changing acronyms for me.

Manhattan Dental Arts is located on the upper west side of Manhattan. I am available to any young aspiring dentists looking for advice. I am  the founder of Manhattan Dental Arts and the Inventor of the Snap-on-Smile®. Manhattan Dental Arts P.C. is located on the Upper West Side at 68th and Broadway. We specialize in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals,periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are looking for an emergency dentist in NYC then we offer free consultations. The practice group also owns Kew Gardens Dental Arts, a dental practice in Queens offering dental implants in Queens, emergency dentistry in Queens, teeth cleaning in Queens, dental crowns, dental bridges and all forms of cosmetic and general dentistry. If you are looking for a periodontist in Queens we offer all gum disease treatments at our practice for patients with all types of gum disease. 

As an emergency dentist in Queens and and emergency dentist in NYC I have basically seen it all. Canker sores, broken teeth, chipped teeth, lost teeth. Here is some advice for those that may experience a dental emergency. 

Often I receive frequent complaints about canker sores. I suggest  that people with frequent canker sores check to see if their toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS. SLS is a foaming agent that in some studies has been linked to the development of canker sores. Toothpaste that doesn't contain SLS usually makes a big deal about it by saying 'SLS free' on its label.  An additional remedy for both canker sores and gum pain is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil should be applied directly to the infected site and can even be purchased in mouthwash form to soothe inflammation. Another preventive measure for canker sores is to avoid eating chips and other jagged foods that can cause tiny cuts and scrapes, which can be an entryway for a virus to set up shop in your mouth. Besides that, stay away from foods that trigger canker sores. Potential troublemakers include whole wheat, rye, barley, shellfish, pineapple, chocolate and tomatoes, as well as salty or citrus fruits. There is a remedy of 1/3 Mylanta, 1/3 Benedryl, and1/3 viscous Lidocaine. This will ease the discomfort of canker soars.

It should be further noted that about 80 percent of our population deals with gum problems - from gingivitis all the way up to losing teeth. Ginseng can be used to alleviate the pain associated with irritated gum tissue. A ginseng tonic can be directly applied to the gum to promote circulation and speed healing. An additional home remedy suggestion is to use a wet tea bag for tooth or gum pain. Tea contains astringent tannins, which have the power to shrink swollen tissue and stop bleeding. No toothache will heal on its own. A toothache is a dental problem that needs to be treated as soon as possible.

What should you do if you've knocked out a tooth - whether from a blow, a fall or accident?

Shake off debris (rinsing or scrubbing could remove important periodontal ligament), place it in a container of milk or back in its socket and try to reach the dentist within 30 minutes. Unfortunately, not all teeth can be saved. Alternative methods, such as a bridge or implants, may need to be considered.

What should you do if you've broken a tooth?

Again, if you've lost the broken piece, just get to the dentist. If you have it, gently shake off surface dirt and definitely keep it. Even if the piece can't be bonded back to the original tooth, it can be used to help re-create the look of that tooth.

If something (food, other foreign matter) is wedged between your teeth, should you try to dislodge it?

Gentle flossing or brushing is fine, but if the object does not respond to that treatment and the surrounding gum begins to swell, make an appointment with your dentist. A bit of broken filling or chipped enamel can throw your bite off and make you panic. Popcorn husks are one of the worst problems and occasionally need to be removed by a dentist.

What should you do if you lose a filling or crown?

If you lose a filling, it's not worth saving. However, just cover the hole with temporary material, do not try to put the old filling back in the tooth. If you lose a crown, you'll want to try and salvage it (you can use Temparin or Dentemp, available in pharmacies, to put the crown back in place until you can reach a dentist). In either case, visit the dentist as soon as possible. Many people don't realize that when a filling falls out, there's a reason for that, whether it's a cracked tooth or more severe. You need to see a dentist.

ABOUT DR. LIECHTUNG:

Dr. Marc Liechtung, D.M.D. and inventor of Snap-On Smile, graduated from The University of Pennsylvania, one of the most world-renowned dental schools, as well as having the best fellowship programs in the country. After graduation, he attended an Advanced Restorative and Implant fellowship at The University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from that fellowship in 1987. Dr. Marc Liechtung has had his prestigious dental practice for over 18 years, and is dedicated to each of his patients’ dental needs. Dr. Marc Liechtung believes in treating each of his patients on an individual basis, because needs and treatment differ from person to person. Dr. Liechtung is a member of the following professional organizations: New York City Dental Society, American Dental Association, Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Mid-Manhattan Advanced Dental Study Club and has recently been Elected to a Fellowship in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.Marc Liechtung, DMD is the founder of Manhattan Dental Arts and the Inventor of the Snap-on-Smile®. Manhattan Dental Arts P.C. is located on the Upper West Side at 68th and Broadway. We specialize in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals,periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are looking for an emergency dentist in NYC then we offer free consultations. The practice group also owns Kew Gardens Dental Arts, a dental practice in Queens offering dental implants in Queens, emergency dentistry in Queens, teeth cleaning in Queens, dental crowns, dental bridges and all forms of cosmetic and general dentistry. If you are looking for a periodontist in Queens we offer all gum disease treatments at our practice for patients with all types of gum disease. 

