Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Top Five Dental Problems For People 50 +

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Many of our patients have been visiting us for well over 20 years. As these patients reach 50 years of age and above, we see a significant shift in the risk factors whichj affect them from a dental standpoint.  There have been several instances of patients who have suddenly developed rather severe decay, gum disease, and general tooth attrition resulting from bite problems. These are patients who for years required only minimal and basic preventive and restorative care.

As a result, I decided to list and describe the top five dental problems which those of us who have reached age 50 and beyond are experiencing. In our next blog article, we will present the top treatments which have been successful at addressing these issues. As always, the best treatment and care which every dental patient needs is preventive care. Preventive care includes proper homecare and routine dental exams and cleanings. Those who are seen regularly in our office are much less likely to develop the major problems which some 50+ year olds experience.

The top five dental concerns are:

1. Dental decay especially around the gumline.

features-teeth-1Often, as we get older, our gums recede leaving root surfaces exposed and gaps between the teeth.   As the root surface is less smooth and softer than enamel, decay in these areas is quite common here. And between the teeth where spaces have developed, food and plaque become trapped and lead to decay as well.

 

 2. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia.

The amount of saliva in our mouths can decrease as we age. In addition, many medications can cause a reduction in saliva production leading to dry mouth. The importance of saliva in protecting our teeth and gums cannot be overstated. Saliva acts as a buffer to help neutralize the acids which are the main cause of dental decay and gum disease. Acids are formed in our mouths when the bacteria in plaque ingest carbohydrates like sugars which we eat.

3.   Gum disease (periodontal disease)

periodontal-disease

It is not uncommon to see patients who have had mild to moderate cases of gingivitis in the past begin to develop more serious periodontal disease. Gingivitis is inflammation which is limited to the gums and results in redness, swelling and bleeding gums. If this problem progresses, the underlying bone may become involved and the attachments of the teeth becomes increasingly jeopardized. In its most severe form, teeth will become loosened and may eventually literally fall out.

4. Oral cancer

Traditionally, the use of tobacco and alcohol has been associated with oral cancer.   Today HPV  (Human papilloma virus) which is sexually transmitted has become the number one cause of oral cancer. In this case, the best offense is a good defense meaning regular dental checkups which include a proper oral cancer screening.

5. Crowded teeth

We have seen numerous examples of patients whose teeth have been slowly shifting over the years resulting in marked overlapping of especially the upper and lower front teeth. Teeth which are crowded tend to collect more debris and plaque than those which are straight. In addition, overlapping teeth are more difficult to keep clean. As a result, such teeth are more prone to both dental decay and gum disease. In addition, because crowded teeth do not meet the teeth in the opposing arch evenly, such teeth exhibit increased wear and chipping as they become more and more thin.

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We will address possible solutions to each of these problems in our next blog. In the meantime, if you have any questions about any of these issues please feel free to contact us by telephone at 908.359.6655 or via our website at www.DesignsForDentalHealth.com

 

Which Is Worse –Bad Gums Or Teeth?

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This may sound like a trick question, but really it’s not. The “correct” answer, of course, is that both are equally important. But, I have a different view and will share it later in this article.

Both gums and teeth require good to excellent daily hygiene to remain healthy.   Prevention of both periodontal disease and dental decay is accomplished using the same techniques and products.  Both gum disease and dental decay are caused by the attack of bacteria which produce acid.  This acid causes damage to both hard and soft oral tissues including gums, enamel, dentin and bone. Both conditions if not properly and promptly addressed will result in the eventual loss of teeth as well as the inability to properly chew food.   And, both problems are a source of embarrassment and self consciousness due to missing teeth, bad breath, swollen and red gums, black holes, etc., etc.

