[03/03/11] Posted by: Parsippany Dental Care

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There are 3 major diseases that all patients are susceptible to:

1. Cavities – infections of teeth caused by bacteria
2. Periodontal disease – otherwise known as gum disease – caused by:
   1. Bacteria
   2. Bruxism (night time grinding)
   3. Clenching (daytime habit caused by stress)
   4. Irregular bite
   5. Lack of certain oral tissues/thin bone/ tooth position
   6. Systemic diseases such as diabetes
   7. Defective fillings – all fillings made from amalgam(mercury/silver) will fail at some point
3. Bite disease
   1. This is wearing away of tooth structure
   2. Causes cracked tooth syndrome
   3. Causes root canal inflammation/infection
   4. Can cause facial pain syndromes

Preventive dentistry

Is the minimizing/avoidance of dental disease. To do so involves:

1. Limiting the amount of carbohydrates
2. Proper oral hygiene
3. Visits to the dentist at appropriate times base upon your individual needs
4. The visit consists of:

1. 1. Hygiene–in our office that is a periodontal scaling
   2. Prophylaxis
   3. Necessary radiographs
   4. Doctor exam, if needed
   5. Home care instruction, if needed
   6. Recommendations of prevention/treatment
   7. Intra-oral photographs, if needed

Fighting Plaque

By fighting plaque, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. Today, in fact, older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer because of scientific developments and an emphasis on preventative dentistry.

Good oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria. When you eat carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch) you feed this plaque, which in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel, cause cavities, and develop a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Uninterrupted, the acid attacks can result in tooth decay and gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). If left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.

At any age, you can begin the fight with plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy. It’s really quite easy. Simply:

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. While you’re at it, brush the top surface of your tongue to eliminate bad breath and bacteria buildup.
2. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria lingers between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
3. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If a snack is needed, nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit should be chosen.
4. Schedule regular check-ups. Visit the doctor regularly (every six months) for professional cleanings and oral exams.
5. Ask the doctor about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
6. Wear mouth protection such as a mouthguard when you play contact sports or extreme sports.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay (cavity or caries) can develop on any surface of any tooth. Because cavities grow, they are much easier and less expensive to treat when they are small. A decaying tooth may not hurt, so you may have a cavity and not realize it. The dentist checks for tooth decay at your regular check-ups and will periodically use x-rays to check for decay between teeth. The dentist treats tooth decay by cleaning out the cavity and placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth.

By following the strategies listed above, you can prevent tooth decay.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice (called a sulcus) between your tooth and gums to identify whether you have gum disease.

• Some gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.
• Certain periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket; generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
• Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.
• In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.
• In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.
• Gum recession: when more of the tooth is exposed above the gum line it looks like your tooth is long. This is a form of gum disease where there is no pocketing or bleeding. The tooth has less bone support and can start tilting over; the tooth can become sensitive to cold air/fluids, and more prone to cavities (the structure of the tooth is weaker here).

If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see the doctor immediately:

1. Gums that bleed easily
2. Red, swollen, tender gums
3. Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
4. Persistent bad breath or bad taste
5. Pus between your teeth and gums
6. Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
7. Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
8. Any change in the fit of partial dentures

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs.

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.

Choosing the Right Cosmetic Surgeon

Choosing the right cosmetic surgeon can be difficult, but these guidelines can help you find the right doctor for your needs. Remember, cosmetic surgery is a highly competitive and lucrative field; therefore, turf battles are inevitable. You do not want to become confused by groups claiming to be “the only” or “the best,” because this excludes many surgeons who may be better choices for your particular problem.

Finding a Cosmetic Surgeon

First, choose two or three surgeons whose specialties match your needs. The surgeons should be board-certified and members of one of these professional organizations:

• The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• The American Academy of Dermatology

There may be qualified surgeons in other professional organizations, but these are the primary groups that certify doctors to perform cosmetic surgery.

