DEFINITIVE DENTISTRY: “When you visit Den Tull, your comfort is our primary concern. We offer everything dental — a routine checkup to ensure complete oral health, fixing or replacing teeth, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency pain relief.” Dr. Janak Tull, DMD, of Den Tull Dentistry is shown at the office in front of a multi-colored acrylic rendering of an elephant, which he painted himself.

By Jean Stratton

There are many interesting people in the world, and Dr. Janak Tull, DMD, is surely one of them. His skill set is wide-ranging and impressive.

An experienced and highly qualified dentist, he is also an accomplished painter, jewelry maker, and clothing designer. In addition, he has developed a modification of reverse hologram printing done with a UV printer on customized material that he engineered specifically for the printing process.

Purple Building

He also finds time to visit schools in Princeton where he talks with students about the importance of regular dental care. And in addition, he has created his own YouTube channel, offering further dental advice, following his trading card gaming video relating to Japanese art history.

In association with his mother, Dr. Lekha Tull, DDS, he practices at Den Tull, located at 214 North Harrison Street. You can’t miss it! It is the picturesque purple building across from the Princeton Shopping Center.

In fact, the exterior sets the tone for what patients will find inside. The colorful interior, featuring many of Dr, Janak’s (as he is called) paintings, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, is itself a work of art.

Dr. Janak’s team, the laid back vibe, and handmade colorful scrubs featuring psychedelic prints help patients feel relaxed and at ease. Each exam room offers bright, tropical colors and state-of-the-art advanced diagnostic equipment, including digital X-rays and intra-oral cameras.

It is well known that many individuals are nervous about a visit to the dentist. Dr. Janak is very aware of this, and uses his “compassionate chair-side” manner to help relieve patients’ anxiety.

“I feel that I have the ability to offer them a calm, comfortable setting, and I help to educate them,” ‘he says. “I explain everything I’ll be doing, and I spend a lot of time with them. They are never rushed, and we always take time to get to know our patients.”

A Powerful Thing

Dr. Janak became interested in dentistry at an early age. He observed his mother in her practice, which she opened in 1986, and witnessed both her professional skill and her ability to establish relationships and interact with the patients.

“I knew I wanted to be a dentist from the age of 12,” he recalls, “and I started helping in the office when I was 18.” This was in addition to his many other interests, especially art. In fact, he studied art history at Pitzer College in California, receiving his B.A. in studio art. As he states, “A work of art is a powerful thing.”

After graduation, he enrolled in the Midwestern School of Dental Medicine in Glendale, Ariz., obtaining his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. There, he received extensive training in all aspects of oral health care, including dental restorations, oral surgery, and prosthodontics.

Before joining his mother at Den Tull in 2019, Dr. Janak completed several postgraduate courses in dental implantology and laser dentistry. At Den Tull, he believes he is able to incorporate his artistic education and creativity to help patients achieve exceptional results.

“I feel I am in the business of helping people,” he explains. “Our patients are all ages, including children, and come from Princeton and the area. Many are longstanding patients of my mother, and we also are seeing many new patients.”

Dr. Janak provides a full range of general dental services, emphasizing cleaning and prevention, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, crowns and bridges, clear aligners, TMJ and sleep apnea treatments, and emergency pain relief.

Top Priority

“My practice is general dentistry, but I do specialize in crowns,” he reports. “We have a CEREC milling machine on site, allowing patients to receive same-day crowns.”

Making patients comfortable is a top priority, he emphasizes. “I practice evidence-based holistic dentistry. That means I take into consideration the whole person. Many things affect the teeth, including diet, lifestyle, stress, etc. I believe a few minutes of quiet meditation to empty the mind is very helpful.”

Dr. Janak’s approach also includes helping patients to understand what he finds and the treatment he recommends. “People fear the unknown,” he points out. “Once they understand the condition and the procedure, they are more comfortable. This is why helping to educate patients is so important.”

Younger people can still get cavities, and so fillings continue to be part of the dentist’s work. Individuals over 50 often need old fillings replaced, and this is a common service at Den Tull, along with regular cleanings and checkups, which include an annual oral cancer screening.

A frequent concern these days is teeth whitening, and many patients are interested in brightening their smile. Den Tull has advanced in-office whitening procedures, and Dr. Janak has some pointers to help patients navigate this process.

“We  offer an advanced whitening process in the office, and I also recommend trying an over-the-counter product first to see if there is sensitivity. If not, then they can go forward with the in-office whitening.”

Self-Confidence

In addition to whitening, other aesthetic dental procedures include clear aligners (removable orthodontic appliances), veneers, and bonding.

Implants are an increasingly important part of Den Tull’s practice, and these can make a real difference in a patient’s life, not just their smile. A person may have a broken or missing tooth and be very self-conscious about it. An implant can help to improve the individual’s self-confidence and overall well-being.

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder is another condition that Dr. Janak treats. TMJ problems can result from jaw tension, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching. It may involve pain, jaw stiffness, and other unpleasant symptoms. While conventional treatments often include medication, another solution is oral appliance therapy. Customized oral appliances, such as mouth guards, are worn during sleep. Dr. Janak can help with a personalized treatment plan for each individual.

Open Airway

Sleep apnea is also a significant problem for a growing number of patients. Caused by a blockage of the air passage, sleep apnea occurs when one is asleep, and it can interrupt breathing. It is said to be one of the most severely undiagnosed problems today, and studies have linked it to conditions such as stroke, heart attack, diabetes, GERD, hypertension, and dementia.

Symptoms include snoring, waking up and choking or gasping for air, feeling tired upon awakening in the morning, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

After a test to determine if a patient has the condition, and the level of severity, various treatments are available — from Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machines to surgery. Oral dental appliances, similar to orthodontic retainers or night guards, are another method. They can keep the airway open by positioning the lower jaw forward and preventing the tongue from falling back over the airway.

“For mild to moderate conditions, these oral appliances can be helpful,” notes Dr. Janak.

With state-of-the-art advances in dentistry emerging all the time, continuing education is a must, he adds.

“My whole M.O. is about learning. I love to learn; it means so much to me. Also, in our practice, we don’t use any product that I haven’t tried myself. I always want to be able to relate to the patient’s experience.”

Offering tips for keeping teeth strong and healthy, he emphasizes the need for a checkup every six months (or more often for serious conditions), brushing twice a day, flossing every day, and replacing the tooth brush every three months.

Sweet Tooth

“Think of your teeth like a car that you will have your entire life. In the case of teeth, you get the ‘permanent’ car when you are 8 years old, and you have to keep it in good working order forever!”

He knows that people will continue to indulge their sweet tooth, however, and as he points out, there are ways to mitigate the damage. “The trick to eating candy is to rinse with water for 60 seconds afterward. Also, regarding mouth wash, a clear mouth wash, without dye, is best.”

Dr. Janak knows that he made the right decision to join his mother’s practice and continue the family tradition. “Being able to carry on what my mother started is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. I aim to maintain the level of care and consideration that I watched her provide patients, what I believe is the highest level of care possible in modern dentistry.

“I feel I am in a unique position to help people and make a difference in their lives. I also want to give back to Princeton. This is where I grew up, and it has helped to make me who I am.”

Den Tull is open Monday through Friday by appointment. For further information, call (866) 336-8855. Visit the website at dentull.com.