Complete Crown Restoration in One Appointment!

Everyone's time is important so taking the time to have dental work done is not high on most people's list. Fortunately, the latest in dental technology has made it so our patients spend less time in the dental chair getting broken teeth restored. 

Having a Cerec restoration performed is initially not much different than having a filling done. Just as with a filling, the decay is removed, or the faulty filling and the decay are removed. Following decay removal, the computer (CAD-CAM) of the Cerec acquisition unit captures an image of the prepared tooth. We utilize a corded wand to take the photograph. The computer then can be used to design the final restoration as seen on the monitor. Once all designing is completed, the details of the design are sent wirelessly to the milling unit. At the milling unit, the final restoration is located within a precision-made all-ceramic block. It takes about 10-15 minutes for the restoration to be milled. Once the restoration has been fabricated it is placed on the tooth. The restoration is bonded to the tooth which creates a very strong final result. 

The Cerec restorations are beautiful, they enhance the strength of teeth, and they re-establish the proper function for teeth. Since these are accomplished within the office in less than two hours, there is no need for a temporary crown, which may fall out, and there is no need for a second office visit to receive the final restoration. Hundreds of our patients have come to greatly appreciate this wonderful technology.

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing is relatively easy, right? So why are there so many people who don’t do it? Here at my practice, me and my team want to be sure you understand how important it is.

Flossing removes bacteria between your teeth that...if left alone...turns into plaque, and then tartar. Tartar buildup can be hard on your teeth and gums and can only be removed through professional cleanings. If tartar is not removed it can cause gum swelling or bleeding, commonly called gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once each day as part of your oral care routine.

Is There A “Rule of Thumb” For Flossing Frequency?

I've come to the conclusion that I should tell all my patients to floss seven times a day....that way perhaps they will do it once a day.  A little overkill?..Maybe...but at least they know that my goal is to get them to floss. There are lots of ways to properly floss. One good idea is to first use your toothbrush to spread your toothpaste around in your mouth. Then, without rinsing, floss before you brush because the floss can carry the fluoride in your toothpaste to places in your mouth where your toothbrush can’t reach. It is best to floss at night, before you go to bed. That way you don’t have to worry about the bacteria from your day’s meals sitting in between your teeth for 8 hours.

Why Are There So Many Floss Choices And Techniques?

For something as simple as a piece of string rolled up inside a plastic container, how is it that there so many varieties? Waxed or unwaxed?…Mint or cinnamon?…Flat or rounded…? Regular floss or a floss wand? We understand that this myriad of choices might make it seem impossible to choose. Luckily, there really isn’t a wrong choice! The only reason there are so many choices is because there are so many different types of mouths and teeth. All you have to do is find the thickness, flavor and type that you like the best and you’re good to go! Our team reminds you that the type you use isn’t nearly as important as your regularity in using it. So, pick a flavor, set your routine, and get flossing! Keep your teeth healthy and clean!

Use Your Dental Insurance Before The End Of The Year!

2011 is quickly coming to a close and my team has been letting all my patients know how important it is to make sure they use their dental benefits before the end of the year. Most dental insurance plans run on a calendar year and there are several reasons why you should schedule an appointment by the end of the year:

Get All You Can Out Of Your Yearly Maximum

Most insurers give you a certain amount of money each year, if you don't use it all, you lose it.

Use Your Deductible

The deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance company starts to pay. This fee varies but it starts again at the beginning of each year. You will want to make sure you get everything you can out of this before the new year starts over.

Dental Treatments Matter

Don't delay important dental treatments because of money. Dental problems tend to worsen (and become more expensive) the longer they go untreated. We see many patients with significant problems that would have otherwise been mnimal if they had come in earlier.

If you have any questions about insurance, please do not hesitate to call my office! We would be happy to work with you to discuss what your insurance plan will cover.

When Should A Child First See the Dentist?

Parents frequently ask me when their young child should first see the dentist. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children be seen shortly after their first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday. As any parent knows, many babies and toddlers are not ready to cooperate with a full dental exam at this young age.

My dental office may perform visual exams on children who are very young while the child sits comfortably in the parent’s lap.  In the first couple years, the mouth is so small and the teeth are so few that a quick visual exam may be able to tell us what we need to know without having to perform a full exam with tools. At this age, we find it most helpful to have a discussion with the parents on proper dental care for young teeth and how to avoid any major problems, like baby bottle tooth decay.

