Saturday, November 28, 2015

How the Kavo DIAGNOdent Cavity Detector Works



I'm using a new technology that finds hidden cavities before they become major problems. It's the Kavo DIAGNOdent pen. It's a good example of high tech dentistry.

Kavo explains how the cavity detector pen works:

QUOTE

"The DIAGNOdent hand-held caries detection operates at a wavelength of 655 nm. At this specific wavelength, clean healthy tooth structure exhibits little or no fluorescence, resulting in very low scale readings on the display.

However, carious tooth structure will exhibit fluorescence, proportionate to the degree of caries, resulting in elevated scale readings on the display of the DIAGNOdent, enabling the practitioner to provide a more accurate dental caries treatment plan.

An audio signal allows the operator to hear changes in the scale values. This enables the focus to be on the patient, not solely on the device."

http://www.kavousa.com/US/DIAGNOdent/Classic/Benefits.aspx

END QUOTE

You see, fluoridation of water and toothpaste has many benefits, but one downside is that tooth enamel is harder. Thus, cavity-causing bacteria is now sneaking deep down below the tooth surface, where it's much more difficult to detect.

We end up with fewer cavities, but the cavities that do occur are more secretive. They can do a lot more damage in their clandestine condition. By the time we can detect them with old fashioned methods, a lot of trouble has already been created.

Not anymore. With the Kavo DIAGNOdent cavity detector, we can find these hidden cavities and make better decisions about stained grooves in teeth. You get dental diagnostics that are far more accurate.

Kavo states: "Dentists often experience anxiety when attempting to diagnose the phenomenon known as hidden caries. A suspicious-looking tooth presents a treatment dilemma for dentists. Should the tooth be opened up? What if no caries is found? Should the tooth just be watched, or does that give caries more time to destroy the tooth's surface?"

With the high tech DIAGNOdent tool, we don't have to probe and scratch at your teeth to look for cavities, which for many patients was uncomfortable. All we do is insert the DIAGNOdent pen gently into your mouth, scan the teeth, and we're done.

No x-rays are needed in this process.

It's fast. It's safe. And it's extremely effective. The precision and reliability of cavity detection has reached a whole new level of sophistication.

Kavo states: "In a study conducted by Dr. Lussi of Berne University, Switzerland, general practitioners correctly diagnosed hidden fissure areas by visual inspection in only 57% of all cases. The same group achieved an impressive success rate of 90% with the DIAGNOdent. In fact, DIAGNOdent was far more accurate than any other method in the study including bitewing X-rays."


Early detection of cavities is an enormous benefit for patients, reducing future costs and helping to preserve teeth. The absolute last thing we want to do is pull a tooth out. Any dentist who is eager to extract a tooth is a dentist you may need to worry about. Only in extreme cases should a tooth be removed.

Kavo DIAGNOdent cavity detection can mean you keep more of your teeth. Think about how great that is.

To the best of my knowledge, and I have searched on Google for "kavo diagnodent dentists peoria il" (you can do this, too), I am one of the only dentists in the Peoria area who is using this new technology. As best I can determine, there are only a few of us using it currently.

Visiting a dentist can be somewhat uncomfortable for some people. I try my best to use patient-centered, high tech, and affordable procedures that result in the best smile you've ever had.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Children's Dental Health Week on Jack Paar Show VIDEO

Watch the President of the American Dental Association explain Children's Dental Health Week in this public service announcement. You can't stress enough the importance of teaching your kids good dental hygiene.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Hobbit Teeth, Brushing in the Dark, and other teeth news




(1)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/denisovans-molars-1.3318432

Scientists have uncovered new information about the Denisovans, a mysterious group of human relatives that interbred with ancient humans in Asia.

The Denisovans had very large and unusual teeth, unlike those of humans or Neanderthals, reports an international team from Germany, Canada and Russia.

While individuals have different tooth sizes, finding two teeth this large from two different, unrelated individuals suggests "the whole group probably had very large and weird teeth."

They also likely had a very large and robust jaw to support such long tooth roots. But aside from that, we know nothing about what they looked like.



(2)

Check out this Hobbit Human Teeth slideshow.

http://news.discovery.com/human/evolution/hobbit-human-teeth-reveal-surprising-history-photos-151118.htm



(3)

Teeth in the news again, and once again, it's sports related.

