Treatment May Never Be Finished--Our Committment To You

Living with uncertainty

Science seeks certainty. The problem in medicine and dentistry is that the body is complex and our knowledge is incomplete. Doctors and patients who want certainty can't be satisfied completely. (deBronkart)  

In my own case, my cancer surgeon says there's a 5% chance my cancer will return, so, while my odds are good, there's no way to predict.  So we live, with uncertainty, because we are human.  

Experience tells me that the more complex the treatment plan is, the greater the chance of complications. This is the essence of informed consent, of answering all questions regarding treatment options before one is chosen. 

Closest to success

Expectations have to be realistic when nature is replaced with prosthetics, be it implants, crowns, veneers, partials or dentures. Both dentist and patient giving their best gets the closest to success, especially when things must be discussed anew when treatment isn't working.  Science keeps pushing toward certainty, but disease doesn't wait. 

Treatment is therefore never finished and is a collaboration of patient and practitioner.  

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309