Invisalign – An Invisible Way to Straighten Crooked Teeth!

Cools

Let’s havea straight talk about crooked teeth.  There are many people who would like to straighten their teeth but do not want to wear those braces.  Relax, there is a new way to get straightened teeth through “brace-lift,” it is virtually an invisible way to improve your smile, straighten your teeth so that you can have a face without the braces.  Yes, you have  heard of it, you saw it on television, it is known as Invisalign.  Ask your dental provider for more information.  A little information never kills anyone.

Forget everything you’ve heard about teeth straightening. Because now there’s breakthrough technology that lets you get the smile you always wanted without bands, brackets, or wires.

A clear alternative: By using a series of clear removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth right before your eyes. Change them about every two weeks, and your teeth will move—little by little, week by week—until they have moved to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed. Comfortable to wear, our aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss as usual.Less treatment time: A typical Invisalign case takes about a year from start to finish. You’ll see your doctor everymonth or two to see how you’re progressing. Every few visits, you’ll be given additional aligners to continue your treatment. Commonly, the number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but treatment time and the number of aligners will vary from case to case.Invisible. And comfortable: Invisalign is a virtually invisible solution. So you won’t draw undue attention to your mouth while in treatment. In fact, virtually no one will know you’re wearing them unless you tell. Comfortable to wear, our aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss as usual.

Is Invisalign for me? Invisaligncan be used to treat the vast majority of common problems for adults and teens. Whether your smile needs minor improvements or more extensive adjustments, Invisaligncan certainly help. It’s successful in treating overly crowded or widely spaced teeth. It can also relieve more complex issues, including overbites, underbites and even crossbites. In fact, an Invisalign Certified Orthodontist or Dentist can use Invisalign clear aligners in all or part of just about any treatment plan.Look your best during treatment: Invisalign is clear and practically invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new smile. No wonder Invisalign is the choice of over half a million people.* Unobtrusive in business meetings or social gatherings * No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth * Most people won’t notice you’re wearing aligners

Briana Garcia Celebrates Quinceanera

On this Saturday, March 21, 2009, Briana Garcia celebrates Quinceanera.  We hope to have some pictures for you.  Join us in wishing her happy Quinceanera celebration and hoping that turning 15 years will be a blessing not just to her both to her parents and the rest of the family.

We salute her in her coming of age.  This is a celebration for girls turning 15 in many Spanish-speaking countries, food, drinks and music as well as dance.  Of course some include prayers and blessings  from the priest, the parents and other well-wishers.

On March 21 in accordance with the spirit of Quinceanera, Briana becomes a woman.  She will sit in front of the church for Mass in her white dress — sewn in her grandmother’s Cuban home town  and will enjoy God’s blessings.

The priest will probably urge Briana to live as a daughter of God, of course she is a daughter of Almighty. Her parents, Michelle & rogers will most probably give her a gold ring shaped like the number 15. Near the end of the service, She will lay a bouquet of roses before a statue of  the Virgin Mary.  Life is good and the celebration begins after the church service.

It will be a blast! brianaquinceanera

Men’s Oral Health from Academy of General Dentistry.

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Men’s Oral Health Why is Oral Health Important for Men? Good oral health recently has been linked with longevity. Yet, one of the most common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being male. Men are less likely than women to seek preventive dental care and often neglect their oral health for years, visiting a dentist only when a problem arises. Men are also more likely to develop oral and throat cancer and periodontal (gum) disease. Read on to learn how men can take care of their oral health. Men’s Oral Health Under 30? Check for Oral Cancer In the past decade, the dental profession has seen a considerable increase in the number of oral cancer patients under age 30 who have no identifiable risk factors of contracting the disease, such as tobacco or alcohol use.  Although national surveys show that the U.S. adult population is ill-informed about the risk factors of developing oral cancers, as well as its signs and symptoms, most dentists perform oral cancer exams.  Learn how your dentist can help. Men’s Oral Health Looking for a Better Job? Start by Visiting the Dentist! Men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Why? Nearly 45 percent of respondents felt that men don’t see a need to go to the dentist, and about 30 percent of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. More men are climbing back into the dental chair – for a surprising reason. FAQs: Root Canal Therapy Root canal therapy is a procedure that removes the damaged or dead tooth pulp. The canal is reshaped and filled with gutta percha, a rubber-like material, to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed. If your general dentist recommends a root canal, he or she will perform the treatment or refer you to an endodontist, which is a specialist who treats injuries, diseases, and infections of the tooth pulp.   Read on to learn more about this procedure.

