Diaries of a Dentist

Benefits of Lasers in Dentistry

Lasers are transforming the way patients experience dental surgery in a number of different areas. Lasers are intense beams of light that are used to cut tissue, remove bacteria and even clean an area in preparation for surgery or restoration.

One of the biggest benefits of using lasers is that it makes the procedure more comfortable.   Dental surgery is a much shorter procedure and allows for less discomfort, decreased irritation, faster recovery, and a reduced number of follow up visits.

Another excellent benefit is the reduced need for anesthesia.  Since there will be less pain, the need to use large amounts of anesthesia is greatly reduced.  The patient can leave the procedure and not have to worry about their entire mouth being numb for a long period of time as they continue with their day.

Bleeding is a necessary part of most dental procedures.  When a dental laser is used, the blood vessels in these soft tissue areas are actually sealed or cauterized due to the heat of light. This results in much less bleeding and also speeds up the recovery time.

Lasers also have an important role in gum therapy associated with periodontal disease.  Laser Bacterial Reduction is used to reduce the number of bacteria under the gum, prevent cross contamination from one periodontal site to another and also reduces the risk of periodontal abscesses due to scaling and root planning (deep cleaning).  The hygienist simply activates the laser under the tissue between the teeth and in just a few minutes the procedure is completed.  It is an extremely conservative method in gum therapy, eliminating the need for expensive subgingival medicaments in most cases.  The result of LBR is reduced bacteria in the periodontal site, therefore reducing bleeding and inflammation for an overall healthier mouth.

Another important role of the soft tissue laser is Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy.  Performed by the dentist, the laser is again placed under the gum between the teeth and essentially removes the diseased tissue from the periodontal site.  This procedure is effective in removing bacteria and decreasing inflammation in areas that are slower to respond to LBR. 

Many patients feel anxious or nervous from the moment they enter a dental office.  Lasers eliminate the need for using scalpels and drills in most cases so this may eliminate anxiety in the anxious patient.   Moreover, with these gentler laser procedures, patients may be more inclined to seek the important dental treatment they need.

RELATIONSHIP OF ORAL HYGIENE TO ALZHEIMER’'S DISEASE

Newest clinical research has shown strong evidence that people who keep their teeth and gums healthy with regular brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups have a lower risk of developing Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life. These findings further reinforce the importance in having regular dental check-ups.

 There have been studies confirming the presence of gum disease related bacteria in the heart and lungs, and now the brain has been added to that list. It is thought that the gum disease bacteria might get into the brain causing inflammation and brain damage. Not only does one’s state of mind influence oral hygiene habits, but oral hygiene habits may now influence one’s state of mind.

The Soft Tissue Diode Laser for Dentistry

We are so excited to tell you about our New Soft Tissue Diode Laser, which is new to Dentistry, but is loaded with many applications for treating and manipulating soft tissues of the gums and other parts of the mouth. 

It can contour, shape, & refine soft tissues the same way a traditional handpiece (or “drill”) can for hard tissues (enamel, dentin, and bone). The laser can be used to trim and treat inflamed gum tissue, remove overgrown gum and mucosa (skin lining the mouth), and treat periodontal (gum) pockets associated with gum disease, thereby reducing the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth. 

The Diode Laser can, also, perform biopsies, remove tumors and growths, free up lip and tongue attachments, remove blood blisters from the lips and cheeks, and treat canker sores of the mouth and lips. 

And the best part is that the Soft Tissue Laser often requires little or no anesthesia compared to traditional techniques, causes less discomfort, fosters much quicker healing times, and is usually less expensive than other methods.  

We would be happy to show you our Laser and discuss its many wonderful benefits at any time.

What is bruxism? What treatments are available in Houston

Bruxism is  a habit of clenching or grinding the teeth.  Clenching is squeezing the teeth together while grinding is sliding the teeth back and forth.  There are a few symptoms that accompany clenching and grinding such as headaches, sore jaw, sore neck, earaches, loose teeth, worn enamel and facial pain.  The causes of bruxism are not certain however stress, sleep disorders and missing or loose teeth may be responsible.  Your dentist can diagnose bruxism by looking for wear spots on the teeth.  

Depending on what is causing the bruxism, your dentist may recommend several treatment options.  If stress is the cause, your dentist may suggest ways to relax.  Your dentist may also suggest you wear a night guard while you sleep.  Night-guards are custom fit appliances that fit over the teeth and prevent contact between them.  They are made of either hard or soft material and prevent the teeth from grinding or clenching which can damage jaw joints.  

The pain from bruxism can be relieved by paying attention to symptoms, regular dental check-ups and good communication with your dentist.

Video Has Come to Dentistry

And you’ll be starring in one of our upcoming productions!

Our new high definition intra-oral camera gives us a new “edge” and ability to more effectively diagnose dental problems.  In the past we could only rely on visual observation, x-rays and instruments to fee our way into nooks and crannies. 

Now we can use a compact, brilliantly lit, high definition camera to explore with more precision. You, as the patient, gain a perfect understanding of our findings as you can see what we see. It also allows us to catch small problems before they become big problems! 

Another tremendous benefit is the ability to convey to your insurance provider the magnitude of the damage to the teeth requiring treatment. This helps assure more appropriate insurance coverage!

For more information call our Houston dental office at 713-266-2244.

Dental Insurance What is Usual and Customary?

The term “usual and customary” is thrown out there a lot when it comes to dental insurance.  You have probably seen the term before. “Usual and Customary” refers to a type of payment given to a dentist by your dental insurance company.  

Historically, the “customary” fee has been arrived at through the use of surveys.  The Insurance company contract would then specify, for example, that they would reimburse at the “80^th percentile” level. 

Unfortunately, with the competition between insurance companies and the pressure put on them by employers to hold down costs of policies, most insurance companies have modified the definition of the “customary” fee. 

The concept of taking a survey was removed and the insurance companies are making the “customary” fee whatever they want it to be.  This means that they set their own price that they will allow for every dental procedure that they cover.  This is not based on what a dentist actually charges, but what the dental insurance company wishes to cover. 

What is the bottom line for you as a patient?  You should just be aware of some of the games that may be going on.  If your dental insurance company tries to accuse your dentist of charging fees that are too high, they are being unethical.  

An honest response when their reimbursement doesn’t cover the entire fee is a simple statement to the effect: “This fee is beyond the level of the allowed benefit.” 

 Any accusatory statements by dental insurance companies are often an attempt to cover for a plan with limited benefits that was sold to your employer as a “cost cutting” plan.

Find out more about our Houston Dental practice, at www.bridgerdds.com

 

Your Smile Speaks to the World!

 

 

 

 

 

Have you spent years hiding your smile?  
Are your teeth uneven, chipped or crooked?
Are your teeth discolored or stained?
Do your teeth have gaps between them?
Do you have a “gummy” smile?
Have you thought about braces for that perfect smile?

Perhaps it’s time to consider a smile design imaging!  Dr. Bridger can give you a complimentary imaging presentation so you can actually SEE what you have been missing, what is actually possible for you!

Call today! 713-266-2244

Are Oral Bacteria Serious?

Oral bacterial causing infections in gum tissue may threaten more than your teeth and gums.  Research has established associations between oral bacteria and systemic diseases including:

1. Heart Disease
2. Type 2 Diabetes
3. Blood Clots
4. Strokes
5. Preterm and Low Birthrate Babies
6. Respiratory Disease

The theories linking oral bacteria to other diseases explain that the mouth may be a portal for bacteria to spread to the rest of your body.

    

What can you do?  There is a relatively new approach to treating the oral bacteria that cause gum and bone disease.  It is called the “Perio Tray” System, in conjunction with scaling and root planing and the placement of time released antibiotics.  

With the Perio Tray Method, you can place prescribed solutions into periodontal pockets with an appropriately formed, customized dental tray to be used between office visits to help manage the bacterial growth. Although a dentist must choose the most appropriate medications for individual patients, the most commonly prescribed solution with the Method has oxidizing and oxygenating agents along with a broad spectrum antibiotic. Oxidizing agents debride (chemically remove) the slimy protective coating of the biofilm and its underlying layers and also cleanse the oral wounds.   

