Mar 23, 2016
Americans have seen an overall improvement in their oral health ever since we started adding fluoride to our daily intake of water, but in other ways, fluoridation has led to a hidden problem, what we in the industry refer to as “hidden caries.” Our tooth enamel has become harder and more durable due to the fluoride we receive, but sometimes this causes tooth decay to travel below the surface, where it can go undetected and wreak havoc on a patient’s oral health and on our ability to diagnose the problem.
Our solution? The DIAGNOdent Laser. This tool allows dentists to see below the surface of a tooth in order to know exactly what the ‘root’ cause is. In the past, dentists had to occasionally guess and perform procedures without knowing if they were targeting the correct issue. With our DIAGNOdent laser, the guesswork is gone, allowing us to make the right diagnosis for your optimal dental health.
The laser emits a specific wavelength of light (655 nanometers to be exact) that targets the problem area. Healthy tooth material won’t react at all, but decaying material, even below the surface, will reflect a fluorescence that is measured by the laser. The higher the fluorescence, the more tooth decay there is.
If you’re experiencing dental problems and are unsure of the cause, it’s possible that we can detect the issue with the DIAGNOdent laser. Call our office at 207-781-5900 and tell us your story.
diagnodent
Sep 12, 2015
Brushing your teeth serves a variety of important functions. It clears away plaque that can build up and lead to tooth decay. It keeps your gums healthy and lowers your chance of developing gingivitis. It may even reduce your risk of developing dementia. However, it cannot fully fight off tooth stains. Yellowing of the teeth is common even in the most assiduous brushers.
Stains on the teeth are not necessarily the result of ill health. They are more likely an indication that you enjoy teeth-staining foods and beverages (like coffee). While brushing your teeth can help, it is typically not enough to totally prevent yellowing. This is true even if you use whitening toothpaste.
Fortunately, Falmouth Dental Arts offers treatments that can revitalize your smile. Don’t go another year feeling embarrassed of your yellow teeth. Spend just one hour in our office and you’ll leave with pearly whites. Would you rather whiten in the privacy of your own home? We also offer at-home tooth whitening solutions. Call us today at 207-781-5900.
Jan 19, 2015
Many believe that losing their teeth and eventually ending up with dentures is inevitable. Others think they’re “too old” for certain procedures. There are many myths that need to be debunked about our dental health as we age. Here are seven of the most common of them:
1. I’m going to lose my teeth anyway. Why put money into them?
Having a great smile and being able to eat anything you want is an investment, not a cost. Many of us will now live to be over 90 thanks to modern medicine. There are many procedures to save teeth, so you don’t have to be doomed to a future of gumming your food or ill-fitting dentures for 20+ years.
2. I’m too old for orthodontics. My teeth can’t be straightened now.
As we get older, unfortunately our teeth become more crooked and overlapped. Orthodontics work at any age as long as the teeth have good bone support and are in fair shape. Many times, orthodontics are used before cosmetic procedures, so the results can be beautiful.
3. My dentures will never be tight enough.
There have been many advances in helping people with loose dentures. One of the most cost-effective methods is the placement of “mini-implants,” which can attach to the inside of the existing dentures in order to give patients a tighter fit. For those who want to get rid of their dentures completely, there are “implant supported bridges,” where slightly larger implants are placed and a bridge that looks like normal teeth is cemented permanently over them.
4. Teeth whitening is only for the younger crowd.
Teeth whitening works no matter what your age. Done properly, it can make your teeth (and you) look much more youthful. Just be aware that whitening will not work on old fillings or crowns.
5. I’m too old for veneers and crowns.
Some of our favorite patients are those over 70 who have had cosmetic veneers done on their aging and yellowing teeth—it gives them much more confidence in their smiles and can help with self-esteem.
6. Implants won’t work in my mouth so I’m stuck with what I have.
Dental implants are changing so fast that it’s hard for even dentists to keep up with the advances. Just a few years ago, if your jaw couldn’t accommodate implants, your options were limited. Now, there are many procedures that allow us to place implants almost anywhere in the mouth. Biting into an apple is a wonderful thing you can do again with the help of the proper procedures.
7. The health of my teeth and gums doesn’t matter at this age.
Gum disease, or “periodontal disease,” is the number one disease in the world. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss as we age, and it’s entirely preventable! There are now a vast number of studies showing how important healthy gums are to our heart and joints. If you’ve had joint replacements, you know how strict surgeons are about healthy gums before surgery. The mouth is a window to the health of the rest of your body.
It’s never too late for the beautiful smile and functional teeth you’ve been dreaming of for years. With the advances of modern dentistry, your dreams can become a reality.
Aug 12, 2014
That is a pretty high statistic if you ask us. Especially because you have some control over that. Over our many years practicing dentistry, we have found that most people visit us for any one of these three distinct reasons.
Fear – some people are just plain petrified of the dentist. It the fearful ones have had some traumatizing experiences in the past, and even if they didn’t, they know how old school dentistry did their work – fill, drill, and bill. That philosophy is a thing of the past, and something we never, ever, ever bought into here at FDA. We know some people have pre-appointment nerves and apprehensions, and we take every single one of those into account no matter how irrational those fears may be. We are here to calm your nerves and fix your teeth!
