The Changing Face of Dentistry
A recount by Dr Mark Casiglia
The 20th anniversary of The Village Observer runs close to my own 21 years in Lane Cove. In August 1992 I took over a small practice in Longueville Rd with a staff of 1 dental nurse. Since then, I have relocated twice and we are now 5 dentists, 1 hygienist and 8 support staff.
I have seen many changes in dentistry over the last 20 years, and I have definitely always been an early adopter.
In 1993 I purchased my first intra-oral camera, to show patients things that previously only I could see. What was a novelty then is a routine tool today.
I placed my last mercury amalgam filling back in 1995, due to concerns I had about possible toxicity and the reality that nobody wants black teeth. No regrets there!
In 1998 we installed digital x-ray. The advantages were clear: No chemicals to deal with, instant results, and best of all, a 95% reduction in the (already low) radiation dose. More recently, in 2011, we added a cone-beam CT machine into the practice, which is low-dose, 3D x-ray. We constantly diagnose conditions that are invisible to conventional x-rays. It is also very useful for implant planning.
We were amongst the first wave of Australian dentists to offer in-chair teeth whitening, around 1999. Teeth-whitening was fairly new territory back then. Now, we have the ZOOM system, which is the world leader of in-chair whitening.
In 2002 I was amongst the first group of Australian dentists to acquire a laser. The dental laser does things that nothing else can replicate and is thus an indispensible tool. Our current laser, the Waterlase iPlus, allows drill replacement in certain cases, and non-traumatic gum treatment, amongst other uses.
In 2005 I placed my first dental implants. With the help of 3D x-ray, I now use precision guides for all implant placements.
Perhaps the best change that I have ever adopted is acquiring CEREC in 2008. This is computerised chairside, single-visit manufacture of porcelain inlays, crowns and veneers. Although CEREC existed 20 years ago, it was rudimentary to say the least and back then, I could not have imagined that it would allow the mind-boggling kind of treatment it is now offering.
Who knows what the next 20 years will offer? Stem cells to grow new teeth? 3D printing for dental fillings?
Dr Mark Casiglia
Dr Mark Casiglia received his Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Honours from Sydney University in 1990. After a year and a half employed in private practice, Mark found a small practice for sale on Longueville Rd, Lane Cove. Thus in 1992 the seed was planted that eventually became Apple Dental. After five years at Longueville Road, the space demands of a growing practice saw Mark join forces with another established local dentist to create the Lane Cove Dental Centre. To ensure his patients continued to receive the best possible individual attention, Mark took care to maintain a separate practice within the centre. After ten years at Lane Cove Dental Centre, Mark had grown his business even further, to the point where a standalone practice was now a necessity. And so in 2007, the brand new Apple Dental was born – a practice designed and built specifically to provide progressive dentistry in the heart of Lane Cove. Mark has always believed in staying up-to-date with modern dentistry techniques. This passion for innovation was on display in 2000, when he became one of the first Australian dentists qualified to offer one-hour teeth whitening. And in 2002, Mark was among the very first handful of Australian dentists to practice laser dentistry, paving the way for many new and improved treatments for our Apple Dental patients. During this period, Mark’s reputation as a leader in cosmetic dentistry continued to grow. He made several appearances in magazines, and was featured in two national Sunday newspaper interviews. Mark was the subject of two ABC current affairs television interviews, a Vogue Magazine article and several interviews in Australian Dental Practice Magazine. With the addition of implant dentistry to his skill set in 2005, Mark was now able to offer permanent, natural-looking replacements for missing teeth. By combining this new ability in implant dentistry with his expertise in gum treatment and complex restorative and cosmetic dentistry, Mark now had the ability to offer full-mouth rehabilitation, to provide solutions to almost any situation his patients present with. With the acquisition of the new CEREC 3D CAD/CAM system in 2008, Mark and the Apple Dental team could now provide fully computerised, chair side design and creation of porcelain dental crowns, inlays and onlays. Apple Dental’s patients now benefit from being able to receive restorations in just one visit – with no temporary fillings or impressions needed. Even though Apple Dental offers the most advanced dental technology for its patients, Mark has always placed a great deal of emphasis on creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through our doors. So, despite retiring in 2022, over the years this has earned Apple Dental a loyal following in the local community, with patients who know they can trust Mark’s team to look after them and to always provide excellent care. Regular patients are well aware that the Apple Dental team will always strive to achieve exceptional results, no matter the treatment provided. Now Mark loves to play sports as it is important to him to remain healthy and active. He plays AFL with the Balmain Tigers and is a member of Concord Golf Club. Mark is a member and keen supporter of the Sydney Swans. His other interests and hobbies include scale model building, boating and fishing. As proud local residents of Longueville in the Lane Cove area, Mark and his family are active members of Apple Dental’s local community. Today, Apple Dental’s team remains committed to Mark’s vision in their patients’ wellbeing and the opportunity to make an impact in their community.
