Why I became a dentist
While I was exploring possible career paths, one theme stayed with me for a long time: 'pain'.
I wanted to spend my life searching for answers to that difficult question, and when I realized that the profession that has faced pain head-on the longest is dentistry, I chose this path. In the end, what kept me here was curiosity and a sense of responsibility about the challenge of pain.
Clinical Expertise
As an Oral Medicine specialist, I don’t treat only what is visible. I also care for conditions that may look normal on the surface yet undermine quality of life chronic orofacial pain, TMJ (Jaw Joint) disorders, soft-tissue diseases of the gums and oral mucosa, and sleep-related issues such as snoring and Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)as well.
Clinical Approach
If I had to describe my approach in one sentence
Accurate diagnosis is not achieved by knowledge alone. Listening fully to the patient’s story is more than half the process. Conditions in Oral Medicine are often chronic and may lack a clear cause, so changes in a patient’s life, emotions, and habits become key clues for treatment. That’s why, before any procedure, I put a lot of effort into creating a setting where patients feel comfortable opening up.
A Memorable Case
The most memorable patient is someone I went through that very process with. After a Dental Implant at another clinic, symptoms similar to trigeminal neuralgia began, and the pain was severe enough to disrupt daily life.
It also reaffirmed the meaning of Oral Medicine, and the fact that we can help lift someone’s life back up.
Current Areas of Interest
In treatment, I make it a principle to choose the latest evidence-based methods. For TMJ (Jaw Joint), Teeth Grinding (Bruxism), and snoring, I’ve recently been focusing on precision fabrication of 3D-printed intraoral appliances and studying it intensively. Because this technology goes beyond the limits of traditional hand-made fabrication, I expect it will greatly help us deliver care that is more precise and faster for our patients.
Advice for Patients
Many Oral Medicine conditions are closely linked to stress, emotional changes, and sleep quality. So I value the process of identifying factors you can adjust in daily life just as much as the treatment you receive at the clinic.
A Bit About Me
My colleagues describe me as "a 'too-much talker,' but warm-hearted and humorous" and I try to maintain an honest, human touch in the clinic so you can feel at ease.
My hobbies are basketball and cooking, and I find them especially engaging because the way dental techniques become second nature feels similar to how cooking skills grow. Seeing how eagerly my kids eat what I make, I feel like I’m improving pretty quickly.