Both teeth and gums are checked at every dental re-care appointment.   Commonly, both june3of these dental diseases go unnoticed by patients until more involved and expensive treatments are required. In the case of cavities, decay which has advanced to the point when a patient feels pain will generally require root canal therapy. And, in the case of gum disease, by the time a patient realizes that there is a problem, the solution often involves the services of a periodontist, possible gum surgery and / or loss of teeth.   Unrecognized and untreated periodontal disease will eventually lead to loose teeth as a result of the loss of bone and the attachment of the teeth.

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Finally, both gum disease and tooth decay result in the existence of chronic infection and inflammation which has detrimental affects on the overall health of the body. A chronic infection which becomes acute, can result in serious illness which may require hospitalization. The hidden impact of such diseases, however, is that these chronic inflammations increase the risk of other health issues including heart disease, cancer, complicated births, etc.

As promised, my view whenever planning the treatment for patients and explaining its need is that once acute infection and pain are under control, the health of the gums is the number one priority.  Consider the gums and bone to be the foundation which supports the teeth.   Without a solid foundation, even the healthiest teeth can be lost. Once the periodontal condition is stable and healthy, then the teeth can be addressed as needed.

If you have any questions about gum disease or dental decay, please feel free to contact us by telephone @ 908.359.6655 or via our website www.DesignsForDentalHealth.com

Is Invisalign a Reasonable Option to Straighten Adult Teeth?

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Invisalign is a system for straightening teeth and improving the bite which is an alternative to conventional metal orthodontic “braces”.  This system utilizes a series of clear plastic aligners, each of which is worn 22 hours per day for a period of 2 weeks. The company began in 1997 and has gone through a series of improvements which have made this method increasingly utilized and accepted by the dental community as well as patients.

There is no question that our practice is seeing more and more adult patients who  request Invisalign to improve their bite and appearance, as well as to help turn back the clock.

There are a number of conditions which can be addressed using this system:

  1. Those who had orthodontics as a child but have seen significant relapse over the years.
  2. Patients who are concerned about the shifting or increasing misalignment of their teeth.
  3. Those who have teeth which are wearing down unevenly.
  4. Patients with teeth that appear crowded or misaligned.
  5. Those who have an underbite, overbite or open bite.
  6. In some cases, those who have gaps between their teeth.
  7. Increasingly, those who desire to improve their appearance and look younger.
Invisalign

Click this image for a concise video on Invisalign.

There are significant benefits of Invisalign as compared to conventional metal orthodontics:

  1. InvisalignThere are no dietary restrictions because the aligners are removed before eating.
  2. There are no special dental hygiene requirements because the liners can be removed to brush and floss the teeth.
  3. Because the aligners are made from a clear plastic material, they are practically invisible.

As the system begins with a virtual treatment plan called a “ClinCheck”, both the dentist and the patient are provided a digital preview of the treatment.   This preview, if used properly, helps to determine how well the treatment will result.  In our experience, patients truly enjoy this preview and its use to track the progress of their case.  It’s important to note that In some severe cases, the use of Invisalign may not offer the best solution. Some cases may still require either surgical intervention, conventional metal braces or a combination of the two.

There are several long-term benefits of having straight teeth and a good bite:

  1. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean and food particles and plaque are not trapped in uneven spaces.  The result is a decreased likelihood of both dental decay and gum disease.
  2. Healthier teeth and gums contribute to a person’s overall systematic well-being and health.
  3. Uneven wear due to misaligned teeth is alleviated.
  4. Patients enjoy a more confident smile and an improved, more youthful appearance.

 If you have any questions about Invisalign, please feel free to call us at 908.359.6655 or via our website at www.DesignsForDentalHealth.com

Invisalign

Celebrating 30 Years- Thank You Technology

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Before I begin today’s topic, I must correct a glaring omission from the thank you letter I wrote to April and all of our dental assistants. There is a woman who was our second dental assistant after Liz back in the mid 80’s and describing this person provides a perfect segue into today’s subject. The person to whom I refer is Remi, a very attractive young woman, who would come to the office dressed in popular clothing of the time, which were stretch pants and high heels with the top of her choice. Naturally, Remi was very popular among my male patients as well as being a top-notch dental assistant.  I had the pleasure of working with her for a couple of years until her family moved to North Carolina  but Remi and I stayed in touch.  Then, during the 90’s, we became quite good friends socially. When April began her first maternity leave, Remi stepped in to help us and remained on a part-time basis until she left for a new full-time position.  Remi is owed a big thank you for both her friendship and her contributions to our dental practice.  Remi, please forgive me for not having included you in the first article!!

