November Thanks: Oral B Regimen Package

This November we are giving thanks. Thanks to all of our patients for continuing to choose us for your dental and oral health care needs. We are so grateful for all of you who refer us to your family and friends. For the holiday season we are offering our Oral B Regimen package for only $95… and with Christmas just around the corner, what a great gift idea! This package is valued at $120 and includes:

• Oral B Smartseries 5000 Electric Toothbrush
• Crest Pro Health Gum Protection Toothpaste
• Crest Pro Health Rinse
• Glide Floss
• Oral B Tote Bag

Available at Emery & Emery DDS all for only $95.

Thank you again for your continued loyalty and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!!

**November’s Neat Fact - Did you know that Benjamin Franklin wanted the Wild Turkey to be the chosen bird as the symbol for USA. He believed this was a more “respectable” bird and “a true original native of North America.”

Fluoride

People often ask how fluoride works to prevent root decay and decrease sensitivity of teeth. Well first, the hardness of teeth comes from a form of calcium called hydroxyapatite. This is the same substance that makes bone hard. Bone however has a blood supply throughout your life which helps bone to repair while enamel does not. That leaves the teeth susceptible to attack especially by acids formed by the bacteria in plaque. The acid breaks down the hydroxyapatite and the soft part of the tooth begins to decay or get hypersensitive.

Fluoride ions attack the hydroxyapatite as well. Instead of causing destruction of this substance, it causes their transformation into fluoroapatite. The fluoride ion essentially substitutes itself for the hydroxyl groups in the hydroxyapatite. This new formation is more resistant to acids and the breakdown process. Thus, rinsing and brushing your teeth with fluoride products coats the outside of the teeth with a layer of acid resistant fluoroapatite. Also, fluoride has been shown to penetrate leaky fillings to partially remineralize some decay beneath them or very small cavities between teeth.

Continued Education

Drs. Emery recently attended a continued education course called “Restorative Planning and Treatment Delivery with Guided Implant Placement for All-on-4 Treatment of the Edentulous Arch.”  Other dentists in attendance included Dr. Art Gage, an endodontist, (shown with Dr. Alyson), and Dr. Mike Marshall, (an oral surgeon shown with Dr. Doug).  This course taught the doctors a reliable technique for providing edentulous patients with permanent teeth.

Drs. Emery also recently attended a continuing education class titled “A New Approach to Bulk Posterior Composite Restorations.”  This new technique uses sonic activation to bulk fill restorations in approximately three minutes.  The new material developed by Kerr Dental has superior adaptation and ease in handling.  (Shown in the photo below are Drs. Doug and Alyson along with Geoff Rouch their Schein representative.)

Teagan’s First Visit to EmeryDDS

Thank you Dr. Alyson for showing Teagan what a positive experience the dentist can be! The night before our appointment, Teagan told me she was scared to go to the dentist. Even after I talked about it with her, she was still very nervous. I was honestly expecting her to cry and need to sit on my lap, but the way you approached it with her made her feel safe. When I asked her to sit on my lap she responded, “No mommy, it’s my turn! I do it all myself!” She had so much fun playing with the big toothbrush and teeth, counting her teeth with you, and getting them polished! Top all that off with choosing a toy from the toy chest and we had one happy toddler! “Look at my shiny teeth,” was what we heard Teagan say the rest of the day. Teagan will turn 3 at the end of October and already loves the dentist because of the positive environment you and your office created for her. I cannot thank you enough!

Written by Teagan’s mother Amber Nichols

Candy Tips for Parents and Patients

Check the labels on candies and chewable vitamins. If they contain the following ingredients, they should probably be avoided: ascorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid, and fumaric acid. These acid exposures cause enamel erosion, decay, and tooth sensitivity. They are often found in “sour” candies or tarts. Oral rinses with water immediately after consumption are a must, especially before brushing. Always check the labels! ~Drs. Emery

Bleaching Systems

We are often asked about the different types of teeth whitening or bleaching.  Most bleaching involves keeping a dilute form of carbamide-peroxide in close contact with the tooth surface for an extended period of time. Below are a sample of each form and a little about each.

