One Visit Dentistry

I'll admit it- dental work can be a time consuming process. You may have to spend a couple hours in the dental chair one day, only to return a few weeks later to continue work on the same tooth. In between visits, a lab is usually involved in making final restorations, and occasionally additional visits may be necessary if adjustments need to be made and the lab is involved again.

I am extremely excited to say that those days are over. I am proud to introduce Cerec restorations to our practice. Cerec allows us to make permanent crowns right in our office while you relax. You will leave having completed your treatment in just ONE VISIT.

Cerec has many advantages. Instead of traditional crown impressions which involve letting a goopy material set in the patients mouth for a few minutes, Cerec uses a digital 3D camera to create an optical impression. State-of-the-art computer software is then used to design and adjust every precise detail of your restoration to fit your specific clinical needs. Once the design is complete, a milling machine in our office is then able to sculpt your crown out of pure porcelain and shaded to match your teeth within minutes while you relax in the chair. The final crown is completed, and you will leave our office without having to return for a follow up appointment. There is no need to make a temporary crown. There is no need to send a finalized crown back to the lab to make adjustments. If your crown doesn't come out perfectly for any reason, we can simply make another one immediately.

Cerec is not only useful for crowns. Fillings, veneers, onlays and inlays can also be created in the office from porcelain. These restorations are extremely durable and natural looking. While certain dental procedures do require multiple visits, most ceramic restorations are now available almost immediately. After just one visit, you can get back to your busy life (and so can I!).

Stay tuned for more details on our Cerec CAD-CAM machine in upcoming blogs. We hope you are as excited about this as we are!

Can Oral Cancer Be Prevented?

Every day, one hundred new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. While many people think oral cancer is limited to long term users of tobacco and alcohol, there are many factors which put people at risk. Over the last four years, the number of diagnosed cases has been increasing, and is rising among women and non-smokers.

Fortunately, there is now a way to detect precancerous cells, long before oral cancer can even start. At every routine visit to our office, we perform a thorough oral examination to note any abnormal spots in the mouth. Most people will have tiny white or red spots at one time or another. Whether you bit your cheek or burned the roof of your mouth on pizza, a small lesion will often be nothing to worry about. However, some oral spots are an indicator of unhealthy cells. It typically takes several years before these cells can cause any harm. During this time, the spot can be removed, long before oral cancer can start.

Our office is now using a simple brush test which is able to distinguish these precancerous cells from healthy cells. It works much like a pap smear can detect abnormal cells years before cervical cancer can start. Once the spots are located, a few simple brush strokes to the area is all that is needed to be sent out for a computer assisted laboratory analysis. There is no longer any need to be referred out for a scalpel biopsy. The test we can perform in the office is quick and painless, and we usually have results within a couple weeks. Even if abnormal cells are identified, they can typically be removed years before becoming oral cancer.

You can now add oral cancer screening to your list of reasons to visit the dentist regularly. Now, more than ever, we are equipped to diagnose and prevent oral cancer from occurring. Don't hesitate to call us if you ever notice a spot in your mouth you may be concerned about. A visit lasting only a few minutes may be all you need to stop oral cancer.

As you may have heard, as of July 1st MassHealth will drastically be cutting their dental benefits. Fillings, crowns, root canals, and periodontal scalings will no longer be covered. Mass Health will only pay for standard preventive care, such as regular cleanings and x-rays, as well as tooth extractions.

We all know that this is not adequate care. These reduced benefits come as a result of a budget cut announced by the Senate Ways and Means Committee earlier this month. However, there is currently an amendment proposed by Senator Harriette Chandler which would restore funding for oral health services in the coming fiscal year. We are encouraging you to contact your State Senator and urge them to support the Chandler Amendment and restoring MassHealth dental benefits.

Ask to speak with your Senator in the Massachusetts legislature (go to www.wheredoivotema.com

I hear a lot of complaints from patients about having bad breath. While there are many factors that can contribute to bad breath, one of the most common can be dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. Aside from bad breath, you may not think dry mouth is a big concern. However, saliva actually helps protect your teeth, and a dry mouth can accelerate tooth decay. Another possible problem is thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth and throat.
 

A lot of people don't realize that their dry mouth symptoms are caused by the prescription medications they are on. Many common drugs have this side effect, including medications for allergies, high blood pressure, depression, and even antihistamines. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy can lead to dry mouth, as well as nerve damage that affects your salivary glands, and even nutritional deficiencies. Smoking, drinking alcohol or using alcohol-containing mouthwashes, and “mouth breathing” can all exacerbate the problem.
 

Several simple changes can be made to lessen dry mouth. First of all, if a prescription is the culprit, you should talk to your doctor about medication adjustments. Good oral hygiene can also make a big difference. In addition to home care, regular dental hygiene maintenance appointments are important. We also offer several products which can promote salivary flow. Because mouthwashes that contain alcohol are known to dry out the mouth tissue, a rinse such as Periomed will help keep your teeth strong without contributing to dry mouth. We are also now carrying PreviDent, a prescription strength toothpaste from Colgate which is formulated specifically for dry mouth sufferers.

Dry mouth doesn't have to be something to suffer with. Bad breath may be a result of a dental concern that we can help you with. Keep reading for future blog entries about other causes of bad breath. Don't hesitate to call my office if you have any questions. We would be happy to help.

Today I would like to write about a service we have been providing in our office for over a year, which I think has made a big impact on the oral health of many of the patients I see. Arestin is an antibiotic which can greatly improve the health of one's gums.

Did you know that bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth can actually be symptoms of a dental infection? Gum, or periodontal, disease is a chronic bacterial infection in the gums. When most people have an infection in their body, they request an antibiotic from their doctor. Oral infections are no different. Arestin can easily be administered to treat the bacteria and infection.

Periodontal disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. This silent infection occurs when harmful bacteria travel beneath the gum line and create “pockets”, or spaces between the gums and your teeth. If left untreated, periodontal bacteria can lead to bone and tooth loss and threaten the foundation of your teeth. When you come to the office for routine cleanings, you probably recall Michelle, our hygienist, measuring these “pockets”. A pocket that is over four millimeters in depth represents and infection and is a good candidate for Arestin.

Arestin is a derivitive of the antibiotic tetracycline. It can be applied directly to the infected pocket in mere seconds, yet have a lasting effect. Arestin works to reduce the bacteria causing the infection, shrink the size of the periodontal pockets, and manage the infection to prevent it from spreading or becoming more severe. Arestin comes in the form of an antibiotic powder, which will actually remain in the gum pocket for 21 days to help ensure continued treatment.

Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are excellent preventatives against gum disease, but once deep pockets begin to form, you are unable to reach the areas that need cleaning at home. Professional cleanings can remove tartar and smooth rough areas of your roots to promote oral health. Arestin can be applied at your next cleaning to aid in the treatment of gum disease.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of periodontal disease, know that our office can provide an effective treatment. Don't hesitate to schedule an appointment, or ask about your options at your next cleaning.