Instructor Bios

Thomas J. Balshi, DDS, PhD, FACP
Glenn J. Wolfinger, DMD, FACP
James R. Bowers, D.D.S., P.C.
Stephen F. Balshi, MBE
Robert J. Braun, BA., DDS, MPH
Vicki C. Petropoulos, DMD, MS
Robert Winkelman, CDT, MDT

Dr. Thomas J. BalshiThomas J. Balshi, DDS, PhD, FACP
Prosthodontist

Dr. Thomas J. Balshi is a Board Certified Prosthodontist and the Founder of The Institute For Facial Esthetics in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.  His forty year career in dental medicine includes graduate and post-graduate degrees from Temple University School of Dentistry and prosthetic implant training at both the University of Toronto and The Institute For Applied Biotechnology in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Dr. Balshi is a devoted clinician, avid researcher, and seasoned academician. He has lectured internationally from the Royal Academy of Medicine in London, to world congresses in Paris, Munich, Bologna, Athens, New Delhi, and Sydney, as well as in many cities in both North and South America.

Considered an expert in dental implant prosthodontics, his trademarked Teeth in a Day protocol has served patients from around the globe.  He has authored numerous scientific articles published in professional journals as well as co-authored the handbook titled A Patient’s Guide To Dental Implants.  He has appeared accomplishing live dental implant surgery on Good Morning America and on NBC’s The Today Show.

Dr. Balshi is a Diplomate of The American Board of Prosthodontics as well as a member of numerous other professional organizations.  In addition to his scientific awards, he holds a United States Army Medal of Commendation, a Freedom Foundation George Washington Medal of Honor, and has been recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States of America. He was recently appointed to the advisory board of New Beauty Magazine.

Dr. Balshi received a Citation of Recognition from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, House of Representatives, and the Freedom Foundation's George Washington Honor Medal for excellence and individual achievement in the dental field. In 2004, Dr. Balshi was selected to be in the book, "The Best Dentists in America." Dr. Balshi was voted a TOP DENTIST in Philly Magazine in 2010.

Dr. Balshi established, Pi Dental Center, one of the first dental implant treatment centers in the United States, utilizing the Brånemark System of osseointegrated implants. The center focuses on advanced clinical treatment, extensive research with osseointegrated dental implants, and private clinical training programs.

Dr. Balshi lectures globally at meetings on the subject of osseointegrated dental implants, and has published landmark articles on the subject. He participates in the Temple University School of Dentistry Continuing Education Program. He has created a video to instruct implant patients on oral hygiene procedures, and has published a comprehensive cookbook entitled FROM SOUP TO NUTS, designed for patients going through implant treatment. Dr. Balshi has taught graduate and postdoctoral students from Harvard, Tufts, and many other dental schools, the protocols developed at PI for Teeth In A Day® and Nobel Clinician™. He has also appeared on numerous national television programs, explaining the value of permanent teeth supported by dental implants, and he has directed the PI Team in the production of several patient information videos, including A WHOLE NEW WORLD, and PREDICTABLE MIRACLES.

To view Dr. Balshi's CV click here!

Back To Top

 

Dr. Glenn J. WolfingerGlenn J. Wolfinger, DMD, FACP
ProsthodontistCertificate

Dr. Glenn Wolfinger is a Board Certified Prosthodontist practicing at Prosthodontics Intermedica in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.  Dr. Wolfinger is a fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists and the Academy of Osseointegration.  He graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed a residency in combined Prosthodontics through the VA-Harvard Program in Boston.  He is currently a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Nova Southeastern University and Co-Director of the Institute For Facial Esthetics.  He is a Past-President of the Pennsylvania Prosthodontic Association, and a member of numerous other dental organizations. He has participated in critical research projects, has lectured internationally, and has had many articles published in refereed journals.

To view Dr. Wolfinger's CV click here!

Back To Top

Dr. James Bowers James R. Bowers, D.D.S., P.C.