In our office we try to keep these first few dental appointments calm and fun so that the child can associate the dentist with a positive experience. We don’t force young children to cooperate in ways that make them fearful because dentistry is often associated with anxiety anyway. I have treated many adult patients who still have dental anxiety due to unpleasant childhood experiences at the dentist.
As a team, parents and my dental staff can work together to make going to the dentist an enjoyable and fear free experience for your children.

Where Did Toothpaste Come From?

To understand the history of toothpaste, we have to start in the present for a second. Today's toothpastes are rather smooth, which is very unlike the substances used in years past. As you'll see in a moment, the very essence of early tooth care was "abrasion," and it stayed this way for a very long time. And even though "abrasion" is still a component in modern toothpastes, it's much prevalent than it used to be.

We probably don't know exactly when a substance was first used on teeth. Research suggests that the Ancient Egyptians first developed a dental cream as far back as 3000-5000 BC. The ingredients of this dental cream was comprised of powdered ashes from oxen hooves, myrrh, egg shells, pumice, and water (the actual "toothpaste" was likely a powder at first, with the water probably added at the time of use). You can imagine the taste, but it probably worked by "scraping away" the bad stuff off teeth.

Later, in Greece and Rome, we see more abrasives being added to the powder mixture, like crushed bones and oyster shells. More cleaning power, for sure, but still, the taste... Well, maybe it's not so bad. We know the Romans added flavoring, perhaps to help with bad breath and to make their paste more palatable. This flavoring was more or less powdered charcoal and bark, although I'm not sure how tasty charcoal is.

Around the same general timeframe time (500 BC or so), China and India were using a powder/paste as well. The Chinese were very progressive in adding flavoring, going with Ginseng, herbal mints, and salt. This probably tasted a lot better than the early Egyptians version.

So skipping forward, like many other inventions and customs, toothpaste" eventually worked its way westward. These "powder/pastes," used together with early toothbrushes (chewing sticks), made it so people centuries ago were most likely doing a bedtime routine similar to ours.

So now we have these crude powders/pastes until the 1800's. We see ingredients change somewhat, with soap being added in the early 1800's, and in the 1850's, we find an actual "paste" sold in jars (Colgate gets involved with mass production of this in 1873). These pastes still used fairly abrasive ingredients, which definitely scrapes away the bad stuff, but...also was damaging to enamel, the protective outer layer on teeth...not good!

In 1914, the most prolific component of all was introduced -- fluoride!  WWII saw the development of a lead/tin storage tube that, combined with the fact that lead leaks into the toothpaste, leads to the development of plastic tubes.

Abrasion is significantly reduced during this time as well -- more synthetic ingredients were added (such as sodium lauryl sulphate, which is a foaming agent), as well as sweeteners. Also, fluoride toothpaste became the ideal standard during the late 1950's and 1960's. The 1980's to present day have seen all kinds of additions ... gels, whitening agents, toothpaste for sensitive teeth and so on. It's almost hard to keep up, really. If you go back in history, it's very interesting that Ancient Romans, the Egyptians, the Chinese, in general terms, were doing what we do today.

So, has all this advancement been beneficial? In general terms, yes, it has. Good-tasting toothpaste , sold in tubes is convenient, and adding fluoride has certainly helped.  I've been asked about my opinion of toothpaste a lot. In general terms, I feel the more natural you can get, the better off you are. But my belief is that you are more likely to brush if you like the taste of your toothpaste! But no matter what brand of toothpaste you choose, it's certain you are getting better tooth care (and better tasting toothpaste) than our predecessors did. And that's a great thing!

Want Healthy Gums? Hit the Dairy Aisle.

Consumers have long known that including dairy in their diets can help maintain healthy bones and even help promote weight loss. However, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology, the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), demonstrated that routine intake of dairy products may also help promote periodontal health. The study analyzed the periodontal health of 942 subjects and determined that those who regularly consumed dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt had a lower instance of gum disease. This study reinforces what much of the public already knows – the importance of dairy in helping achieve a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy mouth.


Periodontal, or gum, disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults and has been connected to the development of heart disease and increased risk of stroke, and can contribute to complications from diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis.

Millions of adults already suffer from periodontal disease and by regularly consuming dairy products such as cheese and milk, something many people do each day, the risk of developing gum disease may decrease. These findings are important since maintaining healthy gums is a critical component to maintaining a healthy body.