Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics “Integrating Conventional and Contemporary Treatment Philosophies” Seminar

This past weekend, I got to attend the Scientific Session of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics in Chicago.The theme for this year was "“Integrating Conventional and Contemporary Treatment Philosophies”.  We had  14 world renowned speakers discuss topics that included digital dentistry, local anesthesia, TMD, "all or four" implant bridges.  Most of these speakers are heavily involved in the research and development of implants and their restoratives.

The seminar has deepened my knowledge and understanding of the latest techniques in dental restorations.  This helps me offer customized treatments for my patients and I'm really excited about it.

Oral Cancer Detection

Our Annual Newsletter

Tooth Fairy Answers Your Questions -- Crooked Teeth

Dear Tooth Fairy,

My front bottom teeth are getting very crooked.  Why is that and what can be done about it?

Hi,

There are several theories as to what attributes to the shifting of the teeth.  Many believe that wisdom teeth push their teeth together and cause the crowding.  Some research suggests that there is a forward drifting of teeth with time, whether wisdom teeth are present or not.  One theory as to why teeth would crowd is due to the forces that are placed on the teeth.  When opposing teeth meet head-on (up and down straight and not on angles or slopes), then the teeth generally will not move.  On the other hand, if a tooth is hit on an angle, the side pressures could cause shifting of the teeth and potential damage to the teeth.  Teeth are held in their position by the opposing teeth, adjacent teeth, tongue pressure and lip/cheek pressure.  If for example, if the front teeth do not touch the opposing teeth, they will keep erupting until a contact is established. 

Once teeth have crowded, there may be a need for limited orthodontics, whether it is braces or clear retainer-like devices, to straighten the teeth.  An evaluation of the bite and other potential causes should be taken into consideartion also so that the shifting is not repeated.  A permanent retainer might be a good option for some cases as well.

Are You Ready for School

Hilary Deiter, RDH

Back-to-School - by Hilary Deiter, RDH

 Hilary is a Hygienist & Periodontal Therapist with The Oaks Dental Center, Ltd.
 
It’s that time of year again - Back to School!  Clothes shopping, doctor appointments and sports physicals, but what about a dental exam?  The state of Illinois now requires that all students in kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grade have a dental exam completed by a licensed dentist.  According to health experts, tooth decay is now considered to be the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S., with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated cavities.  About 51 million school hours per year are lost because of dental- related illnesses.  In fact, a recent survey released by the Ad Council shows that only 44% of American kids brush their teeth two or more times per day, leaving the majority at high risk for pricey and painful dental issues.  Another survey showed that few parents understood the link between poor oral health and overall health including diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.  In addition, tooth loss before the age of 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.  Don’t delay.  Make sure your mouth is in tip-top shape.  Call us and schedule your oral hygiene appointment before you head out to school.

 

If You Are Not Whitening, You Are Yellowing

Agnes Kumar, DDS
The Oaks Dental Center, Ltd.

Have you heard the ad that if you are not whitening, you are yellowing?  They have a point! Our teeth naturally get darker with time.  Getting a whiter, brighter, cleaner looking smile is easy and safe.  Done professionally, you get the personalized treatment that you know is going to be done well with great results.  It is safe with the dentist’s supervision.  You can smile more confidently with a whiter smile!!!

Soft Tissue Lasers

Hilary Deiter, RDH

 -By Hilary Deiter, RDH

Hilary is a Hygienist & Periodontal Therapist with The Oaks Dental Center, Ltd.

Why are soft tissue lasers useful in maintaining a healthy mouth? There are many advantages of having a soft tissue laser in the dental office. Lasers are very precise, they have a fast healing time, they are able to sterilize gum tissue, and are less painful than an average surgical procedure.

Most of the laser procedures that I use are to improve gum health. For example:

A Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR) procedure is used to reduce or eliminate bacteria in your mouth by a count of 1,000,000,000 down to 100. It also can reduce cross-contamination from infected gum tissue to healthy gum tissue. This helps in decreasing bleeding and inflammation.

Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) is used for patients with periodontal disease. The laser removes the infected tissue from the periodontal pocket so healthy tissue can grow and tighten around the tooth causing the pocket to shrink. It also activates bone cells so bone is able to grow back in an area where it was once lost.

Another procedure that I use the laser for is eliminating and increasing the healing time of cold sores and canker sores. This procedure requires no anesthetic and the patient is quite comfortable. The laser eliminates the cold sore by killing the active virus before the sore even appears on the tissue. The patient will start to feel results as they are lying in the dental chair.

The more we know about the danger of the tissue-invasive bacteria responsible for gum disease the more important it is for the dental profession to seek out and embrace new procedures of bacterial destruction.