Chandler Dentist Provides State-of-the-Art Smile Makeovers

Chandler Dentist Provides State-of-the-Art Smile Makeovers

Ocotillo, Chandler dentist responds to demand from patients seeking affordable dental restorations and movie-star like smile makeovers.

Chandler, AZ   17, July, 2009 — Rich Higgs, D.D.S., the “Chandler Dentist,” has dedicated his practice, Aquila Dental to providing dental restoration and cosmetic smile makeovers, to full mouth restorations.  Dr. Higgs is committed to life-long training and has extensive post-graduate training with an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics. He is a graduate of the prestigious Pacific Aesthetic Continuum, one of the foremost hands-on cosmetic dentistry teaching institutions in the world.

Since 1996, Dr. Higgs has been providing services in the East Valley. Aquila Dental, in an effort to meet its patients’ needs, has expanded its offerings to provide affordable computer assisted dental designed implants and crowns up to and including the finest all-ceramic porcelain veneers and crowns.

Dr. Higgs has recently added CEREC crowns to his available services and products.  These all porcelain crowns are made in a single visit without messy impressions, uncomfortable temporary crowns, or inconvenient second visits. Dr. Higgs prepares the tooth, but instead of making impressions, he uses a sophisticated camera to take pictures of the prepared tooth. With the help of a computer, Dentist Higgs then designs and fabricates your restoration right there in the office. You leave that visit with a beautiful, permanent restoration. Because of the time savings with system, patient cost for CEREC crowns, inlays and onlays are reduced.  “Our goal at Aquila Dental is to provide affordable quality dental restorations to our patients”, says Dr. Higgs.

Dr. Higgs is one of a few general and cosmetic dentists in Chandler providing full-mouth reconstruction and rehabilitation a comprehensive care dentistry for the patient who suffers from a dentition broken down to the point where in order to get a patient to an adequate level of form and function, one or both dental arches of teeth must be restored, typically with porcelain crowns and or porcelain veneers.

Many times the need for full-mouth dentistry is based on a problem within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which is caused by a poor bite. These problems often results in the teeth being worn and broken to the point that all of them need to be restored. TMJ can often result in other problems such as Migraines.

A recent medical study indicates that people with chronic migraine pain and chronic headache pain often clench their jaws together in a balanced, centered position. This causes extremely intense muscular contraction, but little strain on the jaw. Nighttime jaw clenching usually goes unnoticed, but it sets the stage for migraine pain and chronic headache pain.

Dr. Higgs now offers the NTI-tss device which has been shown to reduce clenching intensity by 66%. The NTI-tss is a small, nearly invisible, removable device you wear while you’re sleeping.

With proper planning and treatment, it is possible to restore teeth to a state of health as good if not better than the teeth have ever been. Dr. Higgs, “The Chandler Dentist”, is devoted to improving the lives of his patients through advanced dentistry.

To learn more about the “Chandler Dentist” and the services at Aquila Dental, please visit us online at http://www.ChandlerAZDentist.com

Periodontal Disease – Something You Should Know

Warning signs and treatments for gingivitis and periodontitis.

Diseases of the gums and bone about the teeth are called “periodontal disease” in English.  Gum disease encompasses a wide variety of conditions, most commonly seen are gingivitis and periodontitis.  Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.  The disease may be limited to one tooth, or all the teeth.  The disease takes hold when bacterial plaque on the teeth causes the gums to be inflamed.  Plaque is the sticky film that forms on your teeth; it is like glue that helps the bacteria to stay on your teeth.

 Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and is totally reversible with professional dental cleaning and good home hygiene.  Good home hygiene is not something people know how to do automatically.  Most people need to be shown what to do so that they can get the most benefit from their brushing.  Even people who brush well can benefit from some coaching.  Even the best sports athletes in the world have coaches.  The dentist and dental hygienist are tooth brushing coaches.

Gingivitis that is left untreated can advance to periodontitis.  This happens when bacterial plaque spreads below the gum line.  Toxins in the plaque cause a chronic irritation in the gums and bone starting an immune response.  This immune reaction causes the gums and bone to break down and be destroyed.  As the bone around the teeth is destroyed, the space between the gums and teeth deepens and the disease progresses even faster with more destruction.  The early stages of the disease often have mild symptoms, so many people are unaware of a serious problem developing and do not seek the help of a dentist.

