PatientFYI: The most common type of tooth implant (dental implant) that is placed today is the “endosseous root form implant.” These objects are cylindrical or screw shaped devices that are positioned into a person’s jawbone. In essence, a dental implant acts as an “artificial root” on top of which a dental crown or one end of dental bridgework can be secured. read more…

Tags: Cosmetic Dentists, Dental Implants, Dentist Reviews, Find a Cosmetic Dentist

Gingivitis, which may affect more than one-half of the U.S. adult population, is a condition commonly attributed to lapses in simple oral hygiene habits. However, a new study shows that development and reversal of gingivitis at the molecular level is apparently much more complicated than its causes might indicate. read more…

Tags: Find a Dentist, Gingivitis, Oral Hygiene, Patient Reviews

PatientFYI: A dental exam is much more than a cavity-spotting expedition. In addition to decay, dentists look for potentially life-threatening conditions including oral cancer.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 35,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with oral cancer, while 8,000 Americans each year die from it. Without early detection, survival rates significantly worsen. read more…

Tags: Dental Health, dental technology, Dentist Ratings, Find a Dentist, Gum Disease, Parent Reviews of local Dentists, Patient Reviews

PatientFYI: Whether or not children receive regular dental care is strongly associated with their parents’ history of seeking dental care. A new report to appear in the journal Pediatrics, which has been released online, is the first to analyze the relationship between parents’ and children’s’ dental visits in a nationally representative sample.

“When parents don’t see the dentist, their children are much less likely to see the dentist,” says Inyang Isong, MD, MPH, of the MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, the study’s lead author. “It looks like strategies to promote oral health should focus on the whole family.” The result of this study is clear. To set the pattern of good dental care for their children, parents need to set the example of regular dental care for themselves. Parents, you’re children are watching!

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Tags: Children's Dentistry, Dental Health, Find a Children's Dentist, Find a Dentist, Parent Reviews of local Dentists, Preventive Dentistry

It is estimated that 80 percent of people brush their teeth every day, but far fewer pet owners do the same for their pets. Pet Dental Health Month, celebrated every February, teaches pet owners proper dental hygiene is equally as important for their pets.

“Most people have no idea that dental health is so important to their pets, and that’s why Pet Dental Health Month is such a great idea,” explains Dr. Larry Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “In fact, veterinarians report that periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in dogs and cats. This can lead to painful infections of the mouth, and in severe cases these infections can spread and become life-threatening conditions. During Pet Dental Health Month, the AVMA is encouraging all dog and cat owners to regularly brush their pet’s teeth and regularly see their veterinarian for checkups.”

The AVMA, a sponsor of Pet Dental Health Month, offers an informative video giving step-by-step instructions on how to brush your pet’s teeth. The Pet Dental Month Web site, http://www.petdental.com, includes tips from a veterinary expert on pet dental health, Dr. Brook Niemiec.

“Periodontal disease, an infection of the gums, is incredibly common in pets, and it can be quite serious,” explains Dr. Niemiec, a board certified veterinary dental specialist. “It’s estimated that by the age of two, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is by regularly brushing your pet’s teeth and by regularly visiting your veterinarian.”

For more information, please visit http://www.avma.org, and to show off your pet’s pearly whites upload their photos at the AVMA Flickr site Pearly White Pets.

Tags: Cats, Dental Health, Dogs, Veterinarians

Dr. Sorkin on Modern Endodontics: Teeth with roots that have been damaged or infected used to require extraction, which can cause a lot of problems and should be done as a last resort. When dental decay reaches the nerve of the tooth (or the tooth has become infected), a simple filling does not suffice. Endodontics can save the tooth by removing the pulp of a tooth and replacing it with a filling material. Root canals of the past were quite painful and gained a reputation as something to be avoided. However, with today’s modern anesthetics and technology, we can offer treatment that is often painless.

PatientFYI

Tags: Endodontic, Root Canal Treatment

Dentistry Without Drills or Needles?

Dr. Sorkin on Air Abrasion: Is it possible to go to the dentist and never feel the drill or the pinch of that dreaded needle? One of the most spectacular advances in recent dentistry is called Air Brush. Instead of a conventional drill, this device aims a stream of tiny particles and air at the area of decay and gently mists it away! Most patients require little or no anesthesia at all. The sound and vibrations of the drill are gone – and so is most of the pain! For many procedures, it’s good-bye needles, good-bye drill!

Central Jersey Dental on PatientFYI

Tags: Air Abrasion, Air brush, Drill-Less Dentistry

No Mercury! No Metals! No Kidding!

Dr. Sorkin on Mercury-Free Fillings: For years, the silver-mercury amalgam was the standard filling material used in dental practices, and many practices still use it. While they are a reasonable restoration, amalgams have certain shortcomings.

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Tags: composite fillings, Mercury free fillings, tooth colored fillings

Crowns in a Single Visit

Dr. Sorkin on Same-Day Dentistry: Welcome to dentistry in the 21st century! We are pleased to offer crowns made with CEREC 3D™, a highly precise computer milling machine that makes crowns right in the office, in one visit. No more temporaries, additional visits, or crowns that don’t seem to fit right.

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Tags: ceramic crown, Cerec Crowns, Cosmetic Dentists, Modern Dentistry, porcelain crowns, Same-Day Dentistry

Dr. Sorkin on Digital X-Rays: Introducing digital radiography, now available at our practice. With this new technology, a digital image is taken of your mouth and downloaded into our computer system, where it is immediately available. This method results in 75% less radiation than conventional X-rays. No more waiting for images to develop. And no more chemical waste to pollute the environment.

Central Jersey Dental on PatientFYI

Tags: Digital X-Rays, Find a Dentist