Mercury Filling Controversy

July 8, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — Dr. Benjamin Hornstein @ 3:35 pm

In our office we do not use amalgum fillings.  We think there are more aesthetic materials available today.  However, some of our patients do not want to keep amalgum fillings in their teeth.  Dr. Hornstein removes the old fillings safely.  We use lots of water and a high suction evacuation system.  We isolate the affected tooth with a rubber or latex dam so the patient is minimally exposed to any residual materials when removing the filling.  The patient may choose to breathe oxygen and eye protection is always used.  Some of the local physicians who practice medicine utilizing traditional and complementary treatments refer their patients to our office when they suspect that mercury levels are having an adverse effect on their patient’s health.  This link from Wikipedia has a balanced approach in its review of this controversial subject.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_amalgam_controversy

Please call our office if  you have any questions about mercury fillings and their safe replacement with tooth colored materials.

Brushing 2 Times per Day Helps Reduce Heart Disease Risk

June 1, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Dr. Benjamin Hornstein @ 8:55 am

The Scottish Health Survey ( which draws a nationally representative sample of the general population living in households in Scotland) had an objective  to see if self reported tooth brushing behaviour is associated with cardiovascular disease and markers of inflammation. 

The study concluded that poor oral hygiene is associated with higher levels of risk of cardiovascular disease and low grade inflammation, though the causal nature of the association is yet to be determined.

Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing interest in the possible link between dental disease, specifically periodontal disease, and cardiovascular disease.  Inflammation plays an important role in causes of atherosclerosis, and markers of low grade inflammation have been consistently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.  Consequently, contributing factors associated with inflammation and chronic infections, including oral infections such as periodontal disease, have been investigated to explain the relationship between dental disease and cardiovascular disease.  Poor oral hygiene is the major cause of periodontal disease, a chronic infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth. It is one of the most common chronic infections and is associated with a moderate systemic inflammatory response.  Systemic inflammation could represent the underlying mechanism that links oral health and cardiovascular disease.  Thus, oral infections might add to the inflammatory burden of the individual and result in increased levels of cardiovascular risk.  In this study, participants who brushed their teeth less often had a 70% increased risk of a cardiovascular disease event in fully adjusted models.

Infrequent tooth brushing is associated with cardiovascular disease, even after adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic group, smoking, visits to dentist, BMI, family history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diagnosis of diabetes.  These results largely confirm those of previous studies.  The role of oral health in the etiology of cardiovascular disease has received considerable attention. Periodontal disease is a complex chronic inflammatory disease, resulting in a loss of connective tissue and bone support of the teeth.  It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults aged over 40, and, according to the World Health Organization, affects people worldwide at prevalence rates of up to 10-20% for the most severe forms. Periodontal disease is highly prevalent, especially in late middle age when coronary artery disease is also most common, and it is caused mostly by poor oral hygiene.

Given the high prevalence of oral infections in the population, doctors should be alert to the possible oral source of an increased inflammatory burden. In addition, educating patients in improving personal oral hygiene is beneficial to their oral health regardless of the relation with systemic disease.

This study may be found in it’s entirety at http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c2451.full

Don’t Forget to Floss

May 26, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — Dr. Benjamin Hornstein @ 10:48 am

Dental experts overwhelmingly agree that daily flossing is a critical, preventive step in reducing tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing removes plaque between teeth and below the gum line — dislodging the pieces of food trapped between teeth which otherwise cannot be brushed or rinsed away.

Plaque build up causes gum disease (gingivitis) which affects some two- thirds of the U.S. population, while advanced-stage gum disease (periodontal disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults and affects between ten and fifteen percent of the U.S. population.

To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:

  • Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with
  • Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth
  • Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue
  • Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth
  • To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth

(Photos courtesy of Colgate.com)

When you are flossing, you are doing a great service to your mouth. You can easily remove food that is stuck in between your teeth, not only saving you from potential embarrassment if people see it, but also to help prevent bacteria from collecting up against the gum line and causing gum problems. Flossing may even help prevent bad breath. In addition, having food stuck in between your teeth is quite irritating and sometimes painful, so flossing can help your mouth feel comfortable.

Improve Your Smile with Veneers

April 29, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — Dr. Benjamin Hornstein @ 12:14 pm

If you would love a gorgeous smile, like the ones you see on magazines or the big screen, we suggest porcelain veneers.  These thin shells of high-quality porcelain will cover the surfaces of your front teeth. While selecting traditional porcelain veneers, Dr. Hornstein will carefully consider your skin tone, facial features, and personal preferences.

The whole process, from design to placement, usually takes only two or three appointments. At the first visit, Dr. Hornstein will examine your teeth, take impressions, and prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of tooth enamel to make sure your porcelain veneers fit flush against the teeth and evenly with the gum line without appearing bulky. We will also fit you with temporary veneers, which give will give you a feel for your new smiles.  Even the temporaries are a stunning change.  Your family and friends will know something is different about you, but will not know exactly what it is.  That is what a subtle yet dramatic change in your smile does for your appearance.

During the final appointment, the dentist will make adjustments if necessary and then place your final restorations, so you will leave with a magnificent smile.

Below are some before and after photos of our patients.

Teeth1              

Gum Disease and Your Overall Health

April 8, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — Dr. Benjamin Hornstein @ 9:56 am

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) estimates that approximately three out of four Americans suffer from some form of gum disease — from mild cases of gingivitis, to the more severe form known as periodontitis. However, despite this prevalence, approximately only three percent seek treatment for their gum disease. With increasingly more research indicating that gum disease may be linked to several other diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and certain forms of cancer, maintaining healthy teeth and gums has become more important that ever.

According to Samuel Low, DDS, MS, Associate Dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, and President of the American Academy of Periodontology, the discrepancy between the prevalence of gum disease and the lack of treatment can likely be blamed on a lack of understanding of the effect periodontal disease can have on overall health. “Patients do not always seek the periodontal care they require because they are not aware of the long-term and potentially dangerous implications of untreated gum disease,” says Dr. Low. “Unfortunately, there are a variety of myths surrounding periodontal disease and its repercussions.”

In order to help distinguish between fact and fallacy regarding periodontal disease, the AAP has identified and addressed below some common misconceptions about oral health.

1. Bleeding gums are not that big of a deal. Red, swollen and bleeding gums are an important sign of periodontal disease. If you notice bleeding while brushing or flossing, or when eating certain foods, you should schedule a visit with your dental professional to be evaluated for periodontal disease. Studies have shown that in addition to tooth loss, gum disease may contribute to the progression of other diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, so it is important that you begin treating periodontal disease as soon as possible.

2. You don’t need to floss every day. Routine oral care, which includes brushing after every meal and before bedtime, and flossing at least once a day, is the best way to prevent gum disease. However, a recent survey estimates that only 13.5 percent of Americans floss each day. It is vital that you keep up with your daily oral care, and see a dental professional for a thorough check-up twice a year. If gum disease is diagnosed, a consultation with a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating periodontal disease, may be beneficial.

3. A visit to the periodontist will be scary. Periodontists are gum disease experts. They have received three or more years of specialized training following dental school centered on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease. Periodontists are equipped with the latest treatments and technologies, using innovative tools such as digital radiography, ultrasound technology, biomarker measurement and laser therapy to help make your visit more comfortable.

4. A tooth lost to gum disease is a tooth lost forever. Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, in addition to treating gum disease, periodontists are also experts in placing dental implants — a convenient and comfortable way to permanently replace missing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth. Studies have shown that dental implants have a 98 percent success rate, and with proper care, allow you to speak, eat and smile with confidence. In fact, a survey conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology found that over 70 percent of respondents reported being “pleased” or “extremely satisfied” with the results of their dental implants.

5. Poor oral hygiene is the only way to develop gum disease. Forgoing good oral hygiene can certainly contribute to the progression of gum disease, but there are a variety of other factors that can also impact your risk. For instance, tobacco use has been shown to greatly increase your chance of developing gum disease. Stress, poor diet, and even genetics, can also play a role in the health of your gums.

About the American Academy of Periodontology

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for periodontists — specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. They receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school, and periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAP has 8,000 members world-wide.

Source: American Academy of Periodontology

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