Always Learning!

Here at Cambridge Smiles, we're always eager to learn more about dentistry so that we can provide the best service possible. Continuing education is an important part of any field, and dentistry is no exception. New innovations and techniques are constantly being developed, and we all like to keep up-to-date on what's new and useful to our practice.

Last month marked the return of the Yankee Dental Congress to Boston. This annual dental convention is one of the biggest in the country. Michelle and Natasha spent several days at the conference, taking courses on such topics as the use of laser dentistry in hygiene, and characterizing Cerec crowns with hand-painted staining and glazing techniques. The convention is always a good source of information on new and upcoming products in the dental field, and we look forward to bringing the most up-to-date technology to the office.

Next week, Dr. Klein and Natasha will be heading to the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry to attend four days of intensive Cerec training. Cerec, of course, is the technology behind one-visit crowns which we have been using in our office for over a year and a half. The Level 3 and Level 4 courses which we will be taking will focus on completing several teeth in one quadrant of the mouth in one easy visit, and creating perfect anterior restorations for a beautiful, natural smile. The Scottsdale Center is one of the leading continuing education centers for dentistry in the country, and we are very excited to be going.

Stay tuned for a full report on our trip, and remember to follow us on Facebook for updates on our southwest dental adventure!

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Musical Dentistry Distraction

What is your favorite part about going to the dentist? For some of you, the easier question to answer may be 'What is your least favorite part about going to the dentist?' Many people seem to find the noises associated with dental visits to answer the latter. We hear it all the time- “If it weren't for the sound of the drilling, this wouldn't be bad!”. Well, guess what? You don't have to listen to it!

We are happy to provide all patients with a comfortable set of headphones to wear during your visit. Pick your favorite radio station, or bring your own cd. You can even bring your own iPod. Put your favorite songs on a Dental Visit Playlist!

Music has been proven to help people relieve tension they may have during dental appointments. Not only does it mask the sound of the procedure, but it works as a calming distraction, and can even make the time seem to go by faster. Choosing your own music lets you choose your own mood. Maybe you'd like to listen to a relaxing classical concert, or maybe it would be your favorite party jam. Let the music open your imagination- pretend you're on the beach with your own private reggae band. Add a little nitrous into the mix, and you could really feel like you're pool side!

There's no need to let the sounds of the dental office ruin your visit. Let the music transport you to another time and place, and we'll do our best not to interrupt you. After all, who needs a dentist in their concert?!

Sleep and exercise are proven stress relievers and help promote health. But many people don't get a good night's sleep, and often find difficulty developing daily exercise routines. People are constantly seeking new products and looking for more ways to become energized. Many athletes, weekend warriors, business people and homemakers have turned to various energy boosters, including very popular and highly promoted sport and energy drinks like Amp and Red Bull.

In a recent study, researchers immersed pieces of human dental enamel (the outside covering of the tooth, and the hardest substance in the body) in 13 popular beverages. The study found that non-cola soft drinks, energy/sports drinks, and commercial lemonade "showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on dental enamel," and in fact, were up to 11 times more erosive than cola! High levels of some additives, such as citric acid, caused the disintegration of the teeth.

A single energy drink may not do much damage to your teeth, but take caution if you frequently consume these beverages. It is better to drink them quickly, rather than sipping them for long peirods of time. Also, following the energy drink with a glass of water can help to rinse away potentially damaging acids.

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry

In my last blog, I talked about the use of a laser to relieve and reduce cold sores and canker sores. However, this is only one of the many benefits of having a laser in the practice. In a diode laser, energy is focused and transmitted via a flexible optical fiber to a handheld unit used by the dentist. You will notice that when the laser is in use, the dentist, assistant, and patient will all have special glasses on. These glasses are to protect their eyes from the light emitted from the laser. The power of the laser can be finely adjusted to perform a wide variety of procedures more safely and comfortably than ever before.

The diode laser is most commonly used to perform soft-tissue surgery, including removing tumors and lesions from the soft tissues of the mouth. It can be used to recontour gum tissue for clinical or cosmetic reasons. If you have large gums that make the teeth appear too short, gum recontouring can reshape the gum line to lengthen teeth and make your smile more attractive. Because a laser is used in this procedure, the wound seals immediately and healing begins right away. The process is relatively painless, quick, and can make your smile appear younger, healthier, and more balanced.

Because the laser's high-energy beam kills bacteria, it is often used to sterilize areas of the mouth before or during root canals, cavity treatment, and other such procedures. It can even be used to to treat gum disease and perform laser tooth cleaning and plaque removal. The low power of the laser light can kill bacteria in gum pockets for up to three months and can often be used without anesthesia.

The use of a laser is as safe as any other dental procedure. I have found it to be a wonderful addition to our practice, making many procedures quicker and less painful for the patient.