Dr. Clayton McCarl

Have you been told that you need a dental implant that will first require a sinus lift? Sometimes in the upper jaw, the floor of the maxillary sinus is too low to place a dental implant.  A traditional sinus lift procedure creates space for an implant but can be too costly or involved for many dental patients.  Now a “mini sinus lift” can be performed by your general dentists at McCarl Dental Group at the time of dental implant placement with lower cost and no additional recovery time.

Rather than entering the sinus from the cheek side of the arch, a mini sinus lift “bumps” up the floor of the sinus just ahead of the advancing dental implant.  There is no additional entry point, no additional healing period, and a substantial savings over a full lateral approach sinus lift.

Dentists Clayton McCarl Jr, DDS and David McCarl, DDS of the McCarl Dental Group in Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland have received advanced training in placing mini sinus lifts.

"Before" x-ray of missing tooth

"After" x-ray showing sinus lift with dental implant in place

In this x-ray, a patient of Dr. David McCarl needed an implant to replace a missing tooth on her upper arch.  The “Before” x-ray shows the floor of the sinus (white line) was so low there was not enough bone to place an implant.  The “After” x-ray shows a full sized dental implant placed with the floor of the sinus bumped up or lifted ahead of the advancing implant.

The mini sinus lift is an easy affordable way to receive a dental implant for dental patients who were  previously not candidates to receive a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.

McCarl Dental Group –

It’s All in the Family

By Jane Dodd

Published in the Greenbelt News Review, September 30, 2010

Some things are timeless.  If you live in Greenbelt, you readily understand that concept.  Much of the original community has remained structurally the same for 73 years.  The center, the buildings, the traffic patterns and community spirit are all alive and well after all this time.  Greenbelt even has a dentistry practice that has remained in the same family, alive and well, for 72 years.

The McCarl Dental Group had its beginnings here in 1938 when James McCarl moved his practice to 30 Ridge Road.  He was chosen as the town’s only private medical practitioner in this new experimental community.  Other medical practices were in the Greenbelt Health Association.  McCarl was required to demonstrate a cooperative energetic spirit and to show a willingness to contribute heavily to the fledgling town.  These requirements the young dentist met easily, for he was active in the American Legion, Scouting, the Community Church and other community organizations.

Long-time Patients
One of the McCarl Dental Group’s present patients even preceded Greenbelt.  Gus Torbert lived on the 110-acre family farm sold reluctantly to the U.S. government to become part of the Greenbelt community.  Their homestead was on the hill near where Ridge and Crescent Roads meet.  His father, a carpenter, helped to build and later maintain the city.

During the depression money was scarce.  You didn’t go to the dentist unless you had a real problem.  When he was about 10, Torbert recalls he went to the original Dr. McCarl.  Torbert has a more vivid memory of when he was 17 and had to have work done on an impacted wisdom tooth.

Another long-term patient, Francis Birchard, said he began seeing Dr. James McCarl when he as a youngster had a toothache.  He has been returning ever since.

In 1946, when Lewis Dodd was about to go in the army, his parents insisted he see a dentist and have his teeth checked before the U.S. Army dentist saw him.  They had already had one son taken care of by wartime Army dentists and did not want to repeat the experience.  Dodd and his family have been seeing the McCarls ever since.

The family practice went on to the second generation in 1955 and 1956 when McCarl’s two sons, James Taylor and Clayton, Sr. joined the practice after completing their own studies at their father’s alma mater, the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dental Surgery.  With the three of them in one building they needed more space and took over the entire building at 28 Ridge Road.

After their father’s death in 1967 the two brothers continued on until 1989, when James Taylor died.  During this time Clayton, Sr. held various leadership positions in professional organizations within the state and community.

Another Patient
Judy Ransom Bell has been a patient of one McCarl or another, she says, since she was a pre-schooler.  She described Clayton, Sr. as “wonderful.”  She remembers the “laughing gas” that was used then.

During some very lean financial years he took care of her, impressing on her the importance of consistent dental care.  Even when she moved from Greenbelt, she still came to her favorite dentist.

Now returned to Greenbelt, she goes to Clayton, Jr. and Sally.  What amazes Bell is how the offspring have followed in their parents’ footsteps and become a part of the family business.  The pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff even make it fun, she says, to go to the dentist.

Another long- time patient, Therese Madden Stringfellow, has been having the McCarls care for her teeth for over 50 years.  Her parents wanted the best care for their three children, she says, and when they heard of the new process of capping teeth, they sent Therese to see James Taylor McCarl.  She still has her capped front teeth and sees Dr. Clayton regularly.

Stringfellow’s sister Mary even worked for the family of dentists.  Both of her sisters, now widowed, had moved to other parts of the country, she says.  But they are returning to Greenbelt this fall and, yes, they plan to have the McCarl Group be their dentists once again.