Signs of gum disease are:

• Bright red, swollen, or tender gums
• Bleeding gums (gums should not bleed when you brush or floss)
• Shrinking gums
• Loose teeth
• Pus from around the teeth
• Bad breath that does not go away
• Change in the position of the teeth

Though the main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, other factors make it more likely for you to get this disease.  First and foremost is tobacco use.  Smokers have more gum disease and are more likely to loose teeth.  Moreover, they do not respond as well to treatments for gum disease.  Smoking is also a risk factor for developing serious oral cancer, as well.

Other risk factors for periodontal disease are family history, stress, medications, clenching and grinding, diabetes, poor nutrition, and various systemic diseases.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of getting gum disease have been known for a long time, however, in recent years, gum disease as a risk factor for other medical conditions has become clear.  Recent research by Marjorie Jeffcoat, D.M.D., the dean of University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, has shown that scaling and root planing resulted in an 84 percent reduction in premature births in women who were less than 35 weeks pregnant.  Scaling and root planing is a common gum procedure to clean the teeth above and below the gum line and poses no risk to the mother and unborn child.  Premature birth is a significant problem in the United States with nearly 12 percent of the babies being born preterm (before 37 weeks of pregnancy).  Preterm birth results in increased death and other long lasting problems for these babies.

Before becoming pregnant all women should seek a gum and tooth exam as a way of avoiding this serious complication of pregnancy.  For women who are already pregnant when gum disease is detected, scaling and root planing can still help.  This treatment should probably be carried out in the second trimester.

Treatment for gum disease comprises many different modalities.  Most common is scaling and root planing to clean the hard and soft deposits above and below the gum line.  At the same time the dentist may use various antimicrobial agents placed in the space between the gums and tooth to help fight the bacteria and improve the healing.  For patients whose periodontitis has altered the gums and bone too much, various surgical therapies are often applied.  Depending on the nature of the disease, new bone and gums may be grafted in localized sites to improve the condition.  For patients whose tooth supporting bone loss is so great that they loose a tooth, dental implants may be an option to replace what they have lost. 

Some treatments for the gums focus on cosmetics.  These procedures are often called oral plastic surgery.  Patients with a gummy smile (a display of too much gum when they smile) can be helped by reshaping the gums.  Patients with an irregular line of gums, or with gum recession on individual teeth can be helped with various techniques to restore missing gum tissue.  This often has not only a cosmetic benefit but, also helps to cover exposed root surfaces which are painfully sensitive to foods and cold liquids.

In conclusion, modern medicine has helped us all to come to expect an ever longer life.  Good dental care, which includes attention to the condition of the gums, is one important part.  Regular tooth and gum check-ups can help prevent a wide variety of conditions and help us to retain our teeth for a long productive life.

Implant Dentistry: Questions a Dentist Would Ask

Most dental patients do not ask the right questions about cosmetic and restorative procedures.  Learn the answers and questions what a dentist would ask.

Dental Implants:

Is my doctor well trained to do this procedure?

Implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty amongst the various areas of dentistry.  All doctors who are placing implants should have extensive training in both the surgical and prosthetic phases .  Ask your doctor what his training is.  Ask to see photos of the treatment your doctor has completed.  If your doctor has studied implantology in an organized fashion, he should have some documented cases. 

 Will my new implant tooth look like a natural tooth?

While dental implants and the teeth that dentists make on top of them can function and look like real teeth in the majority of situations, there are many times when a perfectly natural result is very hard to achieve.  Getting this result many not be possible or will be limited by the doctor’s skills, or the patient’s own lack of desire to pursue what it takes to get a natural looking smile.  Demanding implant cases that involve a patient’s front teeth can require multiple treatments that have long healing intervals and cost a lot of money.  Many patients are happy to compromise and are still more than satisfied with the results.  However, this is something you want to know ahead of time.

Have I been diagnosed adequately?  Has my doctor formulated a thorough treatment plan?

Implant dentistry requires the doctor to first diagnose your problem.  This means that he looks beyond the simple fact that you are missing a tooth and need it replaced.  Your doctor should require diagnostic tests and make the respective records.  These may include:  models of your mouth, photos of your face and mouth, various types of x-rays and often a CAT scan.  After the doctor has collected this data, there needs to be a plan of how the treatment will be done and the time frame it will be done in.  Your doctor should be able to communicate this to you, no matter how simple, to demonstrate that this process has been done.  

