No More Fillings?

A recent article in Science Alert has made a claim that fillings might be a thing of the past.  Could it be true?  Could lasers actually regrow teeth like the article states?  Sounds pretty cool if true.  The article references a study published in Science Transitional Medicine.  Before we all get too excited, we need to take a step back and analyze the study that is being referenced.  What the article fails to mention is that the peer reviewed journal study does not infer that you can forego a root canal or fillings like the article claims.  They unfortunately are jumping to conclusions without understanding what the study is about. 

What does the study say?  The study explains how scientists have been able to trigger odontoblasts with a low power laser.  What are odontoblasts?  Odontoblasts are specialized cells in teeth that grow dentin, the inner portion of your tooth.  

So, in a sense, it is true that you can regrow tooth structure with a laser.  But this doesn't mean that fillings and root canals are a thing of the past or that this is anything new.  This isn't a groundbreaking study because we have other materials on the market already that can trigger those odontoblasts to grow dentin.  The process is called pulp capping and is used when decay (caries lesion) extends deep into the tooth.  If the decay is near the pulp, but not invading the pulp, we can lay down this material that triggers those odontoblasts and causes them to grow a protective layer of dentin called tertiary dentin, that will protect the pulp from dying as a result of the deep decay.

Here's the problem with the conclusion of the article: once dentin is decayed, the only cure for it is to remove it.  Just like rust on a car, you can't magically disinfect the decayed dentin. Also, once the decayed dentin is removed the remaining odontoblasts in the tooth can't regrow sufficient amount of dentin to fill the void, and they can't regrow fast enough to protect the pulp.  If you have a deep cavity, you will still need a filling.

If the decay has by chance extended all the way to the pulp, you then need to remove the pulp as well by performing a root canal.  So root canals and fillings are still going to be needed to fix teeth that have had deep cavities.

The best medicine though is prevention.  It's better to brush and floss regularly and have regular professional cleanings so that you won't need fillings or root canals.

Extraction vs Root Canal

We have patients that come to us with broken down, infected teeth that are presented with a difficult option of pursuing a root canal to save the tooth or having it extracted.  Sometimes it's an easy decision to make.  But every situation is different, and some can be more challenging than others.  Hopefully the recommendations in this post can help make the decision a little more clear.

How much tooth is left?
The more tooth structure that is left, the better.  After a root canal is performed, the tooth will need a crown.  The more tooth structure above the gum line, the more we have to work with for the new crown.  We need at least 2 mm of tooth above the gums.

Where is the tooth located?
Pulling a tooth that is highly visible may effect the aesthetic appearance once the tooth is removed.  More consideration will be given to saving the tooth if possible when the tooth affects your smile.

Is the tooth able to chew?
Does the tooth in question chew against another tooth?  If not, saving the tooth may not be worth the cost.  If the tooth is pulled there is no risk of affecting your bite or chewing ability.  On the other hand if the tooth is an anchor for a bridge or a partial denture, we want to try our best to save that tooth.

What are some options for replacement?
There are three main options for replacing a missing tooth.  One is a partial denture.  One is a bridge.  And one is an implant.  All three have their pros and cons.  The best option is an implant.  It functions like a natural tooth, has the best odds for lasting a long, long time.  And it looks and feels like a natural tooth.  The next best option is a bridge.  It looks like a natural tooth, and it feels like a natural tooth while chewing.  The downside though is that bridges are harder to keep clean and they typically need to be replaced about every 15 years. The advantage of a partial denture is that they are the cheapest option.  The disadvantage is that they aren't as aesthetically pleasing as a bridge or implant and they need to be taken out every night.

If you are in need of endodontic treatment or replacing a missing tooth, contact us today!

Motivation For Brushing Your Teeth

According to a recent study, there are multiple health benefits you can get from brushing your teeth.  One of those is a decreased risk of developing dementia.  The study concludes the same thing another one found, and that is that the fewer teeth a person has, the more likely they are to develop dementia.
Others benefits include:
Prevent heart disease
Prevent stroke
Prevent gum disease
Prevent pneumonia
Promote healthy babies
Keep your eating in check
Promote a healthy brain.

So keep those teeth and gums clean, and enjoy a longer, healthier life.

Can Poor Oral Health Affect Athletic Performance?

According to a recent press release from University College London, many of the elite athletes who competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games had poor levels of oral health similar to those experienced by the most disadvantaged populations. Among the athletes surveyed, 18 percent said their oral health was having a negative impact on their performance.
If you are looking to improve your athletic performance, make sure you don't neglect your oral health.  Athletes who train intensely can be at greater risk of tooth decay because of sports drinks with high sugar content, busy schedules, and a compromised immune system from intense workouts.

