Dentures have long been the only option to replace missing teeth. There are several procedures these days involving dental implants that make choosing them a much more attractive option.
For people who have just one tooth missing, a single dental implant is an ideal option to replace it. Not only does an implant look and function like a natural tooth, it also does not compromise the health of the teeth around it. By choosing a dental implant over a bridge, the patient has a better chance at preserving the bone structure and gums around the tooth. Often, gums can recede around a bridge, creating both aesthetic and health problems.
If someone has lost all or nearly all of their teeth, implants are still a desirable option. Dentures are often ill-fitting and can become loose or slippery. Implants on the other hand, are a natural and permanent way to replace these missing teeth.
All-on-4 is a procedure that was designed specifically for people who would otherwise need dentures. Some of the more popular complaints about dentures are that they are uncomfortable, cause aching jaws, mouth sores, and chewing problems. Using All-on-4, an entire arch of teeth can be replaced with just four implants and a set of permanent teeth. This provides a comfortable and stable alternative to wearing dentures.
The Detroit dental implant experts at our office would be happy to speak with you about everything from a single dental implant procedure to All-on-4. Give us a call at 248-357-3100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 248-357-3100 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or find us on the web at www.drnemeth.com to get all of your dental implant questions answered today!
Did you know that gum disease can often be treated with a laser, avoiding the more invasive "cut and suture" procedures? Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) is done using the PerioLase dental laser and results in very little bleeding, less discomfort during recovery, shorter recovery times and usually no cutting or stitches. Watch the video animation below to learn more about LANAP.
If you're intersted in having the LANAP procedure performed to treat your gum disease, contact Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS and Associates, Metro Detroit Area Periodontists and specialist in the LANAP procedure at 248-357-3100.
New toothpaste substitutes cocoa extract for fluoride
A New Orleans start-up has developed a toothpaste that uses a naturally occurring compound found in cocoa instead of fluoride to help strengthen teeth.
New Orlean's based, Theodent relies on Rennou, a proprietary blend of a cocoa extract and other minerals that work together to strengthen teeth. The extract, a white crytalline powder, has a chemical makeup similar to that of caffeine, says Arman Sadeghpour, PhD, Theodent president and CEO.
"Theodent is more effective at strengthening enamel than fluoride," he said in an interview with DrBicuspid.com."More and more people are shying away from fluoride due to concerns about toxicity."
Theodent Classic ($9.99) hit store shelves at Whole Foods Markets last week. A luxury version of the toothpaste, Theodent 300, is an extra-strength version ($99.99) for patients with supersensitive teeth, will be marketed to select cosmetic dentists and medical professionals, says the company.
Rennou was discovered by Tetsuo Nakamoto DDS, PhD, chief scientific officer and chairman of the board at Theodent, while researching the effect of caffeine on teeth at the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Dentistry. Dr. Nakamoto collaborated with two experts in analytical geology from the University of New Orleans, and together they discovered Rennou's effects on teeth and enamel.
How it works
Enamel is made up hundreds of thousands of calcium and phosphorus unit crystals that form the mineral component of enamel, hydroxyapatite. Through a series of laboratory tests, Dr. Nakamoto's team identified that Rennou increases the size of the surface unit crystals of enamel by four times. Larger unit crystals make teeth less susceptible to bacterial acid demineralization.
Sadeghpour joined this scientific team and completed his doctoral thesis at Tulane University by comparing Rennou head to head with fluoride and confirmed that it was more effective than fluoride at strengthening teeth.
Two experiments were performed for the study: the first examining enamel surface microhardness, followed by an acid dissolution study.
Through this research, Sadeghpour found that human teeth treated with varying doses of Rennou were generally stronger than those treated with fluoride and also more resilient to bacterial acid demineralization. His research became the foundation of taking this discovery and turning it into a product.
After Sadeghpour finished his doctoral thesis, Tulane University did a small press release on the findings. He then received a call from Clifton Carey, PhD, director of independent research at the ADA, who then independently studied Rennou.
In his research, Carey took initial radiographs of teeth before placing them in distilled water, fluoride, or Rennou for two minutes, Sadeghpour explained. He then subjected these teeth to an acid attack (1% citric acid at a pH of 3.9) for 10 minutes and measured how many microns of enamel were lost.
Carey found that the tooth in distilled water lost 8.88 microns, the one in fluoride lost 5.47 microns, and Rennou beat both fluoride and control group with 3.12 microns of erosion.
That in itself was interesting, according to Sadeghpour. But he also was intrigued that the concentration of Rennou used in the study was very small -- 142 times less -- compared with the concentration of fluoride. Rennou had almost twice (1.75 times to be exact) the protective effect of fluoride.