If I will be having a tooth, or teeth, extracted, what type of temporary replacement will I get?

There are many options available to give a patient a temporary tooth or teeth.  There is often no one best way, but just the way that the doctor and patient decide is best.  The important thing to know here is that there are generally a number of choices and a patient does not have to accept any one option.  Keep in mind, though, that some of the options become increasingly complex and will add considerable cost to the treatment.

I have heard about “Teeth In An Hour”, am I a candidate for this?

As a general rule in life, if anything sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  While there are indications for “Teeth In An Hour”, they are most likely far fewer than advertising suggests.  Implant dentistry often takes a long time because the doctor allows for ample healing time between phases.  One advantage of this is that it allows the patients gums to heal completely.  That means that in the end the patient’s new teeth and gums will fit together well.  Fast-tracked treatment regimens, while sometimes appropriate, do have disadvantages and have not been completely perfected yet.  Ask yourself why the treatment needs to be rushed so quickly, and decide if the increased risk is worth it.

Do I have enough bone and do I have enough room to place an implant? 

These are good questions to ask because it allows the doctor to explain to you how he is thinking about your treatment.  It is a fundamental question that your doctor will have worked out in his own mind and should be able to communicate to you.

Dr. Gerald L. Cohen, DDS, Greenwich Cosmetic Dentistry, Greenwich, CT

Dr. Cohen is an implant and cosmetic specialist . He has been practicing dentistry for almost twenty years, and is the former Director of Dental Implantology at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. A graduate of Columbia University’s School of Dental and Oral Surgery, he received training in advanced implantology from the prestigious Misch Implant Institute and at New York University’s College of Dentistry.

Dental Implants Then and Now – Something You Should Know

Dentistry has a long history with evidence of dental treatment on skulls in the time of the pharaohs.  More specifically, there is evidence of successful dental Implantology on a Mayan skull from the time 600 A.D.  Pieces of shell are implanted in the lower front tooth region, which appear to have fused with the bone.  This evidence would indicate that the treatment was successfully completed on a living human being.  The artifact is now in the Peabody Museum of Harvard University.  Today, dental implants are made of an alloy of titanium.  This is the same alloy used for other prosthetic joints in the body.  It is used because of its biocompatibility.  There are no reported cases of allergy or rejection of the titanium alloy, and it is non-carcinogenic.

 Early pioneers in modern dentistry did meet with some limited success in Implantology; however, it is the period from the 1960’s to the 1980’s where dental implants became a treatment that all dentists could recommend to their patients with confidence.  Today’s dental Implantology offers patients a way to replace one or more missing teeth with an artificial root shaped anchor in the bone, and an artificial crown.  Success rates for dental implants are very high, approaching 100% in some studies. Of course, each patient’s particular need is different, and the complexity of the treatment is often related to the amount of success one can expect.  Patients who have severe systemic disease, smoke heavily, or have a poor jaw bone site for implantation may expect lower success rates.  To find out if you are a candidate you must seek a consultation with a dentist who has training in this specialized field of dentistry.  Currently, most dentists are involved with dental implant treatment, but not all.  If you are going to lose a tooth, dental implants should be considered.  Even if your dentist dismisses dental implants, request a referral to a dentist who commonly does this type of treatment for evaluation of your mouth.

Cut away of jaw with implant sockets and implant crowns

Dental implants have a few distinct advantages over conventional dental prosthesis; specifically, fixed bridges and removable dentures.  For those who are missing all their teeth and suffer with complete dentures, two to four implants can help to stabilize a loose denture.  This type of treatment has been shown to help improve the health, nutrition, and quality of life for those who suffer with complete lower dentures.  For others who are missing only one tooth, it offers the advantage of being able to restore that missing part of the body without involvement of the surrounding teeth.  Finally, there are those who are missing teeth only in the back of their mouth, and have no adjacent teeth to use as a support for a fixed bridge.  A removable prosthesis is usually cumbersome and difficult to get used to, and, has a great psychological barrier.  In all of the cases mentioned, dental implants are the treatment of choice, and, in fact, are considered by most to be the current standard of care.

The process of getting dental implants varies from case to case, as does the time to complete the treatment.  The basics of the procedure consist of the dentist first evaluating if you are able to get an implant with a proper examination.  This will always include proper x-rays and often a CT scan of the jaws.  A CT scan allows the dentist to view the area where the implant is to be placed in three-dimensions.  Conventional x-rays only allow a two-dimensional view and distort the image to some degree.  Placement of a dental implant is a surgical procedure and there are many different techniques to accomplish this.  Usually, the dentist will make an incision in the gums to access the bone underneath.  The bone is gently prepared to accept the implant and it is usually screwed into a precisely fitting hole.

