Dr. Tau on Digital Impressions: We all know that no one actually wants to go to the dentist, and some people downright dread it. Patients assume that all dental procedures are going to be uncomfortable or even painful. In an effort to make going to see the dentist a more pleasant experience, many dental offices look more like health spas. Gone are the horrible sounds and smells, replaced by the sound of rock fountains, massage chairs, paraffin wax treatments, iPods and most importantly virtually painless dentistry. Dentists are embracing new technology that greatly enhances the patient experience and eases anxiety about dental treatments. Laser scanners allow your dentist to find decay that normally can’t be seen or felt until they are much bigger. Computerized anesthesia machines allow only the tooth being treated to be numb instead of your entire face. And now a common dental procedure known as a dental impression has an amazing new technology behind it.

Fig 1 – Conventional Putty Dental Impression

Every year millions of people need crowns and bridges to replace broken, decayed, heavily filled or missing teeth. More and more people are now requesting cosmetic porcelain veneers to improve their smile. In order to fabricate the crown (cap), bridge or veneer, a physical impression must be taken of the tooth being restored. Most patients cringe at the thought of having a mold of their mouth taken. The putty is messy, tastes extremely unpleasant, and in many patients can cause gagging. (Fig. 1) This is far from a perfect science and if the impression has an air bubble or other imperfection, it may not be suitable and unfortunately the dentist may have to repeat the process again. The crown, bridge or veneer created from the physical impression often requires additional time to seat, may require numerous adjustments and may eventually need replacing. Sometimes the crown does not even fit and the impression needs to be retaken and the lengthy process started all over. Dentists now have another option when it comes to taking a dental impression.

Fig 2 – Dr. Tau Taking an iTero Digital Impression

Cadent’s iTero is a new groundbreaking digital technology that eliminates the need for a gooey physical impression. This device enables the dentist to create an exact replica of what is in the mouth using only a laser scanner. (Fig. 2) The only thing that touches the mouth is the tip of the handheld wand. Guided by voice prompts, the dentist takes several scans of the teeth and the patient’s bite until a complete digital image is captured. With each scan, Itero software captures 100,000 data points in the patient’s mouth. Once the dentist begins the scanning process it can be stopped and started as many times as necessary, unlike the physical impression that must set for 5 or more minutes before it is removed from your mouth. Never again will patients be stuck with a mouth full of goop. Each scan takes only a few seconds.

Fig 3 – iTero 3-D Impression

After the scanning process is completed a 3-D digital model of the mouth is magnified and displayed on the computer screen right in front of the patient. (Fig. 3) This allows the dentist to review the scan and make any necessary changes or take additional scans if some information was missed. Seeing this information allows for better communication between the dentist , the dental assistant, the laboratory, and most importantly the patient. It also allows the dentist to head off potential issues that may have gone unnoticed until the seating appointment. Itero technology all but guarantees a perfect fit for the new crown or bridge, so patients spend less time at the dentist’s office and more time enjoying their new smile!
Going to the dentist still may not be at the top of a patient’s priority list but if and when a patient needs a crown or wants a veneer, the Cadent iTero digital impression will allow for a much more comfortable visit, and more importantly, a better fitting restoration.

Want to avoid the messy, gagging traditional method of taking impressions?

Call Dr. Leonard Tau and ask about the Cadent iTero digital impression system.

Dr. Bodak on Missing Teeth: Many adults have missing permanent teeth that have been lost due to injury, disease or decay. Not only do missing teeth make you look older than you are, they can also be detrimental to both your health and well-being. If you have teeth that are missing, replacing them can dramatically improve your appearance by improving your smile. This will also improve how you feel about yourself.

In our grandparents’ day, there was often little opportunity for quality dental care. As a result, people expected to lose at least some of their teeth by their mid-adult years. As they began to lose teeth, their faces started to age prematurely. Losing a permanent tooth is similar to losing other parts of your body. Would you be content to lose a finger, even though you had nine others? Of course not. You could still use your hand, but you know that your hand works best when no parts are missing. Your mouth and jaw also function best when you have all 28 permanent adult teeth. Many people have lost all four wisdom teeth without any loss of function, but the other 28 adult teeth are a different story.

Each tooth functions both individually and also as part of your bite. When you lose a tooth, there is an empty space or gap left behind that affects each of the opposing teeth. If one or more missing permanent adult teeth are not replaced, the spaces or gaps will cause your remaining teeth to shift to a new spot. As these teeth shift, your bite will be disturbed and you may develop TMJ (temporomandibular joint) symptoms with jaw clicking or soreness. The gaps also become the perfect place for food to become trapped, which increases your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. If you lose enough teeth, you will also be unable to chew your food effectively.