The AGD has a strict policy that e-mail addresses will not be sold, rented or shared with any company or organization, including AGD sponsors without your permission. From time to time the AGD may send out e-mail of interest to our members. If you would prefer not to receive these notices, please visit your profile to unsubscribe or adjust your settings. 211 East Chicago Ave., Ste 900, Chicago, IL 60611-1999 Ph: 888.AGD.DENT (888.243.3368) Fax: 312.440.0559

Where the Teeth Bite* from Men’s Health

By Denny Watkins, Men’s Health

Men’s Health

It’s a good thing barbecue is so popular in Texas—worst case, the state’s dentally challenged can simply gum their fall-off-the-bone favorite. In ranking the nation’s best and worst teeth, two Lone Star State cities—El Paso and Lubbock—finish in the bottom 10, with San Antonio and Dallas close behind. Nor is this just a beauty contest, given that poor oral hygiene is linked to higher risks of heart disease, stroke, and even pancreatic cancer.

Check out Men’s Health’s Interactive Map of Where the Teeth Bite

Our analysis includes stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the number of people who visit their dentists for annual checkups, the number of no-shows whose choppers are dropping out, and the number of households with fluoride on tap. And since warding off gum disease is key to keeping your smile, we also factored in who’s flossing, from Mediamark Research. When the computer spit out the results, it became clear that some drilling is needed in Texas, and we don’t mean for oil.

The Acid Bath

On the surface it makes sense: Brush your teeth after breakfast. Problem is, cereal, bananas, and OJ are acidic, and if you eat them and then brush right away, you’ll remove some of the temporarily softened tooth enamel. The remedy? Wait 20 minutes before you brush, says David Bartlett, B.D.S., Ph.D., a British expert on dental erosion.

Scan for Stroke

After your dentist checks for cavities, ask him to eyeball your arteries. The panoramic dental x-ray not only offers a 180-degree window into your oral health, but also reveals whether the other plaque is piling up in your carotid arteries—plaque that might otherwise go undetected until you stroke out. Unfortunately, only 10 percent of dentists bother to look. “Many dentists miss the bigger picture of health,” says Laurie Carter, D.D.S., Ph.D., president of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. Nudge your dentist to examine your x-ray. If he sees anything suspicious, ask him to send the film to your physician.

Cities with the Best Teeth

Rank	City Name
1	Madison, WI
2	Nashville, TN
3	Raleigh, NC
4	St. Paul, MN
5	Aurora, CO
6	Charlotte, NC
7	Yonkers, NY
8	Grand Rapids, MI
9	Fargo, ND
10	Minneapolis, MN

Cities with the Worst Teeth

Rank	City Name
100	Lubbock, TX
99	Philadelphia, PA
98	Spokane, WA
97	Salt Lake City, UT
96	Jackson, MS
95	El Paso, TX
94	Portland, OR
93	Tulsa, OK
92	Tucson, AZ
91	Baton Rouge, LA

 

Cities with the Most Households Using Floss in the Past 6 Months

Rank	City Name
1	Fremont, CA
2	San Jose, CA
3	Anchorage, AK
4	Arlington, TX
5	Anaheim, CA
6	Aurora, CO
7	Charlotte, NC
8	Colorado Springs, CO
9	Raleigh, NC
10	Las Vegas, NV

Cities Where the Most People Visited the Dentist Within the Past Year

Rank	City Name
1	St. Paul, MN
2	Hartford, CT
3	Minneapolis, MN
4	Burlington, VT
5	Fargo, ND
6	Wilmington, DE
7	Manchester, NH
8	Lincoln, NE
9	Providence, RI
10	Raleigh, NC

Cities Providing the Highest Percentage of Fluoridated Water

Rank	City Name
1	Washington, DC
2	Lexington, KY
3	Louisville, KY
4	Chicago, IL
5	Minneapolis, MN
6	St. Paul, MN
7	Memphis, TN
8	Nashville, TN
9	Fargo, ND
10	Fort Wayne, IN

