Losing a tooth is about more than the appearance of your smile. A missing tooth can affect how you chew, speak, and bite, while also allowing changes to occur in the surrounding teeth and supporting bone.
The good news is that replacing missing teeth doesn't have to …
The Benefits of Cone Beam 3-D Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Dentistry
In recent years, the field of dentistry has seen significant advancements in diagnostic imaging technologies, with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) emerging as a transformative tool. This specialized form of X-ray provides three-dimensional (3D) images of dental structures, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and treatment planning. Here’s a closer look at …
Since clear aligners came about in 1997 (invented by a Stanford University student who started Align Technology and the fabrication of Invisalign clear aligners), the product has continuously evolved in materials, processes and the ability to efficiently and effectively move teeth through bone. Now there are several clear aligner companies, some of which deal directly with the patient/consumer with no …
We have been excited to incorporate saliva testing into our array of services at the office. As we are discussing with our patients daily, so much of what goes on in our mouths (whether it is halitosis, gingivitis, decay, etc.) has to do primarily with the presence or absence of specific oral bacteria. There are as many as 700 species …
Optimal gastrointestinal health is a significant determinant of overall wellness and immunity. Your mouth is the gatekeeper of your gut and often times is the mirror of health and disease in your body. A mounting amount of research-based evidence points to an association between gut imbalances and diseases that were not previously believed to have a connection to the gut, …
THE ENEMY : ACID
Acid leads to nothing good in the world of teeth, but unfortunately it is something we deal with frequently in dental health.
Acid comes from two sources:
Extrinsic acid originates outside the body; this would be dietary acid from beverages, foods, and even such things as salicylic acid (aspirin). There is a wide range …
The microorganism population of the human mouth is one of the most complex microbial communities in the body, to the count of somewhere between 700-2000 different types. The especially interesting thing is not the long, fancy names that they have, but what systemic or whole-body conditions that different ones can be associated with. It is their close relationship that is …
For the past ten years or so, our favorite sugar has been a go-to solution for many of our patients.
Yes, sugar! Looks like sugar, feels like sugar (is granulated), tastes like sugar, with a slight cooling sensation that lingers ever so slightly on the tongue.
This magical compound is called xylitol (“zy-lit-all”) and it has a multitude of uses, …
Somehow along the way, mostly due to marketing of toothpaste and floss, the public was lead to believe that brushing and flossing would prevent all dental issues. Although oral hygiene is part of the equation, the often overlooked other part is the make up of you Gut Biome. In our office, we see patients on a daily basis who may …
This month’s article in Scientific American was so interesting to me. “Why We Have So Many Problems with Our Teeth” was written by a dental anthropologist/evolutionary biologist (what I want to be in my next life!) who has studied these things for over 30 years. It explores the amazing composition of our teeth and those of our ancestors, the unimaginable …
I don't know if it's just because I'm a dentist and the machine of Google has pinpointed my interests, but anytime I get on social media I'm inundated with advertisements for 5 to 6 different "Clear Braces" Aligner companies. These companies say they can straighten your teeth at a portion of the $ and time of typical orthodontia treatment. I'm …
One thing I talk to my patients about is something called biofilm. It is the layer of bacteria that lives on the teeth, both above and below the gum-line, and it is there all the time. There are hundreds of different oral bacteria, but each person has their own combination of bacterial types. Some oral bacteria that are acid-loving and …
I consider myself a conservative dentist in recommendations that I give my patients. However, there is an intermediate position between simply “watching” conditions get worse and not doing any treatment, versus drilling them away. ICON resin infiltration is a tool in our toolbox that we can use for such a conservative approach.
ICON has been around for several years, long …
Fifteen years ago, many of us watched the Extreme Makeover shows that were popular on TV. They of course involved major dental changes, mostly in the form of porcelain crowns or veneers on multiple teeth. It was amazing to see. But what a lot of viewers didn’t realize, and what patients today even don’t often realize, is what it takes …
Most people have never heard of xylitol. It is a sugar alcohol, so has a low glycemic index and can be consumed safely by diabetics. But its oral benefits were discovered by accident (as many things are it seems) through its use as a nasal spray to clear the sinuses of bacteria.
When bacteria metabolize or “eat” its five-carbon sugar, …
Continuing with the subject of tooth conditions we encounter daily, bruxism is very common. Estimates of prevalence of this damaging behavior based on studies range from 50 to 75% of the general population. It wears the teeth down, and accelerates once the tooth wear has progressed past the enamel layer. It also makes chewing muscles sore (such as the masseter …
Welcome to our first blog post! We thought it would be a fun way to chat a little about the things we encounter, study and think about every day in relation to not just teeth, but "bites", jaws, muscles, airways and whole bodies.
One thing we deal with daily is silver mercury fillings. This material had its time, as an …