Dental Info

It seems somewhat ridiculous to have to post on this subject, but given current developments it is a topic worth discussing. Given the increasing costs and complexity of running a dental practice, it seems that more and more younger dentists hope to join a group practice. Originally when I started practicing, most owner operators kept a higher percentage of the gross receipts. An associate might earn 35% with the lab bill taken off the top. The practice he or she worked for kept the rest. When I took started my own practice, initially I made less than I did working for other dentists but eventually, after I paid off loans and built up the practice I was making 40% of the gross receipts and I got to make all my practice decisions. I liked the freedom and control that I was able to have since I was able to practice in the manner I felt most comfortable with. If a particularly difficult procedure required more time, no one I worked for was watching the clock and shooting me a disappro...

Electric toothbrushes have been on the market for years now, and whether you’re a devout user or a critical skeptic, you may still be wondering: do they really work better , or have we all been duped? Dubuque periodontist Dr. James Fili is here to break down some of the myths and separate fact from fiction to give us the spin on electric versus manual toothbrushes. What’s Wrong with Ol’ Trusty? Well, nothing… really. People have been brushing manually since the Middle Ages and continue to use manual toothbrushes effectively today. So why reinvent the wheel if it already rolls? Simple—technology and innovation drive us forward. Wheels today aren’t made of stone, they’re made from high-tech metals and rubber because we’ve discovered better materials and designs that fit our modern needs. Yes, they both accomplish the same end goal, but one is clearly more efficient than the other. So, the question becomes not what is wrong with manual toothbrushes, but what’s wrong with how we’re us...

Did you know that sports-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits for children and teenagers between the ages of 12-17? For children between the ages of 5-14, recreational activities (e.g., riding a bike) account for an estimated 3.2 million emergency room visits. With statistics like these, it’s no wonder parents want to find ways to keep their children safe while they play, and when you learn that the most commonly injured areas are to the face, head, eyes, and mouth, preventive wear like helmets and mouthguards become even more important! Don’t Leave Home Without It The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for many sports and recreational activities that you might not think would require a mouthguard, so it’s important to do your research and give your child the best protection available! If you’re wondering whether your child should be wearing one, don’t hesitate to contact Coastal Pediatric Dentistry® today. Bolivia pediatric dentists ...

A trip to the dentist should be a pleasant experience. That’s what we want for our kids: happy associations with that twice-annual visit to Dr. Case . Nothing ruins the good feeling at a dental visit faster than the dreaded words, “I found a cavity.” A cavity in a baby tooth is bad news, but not the end of the world. A cavity in a newly erupted permanent tooth is more cause for concern. So what is a cavity? How do they form? And, what can we do to keep them from ever getting started? What is a Cavity? Simply, a cavity, also known as dental caries, is a hole in the tooth enamel. A tooth has an outer layer of hard enamel surrounding an inner layer of dentin, which covers the tooth pulp, which contains blood vessels and a nerve. A cavity forms when the enamel is weakened then fails and no longer covers the dentin. A small cavity can usually be drilled to remove any decayed portion and stop further decay, then filled with strong material, like resin, to re-strengthen the remaining toot...

It’s often said that a true friend will tell you if you have bad breath. Bad breath, formally known as halitosis , is embarrassing and can hold you back from truly enjoying your life and social situations. Like good friends, your Las Vegas dentists at Wagner Dental will tell it to you straight. Read more below to determine what to do about your bad breath. Is Bad Breath Normal? Yes. Sorry. But some bad breath is just unavoidable. Moderate and occasional bad breath is caused by the normal breakdown of foods for digestion. Most people don’t wake up with minty fresh breath because bacteria build up in your mouth overnight while you are sleeping. Keep normal bouts of bad breath at bay with good oral hygiene , by drinking plenty of water, and by chewing sugar-free gum containing xylitol. Lifestyle vs. Medical Causes of Bad Breath Your lifestyle or daily habits may cause you unusually bad breath. There are some things you can do every day to keep bad breath at bay: Brush your teeth ...

