Meet Us | Our History
“Dr. Joe” and “Dr. Woody” met during dental school where their friendship grew out of mutual respect, integrity, and their strong work ethic. After graduation, they opened their office in October, 1981. That office, now the basement of their current office, was quickly outgrown as their family practice blossomed. During that time, they realized their affinity toward complex adult restorative dentistry.
In 1996, recognizing the need to further understand all facets of adult restorative dentistry, they enrolled in the programs at the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study, one of the nation’s premier centers for comprehensive dental studies. With Dr. Peter Dawson as a mentor, they mastered the concepts of occlusion and the treatment of occlusal (bite) disease, incorporating these skills into the field of comprehensive dentistry.
After completing these courses, they went on to the Piper Education Research Center for an in-depth study of diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders and dysfunction. Included in these studies were MRI imaging and interpretation of the TMJ, splint fabrication, and correlation of the displaced disk and its’ effect on the occlusion.
Their next step was the Seattle Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Under the tutelage of Dr. Frank Spear, they learned to incorporate facial and dental esthetic analysis and diagnosis with stable functional concepts. Dr. Spear is world renowned for his expertise in dental materials and esthetic techniques; his impact on the doctors had been invaluable. His influence also led the doctors to establish their interdisciplinary approach – the local network of orthodontists, periodontists and oral surgeons that diagnose and treatment plan patients’ needs. Under the guidance of Drs. Wooddell and Passaro, this network of specialists performs each treatment in a pre-planned sequence. Dr. Spear’s curriculum was completed in 2005.
They have also trained with Dr. Walter “Jack” Turbyfill, one of the nation’s most recognized figures in complete denture fabrication. With Dr. Turbyfill’s technique, denture fabrication has become more predictable, with superior esthetics, stability, and function. Fabrication of a well-fitting, esthetic denture is of paramount importance to the success of an implant-supported prosthesis.
They developed an early interest in dental implants, and started restoring dental implants in the late 1980’s. They developed a team approach to dental implant treatment with local implant surgeons.
For the past three years the doctors have also been in a program for complex implant diagnosis and treatment called the Synergy Training Program with Dr. Robert Faulkner, a renowned implant prosthodontist from Cincinnati, Ohio. This established a solid base for their expertise in immediate function implant cases.
Most recently, the doctors have developed interest in computer guided implant placement for single tooth application, multiple tooth application, or full arch with immediate function upon placement of the implants. The doctors utilize the latest technology in dental CT (ICAT) scans and 3-D computer graphics with Nobelguide and Simplant software. For this technology, they have trained with Dr. Thomas Balshi, of Prosthodontics Intermedica at The Institute for Facial Esthetics. He is one of the leaders in this field.
In 1998 they moved into their modern, expanded office upstairs. The doctors work together and use their collective knowledge to benefit their patients, consulting each other concerning diagnosis and treatment in many cases.
