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.”

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.

CEREC – What are the benefits?

There are many advantages to having a CEREC ceramic restoration:

•    Longevity: Their lifespan exceeds 20 years
•    Strength: Ceramic can easily withstand biting forces
•    Bonding: Ceramic and tooth bond to each other excellently. By comparison, amalgam (metal) fillings do NOT bond to tooth structure
•    Appearance: Ceramic has similar properties to your tooth, and so appears very natural
•    Superior: Ceramic restorations are metal-free, biocompatible, anti-abrasive and plaque resistant
•    Computer-Designed: CEREC comprises a computerized software system, used to design your restoration, and a milling unit, used to manufacture your restoration. CEREC utilizes CAD-CAM technology (Computer Assisted Design, Computer Assisted Manufacture)

The traditional process of creating a ceramic restoration would take place in a laboratory. CEREC allows this process to be done in one appointment, ensuring a perfect fit and color for your tooth first time.

CEREC has become one of our most requested and successful procedures.

CEREC – The Greatest Advancement in Dentistry to date

CEREC is revolutionizing the dental industry! Enabling Porcelain Restorations to be completed within just 1 appointment; CEREC provides outstanding benefits to patients.

Just a few of the CEREC advantages, include;

•    Being the most cost effective restoration process available to date
•    Restoration wear resistance and durability equal to that of natural tooth substance
•    Protecting and preserving natural tooth structure
•    Visually appealing and virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

No longer is it necessary to undergo messy impressions or wait for several weeks for laboratory work to come back. With CEREC your ceramic restoration is created while you wait in the dental chair. CEREC Restorations may be utilized for the creation of Porcelain Veneers, Crowns, Inlays and Onlays. Through CEREC restorations you can improve the appearance and health of your teeth within just 1 hour.

CEREC is a state-of-the-art computerized milling unit, which visually scans the affected tooth and robotically grinds a block of hardened ceramic into your restoration. During your appointment, the affected tooth is firstly prepared for treatment. An electronic scan is then taken of the tooth and displayed on the monitor for both the Dentist and patient to see.

The data is then fed into the CEREC machine, which creates the restoration in accordance with the patient’s individual needs. The restoration is finally polished and fitted into place – all within the 1 appointment. CEREC creates extraordinary life like results (in both the look and feel of the tooth) and has changed the way Restorative Dentistry is practiced.