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Word of mouth advertising has always been the best most inexpensive source of new clients for dental practices.

We all have had to deal with the annoyance of removing a Yellow Pages directory from our front doorstep only to place it directly in the trash.  You would be surprised at the fact there are many Americans who still use the Yellow Pages and have a land line telephone in their home.  

Many of these individual are baby boomers that are late in retirement age.  Dental practices cater to patients of all ages. During a person's entire life span they will still need to visit some type of dental practice, even after they lose their teeth.

What is Zirconia?

Zirconia or Zirconium Oxide is a powdered metal that is used to produce dental Zirconia or frameworks or even dental substructures like bridges and crowns. It is a replacement for the earlier used gold and silver. Zirconia gives a whiter look to the teeth and is transparent for x-rays.

What is a Zirconia Crown used for?

A Zirconia crown is a wonderful cap that helps cover chipped, disfigured, broken or stained teeth. The crown makes them look natural and pretty. These new types of restorations make the tooth look aesthetic and natural. The destroyed part of the tooth is first chipped off and then later is shaped in such a way that the crown can fit in comfortably.

Let us take a look at the advantages of such crowns.

1. Strength: The material used for dental Zirconia is made using a powder that possesses crystalline properties. This makes it sturdy and durable. The strength of the crown determines how long will it support you and reduce your trips to the dentist.
2. Unbreakable: As we have already seen that the Zirconia is made using a strong material that makes them unbreakable and strong enough to bear all kinds of wear and tear. This reduces the frequency of the visits that a patient would have to pay to the dentist.
3. Aesthetics: Zirconia is made of a crystalline, transparent material that makes it look not much different than a real natural tooth. One may not be able to distinguish between the part of the tooth and the Zirconia crown that may be placed over it.
4. Highly Compatible with the human body: Zirconia is a material that does not cause any harm to the human body. It is used as a raw material to make artificial joints. Unlike the other materials used, this does not create problems like infections or allergic reactions. Thus, it is completely safe to be used in the making of dental restoration materials.
5. Easy procedure: When a person may first think about dental procedures or corrections, all that he might think is about the longest time and lots of pain that one would experience. But, fitting in Zirconia Crowns is an easier task. The tooth is not extracted completely like it is done in other forms of treatment. Only the defected area of the tooth is removed and the rest is made ready to hold the crown.

These are the 5 basic advantages of getting a Zirconia Crown fitted. Another important advantage of such a treatment is that it prevents the graying of the gums that is usually found in the case of many other treatments.

Stress is the body’s internal and external reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional response. Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, nervous, or anxious.

Too much stress is known to be bad for us but did you know that stress can also cause issues to your dental health?

Dental Issues That Can Be Caused By Stress

Poor Dental Hygiene

When a person is under stress they tend to lose focus on basic habits and this includes being diligent with maintaining their dental hygiene. If you do not take care of your dental hygiene, your dental health as well as your general health will begin to suffer. This is especially true if you already suffer from periodontal disease as skipping any part of your dental hygiene program can worsen the periodontal disease. Another issue with being under stress is your nutrition changes. Most people dealing with stress tend to develop very unhealthy eating habits. This can include snacking on larger than normal amounts of sugary foods and drinks. These changes will increase your risk for tooth decay.

A good way to combat stress in your life is to maintain a routine of regularly exercising. Exercising regularly can help you relieve some of that stress and give you an extra energy boost. Exercise will also boost your immune system which is always a plus.

Teeth Grinding (also called Bruxism)

One of the main reasons why people grind their teeth is due to stress. Bruxism can occur day or night but it is usually a subconscious act. Stress is not the only cause of bruxism but it does make it worse. Some of the dental issues associated with bruxism include:

-Headaches

-Ear Pain

-Worn Down Teeth.

-Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Issues

-Sensitive Teeth

-Chipped or cracked teeth

-Receding Gums or teeth with notches in them at the gum line

Your dentist may recommend a night guard to wear while you sleep to minimize the damage caused to your teeth. Usually, if stress is the cause the bruxism will stop when the stressor is removed.

Mouth Sores

Mouth sores come in many forms. These can include:

-Canker sores. These are small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red.  There has been vigorous debate regarding what causes canker sores. Some believe it is an immune system issue, bacteria, or even a virus. Consensus is that stress can increase the risk of them showing up. Canker sores are not known to be contagious.

Canker sores generally last about 7-10 days. Spicy foods as well as highly acidic foods should be avoided as they tend to irritate the sores. One of the best forms of relief comes from a dentist prescribed medicine called Debacterol. This medicine is applied directly to the sore and can reduce symptoms as well as the length that the sores are present.

-Cold sores (or fever blisters). These sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are highly contagious. Cold sores are blisters that are filled with fluid that often appear on or around the lips. They can also appear under the nose or around the chin area. Emotional stress can trigger an outbreak. Other triggers include fever, a sunburn, or skin abrasion.