But what does Remi have to do with today’s topic?  Today, I will express thanks for the amazing progress that we have made in dentistry owing to the development of various technological advancements. At the same time, I’ll have an opportunity to describe how the practice of dentistry has changed in the last thirty years. So, if you can picture Remi wearing stretch pants and high heels, you will realize that what we wear today is far different from the “uniform” of thirty years ago.  Better yet, if you can picture what Remi was not wearing at the time, you will understand the first major change that occurred in dentistry in the last thirty years.

Thank you technologyWhat Remi was not wearing back then was gloves, a mask and all the other outer protective garments, which are mandatory today. What changed was the AIDS epidemic had begun and the use of all  protective clothing and shields became mandated.  After having practiced “wet fingered” dentistry for several years, wearing gloves was initially quite a challenge due to the loss of tactile sensation that resulted.  But we all adapted and have since incorporated a multitude of protocols and protective items to protect not only those who work in the dental office but also every patient.

Thank you technologyThe next major change for dental practices was the use of computers which began in the mid to late 1980’s. I remember buying my first computer, an IBM with a whopping 50 MB of memory! Bear in mind that is megabytes and I’m not referring to RAM. This computer took some getting used to, but relieved us of hours upon hours of paperwork every day as all appointments and transactions had been done by hand up to that time. As you can imagine, the computers kept getting bigger and doing more for us every year.  Now, the practice of dentistry and the use of computers are totally integrated and amazing.

Thank You technologyToday, the world of dentistry is becoming more and more digital. By now, most of my patients have seen the digital x-rays which we employ.  These x-rays are so large and easy to read that patients can easily see what we see with minimum coaching. These x-rays can be manipulated in terms of contrast, size and various other features.  Similarly, in the future, impressions will be taken digitally using a small intraoral camera rather than all of that impression gook which many patients are not fond of.

If you’ve been in our office for the last dozen years or so, you’ll note that we also use a digital camera to record photos of your teeth.  In addition, we have an intraoral camera which takes close-up images of the teeth.    The use of these photographs helps us to better diagnose what is going on in a given patient’s mouth as well as the ability to easily explain conditions and options to patients.

Thank you technologyOne of my favorite newer pieces of equipment is called the K7.  We have been using this system for the past five years or so to help us better diagnose and treat patients who have Temporomandibular Joint Disorders.   This piece of equipment allows us to evaluate the jaw muscles, jaw movement and joint sounds. Using this piece of equipment, we can determine in an objective way the best position for an individual patient’s jaw.  Since using the K7, we have been able to help many patients who were suffering with a variety of TMD symptoms.   If you have any interest in the subject, you may find additional information on the website  www.myotronics.com  .

Other technological advances which assist us in our day to day treatment of patients include the use of the diode laser, the Wave One root canal system, and the Diagnodent cavity detection device.

Thank you technologyThe diode laser has a multitude of uses including preparing teeth for impressions, cosmetic re-contouring of the gums, the treatment of periodontal or gum disease and the speed healing of canker sores and fever blisters just to name a few. This is a marvelous piece of equipment which is kind to patients for its healing properties, its gentleness not requiring the need for anesthesia in many cases, as well as its ability to work without creating bleeding.

The Wave One root canal system is an equally wonderful system which helps us to perform root canal therapy for patients in less time than in the past while being more thorough at the same time.