We’re no strangers to extreme temperatures and dry weather in Salt Lake City, and our lips are proof. Most of us experience chapped lips at some point during the year; it’s not uncommon to see lips suffering from annoying, painful cracks. Here at Natural Smiles Dentistry , we keep abreast of the oral health needs of our community–so here are a few tips from Dr. Provine and Dr. Brickey about how to keep your lips healthy, kissable, and free to eat and drink whatever you crave! Do You Have Dry, Chapped, or Cracked Lips? Not sure? Here are some telltale signs: Sensitive or painful lips Smiling hurts You lick your lips often Your lips show clear signs of peeling or cracking You bleed from the corners of your mouth You have open sores or marks on your lips How to Get Rid of Cracked Lips Dry, chapped, and cracked lips can be caused by environmental factors, such as climate change, sun damage, and wind exposure. Cracked lips can also be the result of skin disorders, medicati...

You might be surprised to hear that the state of your oral health has a lot to do with preventing a stroke. There’s a certain kind of bad oral bacteria that cause gum disease , travel to other parts of your body, and cause harm. A stroke is a common but dangerous medical condition that causes a lack of blood in the brain. The effects of a stroke can be long-term and life-changing. People of any age can experience a stroke, but it’s most common in adults 40 years and older. Oral Wellness The Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Center lists favorable oral health among its top five factors that prevent stroke , and a growing number of studies are finding the link between certain kinds of oral bacteria and the harm they cause to your brain. For example, these bacteria can travel into your head through your bloodstream, causing brain bleeding and dementia. This sounds scary—and it certainly can be. But with good, simple oral hygiene, you can take care of your mouth and prevent a lot of o...

They say not everything natural is good for you. Nature has many poisons that humans have experimented with and learned the hard way to avoid. Tobacco is a popular plant that we’ve learned can really do a number on your health. Using tobacco is a personal and communal practice that can be really hard to avoid, even if you know it’s bad for you. Working with your doctor and San Luis Obispo dentist Michael Colleran, DDS will be essential if you’re concerned about your health and want to stop using tobacco. What Is Tobacco? Tobacco is a green, leafy plant that has long been grown, dried, and used by cultures around the world. It’s usually smoked but is sometimes chewed or inhaled. Tobacco is known to affect the way people think, feel, and behave by interrupting the brain’s normal communication with the rest of the body. The tobacco plant contains the addictive stimulant nicotine, which is why a smoking habit is so hard to break. Cigarettes contain 2,000 ingredients known to be toxic a...

Diabetes is a chronic and complicated disease that affects how your body processes sugar—its main source of energy. Diabetes symptoms mostly affect your heart, eyes, nerves, and kidneys, but it can affect your whole body, including your mouth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) , more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and almost 2 million new cases are diagnosed each year. Managing your blood sugar is very important if you have diabetes and will help keep symptoms at bay. Taking good care of your oral wellness is actually one key to managing blood sugar. Diabetes & Your Mouth Diabetes can show itself in your mouth by causing: Gum disease : This condition is surprisingly common among most adults and has an even stronger correlation with diabetes, but it can and should be treated. Dry mouth : Diabetes tends to cause a decrease in saliva, which can be uncomfortable and cause bad breath. Decreased ability to taste : Diabetes can make it difficult to full...

We all remember losing our teeth as children and being delighted to find money from the tooth fairy under our pillow, but it’s just not as much fun losing teeth as an adult. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research , adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have an average of 25 permanent teeth remaining, which is three shy of a full set (not counting wisdom teeth). William S. Darr, DDS wants everyone to know that replacing a missing tooth is important to your dental health. Read on for more information! Missing Teeth & Dental Health When people lose teeth in the movies, it’s usually from something high-impact and exciting, like getting kicked in the face. However, the leading cause of tooth loss is gum disease . If you are an adult who has lost a tooth in the back of your mouth, you might be inclined to ignore it if it doesn’t affect your smile. Unfortunately, missing teeth are a big problem beyond cosmetic concerns. Tooth loss can affect your abili...

