Salivary Diagnostics and Oral DNA

Dr. Steven Acker is Now Offering Two Salivary DNA Tests to Fight Gum Diseases!

Using DNA for healthy smiles…

One of the most significant advances in dental medicine, a simple DNA test, can now determine the specific type and quantity of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth! These bacteria, if left untreated can cause periodontal disease, tooth loss, and also affect your risk for developing other systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes among others).

This exciting new test is for anyone with symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease. These symptoms include: bleeding gums, bad breath, red or inflamed gums or loss of bone around your teeth. Other indications for this test would be prior to extensive dental procedures and in some cases, surgical clearance (such as heart surgery or joint replacements).

This gentle oral rinse procedure is performed by swishing a small amount of sterile saline throughout the mouth and can be done in about 30 seconds. The sample is then sent to OralDNA Labs, Increase. (www.OralDNA.com) for processing.

The lab report that we get back will identify the bacteria associated with the gum infection and allow us to develop a far more powerful and effective treatment plan. Through this state-of-the-art technology, we are now able to treat the cause of the infection and not just the symptoms. The goal of therapy then becomes to reduce your overall bacterial risk for disease progression. As with most disease, earlier treatment and targeted treatment can help stop periodontal disease before irreversible damage occurs.

In addition to the bacterial DNA test, we can also offer you a genetic susceptibility test that will tell us if your genetic makeup puts you at greater risk for developing gum tissue infections (due to an exaggerated immune response). This will further enable us to optimize our therapy and recare program.

If you or a loved one is in need of either of these tests, please call for more information. It is our mission to offer you the most cutting edge, comprehensive oral-systemic healthcare available.

The Anatomy of an Opportunity

By Allison M. DiMatteo, BA, MPS

Scientific advances in biomarker research have led dentistry and medicine to consider saliva a viable diagnostic medium. The intricate composition of this body fluid, combined with emerging science designed to exploit its inherent capabilities, could potentially change dental practice, patient care, and usher in an age of individualized treatment protocol.

Part folklore and part scientific documentation, the history of saliva’s use as a tell-tale indicator of what’s taking place within the human body dates back centuries. In ancient China, an inability to swallow a handful of rice whole was a sign of guilt, since if an individual was nervous (as a result of lying, for example) and their salivary secretions dried up, they would be prohibited from making a food bolus. In the early 20th century, cytochemical tests of saliva were used to study such conditions as gout and rheumatism.

Much of the early work conducted in the saliva diagnostics field related more to an assessment of better understanding the composition of saliva and its function at the patient level in terms of supporting the ability to speak, lubricate, masticate, and function, as well as its effects on quality of life, explains William Giannobile, DDS, DMed.Sc,the Najjar Professor of Dentistry and Director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Within the field itself, what has really greatly benefited saliva diagnostics research has been the support and investment by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), that enabled a merging of many earlier technological advances in engineering and chemistry for the examination of the many properties of saliva, he says.

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An Easier Trip to the Dentist – Dr Kevin Barrett on Dr Phil

 

“I hate going to the dentist, and I will do whatever it takes to avoid another appointment,” says Michael, a Dr. Phil staff member. “I’ve got a cracked front crown, which means that I have to get both of my front teeth replaced, yet again, which will be my sixth set of new front teeth. Just the thought makes my skin crawl.”

Dr. Phil sends Michael to Dr. Kevin Barrett, a Los Angeles based dentist, who uses a new technology that can fix many tooth troubles in only one visit. Before his visit, Michael meets with Dr. Frank Lawlis, chairman of the Dr. Phil Advisory Board, to learn relaxation techniques.

When Michael enters Dr. Barrett’s office, he performs the techniques he learned to relax before the procedure.

“When people go to the dentist, they have phobias,” Dr. Barrett explains. “Cad-cam eases the pain of being in a dental chair, because the patients don’t have a second visit, and they know that.” He explains how the procedure works. “We take a digital impression, no goopy impression. Then we put it in a three-dimensional computer. We design it, we mill it or make it, we try it in, glaze it, and we bond it. It’s that simple.” This procedure avoids having to send a mold to a lab and waiting for the dental pieces to be sent back.

Dr. Barrett fixes Michael’s two front teeth. When the procedure is complete, Michael exclaims, “They look amazing. The process was a whole lot easier than I thought it was going to be. I’m really happy with the results.”

A Conversation with Dr. John Kois

This month, the founder of the Kois Center shares some of his insights on where the profession is, where it’s going, and how private continuing education programs can contribute.

INSIDE DENTISTRY (ID): How did your experience in dental school have a lasting impact on your career as a practitioner—on your philosophy as a teacher?