The implant usually requires a period of undisturbed healing of 3-6 months.  During this time the implant is buried under the gums and not visible.  After healing the doctor will access the top of the implant again to place a cap on it that will protrude through the gums.  The final steps are the taking of dental impressions and fabrication of the artificial post and tooth that will all be anchored by the implant.  Even though the previous description might make you wince, it is usually easier than you think.  The pain experienced is usually compared to a routine tooth extraction.  During the procedure the dentist will anesthetize the area with a local anesthetic, just like when you have a filling.  For more complex cases, patients may be sedated in the doctor’s office, or hospitalized for general anesthesia in the operating room.  But, the overwhelming majority of cases are done with routine local anesthesia.

 

Some newer techniques offer patients the opportunity to extract a tooth that is hopeless and place the implant immediately into the extraction socket.  Sometimes, these implants may be loaded with a temporary tooth at the same time.  In the same way, some patients who will unfortunately loose, or have lost, all of their teeth may have implants placed and a prosthesis placed immediately.  This type of prosthesis is fixed in place and offers the stability and secure feeling of natural teeth.  Other patients are not able to have their implant and their new tooth attached immediately.  In these cases other types of temporary teeth are fabricated.  There are many types of these temporary teeth; usually the patient and doctor decide together what the best choice is.

As in all things, patients need to be good consumers in their choice of dental care too.    Dental implants are state of the art and offer patients many advantages over previous techniques.  Anyone who is missing a tooth, or who needs to have a tooth extracted, should inquire about dental implants.

Dr. Gerald L. Cohen, DDS, Greenwich Cosmetic Dentistry, Greenwich, CT

Dr. Cohen is an implant and cosmetic specialist. He has been practicing dentistry for almost twenty years, and is the former Director of Dental Implantology at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. A graduate of Columbia University’s School of Dental and Oral Surgery, he received training in advanced implantology from the prestigious Misch Implant Institute and at New York University’s College of Dentistry.

Cosmetic Dentistry – Something You Should Know

Tooth Whitening options and other corrective procedures for a beautiful smile.

Cosmetic dentistry before and after

Cosmetic dentistry is a phrase we hear a lot of in the media and in advertisements.  But, what does it really refer to?  And, who is qualified to do these procedures?   Cosmetic dentistry is not a specialty and is something that all dentists should strive to perfect in their lifelong professional quest to create a healthful, functional, and esthetically pleasing smile.  In general, we all agree that a symmetrical and even line of teeth is attractive.  And, white teeth that are naturally uniform in shape and color can be a beautiful feature.  After all, your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you: and, as we all know, you often only have one chance to make a good first impression.  Unfortunately, sometimes nature throws a curveball and a person’s teeth may be mal-aligned, discolored, or ravaged by disease, or a traumatic accident.  For all of these cases dentistry can offer patient’s various ways to restore a healthy, natural and radiant smile.

One of the many ways that we can restore a bright smile is tooth whitening.  This is often called bleaching the teeth.  There are many different techniques and brand names that all vie for dominance in the market place and for peoples’ attention.  However, all of the techniques are very much the same and involve using peroxide based bleach that needs to be in contact with the tooth to lighten its color.  Some marketing claims purport to be superior to others; however, all the systems offer similar results.  There are three basic ways to bleach the teeth.  1) In-office systems, 2) doctor supplied take-home systems, and 3) over-the-counter products that you can purchase in retail stores.  In-office systems cost more; however, they offer faster results and allow the patient access to their doctor if they develop any temporary side effects due to the process.  Temporary side effects are mainly limited to cold sensitivity and sometimes spontaneous sensitivity.  In all cases, this is reversible, and easily applied fluoride treatments speed the recovery greatly.  Doctor supplied take-home treatments require the fabrication of a model of your mouth from a dental impression.  Then, a soft custom tray is made that fits over your teeth.  It is usually very soft and well tolerated by the patient.  A peroxide bleaching gel that is weaker than the in-office solution is placed in the bleaching tray and worn for a prescribed amount of time.  Over-the-counter products come in various forms, but the most popular are clear, thin adhesive strips that stick onto the teeth.  They are worn for a prescribed amount of time until the desired effect is achieved.  All of the methods can be effective; it is often just a matter of patient preference.  In-office treatments offer instant gratification.

