TLC--The Fantastic Dentist, Dr. Tom Leatherman's Care
There I was, sitting in the comfortable and spacious anteroom of Doctor Thomas Leatherman, DDS, in Lorain County.
I had a real problem. My former dentist had tried several times to numb me for a procedure, and had been unable to do so. Dr. Tom was an old friend, and he thought he could take care of the problem. Although I had known Dr.Tom since he'd been a teenager, I just did not think that I wanted to drive out to Lorain to have dental work done. Now, I was desperate...and more than a little apprehensive.
When it comes to dentists, my knees turn to jelly and my skin turns clammy. No matter how dentists have tried to make me feel comfortable, it never worked. I've had trouble with my upper teeth for many years, and now I was about to entrust my precious choppers to this, this KID--many years my junior. What had I done?
Upon entering, I was directed to a lounge chair that reminded me of a spacecraft's seat. Computer monitors and screens surrounded me, as well as equipment that seemed to resemble a space shuttle's command console.
After I was seated, Dr.Tom emerged, and with his winning smile and a few jokes, he proceeded to take care of business. With the most painless and efficient numbing that I've ever experienced, he then let me view an educational dental film on the screen above my chair while he did the work required. In fact, you could even watch a DVD of your choice, if you wanted to.
I had some old metal crowns and silver fillings, and Dr.Tom suggested that the new materials, particularly the way they could be fit, would be a vast improvement, as the old crowns had some decay at their base. I asked him how long it took to make a crown. With a wry smile, he said, "About fifteen minutes, and I'll let you see it being made."
Dr.Tom then proceeded to scan the old crown with a computer-connected wand, and then entered the data into his computer. After making some minor adjustments, he sent the data to a machine that precisely cut a perfect crown in minutes, as I looked on, amazed. My crown was in and I was out the door before I had finished watching his film! In addition, it fit precisely to the base, and could not be distinguished from my other teeth.
I ended up replacing all my crowns (none of your business, how many!) with Dr.Tom's natural-looking CAD-CAM wonders. Now, I have a great, natural-looking smile again, if I do say so myself!
CAD-CAM (Computer aided design and manufacture) has entered a host of manufacturing applications, and now it is a part of modern dentistry. Dr.Tom has been at the cutting edge with his dental practice since taking up the reins from his father many years ago. His father, as well, did wonderful innovative work with many complex dental problems, including bite adjustments. He was a pioneer in TMJ treatments in the late 1970's and was one of the first dentists in Lorain County to utilize highspeed dentistry.
The Doctors Leatherman have become Lorain legends over the years. People have come from miles around to seek their assistance. In the past few years, Dr.Tom has modernized his office even more, employing several compassionate and efficient dental technicians for cleaning, as well as having a fantastic and friendly office staff.
A children's play area, complete with computer, graces a corner of his beautiful waiting room. A photo album of Dr.Tom with his young patients sits on the coffee table. A cup of hot, fresh coffee is available, as well as the daily paper and a television.
A Lakewoodite of 24 years, Dr.Tom has a lovely wife, Judy, and two children, Tommy and Laura. The whole family continues to be active with music and numerous community activities. Judy has been active with various PTA groups, as well as the Junior Women's Club. Dr.Tom is an adopt-a-spot volunteer, among his many other activities.
In addition to his dental practice, Dr. Tom continues to utilize his musical talents. He plays keyboards with the "Fat Chants" all-occasion band (http://www.fatchantsband.com/).
With his state-of-the-art dental technology and his interest in all things Lakewood, I, for one, am quite grateful that Dr.Tom and his family are active and vital people who contribute to the pulse of our city.
Finally, Dr.Tom feels very strongly about patient education, and has asked me to direct you to that part of his website (www.TLCare1.com) having answers about virtually everything dental that you might need to know.
I had a real problem. My former dentist had tried several times to numb me for a procedure, and had been unable to do so. Dr. Tom was an old friend, and he thought he could take care of the problem. Although I had known Dr.Tom since he'd been a teenager, I just did not think that I wanted to drive out to Lorain to have dental work done. Now, I was desperate...and more than a little apprehensive.
When it comes to dentists, my knees turn to jelly and my skin turns clammy. No matter how dentists have tried to make me feel comfortable, it never worked. I've had trouble with my upper teeth for many years, and now I was about to entrust my precious choppers to this, this KID--many years my junior. What had I done?
Upon entering, I was directed to a lounge chair that reminded me of a spacecraft's seat. Computer monitors and screens surrounded me, as well as equipment that seemed to resemble a space shuttle's command console.
After I was seated, Dr.Tom emerged, and with his winning smile and a few jokes, he proceeded to take care of business. With the most painless and efficient numbing that I've ever experienced, he then let me view an educational dental film on the screen above my chair while he did the work required. In fact, you could even watch a DVD of your choice, if you wanted to.
I had some old metal crowns and silver fillings, and Dr.Tom suggested that the new materials, particularly the way they could be fit, would be a vast improvement, as the old crowns had some decay at their base. I asked him how long it took to make a crown. With a wry smile, he said, "About fifteen minutes, and I'll let you see it being made."
Dr.Tom then proceeded to scan the old crown with a computer-connected wand, and then entered the data into his computer. After making some minor adjustments, he sent the data to a machine that precisely cut a perfect crown in minutes, as I looked on, amazed. My crown was in and I was out the door before I had finished watching his film! In addition, it fit precisely to the base, and could not be distinguished from my other teeth.
I ended up replacing all my crowns (none of your business, how many!) with Dr.Tom's natural-looking CAD-CAM wonders. Now, I have a great, natural-looking smile again, if I do say so myself!
CAD-CAM (Computer aided design and manufacture) has entered a host of manufacturing applications, and now it is a part of modern dentistry. Dr.Tom has been at the cutting edge with his dental practice since taking up the reins from his father many years ago. His father, as well, did wonderful innovative work with many complex dental problems, including bite adjustments. He was a pioneer in TMJ treatments in the late 1970's and was one of the first dentists in Lorain County to utilize highspeed dentistry.
The Doctors Leatherman have become Lorain legends over the years. People have come from miles around to seek their assistance. In the past few years, Dr.Tom has modernized his office even more, employing several compassionate and efficient dental technicians for cleaning, as well as having a fantastic and friendly office staff.
A children's play area, complete with computer, graces a corner of his beautiful waiting room. A photo album of Dr.Tom with his young patients sits on the coffee table. A cup of hot, fresh coffee is available, as well as the daily paper and a television.
A Lakewoodite of 24 years, Dr.Tom has a lovely wife, Judy, and two children, Tommy and Laura. The whole family continues to be active with music and numerous community activities. Judy has been active with various PTA groups, as well as the Junior Women's Club. Dr.Tom is an adopt-a-spot volunteer, among his many other activities.
In addition to his dental practice, Dr. Tom continues to utilize his musical talents. He plays keyboards with the "Fat Chants" all-occasion band (http://www.fatchantsband.com/).
With his state-of-the-art dental technology and his interest in all things Lakewood, I, for one, am quite grateful that Dr.Tom and his family are active and vital people who contribute to the pulse of our city.
Finally, Dr.Tom feels very strongly about patient education, and has asked me to direct you to that part of his website (www.TLCare1.com) having answers about virtually everything dental that you might need to know.
Volume 3, Issue 3, Posted 8:08 AM, 11.09.06
