Dr. Steven Cload
Dentistry Blog
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Dental Cleanings
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
One of the ways we keep you at optimal health is by protecting against the bacterial assault that occurs daily in your mouth. For many patients, even with healthy mouths, this requires getting cleanings three times a year instead of two.
Why do insurance companies only cover two cleanings? The concept of getting dental cleanings twice a year stemmed from toothpaste advertising campaigns back in the 1930′s and 40′s which promoted getting dental check up and cleanings every 6 months. The dental insurance companies adopted that regimen into their coverage in the 1950′s and unfortunately, have not changed their stance since. That is surprising considering that 80% of the adult population suffers from periodontal disease.
So why do you need three cleanings? You may not. The number of cleanings you require per year depends on you and no one else. Some patients see our hygienists four times per year and some will see them four times in a month initially to get their gum and supporting bones to a state of health before we can even decide on a yearly hygiene frequency. Not even hygienists and dentists can always get away with twice a year cleanings. No one can get at every surface of their teeth to remove problems. This includes the bad bacteria which contribute to the build-up, bad breath and the formation of gum disease. The accumulation depends on your personal hygiene habits, genetic disposition, mineral content in your saliva and diet. You can, however, fight the build up of tartar, bacteria and their toxins by having more frequent cleanings.
What we know about the bad bacteria is that it takes about three months to establish a colony in your mouth and by the fourth month, they are in full production of the bi-products or toxins that attack your enamel and gums. By doing three cleanings a year, we are able to interrupt this cycle and keep you at optimal health. It also allows for early detection of any possible decay formation which now (with the help of some technologically advanced products), we can reverse.
So what should I do? Try to not let your insurance coverage dictate your cleaning intervals. We strive to consider all factors that affect your dental health and make our recommendations with the ultimate goal of total health and wellness for you. We understand that this means you might have to pay out of pocket for the additional cleaning, and so we give our recommendation based on your risks and let you make the choice! Come see us for your regularly scheduled cleaning and we’ll be happy to make an assessment and recommendation for you! Contact us today.
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Advantages and disadvantages of veneers.
Friday, November 18th, 2011
Veneers are, without a doubt, modern dentistry’s best way to replicate nature. That is always the goal of cosmetic dentistry- to replicate nature, not try to improve upon it. Porcelain veneers are not the only option for changing one’s smile but are commonly used when a patient wants to gain a lot of control of their smile (change color, size, shape, etc).
The advantages to porcelain veneers are:
- Aesthetics: Porcelain is our most ‘natural’ looking enamel replacement material because it replicates many of the same properties as enamel. For example, enamel has a property called translucency (where light can enter and be reflected back out). Porcelain has that same characteristic and can be varied by the master ceramist to blend with the surrounding teeth.
- Durability: Porcelain veneers are bonded to the underlying tooth structure. Because of this, there is a chemical adhesion to the tooth and the veneer on a microscopic level. Done correctly and precisely, this bonded procedure can last upwards of 2o years.
- Lack of staining: Unlike bonding or natural teeth, porcelain veneers do not really stain because of the material (essentially a glass ceramic). Additionally, porcelain veneers are glazed in an oven as the final process in their fabrication so this prevents (or minimizes) staining.
- Strength: Besides using metal in your mouth, porcelain systems today are the strongest materials we have.
Nothing in dentistry is perfect though. There are some disadvantages associated with porcelain veneers:
- Cost: Porcelain veneers are expensive. Veneers range in quality across the board, just like most products we buy. For example, just like in automobiles, you may want to buy a sub-compact car or a high-end luxury sedan. Porcelain veneers are typically no different in that you get what you pay for. The price they can range from is $700 – $2000 per tooth. This does not mean that you can’t get quality at $700 nor does it guarantee a $2000 veneer is going to be perfect. This is why it is so important to look at the “before and after” results of the dentist you are considering to make sure they’re qualified to meet your expectations.
- Invasive: Porcelain veneers are typically more invasive to the enamel than other options (for example, tooth bonding is less invasive.) Even at a minimal thickness of 0.3mm, without a little tooth reduction, the tooth could appear bulky. There are situations, though, where the tooth does not require any reduction (i.e. drilling).
- Not stronger than enamel: It’s a myth that porcelain is good for people who have chipped or broken their teeth through grinding (or chewing ice, etc). Porcelain is not stronger than enamel. So basically anything that could chip or break a natural tooth will do the same to porcelain. In many instances, we mandate a night-guard in our cases to ensure protection on your investment.
Porcelain veneers can be a great investment, if they are the right option for you. Contact our office for a free consultation and find out if porcelain veneers are right for you!
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Osteoporosis and Dentistry
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011
Menopause becomes part of a woman’s life. Many women worry about osteoporosis and will visit their doctor for treatment options to prevent that from occurring.
There have been many forms of medication in the past that were prescribed for these bone conditions. For the last decade or so, the major drug of choice has been some form of Bisphosphonates drug. Examples include Floramax, Boniva, Actonel, Didronel, and Reclast. Some of these drugs are also used to treat other bone diseases like Paget’s Disease, as well as some forms of cancer. These drugs do wonders for maintaining the bone levels of women in their postmenopausal years.