JOHN KOIS (JK): I am a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and I completed my Periodontal-Prosthodontic training at the University of Washington. Both schools offered fantastic opportunities for me and were very progressive with their curriculum. The educational experience was wonderful, and I remain very grateful for the way it has framed my career. Even though I do not use many of the procedures I was taught, I learned to be a more critical decision maker. The most important contributions came from being exposed to gifted, passionate teachers who were my mentors. Dr. Ralph Yuodelis, Dr. D. Walter Cohen, and Dr. Morton Amsterdam were among the most influential.

ID: Tell us when and why you founded the Kois Center.

JK: The Kois Center was founded in 1995, based on the need for a comprehensive approach for continuing education. The goal was to create a graduate program for practicing dentists that was cohesive rather than a combination of different courses. The core courses were designed to create improved critical decision making (treatment planning), understanding function, and dentofacial evaluation. The implementation courses focus on periodontics, biomechanics, and implants have seen the most change driven by science and technology.

Many other courses are able to provide great information but that is not the same as education or teaching. Education is designed to create a more significant impact by transforming the student through a platform of understanding and commitment.

The ultimate purpose of the Kois Center is to create world-class performers. The individual practitioner in turn derives more confidence, gains improved clinical performance, understands the financial accountability of dental procedures, and has more satisfaction from the practice of dentistry. This is not possible without receiving feedback on results, which is demanding and it is not always much fun. It isn’t work or play but something entirely different. It is what Geoff Colvin describes in his book as “Deliberate Practice.”

ID: What are the key components of a postgraduate institute that dentists should look for when researching various facilities and/or programs?

JK: I think it is critical to avoid significant conflict of interest concerns. It is important to have a “safe” environment where practitioners can discuss failures and their problems. Another critical piece is the opportunities available for continuous growth. We have an annual symposium which addresses the new science that has been published only in the last year. This is the evidence-based platform that modifies existing systems leading to best practice parameters. We also have mentors that work closely with students inside and outside the classroom. They have become a critical support network to answer questions, provide follow-up information, and help with implementation struggles in private practice. The mentors and clinical instructors are an integral part of the infrastructure that enable us to be more like what Seth Godin refers to as a “tribe.”

ID: How has your vision for the institute grown or changed over the years?

JK: The outcome is more than I ever dreamed of because it is now being driven by the students themselves. Their feedback has helped to develop reputable methodology (checklist), accountability coaching, an execution system, and community learning to share and reinforce best practices and accelerate learning. It is so exciting to see the dentists’ confidence and capability increase; that is the priceless component. In addition, my son Dean is a prosthodontist and my daughter-in-law, Tara, is a general dentist. The opportunities we have practicing together add even more depth and credibility to the Teaching Center. I can understand the struggles of younger practitioners in today’s challenging times and benchmark the improvements from our systems.

ID: What are the obvious (and perhaps the not so obvious) differences between a university dental school environment and a private institute environment such as yours?

JK: My current faculty position at the University of Washington does not involve any administrative responsibilities; therefore, my comments would be speculative at best. I view the role of a dental school as creating core competencies, but they are still entry-level skills. Therefore, our major differences are because we are inherently very different. I see my role as creating continuous improvement for dentists already in practice. This environment is changing so fast, it is harder for dental schools to keep up.

ID: With so many changes in technology coming to every aspect of dentistry, what in your opinion are the most impactful for practitioners as well as for patients in terms of providing better treatment options and more predictable outcomes?

JK: In many respects the changes in technology represent “disruptive innovation” that may not always be better. It depends, of course, on how we frame the concept of better. When technology can help create more predictable outcomes, more cost effectively, then dental healthcare becomes more affordable and we can help more patients. Everyone wins in this scenario.

The real problem is that the changes are happening so quickly and we have fewer expert clinicians to learn from. This is why we incorporated our own research center without any commercial support and depend more heavily on a precalibrated user group. The real challenge here is continuing to grow our understanding because information is traveling at the speed of thought and it is not all correct. Our own Research Center, under the direction of Dr. Yada Chaiyabutr, has added another unique component. Her background has enabled us to provide targeted research that directly impacts daily practice. In addition, the Research Center does not have commercial financial support, which makes it much easier to avoid any conflict of interest and publish in refereed journals.

ID: Which technologies have had the biggest impact on your institution in terms of how and what you teach?