Sports, technology, and archaeology seem to be among the highest volume generators of newsworthy teeth topics.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/11/18/9755016/alex-poythress-kentucky-alley-oop-duke-teeth-stuck-in-net-video



(4)

Watch what occurs to your teeth when you consume soft drinks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJlDx2Nf1zc



(5)

Is "Light Accelerated Teeth Whitening" actually more effective?

http://www.instyle.com/news/teeth-whitening-kits-instagram



(6)

 Teeth whitening can have hidden dangers, if the one doing it is not properly informed and qualified.

http://masterherald.com/teeth-whitening-is-perfectly-safe-if-carried-out-by-a-qualified-professional-but-can-cause-damage-to-the-teeth-and-gums-if-done-by-unqualified-people/30796/



(7)

Why do some people get more cavities than others?

https://www.yahoo.com/health/some-people-get-cavities-more-than-others-heres-119282531022.html



(8)

Tips for How To Quit Cigarettes

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/quit-smoking-slideshow



(9)

Wolfing down your meal prevents you from really tasting it. When a dog does that, we like to say, "Did you taste any of it?"

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/10/455475805/mechanics-of-eating-why-youll-miss-flavor-if-you-scarf-your-food



(10)

The germs that cause cavities in baby teeth can lead to cavities in permanent teeth, affecting your child's smile and overall health for a lifetime. Baby teeth need to be babied.

http://www.spokesman.com/sponsored/2015/nov/04/12-reasons-why-you-need-baby-your-baby-teeth/



(11)

As a high tech dentist, I use only what has been proven safe and effective in clinical trials. But the dental technology realm is exploding just like many other fields, as science advances inexorably.

http://news.usc.edu/88721/how-to-eliminate-pain-associated-with-tooth-decay/

From the article:

Dual discoveries at USC propose a promising method to regrow nonliving hard tissue, lessening or even eliminating pain associated with tooth decay, which the National Institutes of Health calls the most prevalent chronic disease.

Janet Moradian-Oldak, a professor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, has investigated methods to regrow tooth enamel for the past two decades. The process is especially tricky because unlike bone, mature enamel cannot rejuvenate. Tooth enamel is a nonliving tissue.

The a-ha moment came Oct. 22 when, in collaboration with lead author Sauma Prajapati of USC and other colleagues, she published a study in the Biomaterials journal saying matrix metalloproteinase-20, an enzyme found only in teeth, chops up amelogenin proteins, which facilitate organized enamel crystal formation. MMP-20 clears the way for hard material to usurp vacated space.

Her team is the first to define the function of an enzyme for preventing protein occlusion inside a crystal, she said.



(12)

Sometimes a new dental technology arises, but a practicing dentist must wait to see if something is scientifically proven by unbiased clinical studies, and not rush into every new trend.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/09/dental-cavity-regrow-procedure/

Scientists in Britain have developed a new procedure dubbed EAER, or "Electrically Assisted Enhanced Remineralisation," that can repair a slightly decayed tooth before a deep cavity forms.

The supposedly painless procedure involves cleaning (not drilling) the tooth of any signs of mild decay, then flushing it with minerals and stimulating it with an electric pulse.

This pushes the minerals into the deepest part of the lesion and speeds up a naturally occurring process called "remineralization".

This is where minerals in your saliva and some foods enter the tooth enamel and make it stronger.



(13)

Does smoking in your home cause your children to get more cavities?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/10/30/kids-get-more-cavities-when-live-with-smokers.html



(14)

Get better sleep by brushing your teeth in the dark at night.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a35450/brush-teeth-in-the-dark/



(15)

Vermont’s deer hunting rifle season begins on Saturday morning.

This year, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking hunters to send them the middle incisor teeth of deer that are killed.

Middle incisor tooth is the standard for aging deer, says Deer Project Leader Nick Fortin. The teeth are sent to a lab, which cross section them and determine the age. It’s similar to counting the rings on a tree, Fortin explained.

http://digital.vpr.net/post/hunters-asked-collect-teeth-department-studies-deer-population#stream/0







Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Don't Wolf Down Your Food




As a dentist, I keep in touch with the whole realm of teeth, jaws, eating, speaking and related issues. Scarfing down a meal too quickly is a topic that caught my eye recently.

