Archive for the ‘Biological Dentistry’ Category

Most people visit their dentist when they experience pain, have a broken tooth, or when they want to get their teeth cleaned.  This is what we learned from our parents growing up about the importance of seeing the dentist.

As the years have passed and research has progressed, we have learned that going to the dentist regularly to maintain good oral health is vital to overall heath and wellness.  A routine visit to see the hygienist and dentist for a cleaning and exam now entails much more.

More and more dentists now incorporate routine exams inside the oral cavity and the outside of head and neck into their hygiene appointments to screen for a host of oral diseases, including gum disease and oral cancer.  Unfortunately, not all early signs of disease can be seen by the naked eye.  At our practice we do much more.

Advances in technology have made it possible for dentists to offer non-invasive screening tests to help identify patients that are at higer risk for developing head and neck cancers and gum disease and to detect these diseases at an early stage.  At our office we utilize 3 screening tools, in addition to the examination of the oral cavity and head and neck, to help identify at risk patients that we serve.  They include individualized Oral Health Scores, a light based screening tool for the oral cavity, and a saliva test that measures the amount of human papillomavirus in your mouth.

At your hygiene visit, our hygienists will provide you with your individualized Oral Health Scores that are generated by your answers to a few easy questions about your health history.  Your scientifically validated Oral Health Scores will be calculated by a computerized risk assessment program. Based on your risk, we will recommend different treatment options to manage your risk.  Your Oral Health Scores are very much like the cholestorol scores you receive from your doctor to better understand your risk of heart disease.  We use these scores to recommend different intervals of screening with other tests mentioned earlier.  You can get your free Oral Health Scores at hpsdental.mydentalscore.com. 

VELscope® Vx is a non-invasive light based screening test that allows our doctors to look at your mouth literally in a different light.  Different cells, viruses, bacteria, fungi, cancer cells, etc, all show up in different colors when seen through the VELscope® Vx.  Based on what the doctor sees will determine if you have anything that may need further evaluation.  If you are in the low risk category base on your Oral Health Scores, we would suggest less frequent screening and if your are high risk we would suggest screening on every hygiene visit.

We are also very excited about being able to offer our patients the latest screening test for oral cancer to help identify high risk patients – the OraRisk HPV® Salivary Diagnostic Test.  Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common virus groups in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 20 million people in the United States are infected with HPV and there are approximately 6 million new cases each year.

The OraRisk^® HPV test is a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool to identify the type(s) of oral HPV, a viral infection in the mouth that could potentially lead to oral cancer. OraRisk^® HPV enables us to establish increased risk for oral cancer and determine appropriate referral and monitoring conditions.

Who should be tested?

• Patients with traditional risk factors for oral cancer
• Patients who are sexually active
• Patients with signs and symptoms of oral cancer
• Patients with suspicious oral lesions

Following increased screening saves lives. At our practice, we do more than just cleanings, we individualize your care to your specific needs.

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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Cosmetic Dentistry. It brings to mind the photos of your favorite movie star with their $1 Million smile that probably cost that much to get.  What is often times missing from the doctor-patient discussion regarding cosmetic dental procedures is the health benefits of having these procedures done.

You might be wondering, “How can cosmetic dentistry benefit my health?”  It’s a great question, one that many dental professionals do not regularly communicate to their patients.  Cosmetic procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, dental implants, and Invisalign© Invisible Braces, just to name a few.  All of these procedures have benefits that can affect your oral health and total wellness.

A well-aligned smile is not just a part of a pretty face – it’s the mark of a healthy mouth.  Straight teeth allow you to brush your teeth more efficiently, improve speech, and allow for better digestion, leading to overall better health. Having crooked teeth isn’t just an eyesore, it also provides more nooks and crannies for food to get trapped making them harder to clean. This will lead to a build up of plaque or an abscess, or even gum disease, which can result in one or several teeth being removed.  Recent studies have shown patients with gum disease are at significantly higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health conditions.  Well-aligned teeth trap fewer particles, develop fewer areas of decay and are easier to floss, all of which are vital to good gum and oral health.