Whitening toothpastes: These are over the counter preparations with low concentrations of carbamide-peroxide. These products work on a limited basis as they are not in contact with the teeth long enough. They are valuable in maintaining the color of your teeth after bleaching by more effective means.  Most retail between $3 and $5.

Bleach releasing disposable strips (Crest Whitestrips): These are strips of plastic designed to adhere to teeth for several hours. They contain low levels of carbamide-peroxide typically under 10% and therefore require extended use to obtain desired results. We find these helpful for patients who only require one or two shade changes, or for maintaining professional bleaching. Most retail between $35 and $60.

Professionally made bleaching take home trays: Custom impressions of the patient’s teeth are taken to make exact fitting whitening trays. They are designed to keep a solution of between 10% to 20% of carbamide-peroxide in contact with the teeth for six hours. They are typically worn at night and results of six to eight shade changes occur over two to three weeks. These trays also are useful in maintaining professional bleaching. Our office price is $250 with refills costing $35.

Lumacool in office bleaching: The patient is first protected with a barrier around the lips and gums. Then a solution of 35% hydrogen-peroxide is light activated to provide six to eight shade changes in one hour. This supervised procedure is effective for most patients; however some patient’s teeth sensitivity becomes a deterrent. This power bleaching can be maintained with any of the above systems. Our office price is $395 or $495 with a pair of trays to maintain the results.

Are drugs for bones a threat to jaws?

Many of our patients have asked us questions regarding the link between bone-building drugs and a rare side effect that causes parts of the jawbone to deteriorate and die, so we wanted to address your concerns. Bone-building medications such as Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva, also called bisphosphonates, build bone by interfering with the normal turnover of bone cells. There is speculation that osteonecrosis occurs when the drugs are so effective they will actually suppress bone regeneration. This primarily happens in cancer patients on intravenous bisphosphates. For healthy people taking the drugs to increase bone density jaw death is very rare.

• Before starting bisphosphonates, have a comprehensive dental exam and treat any tooth or gum problems.

• While on bisphosphonates, make sure to brush and floss daily, and get regular dental care. If you need an invasive dental procedure, discuss the risks with your doctor. Seek the most conservative possible treatment. Avoid elective procedures that would require bone to heal.

• If dental surgery is necessary, consider taking antibiotics and use daily oral rinses, Doctors Alyson and Doug are always ready to discuss any concerns you may have.

Children’s Dental Care

It is very important to begin proper dental care for your children as soon as they get their permanent teeth. Parents should begin brushing their child’s teeth as soon as they erupt. By about age 2 or 3 children are usually ready to learn how to brush their own teeth; however, they will still need assistance for several years.

Dr. Alyson loves her “young” patients and recommends that children see a dentist at approximately 3 years of age unless any abnormalities or staining of the teeth are noticed prior to this. This first visit can be a very fun experience for a child …having their teeth counted, getting a new toothbrush, and of course receiving a gift from our toy box!

If you have any questions regarding your children’s dental care please feel free to ask us!

Insurance Benefits

Most insurance benefits end with the end of the year and new benefits begin on January 1st. We try to maximize your benefits with your treatment needs and often we can perform treatment this year and overlap with new benefits next year to utilize your insurance for your benefit! Please call our office and Sue or Aja will be happy to estimate your insurance benefits.

Updating Your Health Histories

We may ask that you update your health history on your next visit to our office. This information allows us to treat you effectively and safely. Your particular medical history may change overnight. Many health issues and medications will effect either what needs to be done or how we need to do a procedure. We realize our heath history form is long and detailed, but it is for your safety and our ability to give you the very best treatment. Please be patient with us when we ask for updated information, including e-mail addresses.