When it comes to your oral health, we hope you never have any pains or problems. Good preventive care will help you always feel your best! But even with the best habits, dental problems do happen. In that case, oral pathology is the science and medicine that helps diagnose and treat whatever is making you ache. If you think you have oral disease, don’t be embarrassed, but get help as soon as possible. What is Oral Pathology? Sometimes things go wrong, even in the healthiest people. If you have pain, bleeding, or unusual symptoms in your mouth, oral pathology helps us find the answers you need. According to the American Dental Association : “Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions.” In other words, oral pathology is the science that understands the causes and effects of these diseases. Common practices include clinical examinations, la...

We love to talk about the fun and interesting sides of oral health, but today, there is something much more serious on our minds. We care about the health of everyone in Parrish, and as dental care professionals, we feel it our duty to educate you on how to be as safe and healthy as you can be. While you have probably heard of human papillomavirus (HPV)  and oral cancer , most people don’t know that they are linked. Here is some information from Dr. Rick Schnur about the topic. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Florida Smile Design . What is HPV? Human papillomavirus refers to a family of nearly 200 strains that infect the epithelial skin cells and mucous membranes, such as the inside of the mouth, tongue, tonsils, throat, vulva, vagina, cervix, penis (through the urethral opening), and the anus. HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact (oral and genital) and it is one of the most common viruses in the country. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10...

Your Mouth: A Picture of Health Did you know that when a dentist looks at your mouth, they can tell a lot more than just how often you’re brushing? It’s true—your oral health is like a window into your lifestyle and habits. Gwinn dentist Dr. Gwendolyn Buck should know. We’ve seen mouths from all over the community in our office! If you’re not taking care of the rest of your body, your gums will give it away. Hormones, sickness, stress, diet, smoking, prescription medicine, and more can all affect your gum health, and that goes both ways. If you don’t take care of your gums, the consequences will stretch beyond just your mouth. Unhealthy gums can lead to an unhealthy heart, diabetes, pregnancy complications, memory problems, tooth decay, and more. Your mouth is naturally good at washing away and fighting germs. But without proper oral hygiene, those bacteria can lead to gum disease. When it comes to your oral health, it’s more than just pearly white teeth you want. Healthy gums pl...

Millions of people of all ages use orthodontics to straighten their teeth each year. Clear aligner therapies like Invisalign® are popular not only because they are invisible and removable, but because they are difficult to break or damage. However, not all teeth can be straightened with clear aligner orthodontics, and even clear or tooth-colored systems like Six Month Smiles® have wires and brackets to contend with. And it isn’t just food that can damage your teeth or your braces! Your Chamblee Orthodontics dental team would like to remind you of a few bad habits that need breaking to have the best results with your orthodontic treatment. Using Teeth as Tools This can be really tempting—you want that package open now , and your teeth are right there . However, even without braces, using your teeth as a tool is a bad idea. Using teeth to open things can cause chips, and if teeth have braces on them, the braces are at risk, too. Don’t use your teeth to hold things, either. Even if y...

There are lots of ways to deal with missing or damaged teeth. You’ve probably heard one of us at Modern Smile Center talking about implants, dentures, bridges, and crowns, but have you ever wondered what they are and how they work? Dr. Cimino knows that folks in Tomball like to be informed, so think of this as your personal guide to dental restorations that might end up in your mouth. Crowns, Bridges & Dentures, Oh My! At some point in time, most of us will lose at least one adult tooth. The most common cause of tooth loss is gum disease, but it could also be an accident, a sports injury, or a cavity. Some people are even born without the ability to develop one or more adult teeth! Either way, the point is that most Tomball residents will one day face a decision: how do I replace my lost or damaged tooth? There are many ways to fill a gap in your bite: Crowns Crowns themselves do not replace entire teeth, but they play an important role in the process of stabilizing teeth an...

Welcome to your mouth! A healthy mouth is necessary for a healthy life. You might be surprised how many different parts work together to make your mouth function. Read more below from Lexington dentist Dr. Kevin Brewer to get an in-depth look at the human mouth and how it works. Teeth The look and function of your teeth make your first impression and impact your daily life and confidence.  You’d also be lost (and very hungry) without these shining beauties. Adults have 32 teeth and babies have 20. The four different kinds of teeth you have are: Incisors in the front that bite and cut tough food like meat Canines tear food, like a big piece of bread off the loaf Premolars tear and crush food like salad greens Molars grind everything down small enough for you to swallow and digest The white, visible part of your tooth is called the crown and the invisible part under your gums is called the root. Teeth have three layers, and all three are very important: Enamel is t...