Laser accelerated teeth whitening

Common questions related to bleaching are about damage to the tooth structure and if the results are permanent.  Bleaching has been around for a long time and all of the side effects are transient.  The procedure does not harm the tooth enamel and damage it in any way.  The results are permanent in that the color of the tooth is changed physically.  However, as we continue to age and, depending on our dietary intake, the teeth will continue to darken naturally.  This is a natural phenomenon that takes place over years, not months.

One note of caution: if a person has previously placed white fillings or crowns in their mouth, these will not bleach with the natural teeth.  Therefore, these crowns and fillings that are in the front of the mouth may need to be changed after bleaching is completed.  And, different teeth respond to the process differently.  This applies to the degree of side effects and the speed at which the teeth lighten.  Some teeth are very resistant to the process and require much more time to bleach than others.

Another procedure which is very effective in designing a beautiful smile is porcelain veneers.  This procedure allows the dentist to change many aspects of the esthetics of the teeth that go way beyond just lightening the color.  Tooth size, shape, and misalignment are just some of the things that can also be corrected by laminates.  This procedure requires the dentist to prepare the enamel surface of the tooth by sometimes reducing from 0.3-1.5mm on the front surface.  A dental impression is taken to fabricate models on which the laminates are made.  The laminates are thin wafers of porcelain that are bonded to the tooth.  Because the laminates are thin they can transmit light through them like natural enamel, this makes them look and feel like natural teeth.

In order for your doctor to know what type of tooth shape and color is appropriate, a thorough consultation and diagnostic work-up should be done.  This will often include pre-treatment models that are used to create a wax replica of the planned treatment.  The dentist can share this with you and get your response the proposed result; it may even be possible to due a pre-treatment try-in directly in your mouth.  Ask you dentist about it.

 

Finally, it is important to stress that all cosmetic procedures are only as good as the foundation upon which they are built.  This means that you should always seek to have a complete examination that will assess the health of all your teeth and the surrounding gums and bone before starting a course of cosmetic dentistry.  This may require x-rays of the teeth and various procedures to clean the teeth, as well.  Despite the effort, it will be an enhancement of one of your greatest assets, your smile.

Dr. Gerald L. Cohen, DDS, Greenwich Cosmetic Dentistry, Greenwich, CT

Dr. Cohen is an implant and cosmetic specialist. He has been practicing dentistry for almost twenty years, and is the former Director of Dental Implantology at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. A graduate of Columbia University’s School of Dental and Oral Surgery, he received training in advanced implantology from the prestigious Misch Implant Institute and at New York University’s College of Dentistry.

Six Questions Patients ask about Porcelain Veneers and Crowns

How will I look, what will change?
Ans. We can show you how crowded teeth can look straighter as well as improving tooth length on teeth worn short before starting treatment. By doing procedures called mock-up or fabrication of a removable overlay a preview of the proposed change can be see before actual treatment is started.

What do you have to do to my teeth?
Ans. It depends on what you want to accomplish. Teeth that tilt inward can often be brought forward greatly improving esthetics with little use of the drill. Large alignment problems or teeth with decay or multiple existing fillings may require more aggressive preparation to use veneers or may need to have full coverage crowns made.

Can’t you fix the teeth that show when I smile with something you paint on or with “bonding”?
Ans. Painting something on the teeth sounds great, but will almost never create the lasting change the patient is looking for. There are situations in which “bonding”(composite resin) is appropriate just as there are appropriate situations for veneers or crowns. The key is to perform the least invasive treatment needed to solve the patient’s problem.

How long do dental veneers and dental crowns last?
Ans. A correctly prepared and impressioned tooth for a veneer or crown when well cared for by proper brushing and flossing can potentially last more than twenty years in a patient with healthy dietary choices. Dental restorations have two life spans. The first is how long will the veneer or crown not break or fall off. This could be many decades. The second and critically important life span is how long the veneer or crown functions properly and look like the day it was first placed the mouth. This can vary depending on proper hygiene, diet, and absence of detrimental biting habits.

Can I still whiten my teeth when I have veneers?
Ans. No, you should not attempt to whiten veneered or crowned teeth. First, the peroxide bleach used will not change the color of the restored tooth. Secondly, the bleach may alter the integrity of the adhesive holding the veneer. Almost always our patients will have a tooth whitening procedure performed prior to starting a porcelain veneer case.

