Originally from Rockford, MI, Dr. Cory Ball went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for his undergraduate studies.
There he studied Biology and German. Straight after undergrad, he continued his studies at the University of Michigan dental school.
At the conclusion of his dental school education, Dr. Ball was awarded the comprehensive care award for being one of the top clinicians in his class as well as the Academy of Operative Dentistry and American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology awards.
Dr. Ball has always had a passion for mentoring, volunteering, and helping others in his community. Throughout dental school, he held various positions for the philanthropic fraternity, Alpha Omega. The volunteer events Dr. Ball has participated with include Mission of Mercy, Taft clinic, Give Kids a Smile, Sports Mouthguard clinics and recently is on the board for a local refugee committee to help underserved individuals in his West Michigan communities.
Dr. Ball has a passion for all areas of dentistry, but his favorite procedures include root canals, crowns, bridges and has a special passion for sleep dentistry and assisting patients who may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
When not behind the drill, Dr. Ball enjoys spending time with his family in Grand Rapids, MI, and with his wife, Cara. On weekends and evenings, you would find Dr. Ball hanging out watching new shows on Netflix, playing new board games, or watching sports. Dr. Ball is a big Chicago sports fan and, of course, Michigan. Go Blue!
Geographic Success and the Transition to the Real World of Dentistry
By: Cory Ball You just got your final faculty check for a restorative appointment in the clinic….
General Dentist vs. Dental Specialist
By: Dr. Cory Ball 12 years of grade school, 4 years of undergraduate studies, maybe a master’s…
New Dentist: Your First Paycheck Arrives, Now What?
By: Dr. Cory Ball Dental school is a busy time for most aspiring clinicians. Between studying for courses,…
Don’t Look Back, Look Forward to Paying Off Dental School Student Loans
By: Dr. Cory Ball The average student loan debt for a graduating dental student in 2020 was…
What’s Keeping Your Dental Assistant from Becoming an EFDA?
By: Ronda Holman If you’ve ever found yourself wishing you had two pairs of hands during a procedure, chances are you’ve already imagined the value of an EFDA—an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant—on your team. So, what’s holding your current assistant back from stepping into that role? For many dental assistants, the barrier isn’t capability—it’s clarity,…
Airway Dentistry: Making a Difference for Patients’ Wellness
By: Steve Carstensen, DDS This Topic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Carstensen granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. “Hypoxic burden” is the challenge that the body faces due to low levels of oxygen on an intermittent basis. Our physiology has an adaptive capacity to manage hypoxic burdens. When that adaptive capacity is exceeded,…
Case Using DMG’s Ecosite Elements: Class II Caries on #4
By: Dr. Mohammed Hammoud Today’s case: Radiographic caries on #4D, extending into the occlusal. A well-sealed, properly contoured Class II restoration was the goal. Here’s how I approached it: Step-by-Step Breakdown: 1. Anesthesia ½ carpule Citanest Plain + 1 carpule Septocaine for patient comfort and profound numbness. 2. Preparation Conservatively removed decay while preserving tooth…
You Hired an Associate, Congratulations! Now what?
By: Angela Holland As a dental practice owner, you may reach a point where the demand for your services outpaces your ability to handle it all on your own. Whether you’re struggling to manage an influx of new patients, dealing with burnout from working long hours, or simply looking to scale your practice, hiring an…
Patient Care in the Age of 2 Day Shipping and Social Media
By: Dr. Savanah Craig We live in a world of instant gratification. Social Media shows us before and after photos and leaves out the hours, days, months, years it took to achieve that outcome. Patients are inundated with advertisements for “Teeth in a day” and dental tourism that promises to fix all their problems in…
Achieving the Ideal Shade for Complex Restorative Cases
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Topic Originally Appeared On PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Often we have cases where one shade from VITA guide doesn’t seem to match the case due to different shades of adjacent teeth. A situation occurred in my office when I was working with a…
Solving Workforce Challenges by Extending Careers
By: Garrett Wilson The dental industry has been navigating a complex workforce puzzle: how do we retain great people, care for current team members, and plan for the future? Much of the conversation rightly centers around mental and physical exhaustion and how to support team members who are feeling burnt out. We’ve seen innovative strategies…
You Can Have This But You Can’t Have That
By: Dr. Eric Recker Don’t take me back too far! I need that neck pillow. That’s too far. I can’t breathe. Are you going to dump me back off the chair? All said as the patient is reclined to 65 degrees. This is going to be a heck of a procedure. I am going to…
3 Benefits of Collaborating with an In-House Dental Lab
By: Stephen Malone, DMD This Topic Originally Appeared On Pankeygram.Org. Dr. Malone granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Running a successful dental practice nowadays involves close collaboration with the dental lab. This is easily possible if you have the dental lab in-house because this simplifies the dentist-lab communication. Everybody can give their best…
Unveiling the Hidden Tactics of Dental Insurance Companies: How to Protect Your Practice and Your Patients
By: Angela Holland Dental insurance companies have long been criticized for their complex and sometimes opaque practices, especially when it comes to their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) documents. For both patients and dental practices, these documents can often be a source of confusion, frustration, and financial loss. Insurance companies, in their pursuit of profits, often…