Dr. Leonard Hess, DDS

Dr. Leonard Hess, DDS

Dr. Leonard Hess began teaching continuing education courses in 2005, and the topics include occlusion, smile design, treatment planning, preparation design, and practice integration of complete dentistry.

He’s taught full-day continuing education courses at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s national meeting, The Greater New York Dental Meeting, AACD National Meeting, Pacific Dental Conference, Ontario Dental Association meeting, and The Yankee Dental Conference.

Dr. Hess also has taught courses in Japan, Germany, Poland, China, and Canada.

Dr. Hess is currently serving as the Senior Clinical Director at The Dawson Academy. He also owns Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sequencing a Full-Mouth Rehab: Anterior or Posteriors First?

Sequencing a Full-Mouth Rehab: Anterior or Posteriors First?

The correct sequence to begin a full-mouth rehab is tobegin with the anterior teeth first, particularly the…

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patients who have more pain after wearing a b-splint

Q&A with Dr. Hess: Patients Who Have More Pain After Wearing a B-Splint

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com Question: What…

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occlusal muscle

How to Discover Occlusal Muscle Disorders

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.comLearn about Occlusion…

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Fixed-Implant-Bridge

Considerations of Treatment Planning a Maxillary Implant Prosthesis

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.comLearn about Occlusion…

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stabilize the joints

How to Stabilize the Joints

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.comLearn about Occlusion…

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centric relation

How Do You Know If You Achieved Centric Relation?

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.comLearn about Occlusion…

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load test tmjs

Dentists: Why Should You Load Test the TMJs?

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com Properly loading…

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changing vertical dimension

Changing Vertical Dimension: When is it Safe?

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com If you…

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How Does the Occlusal Plane Relate to the Anterior Teeth? By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDS Clinical Director, The Dawson Academy The Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com One of the most common mistakes I see in occlusal restorations is also the easiest mistake to observe. It is interference of the posterior teeth with the anterior guidance. A perfected occlusion allows the anterior teeth to contact in centric relation simultaneously and with equal intensity with the posterior teeth. This harmony of contacts occurs with complete seating of the condyles at their most superior position, which is bone braced. This means that there is an ideal distribution of compressive contact starting at the TMJs, and continuing all the way through front tooth contact. This is the contact distribution that we want for centric relation. When the jaw moves from centric relation, in a perfected occlusion only the anterior teeth contact. All posterior teeth distal to the cuspids should immediately separate. This is called “posterior disclusion”. Separation of the posterior teeth should occur, whether the jaw moves forward, left, or right from centric relation. The reason that posterior disclusion is such a desired effect is that the moment the posterior teeth separate, almost all of the elevator muscles shut off. This reduces the horizontal forces against the anterior teeth which are carrying all the forces in protrusive or lateral movements of the mandible. it also reduces the loading forces on the TMJ’s. But even more importantly, it is impossible to wear or overload the posterior teeth if they cannot rub. Keep Reading: How to Use Splints in Your Treatment Plan

How Does the Occlusal Plane Relate to the Anterior Teeth?

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com One of…

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anterior teeth

Why Do I Keep Having to Adjust the Anterior Teeth When Restoring?

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com One of…

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dentist making clear defined goals

Creating Well-Defined Specific Goals for Your Future

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | May 1, 2024

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP When we ask clients what they want for their futures, very few have a clear picture.  Often using words like “hope” and “more” to describe their actions, there is no clear end game in sight. Few have specific goals and even fewer are on paths to help them get there. Whether…

dental fuel

The Power of Partnership: Building a Successful Dental Practice (Insights from Dr. Jennifer Bell)

By Dr. Jennifer Bell, DDS, FAGD, FICD | April 29, 2024

Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest: Dr. Jennifer BellEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH Dr. Jennifer Bell shares her expert advice on finding the right fit for your dental practice and the power of partnership. The Importance of Practicing in Community Dr. Bell’s journey in dentistry took an unconventional turn when she chose to partner with a…

Sequencing a Full-Mouth Rehab: Anterior or Posteriors First?

Sequencing a Full-Mouth Rehab: Anterior or Posteriors First?

By Dr. Leonard Hess, DDS | April 26, 2024

The correct sequence to begin a full-mouth rehab is tobegin with the anterior teeth first, particularly the lower anterior teeth. By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com The question is, what would happen if one restored the posterior teeth first as many of us were counseled to…

complaining vs communicating and coming up with a solution

Help…My Dental Assistant is Complaining About My Equipment!

By Ronda Holman | April 24, 2024

By: Ronda Holman Hi dear reader, my name is Ronda Holman and I have been sitting across from a dentist for a living for the last 25 years. I thought it might be time to make some written confessions as to what I have been guilty of over the years and how my dentist was…

make sure to schedule a team introduction when looking to acquire a dental practice

Buyer Beware: No Team Introduction Equals No Goodwill

By David Rice | April 22, 2024

By: Dr. David Rice  Buying a dental practice is multifaceted and as a buyer, you need to navigate through various aspects of potential purchases to make your most informed decision. I want to talk about one of the best lenders like Provide … and one that’s often overlooked … Get to Know the Dental Practice…

woman suffering from TMD pain

Navigating TMD: Exploring Practice Transformation

By Dr. Michelle Lee, DDS | April 19, 2024

How Studying and Treating TMDTransformed One Dentist’s Practice for the Better By: Michelle Lee, DDS When Dr. Michelle Lee embarked on her dental career, she felt like there was a missing piece in how she approached dentistry. Discovering the power of TMD ultimately made her work more fulfilling and effective. Dr. Lee relates her journey…

ivoclar academy

Unlock Your Dental Education Potential with The Ivoclar Academy

By Nicola Kowal | April 17, 2024

By: Nicola Kowal, Ivoclar Education Manager In the dynamic landscape of dentistry, continuous learning is paramount for professionals striving to deliver top-tier care. Enter The Ivoclar Academy, a trailblazing hub for comprehensive dental education, seamlessly blending traditional in-person learning with cutting-edge virtual resources. Easily Register for The Ivolcar Academy Online Gone are the days of…

dental fuel

Building a Strong Dental Team: Trusting Your Gut and Learning from Mistakes with Dr. Jennifer Bell

By Dr. Jennifer Bell, DDS, FAGD, FICD | April 15, 2024

Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest: Dr. Jennifer BellEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH We are back with Dr. Jennifer Bell as we explore the challenges of building a dental team and the importance of trusting your gut. Follow along as Dr. Bell shares her experiences and the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her journey. Trusting…

patients who have more pain after wearing a b-splint

Q&A with Dr. Hess: Patients Who Have More Pain After Wearing a B-Splint

By Dr. Leonard Hess, DDS | April 12, 2024

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com Question: What can I do with a patient who has more pain after wearing a B-Splint? Answer: The first thing is, take it out. You knew that already. The point is – the pain got worse. Now I don’t know…

tax season for dentists

Navigating Tax Season for Dental Owners & Associates

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | April 10, 2024

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP Tax season can be a stressful time for both dental owners and associates. However, with careful planning and strategic decision-making, you can significantly reduce your tax burden and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. 4 Ways to Lower Your Taxes & Improve Your Financial Situation Here are four…