Cone Beam 3D Images Offer Many Advantages To Our Patients
We are pleased to announce our latest technology – