Meet Us

Meet Dr. DeShong

Dr. Deshong is a 1966 Graduate of Western Reserve Academy and a 1970 graduate of Cornell University where he received his B.S. in Biology.  In 1974, he graduated from the State University of New York with an M.S. in Marine Biology and in 1978; Dr. DeShong graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine with his D.M.D.  Dr. DeShong has three sons, Evan (16), Nathan (24), and Benton (26).  Evan attends Western Reserve Academy.  Nathan is in Naval training for Nuclear Reactors on submarines and Brenton is employed at the ski resort, Snowbird in Utah.  Dr. DeShong’s recreational activities and interests include sailing, snow skiing, windsurfing, weight training, yoga, and Pilates.  His favorite travel destination is Costa Rica where he hopes to build a retirement home, although he can’t imagine ever retiring. 

Dr. DeShong has practiced in his hometown of Oil City for 25 years, doing General Family Dentistry and Orthodontics.  In 1998, he returned to the University of Buffalo to further his studies in Aesthetic and Reconstruction Dentistry.  Since then he has spent well over 200 hours per year studying with the best educators in this field, such as Dr. William Dickerson at the Las Vegas Institute, Dr. Ron Jackson at the University of Buffalo, Dr. Pete Dawson in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Gordon Christenson of CRA in Provo, Utah.  Dr. DeShong is a graduate of Las Vegas Institute (LVI) for Advanced Dental Studies and continues to take advanced courses there.

Dr. DeShong is dedicated to neuromuscular concepts on all full reconstructive and head and neck pain (TMJ) patients.  Dental Implants are placed in house and advanced automated endodontics techniques are utilized.  For patient comfort and to do full oral reconstruction in a minimal number of visits, oral conscious sedation is routinely employed.  Dr. DeShong does denture reconstruction using implants or natural teeth to retain all lower dentures.

Dr. DeShong maintains memberships in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Dentistry, American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, DOCS (Doctors for Oral Conscious Sedation), American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, NEON (Studies for Neuromuscular Dentistry) and is presently working toward his accreditation in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

By continually investing in education for himself, his staff, and the most advanced technology available in dentistry, Dr. Deshong has dedicated himself to providing only the finest dentistry available anywhere.  He and his staff are trained and willing to help you achieve the dazzling and healthy mile you have always dreamed about in absolute comfort.

Areas of Concentration and Continuing Education

Dr. DeShong uses diverse disciplines to provide comprehensive full or partial oral reconstruction.  These areas include extensive additional formal education in the following:

• Periodontal Therapy (both conservative and surgical)
• Child and Adult Orthodontics
• Specialized Retained Denture Method (both with implants or natural teeth over denture techniques)
• Endodontics (Automated)
• Oral Surgery (both simple and surgical)
• Oral Reconstruction (both functional and cosmetic) utilizing a minimum of “chair time”
• TMD therapy (utilizing neuro-muscular modalities of tensing, myomonitor, and muscle and jaw tracing scan techniques to establish the correct position for rebuilding functional bites.)

Of note, Dr. DeShong is also trained in sleep dentistry techniques that allows the above services to be delivered in a timely and comfortable fashion, even for the phobic patient.

Significant Course Studies and noteworthy instructors:

• Orthodontic:  (adult/children, permanent/intraceptive orthodontics)

Drs. S. Truit, NAOL
J. Gerber
Richard Litt
Brock Rondeau

• Occlusion: (both centric relation as well as neuromuscular concepts)

Drs. Clifford Fox
Jim Carlson
Jankelson
Clayton Chan
Pete Dawson

• Practice Management:

Dental Boot Kamp, Walter Hailey
Sterling Management
William Blachford

• Comprehensive Aesthetic Dentistry and Reconstruction

University of Buffalo School of Dentistry, Aesthetic Dentistry
Continuum for six months by various instructors
Las Vegas Institute, Dr. William Dickerson etal.
Anterior Aesthetic – Hands on cosmetic restoration
The Masters Course – Hands on oral reconstruction
Neuromuscular Occlusion on Reconstruction I, II, III

• Implantology

Dr. Alex Blankhead, CRA Associates
Centerpulse/Sulzer Courses

Introducing My Philosophy

Before I even look in your mouth, I want to share with you how I think.  My philosophy of care.

You know, when a dentist becomes a dentist – around 25 or 26 years old – we are pretty much all the same.  Getting a license is somewhat like getting a “driver’s license.”  There is simply no time in Dental School to become a “great driver.”

How good you become in this profession depends on how willing you are to train – AFTER you get out of dental school.  And for many reasons, when each of us graduates, we do not equally embrace the same commitment to continued training.  One reason is we do not have to – the requirements to keep a license are rather minimal.  And a second very real reason is that a lot of average dentists, just like a lot of average cops, teachers, lawyers, - anything – do not care that they are average.  There are a lot of things that come up in a person’s life, like hobbies or sports that become more important to people than their vocation.

I tell you this because where you came today – our office, is a place where dentistry – and only dentistry has been something that I have done for 28 years.  I don’t collect art; sell real estate, or even golf.  For 28 years, I have either practiced dentistry or studied under some of the best minds in the profession.

So when I look at you today, I may discuss some things that no one has even brought up.  I know you cam in here for a loss filling or a broken tooth, but you might hear me talk about your gums, missing teeth, even your bite.  Because more often than not, it is all related.

Basically, I’ll look at five things: your gum health, your teeth, missing teeth, your bite and your smile.  And from that I will make a game plan – a treatment plan – to give you a healthy mouth and if you choose a healthy smile.  I am going to do what you pay me to do – a thorough exam.  Make sense?

So let’s begin right now by coming over here and we’ll look at your x-rays!

~ Dr. Robert L. DeShong II