Dentistry Today: Not the Same Old, Same Old

To the casual observer, it may appear that not much has changed in dentistry, but the field is constantly evolving with the advent of new techniques, products and medications. Following are some of the more popular newer dental technologies that laypeople might not even know exist.

Air-Abrasion

An alternative to the traditional dental drill, air abrasion allows for the precise removal of decay through blast of pellets of air and aluminum oxide. Not only is the technology a significant refinement over drilling, but the treatment is relatively painless, so anesthetic is rarely necessary.

Bone Replacement

There are now options for replacing bone in patients who suffer bone loss from advanced periodontal disease. There is a freeze-dried man-made autogenous material that can be used to fuse with the patient’s existing natural bone; preserved cadaver or animal bone; and grafting a patient’s own bone from another area of the body into the jaw.

CAD/CAM (Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Manufacture)

While CAD/CAM itself is not new, using it to fabricate dental restorations is. The technology allows dentists to much more accurately map a patient’s mouth and teeth in order to create a highly refined prosthetic for restoration. CAT scans are also used, especially in dental implant restorations, as the technology allows full 3-D views of the areas to be treated instead of traditional 2-D X-ray technology.

Caries Detection Solution

Caries are tiny pits in the teeth caused by decay that can be overlooked with the naked eye and that, left untreated, lead to cavities. Caries detection solution is a liquid red dye applied over a tooth to confirm that all tooth decay has been removed.

Composite Resin Materials

Composite resin materials are now used in some veneers and other restorations to fill cavities and to bond to teeth. These resins offer a much more realistic aesthetic than previous materials used to fill teeth.

Desensitizers

Desensitizers are topical solutions that can be used by your dentist or hygienist prior to dental treatment if you have sensitive teeth. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other pain and anxiety relief medications and anesthetics.

The Diagnodent

The diagnodent is a tool that uses pulses of sound and laser technology for early detection of caries.

Digital X-rays

Digital radiographs offer a way to capture dental images through a sensor that processes the image onto a computer screen. Digital X-rays offer greater comfort to the patient and less exposure to radiation than traditional X-rays.

Laser

While laser technology is not new, employing it in dentistry is. In some cases, lasers can be used to close surgical wounds instead of traditional sutures. Lasers are also used for the treatment of benign tumors, cold sores, crown lengthening, decay removal, gummy smile changes, dental fillings, tongue tie and speech impediment improvements, nerve regeneration for damaged nerves and blood vessels, and scars.

Periodontal Antibiotics

There are now "site-specific" topical antibiotics designed to concentrate in areas for treatment of periodontal disease.

Platelet-rich Growth Factors

After a bone replacement procedure has been completed, dentists will often employ compounds to hasten healing and enhance the fusion of the newly implanted “bone” and the patient’s existing natural bone.

VELscope

The VELscope is a brand new FDA-approved oral cancer screening system that uses incandescent light to detect abnormalities that may not be apparent or visible to the naked eye.

These are just a few of the newer tools of the trade being used in dentistry today. There are many others, with new technologies coming out every year and the mainstays being improved upon constantly. We’ll keep you up to date as the cutting-edge procedures, products and medications make their way into the field

For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com

Dental Implants

The doctors of the Ferber Dental Group are experts in implants and can vastly improve your smile both aesthetically and functionally.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are natural-looking replacements for missing teeth that also provide the same function as your natural tooth root. A dental implant is a small, sturdy, titanium post that acts as the root structure would for a natural tooth. A dental implant is placed into your upper or lower jaw bone. After the bone has grown around the implant, implants can hold a crown, bridge or overdenture just like roots hold natural teeth in place.

Implants are very durable and can last a lifetime. They require the same maintenance as natural teeth; this includes brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups. A single tooth or a full arch of teeth that have been lost due to injury or disease can be replaced with dental implants. Titanium metal is used because of its compatibility with bone and oral tissues.

