News

 Since March 2007 your dental office has made changes to improve the delivery of oral health care to our patients.  We began by installing a new radiographic machine and a digital x-ray developer and eleven new computers.  The benefits are significantly reduced radiation exposure, quicker viewing of results, permanent storage and preservation of records, larger image for patient understanding of their dental condition, automatic retrieval by date, email capabilities, unlimited copies and greatly reduced environmental impact.  We multiplied these benefits by replacing our dependable analog panorex with a new digital panoramic x-ray in October 2007.

In 2007 we also included some laser technology with a tissue laser  and a new early cavity detection laser.  We use the tissue laser primarily to remove excess tissue covering newly erupting teeth to prevent premature decay cause by food and bacteria.  The cavity detection laser allows for a more precise determination of early decay so that your teeth can be restored with less drilling and often with no need for local anesthetic.

During 2008 we purchased our third generation of intraoral camera.  The benefits include clear "larger than life" visuals of your teeth to complement our always complete technical explanations.  A side benefit is the ability for your insurance company to view the same conditions in ambiguous situations so that you can obtain coverage.

"In the news"  August 2008, a UCLA microbiologist, Wenyuan Shi, tested 2,000 herbs to find out which one would be most effective in killing Streptococcus  mutans, one of the main bacterias that cause cavities.  After 50,000 experiments, microbiologist Shi found that the active ingredient in licorice was most effective.  It takes about 5 minutes to destroy the bacteria, so Shi chose to put the ingredient in a lollipop.  The frequency of use of the lollipop depends on the risk of decay.  For moderate rate of decay, every 6 months; for high risk, every three months.  The lollipop should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth at least over a five minutes (with no biting).  The lollipops can be purchased at www.drjohns.com.  For a more scientific explanation, go to www.intelliherb.com/index.php.

During 2009, we upgraded our services for root planing (deep cleaning) and periodontal maintenance (deep cleaning for incipient periodontal disease) by including the use of diluted 10% Povidone Iodine during our microultrasonic therapy procedures.  Now we have a topical chemotherapeutic means in addition to a mechanical (ultrasonic) means to combat the bacteria and viruses that live in the gum pocket, on the root surface, and lining the inner gum tissue.  The iodine inactivates and kill bacteria and viruses by oxidation and is able to work beyond where the ultrasonic tip can reach.  The ultrasonic action releases the bacteria and viruses by disrupting and destroying their protective biofilm and the povidone iodine finishes the job.  We believe in this therapy so much that we have purchased four sets of new equipment in order to provide this service to you.  There is no additional fee attached for the use of this effective topical chemotherapeutic agent.  Contraindications for use includes pregnancy, hypothyroidism, breast feeding and allergy to iodine.  Our purpose is to help patients slow down the progression of their disease, especially for those who do not decide to commence or complete necessary periodontal surgery. 

In 2009 we have included a new service after purchasing a high tech curing unit for making custom night guards.  It has been estimated that about 30% of the population could benefit from the use of a night guard and that this service is well underutilized. Night guards  are used to protect biting surfaces of teeth, dental restorations and the supporting gum and bone from the destruction caused by the grinding of teeth at night.  The nightguard material will wear before the enamel breaks down so that your teeth and associated structures can be under less stress and hopefully prolong your natural dentition  and restorations.

All of the doctors in our office continue to seek better ways to improve treatment for you by reading dental literature and attending continuing education courses.  For example, we now have many different means of restoring teeth with "white fillings"  because we have different materials for different parts of teeth for different purposes and different  techniques for the same parts of teeth for different situations.  We have continued to upgrade to new products when those newer products have a significant advantage.  We just wish to provide the best and longest lasting problem free restorations for you.

Thank  you!