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Our goal is to develop a strong partnership with every patient. When you understand the importance of your dental health, we can help you maintain a healthy mouth, as well as treat the causes and symptoms of any dental condition. Today many things have changed in dentistry. We can treat periodontal disease non surgically with Lasers, do Invisible Orthodontics, and even Deep Bleach Teeth more predictably than ever. Visit our office web site at www.jbouzis.com for more information or give us a call at 307-265-3595.
We invite you to read our latest SmileLink newsletter and to check out our website often for new information, or contact our office with any questions or concerns. Working together, we can help you achieve a lifetime of healthy and attractive teeth and gums.
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SmileLink Articles |
Losing a permanent tooth, whether by accident or by decay, is an unhappy situation. In addition to making it harder to eat, a missing tooth can displace neighboring teeth causing them to shift and tilt into the empty space. While there are currently many wonderful solutions to this problem such as implants and bridges, it may someday be possible to regrow a natural tooth. According to the Journal of Dental Research, stem cells may be the key to new teeth.
This promising technique would allow doctors to extract stem cells from wisdom teeth and use those cells to regrow a new tooth. There are already systems in place that allow parents to preserve their children’s primary teeth in order to collect stem cells, if needed. Currently, this technique has been used to grow teeth both inside and outside of the mouth.
The unique challenge associated with cultivating new teeth in this way is that teeth have many facets. Growing a tooth that is the correct size and shape and contains the right balance of hard tissue, enamel and dentin is no easy task. Even if you can achieve all of those variables, this new tooth would also need to be properly fed by the body in order to be considered successful.
Stem cell research into regrowing teeth is still in the very early stages. Research and innovation is on-going in labs at Tokyo University and Colombia University Medical Center, just to name a couple.
This option may still be in the lab at this time, it is just one of the continuing medical break-throughs that may one day be available to meet your oral needs. In the meantime, if you are in need of a replacement tooth, give us a call to explore your best options.
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Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is prescribed for a variety of bacterial infections. Historically, Tetracycline is credited with reducing the number of deaths from cholera and more recently was used in India for a plague outbreak. Because it is absorbed into the bone, a common side-effect is a grayish-brownish discoloration of teeth. This kind of staining can be difficult to treat but not impossible.
For a Tetracycline stain, a simple over-the-counter whitening toothpaste or bleaching strip will have little to no effect. This type of stain is more difficult to treat and will require a professional strength solution. To address a stain of this magnitude, an in-office professional whitening may be able to restore some of your natural whiteness.
Unlike lesser stains and age-based yellowing, treating a Tetracycline stain will require several sessions and potentially some at-home treatment. This won’t be quick or easy but it an in-office treatment will be safe to your teeth and soft tissue. Extra care is taken to protect your gums and prevent increased tooth sensitivity.
If the staining is too extensive, whitening will not be enough to restore your original tooth color. If that is the case, you may need to consider veneers which are thin porcelain or composite shells that cover the natural tooth.
Life is too short to hide your smile. If you have stains of any origin that you’d rather live without, give us a call today to explore all of your whitening options.
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New solutions to old old problems in dentistry today includes: Invisible Orthodontics (braces you can't see); To win free Orthodontics go to www.orthoclear.com/contest/ Bleaching with near zero sensitivity, Non-Surgical painless laser treatment of periodontal disease; Makeovers with Lumineers - the no pain, no grind, no shot perfect smile - making ordinary smiles beautiful; and then there is the NTI pain suppression system for the treatment of migraines - the only FDA approved non-drug, non-surgical method of migraine prevention.........
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Has your morning cup of coffee turned on you? Have you given up popsicles and snow-cones? Increased sensitivity can make eating and drinking miserable. If your particular issue has nothing to do with decay, do you just have to live with sensitivity and without hot cocoa and ice cream? What causes tooth sensitivity and how can you treat it?
Sensitivity happens when the nerves inside the dentin are exposed to external stimuli. This can be caused by decay as well but also just wear and tear. How did your teeth become sensitive? The following are some of the common causes of sensitivity:
Acid Reflux – People with gastroesophageal reflux disease can have increased sensitivity. The increase in acid can prevent teeth from remineralizing properly.
Gum Recession – Age, gum disease and/or improper brushing can cause the gums to receed and expose dentin.
Tooth Grinding – Gritting and grinding teeth can wear away the enamel and expose dentin.
Poor Diet – Exposing teeth to acidic foods and beverages can eat away enamel.
Luckily, there are things that can be done to prevent making sensitivity worse. Using a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth with a very soft brush and the correct brushing technique can help prevent further damage. Eliminating or limiting acidic foods and drinks can also prevent future erosion to your worn enamel.
To help diminish sensitivity, we can apply fluoride varnish to help strengthen weakened enamel or, if there is decay, a restoration like a filling or crown may be necessary.
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The myth of the rugged he-man ‘washing’ his face with a handful of gravel is fading into obscurity. Nowadays, men enjoy a lot of the same self-care products that women do. Modern men use hair styling products, gentle soaps, moisturizers and balms to keep their skin, hair and nails healthy and attractive. There’s nothing especially masculine about neglecting your health or appearance…especially when it comes to your oral health.
Taking good care of your oral hygiene isn’t just about appearance but it is integral to maintaining your overall good health. Without strong healthy teeth and gums, getting proper nutrition can become a challenge and that can effect every part of your well being. Poor nutrition can lead to hair loss, sallow skin, lack of energy and even serious health problems.
In addition to maintaining good oral habits and regular dental visits, enhancing your appearance with an in-office whitening will help to further upgrade your appearance. A safe and professionally administered whitening can elevate your smile from good to dazzling.
Statistics show that people who have good teeth smile more and appear more confident. Considering having any crooked or misshapen teeth corrected with beautiful natural-looking porcelain veneers. Having a confident and well-groomed appearance can only be of benefit to you in your life and work.
Proper grooming isn’t about vanity. It’s about keeping your entire body healthy and in good shape. Maintaining your health through good nutrition and proper care can enhance your quality of life. If your smile needs some TLC, give us a call today.
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You aren’t fooling anyone with that hat…..everyone knows you are hiding some cavities. Cavities? Could hair loss and cavities be related somehow? What about fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches and restless sleep? As it turns out a vitamin D deficiency could be causing you all manner of health issues.
Vitamin D, sometimes called ‘the sunshine vitamin’, is necessary for bone health and good immune function. Responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body, vitamin D is important to your oral health, benefiting your teeth and jaw bones.
Our bodies synthesize vitamin D from exposure to sun on bare skin. The amount of sunshine necessary for proper levels varies from person to person based upon age, skin coloration, proximity of the sun and body weight. However, relying on sunshine for your proper intake may not be possible for those with very fair skin, very dark skin, skin cancer concerns, wear a lot of sunscreen or live in colder climates.
In addition to sunshine, vitamin D is readily available, and easier to measure, in fortified milk, eggs, mushrooms, beef liver and fatty fish. Supplements are also available for those who are vegan or have specific food allergies that make it harder to get an adequate about of vitamin D.
When it comes to determining your vitamin D needs, don’t self-diagnose. Especially when taking supplements, it is possible to consume too much vitamin D. A fat-sol...