Extra! Extra! Recession Felt by Tooth Fairy

It seems that even the tooth fairy has had to tighten her belt due to our uncertain economic times.

According to a recent Visa Inc. survey the average tooth only gets a return of $2.60 down from $3.00 last year, when it is 'invested' under the pillow.

However, it is a good time to live in the West, where the tooth fairy is paying $2.80 up from $2.70 last year (a 4% increase). The kids in the East have taken a 38% hit with the tooth fairy now only leaving an average of $2.10 down from $3.40 the previous year. Payouts in the Midwest fave fallen to $2.80 from $2.90. The South was hit hard also with a 21% drop to $2.60 from $3.30.

Tooth fairy trivia by the numbers:

7 - the percentage of kids receiving less than a dollar
10 - the percentage of kids receiving no money from her
18 - the percentage of kids that receive $2 to $4 per tooth
18 - the percentage of kids that receive $1 per tooth
29 - the percentage of kids that receive $2 to $4 per tooth

Smokers may be missing out on romance

There is an increase in smoking among the young adult population. Here is an additional reason to consider not having the habit.

Many individuals who smoke cigarettes are well aware of the health risks associated with this habit, but some do not realize how it may affect their personal lives

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recently discussed how an unhealthy smile resulting from tobacco use may reduce an individual's "kissability."

The organization explained that cigarettes may increase the appearance of plaque buildup and stains on teeth, as well as promote wrinkles around the mouth and contribute to bad breath - none of which are known to be attractive attributes.

Dental care experts from the AACD recommended that aside from quitting smoking, people who use cigarettes can use electric toothbrushes, floss daily and seek teeth whitening treatments in order to improve the appearance of their smiles.

"Once someone whitens their teeth, they usually want to keep it that way and will choose to avoid those things that re-stain the teeth, like smoking," said AACD President Dr. John K. Sullivan.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20 percent of U.S. adults were current smokers in 2009.

Let's Print Up Some New Teeth?

The following was recently published in the International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing.  Soon this may be coming to a dentist near you.

What if, instead of waiting days or weeks for a cast to be produced and prosthetic dental implants, false teeth and replacement crowns to be made, your dentist could quickly scan your jaw and "print" your new teeth using a rapid prototyping machine known as a 3D printer?

Researchers in Iran explain how medical imaging coupled with computer-aided design could be used to create a perfect-fit blueprint for prosthetic dentistry, whether to replace diseased or broken teeth and jaw bone. The blueprint can then be fed into a so-called 3D printer to build up an exact replica using a biocompatible composite material. Such technology has been used in medical prosthetics before, but this is an early step into prosthetic dentistry using rapid prototyping.

Writing in the International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, mechanical engineer Hossein Kheirollahi of the Imam Hossein University and colleague Farid Abbaszadeh of the Islamic Azad University, in Tehran, Iran, explain how current technology used to convert an MRI or CT scan into a prosthetic component requires milling technology. This carves out the appropriate solid shape from a block of polymer but has several disadvantages, uppermost being that it is very difficult to carve out a complex shape, such as a tooth. By contrast, rapid prototyping uses a 3D image held in a computer to control a laser that then "cures" powdered or liquid polymer. Almost any solid, porous, or complicated shape can be produced by this 3D-printing technology.

The Iranian team has now demonstrated how rapid prototyping can be used to fabricate dental objects such as implants and crowns quickly and easily even where features such as overhangs, sharp corners and undercuts are required. The team points out that the most appropriate medical imaging technology, CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography), which is lower cost and exposes the patient to a lower dose of ionizing radiation is best suited to the generation of the computer design for creating such dental objects ready for printing.

Cosmetic Dentistry Offers Many Choices: Consider Porcelain Veneers

One of the often asked questions I receive when patients are considering cosmetic enhancements to their smile is: what are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.


My artistry of designing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely, and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient's smile.

In the consultation, my patients usually ask: will they look like normal teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. 

A very understandable concern is durability. When patients ask how durable are porcelain veneers, I offer this:

 

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.
We ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

Refraining from using your veneers as tools to open and cut things will prolong their life, and if accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the veneer involved. 

The most remarkable change I see in most of my patients when they opt for veneers is the newly found confidence and raised self esteem. It's deeply rewarding to watch this transformation. 

Let's see if you are a candidate for veneers. A new life awaits you.

 

When is the last time you awoke feeling refreshed from a good night's rest?

Are any of these symptoms a regular occurrence in your life?

• Unusual amount of daytime sleepiness.
• Waking with an unrefreshed feeling after sleeping.
• Having problems with memory and concentration, feeling tired, and experiencing personality changes.
• Morning or night headaches.
• Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth at night.
• Swelling of the legs.
• Sweating and chest pain while you are sleeping.

According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder that prevents airflow during sleep. OSA occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. This keeps air from getting into the lungs.

Here's what happens to your body that better explains why you may be very tired during the day. When the blood-oxygen level drops low enough, the body wakes up. It happens so quickly that the sleeper may not even remember the arousal. But waking up hundreds of times a night can make a person feel very tired the next day.  

Does this sound like you?

OSA patients are much more likely to suffer from strokes and heart problems, such as heart attack, congestive heart failure, and hypertension. They also have a higher incidence of work and driving-related accidents. So, as you can see, one condition is connected to others.

Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder. More than 18 million Americans suffer from the condition.  

Snoring can be one of the obvious symptoms of this disorder. If you or someone that you know is concerned about having OSA, there is a questionnaire designed to help. The Epworth

Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is designed to measure sleep propensity in a simple and standardized manner. Please call our office at 714-990-3672 for a free copy to see if further help might be beneficial for you.

As your dentist, I can offer solutions in collaboration with your Physician. Many people are often surprised to learn that there are health conditions that have a dental component.

I care. I am here to help. Let's see about getting you the sleep you deserve.