New Dental Care Technology And Your Teeth

New Dental Care Technology And Your Teeth

The world of modern dentistry is embracing exciting advances in technology for increased patient comfort, care, and convenience. Here are some ways dentistry is taking oral care into the new millennium.

Air Abrasion: High-speed delivery of "blasting particles" to a decayed tooth can replace the drill in many cases. The fine stream of air and aluminum oxide provides dentists with a more precise tool for removing decay quickly, without damaging surrounding sections of the tooth. This exciting dental treatment is also a plus for patients because it normally doesn't require any local anesthesia. While air abrasion may not be suitable for large areas of decay or the removal of silver fillings, it can be used to repair tiny cracks, remove stains, and smooth the tooth surface so that bonding materials adhere to the tooth.

Intra-oral Cameras: A tiny camera inserted into the patient's mouth allows the dentist to show the patient the exact nature of the problem. The image is enlarged and sent to a monitor that the patient and doctor view together. When patients can see the specific area in need of treatment, they're more likely to understand and accept the dentist's recommendation.

Lasers: Research continues at a fast pace in laser dentistry. Lasers have been used for years in a limited capacity, but their role in oral surgery is likely to increase.

Digitized X-rays: Computerized technology will allow a small sensor inside the patient's mouth to take the X-ray and immediately display it on a computer screen, eliminating film and darkroom processing, and reducing the radiation exposure for the patient.

Computers: There is a growing recognition of the role that computers can play in dental care. In the future, patient records may be kept on computer disks, including visual images captured on intraoral cameras. A computerized workstation beside the patient's chair will give the dentist the ability to view the patient's history from disk. The dentist might also use a voice-recognition system to ask the computer to assist in finding that data, or generate a "before and after" image so the patient can preview the result of dental treatment before it is done.

CD-ROM: Patient education will be a snap with information stored on CD-ROM. Procedures can be explained to patients in advance and post-operative instructions can be provided for them to take home.

With a new hi-tech face on modern dentistry, patients can look forward to a new face in dentistry and greater comfort with more "byte!"

Ask your dentist about periodontal disease today! Call our office today at (858) 568-8941 or complete our easy online form to schedule an initial consultation.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Follow @GarySigafoos on Twitter and do a “Like” at LajollaGumDiseaseCare Fanpage. If you're looking for an experienced periodontist to care for gingivitis and periodontial disease in La Jolla, contact Dr. Sigafoos,(858) 568-8941.

Toothache - Why Won't My Tooth Pain Go Away?

Toothache - Why Won't My Tooth Pain Go Away?

Technology in dentistry now offers attractive options in dental fillings for cavity restorations in dental care. Called composites, these new tooth-colored dental fillings are excellent choices for front teeth and other repairs that might be visible. Composites duplicate the natural appearance of a tooth in restoring decayed teeth or repairing a defect and giving you a more attractive mouth.

What Dental Care Material Is Used in the Composite Filling?

Dental fillings composites are made from a mixture of microscopic plastic and ceramic resin particles. Another type of tooth-colored dental fillings used in dental care are called a resin ionomer, which releases fluoride useful for preventing tooth decay.

Besides Their Cosmetic Value, What Other Benefits Do Composites Provide in dental care

The bonding process used in restoration provides strength to the tooth, making it more structurally sound. It also seals the tooth, decreasing the chance of sensitivity to hot and cold. Some composites made with materials releasing fluoride are ideal for treating root decay, a condition when gums recede, exposing tooth roots to more cavity-causing plaque. These fluoride-releasing materials also are useful dental fillings for decayed baby teeth.

What Is the Process for Dental Care Treatment?

Following removal of the decayed area, a mild acid solution is used to prepare the tooth's surface for bonding and dental fillings. A bonding agent is then brushed over the surface. Several layers of the composite are applied during the next dental care process. For a natural appearance, the dentist matches the color of the dental fillings composite to the tooth.

Then, it is chemically hardened or cured with a special light and finally polished for a natural-looking finishing touch.

How Durable Are these Dental Fillings?

In a five-year clinical study of dental care, some of the resin materials demonstrated 100% effectiveness for adhesion and retention. Like other types of dental fillings, they may require periodic replacement. While the material is very durable, they may not perform quite as long as silver fillings or amalgams for their resistance to the rigors of grinding and chewing.

Scheduling dental care on a regular basis is an important part of good oral hygiene. Your dentist will check your fillings each time to ensure their performance.

Ask your dentist about periodontal disease today! Call our office today at (858) 568-8941 or complete our easy online form to schedule an initial consultation.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Follow @GarySigafoos on Twitter and do a “Like” at LajollaGumDiseaseCare Fanpage. If you're looking for an experienced periodontist to care for gingivitis and periodontial disease in La Jolla, contact Dr. Sigafoos,  (858) 568-8941.