Dr. James R. Bowers graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1973, and Temple University School of Dentistry in 1977.  Specializing in the restorative aspect of dentistry, Dr. Bowers maintained a private practice for almost 30 years in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.  In 2006 he joined the PI Dental Center at the Institute for Facial Esthetics in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.  In addition to his full time practice at Pi Dental Center, he lectures and serves as the Director of Continuing Education at The Institute.  Dr. Bowers is an Associate Professor at Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry in the Fixed Prosthodontic Clinic.  He is a Member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Academy of Osseointegration.  He is also a member of the Montgomery-Bucks Dental Society, Philadelphia Stomatognathic Society, the Delaware Valley Academy of Osseointegration, past President of the Monroe County Dental Society, a member of the Ewing Study Club, and the past secretary of the Foundation Board at the Pocono Medical Center.  He has been a recipient of the America’s Top Dentists award for the past decade, and a lifetime recipient of Who’s Who for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry.  Dr. Bowers received the “Top Dentists of Philadelphia” award for cosmetic dentistry as published in the February 2010 issue of Philadelphia Magazine.  He lives with his wife, Diana, in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

To view Dr. Bower's CV, click here

Back To Top

 

Stephen Balshi

Stephen F. Balshi, MBE
Research Director

Stephen F. Balshi, MBE received his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.   He was awarded a Master’s Degree at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA with a published thesis on the stability of Brånemark implants and immediate function. 

He is the President of CM Prosthetics Inc., a dental laboratory that focuses on the rehabilitation of the fully edentulous, utilizing state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology.  He is also the Director of Research for PI Dental Center at the Institute for Facial Esthetics.

He has been published in several refereed journals including, the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, and Implant Dentistry.

He has lectured at national and international meetings including the Academy of Osseointegration, the American College of Prosthodontists, and the International College of Prosthodontists on immediate function, computer guided surgery, and the CM Prosthetics line of fully edentulous restorations.

Download Stephen Balshis' CV

Back To Top

DrJieYang

Jie Yang, DDS, MMedSc, MS, DMD

Dr. Jie Yang is the director of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Services at the Institute for Facial Esthetics. He has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology since 1996.

Dr. Yang is also an Associate Professor and Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology at Temple University School of Dentistry, and Associate Professor of Radiology at the School of Medicine. He is the Radiation Safety Officer at the School of Dentistry.

Dr. Yang has been serving as North American Regional Director and Board Member of the International Association of Dento-Maxillo-Facial Radiology (IADMFR) since 2005. Dr. Yang served as Vice President of the 16th Congress of IADMFR. He is the Voting Representative of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology to the American Dental Association’s Standards Committee.

Dr. Jie Yang obtained his first Dental Degree from Shanghai, China in 1984, and first Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology certificate from Peking University in 1990. Later he attended the University of Iowa and earned a Master of Science degree and the second oral and maxillofacial radiology specialty certificate in 1996. He received a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Temple University in 2001.

Dr. Yang serves on editorial boards of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontics. He is a reviewer for Dento-maxillo-facial Radiology and many other professional journals. Dr. Yang’s research has covered both dental and medical radiology. He has published numerous articles and research abstracts in prestigious dental and medical journals, such as Radiology, Investigative Radiology, American Journal of Neuroradiology, Academic Radiology, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, & Endodontology, and Dentomaxillofacial Radiology.

Back To Top

 

DrBraunRobert J. Braun, BA., DDS, MPH

Robert J. Braun, B.A., DDS, MPH, is an Oral Medicine Specialist at Pi Dental Center.  Dr. Braun is professor of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Medicine and Surgery at Temple University as well as Associate Dean of Advanced Education, Research and Continuing Education.  He is a professor at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Pennsylvania and consultant for the Medical Center of Delaware. Additionally, Dr. Braun is Director of Advanced and Graduate Education at Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine, and Assistant Secretary for the Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association.  Dr. Braun participates in ongoing research, lectures and presents courses and videos.  Dr. Braun received a Masters Degree in Public Health and Health Service Administration from University of California, Doctor Of Dental Surgery at Marquette University and Clinical Fellowship at John Hopkins University.  He is an active member of:  American Dental Association, National Association of Flight Instructors, Pennsylvania Dental Association, Philadelphia County Dental Society, American Association of Dental Research, Illinois State Dental Society, Madison District Dental Society, American Association of Dental Schools, American Academy of Science, Greater Milwaukee Dental Association, Wisconsin Dental Association. Dr. Braun is licensed to practice in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Pennsylvania. 

