Philosophy

Understand the problem. Think independently.

Do the work well, and don’t follow conventional wisdom simply because it is conventional. The same approach runs through Dr. Kaplansky’s surgery, his practice and the advice he gives other dentists.

IWhat he holds to

The whole case, not just the procedure.

  1. The whole case

    Excellent implant dentistry isn’t simply about surgical technique.

    It’s diagnosis, patient selection, treatment planning, communication, prosthetic planning, execution, complication management and maintenance.

  2. Predictable over impressive

    I tend to favor solutions that are predictable and reproducible rather than simply technically impressive.

    I’m increasingly skeptical of complexity for its own sake.

  3. The patient comes first

    Clinical quality and doing what I believe is right for the patient have to come first.

    I don’t want to build a practice around selling treatment that I wouldn’t personally stand behind.

  4. Reputation is not for sale

    I’ve spent decades building it.

    I don’t want a short-term financial decision to compromise something that took a career to establish.

  5. Question the default

    Is this actually the best way to do it?

    The question he wants every dentist who works alongside him to keep asking.

IIHow he decides

Break the problem down, then decide.

Faced with a difficult case, a business problem or an unfamiliar situation, he separates what is actually difficult, what is controllable, what could go wrong and what outcome he is trying to achieve.

In a case

  • Anatomy
  • Diagnosis
  • Restorative objective
  • Surgical requirements
  • Patient expectations
  • Risks

In the business

  • Economics
  • Operational burden
  • People required
  • Downside risk
  • Whether it moves the practice where he wants it to go

“If something adds significant headaches without creating proportional value, I’m likely to reject it.”

IIIA view many in dentistry disagree with

“Being very good clinically and building a very successful business don’t require building the largest organization possible.”

A highly specialized, extremely productive practice with excellent systems, strong margins, high case acceptance and a clear clinical identity can be a better business, and a better life, than a much larger organization. And complex implant dentistry deserves a high level of clinical ownership, rather than being reduced to a commodity or a standardized sales process.

IVWhere the profession is heading

What most people are underestimating.

Full-arch implant dentistry is becoming more competitive, and more commoditized at the marketing level, while the real clinical differences between providers matter more. Large organizations and heavily marketed implant companies will keep competing hard for patients.

That creates an opportunity for clinicians who can demonstrate genuine expertise, predictable outcomes and credibility.

He also expects referral relationships to matter more. Rather than every practice trying to perform every part of complex treatment, specialists and high-level implant practices can become trusted partners to general dentists. Technology, digital workflows, AI, financing and changing patient expectations will keep reshaping how patients choose a provider.

VFrom the operatory

Rules he works by at the chair.

  • Feel the bone. Your first drilling is the most important.
  • The way you suture speaks more about the surgeon than many other aspects of surgery.
  • Amount of bone around titanium is more important than amount of titanium in the bone.
  • Four well-placed implants with good A-P spread are better than six to eight that are poorly done.
  • Symmetry, logic and esthetics in surgery, not simply placing implants wherever there is bone.
  • Implants are not forever. Always think about what’s next for this patient, and plan the case accordingly.
  • Poorly made prosthetics will ruin all the good work done by a surgeon.
  • Don’t celebrate too soon. A full arch is a four-to-six-month marathon.
  • Adaptability is a very important quality for a surgeon.
  • Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

VIWork with him

Think about the entire case, not just the procedure.

Start a conversation Consulting and mentorship

Looking for care?

Patients are seen at his practice, Dentistry by Dr. Kaplansky, and through TeethNow Buffalo, which he founded.

Visit drkaplansky.com (opens in a new tab)