What does the treatment cost and how do I have to pay for it?
Ans. Usually there is a “case” fee. This is based on the complexity of the case as well as the number of teeth that need treatment. We offer a number of different payment options which can vary dependent on the length of time or number of visits needed to complete the planned work. The goal is that payment is made over the course of the treatment so that by the end of treatment the fee is fully paid. For those individuals who need additional time to pay for treatment, we can arrange financing through one of several companies we use. This can allow fees to be paid over as much as five years if necessary.

Patients interested in treatment by Dr. Brother are welcome to talk with these and other patients who have had their smiles transformed by Dr. Brother before committing to care at www.smilesbydesign.info. Smiles by Design is located in Lexington MA, 781-674-9995, e-mail Lexington Arlington Dentist Web Mail.

Lexington Arlington Cosmetic Dentist – Dental Veneers, Crowns, Implants, Sedation Smiles by Design – David Brother, DMD,FAGD, specializing in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and reconstructive dentistry.

Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Your Smile

Can you guess the only physical attribute that is socially acceptable to look at when meeting someone? If you guessed the eyes, you are close. The answer is the smile! Specifically the teeth in the frame of the lips. In our  USA society, looking at the smile is not considered impolite. Whether right or wrong, people look at our smile or lack of one and make judgments about us.

Do we care about our appearance? Do we have missing or crocked teeth? Are our teeth darkened from years of stain build up, old discolored fillings or caps that look artificial and dark at the gum line? If we do not show that we care about ourselves, how could we expect someone to trust us with their business needs? Do we wish to date someone with a compromised smile? Today’s modern dental technology is capable of creating a natural healthy smile which can be even better than the smile nature provided us.

In the hands of an experienced cosmetic dentist, the smile you always dreamed you wanted can be a reality! At Smiles by Design Dr. Brother has over thirty years experience taking care of problems as routine as laser whitening of teeth to complete Smile Makeovers utilizing non metal all ceramic crowns, veneers, bonding and inlays. Implants, also, have opened a new avenue for achieving appearance and chewing function as good as the original equipment. Dr. Brother has been trained in implantology at world renowned New York University Implant Center.

I believe that each one us has the right to achieve the level of oral health we desire to reach. It is up to the doctor to set realistic goals for accomplishing this. “At Smiles By Design, I believe it is necessary to work with you, the patient, to review your own goals for your smile and provide all the options.”-Dr. Brother.

Here is what patients are saying about the services provided by Dr. Brother at Smiles by Design.

” As an actor, I am aware that having that million-dollar smile is such a great asset. my teeth were short and my gums really showed when I smiled. Dr.Brother created that smile for me through crowns, veneers, and gum work. Now I am much more confident in not only auditions, but also in life. Thank you Dr. Brother” J.S.

“I grew up in Kenya, where many children had teeth damaged like mine. When I came to this country, I made fixing my teeth a goal. Before Dr. Brother fixed my teeth, I never liked to smile. Now I smile all the time.” B.K.

” The quality of caring you and your attentive staff provide is truly 5-star. Thank you for my new smile. ” C.W.

To see before and after images of these and other patients whose smiles were transformed by Dr. Brother, and learn about all the latest advances in dentistry, go to SmilesbyDesign.info

Patients interested in treatment by Dr. Brother are welcome to talk with these and other patients who have had their smiles transformed by Dr. Brother before committing to care at www.smilesbydesign.info. Smiles by Design is located in Lexington MA, 781-674-9995, e-mail Lexington Arlington Dentist Web Mail.

Lexington Arlington Cosmetic Dentist – Dental Veneers, Crowns, Implants, Sedation Smiles by Design – David Brother, DMD,FAGD, specializing in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and reconstructive dentistry.

How our teeth get dirty and how this leads to cavities, bleeding gums, gum disease, and tooth loss

It is fairly well known that one of the common signs a person may have gum or periodontal disease is gum bleeding on brushing. This bleeding comes from red inflamed marginal gingival. Gingiva is the technical word for gums and marginal gingiva refers to that portion of the gum that rests directly against the teeth.

