A tribute to Michael Weinberg

On May 13, 2012 some of the staff at Dentistry on Dundas will be participating in the 2012 Sporting Life 10K to make a difference in the lives of children affected by childhood cancer in memory of a dear friend of Dr. Mark Librach's, who succumbed to brain cancer earlier this year.

In honour of him we are trying to raise funds to help send a child with cancer to Camp.

Camp Oochigeas provides fun and meaningful experiences to approximately 680 children affected by cancer each year at no cost to their families. Every child deserves to experience the wonder of camp. After all, enjoying the outdoors and having fun are two integral parts of being a child!

Please help us to make a difference in the lives of children affected by childhood cancer. If you would like to sponsor one of the 'Weinberg Warriors' Click Here.

A tribute to Michael Weinberg

On Monday February 13, 2012, my dad suffered a heart attack. At 84 years old I guess these things can be expected. Fortunately for all of us he was awake, in his office and he recognized the symptoms. Less than an hour later he was sitting upright at the hospital proudly showing everyone his before and after angiograms. Three days later, his stint was working beautifully and he was released from hospital. His story was one of modern medicine and a little luck.

Far left Michael Weinberg, far right Mark Librach

Unfortunately, not all stories like this turn out so well. We still have a long way to go and some disorders still have very little treatment success. Such is the case of the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a brain tumour which rarely responds to treatment. Although treatment can have limited success in prolonging life, it is always fatal. Famous Victims of this cancer include Ted Kennedy, Geaorge Gershwin, Gene Siskel, Roddy Mcdowell, Sandy Duncan, Tom Cheek …. the list goes on and on. What's interesting is that, out of all notable people, the most people who died from these brain tumors starting in the 19th century to present were writers, musicians, actors or sports figures, a group of talented people non-the-less.

I would like to draw your attention to one less famous but all the talented friend of mine who also passed away form this very same disease, Michael Weinberg. Michael was a friend, an Alpha Omega Frater, and an outstanding human being. Those who knew Michael had varying opinions of him but all recognized his blunt quest for knowledge. He hated bullshit and could recognize it a mile away. Once BS was recognized, a comment like, “If I want your opinion I will give it to you,” was not far behind. He knew his subject matter, especially regarding implants, to a tee.

Michael was an outstanding clinician with a great attention to detail. He enjoyed teaching and passing his knowledge on to those that would listen. He pushed himself to be the best in a world of evidence-based dentistry. He had the ability to make others feel that they were capable of anything and to strive to be the best they could be.

Michael died as the sitting President of the Toronto Crown and Bridge study club, a position that he couldn’t have been more proud of. Although, Michael was very involved in his professional life, he had never undertaken anything remotely like this in organized dentistry. I take great pride in saying it was I that persuaded a resistant Michael to take the leap and submit his application for a line position with the club. Talk about taking the bull by the horns… Michael’s enthusiasm for everything TCBSC was sometimes hard to contain but always with the clubs interest at heart. Yes he was sometimes stubborn, a suggestion to remove pasta as a starter for one meal was met with a very blunt, “from my cold dead hands”, from Michael. Michael was not afraid to shake things up and make himself heard. He stepped up to protect the reputation of the club and the members of the committee. Michael also made sure that the year he set in motion would be completed with ease with or without him.

Michael was also an integral part of the Alpha Omega Ski Seminar Series. He helped organize, he lectured and he had an insane attention to detail when it came to the culinary aspects of the trip. Michael took control of everything food. If there was an issue regarding any function everyone knew Michael would always take care of it. He was sadly missed this year in Trois Vallee’, France and Taos, New Mexico, two trips he helped organize. An integral part of the altakucker ski team, Michael will always be remembered as the one who got them down.

It was in Trois Vallee’ that I, and many who knew him well, heard of his passing. Being far away did not lesson the pain. I was fortunate to be with many friends who knew Michael as I did. He was apart of what made all of those trips so amazing. He was a fixture that was and will always be missed. When we gather on one of those trips or for any reason, “Here’s to Michael” has become the toast.

It was because of the TCBSC and the AO Ski Seminars that I spent a lot of time with Michael. For this I am truly grateful.

Now I know this tribute is not all encompassing when it comes to Michael’s life. It would take ten dedicated issues of the Aorta to do that. I didn’t even mention his family and all his friends who I know loved him dearly. I’m sure many of you have similar and different experiences, non-less dear to you as mine are to me. Appropriately, it is just a taste. It is how I knew Michael.

“To Michael!”

Mark Librach

Invisalign Before and After

 

Greg presented to our office with lateral incisors that were protrusive and rotated. He had wanted to get them fixed but was not interested in having metal brackets. He had 14 months of Invisalign to achieve this result.

You may be surprised to learn that having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond cosmetics. Straightening your teeth can significantly improve you oral health!

To learn more watch our Youtube Video!

You can also log into the Invisalign website Click Here.

Staff Sporting Life 10k run! May 13, 2012

We are participating in the 2012 Sporting Life 10K on May 13 to make a difference in the lives of children affected by childhood cancer in memory of a dear friend of Dr. Mark Librach's, who succumbed to brain cancer earlier this year.