What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

The number of visits from the initial visit to completion of an implant varies according to the case, but in general this is a procedure that takes a few months. First the implant is placed and then enough time has to pass for the implant to become integrated with bone structure. Several appointments are required

in between the initial visit and completion to check the implant/bone integration. After the integration takes place, the procedure is completed with “permanent” restorations of the tooth/teeth.

What Results Can I Expect?

The results of dental implants are extraordinary. Creating a new smile will do just that: keep you smiling all the time and putting you functionally in a position to enjoy your foods.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentures: An Affordable Way to Keep You Smiling

The doctors of the Ferber Dental Group are experts in dentures and can improve your ability to eat and help you look great.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are replacement teeth made of acrylic and/or metal. Some are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity, others by clasps, and a category called overdentures are supported by implants. There are several categories of dentures.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures or full dentures are worn by patients who are missing all of their teeth in a single arch (i.e. the maxillary [upper] or mandibular [lower] arch).

Partial Dentures

A partial denture is removable and consists of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic/acrylic base, which is connected by metal framework to adjoining teeth that hold the denture in place. Partial dentures, aside from replacing missing teeth, prevent other teeth from changing position. A precision partial denture is removable and has internal clasps that attach to the adjacent crowns. Partial dentures are natural-looking appliances.

Overdentures

An overdenture is a type of denture that is secured in place by precision dental attachments. These attachments are secured in place by dental implants.

Care and Cleaning of Complete and Partial Dentures

You need to care for complete and partial dentures as carefully as you would look after natural teeth. Clean them every day. Plaque and tartar can build up on dentures just like they do on natural teeth.

You should:

• Take them out every night and clean them in a recommended solution and warm water.

• Brush your teeth and gums carefully using a soft toothbrush.

• If your denture has metal clasps, use warm water only for soaking.  

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Researchers Working to Shorten Healing Time of Dental Implants

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have created a technology to improve the healing time of dental implants.

Per-Ingvar Brånemark was the first to discover that titanium could be implanted into human bone and not be rejected by the body. Titanium is covered with a thin layer of naturally formed oxide and it is this oxide's properties that determine how well an implant fuses with the bone.

Up until now, researchers have manipulated the surface shape of titanium implants and their oxide layer on only a micro level (one-one millionth of a meter). With recent advances in technology, however, manipulations can occur down to the nanometer (one-one billionth of a meter), which speeds up the process of osseointegration (fusing of the jawbone to a titanium implant). The result is a shorter period of time between Day 1 of the dental implant procedure and completion, and less discomfort during the healing period.
 

The technology will require further research before it is introduced to the mainstream dental industry, but the rate of progress realized over the last 40 years in the dental implant procedure is nothing short of amazing.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Periodontics: Helping Keep Your Gums and the Rest of Your Body Healthy

Periodontics is the area of dentistry involving treatment of the gums and other tissue that surround and support the teeth called the periodontium. And while dentists have long known that maintaining the health of this tissue is of paramount importance to keeping your teeth healthy, recent research indicates that it may also help stave off a number of chronic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease—a set of inflammatory diseases of the periodontium—has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and more.

In cases where simple cleanings, root planning and scaling are not enough to effectively treat inflamed gums, surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatments include:

Flap Surgery/Pocket Reduction Surgery 

During this procedure, the gums are lifted, tarter is removed from under the tissue and, when warranted, irregular surfaces under the gums are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. The gum is then fitted snugly back over the tooth to keep bacteria-causing food particles from slipping under the gum line.

Bone Grafts 

Bone grafts involve replacing bone destroyed by gum disease with fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone or donated bone. The graft then serves as a platform for bone regeneration.

Soft Tissue Grafts 

Tissue from the roof of the mouth is stitched to the gums in places where they have receded, adding tissue to the affected area.

Guided Tissue Regeneration

In cases where the bone supporting the teeth has been destroyed, special mesh fabric is inserted between the gum and the area where the destroyed bone once was. The mesh keeps the gum tissue from growing into the empty space and inhibiting bone regeneration, and new bone is encouraged to grow.

Bone Surgery

Shallow craters in the bone supporting the teeth are smoothed to inhibit bacteria growth.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com. 