To view Dr. Braun's CV click here!   

Back To Top

 

DrPetropolousVicki C. Petropoulos, DMD, MS

Dr. Petropoulos is Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry-Clinician Educator in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences and Director of Fixed Prosthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Currently, is the director of the predoctoral fixed partial dentures course. Her primary research focuses are on the biomechanics of implant-supported soft-tissue-retained overdenture attachments and immediate loading of implants. Her research has been published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, Journal of Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry. She is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists and has presented her research as oral presentations, posters and table clinics at major national and international meetings. In addition to her research and teaching activities, Dr. Petropoulos is a practicing prosthodontist at the University of Pennsylvania's Dental Care Network.

Back To Top

 

 

Robert Winkelman CDT MDT

Robert Winkelman, CDT, MDT
Master Dental Technician

Director of Fort Washington Dental Lab; Mr. Winkelman graduated New York University as a master dental technician and received dental implant training at Northwestern University. He has lectured in the United States, Europe and South America and published a text book entitled, "Dental Implants: Fundamental and Advanced Laboratory Technology."

 

 

 

 

Back To Top

HillerieSwinehartHillerie Swinehart, EFDA

Hillerie Swinehart, EFDA has been practicing as an EFDA in prosthodontics since she joined Prosthodontics Intermedica in 2000, and has since been involved with teaching courses in Teeth In A Day® and Nobel Clinician™ at the Institute For Facial Esthetics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AnnaSaccomandi

Anna Saccomandi, Office Manager, Lab Manager

Anna Saccomandi has been working in dental laboratories and with dental implant systems since 1978. She came to Fort Washington Dental Lab in 1989 as lab manager and office manager. Ms. Saccomandi is proficient in Procera surgical software, the Keystone Solution and Materialize Software. She is familiar with all dental implant systems components and procedures. Anna has worked with implant companies, including Nobel Biocare, in facilitating the Fort Washington Dental Lab as a beta test site.

Anna also is expert in all Microsoft programs and Adobe computer graphics software. She has a certificate in web design from Temple University.

Anna has assisted in teaching the Nobel Clinician Guided Surgery course at Viewpoint. She currently instructs doctors in the use of the Forte machine for fabricating bridges and Tissue Integrated Prostheses as well as computer generated single tooth restorations. Anna is proficient with the iCat CT scanning machine and able to convert patient data for the NobelGuide system and use the iCat Vision software. She has a great deal of knowledge in antiquated component systems and is able to troubleshoot and assist doctors in unusual cases. She trains dentists and dental technologists in Advanced Scanning Procedures For Procera Implant Bridges.

 

ConnieNguyen

Connie Nguyen, Senior Ceramist and Dental Lab Technician

Connie Nguyen joined the Fort Washington Dental Lab in 2006. She has been working as a lab technician and ceramist in dental labs since 2002. Connie attended Rollins College, Winter Park, FL for health care management and Dental Technology Institute of Southern California to become a dental lab technician. She is currently a student at Immaculata University in Pennsylvania. Ms. Nguyen is an expert in all aspects of the dental lab including lab management. Her areas of specialty include esthetics, porcelain, crown and bridge, and Empress crowns. Connie has even worked as a dental assistant and is comfortable relating to patients in a clinical environment. In the past, Ms. Nguyen assisted in 3i lab courses and now trains dentists and dental technologists in Esthetic Veneers, Clinical and Laboratory Procedures. In her free time, Connie enjoys playing tennis and classical piano.