However, there are always side effects with any drug we take and it is important to know those serious side effects, especially on medication that is taken on a daily basis for long periods of time.
Bisphosphonates are no different. The drugs work by affecting the bone cells, called osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which means they slow or stop the natural process that dissolves bone tissue, resulting in maintained or increased bone density. So why is all this important for your mouth and jaws?
For those who take the Bisphosphonates, there is a risk of what is called osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition in which the bone is dying. For patients who take the pill form, it is important to understand that based on the information currently available, the risk for developing bone osteonecrosis is low. Preventing osteonecrosis of the jaw is very important to dentists when treating patients during oral surgery, tooth extractions, gum and bone disease, dental implants, and root canals. The best form of treatment is prevention. You are likely at low risk, but it is important for us to know you are on these medications so we can make sure you maintain a good clean bill of dental health. So, when your dentist asks if you are on any new medications, let them know.
If you think you will be on a Bisphosphonates drug in the near future, or if you already are on one, give us a call so we can do a thorough dental examination and treat any conditions you may have early, to avoid any need to worry about osteonecrosis of the bone.
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Oral Cancer and early diagnosis
Sunday, October 16th, 2011
Oral cancer is fast becoming the deadliest cancer. Oral cancer is one of the easiest cancers to detect but unfortunately over 60% are diagnosed at a late stage. One in four diagnosed with oral cancer will die. One person every hour of every day dies from oral cancer in North America.If detected early there is a 80-90% survival rate. This all points to early detection.
Oral cancer had in the past been associated with heavy smokers,drinkers and more than twice as likely to affect men.That demographic is changing dramatically.Young women are now becoming the number one victim of oral cancer. This is due to the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer. It is now the number one cause of oral cancer.
It is the easiest to detect if you visit your dentist regularly. At every recall visit your dentist or hygienist should perform a cancer screen of your mouth along with your neck.
Technology also aids our goal of early detection. At Southcentre dental clinic in Calgary Dr.Cload and his team will offer a simple test using the Velscope light detection system that helps us to see changes in your oral tissue before they become visible. If you wish to have this simple $10 test performed please call our office to arrange the screening.
Below are 5 links for a wonderful presentation by Dr.Oz on detection and treatment.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-2
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-3
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-4
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oral-cancer-scary-truth-pt-5
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Receding Gums
Saturday, October 1st, 2011
I often hear: “I’m getting old so my gums will recede.” Sorry, but that is not something we can blame on age alone. Yes, we all get long in the tooth but our teeth should not!!
Receding gums can be a sign of much more serious issues, such as periodontal disease (gum disease), bite problems such as grinding and clenching, postural issues in the body and even evidence of sleep disorders. Unfortunately, many people including health care professionals believe that gum recession is normal or a sign of brushing too hard. It’s neither. Actually gums only recede if the bone below the gums is breaking down. The gum recession follows bone loss and the only thing keeping those teeth in your smile is the bone they sit in. Lose the bone and you lose the teeth. Because gum recession happens gradually, it isn’t always easy to tell if your gums are receding. The following are some signs to look for:
- Tooth sensitivity, caused by exposed tooth roots.
- The tooth appears longer than normal.
- A notch can be felt at the base of the tooth, near the gumline.
Knowing the cause is important because we will not be able to effectively treat the recession without knowing the actual cause.
If gum disease is causing your gum recession, your dentist or periodontist might recommend an intense cleaning process known as scaling and root planning to reduce the presence of bacteria.
If misalignment is the cause, then a bite analysis for potential TMJ issues is necessary along with postural analysis such as neck alignment and back problems. A poor posture can lead to clenching and grinding which is a major contributor to gum recession.
One common way to repair the damage is to graft skin, usually taken from the roof of the mouth, to cover the root. You can also take some steps at home to reduce the sensitivity of your teeth, such as by using special toothpaste. Also applying a desensitizing agent or filling the notches along the gumline with a tooth-coloured filling material may be required.
Don’t put off gum recession treatment, it is the sign that something is wrong. Gums do not receed because they decide to.
If you are in the Calgary area, please contact Dr. Cload for a free consultation concerning your receding gum-line.
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Is Sleep Apnea Really a Problem?
Friday, July 29th, 2011
Sleep apnea, or its common form obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when your airway is blocked while you sleep. Because of the lack of oxygen, most people with this condition will choke in their sleep or awake suddenly gasping for air.
While most people don’t even realize they are afflicted by OSA, this disorder can be extremely serious and even deadly. This happens when your tongue falls back into your throat and prevents you from breathing. When you are not getting the oxygen you need, your lungs try harder to breathe and your heart has to pump harder, increasing your blood pressure.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Sleep apnea is characterized by a number of symptoms, including:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air while you sleep
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Mood swings
Although OSA can affect people of all ages, it is more common after the age of 30. It is also more widely encountered in patients who are overweight or are genetically predisposed.
If you would like to learn about treatment options for sleep apnea, please contact Calgary, Alberta, dentist Dr. Steven Cload at Southcentre Dental Clinic to schedule a consultation.
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