In a way, Dr. Thomas Balshi does the impossible everyday. Or maybe it just seems impossible until you actually see it done. Even though we all know that a complex implant case can be completed in a single visit, the science of immediate implant loading still tends to inspire uncertainty in practitioners of all skill levels.

That's where Viewpoint comes in. The breathtakingly high-tech teaching facility is the centerpiece of the Institute for Facial Esthetics, which in turn is the teaching arm of Pi Dental Center, the practice Dr. Balshi shares with his partner, Dr. Glenn Wolfinger, and associates Dr. John Thaler and Dr. Robert Braun.

If that sounds complicated, it is. But for patients, it's ideal. The practice's multidisciplinary approach to facial reconstruction brings together specialists in prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, cranial facial and oral surgery, plus plastic surgery and anesthesiology under one roof.

Fort Washington Dental Lab, formerly part of the practice but now an independent facility, maintains a tight relationship, using advanced scanning and CAD/CAM technology to create the latest in metal-free restorations. There's even an in-house research department. "Patients don't want to leave one practice and drive to another, and then another, over the course of days to complete their treatment," said Dr. Glenn Wolfinger, Dr. Balshi's partner of 12 years. "Here, we can do everything in one visit."

Good as it is for patients, it's even better for the hundreds of doctors who visit the Center each year to learn from Dr. Balshi and Dr. Wolfinger in Viewpoint. They watch as the two doctors accomplish sometimes dauntingly complex restorations, restoring both esthetics and functionality in a single patient visit using protocols that were carefully developed over the course of years.

"It's interesting to watch their reactions," said Dr. Balshi of his students. "They begin with a degree of skepticism that's evident in the questions they ask. Then I notice a gradual attitude change." Breaking preconceived notions isn't done easily nor taken lightly because, as Dr. Balshi is quick to point out, many of his "students" are themselves accomplished practitioners and in many cases, well-known lecturers. "When you're dealing with that caliber of professional, you have to convince them of your scientific credibility with substantial data that will stand up to intense scrutiny."

The wow factor of the Viewpoint learning environment is an important part of the process. "It's a technological wonder," said Dr. Balshi, himself somewhat in awe of the facility. At its core is an A-dec operatory flanked by up to six cameras, including one mounted in the operatory light above the patient chair. Voice communications systems link the operatory with the conference room. Behind the scenes is an audiovisual department staffed by former television professionals, creating a broadcast-quality experience for students.

It might all seem excessive until you understand the curriculum. For example, one popular seminar on virtual surgical software, "Teeth In An Hour," follows the doctors through a computer-guided implant procedure.

Using a CT scan and specially marked prosthesis, they create a template for drilling at the exact location of the implants--all within 1/100th of a millimeter accuracy.

"First and foremost, Viewpoint is designed for quality patient care," said Dr. Balshi. "It's second function is to clearly illustrate a procedure so that it can be repeated by the students." When it came time to map out their vision for Viewpoint, the doctors made some careful choices. "We didn't want to make it too big," said Dr. Wolfinger. "We can accommodate 26 participants and maintain a comfortable dynamic between instructors and students."

Understanding that comfort is a factor, the doctors took great strides to ensure that students aren't affected by fatigue. Ergonomically designed leather chairs were installed at a cost of $1,200 each. The environment as a whole puts every conceivable communication tool at their disposal, including high-speed internet access via dedicated cable and T1 lines.

"Thanks to Benco's speedy response, the project went from planning to completion in just under six months," said Dr. Balshi, who is very happy with the outcome. The A-dec equipment has proven to be reliable and well-built, he said, with an ease of repair that's augmented by Benco Dental's prompt attention to service calls. "For years, we've relied on A-dec in ten operatories, so it was a natural choice for Viewpoint. We simply can't afford any downtime." In addition to A-dec equipment, Viewpoint includes its share of gee-whiz design touches including a "magic wall"--a dimmable glass privacy panel separating the operatory from the conference room. At the touch a button, it goes from opaque to clear, revealing the operatory.

If the Viewpoint team understands the needs of their students, it's because they're students themselves. "Staying ahead of technological advances requires a commitment to ongoing education on our part," said Dr. Wolfinger. "We probably attend as many CE courses as we teach." Dr. Balshi agrees, noting that everyone-from doctors to lab techs to audiovisual personnel-take responsibility for their professional development.

As a result, no single department is less important than another. Everyone at Pi Dental Center appears to share the same level of commitment and enthusiasm, not to mention a shared sense of common cause. "The team approach is central to our overall success," said Robert Winkelman, CDT, MDT, who heads up Fort Washington Dental Lab. "No one exists in a vacuum, which is probably why everyone here is personally invested in their work."

That explains why many staffers have been with the practice for 20, even 30, years. And it's why Pi Dental Center continues to attract practitioners like Dr. Wolfinger, who says, "It was a cutting edge practice when I joined in 1993. It's even more so now. Down the road, I only see the quality of care improving." For patients and practitioners alike, that's a reassuring view from a team that makes perfecting the impossible part of their daily mission.