So, if you're looking to strengthen your teeth, try chocolate instead of fluoride and you may be surprised by the results. Look for Theodent Classic at a Whole Foods Market near you.
Source: www.drbicuspid.com
The 69th annual Golden Globe Award Ceremony was held last night and the Hollywood smiles were beaming from ear to ear! Aside from the awards themselves, people always tune into these award shows just to see how the stars look. And no look is complete without a beautiful smile.
Could 
you imagine what would happen if the best-actress award winner went up to the podium to accept her award and one of her front teeth was missing? Or if an actor spoke to a reporter on the red-carpet and all of a sudden had a disappearing upper lip? Roles would be lost! Front page headlines would be made! An all-out tabloid frenzy would occur.
While things tend to be less melodramatic in real life, nobody likes to be ashamed of their smile. If you have teeth that look too big or too small, a gummy smile, missing teeth, or you hate your dentures, make an appointment with Detroit’s cosmetic periodontist, Dr. Joe Nemeth, today!
Having an aesthetically pleasing smile involves much more than just straight, white teeth. The appearance and the health of the gums are also vitally important to the overall look of the smile. The gum tissue can often cover the teeth and make them appear too small, or the lip can pull up too high, creating a similar problem. Missing teeth and ill-fitting dentures can also cause aesthetic problems as well as shame and embarrassment. You don’t have to live with these issues any longer! Call us at 248-357-3100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 248-357-3100 end_of_the_skype_highlighting to find out how we can create a star smile for you!
A Journal of Periodontology Study
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Being overweight is a risk factor for gum disease. Unhealthy eating habits, which can induce overweight, may be involved in the development of periodontitis in young people. The following study aimed to examine the relationships among overweight, eating habits, and the periodontal condition in Japanese university students.
A cross-sectional study was conducted of 801 university students (413 males and 388 females; age range: 18 to 25 years). Patient were classified as underweight, normal weight and overweight based on their body mass indexes. Students completed a questionaire including items related to eating habits and underwent oral health exams. Patients with a community periodontal index (CPI) of 0 to 2 were considered controls and patients with a CPI greater than or equal to 2 were considered to have periodontal disease.
The prevelance of underweight, normal weight, and overweight patients was 21%, 62%, and 17% respectively. In overweight patients, the periodontal risk was increased by the frequent consumption of fatty foods and reduced by the frequent consumption of vegetables. In underweight individuals and normal-weight groups, eating habits did not differ significantly according to the presence of periodontitis.
The study concluded that in overweight students, the frequent consumption of fatty foods and infrequent consumption of vegetables were associated with an increased risk of gum disease. In underweight and normal weight individuals, eating habits had little effect on the periodontal condition.
Source: J Periodontal, December 2011, Tomofuji, Furata, Ekuni, et al.
A new study published by NYU showed that nearly 20 million Americans visit a dentist annually, yet they do not visit a general healthcare provider. The research also showed that 26 percent of children surveyed did not see a general health care provider, yet one-third of them (nearly 7 million children), did visit a dentist at least once a year.
The findings of the study suggest that dentist can play a vital role in identifying systemic disease which may otherwise go undetected.
During a dental examination, dentists and dental hygienists take a patient’s health history, check blood pressure, take x-rays, and make clinical observations. These are all important steps in detecting a patient’s risk for systemic illnesses such as diabetes and heart conditions. Many symptoms of system illnesses are present in the mouth and may be detected by a dentist during routine examinations.
Not only are some conditions detected in the mouth, some actually begin in the mouth! Periodontal disease has been linked to other health concerns such as stroke, respiratory disease and multiple types of cancer.
Because many diseases are better treated upon early detection, it is important to see both your general health physician and your dental health physician at least once a year.
If you would like to know the state of your periodontal health and oral health, please contact the periodontal specialists of Detroit today! It could not only help save your teeth, but it could help save your life as well. We are available by phone at 248-357-3100 or on the web at www.drnemeth.com.
Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/dentistry/
December 22, 2011 -- NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Brazilian researchers claim that chewing on a piece of silicone can ease the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome.
Characterized by a burning sensation in otherwise normal looking oral mucosa, this rare chronic condition has been a mystery to dentists and health care providers alike. While the tongue is the most common site, multiple parts of the mouth may be affected. Although burning mouth syndrome is most often seen in postmenopausal women, prevalence estimates have ranged from 0.7 to 15.0%, with the wide variations attributed to differences in diagnostic criteria.
As reported online November 15 in Headache, Dr. Fabricio T. A. de Souza from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, and colleagues had 26 patients spend 10 minutes, three times a day, chewing on a soft three-dimensional piece of silicone. Patients with dentures were told to remove them during the treatments.