Personal Image – people want to look good. Of course it is true, and why wouldn’t it be? Your smile is a focal point of your face and people notice it, so it is normal to want a great smile. Whether that means veneers, whitening, tooth replacement, or orthodontics, we can help you get to where you want to go and get you that beautiful, confident smile of your dreams.
Function – some people have such a serious problem that it impacts the way that they are talking and eating. People often wait until they are in serious pain and discomfort before they visit us, and although we are glad to see that they finally come in to fix the problem, waiting around often complicates things further. The sooner you come in, the easier it is to treat the problem, the more treatment options we will likely have, and the faster your recovery will be. So if you’re hurting or uncomfortable, or something just doesn’t feel right in your mouth, then don’t wait around forever, come visit us! Our promise is to solve the problem and lay out a treatment plan together – one that you are completely comfortable with.
We know how to help even the most fearful patients who have the most complicated issues. We talk and formulate a treatment plan together that fits your lifestyle and budget. The most important thing to understand is that we are a team, and we have the same goals that you do to get you your perfect smile.
If you know a person who is so fearful of the dentist that they haven’t been in ages, then please share this blog post with them and tell them about us. We would love to talk with them.
Aug 12, 2014
National Smile Week is the second week of August! In many different ways, wearing a smile can be a lot more beneficial to you than you may think. To prove our point, and in honor of National Smile Week, we compiled a list of 10 reasons smiling is good for you.
- Smiling is attractive. That’s why it is the universal expression when we take pictures – especially selfies 😉 … OK, we are just kidding about the selfies part, but the rest is true! There is an attraction factor in smiling that naturally draws people in. Who doesn’t want to get to know that person with a smile that can light up a room? Be that person!
- It is scientifically proven to be able to change your mood. Next time you are sad or frustrated or upset or angry, turn that frown upside down. The short explanation is that smiling triggers the brain to release certain hormones that make you happier. Give it a try, what’s the worst that can happen?
- Smiling is contagious. You know it is, so don’t you deny it! A smile is as contagious as a yawn. If you are a happy person who smiles naturally and genuinely, then others will gravitate to that and love you for the positive energy you bring to any situation.
- Smiling is a stress reliever. One of the places where stress makes itself most obvious is in our faces. Take a breath and put on a smile next time you are stressed – go to your happy place. If you do, the stress should be reduced enough for you to gather your thoughts and take action.
- Smiling can help keep you healthy. It is thought that smiling relaxes you which allows your immune system to function more efficiently and effectively. A smile a day keeps the doctor away!
- Smiling lowers blood pressure. Try it out if you don’t believe us. Take a blood pressure reading like you regularly would. After you get an accurate reading, smile for a minute, then take another reading (while still smiling if you’d like). What are the results?
- Smiling makes us feel good. Studies have shown that the physical act of smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin – together, this combination makes us feel good.
- Smiling makes you look younger. The muscles we use to smile lift the face which makes a person appear younger. Forget the plastic surgery, just smile!
- Smiling exudes confidence. If you smile often you appear to be a confident person and you are also much more approachable. This can lead to positive recognition by your family, friends, and co-workers.
- Smiling keeps the glass half full. It’s hard not to stay positive with a smile on your face. And if you can put a smile on someone else’s face…well, then that is even better.
Happy National Smile Week! Don’t be shy – be sure to share plenty friendly smiles all week long!
Source: http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm
Jul 28, 2014
Do you dread the dentist? Millions of people have a dental-related fear that prevents them from receiving the care they need. In some cases, the fear can be so strong that it prevents them from even getting through the office door! Often times, these fears are developed because of a childhood trauma or uncomfortable experience at the dentist. Here are some of the most prevalent examples of dental phobias:
Lack of Control
Lying prone in a chair while a dentist works on your teeth can make patients feel as though they have no control over the situation. We believe that communication is key, and we take the time to address your concerns and learn more about you before any dental work is done. More importantly, after we are about to make an assessment of your teeth and mouth, we make a plan together to address your dental needs so that you do have some control over the situation.
Painful Past Experience
There are few things harder than overcoming a fear based on a past experience. But beginning at our very first appointment with you, we are completely focused and dedicated to building a trusting relationship with you, in order to break down those barriers. Dr. Brian Brunacini and Dr. Glen Knock are highly trained and qualified, and always maintain a consistent dialogue with patients in order to avoid an uncomfortable procedure.
Side Effects of Treatment
General anesthesia, numbing agents like Novocain, and painkillers can leave you with various side effects after a procedure, and some people feel the effects more than others. We always make sure that we find out whether you’ve had a negative reaction to any sedatives or painkillers so that we can find the best way to ease your mind and make you completely comfortable before, during, and after all of your dental procedures.
Indirect Experiences
Sometimes, hearing a “horror story” about another’s experience at the dentist can lead to heightened anxiety over your own visit. Even something as simple as a negative portrayal of dentists in TV shows or movies (thanks, Marathon Man!) can affect your perception of the process. Many cases of mishandled care are the result of a lack of communication between dentist and patient, and we make it our number one priority to ensure that our interaction with our patients is both pleasant and thorough.
When fear gets in the way of an individual’s physical health—we know there’s a problem to be addressed. At FDA, we know how debilitating fear can be and we do our best to bond our experience and expertise with compassion and understanding.