Cold sores often heal on their own in about a week’s time. Treatment is available, including over-the-counter remedies and prescription antiviral drugs. Ask your doctor or dentist if either could help you. It is important to start treatment as soon as you feel or notice the cold sore forming. The sooner you start treatment the effects of the cold sore will be reduced.

Periodontal Disease

Stress can lead to depression. And studies have shown that patients who are depressed have twice the risk of a poor outcome from periodontal disease treatment compared to those who are not in a depressed state. You can not make depression or the stress disappear, of course. But most experts agrees that learning healthy coping strategies can help reduce the risk of periodontal issues getting worse.  Also, people who are depressed tend to have poor overall hygiene and that includes dental hygiene.

Conclusion

Keep in mind we all have stress during the course of our day. Developing proper techniques for dealing with that stress can make a world of difference in the maintanence of our dental health as well as our overall health. As always, see your dentist regularly for dental examinations along with professional cleanings to ensure you keep your smile as healthy as can be!

Remember, eating a balanced diet, seeing your dentist regularly, and good oral hygiene help reduce your risks of periodontal disease. Make sure you brush twice a day and floss daily.

© 2014, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Cosmetic Dentist

A dental implant is synthetic structure made to replace the roots of the missing tooth. Broadly, the procedure is a three step process – first is the implant itself, second is the abutment, followed by a dental crown that is placed over the implant. It is fabricated from a bio-compatible material and can be custom-made to match the colour & shade of your original teeth, giving you a complete natural appearance enhancing the beauty of your smile.

The word “Zirconia” is derived from Zirconium Oxide, a white powdered ceramic metal like substance to craft frameworks for crowns, bridges and other dental substructures. It is significantly utilized in superficial dentistry to ensure restoration of a whiter appearance and translucency of the tooth. Zirconium crowns are the ideal solution to several dental issues caused due to unhealthy eating and drinking habits that encompass consumption of antibiotics, tobacco, carbonated drinks, coffee, tea etc.

Zirconium crowns are framed in a manner that they encircle a tooth that has been affected by a threatening cavity. It is typically used to enhance the quality, strength and form of teeth. Though you can find crowns made of different materials, those using zirconium have been steadily growing in their popularity. These crowns have a very thin line to corrode, due to their strong ceramic metal composition. What’s more, their lack of electric conductivity ensures that you don’t feel the too cold/hot sensations that you would with other crowns.  

In order to formulate Zirconium crowns, a temporary crown is mounted by uprooting the decomposed segment of your natural tooth. The new crown is securely fixed after it is prepared, thus ensuring a lifelong resolution to your oral health concern. Opting for zirconium crowns lets you bridge gaps in teeth and establish a strong foundation to healthy teeth that rivals all other crowns built of materials such as porcelain, plastic metal etc.

The growing popularity of zirconium crowns can also be attributed to their look, which is very similar to that of natural teeth. These crowns permit light to pass just like a normal tooth would, thus giving your teeth a natural look, contrasting other metal cores that block the passage of light. Many users say that it’s really difficult to tell the difference between natural teeth and zirconium crowns, which in turn make them high in demand for dental work and those looking to get an aesthetic look. Another factor working in favor of zirconium crowns is their ease of use as you can get them fixed using conventional dental cements.

Zirconium oxide is one of the most desired biocompatible substances for dental crowns. It is not only a robust substitute to gold or stainless steel wrapped in the exterior of a rotted tooth but can also be powdered with a laser grinding machine to offer a better fit. This facilitates less labor association and makes it more cost effective, providing an advanced product with a much enhanced longevity. No wonder why zirconium crowns are in vogue and many consider them to be the right choice for their oral health.

Teeth and aging overview

No one is exempt from practicing proper oral health care.  Whether you’re young or old, it pays to have a good set of teeth and healthy gums not only to keep you looking youthful but, more importantly, to help keep you healthy.

One of the biggest misconceptions about aging is that it automatically comes with a full set of dentures, and weakened gums and teeth are natural consequences of senescence, the body’s natural aging process.  Years of oral health care will help you keep your teeth intact.  The earlier you start with a routine that keeps your mouth clean, the better payoff you will get as you get older.

Aging teeth: signs and causes

Older women and men, in general, face several and more severe oral health care challenges than their younger counterparts.  Yet, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more adults are able to keep their natural teeth well within and beyond 60 years of age.  From 31 per cent of adults 60 years and older who lost their natural teeth in the late 1990s, the statistics dropped to only 25 per cent by 2006; while for adults between the ages of 40 and 59 years, the number dropped from nine per cent down to only five per cent during the same period.

The CDC further reports:

• Over 40 percent of adults, 20 years and older, who have little or no income suffer from at least one untreated tooth decay compared to only 16 percent of sufficiently earning adults.  This shows that those who are gainfully employed are more likely to visit a dentist than those who are not.
• Among those falling between 45 and 54 years of age, 14 per cent are known to suffer from some form of gum disease.
• Chronic and lifelong diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer which affect a large number of the US population, compromises oral health.