Lowest Rate of permanent teeth extractions

Rank	City Name
1	Madison, WI
2	Anchorage, AK
3	Corpus Christi, TX
4	Grand Rapids, MI
5	Jackson, MS
6	Anaheim, CA
7	Bakersfield, CA
8	Fresno, CA
9	Modesto, CA
10	Sacramento, CA

 

100 Cities: From Worst to Best

Rank	City Name	Grade	-	Rank	City Name	Grade
100	Lubbock, TX	F	-	50	Columbia, SC	C+
99	Philadelphia, PA	F	-	49	Modesto, CA	C+
98	Spokane, WA	F	-	48	Honolulu, HI	C+
97	Salt Lake City, UT	F	-	47	Bakersfield, CA	C+
96	Jackson, MS	F	-	46	Norfolk, VA	C+
95	El Paso, TX	F	-	45	Las Vegas, NV	C+
94	Portland, OR	F	-	44	Fort Wayne, IN	C+
93	Tulsa, OK	D-	-	43	Richmond, VA	C+
92	Tucson, AZ	D-	-	42	Charleston, WV	C+
91	Baton Rouge, LA	D-	-	41	Lexington, KY	C+
90	Los Angeles, CA	D-	-	40	Greensboro, NC	C+
89	San Antonio, TX	D-	-	39	Indianapolis, KY	B-
88	St. Louis, MO	D-	-	38	Hartford, CT	B-
87	Dallas, TX	D-	-	37	Little Rock, AR	B-
86	Tampa, FL	D-	-	36	Anaheim, CA	B-
85	Jersey City, NJ	D-	-	35	Washington, DC	B-
84	Denver, CO	D-	-	34	New York, NY	B-
83	St. Petersburg, FL	D	-	33	Atlanta, GA	B-
82	Oklahoma City, OK	D	-	32	San Jose, CA	B-
81	Billings, MT	D	-	31	Providence, RI	B-
80	Pittsburgh, PA	D	-	30	San Diego, CA	B-
79	Miami, FL	D	-	29	Wilmington, DE	B
78	Boston, MA	D	-	28	Seattle, WA	B
77	Kansas City, MO	D+	-	27	Cleveland, OH	B
76	Newark, NJ	D+	-	26	Fremont, CA	B
75	Austin, TX	D+	-	25	Manchester, NH	B
74	Fresno, CA	D+	-	24	Toledo, OH	B
73	Sacramento, CA	D+	-	23	Durham, NC	B
72	Birmingham, AL	D+	-	22	Boise, ID	B
71	Buffalo, NY	D+	-	21	San Francisco, CA	B
70	Corpus Christi, TX	D+	-	20	Columbus, OH	B
69	Houston, TX	C-	-	19	Wichita, KS	B
68	Louisville, KY	C-	-	18	Colorado Springs, CO	B+
67	Rochester, NY	C-	-	17	Omaha, NE	B+
66	Bangor, ME	C-	-	16	Jacksonville, FL	B+
65	Riverside, CA	C-	-	15	Sioux City, SD	B+
64	Burlington, VT	C-	-	14	Lincoln, NE	B+
63	Memphis, TN	C-	-	13	Des Moines, IA	B+
62	Orlando, FL	C-	-	12	Lincoln, NE	B+
61	Baltimore, MD	C-	-	11	Anchorage, AK	B+
60	Montgomery, AL	C	-	10	Minneapolis, MN	B+
59	Milwaukee, WI	C	-	9	Fargo, ND	A-
58	Detroit, MI	C	-	8	Grand Rapids, MI	A-
57	Cincinnati, OH	C	-	7	Yonkers, NY	A-
56	Fort Worth, TX	C	-	6	Charlotte, NC	A-
55	Oakland, CA	C	-	5	Aurora, CO	A-
54	Albuquerque, NM	C	-	4	St. Paul, MN	A
53	Chicago, IL	C	-	3	Raleigh, NC	A+
52	Phoenix, AZ	C	-	2	Nashville, TN	A+
51	Cheyenne, MY	C	-	1	Madison, WI	A+

Provided by Men’s Health

URL: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/oral-care/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100199710>1=31017