JK: Technologies that provide better diagnostic metrics provide the biggest impact with what I teach. This will reduce the emotionally or empirically driven decisions. For example, scanning technology can provide a comparative evaluation of tooth wear from one appointment to another. Explaining to a patient they have lost 29% of their tooth structure will provide more meaningful communication than just telling them their teeth are “wearing down.” Telling them that their teeth changed 3% in 1 year will be more influential than saying their teeth look a little shorter. It is often our lack of clear, objective data that allows one dentist to determine treatment needs that another dentist would judge to be inappropriate. All of our clinical decisions must begin by determining each patient’s risk for future disease, even before they have expressed it. This paradigm shift is based on the need for a wellness evaluation, not a reparative model. The technologies that have the biggest impact are those that lead to “precision medicine” that will create a more predictable dental healthcare model.

ID: Tell us about the typical dentist-student at the Kois Center. What do you think they have in common? What do they leave there with that they didn’t have coming in? Who is an ideal candidate for the center?

JK: That is easy. They really care about their patients and want to be proud of the treatment. In a nutshell, it is about caring, commitment to excellence, pride, making a living, and making a difference for humanity.

Source: Inside Dentistry

Is TMJ Disorder Causing You Needles Amounts Of Pain?

Most people suffer from grinding teeth, neck pain, headaches and migraines, and automatically link it to a doctors problem, and more than frequently go to the doctor for some form of pain treatment, little do they know that it could actually be a more severe case and it could be TMD (Temporomandibular Disease) which is dental related.

There are many possible causes of TMJ these include; Grinding of teeth, poorly fitting teeth, clenching of the teeth when stressed, head or neck injuries often linked to motor vehicle accidents. The Temporomandibular Joint is a very important joint as it connects the jaw to the skull, to work correctly they need to be properly aligned and the muscles to be working properly and smoothly. They are responsible for many of the jaw movements including eating, swallowing, yawning and talking.

After your diagnosis of TMJ disorder there is 2 main goals of treatment, these are; relieving the muscle of pain and massaging it using Ultra Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation, this also helps to relieve pain by inducing the body to release endorphins the body natural anaesthetic.

Stabilizing your bite – This means that an orthotic device is worn over your teeth and night. This is used to help create a bite that causes less strain on your jaw and skull and makes for a better quality of life and considerably less pain than you would usually get.

If you feel you have any of the symptoms and have previously not linked them to the syndrome TMJ then you should visit your dentist and have a consultation to determine whether you could be suffering from TMJ disorder.

Now Braces Can Be Worn Without The Embarrassment

Braces can be embarrassing for anybody that needs to wear them. They are more commonly known to be worn by teenagers and can be the cause of misjudgement of a person. Braces can also be worn by adults, but they feel at their age wearing conventional metal braces can be unsightly and not the correct option for them to choose to straighten and realign their teeth to the shape that they should be in.

You now no longer have to suffer with the look of unsightly and unattractive wires and brackets that conventional metal braces have because you can now undergo treatment called Invisalign, which can straighten and fix your teeth through the use of clear aligners.

Invisalign consists of you having a consultation with your dentist to determine the best treatment and final results for your teeth. A 3D map is then taken of your teeth from start to finish so that you can even see what the end results are going to be like, before you even undergo the invisible braces treatment. This is all then sent off to a lab for some Invisalign braces to be made for you to start the treatment.

You will then be asked to wear your Invisalign braces for however long your dentist feels that it should take for you achieve the end results that you desire. For some, teeth whitening treatment is often needed after the end course of traditional braces. The major benefits of Invisalign are that you can take them off when you eat or clean your teeth. This means that your mouth is still performing to the best of its ability, while you’re still able to clean your teeth properly.

Dentures Are A Quick And Effective Treatment For Tooth Loss

Missing teeth can cause discomfort and stress even for the best of us, and we would like a quick and easy solution to this problem. Your teeth are one of the most important parts of your body and you should not have to deal with some of them missing and damaged.

Missing teeth can cause pain and discomfort especially in terms of eating and chewing. Continuing to bite with missing teeth, causes discomfort to your gums and mouth in general. One of the most effective and quickest treatments available for the loss of teeth is a denture.

If you have lost your natural teeth, dentures are an immediate treatment that is available. Dentures not only take into account just the space of your missing tooth or teeth, it also takes into account the general health and function of the rest of your mouth and teeth.

You do not want to have a denture placed, and not be able to go along with your daily duties because it is stressful on your mouth. At the end of the day you use your mouth for many things and ultimately some of the most important.

One of the most popular forms of dentures are over dentures. This is where an x-ray is taken of your mouth to determine exactly where the problem is more accurately. When this has been done and your dentist can determine where treatment needs to be done, you will have implants placed into your jaw, usually only 2 are necessary, and then your dentures are simply placed and fixed onto the implants for a secure fitting. You not need to worry about the dentures slipping or clicking because they will be securely placed on top of the implant.