Thank you technologyThe Diagnodent cavity detection device uses a laser to detect the presence of decay in an extremely accurate manner. We had even seen that it finds decay which is not visible either on x-ray or in the mouth but serves to help patients avoid more extensive treatment due to lack of prompt care.

The descriptions provided above of the technological advances which we have seen the last 30 years is by no means a complete list. Suffice it to say, the practice of dentistry is far more enjoyable, accurate and just plain better than it was in the 80’s.

Thank you to all the pioneers who helped to develop the technology that we use today. It will be fascinating to watch dentistry continue to evolve in the next thirty years!

Celebrating 30 Years- Thank You April (and All Our Former Dental Assistants)

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Dental AssistantsAs I am writing this letter, April is only a few short weeks away from giving birth to her second daughter! She will be beginning maternity leave at the end of this month and will be painfully missed by our entire team – especially me. I have known April since she was a little girl because she was a friend and classmate of my daughter Lauren.  She has been a member of our dental team for nearly ten years and she has been my favorite dental assistant of all time!

Not too long after April joined our team, I remember our celebrating her 21st birthday.  Liz, Maria and I took April to the Mediterra Bar in Princeton where she was served her first “legal” cocktail. She was very well behaved for a 21-year-old and has been that way for as long as I’ve known her.  It struck me as unusual that she would want to spend that occasion with us but we were very glad that she did.

April has always been an absolute pleasure to work with. She is one of the reasons that I look forward to getting up in the morning and going to work.  Discussing what has transpired since last seeing each other has been a daily ritual and she is the one who I can count on to stay calm in any situation; in a dental office, that type of personality is priceless.  April has some traits of which patients may not be aware.  As many of you know, I sometimes enjoy chatting away while working.  There are times when this “chatting” becomes – shall we say – inappropriate.  Generally, that’s because my mind is elsewhere as I’m focused on the task at hand.  At times like this, I will feel April kick my shin or utter an “ahem” which I have been trained to understand means “close the mouth”.  In a similar way, I have come to depend on April at times to translate what I am trying to say to a patient into words that make sense. Whether the conversation breakdown is due to a gender disconnect or too much “technicalese”, April has a way of conveying the substance of what I’m trying to say in an understandable way. That is an amazing gift.

The truth is that I have had a number of dental assistants with whom I truly enjoyed working.  In the several years before April began, my sister-in-law Zora (Liz’s brother’s wife) joined our team and worked with us until moving to Florida.  Both she and April were amazing because they learned every important instrument, technique and concept necessary to be outstanding dental assistants – and all within a three-month period.  This is not an easy feat and led me to feel that each of these women could be an excellent dentist if they had the desire and time.   Before Zora there was Allison who I also truly enjoyed working with for several years.  Allison joined us at the time I began attending LVI, and she traveled there with me, Liz and our then hygienist, Deanna.  We shared some wonderful times in Las Vegas and having trained together, were better able to implement what was learned there.

All of these dental assistants deserve much credit for the work that they do. Not only do they have to understand the dental materials, the techniques, ordering supplies and how to use the dental software, but they need to be even-tempered psychologists and dental concierges for our patients as well. What they do is hard work and they do it in such a way that the rest of the team as well as our patients are happy.

30 Days of Thanks- Dental Technicians and Laboratories

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I have had the pleasure of working with several wonderful dental technicians and laboratories and during the past three decades. Since it has always been our goal to provide excellent dental care for our patients, selecting the right dental laboratories to be our partners was critical. In the process of advancing our dental techniques and treatment planning, it was incumbent upon us to find dental laboratories and technicians who shared the same philosophy and passion to do great work. In that regard, to find a good fit, we depended upon word of mouth from our peers. Such has been the case since the late 1980’s and several labs with whom we have worked deserve our sincere thanks.