13 Side Affects From Not Brushing or Flossing.

Business insider recently posted a great article on some possible outcomes to not brushing or flossing.  Here is their list of 13 things you are at risk of developing if you don't take care of your teeth:
1-Gum Disease
2-Tooth Loss
3-Bad Breath
4-Dementia
5-Pneumonia
6-Erectile Dysfunction
7-Brain Abscess
8-Diabetes
9-Kidney Disease
10-Heart Disease
11-Pregnancy Complications
12-Ulcers
13-Cancer

Seems like a scary list, huh?  The truth is, our mouths and teeth are connected to our whole body systemically.  If you want a healthy body, don't neglect your oral hygiene!

Brushing Game For Your Kids

Are you looking for ways to motivate your child to brush his or her teeth more consistently?  You might be interested in trying out a new game that is available as an app for Android and iOS devices.  The new game called Toothsavers makes brushing fun by encouraging kids save friendly fairy tale characters from an evil, cavity-creating sorceress who has cast a wicked tooth-rotting spell on the kingdom.  The game is geared toward 3-6 year olds and was designed  to motivate children to take care of their own teeth by brushing for two minutes, twice a day.
Watch a preview to learn more.

Featuring a fun and colorful design, Toothsavers includes three key features to help kids and their parents learn about the importance of oral health:

• The timed, finger-swipe brushing game calls on kids to be heroes, as they save 10 fairy tale characters from the cavity-creating sorceress.
• The two-player version of the game allows kids to “brush” the teeth of friends and parents who hold the mobile device up to their mouths.
• The mobile app also offers a real-life tooth brushing companion, with morning and nighttime reminders, that allows kids and parents to keep track of their brushing progress.

The free Toothsavers app for smartphones and tablets is now available from the App Store andGoogle Play. It is also available on the Web at 2min2x.org/PlayToothsavers. For more information, visit 2min2x.org/toothsavers.

Preserving Your Teeth

Here is a recent CNN article that you may find helpful for your teeth:

For all intents and purposes, we really get only one shot to take care of our teeth.

The good news is, science and research have taken a front seat in dental education, making today's dentist savvy on "prevention" dentistry rather than the "drill, fill and bill" mentality of decades ago.

Things like adhesive dentistry, recalcification and dental implants have given dentists more options. But for many patients, it's a lot of information to process.

Here are five ways you can ensure that you hang on to your teeth as you age:

Educate yourself on dental care.  

Dentistry today has taken a much more conservative approach. But it can be hard to know what your options are. Here are some key points that you should know about dental treatment.Educate yourself on dental care

• Small cavities can be recalcified. Strong doses of fluoride, or something called MI Paste, applied directly to small cavities can actually recalcify or rebuild the enamel, removing the need for a filling.

That said, the key to recalcification is early detection. Regular dental visits are crucial to early detection.

• Fillings, crowns or any dental restoration should be replaced or heavily scrutinized every eight years.

Some patients are of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" era. But the reasoning behind this advice is to eliminate the spread of recurrent cavities that lurk under dental restorations.

The longer you wait to replace dental restorations, the more problems you can run into. If the decay spreads undetected, it may eat up too much healthy tooth structure and need the support of a crown or reach the nerve and need a root canal.

• Make sure your children are getting fluoride treatments until at least the age of 15. Kids, especially, consume a lot of sugar, which breaks down into a biproduct of acid that erodes teeth, quickly causing cavities. Fluoride is a great treatment in rebuilding enamel and neutralizing those acids.

Use an electric toothbrush

In dentistry, the electric toothbrush has been one of the biggest advances in home dental care. Ninety-nine percent of patients don't really know how to brush with a manual brush and, more important, don't brush for the full two minutes needed.

Electric toothbrushes remove the confusion and have a timer to ensure that the full brushing is done at each session. Improper brushing can lead to plaque buildup, swollen gums, cavities and overall poor oral health. The sonic brushes remove plaque and get into hard-to-reach places like in between teeth and under the gums to ensure a healthy mouth.

If you grind or clench, wear a night guard

Grinders can wear away a millimeter of tooth structure per year if undiagnosed. Clenchers may not see any immediate signs of wear on their teeth, but the pressure that clenching puts on your teeth is destructive. It slowly breaks down the supporting bone around the teeth, leading to gum recession, bone loss and inevitably tooth loss.

If you feel that you may fall into either of these categories, you should be wearing a night guard. It may not be sexy, but it's much sexier than missing teeth.

Know what oral hygiene regimen is right for you

Today, there has been a lot of money and research into better oral care products. But understand that there is an actual regimen of toothpaste, mouth rinse and "extra-care" products that's right for you.

The first step is defining what "type" of patient you are. I like to break it down into four basic types: cavity-prone, sensitive, stainers and those with bad gums.

You can ask your dentist which category you fall into. Each product in the sea of dental products in the drugstore has key ingredients tailored for each category of patient. Using the right oral care products can make a big difference in the longevity of your teeth.

Choose the right dentist

Fortunately -- or unfortunately -- your dentist has a lot to do with the preservation of your teeth. Make sure your dentist is up on all current research and his office is updated and state-of-the-art, but most important, make sure your dentist is taking time and looking after you. It sounds simple, but it's probably the most important item on your checklist.