What are dentists really looking for when they are checking out your X-rays?  What are they looking for when they feel your teeth with the explorer?  This blog explains some of the things dentists are looking for and current technology that can be use to aide in decay detection when checking your mouth for cavities!

 The shadowing on the edges indicate decay under the surface on the premolars.

X-rays of the same tooth to the left.  The dark indicates decay.

The Dentists on Pearl utilize a software called Logicon that helps to detect the depth of the decay by analyzing over 200 shades of grey, this can be very helpful in acting as an electronic 2nd opinion.  Below is the Logicon reading of the teeth shown above.

The depth of the red dots show how far the cavity extends into the inner layer of the tooth.  The green lines indicates the outer layer (enamel), while the blue indicates the inner layer (dentin).

Have no fear!  These cavities are able to be completely cared for in the general dental office. The extent of the decay once it has reached this depth could potentially cause permanent damage to the nerve and blood supply on the inside of the tooth, possibly requiring the need for further treatment, i.e a root canal and crown.

This patient has had no symptoms though!

After the decay removal

Preparing the teeth for the fillings

Final product with tooth colored fillings placed!

Hopefully this will help you understand what the dentist is looking for and how they treat the teeth!  All of these intra oral photos were taken with The Dentists on Pearl SoproLife camera. For more information call the office at 303-498-9207 to schedule a comprehensive exam.

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With fall sports starting, you are probably purchasing all the gear that your child/teenager will need for the upcoming season.   We would like to remind parents that mouthguards are an important piece of “equipment” that protects your children’s teeth and could possibly reduce their incidence of concussion.

All mouthguards are not made equally.  There is a difference between custom-made, properly fitting mouthguards fabricated by a dentist versus the over the counter “boil-and-bite” type of mouthguard.  Custom mouthguards have a better fit, are made from a mould of your mouth, and are designed to have a minimal thickness of 3mm.  Some studies have shown that it is this minimal thickness in custom mouthguards that can protect athletes from a concussion.   The over the counter boil-and-bite type of mouthguard is often altered by athletes because of poor fit or discomfort.  Some alterations such as cutting off the back end of the guard or biting completely through the material during forming can take away the protective properties of a mouthguard.  It is not proven that custom made mouth guards can protect athletes from a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion, but there are studies that show a significant difference in injury rate when comparing athletes wearing custom made mouthguards versus store bought mouthguards.

Here are a few websites with some helpful information regarding mouthguards and oral-facial/head injuries related to sports.

http://www.sportsdentistry.com/concussion.html

http://www.nays.org/article/10872-Starter

The good news is that we can help your child be safe and have fun during his/her sports endeavors.  Call our office today at 303-498-9207 to get your child fitted for a custom mouthguard!

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Many women wonder whether they can or should see a dentist during pregnancy, and the answer is most definitely YES!

Routine Care

The American Pregnancy Association recommends dental check-ups and cleanings during pregnancy because the “rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums. Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to pre-term birth.”

In addition, pregnancy can increase acidity in the mouth, which can cause to tooth decay. Frequent morning sickness and vomiting can contribute to this problem.

Pregnancy hormones can also cause teeth to loosen as the ligaments in the jaw relax, so it is beneficial to have your dentist check your teeth for any complications.

Dental Procedures

As for more extensive procedures, such as fillings and crowns, it is best to wait until after pregnancy, if possible. If not, scheduling the procedure during the second trimester is best – that period of pregnancy is considered lower risk, plus it may be more difficult to lie on your back by the time you reach the third trimester.

If you must have an emergency or urgent treatment, such as a root canal, discuss anesthesia with your dentist. Lidocaine is a common anesthesia used in dental practices. It is classified as a category B drug (category B drugs include those that have been shown to have no risk to a fetus in animal testing, but no studies on pregnant women have been conducted). As it does cross the placenta, so a low dosage is preferred.

In emergency cases, and X-ray is usually necessary, and the American College of Radiology has shown that one exposure to an X-ray during pregnancy produces radiation at levels too low to affect the fetus. (This FAQanswers some questions about X-rays during pregnancy.)

Other Considerations

Some patients with certain heart conditions are asked to pre-medicate with antibiotics prior to dental visits. If that applies to you, talk to your dentist about recommendations regarding pre-medication during pregnancy. Your provider may prescribe a different antibiotic than your usual during this time.

Cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening should be avoided during pregnancy.

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It’s never too early to begin caring for your child’s teeth. Here are a few guidelines to help parents manage their child’s dental care needs from infancy and throughout early childhood.

Birth – 12 months

Parents of infants can help set the stage for healthy teeth and gums in the first year of a child’s life.

• After feedings, brush the child’s mouth with water using a soft-bristled baby toothbrush or a soft washcloth.
• Schedule regular check-ups with your child’s pediatrician, who will check your baby’s mouth as part of the examination.
• The American Dental Association recommends a first visit with the dentist by 12 months of age.

12 months – Age 2

Once a child’s baby teeth have come in (the first tooth usually appears between four months and 12 months; and all baby teeth, including molars, should come in before age three), proper brushing and dental care becomes even more important.