dental technicians and laboratories

Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, the use of gold for fine dental restorations was still common. So, to learn how to provide excellent gold inlays and onlays, I took advantage of an opportunity to become a member of the exclusive Richard Tucker Gold Study Club. Members of this club met in dental offices and brought actual patients on whom to practice their technique.  These doctors were very particular; Tucker trained doctors used only Tucker trained technicians.  As a result, I was fortunate to have met a man named Dale Jones who handmade the finest gold restorations I had ever seen. Times have changed, and patients no longer wished to have gold visible in their mouths. So we began doing a similar service using modern dental ceramics for beautiful restorations. The problem was that Dale did not work with porcelain, but I asked him if he knew someone who was as good with porcelain as he was with gold. That is how I was introduced to Krisann Shaler and her lab called Porcelain Designs.

dental technicians and laboratoriesKris and I began working together in the early 90’s and we still work together today. Her lab is in California, but we were able to spend some quality time together around the year 2000.  We arranged to meet while I was taking a course at the Las Vegas Institute and it was then that Kris, Dale and I, along with our spouses, went to dinner and got to know each other on a personal level. Kris actually made the restorations for my wife, Liz, that were being prepared while I was attending courses at the Las Vegas Institute. When I inserted these restorations, the other doctors with whom I attended classes and the teaching doctors commented on how beautiful the porcelain work was. Kris is still providing beautiful restorations like those for my patients today.

As I learned more about restoring patients with major bite problems, the need arose for more complex restorations using increasingly difficult techniques.  As a result, I was introduced to larger laboratories that had both the necessary equipment and knowledge to produce these complex cases.  The two labs which have provided this fine service deserve to be thanked as well and their names are Aurum Ceramic Dental Laboratories and Microdental Laboratory. Each of these labs have several outstanding technicians, but I’d like to call out Ulf from Aurum and Gloria from Microdental who have acted as integral members of our team during the production of many of our larger cases.

dental technicians and laboratories

There are several other laboratories with which we have worked over the years and they deserve our gratitude as well. Many times, it is these laboratories who make us look good because they allow us to provide excellent care and service for our deserving patients. So in closing, I’d like to give a huge Thank You to Dale, Krisann and all of the lab technicians who have taken such great care of us for the last 30 years.

Celebrating 30 Years- Thank You, Marty Schayowitz

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It is a pleasure to write this thank you note to a man who I have known since the late 1980s, a man who has been involved with my dental practice since we first met, and a man who has grown to be my friend – Marty Schayowitz.

Marty was building his new dental supply company around 1987 or 88. I met him at a meeting of a dental study club to which I belonged where he was a guest ostensibly introducing his new company.  I distinctly remember cringing at the way Marty was treated by the dentist running the meeting, so I approached Marty once the meeting had ended and offered my apologies for this bad behavior.  I asked him if he would like to call on me to see if we might work together and I have been with Marty ever since.

Marty is not one to be complacent. After a few years, he sold his business to another bigger supply company but liking Marty so much, we stayed with him. Since then, he has moved on twice more and we are still with him and would not think of working with anyone else.

What makes Marty so successful? He is one of those special people who truly cares about those he calls on. If we ever had an issue, Marty would address it and find a solution pronto. If we needed additional information or recommendations regarding dental materials, disposable supplies, or the myriad of other items which a dental office uses, Marty would either know the answer or find the right person who could answer the question for us. He’s just one of those people who always seems to give more than he receives.

Marty Schayowitz and Richard Nadler

Over and above his caring for us professionally, I believe that Marty actually considers his clients as extended family. Every year, on at least one occasion, Marty arranges “appreciation dinners” or fishing trips or meetings at beautiful restaurants for his fortunate clients.   As a matter of fact, I am attending one such dinner this evening at a restaurant in Morristown where we will learn about new dental restorative materials. Thanks to Marty, my wife Liz and I have enjoyed many interesting and unusual outings with a great group of dentists.

In addition to these professional events, Liz and I had the pleasure of attending Marty’s wedding to his wife Arlyn.  A few years later, we and several other clients of Marty’s were guests at a dinner honoring Arlyn for her public service. Marty has always made us feel like friends rather than just clients and both Liz and I feel a special bond of friendship with him.