Laser Dentistry

Laser Dentistry


I'm proud to offer you laser dentistry for the treatment of many types of cavities. The laser works by emitting a specialized light that targets and destroys dental decay.

Drills are very powerful, and the vibration and the large hole produced can cause discomfort, making some type of anesthesia almost always necessary. With a laser, the light works to destroy and remove decay with no uncomfortable tooth vibration and resulting discomfort. Because the laser is so precise, the decayed part of the tooth often can be selectively removed, leaving a more healthy part of the tooth. Rather than that loud drilling sound, you hear only a gentle tapping.

More Benefits of Laser Dentistry:
Clinical studies show that 96% of all patients-both adults and children-required no anesthesia when the laser was used to remove dental decay.
No time is spent waiting for Novocaine to take effect or wear off.
Multiple teeth and sections of your mouth can be worked on in ONE sitting instead of having to return multiple times to have a cavity filled.

Laser treatment has proven to be appropriate and safe in over tens of thousands of applications throughout the world, and works well for young children as well as adults. Laser of technology allows us to take the fear out of going to the dentist and gets the patient actively involved in their own dental care.

Specialized dental care for your dental needs is one of the ways the new dentistry has brought innovations in diagnosis and treatment to benefit consumers.

Ask your dentist about periodontal disease today! Call our office today at   (858) 568-8941 or complete our easy online form to schedule an initial consultation.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Follow @GarySigafoos on Twitter and do a “Like” at LajollaGumDiseaseCare Fanpage. If you're looking for an experienced periodontist to care for gingivitis and periodontial disease in La Jolla, contact Dr. Sigafoos,  (858) 568-8941.

Healthy Eating For Good Oral Health Can Stop Tooth Decay

Healthy Eating For Good Oral Health Can Stop Tooth Decay

What you eat affects your health destiny. You can dramatically impact your dental health by eating a well-balanced, healthful diet. Research has shown that poor nutrition jeopardizes our oral health, which puts you at risk for a number of serious dental problems.

The Food Factor For Good Oral Health
Our food choices can make a big difference in two of the most common diseases today: tooth decay and gum disease. Certain foods, especially those containing sugar, are directly linked to increased levels of cavity-causing bacteria.

Tooth decay results when acids from the bacteria attack the teeth forming cavities. While diet doesn't directly cause gum disease, a condition affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth, researchers believe the disease is more rapid and severe when poor nutrition is a factor. Gum disease is a serious problem, since it can lead to tooth loss if untreated.

Diet and Dental Health
The American Dietetic Association and the National Institutes of Health recommend eating a well-balanced diet including plenty of the following:

• fruits
• vegetables
• a good variety of breads and cereals
• dairy products
• fish
• chicken
• dried beans
• peas
• meat

Enjoying a variety of foods is the best way to get all the important nutrients needed for keeping healthy. Beware of fad diets that exclude entire food groups. This can cause nutritional deficiencies.

Snack Smart To Avoid Tooth Decay
Snacking is a favorite pastime, but certain snack choices promote tooth decay such as soft, sweet, sticky foods. Select nutritious snacks better for your teeth and general good health, especially colorful, juicy fresh fruits and crisp, crunchy vegetables. Choose your snacks based on any other dietary concerns, such as low cholesterol, low-fat, or low sodium diets.

If you snack on crackers, cookies, or chips, it's better if you eat them in combination with other foods, such as cheese with crackers, rather than alone. This is because these foods, when eaten alone, tend to produce more bacteria in the mouth leading to tooth decay. Remember, each time you snack, oral bacteria is activated. Drink plenty of water to rinse away some of the disease-causing bacteria. If possible, brush your teeth after snacking.

Select from the wide variety of foods for healthful eating -- that are good for you and your teeth and be sure to check-in with your dentist.

Ask your dentist about periodontal disease today! Call our office today at   (858) 568-8941 or complete our easy online form to schedule an initial consultation.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Follow @GarySigafoos on Twitter and do a “Like” at LajollaGumDiseaseCare Fanpage. If you're looking for an experienced periodontist to care for gingivitis and periodontial disease in La Jolla, contact Dr. Sigafoos,  (858) 568-8941.

Four Questions Your Dentist Wishes You Would Ask

Four Questions Your Dentist Wishes You Would Ask


The technology and treatment options for consumers of dental care have greatly improved over the last 20 years. The new dentistry now provides you with the opportunity of maintaining your natural teeth throughout your life. One of the ways this is accomplished is by referral to a dental specialist to treat specific dental problems.

When dentists refer you to a specialist, your understanding of the problem and decision for treatment is vital in determining a specialized dental plan. The plan for your dental health and your general dentist's overall goals often depend on these specialized resources.

When you are referred to a dental specialist, he or she becomes a part of your dental team. Although your specialist will give you information about the reasons for the referral and the treatment, there are also some active steps you can take to increase your participation in the treatment and healing process.