Missing, crooked, or worn teeth can cause changes in your bite and jaw that can lead to functional problems when chewing and pain in your jaw. Procedures like, dental implants, veneers, or crowns restore the strength back to teeth that are weakened from large fillings, cracks and wear.  Crooked teeth are often the result of overcrowding, which can be easily fixed with Invisalign© Invisible Braces, which will straighten and align your teeth over a few short months.  Having a missing tooth is not purely a cosmetic problem either.  It can leave your gums exposed, making it difficult and painful to eat on that side of your mouth.  A missing tooth can also upset the balance of the other teeth in your mouth.  This can result in the teeth shifting & moving around your jaw in order to compensate for the missing tooth. Your teeth can then become more crooked which can result in other problems. Missing teeth can easily be replaced with dental implants and crowns which will restore the strength and functionality of the missing tooth, prevent bone loss and prevent the rest of your teeth from shifting due to the loss of a tooth, which could affect your bite and ability to chew efficiently.

In your mouth there are more enzymes that break up food than in your stomach, making digestion easier.  People who chew longer and eat slower digest their food better and have a tendency to be slimmer! Straight, strong, and healthy teeth do a better job of breaking up food, allowing for better digestion.

Ensuring your smile is as healthy as it can be does include cosmetic dentistry!  Remember strong, well-aligned teeth are easier to brush & floss and this can reduce your risks of developing serious oral health problems, including gum disease.  Cosmetic dentistry also has a profound impact on your self-confidence, romantic, and career success. So, next time your dentist or hygienist talk to you about cosmetic procedures, remember the treatment they are recommending can have a profound impact on your oral health and total wellness.

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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“You have periodontal (gum) disease.”  These 4 words initially scare or confuse many people when they hear them from their hygienist or dentist.  There are many questions that might run through your mind after hearing this.  “What does this mean?”  “How is this going to affect me?”  “Am I going to loose any or all of my teeth?”  “Is gum disease something I really need to worry about?”  Gum disease is estimated to affect about 8 out of every 10 Americans with 99% of those with gum disease having no signs or symptoms that let them know they have a problem.

For most people, gum disease is something that they believe is nothing to be concerned about and they dismiss the diagnosis.  “It’s not like hearing I have heart disease, right?”  This is where what you don’t know might surprise you.  Your mouth is a window to your body.  More than 90% of all systemic diseases have signs that we can see in the mouth! Recently, studies have shown a link between gum disease and heart disease.  Many people do not realize that risk factors associated with serious health concerns such as heart disease and stroke have been associated with gum disease.  Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer and when we hear this diagnosis we take it very seriously and follow through with the physician’s recommendations to lower our risks and manage the disease.

Most people are aware that lifestyle choices such as eating right, getting enough exercise and quitting smoking can help prevent heart disease.  What most people don’t know is that you have 2 very powerful, easy to use weapons at your disposal to help combat your risk of heart disease – your toothbrush and your dental team!  It is important to understand that simple activities like brushing and flossing twice a day, and regular visits to your dental professional can help lower your risk of gum disease and, in turn, other health conditions, including heart disease and stroke.

In 2009, the American Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Periodontology published recommendations for dentists and cardiologist that focus on the importance of working together to manage these 2 diseases because they are linked.  These recommendations are:

1.      patients with gum disease should be made aware that they ARE at increased risk for heart disease

2.      patients with gum disease and 1 major risk factor for heart disease, such as smoking, family history of heart disease, or high cholesterol, should see there doctor if they haven’t done so in the past 12 months.

3.      patients with gum disease who have 2 or more known major risk factors for heart disease should be referred to see their physician for a medical evaluation.

