Posts Tagged ‘cosmetic dentistry’

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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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.  In the spirit of Children’s Dental Health Month we wanted to bring you some information that we feel is important for you to know.  We often get many questions from parents about their children’s developing smile regarding what to expect and how best to care for them.  Below is more information that can be helpful as you help your child maintain proper oral health as they grow.

The Growing Years: From Birth to Six…

People usually think of a newborn baby as having no teeth, but the 20 primary teeth that will erupt in the next three years are already present at birth in the baby’s jawbones.  A baby’s front four teeth usually erupt first, typically at about six months of age- although some children do not get their first tooth until 12 to 14 months.  As soon as teeth appear in your child’s mouth, decay can occur. One of the risk factors for early childhood cavities (sometimes referred to as baby bottle tooth decay) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids containing sugar; including milk, breast milk, formula and fruit juice.  It is very important to remember that you should schedule your child’s first visit to the dentist at around 1 year old or when they start getting their first teeth.

As our children grow, a good diet is essential for growth and development.  Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet.  Our children’s pre-school years are an important time to help establish good eating habits.  Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups; fruits, vegetables, breads and other grain products, milk, meats and alternates, such as dry beans and peas, eggs and nuts.

The Growing Years: From Six to 12…

At about age six, although sometimes it may start earlier, children begin to lose their front teeth on top and bottom.  During the next six years or so, permanent teeth gradually will replace the primary teeth.  The first molars usually erupt between ages five and six.  It is at this time that Dental Sealants are recommended to keep these teeth protected for the long life they have ahead; because these will be the oldest teeth in our children’s mouth when they reach adulthood.  These teeth will have been exposed to a lot more decay causing elements than all the other teeth.  A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surface of healthy, cavity-free premolars and molars, where decay occurs most often. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay- prone areas of the back teeth from plaque and acid attacks.

The Growing Year: From 12 to adulthood…

From age 12 continuing on to adulthood are crucial ages to maintain optimal oral health.  Regular dental visits are vital to keeping a healthy smile, for at these visits the dentist examines our children’s mouth for tooth decay and growth or proper development conditions that could possibly pose a problem in the future.  At these ages, the last of the permanent teeth are erupting and constantly shifting; which can lead to malocclusion or an “improper bite.”  This is a condition which the teeth are crowded, crooked, or out of proper alignment.  If this is the situation, an orthodontic evaluation is recommended; early examination and treatment may help prevent and reduce the severity of malocclusion.  Orthodontics not only helps move teeth to their proper places, but also because your child’s teeth will be in the correct position, they will be easier to keep clean and cavity free. Let’s all work together to ensure that nothing, including tooth decay, malocclusion, and gum disease is standing in our children’s way of achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.

Remember Mom and Dad, good oral health habits begin at home with you.  As you well know, your children are constantly watching and learning from you.  Studies have shown that children whose parents have poor oral health habits and do not visit the dentist regularly will grow up with the same belief and neglect their oral health.  Poor oral health has been linked to serious health conditions including heart disease and diabetes.  Let’s all work together to be role models and teachers for our children and encourage good oral health so that wonderful smile that warms your heart will last for their lifetime!

Tips to maintain Tip Top Teeth throughout you Child’s life:

• Infants and Toddlers: After every feeding, wipe your baby’s gums either with a clean, wet gauze pad or a washcloth. This removes plaque and residual food that can harm erupting teeth.
• Toddlers: Brush and floss your child’s teeth until the child has developed the necessary skills to do so themselves.
• Bring your child with to your next dental reservation so they may become acquainted and comfortable with the office, the dentist and the staff. Also schedule your child’s first reservation with the dentist early (around 1 year old)…Good habits can never start too early!

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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Throughout the years research has shown links between poor oral health and heart disease, stroke and diabetes, as well as Alzheimer’s disease.  Now researchers from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York have found gum disease could also influence brain function through several mechanisms, such as causing inflammation throughout the body, a risk factor for loss of mental function.

 The study, reported in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, included more than 2,350 men and women who were tested for periodontitis (gum disease) and completed a number of different thinking skills tests as part of a national survey.

 What they found was among adults 60 years of age and older, those people with the highest amount of a gum disease causing bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, were three times more likely to have trouble recalling a three-word sequence after a period of time.  Also, people who had the highest levels of this bacteria present were nearly three times more likely to struggle with verbal memory tests, and twice as likely to fail on both delayed verbal recall and subtraction tests.

 This study is another of many that have shown the importance of maintaining your optimal oral health.  Your mouth and oral health are connected to more than just chewing and eating.  Taking care of the health of your teeth and gums through regular visits for hygiene therapy will not only improve your oral health, but it will affect your overall health and wellness as well.  Call us today to reserve your time to shape up your teeth and gums.

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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There are many tests that help doctors predict our risk of developing certain diseases.  We routinely get our blood pressure taken to assess our risk of hypertension.  A blood pressure of higher than 120/80 is considered high risk and in need of treatment.  We get our cholesterol checked to assess our risk of heart disease.  A cholesterol score of higher than 200 is considered high risk and in need of treatment.  There are even genetic tests for breast and ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer that tell us if we are in an extremely high risk category for developing these cancers.  Most of us do not question the validity of these results and accept that the treatment that is recommended by our doctor is necessary to better our overall health and reduce these risks.

We are very excited to announce that we now have a risk assessment tool for gum disease!  PreViser™ is an easy tool that you will receive at every routine hygiene therapy and oral cancer screenings appointment at no cost to you!  PreViser™ analytic reports provide you and I with an easy to understand and scientifically validated risk and disease score for gum disease.  The PreViser™ Risk Score tells us, on a scale from 1-5, the probability you have of developing gum disease in your lifetime.  The PreViser™ Disease Score, on a scale of 1-100, tells us how healthy you are right now.

Why is this important?  The earlier that gum disease is diagnosed the faster we can halt it in its tracks.  Gum disease affects more than just your teeth and gums.  Recent research has linked gum disease to other health problems including heart and respiratory diseases; diabetes; preterm, low birth weight babies; stroke; osteoporosis; and even some cancers.

At our practice in Shelby Township, Michigan, we strive to provide you with the best care available.  The addition of PreViser™ to our practice gives us another tool to ensure that we reach our goal of providing you with Optimal Oral Health Care on Every Visit.

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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