We have had a busy week filled with numerous wisdom teeth extractions.  Wisdom teeth may require extraction not just in teens and young adults, but also well into adulthood, as our teeth are always moving and shifting and they can create unnecessary problems. Most wisdom teeth extractions are straight forward.  A panoramic x-ray will identify where the teeth are, how they are coming in & whether  extraction is the right course of action.  There are several types of sedation a patient may opt for when having this surgery.  Full sedation, Intravenous sedation is most often used for this procedure.  The patient will generally sleep through the appointment and have very little or no memory of the visit.  This sedation is administered by Dr. Waldman and monitored by a registered nurse, ensuring safety and comfort.Recovery of course varies with each individual.  The day of the surgery there may be some discomfort and swelling.  This is managed with ice and pain medication.  The first few days after surgery will require a soft food diet and then it’s back to life as usual.  The summer months tend to be busier for this type of procedure due to students being off from school, so if this is something you’ve been contemplating, give the office a call and we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation for you. 

Do you suffer from bleeding, swollen, sore gums?  Are you embarrassed by bad breath and an awful taste in your mouth even after you’ve brushed? Are you tired of your dentist and dental hygienist lecturing you that your oral hygiene is not up to par even though you are brushing twice a day?  The mouth is the dirtiest part of the body with bacteria hiding in hard to reach places.  So with all that is going on inside there, maybe it’s not entirely your fault!  Oravital is a new periodontal fighting system just introduced in our office.  It allows us to test patients in order to determine the types of bacteria living in their mouths and provide treatment to minimize the offending numbers.Here’s how it works.  A sample swab is taken from the tongue and teeth, then sent for testing at a micro lab.  The results tell us the types of bacteria that exist in the patients’ mouth and allow us to treat the symptoms by targeting the bacteria with specific anti-bacterial rinses.  When the bacteria are under control, the patient is on the road to better oral health.This treatment along with daily flossing and brushing will help to ensure a clean, healthy and happy mouth. 

It’s impossible to please all the people all the time, but it’s always nice to get feedback from our patients.  This information let’s us know what we’re doing right & how we can improve.  Our patient’s satisfaction, trust committment is always our first priority.  Here are just a few comments from some patients:

“I am confident that I am receiving the best possible dental care.  Because of the outstanding level of skill at your office, I am willing to drive from the west end to receive care at you office. ” Lorraine B.

“I love coming to this dental practice and would not choose to go anywhere else. Everyone is so pleasant and helpful and I recommend Dr. Waldman to anyone and everyone.  I especially appreciated the care I received when I had a particularly difficult time with a gum infection.  My absolute favorite is the 1 hour crown option (CEREC) and I’m always so impressed with the latest technology in use at this practice.”  Anne Marie C.

“Love the new laser treatment for gums!  It has made a big difference for me.”  Tim F.

I have recently returned from one of the best continuing education courses that I have ever taken in my whole career!

Last month I spent one whole week in Southern Brazil in the city of Curitiba.  In Curitiba there is the Fahl Center, a  learning institute named after its founder; Dr. Newton Fahl.

In this center, I and seven other dentists from all parts of the world spent an average of 12 hours a day for five straight days, learning both basic and new techniques for creating beautiful and natural teeth through bonding with composite resin.  While this has been one of my skill sets for many years, it was here that I learned about the vast number of products available to make these restorations easier and more lifelike. I also learned how to be much more critical of my work and produce results like never before. 

My teacher, Dr. Newton Fahl, was terrific and took us all back to basics. He took us on a journey ending in complex restorations using a multitude of shades and products that allowed us, as clinicians to mask dark teeth, produce teeth that show not only translucencies on the edges, but demonstrate properties of fluorescence and opalescence and subtleties of shading.  We also focused on how to close gaps between teeth and produce beautiful natural results.  All this with less tooth preparation (drilling) than would be necessary with porcelain veneers.

Now bonding isn’t for every patient need, and porcelain restorations still will produce the longest lasting restorations when done properly, but now I have one more treatment option for patients that I feel confident to offer!

For over 40 years, dental implants have been used successfully in millions of people worldwide as a treatment option for missing teeth.  Today’s advanced technology allows most patients to get dental implants quickly and painlessly.  New procedures have shorter recovery times.  Patients are often able to eat and smile soon after completing the procedure. 

The Benefits of Dental Implants:

·         Dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth.

·         Eliminate the need for bridges which necessitates healthy teeth to be ground down.

·         Dental implants help to stimulate bone tissue and gums, which

helps to maintain facial structures

·         Do not require the use of adhesives or clasps

·         Implants ca help eliminate the discomfort and insecurity

associated with loose, ill-fitting dentures.

So call Dr. Waldman today and find out how dental implants can transform your self esteem by giving you a beautiful new smile.

Are you missing one or more teeth?  Is it hard for you to eat certain foods?  Do your dentures fit poorly?  Are you embarrassed by your smile?  Dental Implants may be the simple, affordable solution for you.  Dental Implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental Implants are small root-like posts made of titanium that are placed into the jaw bone and actually bond to the bone, a process called osseointegration. This creates a fixed and stable foundation for an anchor, called an abutment, on which the crown, bridge or denture can then be placed.  Implants can replace one tooth, several teeth or all your teeth.

In our next blog we’ll discuss the Safety Concerns and the Benefits of Dental Implants.

Please feel free to send us any questions you may have.