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.

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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splints in treatment planning

How to Use Splints in Your Treatment Plan

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

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clinical failures

Why am I Experiencing Clinical Failures?

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

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If They Understand It, They’ll Accept It

By Ronda Holman | April 13, 2026

By: Ronda Holman You’re standing in the operatory. You just walked your patient through what you’re seeing, what needs to be done, and why. Then they look at you and ask: “Why does this cost so much? Can you just give me the cheapest option?” And just like that, you feel it. That slight tension….

Media Release: Ivoclar’s Complete CAD/CAM Block Portfolio for CEREC is Now Available Through Benco Dental

By David Rice | April 13, 2026

By: Ivoclar Expanded Dealer Partnership Gives CEREC® Users Access to Ivoclar’s Full CAD/CAM Block Line, Including IPS e.max® Ivoclar, a global leader in integrated dental solutions, and Benco Dental, the nation’s largest family-owned dental distributor, have expanded their longstanding partnership to offer Ivoclar’s complete CAD/CAM block portfolio for the Dentsply Sirona CEREC system through Benco…

Everyone Is a Human Being: Choosing to Create Better Workplace Culture

By Candy Velez - CRDH, BSDH | April 13, 2026

We All Have the Superpower of CHOICE By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IGNITEDDS Dental Hygiene Coach When the Hardest Part of Work Isn’t the Work In many professional environments, the most difficult part of the job is not always the workload, the schedule, or the pressure. Sometimes, it is the way people treat each other….

Fluoride Varnish: A Valuable Tool for Caries Prevention

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | April 6, 2026

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Fluoride varnish is one of the most effective ways to prevent caries, yet many dental professionals and patients underestimate its power. If you’re still using fluoride gel or foam, it’s time for an upgrade….

The Evolution of Excellence: Introducing the NSK Ti-Max Z99L

By David Rice | April 6, 2026

By: NSK NSK’s newest electric handpiece, the Ti-Max Z99L, is designed to provide more torque, better ergonomics, and unmatched durability. 1. Optimized for Power: The New Gear & Chuck System The Z99L introduces the DURAPOWER CHUCK, a next-generation mechanism that provides a significantly stronger bur grip, reducing the risk of slippage even when cutting through…

From Chaos to Coordination: Building a Michelin-Star Dental Team

By Dawn Patrick | April 6, 2026

By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IGNITEDDS What Does a High-Performing Dental Team Actually Look Like? In high-performing dental practices, success isn’t about everyone doing everything. It’s about everyone doing their part, exceptionally well. Think about a fine dining restaurant. Yet every guest experiences seamless service, which leads to a 5-star experience….

Enhancing Doctor & Dental Lab Communication in the Digital Age

By Lee Culp, CDT | March 31, 2026

By: Lee Culp, CDTThis article originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Culp granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The collaboration between doctors and dental labs has undergone a seismic shift with the rise of digital dentistry. Historically, communication between these two essential players in restorative dentistry was limited—often reduced to written instructions and…

Link AI for A-dec+™: A Smarter Way to Manage Your Future Dental Practice

By David Rice | March 31, 2026

By: A-dec® Thinking about your future practice? With all the decisions ahead, here’s an easy one. Your Focus Right Now vs. Your Future Practice Right now, your focus is on clinics, competencies, labs, and exams. When you imagine owning a practice someday, you’re probably excited about: What you may not be so excited about is…

The Start-Up Ownership Illusion: Part 1

By David Rice | March 31, 2026

Start-Ups & Dentistry’s Manpower Crisis – Your First Hire Will Break Your Practice By: Dr. David Rice Why most future owners are building teams backwards—and don’t even know it. The Word on the Street Every dentist I meet who’s planning a startup says the same thing: “I just need a great team.” No, you don’t….

Preventing Tooth Wear and Color Loss When Adjusting Zirconia

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | March 23, 2026

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Zirconia restorations have become a go-to solution in modern dentistry due to their durability, aesthetics, and biocompatibility. However, adjusting zirconia requires a precise approach to maintain its integrity and prevent complications. Whether you’re fine-tuning…