Third Generation
The third generation of McCarls carries on the tradition.  If you go to 28 Ridge Road where the McCarl Dental Group is still practicing, you will see their signs hanging there.  Dr. Clayton McCarl, Jr., Dr. Jay McCarl and Sally McCarl-Moore are offspring of Clayton Sr.; Dr. David is the son of Dr. James Taylor McCarl.  Sally chose to be the hygienist in the family.

Aren’t you glad they adopted the name the “McCarl Dental Group”?  Can you imagine the alphabet soup of four McCarls, Jr.s and DDSs all in one title?  History isn’t just about wars and buildings; it’s also about people and their traditions.  The McCarl family is an important part of the rich history of Greenbelt.

Dr. Clayton McCarl Jr. is attending a two day course on the benefits of the CAMLOG Dental Implant System. Although Dr. McCarl has been placing and restoring dental implants for more than 25 years, he has attended at least 7 full days of continuing education about the newest technologies in dental implants this year.

An Outstanding Colleague and Friend
One of the most exceptional aspects of this course is that it is being taught by Dr. Kevin Doring, University of Maryland Dental School classmate of Dr. Clayton McCarl and Dr. Jay McCarl. After dental school, Dr. Doring completed a General Practice Residency at the Charleston Area Medical Center and received certification as a Dental Anesthesiologist. Dr. Doring is a member of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and Pierre Fauchard Academy as well as a Fellow and Master of the Academy of General Dentistry. He lectures on a wide variety of dental topics, is active in the Maryland State Dental Association and practices dentistry in Edgewater, Maryland. Kevin’s wife Tammy graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dental Hygiene.

“We have tremendous respect for Kevin, both professionally and personally,” says Dr. Clayton McCarl. “This course reviewed the newest advancements in dental implant technology and how to bring these improvements to our patients. Dr. Doring does an outstanding job of communicating the keys to long term success in implant surgery and restorations.”  Regional Implant Specialist and CAMLOG representative from Henry Schein, Bob Voelker provided excellent support for the dentists attending the seminar with materials, supplies and educational resources.

Why are Dental Implants Important?
Traditional and minimally invasive dental implants have surpassed traditional dentures and bridges as the best solution for missing teeth. When you lose a tooth, your jawbone slowly loses strength and density, causing bone loss and changes in facial features. The loss of even one tooth can cause an unstable bite and uneven chewing. Because remaining teeth tend to shift, proper cleaning becomes more difficult and increases the likelihood of gingivitis and even periodontal disease.

When a dental implant is restored with a crown, the finished product looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth. Implants are effective for single and multiple tooth restoration. They are placed in the jaw where they fuse to the bone and replace the root of the tooth with a biocompatible titanium alloy. In some cases, a crown can be placed on the tooth immediately.

Dental implants are the best restoration solution for dental patients in whom neighboring teeth are healthy and properly aligned. Unlike a partial denture or bridge, a dental implant can prevent bone loss at the site of the missing tooth.

The most common use of mini dental implants is stabilization of dentures. Many dental implant patients tell us that for the first time since they have had dentures, they can actually chew, talk and laugh without being afraid that their dentures will fall out. Implants anchor a denture securely and still allow patients the ability to remove and replace the denture easily for cleaning.

Three Generations of Trust
At McCarl Dental Group, we use a variety of traditional and minimally invasive dental implant systems with different types of implants based on the unique needs of each dental patient. CAMLOG dental implants will be a great addition to the dental implant systems that we are currently using in our dental practice.

CAMLOG is a division of Henry Schein, a company that provides dental supplies and has a three generation relationship with McCarl dentists. The Henry Schein Company supplied the digital panoramic x-ray machines and ITERO digital impression scanners for both our Greenbelt and Millersville, Maryland dental offices. We are excited to offer McCarl dental patients the exceptional benefits of the CAMLOG dental implant system.

For additional information about dental implants, please read our article from Taste of the Bay Magazine http://www.mccarldental.com/pdfs/TOTB-July-Implant-Article.pdf.

From time to time people with removable partial plates are forced to be without their partial.  Whether it has been removed for routine cleaning, a medical procedure, or has been sent to a dental lab overnight, patients inevitably have to do without it for periods of time. When one or more of your front teeth are replaced by that partial, it is embarrassing to be seen without your front teeth.  It is ideal not to have front teeth included as part of a partial plate so that your smile is unaffected for those times when it is not in place.

The dental patient in this video has an upper removable partial plate that replaces one front tooth and a few others in the back. By inserting a mini dental implant and restoring it with a crown we were able to remove the front tooth off of the existing partial so that it just replaces missing back teeth. The entire procedure took two visits, 2 weeks apart, with a combined chair time of 90 minutes.  The dental visits were extremely easy for the patient. This patient did NOT need general anesthesia, incisions, stitches, and virtually needed no recovery. For the first time in years this Annapolis patient is not missing a front tooth! He is amazed that the mini implant restored with a porcelain crown feels and functions like a natural tooth.