Crowns and Bridges

Proper function of speaking, eating and drinking are often compromised when you suffer from tooth loss and this can have a number of negative effects on your health. Luckily modern dentistry provides a range of options for replacing missing teeth, from traditional dentures to dental crowns and bridges. Replacing missing teeth is important to your general health and helps maintain good oral hygiene. Dental crowns and Dental bridges are the most effective way of restoring damaged teeth.

If you have spaces in your mouth due to a missing tooth or teeth you can be a candidate for Dental bridge work. Bridges are custom made to fill in the space with a false tooth or teeth. The false tooth is then attached by the bridge to the two other teeth in the surrounding space, bridging them together. The main advantage of having dental bridge work is that bridges look natural, and usually require only two visits to your dentist. If spaces from missing teeth are left untreated, they can cause your teeth and gums to become increasingly susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. If you maintain good oral hygiene, your bridges should last as many as ten years or more.

As we get older, many of us find ourselves with teeth that are no longer structurally sound. When the entire surface of your tooth is the problem, but the root system is still intact, a crown might be a viable treatment option. Dental crowns cover the entire outer surface of your affected tooth and add durability, strength, and stability to the tooth. The dentist will make an impression of your affected tooth and then create a specific dental crown. The main advantage of having a porcelain crown is that they are most aesthetically pleasing and match your surrounding teeth. If you require restorative dentistry, speak to your dentist about the best options for your specific oral situation.

Revolutionize Your Smile With Invisalign Treatment

Having a straight, attractive smile is a valuable asset, for both your personal and professional life, though not all of us have perfectly straight teeth.  If you require orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is a breakthrough in orthodontic procedural methods, which completely eliminate the need to use metal wires and brackets.  Traditional metal braces, unlike Invisalign, are not very aesthetically pleasing and they are difficult to clean with their removal often becoming quite tricky. Luckily Invisalign is the alternative to metal braces which offers the same orthodontic benefits that metallic braces provide, without being a cosmetic interference. 

Invisalign invisible braces assist in correcting a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, such as overly crowded teeth, crossbite, overbite, underbite and widely spaced teeth. What makes Invisalign aligners distinctive is that they are completely translucent, enabling the straightening of teeth whilst being virtually unnoticeable. The Invisalign treatment involves latest computerized technology and three-dimensional modelling to create a series of clear and transparent aligners. The series of custom-made Invisalign aligners are created in accordance with your specific oral situation, for the most effective results. Your aligners exert mild pressure in desired areas and you wear each set of aligners for about two weeks.

The main benefit of using Invisalign as an alternative to metal braces is that they are completely transparent, so no one can tell that you are straightening your teeth. Even before your Invisalign treatment is finished, your tooth alignment will improve and you will begin enjoying the benefits of better smile. Invisalign is also fully removable so you can still enjoy your favourite foods during treatment and smile without holding back. Because there are no metal wires or brackets to cause irritation, Invisalign is completely comfortable. Invisalign’s comfort, removability and invisibility are worth considering when you are choosing what orthodontic treatment to use. With the help of Invisalign you will have a beautiful straight smile.

TMJ Treatment Can Effectively Alleviate Your Pain

Migraines are often an intolerable experience and if you are a victim to their trauma on a frequent and long lasting basis, with symptomatic headaches and tension headaches, you may have a condition known as TMJ syndrome. Other frequent TMJ symptoms experienced in suffers of TMJ syndrome are ear, jaw and facial pain as well as a decreased sense of hearing. Popping or clicking of the neck, jaw and shoulder pain are all common symptoms of TMJ disorder.

Even though TMJ is a widespread disorder many people are unaware that they have TMJ dysfunction and continue enduring the pain without the effective treatment that is available.

There are numerous causes of TMJ pain, majority of cases resulting from a grinding of teeth, an incorrect bite and malocclusion. Malocclusion is when your upper and lower teeth do not close together in the right way and are misaligned, ultimately causing trauma.

Luckily there is a TMJ treatment for headaches caused by TMJ syndrome that will remove the symptoms permanently. The TMJ treatment involves patents having a bite assessment, identifying the ideal bite and achieving the ideal bite with orthotic therapy. Orthotic therapy requires you to wear an unobtrusive oral TMJ splint throughout the day and night.
The TMJ splint is made to copy your natural teeth and will not hinder functionality.

TMJ treatment is an effective headache cure and most people find their symptoms are gone instantaneously. Every person responds differently to orthotic therapy, however the majority will experience an improvement in their TMJ symptoms. To banish those intolerable tension headaches, or more severe migraines caused by TMJ syndrome, it is worth looking into a TMJ treatment and consulting a dental practitioner who may be able to help.

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