The second option is fixed  bridgework ( cemented or bonded), A bridge is just like it sounds, there is a bridge built between two teeth to replace one or two missing teeth. Going beyond replacing two teeth in one bridge will cause fracture of the bridge and so is contra-indicated.The bridge can be made out of metal and porcelain, all metal or all porcelain. They can be bonded if it is all porcelain but need to be cemented if made of the other materials. I mention this because bonding is superior to cementation since the cement can disolve in time and the bonding in not soluble in saliva.  Fixed bridges are not removable but still must be properly cleaned or problems come up. The problems that you can have with a fixed bridge are decay, gum disease and fracture. Gum disease and decay are self inflicted by improper oral hygiene. Decay can also occur if certain medications are taken that cause a dry mouth or an acid environment. Fracture of a bridge is the least common problem but it does happen. If there is decay or fracture, the bridge has to be redone. They are the 2-3 times more expensive than a removable partial denture but are far more reliable over a 25 year period. A partial will have numerous repairs in a 25 year period whereas a fixed bridge does not. Food can get caught under the bridge and have to be flossed out but far less food is trapped under a bridge than around a partial denture.

The third option is an implant that is used to totally replace the missing tooth or teeth. It consists of a titanium “root” being placed into the bone space of the missing tooth and then a post and crown is placed on the titanium root to complete the replacement . It is 150% stronger than the tooth it replaces and so adds strength to the mouth unlike the other two options. The problems associated with the implant is mainly gum disease. They rarely fracture, in fact I have had only one implant fracture since we started doing them in 1989. We have done hundreds of implants since 1989 and found them to be the most reliable option and they feel like real teeth. Patients with implants can eat a normal diet so do not have to decide what to order because they can chew all  foods. Implants are more expensive than either of the other two options but are the most “permanent” restoration you can put in your mouth. The do not decay or fracture, so all you have to do is take proper care of your teeth and gums.

Another reason for having the cerec technology is that we have the flexiblity to restore teeth that previously would have required extraction or a root canal due to the small amount of tooth structure remaining. All cerec restorations are bonded and, therfore, do not require a large amount of vertical height of the remaining tooth in order to be bonded. All cemented restorations require taller vertical walls in order to get good adhesion,but with the cerec bonded restoration we only need a small amount of tooth structure to restore the tooth into full function.

On the other end of this line of thinking ,we can also conserve good tooth structure by doing an onlay instead of a crown if the circumstances arise. This option ( onlay) is used when there are 1,2 or 3 good walls of the tooth left. In those cases, we can do 1,2,3,or 4 surface onlays instead of a crown ( which involves all 5 surfaces of the tooth). When we purchased the Cerec machine ,we noticed a large decrease in the number of root canals and crowns that we did as well since the cerec crown doen’t require much tooth structure. With conventional crowns, a root canal would be required in cases where there was inadequate hieght of remaning tooth structure. So in that case ,the cost would double.  As a result of getting this technology, we were doing a larger number of onlays at a lower cost to the patient. These procedures take longer at the initial appointment, but there is no second appointment or temporary involved. So the patient missed less work and didn’t have to face the possible discomfort of cementing the crown without anesthesia and we didn’t have the problem of finding a suitable second appointment.

Another plus is that the crown design is saved on the computer so that if you would break the crown or lose it if it came off, we could simply mill a new one when you called and have you in a few hours later to put the new crown in place. This could be several years later and still be no problem.

The cerec program has built into it several thousands of types of each tooth so that there are very few teeth it cannot make, so we have the best lab technician in the world at our finger tips, so you get the best product every time and we don’t have to worry about which lab tech we get on a given day.

So whether you have  had a crown or onlay the old way or not, you know the difference this technique has to offer. You can call or e-mail our office for more details or to answer your questions. You can also contact us thru our facebook or web site.

The body creates free radicals in the normal process of metabolism but the are controlled by substances known as antioxidants. These free radicals are created by the bogy to fight virus and bacteria that are attacking our system. As good as free radicals sound, to much of one thing is harmful. To mant free radicals are associated with over 50 diseases including cancer ( in all forms).So we do not want to do anything to add to the free radical production. The free radical producers are cigarettes,hebicides,exhaust,some prescription drugs,UV radiation, X-rays, high fats, alcohol,stress, poor diet  to name a few.  I highlighted  the ones that need the most attention by society. Stress can be emotional, biological ( infection)  chemical ( mercury ,BPA) or physical.

