New Process Could Improve Dental Restoration Procedures

Oral surgeons may one day have an easier, less costly approach to one important aspect of dental restoration, thanks to a newly patented process developed by researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). The process computerizes the method for creating a dental bar, also called an over-denture. For dental restoration procedures, the device is the bridge connecting dental implants to dentures. For the full story, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/197385.php


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

Even Infants Need Dental Care

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, although infants have few teeth, they should be seen by a dentist in the first year of life, as more than 40 percent of children suffer decay by the time they reach kindergarten. For more information about this topic, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/239754.php


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

Bone Fractures Can be Predicted by Dental X-rayx

It is now possible to use dental X-rays to predict who is at risk of fractures, reveals a new study from researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy reported in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology. For the full story, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/238777.php.


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

More on the Connection Between Oral and Cardiovascular Health

A new study out showing that regular dental cleanings can reduce the rate of heart attacks adds to the growing body of evidence of the oral and cardiovascular health connection. Read the full story at http://tinyurl.com/c5z47dl

Fluoride: Not Just for Kids

Many adults are under the impression that fluoride helps protect only the teeth of children. But this is a misconception likely born out of early efforts to add fluoride to water where children were the main focus.

The regular use of fluoride—both in additive form and when directly applied to teeth—helps to protect the permanent teeth of adults from decay and sensitivity as well.

Fluoride treatment is available in a number of forms including: mouth rinses, which deliver about 250 parts per million of fluoride; toothpaste, which delivers about 1,000 parts per million; and direct application in a dentist office, which can pack a punch of 9,000 to 20,000 parts per million of the cavity-fighting supplement. Similar direct applications of fluoride are available by prescription for home use as well, although these supplements deliver less than their professionally applied counterparts—from about 1,000 to 5,000 parts per million.

Fluoride supplementation should be a regular part of everyone’s oral hygiene program. Ask your dentist if you are particularly susceptible to decay and would benefit from a prescription product or office application. 

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.

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 III of V)

In Part III of this 5-part series detailing the evolution of dentistry from its ancient origins to modern day, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 18^th Century.

1746

Claude Mouton describes a gold crown and post to be retained in a patient’s root canal. He also recommends white enameling for gold crowns for a more esthetic appearance.

1760

John Baker, the earliest medically trained dentist to practice in America, immigrates from England.

1764

First lectures about the teeth take place at the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and are given by James Rae.

1768-1770

Paul Revere places advertisements in a Boston newspaper offering his services as a dentist. 

1771

John Hunter publishes The Natural History of Human Teeth, giving a scientific basis to dental anatomy.

1776

Paul Revere performs the first post-mortem dental forensics. Revere identifies his friend, Dr. Joseph Warren, who died in the Battle of Breed’s Hill. Revere is able to identify the dental bridge that he constructed for Warren.

1780

William Addis manufactures the first modern toothbrush.

1789

Frenchman Nicolas Dubois de Chemant patents his invention of porcelain teeth. 

1790

John Greenwood, one of George Washington’s dentists, constructs the first known dental foot engine to rotate a drill by adapting his mother’s foot treadle spinning wheel.

1790

Josiah Flagg, a prominent American dentist, constructs the first chair made specifically for dental patients. Flagg attaches an adjustable headrest and instrument carrier to a wooden Windsor chair.

In our next installment, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 19^th Century.

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

Toothpaste A to Z: Third in a Four-Part Series

In our last installment of “Toothpaste A to Z,” we went over the specific compounds contained in many modern toothpastes. In Part III, we’ll identify the basic types of toothpaste and what they’re intended to do.

The most common toothpaste type, of course, is a fluoride toothpaste and is used to stop tooth enamel decalcification, and protect teeth from tooth carries (small fissures), decay and cavities. Most brands of toothpaste today contain fluoride, whether or not the manufacturers market them that way.

  

Plaque- and gingivitis-prevention toothpastes have additional antibacterial ingredients to fight the growth of bacteria and the formation of dental plaque.

Tooth-whitening toothpastes have a higher abrasion value than other types of toothpastes to mechanically remove the stains caused by smoking and eating certain foods. They also can contain chemicals such as peroxide that bleach the teeth.

Sensitivity toothpastes contain agents to relieve tooth sensitivity caused by eating hot or cold foods and those that are particularly sweet or sour.

Tartar-control toothpastes contain pyrophosphates that reduce new tartar buildup. It is important to note, however, that tartar-control toothpastes only help prevent the buildup of new tartar. They do not remove existing tartar.