Marc Liechtung, DMD is an emergency dentist in NYC and a cosmetic dentist in NYC. 

Here are 9 facts that may burst your bubble about that old stick of gum. Or that fresh one you just put in your mouth. 

With the world's oldest piece of chewing gum clocking in at 9,000 years old, and the total value of the US gum industry racking up more than $19 billion in sales, chewing gum is one of the oldest and most popular activities, with research shwoing that the oldest piece of gum was 9000 years old. Howver is it  a healthy habit?

Here we have some insight into the good, the bad and the ugly on gum chewing.

The Good:

· Chewing as little as one piece of gum per day can stimulate saliva, which helps wash away those harmful acids from your teeth, and in turn helps fight cavities, neutralizes plaque acids, and washes away food particles.

· Chewing gum might be helpful after meals when additional enzymes are needed for digestion. Chewing gum for a few minutes after eating does seem to help some people avoid indigestion, heartburn, or reflux.

· Most chewing gum is sweetened with a chemical called xylitol, an additive that is allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make the medical claim that it does not promote dental cavities. The harmful micro-organisms within your mouth are starved in the presence of xylitol, allowing the mouth to "remineralize" damaged teeth with less interruption.

The Bad:

· Probably the number one reason to avoid most chewing gums is that they are loaded with chemicals and synthetic ingredients. Corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors and chemical sweeteners are enough to cause any label-reading person to steer clear of these seemingly harmless treats.

· Most people don't realize that the amount of digestive enzymes your body can produce in a given lifetime is relatively finite. If you chew gum frequently between meals, it is very feasible that you are using up your digestive enzyme reserves so that the next time you eat, you won't have enough digestive enzymes on hand to fully digest the meal.

· According to the International Chewing Gum Association, the average person chews over 3,000 sticks of gum yearly. Recent reports have found that excessive gum chewing can easily aggravate jaw muscles and thereby ultimately cause TJM syndrome (temporomandibular joint disorder) - a clicking or popping noise in the jaw.

The Ugly:

· Probably the most important reason to abstain from chewing gum is that it releases mercury from dental amalgam fillings. Given that mercury is a neurotoxin in any amount in the body, it seems that chewing gum is an activity that should be undertaken with extreme caution if you have even a single silver filling.

· For pregnant women with silver fillings, chewing gum can prove toxic to the fetus should any mercury whatsoever be released into the bloodstream

· All sugar free gums contain the ingredient Sorbitol. Eating even three pieces of gum a day can lead to excessive amounts of Sorbitol in the system which can lead to severe abdominal pain, fructose malabsorption and in extreme cases colon cancer.

You might want to think twice the next time you pop a piece of chewing gum into your mouth.

Marc Liechtung, DMD is the founder of Manhattan Dental Arts and the Inventor of the Snap-on-Smile®. Manhattan Dental Arts P.C. is located on the Upper West Side at 68th and Broadway. We specialize in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals,periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are looking for an emergency dentist in NYC then we offer free consultations. The practice group also owns Kew Gardens Dental Arts, a dental practice in Queens offering dental implants in Queens, emergency dentistry in Queens, teeth cleaning in Queens, dental crowns, dental bridges and all forms of cosmetic and general dentistry. If you are looking for a periodontist in Queens we offer all gum disease treatments at our practice for patients with all types of gum disease. 

Marc Liechtung, DMD is an emergency dentist in NYC and has seen thousands of emergency dental patients over the years. Here he gives some useful advice for patients that may have a dental emergency and are not near their usual dentist.  

There is nothing worse than being on your honeymoon, in-flight, on a camping trip, or a long car ride when it strikes - an unrelenting toothache so severe you feel like you want to die. Toothaches and other dental inconveniences occur regardless of the fact that it may be 2 AM or that your dentist is away on a Caribbean vacation. Knowing what to do can prevent major discomfort. Toothaches can range from a distressing inconvenience to an intense, miserable experience. Severe, emergency dental pain may be as unrelenting as kidney stones or even labor contractions. Fortunately, the chance of an unforeseen dental crisis can usually be prevented by early detection and treatment of dental disease. When dental disaster does strike, (and it always seems to be at the most inopportune time) knowing how to alleviate the pain is invaluable information everyone can use.

A toothache is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth, indicating inflammation and possible infection. Generally, a toothache occurs if tooth decay is very close to or has penetrated the pulp chamber that contains nerves and tiny blood vessels. Ideally, it’s best to undergo dental treatment at once. Dr. Marc Liechtung is a cosmetic and restorative dentist in New York City. Throughout his many years in practice, he has heeded the call of many a patient in dental distress. Dr. Liechtung has developed an arsenal of at-home tips to help patients with toothaches and other emergencies until they reach his dental chair. “If your toothache is caused by trapped food, you should rinse the area with warm water and swish it about. Floss between the teeth this should dislodge the food or it may loosen whatever is causing the pain.

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to cure toothaches that you can choose from. Most common are paracetamol, aspirin, and acetaminophen. If you feel that a small swelling has occurred, you may take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for their inflammatory components, like ibuprofen, (Advil, Aleve) and mefenamic acid. However, those with a history of ulcers as well as pregnant women need a doctor's recommendation before taking NSAID and aspirin.