Red inflamed gingival is often associated with the presence of dental plaque and tartar. Dental plaque is a complex sugar molecule made by bacteria normally present in most people’s mouth. Plaque is soft “fuzzy” film that builds up around teeth daily. Only thorough tooth brushing and dental flossing each day can prevent this film from sticking to your teeth. Because new plaque builds up each day, you could never go to the dentist frequently enough to prevent plaque from collecting around teeth.

Plaque is often confused with tartar. The technical word for tartar is calculus and this word is frequently used instead of the word tartar. Tartar or calculus is hard crystallized mineral deposit that forms between and over time around the teeth. Calculus requires the presence of the soft plaque on the teeth to form these mineralizes crystals. Most saliva is rich in minerals that are invisible when dissolved in saliva. But, when the mineral rich saliva encounters plaque on the teeth, it crystallizes and forms the visible product, calculus. Until pigmented food, drink or tobacco products are consumed, most calculus blends in with the color of the teeth making it less noticeable until a significant quantity has built up around the teeth. The mineral rich saliva flows into the mouth from ducts located under the forward part of the tongue adjacent the back of the lower front teeth and from the cheeks opposite the upper molars.

Typically, then, it is the lower front teeth and the upper molars that first build calculus, though calculus can build on all teeth. Calculus is never present when the teeth are kept completely free of plaque DAILLY.

We all know that the human mouth is full of germs or bacteria. It is only when the bacteria s.mutans is present in the mouth that dental plaque can be produced. The s.mutans bacteria takes sugar molecules from the mouth and saliva and makes longer sugar molecules called polysaccharides. The long sugar molecule made by the linking of many small sugar molecules is dental plaque. So a diet rich in small sugar molecules, such as sucrose, the sugar associated with most candies and baked sweets is an ideal stimulus for the s.mutans bacteria to form the polysaccharide we know as dental plaque.

Dental plaque is some what sticky and once it sticks to the teeth, it forms a mesh or a bed, if you will, that acid producing bacteria can live in. Over time these acids cause the densely hard outer enamel of the teeth to break down or decalcify. This is how a “decay” or “cavities” are formed.

Plaque also allows calculus formation against to teeth. When calculus attaches to the teeth the gums (marginal gingival) cannot lie in the normal close relationship with the tooth. The calculus is responsible for disrupting the seal of the gum against the teeth, and makes it possible for disease causing bacteria to invade up the roots of the teeth. This is how gum disease starts and progresses. The invading bacteria produce enzymes call proteolytic enzymes that further deteriorate the ligament between the roots of the teeth as well as the bone attached to the (periodontal) ligament. As this bone is what retains the tooth in the mouth, its loss ultimately means the loss of the tooth or teeth experiencing this process if left unchecked.

Lexington Arlington Cosmetic Dentist- Dental Veneers, Crowns, Implants, Sedation Smiles by Design – David Brother, DMD,FAGD, specializing in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and reconstructive dentistry

5 Questions You Should Ask About Dental Insurance

1) If I have dental insurance, can I see you? Or, do you take my dental insurance. How do I know what they pay and if there is a portion I must pay. If so how much do I have to pay?

While all this insurance information is available from your employer, it can be confusing especially if the employer constantly changes insurance plans. It is nice when the dental office staff offers to determine your dental benefits before you arrive for your initial appointment.

2) If I need extensive dental work, do you have before and after photo images of patients you’ve treated with similar problems?
Ideally the dentist can show you these photos as well as provide names and telephone numbers of other patients who have similar treatment and enjoy talking about their experience.

3) Can I budget or finance the treatment I need?
Treatment can often be paced or done in phases to accommodate a patient’s budget or the office should be able to provide the names of outside financing firms which permit treatment to be done now and financed for up to five years if necessary

4) If I have a specific problem, can I just have that taken care of now?
Most dentists realize a patient’s chief complaint should be addressed first.
However, if the dentist sees an issue that is potentially serious or even more serious than the patient’s chief complaint, he should apprise the patient of this finding.

5) If I am an anxious about having dental treatment, what can you do to help me?
While every dentist offers local anesthesia (novocaine type local anesthetics), some offices offer  nitrous oxide (laughing) gas as well as strong but safe oral medications to induce a state referred to as “Oral Conscious Sedation”. Using these methods even the most anxious dental patient can receive the care they need no matter how extensive their problems might be.
 
Lexington Arlington Cosmetic Dentist – Dental Veneers, Crowns, Implants, Sedation Smiles by Design – David Brother, DMD,FAGD, specializing in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and reconstructive dentistry.