Lastly, some toothpaste companies market their product as effective breath fresheners and add flavoring agents and antibacterials to fight halitosis. Others enhance the taste to appeal to children.

In our fourth and final installment, we’ll put all the information together from Parts I, II and III to learn how to select the toothpaste that’s right for you.

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

Toothpaste A to Z: Second in a Four-Part Series

In our first installment of “Toothpaste A to Z,” we briefly covered the history of toothpaste from the time of its invention up until the 1950s, when fluoride was added. In Part II, we’ll detail the many ingredients in modern toothpastes and their purpose.

Modern toothpastes contain many active ingredients designed to offer protection against various dental conditions. The most common of these ingredients include:

Fluoride

Fluoride is the most popular active ingredient because of its proven ability to prevent cavities. Most toothpaste brands use sodium fluoride (NaF). Some brands use sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F). Concentrations of fluoride vary from about 1,000 to 1,450 ppm.

Antimicrobial Agents 

Antimicrobial agents such as triclosan, zinc chloride and zinc citrate are added to slow the growth of damaging bacteria in the mouth or kill it altogether, which prevents the buildup of dental plaque and staves off gum disease.

Surfactants

Surfactants are detergents and other foaming agents that help carry away debris from between teeth. Common toothpaste surfactants include sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate.

Anti-tartar Agents

Pyrophosphates such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate are water softeners that remove calcium and magnesium from the saliva, which prevents buildup of tartar (calcified plaque).

De-sensitising Agents 

Additives like strontium chloride block the tiny crevices that enable cold and heat sensations to reach the tooth's nerve. Agents such as potassium citrate and potassium nitrate actually chemically disable the mechanism of pain transmission between nerve cells. 

Abrasives

Abrasives help to whiten teeth. Some common types include silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). 

Other Teeth Whiteners

Some teeth whiteners such as hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate peroxide work chemically to bring teeth back to their original color.

Then, of course, there are various flavor additives as well as toothpastes fortified with a variety of goodies, from vitamins to enzymes, that don’t do a lot to improve oral health, but do move product. No matter what type of toothpaste you prefer, however, the most important “ingredient” in a complete program of oral hygiene is using it at least three times a day.

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

Toothpaste A to Z: First in a Four-Part Series

We may take the concept of a minty fresh gel or paste squeezed out of a tube and onto our toothbrush for the purposes of improving our oral hygiene for granted. But like any product, toothpaste has evolved over time to become the fortified cleaning and enhancing agent that it is today.

Part I: A Brief History

Although toothpaste was used as long ago as 500 BC in ancient Egypt, China and India, it was not until the 19th century that it came into general use. Ancient toothpastes, actually powders at the time, used abrasive ingredients to help bring back the original white color of teeth.

Items such as bone, eggshells, snails and oyster shells, were burned or crushed into tiny pieces and used as scouring powder to more or less sand the surface of teeth. While these abrasives did work in the short run; in the long run, tooth enamel was removed, which led to dental problems much more significant than yellowing teeth.

The first modern toothpastes came about in the 1800s. Most were homemade from chalk, soap, salt and other common ingredients and stored as powders or pastes. Dental treatment of teeth during this time consisted mostly of the removal of teeth that were too painful to remain in the mouth.

The most important breakthrough in the history of toothpaste was the addition of fluoride in 1914, which was found to stave off tooth decay. Fluoride use in toothpastes became widespread by the 1950s and dentists even applied it directly to teeth during office visits.

In Part II, we’ll discuss the various ingredients in modern toothpastes and the pros and cons to each.

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

Types of Toothbrushes

Given the many types of toothbrushes available to consumers, confusion about which type to use is understandable. Prices vary from about a buck to well more than $100 for some electric styles. What’s the best?


The bottom line is cleaning your teeth thoroughly, which has a lot more to do with the user than it does the tool. For the sake of argument, however, following is the lowdown on the basic toothbrush styles.


Manual Brushes


A high quality, totally satisfactory manual toothbrush can be had for around $2-$4. It won't be exciting, expensive or equipped with all the bells and whistles, but if used properly and for at least two minutes per session, three times per day, it will do everything it needs to accomplish.


Be sure to use a brush with soft bristles to prevent damaging your teeth and gums. Soft bristles will clean your teeth thoroughly and stimulate your gums adequately without causing the damaging abrasion that medium to hard bristles will. Also, be sure to replace your toothbrush every two to three months, as the more wear it endures, the less effective it becomes.


Manufacturers may add all manner of gadgets—textures, colors. rubber tips, special gum-massaging whiskers. There are even some toothbrushes that play music. None of this makes your mouth any healthier. But if it amuses you, by all means, indulge yourself. Anything that gets you to brush longer or more often is worth it.


