Dental News

The New

While we offer new and traditional methods of porcelain restoration, we also are pleased to have within our office the affordable elegance of the Belle-glass restorative system. This is a fiber reinforced polymer porcelain which features:

• Metal-free crowns, inlays, veneers, and bridges.
• Prompt (usually same-day) restoration, minimizing need for "temporary" restorations that can fall off at embarrassing moments.
• Bonding directly to teeth, reducing the need for removal of healthy tooth structure.

Want decay to vanish?

Try our new in-office fluoride system.

We now feature a quicker, easier and more effective way to receive in-office fluoride treatments. It is called Vanish®, a resin distributed fluoride treatment.

The many pluses to our patients, parents, and children include:

• One application of Vanish® helps reduce decay up to 80%, more than twice as much as the old tray / gel system.
• No cumbersome trays to hold in your mouth which reduces gagging and possibility of swallowing excess fluoride gel.
• Mild flavor doesn’t overwhelm.
• Flow enhancement allows Vanish® to concentrate in hard to reach areas.
• Application is faster, easier and the cost is no more than the old fashioned system.

How it works; the Vanish® system clings to teeth - allowing the strengthening effects of fluoride to penetrate for weeks.

A fresh step forward in the battle against decay.

Senior Needs

With our experience and training, we emphasize conservative, preventive care.

Dentures and Implants: We have over 20 years experience in the fabrication of dentures, combined with over 20 years experience in the restoration of implants. Implants, while very successful, are not for every situation, and we will be happy to consult with you regarding your treatment options. Many times people make the decision to get dentures, thinking that this will solve the difficulties they are having with their teeth. As denture wearers and dentists will attest, this is often just the beginning of dental problems. We are happy to utilize our training to assist you with denture problems.

Dry mouth decay: Many medications, aging, and heredity all play a role in increased decay at the gum-line. The causes of this are that:

• Gum disease exposes soft root surfaces.
• Reduced saliva means acids from plaque attack without natural dilution.
• Decay grows rapidly, is hidden from easy view, and is usually painless until it is very close to the nerve.

This type of decay is difficult to treat and restore well; and early diagnosis is the best choice. If your mouth seems dry, get frequent check-ups!!

Why do my teeth seem so yellow?

When we were younger, our new teeth had glossy enamel that reflected and refracted light, giving our smile a lustrous and glossy appearance. As our enamel ages, it begins to erode with tiny cracks, crevices and pits causing the once smooth surface to lose that glossy texture. This erosion also removes surface minerals thus adding to the roughness. Soon, instead of light bouncing off our hard enamel, it penetrates deep into the tooth’s interior which is dark and yellow. Also, the edges of the front teeth become more translucent causing a shadow that makes the teeth appear darker. It is very much like a glossy mirror surface (our young adult teeth) that refracts light, as opposed to a pitted, cracked windshield (our adult teeth) that always looks dull. What’s more, these cracks, pits and crevices allow certain foods along with coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to penetrate and stain.

What can be done for yellow teeth?

Revitalizing your teeth is neither extravagant nor expensive:

1. Break down stains with hydrogen peroxide (home bleaching kit);
2. Remineralize with a combination of cleaning, polishing, and fluoride treatments;
3. Be diligent in home-care by flossing daily and using a toothpaste containing calcium and phosphate.

Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP)

The American Dental Association Foundation has developed amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) which delivers both cosmetic as well as preventive benefits. Tooth whitening systems remove stain but cannot repair the surface defects. It is the calcium and phosphate ions that deposit into the tooth's defects and convert into mineral crystals that strengthens and improves the luster of enamel.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments have contributed more to the reduction of cavities in the general population that any other measure known to dentistry. When this fluoride is combined with a calcium and phosphate product, the result is rapid saturation that dramatically intensifies the remineralization process.

In-Office and At-Home Applications

Demineralization and staining of teeth can be treated using suitable in-office and home-care therapies. During hygiene visits, we always clean your teeth with an ACP polishing /stain removing paste. Children automatically receive fluoride treatment, but we do encourage "Vanish®" fluoride treatments for adults as well. Once teeth have been professionally cleaned, home bleaching kits and MI Remineralization Paste® with ACP are available. Over-the-counter toothpaste that contains fluoride and delivers ACP has been proven to increase hardness of enamel. Arm and Hammer® "Age Defying" Toothpaste with fluoride and liquid calcium (ACP) is the only brand presently using baking soda for extra whitening. These products combined with professional care along with your attentive daily home brushing and flossing will strengthen and brighten your smile.

Emergency Policy

Patients should call the office phone for instructions regarding emergencies that occur after hours or on weekends. In addition, they are welcome to call the doctor at home. Our general policy for emergency care is that:

• We will endeavor to respond to our messaging system within 24 hours, and in most cases, within 8 hours. If you leave a message, PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A PHONE NUMBER for us to respond to.
• We always schedule time each day during regular office hours to accommodate that day’s emergencies. The doctor will determine the urgency of further care after examination of the patient.
• When we are out of the office for an extended period, we will designate another provider to take calls for us.
• Since messaging systems can fail, we advise any patient who is experiencing extreme bleeding or rapid swelling in the head - especially if it is near the eye - or in the neck area to go a hospital emergency room.
• People who are not patients of record or patients who have refused our treatment recommendations will not receive priority or after-hours treatment. Our prompt emergency care is available evenings, weekends and holidays. An additional fee may apply to treatment provided in office outside of regular hours.

Compliance and Inspections
HIPAA / OSHA

Not only do we keep our office abreast of the latest technology, we also go the extra mile to ensure that every piece of equipment along with the facility itself are kept in excellent working condition.

• Every week our instrument sterilization units are tested by an outside lab to make sure they are functioning properly.
• All radiation units are annually inspected by a state certified inspector to verify they are operating at the lowest exposure dose with no scatter.
• We hold confidentiality in highest regard. Our patient charts are in a password, firewall protected computer dental management program. Anything that has a patient’s name on it is destroyed on-site by a professional document destruction company.
• All sharps and bio-hazard materials are destroyed by bio-medical waste professionals.
• Our employees are trained regularly in HIPAA and OSHA compliance.
• All dental laboratory cases (crowns, bridges, dentures etc.) are manufactured by American labs that do not ship overseas.