Where the Teeth Bite* from Men’s Health « Dradeledoherty’s Weblog

Where the Teeth Bite* from Men’s Health « Dradeledoherty’s Weblog

American Dental Association ADA eGRAM: Lead Found in Outsource Crown*

February 27, 2008*

An Ohio CBS-TV affiliate is airing today an investigative report about outsourcing dental lab work offshore-and the story’s hook is that one of the crowns received from a Chinese lab contained lead. The reporter worked with a local dentist to order eight dental crowns (porcelain and full metal) from several labs in China, which were then sent to NSL Analytics in Cleveland for testing. One of the crowns tested positive for lead at 210 ppm. The story also will include information about a woman from Kent, Ohio, with a partial bridge that apparently tested positive for lead at 160 ppm. The woman apparently filed or will be filing a lawsuit, alleging that the bridge caused infection and swelling, which she attributes to the lead. Product danger and contamination stories are big in the media these days-witness the recent pet food and toy stories from 2007-so it’s important for you to be armed with the facts. Here’s what we know ·         No dental prosthetic device should contain lead.·         It’s the quality of work and safety of materials that matter most to dentists and patients, not where the dental lab work is done. The underlying concern should not be where dental lab work is done (because there are offshore labs that do great work) but rather how you, the dentist, and your patients can be assured of the quality of the work and safety of the materials used.  That said, we suspect that the China angle will be played up, especially after the scare over lead paint in toys. You may need information on what to ask your dental lab supplier(s) to be assured that the products you are purchasing from them are safe. View our tip sheet on questions to ask your labs. This will help you talk with your patients, too. ·         Some of your patients will ask where you send your lab work and whether their own crowns or bridges might contain lead. To help you prepare for these questions, view these talking points. Of course, you will want to customize these to fit your needs, but these are basic points you can start with. ·         Rather than waiting for the FDA or state legislatures to take some action, we are going to have our own labs do some random, objective testing of prosthetic devices, some from U.S. labs and others from offshore labs. This will take some time (we’re still evaluating and don’t know how long) to prepare for and execute, but we believe it is important that the ADA do this type of objective testing to gather additional intelligence on whether the Ohio testing was an isolated incident or cause for greater concern. As always, we’re going to let science show the way. We’ll keep you informed of what we learn and the next steps that result from the testing.·         The tip sheet refers to ISO or ANSI compliance. The standards for dental prostheses address the safety and quality of the metal-ceramic dental restorative system (ANSI/ADA Specification No. 38) and include a requirement for the manufacturer to test for the metal alloy composition and concentrations of the materials. There also are standards for noble metals.·         Some state legislatures (for example, Florida and South Carolina) are considering legislation to tighten up the regulation of dental laboratories. Provisions under consideration include requirements that dental labs disclose information such as where devices are made and the materials used. Be on the lookout for future legislative alerts from your state dental society on this topic.·         We made a strong statement to the press that we do not believe any lead should be in dental prosthetic devices. We have been advised by industry experts that there are no FDA-approved materials used in dental prosthetic devices that contain lead, which again points to the importance of your lab adequately assuring you that they use only FDA-approved materials.·         Labs fill the order that you give them based on what you request. The more detailed your request is in terms of what materials you expect them to use (or not use), the more assurance you will have about what they are providing. It is important to specify the exact materials that you want used in the prosthesis.Here’s what we don’t know ·         We don’t know whether this is an isolated incident or indicates a larger problem. We were surprised to learn that any dental prosthetic device might have lead in it. ·         We understand that the lead was found in the surface of the crown, so our scientists suspect (but do not know for sure) that it could have come from the pigment. It’s also theoretically possible that the lead could have come through a soldering process or as a contaminant from the lab environment. Again, as noted above, lead should not be in any FDA-approved materials.We would like to hear from you if you have already experienced a problem with a dental prosthetic device containing lead. We also want to know of any other questions that we may not have outlined in this eGRAM or in the linked documents. Please send your comments and inquiries to: dpdfeedback@ada.org. We will continue to share information with you as we continue to understand this better, so watch ada.org and be on the lookout for possible follow-up eGRAMs.Needless to say, this is a very delicate issue. No one is more concerned about the possibility of lead contamination of dental products than dentists. On the other hand, we don’t want to overreact to what could be an isolated incident. For now, be armed with the facts, communicate with your patients and stay tuned, because this story has the potential to evolve rapidly. Finally, we hope this information helps you understand why it’s very important for us to have your most current e-mail information. Please share this information with your colleagues, and ask them to let us know (dpdfeedback@ada.org) their current e-mail address if they did not receive this eGRAM directly from us. As always, thank you for your support of the work of the American Dental Association. It’s through the strength of our membership that we are able to be helpful and responsive on critical issues like this one. 