After 90 days of this regimen, patients reported significant decreases in the frequency of symptoms, the number of burning sites, and burning sensations as quantified with a visual analog score.
Three-quarters of patients with taste disturbances at baseline reported improvement with treatment, and 13 of 17 women with subjective oral dryness also reported improvement.
There was, however, "a significant decrease in salivary levels of total protein and an increase in TNF-alpha, which may account for the clinical effectiveness of therapy," according to the authors.
The researchers did acknowledge that without a control group, it's impossible to know whether the results were influenced by a placebo or Hawthorne effect (i.e., the tendency of some people to do better just because they're participating in an experiment).
Source: http://www.drbicuspid.com
Wondering wh
at the key to improved oral health and fresh breath is? New research shows it could be probiotics.
If you haven’t heard of them already, probiotics are live microorganisms that are thought to be beneficial to the host organism. Research has shown that they are beneficial for digestion, lactose intolerance, colon care, cholesterol, blood pressure, and immune function. Now research is showing that probiotics are helpful for oral health as well.
Probiotics help to knock out bad breath by introducing new bacteria into the mouth and multiplying fast enough to crowd out the bacteria that give off odors.
These little microorganisms are like fighter bacteria, killing bad bacteria while preserving the “good” or less-harmful types. Studies have shown that that probiotics also help treat certain inflammatory diseases. Because periodontal disease inflames the gums and can lead to other inflammatory responses in the body, probiotics may be helpful in controlling the inflammation.
If probiotics don’t help get rid of your halitosis, our Birmingham MI area dentists are able to help. During only one to two visits with Dr. Joseph Nemeth, he can get rid of your bad breath with a painless and simple treatment. Call us at 248-357-3100 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 248-357-3100 end_of_the_skype_highlighting for an appointment with our bad breath specialists. Click here for more information.
Source: http://www.therabreath.com/articles/blog/oral-care-tips-and-advice/probiotics-shut-out-bad-breath-improve-oral-health-5434.asp
Researchers from the University of Utah Pain Research Center conducted a study on the potential benefits of music on pain.
The researchers evaluated 143 subjects who were told to listen to music, follow melodies, and identify deviant tones. During the music, the subjects were given experimental fingertip electrode shocks.
The hypothesis of the study was that the music would divert the subjects from focusing on the pain.
After evaluating the outcomes of the study, the researchers concluded that a
rousal from the pain stimuli decreased when the demand during the music-task increased. This shows that music helps to reduce pain by activating sensory pathways that compete with pain pathways. When the sensory pathway is stimulated, the pain pathway is less stimulated. In other words, music provides intellectual and emotional engagement that helps to reduce pain.
Good news for the anxious dental patient! For those of you who are nervous about going to the dentist, music may help ease your anxiety.
Sedation dentistr
y may also help ease your nerves about visiting the dentist. Detroit dentists Dr. Joseph Nemeth and Dr. Amar Katranji believe that all of their patients should have the option to be in as relaxed a state as possible while undergoing their dental procedures. Sedation dentistry helps these fearful patients to overcome their anxiety, and is available at our office near Birmingham, MI.
To learn more about sedation dentistry or for an appointment with one of our dentists, please contact us at 248-357-3100 or on the web at www.drnemeth.com.
Most people recognize how important it is to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but over time, different lifestyle factors can negatively impact your periodontal health. To help
maintain healthy teeth and gums, keep these tips in mind:
Strive to be stress free
Minimize the stress in your life. Research has shown that people who are having a difficult time coping with stress can neglect their oral hygiene. Additionally, researchers have also associated the hormone cortisol with periodontal disease. Chronic stress has been shown to
increase levels of cortisol, and these increased levels can be a factor in developing periodontal disease.
Kick the tobacco habit
Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Tobacco’s negative effects on oral health are well documented. Most people that have recurrent periodontal disease are smokers, and smoking is also associated with complications after oral surgery.
Drink alcohol in moderation
Drinking the occasional glass of red wine has been shown to have positive effects on the body; however, heavy drinking can negatively impact your oral health. Alcohol can irritate your gums, tongue, and other oral tissues. It can also contribute to poor healing after surgery and can halt your oral hygiene routine. In addition, heavy drinkers often suffer from tooth decay as a result of the increased exposure to sugars and acids that are often found in alcoholic drinks.
Stock up on healthy foods
You know that a healthy diet is important for your overall health, but it’s also very important for your oral health! A good diet will help your immune system be at its best to help fight infections, including periodontal disease. In addition to eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet,
research has shown that both yogurtand green tea may add an extra boost to your
periodontal health.
This important information has been brought to you by the American Academy of Periodontology (www.perio.org).