When a patient recently told me he was going to have an angioplasty, a procedure which checks for blockages in the arteries around the heart, I encouraged him to follow a routine of daily flossing and using a strong antibacterial mouth rinse 10 days prior to the procedure.  In this day and time, medical science is drawing a connection between oral health and general health.

We understand that periodontal disease is an infection in the gums and in the bone, which hold the tooth in place.  Of the hundreds of types of bacteria that live in the mouth, less than a dozen types are “pathogenic” or “disease causing.”  The bacteria which cause the infection can enter the blood stream. Well, we all know where the blood stream goes-EVERYWHERE in the human body!  So it doesn’t take much imagination to realize that a periodontally infected mouth can also relate to other aspects of an individual’s health.

It has become more common that our dental office receives ‘Dental Clearance for Surgery’ forms from surgeons before they will do joint replacements.  The surgeons do not want any pathogenic bacteria complicating matters.  When we receive these forms, we carefully evaluate for periodontal disease and address any areas that are infected.

So even if a person is not advised by their medical team to see their dentist before a surgical procedure, they should consider it!!!

Susan Soloman, RDH/MA

Before

After

Many people are wanting a whiter and brighter smile today.  We offer two different ways to get the whiter smile you have always wanted.

The first Whitening technique we recommend is called ZOOM™.  Most people prefer ZOOM™ because you see results as soon as you leave our office.  You will receive whitening trays and gel to take home for future touch ups.

The second Whitening technique we offer is the Take Home System .  We will take impressions and make trays for you to take home and you use the  trays with the whitening gel.  This technique takes about 7-10 days to see results.

Amy Smith, R.D.A./C.D.A.

A root canal is the removal of the nerve and pulp.  After the nerve and pulp are removed the canals are cleaned/shaped and a material, most commonly used today, called Gutta Percha is placed in the canals with sealer.

Root canals are the best way to save your natural tooth.

It is very important to have a filling or crown placed after a root canal has been completed because with no nutrition the tooth becomes brittle and can break in an area that is not repaired.

Root canals can be done in one or two appointments with minimal discomfort.

Tiffany Earls, RDA/Recare Coordinator

ADVANTAGES OF CEREC CROWN TECHNOLOGY

With Cerec technology, Dr. Beazley can prepare your tooth for the crown, inlay or onlay and design the restoration on a computer. This data then goes to a milling machine and your customized Cerec restoration is made.

What are the advantages of this type of restoration ?

* Accomplish in one appointment

* No messy impressions

* Tooth colored ceramic – no metal

* No temporaries

* Conservative restoration – ability to retain more healthy tooth structure

* Restoration bonded into place

We are staying on the cutting edge of technology to provide optimal care for our patients.

Karla Kampa, CDA/RDA

Can you tell how important we think flossing is, by the number of exclamation marks? Hopefully you are not a part of the 51 percent of Americans that don’t floss everyday. We definitely hope you’re not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all (Gasp!).
A lot of people don’t bother with flossing, because they think they do a good enough job by brushing their teeth. Do you think brushing is enough to clean your teeth? Well, it just plain isn’t. We only clean about 60 percent of our tooth surfaces by thoroughly brushing.  Yes, that did say thoroughly! Flossing will help clean away the food particles and plaque that are left hiding between our teeth. That yucky plaque we leave behind can lead to halitosis (bad breath), cavities, gingivitis, periodontal (gum) disease and possibly numerous health conditions like heart disease. Whew, that’s scary stuff!

Flossing shouldn’t be inconvenient. It only takes 2 or 3 minutes and should be done at least once a day. And please, don’t be embarrassed to ask for a “lesson”, if you’re not comfortable flossing. We live for that stuff, it’s our passion!
Lastly, has it been six months (or longer) since your last check up? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment today. 615-239-4000
Until we see you, here’s a short video.

Happy Flossing! http://www.colgateprofessional.com/patienteducation/How-to-Floss/video

Donna Bridges, RDH

There are three types of digital radiography you will encounter: panoramic, bitewings and peri-apical (better known as PA) x-rays.

Panoramic radiographs give the doctor the ability to assess the patient on a broad scale, giving them a full picture of the patient’s upper and lower jaw, joints and teeth. This type of x-ray is valuable for diagnosing decay but also conditions involving cysts, tumors, bone recession and abnormal growths. It is important to have an up to date version of a panoramic x-ray for each patient to ensure they receive thorough and comprehensive care.

Bitewings will most likely be taken during your hygiene visit. They are very useful for diagnosing decay between the teeth and are used to check for bone loss between back teeth.

Peri-apical x-rays are helpful for assessing one or two particular teeth and give a more detailed view of the end of the root.

Advantages of Digital Radiography:

Dentist can almost immediately observe images and begin to assess and diagnose the patient.

Some patients are reluctant to have x-rays taken because of concerns about radiation. People are often very pleased to find that digital radiography uses 70-80% less radiation than conventional x-ray machines.

Dr. Beazley offers digital radiography because he believes it is the safest and most efficient form of radiography. Dr. Beazley knows the importance of this technology in order to correctly diagnose patients in an accurate and timely manner. Dr. Beazley and all of his staff strive to stay up to date with the newest technologies to make each patient leave our office smiling.

Joni Roach, RDA

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome affects many people. This disorder is caused by inflammation of the joint space. There are many symptoms associated with TMJ Syndrome.

Some of the following can be telltale signs that you are having trouble with your TMJ:

• • Pain in the area of the TMJ
  • Ear pain that won’t go away
  • Trouble opening your mouth wide (for example when eating)
  • Locking, popping or clicking in the TMJ area
  • Posterior neck pain that can radiate into the shoulders
  • Chronic headaches
  • Dizziness and/or equilibrium problems

You can have any combination of these symptoms. The first thing you need to do is to stop chewing gum and be careful when opening your mouth wide when biting into something thick like a big sandwich or hamburger. Put a warm compress on your TMJ or the back of your neck. You can also take ibuprofen.

TMJ Syndrome is just another reason to be vigilant about your oral hygiene. Tooth loss and other problems can lead to more pressure being placed on other teeth. This can cause the overall relationship between your teeth, muscles and joints to be disrupted.

If your symptoms continue, Dr. Beazley can make certain appliances to help you or refer you to a TMJ specialist for treatment. Dr. Beazley has patients who are currently in treatment and experience significant relief from their symptoms.

Linda Swanger, RDH

Does your practice see children and when should their first appointment be?

Yes, absolutely. We recommend a child receive his/her first appointment around the age of 2-3 years old. Our highly skilled staff is dedicated to making their first visit a great experience. It is great when children actually look forward to their next cleaning appointment! We also believe it is important to establish great habits early on.

Do adults benefit from fluoride treatments?

Yes, it is an added benefit to fighting tooth decay in adults as well as children. As we age, our gums can recede. As this recession occurs, part of the root surface can become exposed. The root surface is not as hard as the rest of the tooth and can become sensitive and more susceptible to cavities. Prevention is always the best method and fluoride is a great way to help this issue.

What are sealants and why are they recommended?

Sealants are a tough plastic coating designed to bond to the chewing surface of the teeth. It is applied to those areas because there are usually deep grooves, fissures and pits that can be especially susceptible to tooth decay. It is a wonderful preventative measure. If we can keep children and young adult’s teeth healthier, it will lead to healthier teeth later on in life.

Do I really need a cleaning every six months?

Regular cleanings, exams and proper home care help to minimize the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay. You are doing your part to keep a healthy smile and a healthier body when you follow all of these measures. Recent studies have shown that certain health conditions have been linked to periodontal disease. If you develop any dental issues, early detection could mean less involved and less costly procedures down the road.

Can you really have a crown done in one appointment?

Yes, with Cerec^TM technology, Dr. Beazley can prepare your tooth for the crown/inlay/onlay and then design the restoration on a computer. This data then goes to a milling machine in our office and your customized Cerec^TM restoration is made right there.

What are the advantages of this type of restoration?

• It can be accomplished in one appointment
• No messy impressions
• Tooth colored ceramic- no metal
• No temporaries
• Conservative Restoration- giving us the ability to retain more healthy tooth structure
• Restoration bonded into place

We are staying on the cutting edge of technology to provide optimum care for our patients!

What are veneers?

Veneers are custom-made porcelain facings that are bonded into place. These restorations allow us the ability to design the shape, contours, alignment and even the shading. Sometimes no alterations to your natural teeth are needed. Veneers are a conservative approach to get that beautiful smile you have always wanted.

Do you offer payment plans?

We utilize a billing service called CareCredit^TM. Our office teamed with CareCredit^TM offers our patients a way to pursue their desired treatment plan to have the healthy and beautiful smile they have always wanted. Additional information can be found at www.carecredit.com. Ask us about our 6 and 12 month promotions as well!

Karla Kampa, CDA/RDA

We want you to receive your maximum insurance benefits. To help you make certain that happens, we will research insurance benefits for our patients. We will always file insurance for you as well. You can expect that we put forth every effort to get the maximum benefit for our patients. Continue Reading…