Lumineers

Snap On Smile

Snap-On Smile

The California Dental Association completed its annual spring scientific session in Anaheim. The lecture offerings were outstanding and very pertinent to your dental care. This week I want to report about an interesting innovative dental solution I discovered while “walking the floor”.

Dentists and patients have always been somewhat disappointed with temporary removable bridges while undergoing a long term dental solution. I think Snap-On Smile can happily offer people a beautiful temporary cosmetic solution for missing teeth, large gaps, and discolorations until they can get their dental work completed.

When a person goes to see the dentist about enhancements to their “smile profile” they will often get a mock up of what their teeth will look like after treatment. Unfortunately, the mock ups are fragile and have to be removed before they break. Recent improvements in acrylics now allow us to make a thin strong set of teeth that will snap over the existing teeth without shots and drilling.

Snap-On appliances are durable and do not stain. Some care must be taken when inserting and removing and they are not intended for a permanent fix for people’s dental problems. You can wear the appliance during the day and while eating. The appliance must be removed and cleaned when you brush your teeth. It is very difficult for anybody to tell if such an appliance is being worn.

These teeth-like appliances can be used to replace a missing front tooth, cover over crooked teeth, fill up spaces during implant placements, or for “photo shoots” and social engagements. Dentists can use these appliances to diagnose and change biting patterns to assist with more complicated problems. If porcelain veneers are not affordable the Snap-On Smile will certainly be a less costly substitute until porcelain veneers can be placed. Your teeth can be whiter and straighter until you have the ability to get your veneers.

The Snap-On Smile is made from an impression of your teeth. After the laboratory has completed the injection molding process the appliance is returned and fitted to your teeth. Your dentist will instruct you on handling and maintenance and some things you will have to do to get the maximum life expectancy from the teeth.

I am excited about the Snap-On Smile because it fills a time gap that some people require until they can get a permanent fix to their new smile.

Gum Disease and Heart Attacks

You are probably hearing through aired media and perhaps in your dental office the persuasive argument that gum disease can lead to heart attacks. But will treatment of gum disease reduce heart attacks? Unfortunately, this question cannot be clearly answered. Let’s briefly examine where the connection of gum disease and heart disease is known to exist.

There are a certain number of people in a population that have high risk factors for heart disease. This may be due to smoking, genes, life styles, “good and bad” cholesterol levels, and c-reactive proteins (CRP). CRP’s are produced as a result of damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Also, C-reactive protein levels rise when chronic inflammation is present. The American Heart Association has recommended using the CRP test as one of the indicators of risk level for heart disease.

Where is the connection with gum disease? Periodontitis or gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease process that can lead to loss of bone around the teeth. The association seems to be that the chronic inflammation component of gum disease adds to the chronic inflammatory load the body must endure. There is no good outcome to a high chronic inflammatory level.

We have to examine what underlying conditions can cause both diseases as well as the effect gum disease can have on heart disease. For example, smoking has been shown to have an overwhelming affect on gum health. In fact, studies that measure treatments for gum disease become meaningless in smokers. Smoking has also been shown to cause damage to vascular tissues and increase the risk of having a heart attack.

Other underlying conditions also include the genetic factor. Some people are more prone to inflammation and metabolic disease. Studies are mixed, but it seems that a healthy diet low in saturated fats can help minimize the harmful effects of this condition.

Let’s get back to the dental factor. We know that bleeding gums will allow bacteria into the blood stream and these bacteria can grow in damaged vessels perpetuating the heart disease process. The dentist’s role is to help control the infection and inflammation levels with gum treatments and frequent monitoring of home care.

Regular cleanings of the bacteria encrusted surfaces of your teeth is a proven method to stop the destruction caused by these bugs. Surgery may be needed from the periodontist. Maintenance is required because these bugs can double in population every twenty minutes. I have seen periodontal disease that has been in remission only to suddenly (within 6 weeks) strike up again. That is why frequent monitoring is crucial.

Will treatment of gum disease prevent heart attacks? Periodontal disease is just one pathway of inflammation that can further deteriorate the lining of the heart and blood vessels. Your dentist is a very important “team” member along with the cardiologist and physician to maintain a level of general health that will prevent heart attacks.

For answers to your dental questions, contact
Douglas Urban, D.D.S.
Cerritos, CA 90703
562 924-1523
DrDouglasUrban.com

Dr. Urban on Today’s Dentistry/Remote Access

My Impressions of Remote Area Medical

The idea of volunteering dental services in inaccessible locations is very intriguing. Last year for the first time Remote Area Medical (R.A.M) decided to drop itself right into the middle of Los Angeles. The response from the public was overwhelming. RAM provides basic medical screening, vision, and dental services. This year they returned to the Sports Arena to another huge demand.

I had the opportunity to volunteer for one morning shift on Sunday and was generally impressed by the organization and efficiency of the set up and handling of patient flow. Although my personal check-in was about 20 minutes longer than it should have been (early morning rush) I was quickly able to make my way down to the floor level of the Sports Arena. The number of volunteers that showed up that morning was magnificent. Every available dental chair had a dentist or hygienist working. My chair was in the screening area. There were about 8 dentists screening nearly 50 each for basic services such as extractions, fillings, some root canals and cleanings.

Since this was a one-stop-shop RAM is not able to provide crowns, extensive dental therapies, or dentures. Some minor denture repairs were available if time permitted. I am happy to say that a lot of your area dentists volunteered their time and weekends to support this project.

The patients were very gracious for the services RAM was able to provide. There were some grumpy types of people who did not get what they expected, but most accepted the situation. I am sure the dentists wished to do more in some cases, but, remember, we were in the middle of the Sports Arena, not in a modern dental office. Some specialty services like oral surgery and root canals were done in mobile clinics that were towed into the Sports Arena.

The attitude of the volunteers was heartwarming. Everyone I saw pitched in with more energy than they would show in their own office. It was a team, but very few of us knew or even met before this event. There was one common force that made everyone commit to a duty and give it their best. The energy came from the heart knowing that we were doing something for a greater good.

At the end of my 6 hour commitment I quietly left. There was no one to give a thanks or “atta boys”, but none was needed. It was my pleasure to take a very small part in this noble endeavor. We do live in a very nice section of the world with relative peace and stability. It is easy to forget there are others close by not so fortunate. I hope RAM returns again next year.

For answers to your dental questions, contact
Douglas Urban, D.D.S.
Cerritos, CA 90703
562 924-1523
DrDouglasUrban.com