• Begin to teach your child proper brushing habits by cleaning his or her teeth twice a day, morning and evening. Parents, you will need to do the cleaning at this age, but this routine will also help prepare your child to brush alone when ready.
• Brush your child’s teeth with a soft-bristled brush and non-fluoride toothpaste designed for toddlers. Brush the fronts and backs of teeth, as well as your child’s tongue. (Children at this age are too young for fluoride toothpaste, but they should get adequate fluoride from your community’s municipal water supply.)
• Schedule a check-up with your dentist. Good preventive care at this age can help prevent more serious dental issues later. This visit is also a good time to discuss your child’s bite, pacifier use and other mouth-related issues.

Age 2 and older

With your help and encouragement, your child’s dental care habits should be well established by age two. Keep up the good work!

• By age two, you may begin using a fluoride toothpaste for your child, but be sure to use only a small amount. A pea-sized dollop on a soft brush should do the trick.
• Also by this age, your child’s teeth are likely growing closer together. Once two teeth touch, it’s time to start flossing your child’s teeth daily.
• Limit juice and offer more water to drink. Juice can be high in sugar, which can lead to tooth decay. It’s important to maintain healthy baby teeth while a child’s mouth prepares for the permanent teeth that will come in later.

In our next edition, we’ll discuss good dental habits for older children. In the meantime, please feel free to send us any questions about your child’s dental health via our contact page. 

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There was a time when misaligned or crooked teeth meant years of wearing metal braces, elastic bands, headgear and more. Fortunately, technology has improved over the past several years. Metal braces are smaller and often work more quickly, and other options have made metal a thing of the past for some patients.

Two such options are the Invisalign and Six Month Smiles systems, which are products we offer in our practice. We get a lot of questions from patients about these systems, so we’d like to take this opportunity to answer a few FAQs.

Invisalign

What is Invisalign? It is a nearly invisible series of plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit over your teeth to correct a variety of smile issues. You receive a new set of aligners every two weeks for the duration of treatment.

How long does treatment last? Average treatment lasts 12 months for adults, which varies based on each patient’s needs. Treatment for teens depends on the severity and complexity of the correction needed.

How do I know if Invisalign is an option for me or my teen? Invisalign is designed to address a variety of mouth alignment, crowding and gapping issues. To find out if you or your teen are a good candidate, try the Invisalign assessment tool or contact our office for a consultation.

What about the cost and insurance coverage? The cost of Invisalign varies based on the complexity of the correction needed. Typical ranges span from $2,000 to $8,000. If you have orthodontic coverage from your insurance provider, a portion of the cost may be covered. You may also use flexible spending account (FSA) dollars to pay for treatment.

Six Month Smiles

What is Six Month Smiles? Six Month Smiles uses brackets that are affixed to individual teeth, but the brackets are clear. They are connected by tooth-colored wires for a look that is moderately visible.

How long does treatment last? Six Month Smiles offers an average treatment duration of six months, which varies based on each patient’s correction needs.

How do I know if Six Month Smiles is an option for me or my teen? The Six Month Smiles system is designed for adults who are looking for a quick and affordable alternative to metal braces. It works best for patients who do not need significant bite or alignment correction. Take the Six Month Smiles assessment or contact our office for a consultation.

What about cost and insurance coverage? The cost varies widely depending on each patient’s needs. If you have orthodontic coverage, insurance may cover a portion of the cost. You may also use FSA dollars to save for treatment.

We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have as you consider whether a smile correction system is right for you. We can help you determine how much of the cost will be covered by insurance, and we can discuss your needs and concerns at any time. Please don’t hesitate to ask us. Call us at 303-428-9207 to schedule a consultation. 

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It’s almost three weeks into the new year, and you have probably made some valiant efforts so far to stick to your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you’ve joined a gym or you’re working on a new budget to curb extra spending. The Dentists on Pearl would love to encourage you to add one more resolution to your list: Take better care of your teeth.

If health and wellness are top priorities for you in 2014, then your teeth should certainly get some extra TLC. Throughout the year, we’ll cover a variety of ways to do just that. Up first, as you’re vowing to leave behind the heavy holiday foods and sweets, we’ll talk about some tooth-friendly foods and beverages:

Water – In addition to keeping you hydrated and offering a wealth of other health benefits, water can help combat the damaging effects of high-acid foods that can wear away tooth enamel. Rinsing with water after drinking coffee, tea or wine can also help mitigate stains. Finally, water helps wash away food particles and contributes to the production of saliva, one of your body’s natural defenses against tooth decay. Replace your daily soda or sports drink with a big glass of water, and your mouth will thank you.

Cheese and other dairy products – High in calcium, dairy foods help protect teeth and gums. In addition, a recent study published in General Dentistry shows that dairy foods may help prevent cavities by changing the mouth’s pH level and possibly by protecting the teeth from more acidic foods. Another recent study showed that drinking a glass of milk after eating sugary food helped reduce the levels of acid in the mouth.

Protein-rich foods – As recommended by the American Dental Association, foods like meats, milk and eggs contain phosphorous, another key tooth-protecting mineral. Foods like egg yolks, fatty fish and liver also contain Vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.

Crunchy foods – Carrots and apples, for example, take a bit of effort to chew. All that chewing can help scrape away plaque, and it also encourages saliva production, which is beneficial for fighting bacteria.

Fruits and vegetables – In addition to helping promote saliva production, fruits and vegetables contain vitamins that are important to tooth and gum health, including Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Vitamin C contributes to healthier gums, and Vitamin A is essential in the formation of tooth enamel.

Of course, after all that eating and drinking, don’t forget to brush and floss!

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