What we do in our office to diminsh the chance of free radical production is to use digital x-rays ( 90% less exposure than normal machines), eliminate the use of mercury fillings , only use BPA free resin materials and counsel patients on foods and suppliments that have antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals. We also try to make the office atmosphere pleasant and as stress free as possible.   One source of free radical formation not talked about much is the radiation used to treat cancer. That very radiation causes free radicals and you now know that they can cause cancer. Interesting dilema isn’t it. Well you can help yourself a lot by changing you eating habits ( no grease or high fats, stop smoking, no alcohol to excess) and taking antioxidants in large quantities while under treatment. Most oncologists will not agree because they do not want the patient to take anything that will interfer with the chemo treatments. There are studies that show taking CoQ10 and antioxidants increase the chemo treatment results. As high as 80% cure rate with breast and cervical cancer with those aides versus 35% without them. You can go online to verify this statement.

The main thing I want to stress is no mercury fillings, take out the ones you have, BPA free resins, digital x-rays as needed and life style change.

So what does a heavy metal do that is so harmful? I’m going to try and explain the problem by using the operationof a large warehouse as the example. The warehouse is the cell in our body that is constantly taking product in and shipping product out.Now let’s assume this warehouse has 100 truck docks for shipping and recieving . The warehouse operates by some semi’s bringing supplies and others taking them away for delivery to another site. If the semi’s coming in with supplies( nutrients) don’t leave the dock, then eventually the warehouse   has no way of shipping the products (waste and finished product)  way to other sites ( such as liver ,kidney and bowels). With all of this product backing up ,the warehouse has to find another way to operate the shipping process. The warehouse manager  begins to change how they operate ( mutation) and before long the warehouse isn’t the same anymore. Things are stacked up because the efficient removal of the waste and product no longer exists. Another problem is that they no longer get the supplies they need because the incoming semi’s have no place to dock or at least a much smaller number of docks to unload at. The whole function now has been changed. This happens to billions of cells in our bodies when heavy metal accumulate. So my question is “why do we allow these heavy semi’s to come to our warehouses in the first place?”  We have no reason to expose our bodies to any dosage of these metals. Even the required heavy metals have a level at which they are dangerous. So we have warehouses that allow them to dock only at 5 of the 100 docking area, so they are controlled since they are required in order to function. But we should place a “not allowed to dock” sign for the others such as mercury and lead.

When a cell mutates in this way, the product it makes is no longer the same. It causes other cells that need their product to change as well. Before long the whole body is in poor shape because of the ineffiecient operation on the warehouses. As a result these metals contribute to  Alzheimers, chronis fatigue syndrome, Lou Gehrigs disease, musclular dystrophy, heart problems,PMS like symptoms  and more.

In the mouth, you can see tissue irritation, bleeding gums and discolorations from the heavy metals present in the oral cavity. There can be a bad or metallic taste as well.The bacterial flora can change as well if the PH of the oral cavity is changed by the presence of these heavy  metals. Of course, there are other chemicals ( and medications)  that can cause some of these diseases, but why subject your body to anything that you know has a high probablitiy to harm itself.

To put this into a better perspective, did you know that there are over 200 types of bacteria in the mouth? Many of thses bacteria are linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pre-term births, periodontal disease and bacterial pneumonia. So if the immune system is compromised ,there can be serious ramifications. The most common disease known to man is periodontal disease, with over 50% of adults having some level of gum disease. You need good dental treatment and a good healing response to treat this disease successfully.  As a link to the seriousness of this problem of dealing with gum disease, studies have shown that you are 2 times more likely to have hardening of the arteries if this gum disease is not successfullt treated. Hardening of the arteries is strongly linked to heart attacks and strokes. So treating gum disease is a must.

High blood sugars also can cause dry mouth and an increase in the incidence of bacterial and fungal infections. When the high blood sugars persist, the oral PH can change so that the bad bacteria ,which like an acid environment, become more numerous and cause the symptoms mentioned above. Since the blood is thicker ( cells swollen) and the arteries norrowed by plaques on the wall, the immune response is slowed.

To maintain a good oral environment, you have to have at least 2 dental checkups  per year. Proper brushing and flossing in also paramount. We recommend the oral-B  toothbrush be used as it cleans the teeth 20 times better than the hand tooth brush. In addtiton, the diabetic needs to eliminate pop in any form. Pop will only serve to make the PH more acid and aide in causing tooth decay.