Five Centuries of Fighting Tooth and Nail

You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “Fighting tooth and nail.” Well, like many common expressions, this one dates back to antiquity, actually more than 500 years.

Then, as now, “fighting tooth and nail” refers to using all of one’s resources—or clinging tenaciously—to whatever matter happened to be at hand. Originally, the phrase was spoken in Latin: dentibus et vnguibus (tooth and nail). 

The farther back in history one used the expression, however, the more literal the translation likely was. In the 16^th Century, for example, the expression was used in a sense of literally battling while at war with everything you had, and can be found in English texts at the time as “tuith and nail.”

Later it evolved to mean holding fast and not necessarily during actual battle: “Take holde this toth and nayle, that to be honour onely which springeth true virtue.” Today you might find yourself fighting tooth and nail against some crab grass that has invaded your lawn or with your child to go brush his teeth before bed. Same words and meaning, but, of course, times have changed.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Second-Hand Smoke can Affect Your Oral Health

Second-hand smoke has been linked to a number of health concerns over the years, but results of a new study indicate that we can add oral health to the list.

People with periodontitis—inflammation of the gums and tissue that support the teeth—are already at higher risk of bone- and subsequent tooth loss. However, those with gum disease who are consistently exposed to second-hand smoke were at significantly higher risk. The recent research indicated that a period of just 30 days of exposure to second-hand smoke is enough to accelerate the process of bone loss. Some nonsmokers live or work with smokers for decades.

The American Academy of Periodontology urges the avoidance of exposure to tobacco smoke at home, work and even in smoke-filled nightclubs and bars.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentistry Through the Ages: a Timeline (Part V of V)

In the last of our 5-part series detailing the evolution of dentistry from its ancient origins to modern day, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 20th^th Century.

1900

Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) is founded.

1901

Novocain is introduced as a local anesthetic by a German chemist, Alfred Einhorn. In 1905 Einhorn formulates the local anesthetic procaine, later marketed under the trade name Novocain.

1903

Charles Land devises the porcelain jacket crown.

1907

William Taggart invents a “lost wax” casting machine, allowing dentists to make precision cast fillings.

1908

G. V. Black publishes his monumental two-volume treatise Operative Dentistry, which remains the essential clinical dental text for 50 years. Black later develops techniques for filling teeth, standardizes operative procedures and instrumentation, develops an improved amalgam, and pioneers the use of visual aids for teaching dentistry. 

1913

Alfred Fones opens the Fones Clinic For Dental Hygienists in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the world’s first oral hygiene school. 

1924

The American Dental Assistants Association is founded by Juliette Southard and her female colleagues. Female dental assistants were first hired in the 19th century when “Lady in Attendance” signs were routinely seen in the windows of dental offices. Their duties included dental assistance, instrument cleaning, inventory, appointments, bookkeeping and reception. 

1930–1943

Frederick S. McKay, a Colorado dentist, is convinced that brown stains (mottling) on his patients’ teeth are related to drinking water. McKay’s research verifies that water with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride is associated with healthier teeth. 

1938

The first toothbrush made with synthetic bristles (nylon) appears on the market.

1937

Alvin Strock inserts the first metal dental screw implant.

1945

Newburgh, New York, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, are the first cities to add sodium fluoride to their public water systems.

1950

The first fluoride toothpastes are marketed.

1955

Michael Buonocore describes the acid etch technique, a simple method of increasing the adhesion of acrylic fillings to enamel.

1957

John Bordern introduces the high-speed air-driven hand piece for drilling and polishing. The Airotor obtains speeds up to 300,000 rotations per minute and is an immediate commercial success.

1958

A fully reclining dental chair is introduced.

1960

Development begins of lasers for soft tissue procedures; also, the first commercial electric toothbrush is introduced.

1980

Per-Ingvar Branemark leads the way in perfecting dental implant procedures.

1989

The first commercial home tooth bleaching product is marketed.

1990-Present

New restorative materials, bleaching products, veneers, dental implants and cosmetic techniques emerge, and take us into the age of dentistry that we enjoy today.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.