Other than a weakened immune system and the declining capacity of older adults to assimilate proper nourishment from the food they eat, taking maintenance drugs is also a major contributing factor to their deteriorating health care.  Several maintenance drugs, particularly those that have something to do with heart diseases and high blood pressure, steroids, and chemotherapy, to name a few, have debilitating effects to oral health.  To make matters worse, bone and muscle loss during old age causes gums to recede which, in turn, causes teeth to fall.

Tooth loss and menopause, gum disease are further exacerbated by a lifetime of tobacco use, excessive alcohol intake, poor diet, and hormonal changes including menopause.

Signs that your teeth are aging include:

• Swollen and more frequent bleeding gums
• Noticeable receding of gums and the apparent separation from teeth
• More frequent occurrence of bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Teeth more easily chip
• Darker teeth color and appearance of stains

Don’t ignore aging teeth

Don’t ever think that just because you’re old, you’ve gained your license to neglect your teeth and oral health in general, and dismiss tooth loss and weakened gums as natural consequences of anti-aging.  You will want to keep your natural teeth well throughout your senior years or, you will be sorry you didn’t show those little enamels more TLC when you could have.

How to take care of aging teeth

Oral health care stays the same no matter how old or young you are.  Older people will just need to exert more effort to keep their teeth and gums healthy.  Here are some tips to help older adults achieve proper oral health care even in old age:

1. Practice good oral hygiene daily.  Older adults need to continue with the dentist-recommended oral health care system: Brush-Floss-Gargle. Brush teeth after meals or at least twice daily.  Floss to clean areas in between teeth thoroughly and prevent plaque and cavities from forming.  End your routine by rinsing your mouth an antiseptic mouthwash to kill and help balance bacteria and acid in the mouth that cause bad breath and tooth decay.
2. Watch what you eat.  Crave healthy foods that provide you with essential nutrients for stronger teeth and healthier gums.  Avoid sweets and acidic food which facilitate the growth of germs inside your mouth.  Refrain from eating tough foods that chip and scratch your teeth, and put unnecessary pressure on your gums.
3. Practice good personal hygiene all the time.  Dental caries is a communicable disease.  Refrain from sharing cups and utensils with other.
4. Visit your dentist every six months.  You should get an oral prophylaxis and have your teeth and gums checked every six months.

Final Verdict

Healthy teeth and gums transcend age differences because oral health care makes no difference whether you’re 16 or 60.

Indian Dental Academy conducting weekend course on Lase in Periodontics. For More details please visit http://www.indiandentalacademy.com/courses/weekend-courses/laser-in-periodontics/

Fixing Tooth Decay Without Drilling

If you or a loved one have a cavity, it’s absolutely necessary that your dentist drill a hole in your tooth to fill the cavity, right?

Maybe not.

New technologies are becoming available to your dentist that help him identify the start of tooth decay so that he may catch the tooth as it starts to lose some of its minerals, but before it starts to form a cavity.

If there’s no hole, there may not be a need to drill/fill it.

Believe it or not, you and your dentist just may be able to say “No!” to drilling cavities.

Most tooth decay actually can take up to three years (!) to move from the early signs of decay (which appears on the surface of a tooth) to a major cavity that goes all the way to the center of the tooth (the pulp, where the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves are located). Cavities in the early part of the 20^th century often could reach a tooth’s pulp in just a few months.*

If your dentist finds decay on your tooth enamel (the start of a cavity), you may not need a filling (unless you’re in pain or the cavity’s hole is obvious).

In fact, if there’s no hole and you’re not in pain, the decay may be able to heal itself!

Decay starts when your mouth’s acids trigger your tooth’s enamel to leach minerals, breaking the enamel down and forming a cavity.

But treatments and technologies today can help reverse decay with dental office fluoride treatments, changes to your diet (watch the sugar, starches, etc.) and making sure you floss and brush twice daily. This helps minerals build up in your mouth once again, strengthening tooth enamel.

In addition, “drill-free fillings” may be coming, in which a dentist can use electrical currents to repair your tooth’s minerals. The British newspaper Independent.com.uk reported in June that the procedure (developed at King’s College in London), is called Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation (EAER). It could be offered on the market within three years.

Until then, go to your dentist regularly for checkups, and so that he can look to see if you have the start of tooth decay on your tooth enamel. If so, work with him and take the steps he recommends to help you re-mineralize your enamel and possibly repair it naturally.

*Interesting side note: we can thank the addition of fluoride to toothpaste and public drinking water to delaying the full-blown onset of tooth decay. Tooth decay in the early years of the 20^th century could make its way to the pulp in a matter of just months. The American Dental Association approved the addition fluoride to toothpaste in the mid-1950s; adding fluoride to public drinking water took off after the 1940s and water fluoridation now benefits more than 200 million Americans in cities across the country.