Ask about this new treatment at your next dental visit in our Houston dentist office!

 

Understanding your real dental needs?

Has this happened to you?

True all too often! 

Every patient deserves a complete and thorough understanding of their dental needs.  However, many patients have not seen a dentist in many years due to many circumstances, one of which being severe anxiety!  As a result of a patient’s anxiety, many dentists are apprehensive about thoroughly diagnosing all of the patient’s problems.  They don’t want to scare them and they want the patient to “like” them.  They usually do not offer sedation dentistry. 

“I went to my old dentist of many years, on a regular basis.  He apparently was not diagnosing all of the work that really needed to be done.  There were a few more problems than I thought.  When I started having problems I made an appointment for a second opinion.  It turned out that I actually had a great deal of work to be done!  I needed a root canal, a crown and several fillings.  

This patient was anxious and nervous about the number of appointments she thought she would need to get all of her work done.  Dr. Bridger suggested conscience sedation. 

“I was worried about going under at first! However, you are not completely under, more dreamlike.  They were very good at preparing me for the sedation dentistry and explained how it works.  I was carefully monitored during the entire procedure.”  “I was really pleased with the amount of dental work I was able to have done in just one appointment.  The staff was very kind and gentle.  It was such a relaxing way to get my dental work done.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is fearful or needs a lot of work!” 

Every patient deserves to know their true needs and all of their options, whether they are prepared to treat them or not. Obviously, not everyone can proceed as quickly as they would like to so, with our patient’s input, we can also “prioritize” and “phase” treatment.  Sedation Dentistry is only a zzzzzzzzzzzz away! 

 

The Science is Clear, the Results are Unmistakable

 If we are all eating healthier, why are Americans stricken with heart disease and Type II Diabetes more that we were 30 years ago?  Even as the “low carbohydrate” craze sweeps the nation, two-thirds of adults and children are considered obese.

 

In 2005 a research book called “The China Study” came out examining the link between the consumption of animal based diets and many chronic diseases.  This China “project” was a survey of death rates for twelve different kinds of cancer.  The following is a partial list of diseases linked to diet: cancers of the breast, prostate and large bowel, diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity, autoimmune disease, osteoporosis, degenerative brain disease, and macular degeneration.  The study examined the relationship between mortality rates and different dietary, lifestyle and environmental characteristics in 65 rural counties in China. 

Drawing on the project findings in rural China, but going far beyond those findings, The China Study also examined the source of a lot of “nutritional confusion” created by powerful lobbies, government entities and opportunistic scientists.  The New York Times has recognized the study as the “Grand Prix” of epidemiology and the most comprehensive large study undertaken of the relationship between diet and the risk of developing disease. 

The authors recommended people eat a “whole” plant-based diet and avoid consuming beef, poultry, eggs, fish and milk as a means to minimize and or reverse the development of chronic diseases.  Also recommended was adequate intake of sunshine in order to maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D and consider taking the supplement Vit.B12 in cases of complete avoidance of meats.  Their opinion is that there are virtually no nutrients in animal based foods that are not better provided by plants.   

What about our genes? Don’t they play a role? Genes do not determine disease on their own; they must be “activated”.  Nutrition plays a critical role in determining which genes, good and bad, are activated.   

We are all aware that consuming animal based protein increases blood cholesterol levels.  In contrast, plant based foods contain no cholesterol and in many instances actually help to decrease the amount of cholesterol made by the body. 

The China Study is not a diet book.  We are bombarded with conflicting messages regarding health and nutrition.  The market is flooded with popular titles like “Adkins” and “South Beach”.  The China Study challenges the validity of these low carbohydrate fad diets.  The China Study presents “The Principles of Food and Health”:

• Nutrition represents the combined activities of countless foods.
• Vitamin supplements are not a panacea for good health.
• Virtually no animal based nutrients are better than plant based.
• Nutrition can substantially control the adverse effects of chemicals.
• Nutrition that prevents disease in its early stages can also halt or reverse it in its later stages.
• Nutrition that is beneficial for a particular disease will also support good health across the board.
• Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence.