Apr 14, 2022
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity for dental practices like Falmouth Dental Arts to raise awareness about the importance of oral cancer detection and prevention. When treated early, oral cancer has an estimated 80-90% survival rate. As your dental care partners, we believe strongly that we are an essential part of your healthcare team. As such, we’ve had a long-standing commitment to screening our patients for early signs of oral cancer. We are excited to announce that we now have a new state-of-the-art diagnostic tool to assist us in the oral cancer screening process – a CBCT 3D x-ray machine. 3D imaging allows us to better diagnose a range of dental issues, including oral cancer. Learn more from Dr. Brunacini, as he explains some of the advantages of CBCT 3D x-rays.
1) Why has FDA upgraded to 3D x-rays?
Dr. Brunacini: 3D x-ray or CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) technology allows us to better visualize all of the structures within the head, neck, and mouth so that we can better assess our patients’ oral health.
2) How are 3-D x-rays different from the traditional digital 2D x-rays?
Dr. Brunacini: For years, dentistry has been taking and reviewing x-rays in 2-D, which can sometimes make it difficult to determine a proper diagnosis. Without the 3rd dimension, it can be difficult to see an area of concern, such as a gum or tooth infection. Being able to take 3D images allows us to more thoroughly and completely diagnose our patients prior to performing any dental treatment, especially oral surgery.
3) Will 3D x-rays replace traditional 2D x-rays?
Dr. Brunacini: 3D imaging won’t replace our typical bitewing x-rays, which are used to locate areas of decay. Rather, 3D x-rays can be used as an additional tool when trying to diagnose an area of concern or when planning for dental implants. It can also be helpful for patients with a strong gag response, as 3D x-rays allow us to get the imaging we need without placing anything into their mouth, making the process much easier and more comfortable for them.
4) How can 3D x-rays be helpful in the early detection of oral cancer?
Dr. Brunacini: CBCT technology can be used as an additional screening tool in diagnosing oral cancer. It doesn’t eliminate the need for our other screening methods, such as a visual or physical exam or VELscope screening. VELscope is a non-invasive device that emits a safe blue light to detect abnormal cell growth that could be cancerous or precancerous. If we identify any areas that look suspicious through these methods, 3D imaging can be helpful in determining subsequent steps for the ideal treatment of a lesion. As we see many of our patients twice a year, we now have a wider range of diagnostic tools available to us to screen for oral cancer during routine hygiene appointments, including CBCT x-rays.
Thank you, Dr. Brunacini!
If you have any additional questions about the oral cancer screening process, CBCT 3D x-rays, or would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re here to help!
Mar 4, 2022
March 6–12, 2022 is Dental Assistants’ Week, a celebration of dental assistants and the value they bring to our patients and to the FDA team. This year’s theme is, “Passionate about our patients, dedicated to our profession,” and each of our five multi-talented dental assistants exemplify this on a daily basis. They each bring their skills and positive attitudes to our practice, and are always seeking to elevate the comfort and satisfaction of our patients. If you’ve had an opportunity to meet Lisa, Pat, Mary, Mirela, or Chelsey, then you know this to be true! In honor of our fantastic team, we have put together some quotes from our dental assistants themselves, sharing what they love most about their jobs. We appreciate them during Dental Assistants’ Week and every day!
Lisa
Lisa has been helping patients achieve better smiles for more than 25 years, joining the FDA family in 2019. For Lisa, her joy of coming to work also extends to providing excellent preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care for FDA patients. And it is a joy to have her on our team. Thank you, Lisa!
Pat
Pat has been a Certified Dental Assistant for over 17 years . She handles patient radiology and assists chairside for cosmetic and restorative procedures. We are grateful for Pat and the compassion she shows our patients. Thank you, Pat!
Mary
Mary has worked in the dental field since 1995, spending many of those years at Falmouth Dental Arts. Mary enjoys helping people and seeing the results of a successful treatment. We love Mary’s positive attitude and commitment to the team. Thank you, Mary!
Mirela
Mirela has worked in the dental field since 2003, joining the Falmouth Dental Arts team in 2017. With a background in pediatric dentistry, Mirela demonstrates exceptional compassion for her patients and team. Thank you, Mirela!