In honour of him we are trying to raise funds to help send a child with cancer to Camp.

Camp Oochigeas provides fun and meaningful experiences to approximately 680 children affected by cancer each year at no cost to their families. Every child deserves to experience the wonder of camp. After all, enjoying the outdoors and having fun are two integral parts of being a child!

Please help us to make a difference in the lives of children affected by childhood cancer.

To donate to the Weinberg's Warriors Team select a staff member below you would like to sponsor. Thank you for your support! Team pictures will be posted after the run!

Dentistry on Dundas Team members:

Dr. Mark Librach

Dr. Kara Gollan

Dr. Chris Chen

Nicole

Connie

Welcome Dr. Cara Lindsay, Dentist

Dr. Cara Lindsay is joining the Dentistry on Dundas team! She graduated from The University of Western Ontario in 2006, receiving the Gold Medal in her faculty and obtaining a B.A in Psychology. She recieved her Doctor of Dental Surgery from The University of Toronto in 2010 where she won awards for her exemplary extracurricular involvement. As a student she served as social representative of Alpha Omega, Director of Dentantics, Student Council Representative, Fashion Show Producer and Head of Philanthropy for her class. Her fundraising initiative to increase oral cancer awareness helped foster the establishment of a research fund at the Princess Margaret Hospital specifically for oral cancer. She is an active member of many dental associations and organizations including the Canadian Dental Association, Ontario Dental Association, International Association for Orthodontics, North Toronto Dental Society, Alpha Omega Dental Fraterntiy and the Toronto Crown and Bridge Study Club. She enjoys all aspects of dentistry including orthodontics and enjoys keeping up to date with the latest dental trends by regularly attending continuing education seminars. In her spare time Dr. Lindsay enjoys sailing, dancing, travelling, music and art. There is also a family connection with Dr. Lindsay, she is Dr. Millman's niece!

Oral health and heart health, the mouth-body connection

The connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease encourages cardiologists and periodontists to work together to ensure your health.

Gum disease and cardiovascular disease are two major public health issues that impact a large number of Americans and Canadians every day. Cardiovascular or heart disease contributes to 2,400 deaths per day, while gum or periodontal disease affects nearly 75 percent of Americans. Despite impacting separate areas of the body, research has indicated that periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease may be connected. In fact, according to Dr. Dana Levy, Periodontist, having one of these diseases may actually increase your risk of developing the other.

“Both periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are considered inflammatory diseases, and inflammation is the common mechanism that connects them,” says Dr. Dana Levy. “Inflammation is the body’s instinctive reaction to fight off infection. Although it is initially good for you because it helps in the healing process, exposure to chronic and prolonged inflammation can lead to severe health complications. Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are both examples of ensuing complications from inflammation.”

Periodontal disease is caused by a chronic inflammatory response to bacteria under the gums and around the teeth. The bacteria irritate the gums and generate this inflammatory response which over time can break down and destroy the gums and bone that support the teeth. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as those without periodontal disease.

Because of this connection, it is imperative that periodontists, dentists with advanced training in the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, and cardiologists, doctors who specialize in treating diseases of the heart, work together to provide the best care to patients. A recent consensus paper developed in concert by periodontists and cardiologists summarizes the evidence that links periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, and provides clinical recommendations for both specialties to use in managing their patients living with, or at risk for, either disease.

Because of these clinical recommendations, your next visit to your periodontist or cardiologist may change slightly. You might be surprised when your periodontist now asks even more questions about your medical history, especially about your family history of heart disease and any behaviors that may affect your heart health such as smoking. Your cardiologist may start to ask you about your dental history and might even look in your mouth to evaluate your teeth and gums! Asking these new questions is an important step that health professionals can take to work together to ensure their patients’ health. “Periodontists and cardiologists are starting to work together to better manage their patients’ risk factors for future disease progression,” says Dr. Dana Levy. “It is important that periodontists and cardiologists collaborate to control the inflammatory burden in the body as a result of gum disease or heart disease, thereby helping to reduce further disease progression, and ultimately improve patients’ overall health.”

For more information on the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, the consensus paper, or tips on how to prevent or treat gum disease, visit www.perio.org., http://www.dentistryondundas.com/Home.htm, email: perio@dentistryondundas.com or Heart and Stroke Foundation

2011 Dentistry on Dundas Scholarship Recipients!

Straighten your teeth with Invisalign

At Dentistry on Dundas you can straighten your teeth with Invisalign! Invisalign is a series of smooth, clear and comfortable aligner trays. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing, to eating whatever you like. With other devices, eating, brushing and flossing properly can often be more difficult!

Check out the results one of our patients achieved below!

Before

After

Special occasion coming up? No problem - just take your aligners out for that time and pop them back in when you're ready. Of course, even when you're wearing them, most people won't even know you're going through orthodontic treatment, because they are virtually invisible!

Invisalign is also ideal for your busy schedule, with fewer doctor visits required (approximately every six weeks) and most insurance companies will pick-up part of the cost!

Before

After