Annapolis Dental Implant Patient Before Procedure

Annapolis dental implant patient after restoring mini implant with a porcelain crown.

With the most recent advances in dental implants, more patients are candidates for permanent tooth replacement. Some patients do not have enough bone in their jaws to place the larger, traditional implants while most patients have sufficient bone mass for placement of a tiny minimally invasive dental implant. Mini implants withstand normal chewing forces just like natural teeth.

Dr. Clayton McCarl, Dr. Jay McCarl and Dr. David McCarl have attended dental implant mini-residency programs and are certified in treatment planning, case selection, implant placement protocol and restorative techniques for both traditional and minimally invasive dental implants.

Dentists and specialists in Anne Arundel County and Prince Georges County work together to provide optimal dental care for their patients. An example of this is a complex dental implant case that may require a bone graft or sinus lift. The general dentist and oral surgeon or periodontist will communicate on all aspects of dental treatment. They email dental x-rays and discuss the treatment plan, patient healing and technical specifications for the next phase of treatment. There are several study clubs for dentists in Annapolis, Severna Park, Crofton and Millersville. These study clubs foster continuing education and review of current research and literature, communication among dental among colleagues, and ultimately improved patient care.

Another way that Dr. Clayton McCarl works with other dentists is by helping them secure financing for dental equipment upgrades and capital improvements to their dental offices. Dr. McCarl is a Director on the Board of Revere Bank which has branches in Laurel and Rockville, Maryland. Revere Bank is currently looking for an Anne Arundel County location. Read more from Dr. Clayton McCarl to learn about how a dentist on a bank board can help other dentists.

Banking on Dentistry, by Dr. Clayton McCarl, Jr.
With the banking world turned upside down, a new bank in Laurel, Maryland found a stable and dependable partner … in dentists.

Revere Bank opened its doors in November 2007, just months after the nationwide residential mortgage melt-down. Banks across the country were paying the price for speculative lending, and this new community bank set its sights on partnering only with dependable businesses with a track record of success.  As a third-generation dentist, I know about the financial stability of dentistry.  Dental practices have among the lowest failure rates of any business in the United States (less than one percent nationwide).  Dentists by nature are careful, organized and methodical people.  Our dedication to our patients’ well-being has earned us the community’s trust.  Although no business is recession-proof, dental care is still valued and prioritized by the public.  People know the economy will turn around and do not want to neglect their dental health if at all possible.

Two years ago I became an initial investor in Revere Bank, a start-up or “de novo” bank.  After working with the principals, I was invited to be a director on the managing board.  During the first year, board members attended bimonthly meetings which included director education.  All directors underwent extensive background checks and were interviewed by state and federal regulatory agencies.  Board members were also required to pass tests on banking regulations.

At first glance it may seem unusual for a full-time dentist to be a bank
director, but I have always enjoyed the business aspect of dentistry and business in general.  Before receiving my DDS from the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, I earned a business degree from Maryland’s Smith School of Business.  Every business faces the same challenges — increasing revenues and managing cash flow while controlling overhead.  All businesses need to embrace technological changes and new products and identify trends in society that have substance not just flash.  The business acumen necessary for successful management of a large dental practice is similar to that of any business, including the business of banking.
In recent conversations with dentists, a recurring topic was the changing playing field regarding banking products and services.  I shared the concerns of my dental colleagues with Revere Bank CEO Drew Flott and the other directors.  We decided that Revere Bank should place an emphasis on the dental community as preferred customers and dedicate a large pool of funds for dentists and their business needs.  Banks across the country have been experiencing loan losses in those industries most affected by the recession.  These losses adversely affect the banks’ ability to lend money to thriving businesses like dental practices despite their excellent track record. Other banks that were lending money to dentists were doing so with unfavorable rates, terms and fees.  Since Revere Bank opened after the sub-prime debacle, we are not burdened by bad loans.  Our bank decided not to offer residential home mortgages or engage in risky hybrid financial products. These safeguards allow us to offer better rates and services to our customers.