In fact, so beneficial is fluoride to delaying the formation of cavities that the Centers for Disease Control in 1999 named water fluoridation as one of the ten top public health achievements of the 20^th century.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Teenagers are more concerned about the way they look. A perfect smile adds beauty to your face. But oftentimes, teenagers fail to maintain an adequate oral care and the results can be perceptibly negative. Teenagers tend to eat a lot of junk food which is certainly not good for health and also for mouth as it is a direct way for cavities. Teens are adapting the modernity which is why they fail to uphold a proper oral care regimen. Not only food, but there are various aspects that teens experiment with their mouth which can have a detrimental effect on your oral health. Oral piercing, dental grills have gained popularity among youngsters and everyone feels like trying it.

It is highly recommended to visit a dentist to seek his advice before getting any part of your mouth pierced as there is a great amount of risk involved in oral piercing such as:

• Prolonged bleeding
• Intensive pain and swelling
• Infection
• Serious injury to gums
• Major damage to nerves and blood vessels
• Possibility of periodontal disease

It is better if teenagers avoid penetrating their oral parts and concentrate more on maintaining a better oral health. The ideal way to achieve a bright smile is by upholding good oral habits such as brushing and flossing on a regular basis. It is quite obvious that many teenagers are stubborn and they hardly follow any instructions. But parents and closed ones play a vital role in motivating them and teaching them the importance of good oral habits. Teenagers are highly concerned regarding their aesthetic appearance. By learning the effects of bad oral hygiene you can actually encourage them to maintain good oral care. A healthy mouth is always beneficial, as with a good looking smile your aesthetic value will increase.

It is usually said and found that old age brings in a lot of health problems that are later difficult to be solved. This also includes the dental problems that one might face. It is recently observed that a number of teeth and gum problems are assumed to occur mainly because of old age. But, if you observe it well, in the olden days, people had healthy teeth and gums even in their old age. This means that there is something else that has been affecting the dental health of people. A number of dentists in Little Rock have come up with a conclusion that the main factor that has been affecting the dental health of the people is the diet that they have been following.

The fast and busy lifestyle has now compelled people to be dependent on the food that is easily available in the markets. These foods are prepared using a lot of preservatives and also contain a lot of unhealthy ingredients. This causes the teeth to decay soon and thus bringing in people to get them treated. Although cosmetic dentistry has introduced a variety of techniques that can help keep the teeth looking white for a longer time, it is better to prevent such problems in the first place. The fluoride toothpastes that are now available to clean your teeth are also not that useful or beneficial for the teeth. It is a scientifically proven fact that fluoride is not good for our health. Let us take a look at some preventive measures that we can take in order to avoid Gum Pain and Tooth Decay.

1. Avoid the consumption of all processed foods. Processed sugars, flour and also food products that contain artificial colors and flavors like cola are bad for the teeth.
2. Avoid consumption of Soy milk, tofu, soy protein and unpasteurized milk as they cause tooth decay.
3. Drink lots of raw milk. Raw milk is a good source of nutrients such as calcium and phosphorous which are needed by the body and also for the healthy growth of teeth. Prefer drinking raw milk over pasteurized milk.
4. Replace your sugar with naturally available sugars. There are a number of naturally available sugars that are the extracts of berries and fruits. These forms usually do not contain chemicals and thus can replace sugar in your diet.
5. A food named CamuCamu is said to be the best food that can be consumed to prevent gum diseases. It contains high amounts of Vitamin C and also Bioflavonoids. It helps boost one’s immunity and thus prevents gum diseases.

These preventive measures when considered in your diet plan will surely help you prevent gum pain and tooth decay. Dentists have also stated Flossing to be an important activity to prevent such dental problems. Regular flossing will help maintain hygiene in the mouth and also help prevent serious dental problems.

Mangan Dental Group - Dr. Steve Mangan
2011 North Van Buren Street, Little Rock, AR 72207
(501)666-1188

While tooth erosion can’t be reversed, there are several treatments to help counteract and repair the damage.

Most of us will have some tooth erosion during our lifetime. The amount and severity will depend on how well we take care of our teeth, any oral habits we may have (smoking, chewing tobacco, eating a lot sweets and candy, etc.) and even our genetics – some people naturally excrete more plaque than others (a major cause of tooth erosion).

First a bit of background on the causes of tooth erosion:

Erosion occurs on a tooth’s enamel, the thin outer layer of a tooth.

Enamel actually is clear; the color of our teeth comes from the main part of the tooth, the dentin.

Our enamel protects our teeth from the wear and tear that naturally occurs living our day-to-day lives: eating, biting, grinding, etc. And, while enamel is very hard, it can crack and/or chip.

If the enamel becomes eroded – or if the tooth chips/cracks – that’s it. Damage done. Enamel has no living cells; our bodies can’t repair or replace it.

By far the best treatment for tooth erosion is prevention; regularly visit your dentist for teeth cleaning and checkups.

Acid is by far the main culprit when it comes to tooth erosion: the acid found in many of the foods we eat and drink wears the enamel away over time.