Wolfing down your food, like a dog who barely chews anything, "inhaling" it without tasting much, is actually harmful from several perspectives.

From a dental point of view, you need to give your teeth and jaws the exercise of chewing.

To just bite off a chunk, chomp on it a few times, then gulp it down with a swig of milk, is not a good way to dine. You need to properly masticate, chew thoroughly, your food so it's easy for your digestive system to process what you consume.

Slamming through a plate of cuisine is also preventing you from fully experiencing the aroma and other qualities of your food. Plus, fast eaters tend to eat more than slow eaters, and tend to gain too much weight.

There's an interesting research study on this subject.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/10/455475805/mechanics-of-eating-why-youll-miss-flavor-if-you-scarf-your-food

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Teeth Whitening Does Not Replace Brushing

Today's tooth whitening products are capable of giving you a beautiful white smile. However, tooth whitening is not equal to tooth brushing. Learn how brushing your teeth twice a day helps remove food particles and plaque that can cause tooth decay. Be sure to schedule regular visits with your dentist to keep a healthy smile for a lifetime.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Teeth in the News for Early November 2015


Here are some interesting news item links related to teeth and dental health that were posted in early November 2015.

(1)

25% of working age adults are unemployed in Greece.

Even with their entitlement mentality, their dental needs were underserved. Now Greece is one of the most unhealthy nations on earth.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/childrens-dental-problems-are-the-latest-sign-of-greeces-decay_563b7532e4b0307f2cac4280


(2)

What's the difference between plaque and tartar? 

How many teeth am I supposed to have? 

What does the inside of a tooth look like?

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-teeth


(3) 

Your body gives you hints that something's not right. 

Do you have any of these low-key indicators of potential dental problems? 

Catch tooth and gum issues them early -- and treatment will tend to be more comfortable and less costly.


(4)

Compassionate, competent dentists do exist. I enjoy seeing news articles about my colleagues who are helping to improve the world.


(5)

Victoria's Secret model turns wisdom tooth into gold pendant.



(6)


Health insurance often treats dental coverage as not very important.



(7)

Rotting teeth of babies is a big concern all over the world. 

Here's the problem being faced in Australia.



(8)

Baby's have very thin enamel on their teeth, so they can get cavities quite easily. Many parents are not aware of how vulnerable their infant's teeth are.



(9)


Current day rats are cute compared to ancient rats with teeth 10 times larger!



(10)




(11)


Glistening on the pebble-strewn bottom, in shades ranging from deep blue to black, the teeth are everywhere you look. 

The largest are nearly two inches long, and the smallest so tiny you can barely pick them up.

This particular spot, perhaps 20 feet long, sits below a small Sepulga River waterfall near Evergreen, Alabama. It ranks among the most fossil-rich places in the United States.




(12)

Oral health can ward off Alzheimer's dementia.

More reasons to keep your mouth clean and healthy all during your life, and especially as you age.




(13)




(14)




(15)

What's the big deal about gum disease? 

How do I know if I have it? 

What happens if I don't get it treated?








Friday, November 6, 2015

Challenging Smile Fix for a Bride To Be VIDEO

A wonderful story about a woman, about to get married, who had bad teeth, but will be corrected by a compassionate dentist on The Doctors TV show. Very nice.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

2 Minutes Twice A Day VIDEO



This video helps you motivate your children to practice good oral health habits.

It's nice to have tools like this for educating our kids. Good dental hygiene will be their protector as they age into mature adults. They'll thank you for taking the time to show them videos like this and explaining why a good smile gives self esteem, more romantic options, and popularity.


Monday, November 2, 2015

Dental Make Over Surprise VIDEO

A heart warming video on how a woman got her teeth fixed, so that they look beautiful and natural. Her face had been sunken in, making her look a lot older than she really was. A procedure that costs $60,000 to $80,000 normally, "the biggest make over ever!" -- done for no charge.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Tooth Fairy Teaches Kids Dental Hygiene VIDEO

Here's a cute little video Public Service Announcement for kids, to help teach them the importance of brushing and flossing. In the "2 minutes, twice a day" themed video series. Your children will look back and thank you for instilling good dental hygiene habits in them. That is a precious gift that you as a parent have given. It will accompany them throughout their lives, making them more self-confident, happier, and healthier overall.