Bankers typically determine the value of a business by its hard assets and cash flow.  Dental practices are unique in that a significant value must be placed on earning potential which is usually determined by patient count and collected billable fees.  A license to practice dentistry has great value in and of itself.  The difficulty in obtaining that license restricts free entry into the field and gives us an inherent advantage over other industries that have open, competitive entry systems.  The McCarl Dental Group works with Allen M. Schiff, CPA, CFE of Schiff and Associates, Certified Public Accountants and Management Consultants, a founding member of the Academy of Dental CPAS (www.ADCPA.org).  Schiff and Associates provide accounting, tax and practice management consulting exclusively for dentists.  Mr. Schiff, who continually seeks the best practices, products and opportunities for his clients, was a perfect choice to educate the directors of Revere Bank about the unique opportunity to assist dentists.  Mr. Schiff met with the Board and Revere Bank Officers to teach methods for determining the true value of a dental practice.  Revere Bank then elected to be a sponsor for a Schiff and Associates annual client practice management seminar.  This gave us an opportunity to introduce ourselves to over a hundred dentists and the response was overwhelming.  Revere Bank made a commitment to offer dentists the highest level of personal service and extremely low promotional rates to gain an entry into the dental community.

Just as a successful dental practice operates on efficiency, quality care and genuine concern for their patients, Revere Bank operates the same way for their banking customers.  Instead of daily trips to the bank for deposits, Revere installs scanning devices (Remote Deposit Capture) in dental offices so that checks and credit card payments are electronically deposited in their account.  If documents need immediate attention, Revere bankers can go to the dental office, so that the dentist doesn’t lose valuable production hours visiting the bank.
During the past year, Revere Bank has assisted in dental practice purchases, new office construction, renovation, refinancing, equipment loans, lines of credit and other related banking products.  Many dentists are taking advantage of extremely low borrowing rates for high tech equipment purchases that help us offer the highest quality of patient care.  Banking on dentistry has been a win-win relationship for dentists and for Revere Bank in our mid-Atlantic marketplace.

Clayton McCarl, Jr. DDS, FAGD is President of McCarl Dental Group http://www.mccarldental.com, a third-generation dental practice with two dental offices in Greenbelt and Millersville, Maryland.  He practices dentistry with his brother, Dr. Jay McCarl, cousin, Dr. David McCarl, and associates.  For further information, please contact Dr. McCarl at 301-474-4144 or cmccarl@comcast.net.

Sally McCarl Moore has been practicing as a Registered Dental Hygienist since 1980, and works in the McCarl Dental Group offices in Greenbelt and Millersville. Sally is known for her excellent clinical skills and is constantly updating professional techniques and products based on the latest research. Her main focus however, is the personal relationship she forms with each of her patients. Sally is compassionate and has a great sense of humor. She has built wonderful friendships with her patients over the years and is a great asset to our practice. Sally teases her long time patients that when anything of importance happens to them the first person they should call is their dental hygienist!  A relaxed atmosphere and a lot of laughter make a trip to the Greenbelt, Annapolis and Severna Park Dentists at McCarl Dental Group an enjoyable one. Who says dental visits can’t be fun!

Sally is the sister of Drs. Clayton and Jay McCarl, and is Dr. David McCarl’s cousin. She started working as a dental assistant with her father, Dr. Clayton McCarl Sr. when she was sixteen. Each Saturday and every summer vacation was spent at the Greenbelt office learning the family business. While assisting in high school and college, Sally worked beside her aunt, Mary Jean McCarl Bonham. Many of her cousins also worked for the dental office in various positions ranging from dental assistant to lawn maintenance. “We were taught at a young age about the importance of serving others and to take great pride in our work. Our grandfather and fathers lead by a strong example that made a great impression on us all.”

Sally lives with her husband, Brian in Crofton. She has three fabulous grown children, Kelly, Colleen and Alex. They are all enjoying and excelling in their fields as an attorney, history teacher, and accountant.

Sally’s husband, Brian likes to joke that she should be a great hygienist; because that’s the only job she’s ever had!  Sally says, “Actually that is true. I never saw the point in working anywhere else. What could be better than working with your family?”

Karen Faherty has greeted patients at our McCarl Dental Group Greenbelt / College Park Dental Office  with her caring and warm smile for 26 years. Her friendly and outgoing personality helps keep our office cheerful and fun. Karen’s special personal touches reflect her dedication to our patients. She also plans fabulous events for our staff including picnics, bowling competitions, Bay Sox games and our office Christmas party.

Karen has lived in Greenbelt since she was 10 years old. She was a patient of Dr. James T. McCarl (Dr. David McCarl’s father). Karen joined McCarl Dental Group as a part-time dental assistant four evenings a week in 1984. She answered an advertisement in the Greenbelt News Review to be an assistant for the “new” Greenbelt / College Park dentists, Dr. Clayton McCarl, Jr. and Dr. Jay McCarl when they graduated from dental school. Karen says, “It was a great opportunity for me to work and also spend time at home with my young children. Twenty-five years later, it is still a perfect fit! While I have since transitioned from a dental assistant to a front desk receptionist, the warm interactions with the patients remain the same. Being part of this team has created life-long friendships with both staff and patients alike. I’m really glad that I answered that ad!”

Karen’s sons are now 30, 26, and 18, the youngest a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park running track — GO TERPS!