In conclusion, Thank You Marty Schayowitz for years and years of caring for our dental practice, helping us when help was needed, and for just being our friend.

Sincerely yours,

Richard and Liz Nadler

30 Days of Thanks- Post Graduate Teaching Institutes

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Perhaps it will not be so surprising to hear that when a person graduates from dental school, he or she still has much to learn. To that end, there are a variety of post graduate teaching institutes available to engage those dentists who choose to carry on the learning process. There are schools or curricula for learning implants, dentures, crowns and bridges, cosmetics, TMJ and a variety of specialties and sub-specialties. It is up to each individual dentist to decide which path he or she chooses to pursue.

After graduating from dental school, and having served an “apprenticeship” in offices other than my own, I knew that basic drill and fill dentistry was not for me. I found that the study of occlusion – how the teeth, jaws and muscles work as a system – was fascinating for me and provided the basis for practicing dentistry with excellence. What we were taught about occlusion in dental school was adequate for a basic understanding only. So, I decided to begin studying this subject and have been studying it ever since.

I will be writing thank you letters to the important mentors in my life later this month, but I must mention Dr. Peter Dawson who is considered by many to be the father of modern occlusion–he actually wrote the book on it. In the late 1980s, I traveled to Richmond, Virginia to take a course from Dr. Dawson. As luck would have it, I ran into him at a restaurant in the airport as I was traveling home after his course. We had a very interesting conversation, and he suggested that I attend the L. D. Pankey Institute in Florida if I was serious about learning and understanding occlusion. I came to learn that this Institute was the premier of its kind and was attended by dentists from all over the world. So I did enroll as Dr. Dawson recommended.

post graduate teaching institutesI traveled to Key Biscayne, Florida on several occasions for the multi-day courses which were offered at this beautiful institute. I pursued the study of occlusion there over a four-year period and learned much, much more than simply occlusion. We learned about the practice of dentistry as well as a philosophy encompassing the balance between work, play, love, and spirit. The L.D. Pankey Institute changed my life, and allowed me to provide a level of dentistry of which I could be quite proud.

Las Vegas Institute_LargeMany years later, as Y2K approached, I became fascinated with providing more and finer cosmetic dentistry for my patients. At that time, the economy was in major growth; and patients had the desire as well as the means to improve their appearance. I had heard about a place called the Las Vegas Institute where outstanding cosmetic dentistry was being taught. The name of the Institute caused a bit of apprehension on my part, because I assumed that dentists went there simply because of its location, but I proceeded to take a course there. I actually brought a patient and performed her dentistry in their clinic after the associated classroom lectures. The patient who came with me was my wife, Elizabeth, and both she and I were ecstatic with the result.

As it turned out, students from all over the world also attended this teaching institution, and like my experience in Florida, they taught a philosophy of dentistry with which I became intrigued. It is here where I learned a different point of view about occlusion, and it is here where I developed my ability to better help those with Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and head or facial pain. I traveled there on many occasions over a period of more than 10 years and completed their entire curriculum of courses. During that time, the quality of my dentistry constantly improved and I loved the entire process.

I feel blessed to have found each of these two institutions which helped to shape me into the dentist that I am today. It is the dedicated teachers and researchers at these facilities who provided such amazing information about technique and materials as well as the philosophical basis for providing excellence in dentistry and life in general.

The next time that you are in the office, you will see two walls which are covered with certificates from those institutes. I am proud to have attended these two prestigious schools and THANK them for shaping my career into one of which I am proud.