Mark J. Feldman, DMD President of ADA

James B. Bramson, DDS Executive Director, ADA

* From American Dental Association eGRAM received today and passing this info from ADA to you! 

Norway Bans Dental Amalgam (Silver Fillings)*

Dental amalgam was recently banned throughout Norway. The AGD has resources available to help you with questions from your patients. You can read the AGD’s position on dental amalgam   or  read the consumer article on the ban. Also, a fact sheet focusing on amalgam will be published in the March issue of AGD Impact.  We will bring it to your attention.

* Courtesy of Academy of General Dentistry (http://www.agd.org).

Dental/Functional Appliances

Some jaws are narrow and sometimes with a V-shape  palate that may have adverse effects on sequential eruption of teeth and proper positioning in the mouth.  Many parents are worried about such situations for their children and may seek help from orthodontist or general dentist or pediatric dentist that incorporates functional appliances into his/her practice.  One of the well-known laboratories in the US that fabricate such appliances is Space Maintainers Laboratory.  This laboratory will work with your dentist to produce appliance that your child can wear.

*

http://www.appliancetherapy.com/Global_Center/sml/MemRx.aspx

One of such appliance is known as *MemRx E appliance which features lateral expansion via unique Memory Expansion Screws. The special Memory Screw allows for multiple adjustments to be made at the time of seating the appliance. Expansion is achieved through the Memory Springs, which are integrated in the screw. This serves to increase patient comfort and compliance as well as less chair time in the doctor’s office, not to mention fewer patient appointments.  If this appliance is right for your child, ask your doctor.

Dental Examiner – Read All About It!

Starting in March 2008, we will begin a new segment that will deal with myths, old tales and stories about dentistry and dental care.  For example, it is believed in some quarters that a woman would lose at least one tooth on pregnancy.  This is certainly not true!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can also send in your own stories, myths, old tales, etc and all refined stories, tales, etc shall be published. Let’s have some fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Women and Gum Disease Volume 1

Females generally have different needs at various stages of life. Puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause can all affect the dental health and the need for treatment of a woman.  During these periods, the body of a woman undergoes hormonal changes that can make ones gums (periodontal tissues) sensitive and increase her risk for periodontal (gum) disease.  By understanding these changes, one can make informed decision as to how to practice good dental health habits that can keep ones teeth and gums healthy.  American Dental Association (http://www.ada.org) and your dentist have information for you.

WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is an infection of the gums and bone that help anchor the teeth in the mouth caused by dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria (germs) that adheres to teeth surface.  Dental plaque forms regularly on teeth and do build up if it is not removed through daily oral hygiene.  The bacteria in dental plaque produce toxins that irritate gums.  In the early stage, called Gingivitis, gums swell, turn red and do bleed readily.  Eventually, the gum may separate from a tooth and form deepened spaces called Pockets.  In this stage, called Periodontitis, the bone and soft tissues that support the teeth are destroyed, which ultimately can cause the teeth to be loose, fall out, or require removal by any licensed dentist in your state.

Gum disease occurs at any age, but it is most common in adults.  In fact, 3 out of 4 adults are affected by this disease at some point in their lives.  women are especially susceptible to the disease at certain stages of life.  You can be sure that hormonal changes can affect the blood supply to the gums, and response to irritants from dental plaque may be extra-large i.e. exaggerated.  The periodontal tissue is a target for female hormones, which makes it much more sensitive to changes in the levels of these hormones.  Any person who is already prone to the disease, may find the problem worsening during hormonal changes.

VOLUME 2 will include Monthly Cycle, Pregnancy.

VOLUME 3 will include Teen-age years, Menopause and What to do to help Oneself.

For more information visit American Dental Association website (http://www.ada.org) or write ADA for information.  The bulk of the material obtained from ADA patient education handouts.  You can also speak with your dentist about periodontal disease and your dental health.