Got Dentures?

Dr. Smith spent 3 days in July in Chicago at an implant conference on the diagnosis and treatment of patients who need implants. Dr. Misch, who presented the program through his institute, heads the implant department in 2 dental colleges. He is the primary advisor for one of the implant manufactures and presents many lectures around the world for dentists. The week before his presentation to our group, he was placing implants for the King of Qatar.
He began by stating the obvious; even with all our preventive efforts some people over 55 still lose one or more teeth. In fact, 30 million Americans have an upper denture and 20 million have a lower denture. The average person with upper and lower dentures sees a dentist once every 14 years. This is a mistake. In fact, in 2008 Americans spent $150 million on denture adhesive. Denture wearers should at least be seen every 2 years to check for
1. Oral cancer
2. Watch for loss of bone around teeth. When the teeth are lost, the bone will dissolve away. Fosamax and other biophosphonates can reduce bone density.
3. Look for gum problems
4. Evaluate the TM joint
5. Look for tooth wear, chewing ability, etc.

Implants have been the best approach to replacing missing teeth, stabilizing loose appliances, and preventing bone loss since 2004. When you lose your teeth and get dentures, several bad things happen.
1. You lose bone (10 times more the first year after the extraction)
2. Muscles atrophy and the skin in the lower ½ of the face sags.
3. With the loss of the bone supporting the dentures, the nose and chin come closer together, and wrinkle lines develop at the corners of the mouth and the chin sticks out. Someone with teeth can chew with a force of 100 – 150 pounds/square inch. A new complete denture wearer can exert 50 pounds/square inch, but after 15 years it’s only 6.

A reline every 3 – 5 years can stabilize the dentures and compensate for this bone loss to maintain chewing ability, as well as appearance. One study showed that poor-fitting dentures reduced chewing ability enough to stop eating most natural fruits, vegetables, etc., with most denture wearers eating only processed foods – and this reduced life expectancy 10 years.
Not only are implants great to help denture wearers, they have become the accepted best approach to replace one or more missing teeth for people who plan to have their natural teeth all their lives.

Charles C. Smith, DDS

Insurance and your college-bound student

It’s that time of year – summer is almost over and your young adult is heading off to college. Along with getting them ready for dorm life, you need to be thinking about their dental insurance.

Insurance companies are very strict about covering your children that are over the age of 18. They require proof that your young adult is now in college so they will continue their coverage. Most insurance companies are satisfied with a copy of their full-time class schedule but some insurance companies require additional information. Your insurance company will send out a letter detailing what they require after each visit to the dentist.

You may want to keep on hand a copy of their class schedule so that you can easily respond to the insurance companies requests.

Jamie Nadalsky...Insurance Coordinator

Dietary Practices for kids!!

Dietary practices appear to be established early. Probably by 12 months of age development of eating habits and childhood food preferences start and are maintained throughout early childhood.
High-risk dietary practices such as frequent bottle feeding or nursing at night, extended and repetitive use of a no-spill training cup (sippy cup) are associated with early childhood caries. Frequent consumption of between-meal snacks and beverages containing sugar (juice, milk, formula, soda) increases the risk of caries due to prolonged contact between sugars in the consumed food or liquid and bacteria on the teeth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended children 1-6 years of age consume no more than 4-6 ounces of fruit juice per day, from a cup (not a bottle or covered cup) and as part of a meal or snack.

Dr. Eeman Dajani...Pediatric Dentist

BRACES

There’s more than one way to straighten teeth

Today, there are several different ways to straighten your teeth.

Standard metal braces are the easiest to work with and the least costly. The newer brackets are very small which makes appearance generally acceptable and more comfortable. The average treatment length is 20-28 months.

Ceramic braces work like metal braces. Even though the brackets are a little larger than the metal brackets, they are less visible. These are generally recommended for older teens and adults since breakage and discoloration can occur. The fee and treatment length is the same as the standard metal braces.

Gold braces are also very easy to work with. The newer brackets are very small which makes appearance generally acceptable and more comfortable. The average treatment length is 20-28 months. However, the fee is a little more than the metal braces.

Invisalign are thin, clear removable appliances. Since they are clear, appearance is terrific. They are very comfortable to wear and easy to remove to eat and clean. The treatment length is dependent upon patient cooperation. If you don’t wear them, you teeth won’t straighten. This is the most expensive approach.

Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Schedule your free consultation with Dr. Khan and he will help you decide which choice is best for you.

Amber Morrett-Secretary/Orthodontic Co ordinator

Sealants...

During the months of June, July, and August we will be running a special on sealants. Sealants are usually recommended to patients that have deep grooves and pits on their molars. Sealants are not fillings, they are a material that is applied to the grooves and pits to prevent decay. For the summer months there will be a discount of $15 off 4 or more sealants.

Tara Bensman, RDH--Dental Hygienist

We now carry professional strength whitening strips!!

These strips are very similar to over-the-counter whitening strips, however, these strips have two to three times the strength, making them only available from a dental professional. The strip kit comes with a ten day supply of upper and lower strips to be worn for one hour a day over ten consecutive days. The cost is $63 dollars which is a low price and yields great results. Try a free sample after your next regular cleaning and exam appointment.

Nikea Bowar RDH--Hygiene Team Leader

Want a straighter smile?

What do braces do?
Your teeth should fit together without crowding, spacing or a poor bite. Braces can correct these problems that can be embarrassing and lead to muscle, joint and teeth problems.

When do we start braces?
Although the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children be examined for braces beginning at 7 years of age, this does not mean that children will begin braces at that age. Only some bites require early intervention.

After an initial no fee exam with Dr. Khan, children that are not ready for braces will be placed on a recall system at 6-12 month intervals. Timing is everything to take advantage of growth spurts. One of the best indicators for the start of treatment is the loss of baby teeth. Each child enters this growth spurt at different times. Although many are ready at age 12, some lose their baby teeth early and are ready for braces by age 10.

Adults, too!
Braces may be started at any age. Today 25% of Dr. Khan’s orthodontic patients are adults. He often hears: “I never had a chance for braces when I was younger” or “I have never liked my teeth and I didn’t know that adults could wear braces”. Teeth are teeth and will move no matter what your age. Most people plan to have their natural teeth all their life. Why not have a great smile? An attractive smile is one of the rare bargains that you’ll use the rest of your life.

Amber Morrett, Orthodontic Coordinator