Tobacco products, alcohol and heavy metals ( mercury fillings) are also huge factors in causing deterioration to the oral cavity and body in general. There are several ways to help your health thru supplements. If you have been sick recently of are over 45 years of age, there is a very good chance you are deplete in an enzyme known as CoQ10. This enzyme is critical to the healing process and the immune system in particular. In order for your immune system, brain cell conduction and heat to operate properly, you need adequate levels of CoQ10. The best for is a liguid form called CoQ Quinol. We have it in our office for those of our patients who need it. there are 2 other supplements that are very heelpful. One is “immune complex”and the second is “neucleotide complex” These last 2 suppliments acticate the furnaces of the cells to start working ( mitochondria) to supply all that is needed in fighting the infection and in building new healthy cells. It is very possible that you simply don’y get sick anymore, or at least the cold or flu is much less severe than in those who do not take thses suppliments. We have thses available in our office as well if you need them. If you are currently ill or over 45 years of age, liquid CoQ10 is almost a requirement. Your body is low in CoQ10 if you are over 45 years of age just as you may be short in other hormones or chemicals. They all can be replentished. If you have cancer or have been treated for cancer, you are certainly short in CoQ10 due to the bodies response to  the chemotherapy and or the radiation. Both of those treatment modalities create free radicals  which are very harmful to the body. They are eliminated by CoQ10. Since CoQ10 is a natural enzyme for the body ,why not make sure you have enough. You cannot take to much.

Over 50% of the adult population have periodontal disease, which if left untreated will result in loss of teeth. The first thing you have to do is to make your dental appointment to be evaluated. If your have periodontal disease ,there is a step by step treatment process to be followed. In addition, there are suppliments you can take to speed the recovery process.

The first addition to your treatment  of periodontal disease is CoQ Quinol ( the liquid form of CoQ10). It is a natural enzyme of a humans but can be found in short supply in those with disease,infections,cancer, cancer treatments and if you are over 45 years of age. This form is 8x better than the tablet or gel cap forms of CoQ10 and it is far less expensive ( $75 for a 4-5 month supply verses $50 /mo. for 400mg gell caps). You use a cap full in 2oz. cup of water. Then swish for 20 seconds and swallow. It is important that you swallow since this gives the CoQ10 enzyme two opportunties  to work. The CoQ Quinol is used  by the cells to start their furnace. So the immune system is fired up to fight the periodontal disease and start you on the road to health. If you are over 45, you may need to continue the CoQ Quinol for life.

There are two other suppliments that are very helpful in total body health as well as oral health. They are immune complex  and nucleotide complex. Immune complex super charges your body with new energy, supports your body’s defense against free radicals and helps invigorate your immune system. Nucleotide complex helps boost your immune system,improoves circulation,stimulates transmitters in the brain,slows the aging process,improoves t-cell anufacture,promotes new healthy skin growth and neutralizes internal toxins. ith thses two suppliments ,you will find yourself healing quickly and not susceptable to colds and flu. The gum tissue will respond very quickly so that the periodontal disease is more easily treated.

The last item for you to consider ia a good mouth rinse. If you are using the CoQ Quinol rinse ,that is fine, but if your tissue is healed and you use the CoQ quinol and a suppliment ( by swallowing and not swishing) a product called Tooth and Gum is the mouth rinse of choice. It is herbal in nature and works by creating a good oral PH so that the bad bacterial are stiffled in their productivity. With this new PH, the good bacteria thrive and so you will see pink tissue, very little bad breath and longer term fresh feeling mouth.

You can call our office for more information on how to get any of these suppliments or simply respond on my facebook page or web site.

We all know about brushing , flossing and regular dental checkups as the mainstay to good oral health. But there are other things you can do to better your oral health. An electric (not battery) toothbrush is 40 times better than a hand held tooth brush. An Oral-B electric tooth brush is the best on the market. Flossing with your fingers is better than a flossing instrument but flossing by any means is a must.