A definite dont is to rub aspirin on your gums to numb an aching tooth isn't a good idea. It will in factdo more harm than good, due to the fact that aspirin contains salicylic acid, which can burn and damage gum tissue. For general pain relief, it's a better idea to simply swallow the aspirin. Or stop by a pharmacy for pain-relieving gels like Anbesol or Orajel.

There is also something that a patient can buy called Dentemp. It’s over the counter and can be used to cement a temporary or permanent crown until the person gets to his/her dentist. It could also be used to caulk or fill a hole in case a filling breaks.

Other home remedies for a toothache include rinsing your mouth with salt water or dabbing some clove oil directly on the bad tooth. Clove oil has bacteria-slaying properties, along with a remarkable numbing effect.

Clove oil has been used in dentistry for years and is responsible for that stereotypical dental office smell. Years ago, we would dab clove oil over a tooth before putting a filling in it, but now we have better ways of decreasing the sensitivity. For another home remedy, there is numbing power in cooled peppermint tea. Swish, then swallow if you like the flavor.

Patients can try putting some ice on the area, but the temperature of the ice could send them over the edge - most challenging are toothaches that stem from inside a tooth, but in cases where a lost filling or a broken tooth is causing the pain the sore tooth with softened chewing gum can ease the pain - covering the sensitive area until it can be repaired.

Dr. Liechtung also receives frequent complaints about canker sores. He suggests that people with frequent canker sores check to see if their toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS. SLS is a foaming agent that in some studies has been linked to the development of canker sores. "Toothpaste that doesn't contain SLS usually makes a big deal about it by saying 'SLS free' on its label," says Dr. Liechtung. An additional remedy for both canker sores and gum pain is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil should be applied directly to the infected site and can even be purchased in mouthwash form to soothe inflammation. Another preventive measure for canker sores is to avoid eating chips and other jagged foods that can cause tiny cuts and scrapes, which can be an entryway for a virus to set up shop in your mouth. Besides that, stay away from foods that trigger canker sores. Potential troublemakers include whole wheat, rye, barley, shellfish, pineapple, chocolate and tomatoes, as well as salty or citrus fruits. There is a remedy of 1/3 Mylanta, 1/3 Benedryl, and1/3 viscous Lidocaine. This will ease the discomfort of canker soars.

"About 80 percent of our population deals with gum problems - from gingivitis all the way up to losing teeth," according to Dr. Liechtung. Ginseng can be used to alleviate the pain associated with irritated gum tissue. A ginseng tonic can be directly applied to the gum to promote circulation and speed healing. An additional home remedy suggestion is to use a wet tea bag for tooth or gum pain. Tea contains astringent tannins, which have the power to shrink swollen tissue and stop bleeding. No toothache will heal on its own. A toothache is a dental problem that needs to be treated as soon as possible.

What should you do if you've knocked out a tooth - whether from a blow, a fall or accident?

Shake off debris (rinsing or scrubbing could remove important periodontal ligament), place it in a container of milk or back in its socket and try to reach the dentist within 30 minutes. “Unfortunately, not all teeth can be saved,” cautions Dr. Liechtung. Alternative methods, such as a bridge or implants, may need to be considered."

What should you do if you've broken a tooth?

Again, if you've lost the broken piece, just get to the dentist. “If you have it, gently shake off surface dirt and definitely keep it,” says Dr. Liechtung. "Even if the piece can't be bonded back to the original tooth, it can be used to help re-create the look of that tooth."

If something (food, other foreign matter) is wedged between your teeth, should you try to dislodge it?

Gentle flossing or brushing is fine, but if the object does not respond to that treatment and the surrounding gum begins to swell, make an appointment with your dentist. A bit of broken filling or chipped enamel can throw your bite off and make you panic. Popcorn husks are one of the worst problems and occasionally need to be removed by a dentist.

What should you do if you lose a filling or crown?

If you lose a filling, it's not worth saving. However, just cover the hole with temporary material, do not try to put the old filling back in the tooth. If you lose a crown, you'll want to try and salvage it (you can use Temparin or Dentemp, available in pharmacies, to put the crown back in place until you can reach a dentist). In either case, visit the dentist as soon as possible. Many people don't realize that when a filling falls out, there's a reason for that, whether it's a cracked tooth or more severe. You need to see a dentist.

ABOUT DR. LIECHTUNG:
Marc Liechtung, DMD is the founder of Manhattan Dental Arts and the Inventor of the Snap-on-Smile®. Manhattan Dental Arts P.C. is located on the Upper West Side at 68th and Broadway. We specialize in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals,periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are looking for an emergency dentist in NYC then we offer free consultations. The practice group also owns Kew Gardens Dental Arts, a dental practice in Queens offering dental implants in Queens, emergency dentistry in Queens, teeth cleaning in Queens, dental crowns, dental bridges and all forms of cosmetic and general dentistry. If you are looking for a periodontist in Queens we offer all gum disease treatments at our practice for patients with all types of gum disease.