A query of dental specialists indicates that there are some questions that they would like you to ask to enhance the treatment outcomes they seek as a result of your dental plan. 

Answers to the following questions will often augment the information provided by your general dentist and enable you to clarify any further questions you may have about the specialized treatment you are receiving.

• What is the cause of the condition that you are treating?
• What treatment gives you the best overall outcome and how will it help you?
• What can you do after treatment to help the healing process?
• What can you do to control the condition in the future or make sure it doesn't happen again?

These four questions will help you gain insight into the disease process that led to the need for dental care treatment and the prevention and self-care measures you can incorporate into your life to avoid future problems. With this information, you can also work with your general dentist and the dental team to maintain your dental health plan.

Specialized dental care for your dental needs is one of the ways the new dentistry has brought innovations in diagnosis and treatment to benefit consumers.

Ask your dentist about periodontal disease today! Call our office today at   (858) 568-8941 or complete our easy online form to schedule an initial consultation.

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics

http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Follow @GarySigafoos on Twitter and do a “Like” at LajollaGumDiseaseCare Fanpage. If you're looking for an experienced periodontist to care for gingivitis and periodontial disease in La Jolla, contact Dr. Sigafoos,  (858) 568-8941.

Morning Breath: What REALLY Causes It & How You Can Instantly Stop That Horrible Thick Sticky-Taste & Sickening Smell

Morning Breath: What REALLY Causes It & How You Can Instantly Stop That Horrible Thick Sticky-Taste & Sickening Smell


Millions of people experience morning breath everyday, but you don't have to simply put up with it. Once you understand what causes it (and it's not what you think!), you can quickly and easily eliminate it as soon as you wake up!

By Tomas Caomhanach

Morning breath is one of those things that has bugged virtually everybody at one time or another. That thick sticky-tasting sensation and heavy sickening smell is an all-too-familiar experience for millions of people every day. (And, despite its name, "morning breath" is not actually confined to just the morning-time; it can happen after any period of prolonged sleep.)

Morning breath: The thick sticky-tasting sensation and heavy sickening smell of morning breath is experienced by millions every day.
Normally, you can't smell your own bad breath, but morning breath is different. You can both smell and taste it because it's not really bad breath at all. At least, it's not caused by the same thing that causes 90%+ of most bad breath cases.

So what does cause it? Well, have you ever noticed how tired you feel after a big meal? That's because digestion of food requires an enormous amount of energy. In fact, from the time we start eating in the morning, until many hours after our last meal in the evening, a very large percentage of the body's energy supplies are dedicated solely to digesting that food.

The only time you stop eating is for 8-12 hours during the night when you are asleep. And, as soon as your stomach is (finally) free of food, all that energy suddenly becomes available for repairing damage and eliminating waste from the body.

Most of that waste ends up in the toilet the next day but, given the narrow window of opportunity your body has to get rid of it (before you wake up and start eating again), it dumps as much as possible through any available means. This includes sending it back up your throat in the form of excess thickened mucus... which is like Manna from Heaven for the bacteria that live in your mouth! They love it, and will feed and feed and feed on it all night long. In the process, they will generate a large amount of incredibly smelly and foul tasting byproducts, which you recognize as the overpowering smell and taste of morning breath!

Those same bacteria get an added boost from the fact that your saliva glands slow down the production of saliva when you're asleep (or, in some cases, they stop it altogether). This happens because your brain knows you won't be eating while asleep and, therefore, have little need for it. However, saliva contains very high levels of oxygen, which those bacteria don't like, so, when it's gone, they go wild! With that big 'mucus-feast', and a much more favorable (saliva-free) environment, they will rapidly reproduce. In fact, it's entirely possible for them to reproduce several generations in a single night. And, the more of them there are, the more smelly byproducts they will produce... and the worse your morning breath will be!

Fortunately, stopping morning breath is simple...

1. Cut off their food supply: You do that by simply eating something. Anything at all. It doesn't really matter what because, as soon as you re-fill your stomach, your body will immediately stop eliminating mucus, and turn its attention back to digestion. Eating will also kick-start your saliva glands back into action.

2. Drink a nice big glass of water: This will immediately saturate your whole mouth (and wash down whatever you just ate). It'll help your body to rev-up saliva production too. (It's best not to drink very cold water though, as that can cause stomach upset. Ideally, pour water into a filter jug and leave it standing overnight. The water will then be room temperature in the morning.)

The Bad Breath Report
Scientifically-Proven Method To
Cure Bad Breath At Home
www.TheBadBreathReport.com

 

DR. GARY SIGAFOOS

LaJolla Periodontics
http://www.lajollaperiodontics.com/

Follow @GarySigafoos on Twitter and do a “Like” at LajollaGumDiseaseCare Fanpage. If you're looking for an experienced periodontist to care for gingivitis and periodontial disease in La Jolla, contact Dr. Sigafoos,  (858) 568-8941.