Common foods and drinks we consume that erode enamel include:

• Soft drinks (the drinks contain a good deal of citric and phosphoric acids)
• Acid reflux disease (GERD)
• A diet that includes a lot of sugar and starches
• Fruit juice such as orange juice
• Medications such as antihistamines and even aspirin
• Dry mouth (low salivary flow found in those who have xerostomia)
• Inherited conditions (such as excessive plaque excretion)

Tooth enamel also erodes due to friction (via the natural use of your teeth biting, chewing, etc.), brushing your teeth too hard, flossing poorly, chewing tobacco, and biting on things you shouldn’t bite on (removing a bottle cap from a bottle, for example).

Plaque can sometimes cause tooth erosion because plaque transforms the starches found in food into acids and those acids can start to eat way (erode) the tooth enamel. Regular flossing and brushing (done correctly) can help keep plaque at bay and prevent it from leading to enamel erosion.

Treatments for tooth erosion include:

• Using a remineralizing gel that contains fluoride and phosphate when you brush your teeth. This can help restore minor erosion caused by acid erosion and day-to-day wear on teeth.
• Your dentist can place dental crowns as caps on your teeth if the erosion is moderate or extensive. Crowns restore your teeth to their original shape.
• Veneers can be bonded (glued) to the front of the affected teeth and can cover chipped, eroded, cracked, and even broken teeth. Veneers also help prevent further damage.

The best treatment for tooth erosion is prevention: watch the sodas, the sweets and juices. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. Visit your dentist regularly for cleaning and removal of built-up plaque deposits. Good oral hygiene is the best defense when it comes to tooth erosion.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everyone needs a trustworthy good dentist. If you are looking for an experienced dentist or family dentist in Richmond Hill, Thornhill and North York with a friendly and professional staff, you can find the perfect balance of quality service and a comfortable, easy-going atmosphere at Centre Dental Office.

Dental care is one of the most critical health services. The state of your teeth is often indicative of your overall health. Earlier, people would not go to a dentist until they suffered from a tooth ache, injury or some kind of discomfort. However, owing to general health awareness, people are also making trips to dentists for routine check-ups. This is a good practice considering you can prevent dental diseases or treat them at an earliest sign. However, the purpose of maintaining a good dental health can only be accomplished if you have a good and qualified dentist. So, how to find a reliable and best dental clinic? Now, this one is a tricky question. Following pointers may assist you in finding a good dental center.

Know Your Needs?

The search for a good dentist will begin from your requirements. What kind of dental services are you looking for? Are you interested in routine dental check-up or looking for a more specialized service? If you need a dentist only for routine check-up or minor procedures, then it is better to look for a dental clinic that is closer to your home or workplace. For specialized treatments, it is worth going to the best dentist, even if it means traveling quite a few miles.  

Ask Friends, Relatives for Referrals

This is actually the most reliable way of finding a qualified dentist. Your friends or relatives would not recommend you a dentist unless they have had a good experience. Hence, this is usually a safer practice to choose a dental clinic. However, the recommended dentist may not always be in the same locality as you. If convenience is one of your criteria then you may have to extend your search out of your circle of friends and family.

Compare Different Dental Clinics

You may also check the internet or local newspapers for dentist recommendations. Although, this may not be a reliable option, it will give you ample choices to compare. Shortlist a few dental clinics based on your search. Book an appointment at this clinic and get some basic information such as:

• Qualification and experience of dentist.
• Level of expertise of the sub-staff.
• Whether they have specialized dentists for major procedures such as RCT, implants etc.
• What kind of facilities do they provide.
• What kind of after-care facilities do they provide? Are they free or paid?
• Cost estimation for services that you desire.

Depending upon the above factors you can zero-in upon a dentist or dental care center of your choice. Remember, the choice you make will directly affect your dental health.

In the past, orthodontics was routinely an early teen event that began once all of the baby teeth were gone and permanent teeth were in. Recent advances in the understanding of a child development as well as modern materials have re-evaluated the time for orthodontic treatment to an earlier age. It is now recommended by the American Association of Orthodontiststhat every child should receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. But Why?

Common Orthodontic Problems Found At Age 7

1. Buck Teeth. Do the upper front teeth stick way out of line?

2. Deep Bite. Do the upper teeth cover the lower teeth?

3. Underbite. Do the upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth?

4. Open Bite. Do only the back teeth touch when biting down?

5. Crowded or overlapped teeth. Do the teeth have too much or too little space in certain areas?

6. Misaligned front teeth. Do the spaces between the upper two front teeth and lower two front teeth not line up?

7. Crossbite. Do the lower teeth fit properly inside the upper teeth?

8 .Missing teeth. If there are baby teeth that never developed, there will not be a permanent tooth to follow. Jaw x-rays may also find that certain permanent teeth are not  presently formed or are unable to come down on their own.

9. Extra teeth. When there are double teeth, extra teeth or malformed teeth.

Generally, orthodontic treatment does not begin at age 7 but it is good to get a head start to avoid any complications down the road. However, early orthodontic treatment may be necessary before age 7 if the following appear:

-Problems Speaking

-Proper Chewing Is Difficult

-Abnormal bite development

-Clicking or popping in the jaw

-Permanent teeth that are erutping into the mouth crowded or overlapped

-A thumb sucking problem

-A teeth grinding problem

-Issues biting cheeks or biting into the roof of the mouth

Benefits Of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic evaluation provides both timely diagnosis of problems and increased opportunity for more effective treatment. Early intervention gives the ability to guide growth and development, preventing more serious issues later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.

Early orthodontic treatment is also referred to as interceptive treatment or Phase I treatment. Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment include the following:

-Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth

-Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth

-Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth

-Preserving space for teeth that are coming in

-Reducing the need for tooth removal

-Reducing Phase II treatment time with braces

Phase II orthodontic treatment begins when all of the permanent teeth erupt and usually involves a full set of braces and not just a localized treatment plan.

Orthodontic Conclusion

While not every child will need early orthodontic treatment, it is best to know in advance what the options will be going forward. It is important to remember, orthodontics is not strictly a cosmetic endeavor, bite alignment is the ultimate goal. The issues presented above can all be corrected fairly easily if done in a phased approach. However, allowing this early intervention time to pass can complicate treatment requiring more extreme measures (i.e. teeth removal or surgery) to fulfill the same goal.

© 2014, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Cosmetic Dentist

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Some of the greatest pleasures of summer are the wonderful foods that become available during this season of fun in the sun: hot corn on the cob, salt water taffy, peanut brittle, kettle corn – they all scream summer fun.

But they can also do a real number on your teeth.

Read below for some typical foods freely available in the summer that can harm your teeth.

• Corn on the cob. As delicious as it is – freshly cooked and slathered in butter – corn on the cob should be avoided in the summer, especially if you have removable dentures or braces. Why? Because biting into the cob can loosen the dentures and/or get in between the denture and your gum, possibly causing an infection if you can’t get at the food particle to remove it. The same goes for braces: bits of corn get stuck in the braces and unless you brush your teeth immediately and thoroughly, the food bits can add to tartar and plaque, which could lead to cavities.

One of summer’s greatest pleasures is enjoying hot corn on the cob slathered in butter. But those kernels can be very unfriendly to your teeth.

• Kettle corn and Cracker Jack-like popcorn. A baseball game on a Sunday afternoon at the professional ballpark often isn’t a real baseball game without a hotdog, a soda and a bag of Cracker Jack candy. But the sticky Cracker Jack popcorn could chip a tooth and popcorn bits can fall between teeth with possible results as described above.
• Peanut brittle. This delicious candy can be very hard to bite upon, risking the danger of a chipped tooth.
• Salt water taffy and extremely chewy candy bars such as Abba-Zaba. We’re not out to pick on particular brands, but taffy-like candy bars such as Abba-Zaba can be so hard to pull a bite from that, if your teeth are even a bit loose, could help loosen them a whole lot more. Taffy and even gum should be avoided by those wearing braces – it’s too easy for the gooey stuff to get caught in the wires.
• Whole apples. There’s little that’s more refreshing than biting into a tart green or red apple on a hot day. The problem is, if you wear braces or dentures, a firm apple can wreak havoc on your teeth.
• Soda drinks. As with apples, enjoying a nice cold glass of cola or other soda is just delicious on a hot summer afternoon. But the citric, carbonic and phosphoric acids in the sodas over time can erode your tooth enamel.

We certainly don’t want to be a summertime Scrooge and tell you that you absolutely shouldn’t enjoy these delicious foods at all. But forewarned is fore-armed: decide for yourself. Certainly having the occasional box of Cracker Jack or an Abba-Zaba bar won’t do too much – if any damage.

What’s more, it’s often easy to make just a few adjustments in order to enjoy summer’s delicious bounty. You could, for example, remove the corn kernels from the cob before eating. Cut the apple into slices. Cut a taffy bar or peanut brittle into really small pieces, and so on.

You should indulge in the glorious foods of summer; we’re just advising that you be careful not to overindulge.

Image courtesy of phasinphoto/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Periodontal Disease – is a progressive inflammatory disease, that affects the tissues that support and anchor the teeth. These support tissues include, gums, bone, cementum, and ligament attachments.

The main area in which periodontal disease is diagnosed and treated is in “the pocket”. The pocket is the unattached tissue between the tooth and gum, measured with a tiny ruler-like instrument called a periodontal probe. A healthy tooth generally has pocket measurements of 0-3 mm, whereas diseased tissue can be 4-15 mm deep, ( The deeper the pocket, the more difficult to fully clean). The measurements vary in what they measure, for example, in Gingivitis measurements indicate how swollen the tissue is, while in Periodontitis, the measurements indicate the loss of bone and gum tissue. If  left untreated,periodontal disease results in the destruction of the support structure, bacteria growth down into pockets, toxin release (to breakdown attachments),  loosening of teeth, and subsequent tooth loss.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is said to affect over 50% of all Americans. Periodontal disease advances in 4 stages:

1. Gingivitis- Swollen, red, inflamed gum tissue. There has not been loss of attachment at this stage. Reversible with proper hygiene.