Electric Toothbrushes


The technology used in some of the newest brushes is nothing short of amazing. There are sonic brushes utilizing acoustic energy to cleanse teeth, spinning, reciprocating and vibrating bristles to remove plaque. Some of the newest designs allow you to simply hold the brush in the right spots and let the brush do all the work. These machines really are pretty cool and many work very well. They’re especially helpful for people who have arthritis, lack coordination, or are just not very good with their hands.


Manual vs. Electric


Just remember, it's all about the operator and not the tool. Manual brushes can work just as well as the best electrics. Can you be happy with low tech? Then save yourself some money and stick to manual brushes. Do high-tech tools make your day? Then open your wallet and have some fun.


The Bottom Line


Tooth brushing winds up like so many things in life: a trade-off. Manual brushing is low cost, but labor-intensive. Electric brushing is higher cost, but less work. Whichever direction you go, just be sure to brush well at least three times daily.

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

Conquering Your Fear of the Dentist. Part II of a Two-Part Series

As we explained in Part I, dental anxiety is quite common and prevents some otherwise intelligent, rational people from routinely getting dental care and optimizing and maintaining their dental health. Most dental phobics have experienced a high degree of discomfort at one time or another with either an unskilled or uncaring dentist. Unfortunately, if the experience is unpleasant enough, these folks will seek help only in a situation where what, oftentimes begins as a minor condition, progresses to a significant one and the pain becomes unbearable.  

So how do you conquer your fear of the dentist? The second of the two main principles is a technique called Guided Imagery, a relaxation technique that has been used for decades both by individuals to calm themselves and by healthcare workers and therapists, etc. to help calm their patients.

If your dentist is familiar with the technique, he will suggest a soothing scenario to think about or ask you to select one of your own. Then, he’ll simply guide you through a detailed description of the place or situation that has been planted in your mind. Some common imagery includes relaxing scenes such as open meadows, running streams, swaying palms, gentle snowfall, etc.

The technique can be used on yourself as well. Maybe floating on a pool raft in warm water is a soothing thought or lying back in a green field, watching the clouds. Whatever your thought process, it helps to practice at times when you’re not feeling anxious to help train your mind to feel that same calm under stressful conditions. The technique is easy to do anywhere you can close your eyes, and works to some degree for virtually everyone. No, Guided Imagery is not the cure-all for alleviating anxiety. But, combine it with the right dentist and a little practice, and you might find yourself a bit more at ease in the dentist chair and well on your way to improving your oral health. 

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

Smoking: Kick the Habit Now

While there’s a school of thought that the root of most serious dental problems lies in genetic predisposition, there are, of course, many environmental factors that contribute to unhealthy teeth and gums. One of the biggies is smoking.

Smoking discolors teeth, reduces the flow of saliva that helps maintain a clean mouth and protect against decay and inflames otherwise healthy gums and mouth tissue. Because smoking also restricts blood flow, it reduces vitamin C and other nutrients vital to healthy teeth and gums. Lastly, smoking causes systemic breakdown in the body’s immune system.

Smoke long enough and, in combination, these dangers can lead to periodontal disease—a progressive disintegration of the tissue and bone that anchor the jaw caused by bacterial infection—even if no predisposition to the malady exists.

The message, though short and sweet, is loud and clear. If you smoke, quit. Your teeth and gums will thank you for it. And if the thought of losing your teeth isn’t motivation enough, remember that smoking is also a source of bad breath. If you quit, your family, friends and colleagues will thank you for it.  

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

Protect the Protector: Tooth Enamel

Although tooth enamel—the outside protective layer of the tooth—is one of the strongest substances in the human body, stronger than skeletal bone, it can erode and decay over time for a number of reasons.

Too little saliva is generally the main culprit of early enamel erosion and subsequent tooth decay. Saliva supplies high levels of calcium and phosphate that enhance protection of the tooth’s enamel surface. Saliva also washes away food and the sticky acid-producing plaque that can cling to teeth.

Chronic dry mouth is sometimes a side effect of a medication or combination of medications prescribed for conditions unrelated to the mouth and can often be relieved by your doctor altering the medications or dosages. In addition, your doctor may recommend chewing sugar-free gum containing xylitol.

Another cause of decaying enamel is too little fluoride. This mineral is important to dental health because it makes teeth stronger and enhances saliva’s remineralizing, anti-decaying properties.

Fluoride is usually obtained through drinking fluoridated water and brushing with fluoride-enhanced toothpastes. Nutritional supplements containing the mineral and fluoride rinses can also help preserve tooth enamel.