To learn more about Dr. Peter Dawson, please click on this link: http://dental.thedawsonacademy.com/author/dr-peter-dawson 

To learn more about The Pankey Institute, please click on this link: http://www.pankey.org/the-pankey-experience/the-institute/photo-tour/

To learn more about The Las Vegas Institute, please click on this link: http://www.leadingdentists.com/about-lvi/

Celebrating 30 Years With 30 Days of Thanks Kicks Off

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30 Days of Thanks Kicks OffThis year, we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the opening of our dental practice in Hillsborough. To accomplish this, we have designated the month of November as Celebrating 30 years With 30 Days of Thanks. To that end, we have created a list of 30 different ways to express our gratitude to the many people and business partners who have contributed to the evolution and success of our dental practice. It is all these people who provided the support, fun, excitement, challenge and fulfillment which have made this last 30 years such an amazing adventure.

Each day this month, we will find a different way to express our thanks. Among those who will be honored are my mentors, significant teaching institutions, wonderful doctors and dentists to whom we refer, those who refer patients to us, our partner dental labs, our IT partners, our wonderful team, friends, family and last, but certainly not least, our amazing patients.

We will express our thanks in a number of different ways. Many will receive public letters of appreciation, which will be posted on our blog and social media pages. You may find many of these letters to be interesting as we plan to share stories about the practice and the people involved with it. There will be at least three of these each week during the month. In addition, there will be giveaways each week for our patients and we have ordered special commemorative gifts for that purpose.

Before our dental assistant, April, begins her maternity leave at the end of this month, we will enjoy a luncheon to honor of our fabulous team. Finally, we are working to complete our gift of appreciation to the town and people of Hillsborough. Details will be announced at the end of the month.

To kick off these 30 Days of Thanks, the entire list of people and entities to be thanked was reviewed in order to decide who should come first. Without hesitation, it is our wonderful patients who deserve to be celebrated first. Without these people, we would not be able to do the work that we love. Over the years, we have shared each other’s happy times, sad times, difficulties and joys. Many, if not most, of the patients who began coming to our office in the 1980’s were around the same age as me. So our families have grown up at the same time and we have shared similar experiences.

I will never forget that my team and I hosted a “VIP” (Very Important Patient) party way back in the late 80’s and it was held at my home. Our family of patients was still intimate enough to invite every one of them to this event. It was a summer party and was attended by many families who had children about the same age as my own. I still fondly remember the wonderful afternoon that was enjoyed by our team and patients alike. Many of those patients remain in our practice to this day.

Not too many years later, I turned 40 and a surprise 40th birthday party was thrown for me again at my home. Our entire dental team at that time attended that party and provided some of the “entertainment.” Specifically, an exotic dancer presented herself at my front door and proceeded to engage in a most provocative dance with yours truly – I believe her name was ”Katja”. Talk about embarrassing… That same night, my dental assistant – not Liz – came out of her shell and made quite a hit with some of the guys in attendance culminating in one of them sipping champagne out of her shoe. What a crazy, fun night.

30 Days of Thanks Kicks Off

But enough reminiscing; how shall we thank our patients? Every person who has been a regular patient for at least five years will receive a gift certificate. That certificate increases in value with every five-year period that they have been our patient. Look for yours to arrive by mail. We are still checking, but I believe that there is one person who has been a continuous patient for the last 30 years! Naturally he will receive a special certificate!

In addition, any patient who is seen on a Friday this month will receive a commemorative gift. Also, every Monday, one random patient will receive a special gift. We’ll try to keep you posted on who wins what.  These will most likely be featured on our Facebook Page.

Most importantly, Thank You to all of our patients, both current and past. We are extremely grateful for the pleasure of having cared for you for the past 30 years. You provided us with friendship, laughter, challenges, happiness and fulfillment, which has made our lives meaningful. We Love you all!