2. Early Periodontitis- Less than 25% attachment loss, as determined by x-ray and measurement with a probe.

3. Moderate Periodontitis-25-50% attachment loss as determined above.

4. Advanced Periodontitis-50% or more attachment loss.

Periodontal disease can be reversible in its earliest form. This form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. But if the periodontal disease progresses to periodontitis then the damage is not reversible by the body on its own. Patients and dentists alike are always looking for ways to combat periodontal disease with newer and better ways to treat the disease and maintain good oral hygiene at home. The tried and true home methods have generally consisted of varying types and techniques with  tooth brushing, flossing, and antibacterial rinses. All of these methods have the same limiting factor, none of the at home methods could target the deeper pockets of 5 mm and above, until a new product was formulated in conjunction with the waterpik utilizing a special tip which places a tartar dissolving liquid  directly where it is needed. This new rinse is called Periogen.

What Does Periogen Do to Fight Against Periodontal Disease?

Periogen is a patented oral rinse that has been proven capable of dissolving tartar buildup between professional cleanings and dentist visits. Periogen works by exploiting a weakness (discovered by the research team at the Periogen Company) in the fundamental structure  of oral tartar, and its adhesive nature.

Tartar (or calculus as it is sometimes called) can be found above and below the gum line. Tartar above the gum line is referred to as supra gingival tartar and tartar below the gum line is referred to as sub gingival tartar. Dental Tartar is comprised almost entirely of Calcium Phosphate Salt. Calcium Phosphate is the basic component of tooth material. Calcium phosphate salt differs from calcium phosphate in its electron structure. The calcium phosphate salt has two less electrons than the calcium phosphate which makes it electrically unstable. This process of losing electrons happens in nature all the time. The best comparison is the buildup of lime deposits in water pipes and faucets. Microscopically, tartar is layer upon layer (can be in the tens of thousands layers) of fossilized bacteria trapped between the calcium salts.

The tartar causes periodontal disease by toxins released by the bacteria in plaque and tartar on teeth. The toxins cause the body to react by starting the inflammatory

Periogen Oral rinse for Dissolving Tartar Between Professional Cleanings

process thereby destroying healthy gum tissue and supporting bone structures. Periodontal disease is progressive and without periodontal disease treatment will lead to tooth loss and infections throughout the mouth.

Periogen is used as an oral rinse 1-2 times per day between professional cleanings to reduce the level of tartar buildup and stain. This will in turn make for an easier dental visit but also maintain a healthier state in your mouth for your teeth and gums to heal. Periogen should in no way replace brushing and flossing, or visits to the dentist but just works as an accessory between professional dental cleanings to give you a more effective way to reduce tartar and fight periodontal disease .

Periogen Conclusion

As you know, there are many methods and products on the market to aide you in your dental hygiene and combat periodontal disease. Remember this, “The best  offense is a good defense!”.   It is up to you to find and decide what works best for you to prevent periodontal.disease. Visit your dentist regularly for dental examinations and professional cleanings to ward off dental problems and stay healthy.

© 2014, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Cosmetic Dentist

Reposted From Dentistry IQ

A beautiful smile is important to many. With so many adults in our practices with misaligned teeth, shouldn't cosmetic orthodontics become a bigger part of your treatment planning? In the past, many adults were afraid to wear orthodontic braces because they were either embarrassed to wear brackets or did not want to spend the time and money. Cosmetic orthodontics has addressed these concerns. Below you will see some common questions and fears about cosmetic orthodontics, which can help you help your patients with their concerns.

“I’m just too old for braces. Braces are for kids.”
When your patients make statements like these, they expect you to agree with them. Instead, you should take this opportunity to reassure your patients that it is never too late to have the smile they have always wanted. There is no age limit for adults with a healthy periodontal condition to undergo orthodontic treatment. Cosmetic orthodontics lets you have the perfect smile you have always wanted without putting your life on hold. These new options allow you to look great throughout treatment. FACT: One out of every five orthodontic patients is an adult.

“I’ve already had braces; won’t they just move again?”
Explaining to a patient the importance of retention after movement is key. If they understand why that fixed retainer or clear stent needs to be worn during bone fill after movement and that they need to be continually monitored at each recall appointment, they are more likely to be compliant with their retention. For many, they need to understand retention as a protection of their investment.

“Braces take too long.”
For many adults, cosmetic orthodontics can be completed in as little as six months. Depending upon the appliances used and the amount of movement required, treatment can be quite short in length. When addressed in this manner, a patient should understand that treatment may be completed by the time of the next recall visit.

“Orthodontic treatment is painful.”
There is a huge difference between discomfort and pain. All appliances take some getting used to, but it is only for a matter of months. Most of the discomfort is short-lived, lasting a few days after an adjustment appointment. Some of the discomfort has to do with the metal aspects, which may poke or pinch, but this can be reduced drastically with a quick application of wax. In general, the discomfort does not get past the point where a Tylenol does not bring relief.