One of the most damaging and least well known causes of inflammed gum tissue are heavy metals present in the oral cavity. These heavy metals are in the “mercury fillings” and crowns with “non-predious metals” in the metal portion of the crown. These heavy metals cause “free radicals” to be formed in the cells of the tissue which cause the cells to have to change how they operate( called mutations). The best way rid yourselves of the free radical materials is to replace the mercury fillings ( better know as silver fillings) with BPA free plastic, porcelain or gold restorations. The mercury in these fillings has a 50 year half life and therefore puts out mercury vapor into the oral cavity for that amount of time. The mercury gets into the cell and causes the mutational change to occur. Other heavy metals that could be in your mouth are cadmium and lead in the non-precious metals of the crowns. Due to the high cost of gold and the requirements of some of the insurance coverages, these cheaper materials are used. We do not use them in this office and have not done so since 1994 when we discovered their dangers. In case you didn’t know it, free radicals are carcinogens. You can aide  tissue in ridding itself of these carcinogens by taking in antioxidants. Dark green vegatables are a good source for antioxidants ( broccoli, asparagus, green beans, snap peas) . You can get antioxidants if suppliment form at the health food store as well. It may take years to remove a the free radicals by this means but it is good to start. You can also remove free radicals much more quickly by a process known as chelation ( done mainly thur I.V. delivery systems). You need to be aware that more than 50% of the dentists do not see mercury and / or non-precious metals as being a problem. The ADA and the Dental Schools teach them to be the standard of care the same as they did in the 1950′s.

The other cause of poor oral health is periodontal disease. But that is for another article.

We still sterilize our instruments as always but this provides even more saftey for us and our patients. You can be confident in the cleanliness of our office as we participate in your oral care.Now those who are sick and coughing or sneezing will not affect the atmosphere that you and we walk into.So if you touch a counter top in my work area or on the desk of the receptionist, the microbes let behind are killed instantly.

The other positive factor in using this application is that the bacteria have no chance to mutate  and form “super bugs”, like MRSA. If you want more information for your home or office you can send us a message and we will put you in touch with the contact person in your area.

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases if it is caught early. When you come to my office, part of the examination is to check your oral tissues for suspicious lesions.If I see the lesion and it turns out to be cancer, there is a 10% chance of a cure. But now we have the Vizilite system for early detection. If we cannot see a lesion but one is detected with the Vizilite system, there is a 90% chance for a cure. That is a big difference and that is why we offer this test.

Who is at risk then?

- Highest risk are those 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors( tobacco,alcohol, HPV virus,Previous cancers, heavy metals)

- High risk are those 40 and older without most of the life style risks but use tabacco in some form.

-Low risk are those 18 and up who are sexually active and have the HPV virus. Most men will not know they have the virus while females will have symptoms that can be treated.

-25% of all oral cancers are in patients without any risk factors whatsoever.

Oral cancer is increasing at an alarming rate (5.5% / year) and has now moved past cervical cancer. The reasons given are the increase in the use of tobacco and alcohol as well as the increase of the spread of the HPV virus in the younger adults. Regardless, I feel everyone should be checked at least once every 2-3 years and yearly with those with the risk factors present.

The vizilite test is simple to administer as an adjunct to your regular dental appointment. You will swish the test solution for 30 seconds .spit it out and then we examine your tissues using a special light and glasses.The whole test takes less the 5 minutes and costs only $65. If a lesion is found, we will send you to the appropriate health care provider for a biopsy. Many lesions found with the vizilite test are not malignant and require no treatment,but they are a warning sign for you to change your lifestyle ( stop using tobacco, decrease alcohol consumption, treat the HPV virus if you have it).

We have the vizilite test available for all who wish to have it done. Just call and have it scheduled at any of your appointments.

Another problem is bone shrinkage due to the tooth or teeh being removed.The stimulus for the bone to remain at the normal level is the root of the tooth. Remove the tooth and the bone starts to shrink. More teeth come out and more bone goes away. Of course ,you can replace the teeth with dentures,partial dentures,bridges or implants but the cost is more than keeping the teeth originally.

I equate having your teeth removed with cutting classes in college. The first class was hard to cut but the next ones were easier. You have compromised your standards and the downward spiral can cause a big problem with your GPA. The same thing goes along with a compromised dental standard. A lot of people think that their parents lost theirs and so will they, but that is not true.

You may think it is expensive to keep your teeth but that is not the case with the millions who have their teeth checked 2 times a year. Those who have regular hygiene appointments at the dentist have far fewer problems than those who do not. Of course if you neglect your teeth long enough, you will lose a number of them and fall into the problem many denture wearers have today. They cannot chew their food properly and it affects their overall health.

Those who wear complete dentures and partial dentures generally have to change their diet to a softer one and their health goes downward because a higher carb diet can lead to heart and stroke problems. Another problem with dentures is the impregnation of bad bacteria into the plastic. After a bout with a cold or flu, they should be sterilized in a dental office, but I have had only a few patients do that over the years. You can use bleach , but that will weaken the plastic and lead to fracture.

So if I could say anything to those who are contemplating removing a tooth instead od fixing it , count the long term loss in terms of your health. Elevate your dental priorities and you will live a happier lifestyle.