Chelsey
Chelsey joined FDA in 2020. After an experience traveling to Central America on a mission trip to assist a dentist with restorative work, Chelsey realized she wanted to work in the dental field. We are grateful to have Chelsey on our team! Thank you, Chelsey!
Learn more about our fantastic dental assistants and the rest of our team of compassionate dental professionals here.
If you have questions about your oral health or need to schedule your next appointment, feel free to give us a call at 207.781.5900. Our wonderful dental assistants, along with Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, and the rest of the team, are here to help!
Feb 7, 2022
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Falmouth Dental Arts! “Tooth” be told, we love our patients and are committed to providing a patient-centered approach to your complete and compassionate care. Your comfort level is paramount to us and that’s why we strive to be on the cutting edge of dentistry, offering the latest in dental technology. Thanks to your valuable feedback, we will continue to offer the best services and amenities to make you feel as comfortable as possible with your dental care experience. Over the years we have heard from you, our patients, about some of the things you appreciate most about Falmouth Dental Arts. Read on for some of our favorite patient “love letters” below.
Tami G.
As always, everything exceeded expectations. The people, place, procedure, professionalism, and pleasantries can make a new crown without a frown. FDA patient for over 20 years.
Timothy L.
Great staff, very knowledgeable, a wonderful experience and I learn something new every time I go in!
Julia L.
Always friendly, always caring. The dentists and hygienists listen to you and make you feel heard. I’m one of those fearful of dentistry types and I’d go nowhere else.
Cheryl H.
Absolutely superb care! Dr. Karagiorgos is highly skilled, compassionate, and a true dental health care partner. All the staff I’ve encountered are friendly, professional, and kind, and I’ve known some of them for decades. My daughter, a patient since she was a very young child, entrusts my grandson’s dental care to Dr. K and his staff. Falmouth Dental Arts is a truly exceptional practice.
J. Kernis
Thanks to my friends who recommended Falmouth Dental Arts. I am new to Maine and am pleased with my first visit to their practice. The hygienist was thorough and gentle. I appreciated that Dr. Brunacini, while also thorough in the dental exam, was practical and modest in his treatment recommendation. The office was simple, clean, comfortable, quiet, and all personnel were pleasant. I am delighted to find a dental practice that feels friendly, extremely competent, knowledgeable, and dedicated to helping me maintain my dental health without pushing me into expensive treatment plans.
Thank you, patients, we feel the love! We are so grateful for our wonderful family of patients and want to provide you with the best oral care possible! To show you how much we care on Valentine’s Day (and every day), we pledge to continue to:
- Design a dental plan with you that fits your needs and budget.
- Make sure that you feel comfortable physically and emotionally while you are in our care.
- Offer a range of treatments to help you attain your dental health goals.
- Provide the least invasive products and procedures.
- Build a partnership with you as we plan for your care.
Keep spreading the love to your teeth and gums by keeping up with your daily oral health routine and hygiene appointments! If you need to schedule an appointment, or have some feedback to share with us, please give us a call at 207.781.5900.
Nov 22, 2021
It is hard to believe it’s already November, yet we still have so much to look forward to! Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude. We at Falmouth Dental Arts have so many reasons to be thankful this year and we wanted to share some of them with you…
Our Family of Patients
First and foremost, we are thankful for YOU! We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for our wonderful patients. Thank you for trusting us with your oral health care; we are truly honored to help you achieve your best smile and oral health! We have been so grateful for your patience and cooperation as we have navigated new safety protocols. It’s times like these when community is so important and we couldn’t ask for a better community of patients. Thank you, FDA patients!
The FDA Team
We have an amazing group of compassionate and knowledgeable dental professionals at FDA. Our fantastic hygienists, amazing assistants, and stellar office team are the heart of our practice, and alongside Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos, help us provide the best oral care possible. FDA is truly a team effort and we are incredibly grateful to have individuals who are so dedicated to our patients and practice. Thank you, FDA team!
Tools for Healthy Mouths
FDA is committed to being on the cutting edge of dentistry and we are blessed to have access to some of the most modern dental tools and technology available today. From Invisalign, to digital x-rays, to restorative dentistry, to our VELscope oral cancer screening tool, we have many state-of-the-art tools and techniques at our fingertips that protect our patients’ health and smiles! Thank you, dental care tools and tech!
Our Health
Lastly, we at Falmouth Dental Arts are thankful for our health and the health of our families. Regular dental care is such an important component of our overall health and wellness, so remember to schedule your routine hygiene appointments, make healthy meal and snack choices, and take care of your teeth in between visits. For scheduling or to ask about any of our services, feel free to give us a call at 207.781.5900.
We wish our patients and staff a wonderful holiday filled with relaxation, good food, and pie for dessert (and don’t forget to brush your teeth!).
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours,
Dr. Brunacini & Dr. Karagiorgos & the FDA Team
Nov 11, 2020
Welcome to Dental Health 101! Educating our patients is one of our top priorities at FDA, and we thought it would be fun to test your knowledge of some oral health care basics with a pop quiz! Relax, this won’t impact your final grade. 😉 So, grab your extra-sharp No.2 pencils and see if you pass the FDA Basic Dental Health Pop Quiz!
1.When should you bring your child to the dentist for the first time?
A. Between the age of 1 to 3
B. When they lose their first tooth
C. If they have yellow teeth
Answer: A – We recommend you start bringing your children around the age of 1 to 3 to start their dental care. As soon as your child has teeth, they can get cavities and it is helpful to be proactive about oral health care. Each child is different as to when they are ready and our goal is to make coming to the dentist a positive experience for them. Our compassionate team is here to help you start a lifetime of healthy habits for your kids. If you need tips for getting your kids to brush, give us a call!
2. True or False: Dental enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
Answer: True! It is even harder than bone! A highly resilient surface, it is 96% mineral which makes it extremely durable, lasting hundreds of years. Despite its toughness, enamel can still chip or crack. Take care of tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay by brushing twice-a-day and flossing daily. If a chip happens your tooth enamel can’t repair itself, so come see Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos to talk about your options for repair or restoration.
3. How long should I brush my teeth?
A. 45 seconds
B. 2 minutes
C. 90 seconds
Answer: B – Brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice-a-day. While the average American only brushes their teeth for about 45 seconds, give your teeth the extra love they need to help reduce plaque and maintain your gum health. Many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that automatically shuts off after two minutes…how easy is that?! Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice-a-day, along with daily flossing, regular dental check-ups, and a healthy diet is the basic recipe for a healthy mouth and a healthy life!
4. True or False: A healthy diet can impact your oral health.
Answer: True! A diet rich in vegetables, high-calcium dairy products, protein, and omega-3s, not only keeps your body healthy, but helps your mouth stay healthy, too! Those crisp fruits and veggies help stimulate saliva to keep your teeth clean…kind of like brushing your teeth. Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D help maintain a strong tooth structure, while those omega-3s contribute to a healthy inflammatory response in your body. When you nourish your body, you also support your oral health…so load up your plate with leafy greens, nuts, crunchy veggies, fish, and dairy products. We’re always happy to share healthy tips, so feel free to ask us about what food to incorporate into your diet for improved oral health at your next appointment!
5. For optimal cleaning, brush your teeth:
A. Like you’re scrubbing a toilet
B. Like you’re scraping paint
C. Like you’re massaging a friend
Answer: C – You can brush your teeth too hard: over-brushing your teeth with a stiff-bristled brush or with a lot of force you can damage your tooth enamel and erode your gums. Treat your teeth and gums with care and take a more gentle approach with your pearly whites. Look for an extra soft-bristled brush with the ADA “Seal of Approval” and gently brush at a 45-degree angle so you clean your teeth and massage your gums without causing damage.
How did your dental health knowledge stack up? Whether you aced this quiz or bombed it, please know that FDA is always here to answer your questions and show you the best dental care techniques. We are your partners in your oral health and strive to empower you with knowledge so together we create a customized course of treatment that works for you. Call us at 207.781.5900 with questions or to schedule your next appointment!
