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Dentistry StoriesToday's Featured Doctor |
The Digital Age of Dentistry Has Arrived
Gone are the days (or soon will be) when dentists had to ladle quantities of goo into patients' mouths to take impressions for the construction of crowns, bridges and implants. Instead, exciting new high technology has been developed that will do a two-minute digital scan of a patient's entire set of teeth. Once the information is captured by an electronic wand the dentist passes around the teeth, it's delivered to a dental lab where milling machines hooked up to CNC (computer numerical control) devices are used to craft the artificial dentition, most of which is now made from zirconium dioxide. In the past, gold and platinum had been the materials of choice. Read more about The Digital Age of Dentistry Has Arrived
The Challenges of Children's Sleep Apnea
Children spend almost 40% their childhood asleep. It is an important factor in a child's physical and mental development. Good quality sleep is as important as proper nutrition and exercise for a child's healthy development. But what happens when children can't get sound sleep? Children's Sleep apnea is a serious health condition that can result in devastating health consequences.
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As Goes Oral Health, So Goes General Health
Many studies are showing a persistent connection between gum disease and other ailments that afflict corners of the body far afield from the teeth. Specifically, when gingivitis (early-stage gum disease) or full-blown periodontal disease is present, it's often the case that doctors find that a patient has diabetes, kidney disorders, preterm labor, certain types of cancer, osteoporosis or even Alzheimer's disease. Read more about As Goes Oral Health, So Goes General Health
Dental Cleaning May Alleviate Heart Disease Risk
In patients with mild to moderate gum disease, a trip to the dentist for tartar removal and overall cleaning has the benefit of actually reducing inflammation of the endothelium (lining) of the arteries, thus lowering the risk for heart disease, a small recent study showed.
“It involved removal of tartar and cleaning the gums, and that’s it – no surgery and no antibiotics – just your basic dental hygiene,” said senior study author Mario Clerici, a professor at the University of Milan, in Italy. He said the researchers are performing an experiment to confirm their results. Read more about Dental Cleaning May Alleviate Heart Disease Risk
Dentists Can Identify Those At Risk for Heart Disease
Dentists can play a potentially life-saving role in health care by identifying patients at risk of fatal heart attacks and referring them to physicians for further evaluation, according a new study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The study followed 200 patients in private dental practices in Sweden whose dentists used a computerized system, "HeartScore," to calculate the risk of a patient dying from a cardiovascular event within a 10-year period. Read more about Dentists Can Identify Those At Risk for Heart Disease
Dangers of Mercury Fillings
A study reported in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Chemical Research in Toxicology reports on a new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings.
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Dental Disease Epidemic in Some U.S. Demographic Groups
Children who are poor, black, Hispanic, disabled, uninsured or HIV-positive are suffering a “silent epidemic” of gum and dental disease, according to dental experts and the U.S. surgeon general.
Data show that, by age 17, over 7 percent of children have had at least one permanent tooth destroyed through decay. A disproportionate number of such children belong to these at-risk demographic groups. Read more about Dental Disease Epidemic in Some U.S. Demographic Groups
Expert Commentary: Mark Morris D.M.D. 12/1/2009
Pain and root canals, public embarrassment, the loss of thousands of dollars – these can all result from poor case selection and operator technique with porcelain veneers.
Everyone hears about how movie stars and athletes get great smiles with veneers but there is not much talk about the potential downsides. I’m a dentist. I’ve seen it all. I’m here to give you the inside scoop. Read more about Expert Commentary: Mark Morris D.M.D. 12/1/2009
Saving Badly Diseased Teeth More Trouble Than It's Worth
In recent years, it was common practice for dentists to perform repeat root canals and other procedures in an effort to say teeth compromised by extensive decay, gum disease, and bone loss. Recently, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry has said that this no longer necessary and patients should skip the dental heroics and opt for long lasting dental implants.
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The Hidden Benefits of Dental Implants
At first glance, dental implants may appear to be a primarily cosmetic procedure. After all, many of us value having a youthful smile and a naturally shaped face. However, there are other problems associated with opting not to replace missing teeth - some of which can dramatically affect your quality of life.
Read more about The Hidden Benefits of Dental Implants
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