Colony Square Dental Blog

A recent study that came out today proposed that getting frequent dental x-rays may put you at higher risk for getting a certain type of non-malignant brain tumor. The study shows an association but does not prove a cause-effect relationship. It is also important to note that the newer digital x-rays expose the patient to much less ionizing radiation, the kind linked to these tumors, than the older film based x-rays. The best thing you can do is talk with your dentist about your need for x-rays. X-rays remain a very important diagnostic tool in finding decay and other pathologies that is left hidden can cause more extensive and systemic problems.

If you need a new toothbrush, consider an electric one. It makes it easier to brush and most people do a better job cleaning their teeth with one. WalMart has one on sale for only $35 today: walmart

Always remember to replace your brush heads, every 3 months.

I just read an article that was mentioned on the American Academy of Cosmic Dentistry’s blog about the company Groupon being banned in Oregon from offering deals for dental services.  Groupon has become very popular for offing great deals on local services and has even made its way into the dental world.  The reasoning for the ban is pretty complicated about Groupon accepting commissions for referrals, which is illegal, at least in Oregon.  It will remain to be seen if Groupon will be allowed to offer deals for dental services in other states, but either way, patients must look carefully at each deal.  I have seen many of the offers and they are usually for consults or cosmetic services such as teeth whitening.  The value that is shows for the service seems to be inflated to make it seem that you are getting an 80% or 90% discount.  I would recommend patients, if they have a dentist, inquire with them about consults that may be offered at a courtesy.  Many practices, including ours, offer courtesy consults for treatments such as Invisalign or veneers and whitening.  Some practices will offer great deals on teeth whitening as a lost leader to get new patients in the door and this can be a great way to get a deal, but make sure you are comparing apples to apples.  There are many different types of teeth whitening procedures and variations even on the popular big name ones such as ZOOM.  The bottom line is to check what you are paying for and make sure its a good deal.

To see the full article about the ban click here.

I thought I would write a little bit about teeth whitening,  I’ve seen a lot of advertisements and there are a lot of products and information and also misinformation.  Teeth whitening is big business, people spend over $1.4 billion on over-the-counter tooth whitening products.  That doesn’t even include any professional whitening in a dentist’s office.  Magazines and photos of models and celebrities with perfect bright white teeth have given us a desire to get our teeth looking like that.  Unfortunately, many times those models have veneers to get their teeth to such a white color or the photos are retouched.  Whitening teeth will remove any stain that has built up over time and restore your teeth to a natural tooth color.

Smoking, getting older, drinking coffee, red wine or even taking certain prescription medications can change the appearance of one’s teeth.  Some of these stains can be bleached with whitening while others such as staining from taking the antibiotic tetracycline as a child cannot be whitened.  Consulting with a dental professional is the best way to determine what tooth whitening would be best for your type of staining.

Whitening your teeth is a great way to enhance your smile, however there are some cautions… over whitening can cause sensitive teeth and gums and even turn teeth translucent or even blue.  We usually recommend waiting six months between bleaching treatments.  Whitening after your dental cleaning is a great way, because then you start with a clean tooth and allow the whitening medicine direct contact with the tooth.  Also it is not safe to use these products if you have any cavities or sores in your mouth.  A routine check-up with a dentist is the best way to determine if whitening will be safe and effective for you.

Healthy gums help create balance and symmetry in the appearance of your smile.

They draw our eyes to small areas of vibrant pink color of sufficient intensity to contrast against the whiteness of your teeth. They also provide contrast of shape and scale by creating a small, intricately shaped frame for each larger tooth shape.

However, people with periodontal disease have red, swollen gums that bleed easily.   They are caused by an imbalance in the bacteria levels in your mouth. When the good bacteria are overwhelmed by bad bacteria, inflammation, infection, gum and bone recession, and tooth loss can occur. You have the power to restore your smile’s equilibrium!  Did You Know? 75% of adults over age 35 are affected by gum disease. Up to 30% of people may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. Regular screening by the dentist can detect periodontal disease in its earliest stage. Tartar/calculus are hard calcium deposits that infect your gums, spreading below the gumline, destroying your gums and the bone that support your teeth. Only the dentist or hygienist can remove tartar/calculus. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing at home can help you prevent gum disease. Only regular visits to the dentist can help you keep it completely at bay.

Dental implants can help you smile more!

Whether you have one or more missing teeth or need to have a tooth extracted its important to consider Dental Implants as a way to replace you natural teeth.

Fact: Dental implants can help you look, eat, and feel better. Over a million have been successfully placed in North America. That’s a lot of smiles! We can place implants for you, right here at the office. If you’ve been considering implants, here are a few commonly asked questions.

What is an implant?

An implant has two parts: a biocompatible metal root and a custom-made tooth which is attached to it. Underlying bone is prepared to accept the root which integrates your jawbone.

How do I know if implants are for me?

A consultation with an dentist who is experienced in implant placement is the first step to finding out if implants are right for you.  Implants are so versatile that they can replace one or more teeth, support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removablepartial denture, or provide support to make a complete denture more secure and comfortable.

Will my implants look natural?

Completely natural. You can eat, speak, and socialize with ease.

Are implants safe?

Definitely. Implants have been used for about 35 years, and patients can expect a 98% success rate.