“Orthodontic braces make it more difficult to keep your teeth clean. Will this cause cavities?"
Good oral hygiene will take a bit more attention than it did before appliances were in place, but is very manageable with the right tools. Waterpiks, electric toothbrushes, fluoride rinses, and threader floss can make it much easier to keep everything clean and cavity-free.

“Isn’t it expensive?”
Your patients need to understand that cosmetic orthodontics is usually the most conservative way to fix a cosmetic issue. Very often, the need for full bonding or veneers may reduce to just a few teeth or none. It may also be the only way to achieve optimal cosmetic dentistry results. The cost factor can be overcome using payment plans through your dentist or using a third-party provider such as CareCredit.

Cosmetic orthodontics conclusion
Whether you practice limited orthodontic movement in your office or not, cosmetic orthodontics should be offered as a treatment option for patients who would benefit from it. Orthodontic treatment can transform your patients' smiles and attitudes about their dental health. You will be surprised at the positive results and referrals!

Marielaina Perrone DDS, is a family, cosmetic, and implant dentist creating and enhancing beautiful smiles in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Cosmetic Dentist Las Vegas

Herbal Supplements - are made from natural plants and are utilized by some people to supplement traditional medical treatments. Herbal supplements are not considered

Be Smart About Herbal Supplements

drugs and are not regulated by the Food and Drug Agency (FDA). This absence of regulation means that the effectiveness, quality, and quantity of the ingredients have not been independently verified.

Herbal supplements have become a billion dollar industry with many people taking herbal supplements for a variety of ailments. But did you know that whether you take echinacia or aspirin you should always tell your dentist or physician what you are taking?

Everything you ingest, even vitamins, causes a certain reaction in the body. If your dentist does not know what drugs or herbal supplements you have taken, he or she will not know how to protect you from drug interactions. This is particularly important if you are undergoing any type of surgical treatment requiring general anesthesia.

Conventional Drugs Vs Herbal Supplements

Many prescription and over the counter drugs sold around the world are derived from plants but they are very different from herbal supplements. The prescription and over the counter medications must be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and undergo rigorous testing before coming to market. Even though, these drugs are derived from plants they are based around an active ingredient or chemical that the manufacturer synthesizes in a laboratory.

Herbal supplements are made from natural chemicals extracted from a plant and are produced either in original form (sometimes in combination with other herbal extracts) or refined. When an herbal medication is refined, the essential extract is taken out of the plant source, concentrated and then added back to make the original herbal medication more potent.

 Herbal Supplements and How They are Thought to Benefit Oral Health:

-Coenzyme Q10 promotes gum healing and cell growth.

-Lysine combats canker sores

-Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids promotes healing, especially of bleeding gums.

-Calcium and Magnesium help prevent bone loss around the gums.

-Vitamins A and E are used for healing gum tissue.

-Grape Seed Extract is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

-Zinc plus Copper enhances immune function.

-Aloe Vera Gel eases inflamed gums and soothes the tissues when applied directly to the affected area.

-Tea Tree Oils are believed to be antiseptic and anti fungal.

-Chamomile Tea is soothing to gum tissues.

-Green Tea is helpful in decay prevention and decreases plaque, increased antioxidants.

-Clove Oil is good for temporary relief of tooth and gum pain.

-Echinacea keeps inflammation down and enhances immune function.

Interactions to Avoid

Even seemingly harmless vitamin and herbal supplements can have serious side effects for certain dental patients. The following are some combinations of herbal supplements to be aware of:

-Ginkgo biloba and vitamin E can be dangerous when taken with aspirin because they each can act as blood thinners. The combination may cause difficulties in blood clotting, which could be serious for patients undergoing any type of oral surgery (such as a tooth extraction or periodontal surgery).

-Taking high dosages of vitamins before receiving anesthesia can also create issues. In particular, vitamin C, often taken in high dosages for cancer treatment, can weaken the efficiency of anesthesia.

-On the other hand, calming supplements, such as Kava Kava or St. John’s Wort, can strengthen the effects of anesthesia.

-Homemade tea tree supplements should be avoided, as they can cause irritation and burning.

Herbal Supplements And Dentistry Conclusion

People tend to think herbal supplements are harmless because they are considered natural, and they think, if one is good, 10 are better. Overdoing it, with supposedly safe herbal supplements, can cause health problems as serious as internal bleeding and heart arrhythmia. That is why it is so important to let your dentist and physician know when you are taking any herbal supplements to avoid any possible drug interactions or unforeseen consequences.

Always provide your dentist with a complete medical history, including any herbal supplements and conventional drugs you are taking. Some patients who take alternative herbal supplements are afraid their physician or dentist will not understand their decision to take an herbal supplement and will advise them to stop taking it. Your physician or dentist might even recommend an alternative, herbal solution for you.

If an herbal medication could interfere with your dental treatment, your dentist may ask you to stop taking the medication until the treatment is complete. The dentist also may be able to prescribe a different drug for treatment, if one is available. As always visit your dentist regularly for dental examinations and regular professional cleanings to keep your dental health.

© 2013, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Cosmetic Dentist