Archive for January, 2010

If you are in search of an implant dentist in the Macomb County area – search no longer. 

At www.TheGentleDentist.com office located in Shelby Township. We provide a full range of comprehensive dentistry including implant placement surgery, implant grafting procedures, implant restoration for the patient who wants to have everything done in one location and possibly at one visit.  Using sedation dentistry it is possible not even remember the visit and be very relaxed before you even enter the office.  Dental implants are used for those who have:

• Loose dentures
• missing single teeth or
• sections of missing teeth

It is possible to place an implant surgically and then attach a temporary crown at the same visit so you don’t have to go without a tooth for any extended period of time.   Dr. Antolak is a member of the ICOI implant Academy and has treated many satisfied patients.

Are you tired of going from one specialist to another explaining yourself over and over?  This is not only inconvenient, but it requires a lot of time, paperwork and waiting.  Your time is too important to be going back and forth so why not get all of your care with Dr. Antolak?  He has a completely digital, paperless and green dental office so that you can fill out all of your “paperwork” online.  When you arrive at the relaxing dental office you will sign off and recheck the form you filled out on a tablet computer. 

The use of digital xrays makes the examination process fast and efficient using less radiation.  With the use of digital photography you can be well prepared and informed for the entire process.

As for financing:  We can talk to you about a way to fit this into your budget.  We have several ways to pay for your needed treatment.  For example you can go to  www.carecredit.com  to apply directly. 

Give Dr. Antolak, The original The Gentle Dentist a call at (586)247-3500 or visit the website at  http://www.thegentledentist.com

I hear that comment so very much in our Shelby Township, Michigan general dental practice. Because we take pride in taking care of our dental phobic patients it is necessary to have compassion on those who utter these words out of their mouths.

Dental fear usually is the result of just one or many bad dental experiences. Whether it is:

• from a painful injection,
• the smell of the drill or smell of the dental office
• the noise associated with the dental procedure
• the odor of the dentist
• pain during the entire dental procedure where the dentist would not stop even thought the patient made it clear that they needed to stop.
• or even being slapped by the dentist. (Which is child abuse now).

These are only a few of the reasons why having a trip to the dentist imparts fear through the mind of many. Just the thought of the dentist raises blood pressure, pulse rates and anxiety sets in.  All of the previously mentioned responses are from a lack of control and an invasion into someones personal space.

Lack Of Control- When a patient first shows up in the office I usually hear them give a history that the dentist did horrible things to them at  a young age which made them vouch that they will never put themselves in the situation again.  They usually told their parents what happened but the parents didn’t validate their experience, which made them stuff their feelings down so no one would know.  After many years of toothaches, avoidance and pain they make an appointment, pull up into the parking lot and then just leave.  This is true fear and is so real to the wounded individual.

Invasion of one’s personal space- This is a real occurance that many encounter.  There is an invisible space around us where we feel comfortable allowing others to encroach into that space.  For example, we will allow someone we are personal with such as our children or a spouse to get much closer to us than a complete stranger.  Dentists are complete strangers to us especially when it is our first visit.  I always ask the question “Why should we as dentists assume it is ok to invade this personal space with sharp instruments that could hurt the person”?  It isn’t OK to do this until permission is granted and there is a certain level of confidence and trust.  That only takes place over time and at a slow rate.

At our office we take our time at the first visit to just talk and to work on creating a good new experience.  Even before the initial appointment I will call the patient to welcome them to discuss their fears, answer their questions and to just say “Hi”.  This helps reduce the fear of the first visit.   High anxiety patients may require that we just give them a tour of the office.  Since we are digital we don’t smell like a dental office or even look like a dental office.  During a dental visit our objective is to:

• Provide headphones for those who don’t want to hear what is going on
• Nitrous oxide for those who just need a little of anxiety control
• Oral sedation for those who don’t want to remember the appointment and to enter the appointment in a total relaxed state.
• Use extremely strong topical  anesthetic so the shot is not felt.

It takes a lot of time, patience and compassion to team up with those who have been scarred from bad dental experiences and what is necessary is a dentist and dental team who are willing to have a desire to change this person around.  It is my true belief that we are the dental office who can treat the high fear patient located in Washington Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township,  Clinton Township and Shelby Township, d Michigan. Call our office at 586-247-3500 or visit our website at www.TheGentleDentist.com.

Haiti Earthquake Dental Fundraiser

Date: Saturday January 30 & February 6, 2010, 8 am to 5 pm

Call the office at  586. 247. 3500 to sign up in your block of time.

Location: 15055 22 Mile #2 Shelby Twp. MI 48315

Whom: Robert V. Antolak DDS and Gregory S. Apsey DDS

Contact: (586)247-3500 or to stay abreast of this event please become a friend of Dr. Antolak’s Facebook fan page clicking on the Facebook icon on the right.

Details: A fund raiser for those people who need dental services and who desire to help the earthquake victims in Haiti.

Dr. Antolak was planning to leave for Haiti on January 21, along with 23 members of Faith Lutheran Church in Troy and members of other area churches, to share the love of Jesus Christ through a soccer clinic, working with an orphanage, and performing dentistry to over 250 people who don’t have access to dental care.

Unfortunately, the trip had to be cancelled because of the Haiti earthquake.  This would have been Dr. Antolak’s ninth visit to Les Cayes, Haiti on the southwest coast of the country.  Fortunately the dental clinic and church, where he has served for 8 years, sustained only minor damage. However, Faith Lutheran Church has been working alongside the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELCH) for the last nine years and the ELCH church was completely destroyed in the quake. The ELCH church will not receive any aide from outside public sources to rebuild except through direct private fundraising donations.

In response to the Haiti disaster, Dr. Antolak and his long time friend, Dr. Apsey of Warren, along with several other volunteer assistants, will be offering dental services to local residents who need dental care and at the same time, would like to help the earthquake victims. Services offered will be: Cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns and bridges and other general dental services.

Donation checks will be made to Faith Lutheran Church and are considered tax deductible.  Those contributing will receive receipts from the church. The suggested donation for services will be based on Dr. Antolak’s normal fee schedule.   “I can personally guarantee that 100% of the funds raised will go to where they are supposed to go. I have been serving in Haiti for nine years and know the pastors there personally and communicate with them on a regular basis.”  Antolak said.

Join Our Fan Page on Facebook for the latest information on our Haiti Fund Raising Efforts!