Do implants require special after-care?

No. They require the same home care and regular dental visits as natural teeth.

Are age and health important factors?

Age is not a factor. Most people in good overall and oral health are excellent candidates.

How long will implants last?

Implants are designed to be permanent, and more than 90% last for twenty years or more.

If you have more questions, check out our website  which has videos and more information about implants, or give us a call, we are here to answer any questions you may have about implants or any other oral health questions!

Last week I attended the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) conference and scientific session in Boston and wanted to share some of my experiences.  The meeting is an annual event open to all AACD members.  Courses are given by experts in their respective fields demonstrating new techniques, equipment and materials.  Over 1400 dentists from around the worlds were in attendance.

Upon arriving to Boston I was greeted by the soggy cool weather.  Knowing that is wasn’t nice outside made it easier to attend the all day classes and workshops.  I took 8 classes and workshops ranging from new techniques for placing tooth colored fillings to mastering porcelain veneers.

The conference also has an exhibit hall where vendors show off all the products they offer.  It always amazes me how many different products there are on the market.  Choosing the appropriate and best one for our patients is always important.  Thankfully I was able to take 2 different courses about bonding agents and cements, the stuff that holds in your fillings and crowns.  Manufacturers are constantly updating and introducing new ones and before a switch is made its important to know that it works as advertised.

Thankfully, we do get some fun time during the conference too.  The welcoming reception was held at Jillian’s, right across the street from Fenway Park.   The Red Sox were home playing the Tigers, but I didn’t try to get tickets. The soggy cold weather deterred me.  Plus I was wearing a Yankee jersey, not a good choice to wear to Fenway.

So 4 days and 24 hours of CE later I was exhausted and ready to get back to work and incorporate the techniques I had learned.  I am looking forward to next year, which I already registered for, in Washington D.C.

Radiate confidence & personal power

We want you to know there’s a well-known, extremely well-documented scientific phenomenon called the attractiveness effect. You know – attractive kids get higher grades, and attractive adults get paid more. Now research shows that personality and grooming can boost high school grade point averages even more than beauty. This makes sense to us. When you look good you feel good, and just acting outgoing even if you don’t feel it makes you happier, more optimistic, energetic, and confident.

Here’s how cosmetic dentistry can light up your smile – and your charm quotient!

If you try to hide your stained, discolored, or dull-looking teeth … you might only need a safe and effective dentist supervised whitening treatment to get rid of stains.

If your teeth are worn, chipped, cracked, or poorly positioned … dentistry can restore, reshape, and strengthen your teeth with natural-looking porcelain crowns with no metal or bonding techniques that are cosmetically pleasing. They’ll make your smile brighter too!

If you have gaps between teeth … bridge them with beautiful enamel-colored crowns or permanent implants. Camouflaging smaller gaps with veneers will enhance and re-proportion your smile.

There is nothing more charismatic than a genuine smile straight from the heart. If you’re ready to match up the natural charm and potential you carry within with your warmest most-appealing smile, we can help. Please phone our office for a consultation and we’ll show you how.

Regular dental check-up and routine cleanings not only ensure you have healthy gums and teeth, but also can have an impact on other diseases, especially heart disease and diabetes.

Some mouth-body links might astound you

It is our hope that soon cardiologists may routinely examine patients’ mouths just as dentists ask about heart health. This is the outcome of recommendations made jointly by leaders in both periodontal dentistry and cardiology in a consensus paper on the relationship between heart disease and gum disease. These professionals believe that managing one disease may reduce your risk for the other.

Did you know that cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in North America, may be linked to progressive gum disease, also a chronic inflammatory disease, which affects about 75% of adults. Untreated, gum disease will eventually destroy supporting jawbone and ligaments, and it’s the major cause of adult tooth loss.

In addition to cardiovascular diseases, it may affect conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, complications of pregnancy, respiratory diseases, cancers, and diabetes, which is considered epidemic.

Diabetes raises more fascinating questions about how oral and overall bodily processes may interact with one another. Diabetics are more likely to have gum disease than most people, and gum disease makes it more difficult to control their blood-sugar levels. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss which some research suggests may lead to hearing loss, which is about twice as prevalent among diabetics as the general population.

Not all the answers are in, but time is on our side.

Research can lead to solutions … and most forms of gum disease progress slowly. With regular checkups, and good home care, we can help you maintain your oral health – and overall health.

We thought we’d start our blog with a little article about cavities:

Tooth decay happens when the acidity in your mouth rises and demineralizes your beautiful natural tooth enamel (the outer layer of your tooth) faster than your body can remineralize it. What raises acidity you may ask? Foods that contain starches and sugars like sweet treats, and even some fruits, vegetables, and juices! We can treat early minor decay with fluoride, but we’d rather help you to prevent it.

Come into the office and we can show you how to clean your teeth properly and provide sealants which are thin coatings that protect the grooves on the chewing surface of your molars. Your own saliva can help neutralize acid and remineralize your enamel, so sometimes we suggest that you chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva if you need to.

All said and done, the best way to prevent decay is to brush and floss regularly, avoid sugary snacks, and maintain regular dental visits.

Tooth decay seen on a dental x-ray appears as a dark break within the outer enamel layer of tooth extending into the inner layer of dentin.