These Are a Few Of Our Favorite Things

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In this article, we would like to share with you seven of our favorite products and technologies. These are all items or services which we as a team use on a regular basis and recommend to our patients. We feel that each of these is the leader in its field and offers solid benefits. So, without further ado, here is the list:

Number 1: Sonicare Toothbrush

Favorite ThingsThrough the years, we have recommended a variety of toothbrushes ranging from the Rotadent to Oral-B and finally to Sonicare. In our estimation, the Sonicare electric toothbrush is simply the most effective tooth cleaning product on the market. End of story. Having used and Oral-B electric tooth brush for many years and having avoided the Sonicare because I found it to be uncomfortable initially, I began using it regularly and discovered that it was far superior at removing stains and plaque and maintaining gum health. What more is there to say?

Number 2: Closys Toothpaste

Favorite ThingsWe have been recommending Closys toothpaste for the last 10 years or so. It contains chlorine dioxide which kills germs. It does not contain abrasives, extra chemicals or other unnecessary ingredients which would make it a lesser choice for effective oral health. Closys II toothpaste effectively kills germs, helps maintain gingival and dental health as well as providing clean fresh breath.

Number 3: Inter Dental Cleaners

Favorite ThingsThere are a variety of ways to clean between the teeth which we recommend for different patients and for different reasons. I will lump these together as being the third most important thing we love. For those with regular spaces between our teeth, we love Reach Total Care floss by Johnson and Johnson. This is great floss which is effective, tastes good, and is well-designed.

Favorite Things

If you have bridges and are unable to use regular dental floss, then Superfloss by OralB is the choice for you. This product allows you to easily thread the floss underneath your bridges and thoroughly clean them with a minimum of fuss.

 

 

Favorite ThingsFor those who have very wide spaces between their teeth, pipe cleaners are an excellent choice to quickly and effectively clean between your teeth. For those with moderate spaces between their teeth and for those who have had gum surgery ProxaBrushes are the weapon of choice. They are easy to hold and manipulate and are effective at cleaning larger spaces between your teeth. Finally for those people who hate to floss, there is a product by Sonicare called the AirFloss are which is very effective especially at removing debris which gets caught between your teeth.

Number 4: NeoStrata Skincare

Favorite ThingsWe have offered the line of NeoStrata skin care / antiaging products in our office for the past few years. Though it has not been very popular amongst our patients, it is very popular with our dental team. This line of products is meant to care for your skin and these products do what they say they will do. If you have any interest, feel free to ask us for samples and I think that you will be surprised at how effective they are. For your information, this little-known company provides products to various larger corporations whose names you may well know.

 Number 5: Zoom! Teeth Whitening

Favorite ThingsFor many years, we used the BriteSmile system for teeth whitening.  Zoom! Whitening became the standard for tooth bleaching when the show Extreme Makeover was so popular. Some years ago Zoom! Purchased BriteSmile and their newest system offers improvements which make the procedure both more effective and comfortable. For those people who desire whiter teeth, the in-office Zoom!bleaching system is the best.

Number 6: Invisalign

Favorite ThingsInvisalign orthodontics has been available for more than a dozen years. This company continually up grades their techniques and products to offer an excellent alternative to metal braces. There are various bite problems which can now be addressed using Invisalign, and more and more adults are taking advantage of this excellent service to help turn back the clock. FYI, the Invisalign system aligns and levels the teeth using a series of clear aligners which are changed by the patient every two weeks. The results we have achieved with this system have been very impressive.

Number 7: The K7 and TMD Orthotics

Favorite ThingsWe purchased the K7 technology many years ago to assist us in treating patients with head, neck and facial pain. This system has proven to be a wonderful way to help diagnose our patients’ problems and to determine the best way to treat them. Using this system, we are able to have orthotics custom fabricated for patients to wear over their lower teeth. These orthotics have been very effective at eliminating various symptoms of TMD pain and associated symptoms. If you suffer from chronic pain, I recommend that you ask us about how the K7 system and an orthotic may be a blessing for you.  Check out this technology at www.myotronics.com.

It is our hope that you find these seven of our favorite things to be useful for you. If you have any questions about any of these items, please do not hesitate to ask. You may contact us by phone at 908.359.6655 or via our website at www.DesignsForDentalHealth.com.