Avoid future TMJ problems and collapse of your bite. Replacing missing teeth promptly can help prevent movement of your remaining teeth and can help preserve your bite. When a tooth is lost, the supporting bone in the jaw begins to dissolve. This is known as bone resorption. Bone resorption is an ongoing, continual and permanent process; it never stops throughout your lifetime until you replace the missing tooth. The longer the tooth is missing, the more bone is lost to resorption. This makes it more difficult to do dental restoration to replace the missing teeth.

If you have dentures, you are already experiencing ongoing bone loss and premature facial aging, as you lose more and more of your bone from your  jaw . Your profile and facial appearance starts to age more rapidly.  Loose dentures accelerate the rate of bone loss even more. Even if one or more teeth were lost long ago, replacing them with dental implants now can stabilize your bite and bone tissue, reduce TMJ stress, improve your ability to eat a variety of foods and enhance your smile and facial appaearance.

So replacing a tooth as soon as possible after it is lost is key to maintaining proper oral health and maintaining your facial proportions. Restoring missing teeth will reduce the shifting of teeth due to gaps and will also help prevent bone loss.

Your oral health and dental care is important to me.

Dr. L. Z. Bodak-G
www.MediaPADentist.com

Dr. Bodak on Children’s Dentistry: Your newborn baby already has teeth, although you can’t see them. They are sitting just below the gum line. These “baby teeth”, which give your infant a great smile and allow the pleasures of chewing food or speaking more clearly, also help guide the permanent teeth into place. How soon do you need to start caring for your infant’s teeth? Just as soon as you see them!

Start by gently cleaning your infant’s gums and tongue daily. Use a clean wet washcloth to remove excess bacteria and formula or food residue. This daily regimen will become comfortable for your baby and prepare him for dental exams later on. As you see the first teeth erupt, move on to a child’s extra soft toothbrush. Replace with a new toothbrush every few months. Use water (no toothpaste) on the toothbrush in the beginning. Children should not swallow toothpaste. Add toothpaste, pressed firmly into the bristles of the toothbrush, once they have mastered the “art of spitting.” As more teeth appear, the spaces between teeth will close and it is time to begin flossing. Make a game of it, moving the floss up and down between the teeth (not back and forth, like shining your shoes).

Don’t send your child to bed or a nap with a bottle or sippy cup. Sugars, found naturally in formula, milk, and juice can coat the teeth and lead to decay. Once children can assist with dressing, it is time to learn how to brush their own teeth. Make sure you know the right way to brush, and show her. Tell him about good oral health and why we want to take care of our teeth. Be a good role model – Make sure you brush daily after eating and floss! Children should be supervised until they can master the job themselves, usually about age 7.

Emphasize healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables. Your child’s developing body, including their teeth and gums, requires a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Limit sweets to mealtimes; try diluting fruit juices, and avoid sticky foods. Sugary foods, especially when eaten as snacks between meals, can lead to tooth decay. Sugar increases the growth of mouth bacteria. These bacteria produce acid that can damage the teeth and lead to cavities. Don’t forget about the tongue and gums! Check for signs of gingivitis such as swollen, red or bleeding gums, or bad breath. Healthy teeth and gums require a diet rich in calcium and Vitamins C and D. If your children are not getting enough in their diet, talk with your health care provider about vitamin supplements.

Schedule you child’s first preventive dental visit once the teeth have appeared, usually at about one year of age. Children’s dental care can be comfortable when they are familiar with the dentist and the dental examination. Please don’t wait for a toothache before visiting the dentist. Delaying dental treatment until there is pain may lead to lifelong dental avoidance and distress. Many adults with dental anxiety report unpleasant experiences at the dentist when they were young. You can avoid dental anxiety later on if you seek regular preventive care from a dentist who is calm, friendly, gentle and produces excellent results. Should your child see a pediatric dentist (pedodontist) or a family dentist? That depends on the dentist! It is the skill and manner of the dentist, as well as their experience and expertise, that will help shape your child’s attitude for years to come.

If you have a good relationship with your family dentist, and he or she is comfortable with children and experienced in all aspects of children’s dentistry, your family dentist may be an ideal choice. Seek out reviews and recommendations if you are insure, and make the first visit to the dentist a positive one. If you and your dentist are comfortable with this suggestion, consider bringing your young child with you to your next preventive dental visit. You are their best role model. When your toddler sees that your dental visits are pain-free, your child’s dental check-ups will be much less stressful. And if your own visits are not comfortable, consider changing dentists! If you and your child both feel relaxed, the experience will be a positive one. Your children will enjoy visiting their dentist and you will LOVE their smile!

Thanks Dr. Bodak!

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