Lastly, limiting acidic foods known to be detrimental to tooth enamel, including citrus fruits, tart candies, diet and regular sodas, sports drinks, fruit juices and wine, is always a good idea. And when you do consume these foods, be sure to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly immediately afterward.

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

Back to Basics: How to Properly Brush Your Teeth

You probably started brushing your teeth before you can even remember. That’s a long time to reinforce poor technique. But if you want to maintain healthy teeth and gums over your lifetime, it’s imperative that you brush your teeth properly.

Think of it like correcting your golf swing. If you’re satisfied never shooting under 120, then keep swinging the way you always have. If you want to break that barrier, however, you’re going to need to unlearn the bad habits and replace them with good ones, and the easiest way is to follow a step-by-step how-to until the proper technique becomes natural.

Time to get back to basics.

1. On the outer and inner surfaces, brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle in short strokes, half a tooth wide, against the gum line.
2. On chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat, with the bristles flush against the tooth, and brush back and forth.
3. On inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes.
4. Avoid brushing your gums and irritating them, which can lead to irreversible damage including receding gums.
5. Brush your tongue back to front to remove food particles and freshen your mouth.
6. And remember to spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth for a total brushing time of at least 2 minutes.

Beginning today, follow these steps every time you brush and in a few months, if not sooner, like your newfound golf swing, you won’t even have to think about it.

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

Questions to Ask Your Dentist Prior to a Procedure

Most dentists are pretty good about educating their patients prior to a particular dental procedure, particularly those that are invasive or complicated. However, if your dentist doesn’t cover any of the following about a slated procedure, don’t hesitate to ask. The conversation could lead to sharing all kinds of information from dental treatment alternatives to recovery tips.

--Are the results I desire from this dental treatment realistic?

--Is there an alternative dental treatment that I may consider as well?

--How long will the procedure take and how many dentist appointments are necessary?

--What kind of anesthesia is used, if any?

--How long have you performed this dental procedure and how many of them have you performed in the past year?

--What percentages of your patients have had significant complications?

--Will you repeat or correct the procedure if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated or corrected, will I be charged again?

--What kind of longevity can I expect from this particular dental treatment?

--Do you have before and after photographs of any of your patients who have been treated with this procedure?

--What should I expect after this dental procedure in terms of discomfort?

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com

Flossing 101

Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush can’t easily reach: under the gum line and between teeth. Because the build up of plaque is fast and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is integral to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

To receive the maximum benefits of flossing, use the following technique.

1) Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two between your fingers to work with.

2) Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up and down between your teeth.

3) Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line. Never snap or force the floss, which can cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.

4) As you move from tooth to tooth, use clean sections of floss.

5) To remove the floss from between teeth, use the same gentle back-and-forth motion described in No. 2 above, but in the opposite direction.

Practically since floss was invented, there has been discussion about whether to brush prior to flossing or afterward. At the Ferber Dental Group, we’ve settled the controversy. We recommend brushing before and after. Brushing before cleans the teeth of the major particles, preparing the mouth for flossing to get to the tiny particles and plaque build up, and brushing afterward tidies up anything that might have been missed.

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

How to Select a Dentist

Although most people select a new dentist through referral of a friend, family, their former dentist or their insurance company, there’s a list of questions you should ask before making your final decision.

• How long has the dentist been in practice? There’s no right or wrong answer to this one; it really depends on your comfort level. Some patients may prefer a dentist with many years of experience under his belt while others may opt for a newer dentist with perhaps a more progressive approach to her practice. Either way, you should research your dentist’s experience and make sure it fits your expectations.
• Will the practice work with your insurance company to maximize benefits? If insurance is a concern, you’ll need a dentist who either accepts your plan or assists you in filing for reimbursement. Don’t rule out a dentist just because he is not on your insurance plan. In many cases, the dentist you want may be able to help you get reimbursement from your insurance company ever though he doesn’t directly take your insurance.
• What education and certifications does the dentist have? Dentists often have specialties. If you are searching for a dentist with a specific specialty, you should look to see if he is trained in this specific field of dentistry.
• Does the dentist often offer different options for treatment? Some dentists are old school and it’s their way or the highway. Progressive dentistry often involves options in which the patient can weigh in.
• Is the dentist available for after-hours emergency treatment? If you lose a crown during dinner, it’s a lot more comforting to know that your regular dentist will treat you and not someone new who’s on call for emergencies.

For questions about dentures, dental implants, periodontal disease or general dentistry, call the Ferber Dental Group a 561-439-8888 or visit http://www.ferberdental.com.