At our practice, total wellness is our goal.  Along with our highly skilled dental team, we are pleased to offer specialized technology that will assess your individual risks of gum disease with easy to understand Oral Health Scores. Your individual Oral Health Scores are just like your cholesterol scores.  These Oral Health Scores, combined with your clinical examination, will allow us to make the best recommendations for you specifically.  Do you know your Oral Health Scores?  If not, now is the time to find out!  With proper treatment we can improve your Oral Health Scores just like your physician can improve your cholesterol score.

We are always welcoming new patients into our practice family!  Call us today to reserve your time with us!

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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For years we have heard of the ever-growing connections between dentistry and medicine, with articles written in many medical and dental journals. For decades dentists have looked at the increasing body of evidence that what we are doing in the mouth can affect the rest of the body.

The mountain of evidence that supports the oral health-overall health connection has seen incredible growth and advancement over the past few years.  There is no longer a question as to “if” the soft tissues in the mouth are connected to the rest of the body. For example, we can easily find evidence of gum disease-causing bacteria creating challenges in tissues throughout the body. However, the mouth-body connection is not limited to just infections in the soft tissues of the mouth. The impact of the mouth also extends to such monumental things as blood flow to the brain.

Each year we learn more and more about how poor oral health is linked to problems elsewhere in the body.  It has been linked to serious conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease, respiratory diseases, and even increased risks of some cancers.  Today, more than ever, it is vital to make regular trips to the dentist a part of your plan to achieve optimal health and wellness.

At our practice we don’t just look in your mouth, we look past your mouth to see the whole picture of you individually.  Your mouth is the window to your overall health and wellness.  The state of your oral health can offer clues about your overall well-being.  Oral Health and total health and wellness are more connected than you might realize.

As we have learned more about the relationship between oral health and overall health, we have also learned much about how the materials and techniques that we use everyday can affect your overall heath as well, both positively and negatively.

At our practice, we are committed to practicing dentistry with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy.  In using the terms ‘biological and biocompatible’ we are not attempting to carve out a new specialty in dentistry, but rather to describe an attitude and philosophy that can apply to all facets of dental practice, and to health care in general.

To us, the best way to describe Biological Dentistry is Individualized Dentistry.  It is dentistry that is completely focused on You. Not just who you are in terms of your teeth and oral health, but also who you are as a whole person physiologically, emotionally, and dentally.  Since every person does not react the same way to the same procedures, medications, or materials, why should we treat every person the same way?  We do not just treat teeth and oral disease at our Practice.  We treat People. And in our experience, every person is unique and different in their own ways.

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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At our Practice we are committed to a practicing dentistry with a biological & biocompatible philosophy.  What does that mean?  A more biocompatible approach is the hallmark of Biological Dentistry. In using that term, we are not attempting to create a new specialty for dentistry, but rather to describe an attitude and philosophy that can apply to all facets of dental practice, and to health care in general: to always seek the least toxic way to accomplish the mission of treatment, to do it while treading as softly as possible on the patient’s biological terrain, and to most importantly, treat our patients as individuals.

Biological and Biocompatible Dentistry, in short, is traditional dentistry enhanced by training in how dental procedures and materials affect the human body over the short and long term. We believe that dentistry should be based on peer-reviewed science – not on history and tradition alone.  As responsible practitioners, we must always remain open to new ideas supported by reliable research. The materials and techniques used should be biologically compatible and support the tenet of the Hippocratic Oath: “first, do no harm.”  We do not accept conventional wisdom or age-old paradigms just because things have always been done that way.  We continuously review current scientific research, explore new information and find new and better solutions to old problems.

To us, the best way to describe Biological Dentistry is Individualized Dentistry.  It is dentistry that is completely focused on You. Not just who you are in terms of your teeth and oral health, but also who you are as a whole person physiologically, emotionally, and dentally.  Since every person does not react the same way to the same procedures, medications, or materials, why should we treat every person the same way?  We do not just treat teeth and oral disease at our Practice.  We treat People. And in our experience, every person is unique and different in their own ways.

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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