Pulp is found in the center of each tooth and consists of tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, which work together to provide oxygen and nutrients that keep them healthy and strong. If one or more teeth suffer a traumatic injury or decay, the pulp can become inflamed or infected. When this happens in a child’s primary or baby tooth, Palm Harbor pediatric dentist Dr. Mark Dawoud may recommend a pulpotomy . A pulpotomy, also referred to as pulp therapy, is performed to prevent further infection and early tooth loss. The procedure entails applying a topical anesthetic to numb the area before creating a small opening in the tooth, removing the infected, inflamed pulp, then sealing the chamber with a medicated filling that will prevent bacteria growth and allow a crown (stainless steel, porcelain, or white zirconia are the most common materials to choose from) to be fitted in place to restore the tooth. Why Save a Baby Tooth? When infection strikes a tooth in your little one’s mouth, yo...

screw retained crown #30 with with platform switch The first generation implants that came to the U.S. mostly involved an "external connection" attachment. These had a protruding hex with a small hole for a screw. They worked well but had the problem that too often screws became loose or even worse broke.  Then Core vent, 3I and Nobel Biocare  came out with implants designed internal attachments. These were popular and easy to use since it was much easier to  seat abutments and screws were less likely to become loose. The Core-Vent design eventually became Zimmer and is still popular today. When I speak with my various implant surgeons they all say the Zimmer implant is a good implant today and it has a small platform switch. The width of the implant is slightly smaller in diameter than the parts the attach to it. A newer generation of implants have a more severe platform switch and the piece the attaches to the implant has a rather severe taper as it emerg...

This sounds like a wonderful dream. People ask me "Do you provide free dentistry to the needy? The answer is no, mostly because I can't afford to. Free dentistry is not generally available because staff, landlords, dental supply houses and our dental laboratories, are not on board, even if at times it can be extremely worthwhile. There are charitable organizations that offer free dentistry that rely for the most part on volunteers to donate their services. One of my colleagues presented a case to our study club featuring a young woman with amelogenesis imperfecta who was being helped by an organization " Donated Dental Services ". All of the specialists involved in her care had donated their services and different dental labs donated their services as well. Another way that dentists can give back is by teaching at dental schools. Part time faculty often volunteer or work for extremely modest salaries. Dental work provided by students, is not free, but is provid...

Did you know that unhealthy gums might put your brain at risk ? Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, which harms your memory, ability to think, and can cause changes in your personality. It’s very common and usually affects people aged 60 and over. And, Alzheimer’s might be significantly more likely to happen if your mouth and gums aren’t healthy. The Link is Inflammation A New York University College of Dentistry study found, “long-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s.” Gum disease is a case of inflammation in your mouth. Inflammation is a natural and appropriate response in your body to fight invaders and infection. Gum disease and oral inflammation can be a minor problem or become very serious. But chronic inflammation causes a variety of health concerns that can affect everything from your oral health to your brain. Unfortunately, inflammation problems are increasingly common in the US. The stud...

Acids and bases might sound like something from far back in your memory, like middle-school science class, but the concept is still very applicable to every aspect of life today. The foods and beverages you consume daily have a very big effect on your oral health and overall health, for better or worse. You can protect and support your health by eating the right foods. We know this isn’t news to anyone, but it’s much easier said than done, right? The Brooklyn dentists of Park Slope Dental Arts explain below about how an alkaline diet can benefit your oral health and overall health. What is an Alkaline Diet? Everything around us is made of chemicals that are either some level of acidic or basic (alkaline). Chemicals are numbered on the pH scale from 0-6 as acidic, 7 as neutral, and 8-14 as alkaline and more people are talking these days about the negative effects of diets high in acidity. A minimally acidic—or alkaline—diet will contain mostly foods with a pH above 7. Research s...