Personal recommendations are important. Ask friends for referrals if they have undergone a similar procedure. Get opinions from your family doctor and other doctor acquaintances. Surgical technicians and operating room nurses are an excellent source for information regarding a surgeon’s skill in the operating room.

Interview the surgeons. Ask about their fellowship training — specialized training they have received in specific procedures. Check with your state’s medical board to verify the surgeon’s board certification, education, and license — and check whether disciplinary action has been taken against the surgeon.

Make sure that the surgeon you choose has hospital privileges to perform your specific procedure. If the surgeon is not respected enough to have hospital privileges, you don’t want that surgeon performing your surgery in an outpatient facility or in an office.

Questions to Consider Before Selecting Your Cosmetic Surgeon

At this point, you may have narrowed your choices to one or two cosmetic surgeons. It is now time for the consultation. Here are key questions to consider:

• What is the surgeon’s area of expertise?
• Has the surgeon practiced for many years or performed many of these procedures?
• Is the surgeon friendly yet confident and professional?
• If the procedure will not be performed in the physician’s office, does the surgeon use a certified surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists and up-to-date emergency equipment and anesthesia monitoring devices?
• What is the total price of the surgery? (This includes the surgeon’s fee, operating room, anesthesia, etc.)
• Are you allowed to see before and after pictures of other patients? Are computer images available for you and the surgeon to view together?
• Does the surgeon encourage you to ask questions?
• Are the surgeon’s answers to your questions realistic?
• If a second surgery is needed, what is your financial responsibility?

After you’ve settled on a doctor and a procedure, you may want to get a second opinion. This will help you feel confident in your final decision.

You should exclude any cosmetic surgeon who:

• Does not routinely perform the procedure you are considering
• Dismisses the risks of surgery or is not open to a discussion of complications
• Guarantees results
• Will not or cannot show before and after photos of other patients
• Does not allow you to ask questions freely
• Is not courteous and respectful
• Offers bargain fees or gimmicks
• Is not routinely involved in postoperative care

Keep in mind, excellent credentials and a good rapport with your surgeon does not guarantee a favorable outcome. However, they are the foundation of a successful partnership between surgeon and patient.

Article from WebMD

Medical tourism is the latest trend in both cosmetic surgery and travel. Here’s the set up: patients can fly to an exotic location, such as Dubai, and get cosmetic plastic surgery performed for a fraction of the price they’d pay back at home. With the money they save, they can afford to splurge on a fancy hotel or resort, where they can recover in peace, quiet, and luxury.

It seems like a win-win situation. Patients get a vacation and a makeover all at once and can come back looking “refreshed” after recovering away from the prying eyes of neighbors and co-workers. Meanwhile, the local economies get a nice financial shot in the arm while they are there. It sounds too good to be true, and it just might be.

A language barrier between you and your cosmetic surgeon isn’t particularly conducive to getting bespoke results from your breast augmentation or facelift. But that’s not the biggest danger. In the United States, patients can recognize qualified doctors by their board certifications, from such recognized associations as the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Overseas, there is no such luxury and even less recourse – both medically and financially – if something goes wrong.

The worst case scenario was illustrated recently, when a woman from Chula Vista, California chose to visit a cosmetic surgeon just across the border in Tijuana. The woman went in for a liposuction treatment – a procedure which is very low risk when performed by qualified plastic surgeons – and tragically died from a heart attack, presumably related to medical complications during or after surgery. Investigations are still underway, but already, officials have found deficiencies in the clinic’s operating areas and record-keeping procedures.

While death is a rare and extreme consequence of visiting an under-qualified cosmetic surgeon, getting disappointing results or altogether botched procedures which must then be corrected back at home, happens all too often.

With this in mind, patients may want to re-evaluate the merits of medical tourism over visiting a specialist closer to home. Destination plastic surgery is not a wholly bad idea if in the presence of a qualified doctor. It should not be just about getting a bargain discount.

Tags: Cosmetic Surgeon, Medical Tourism

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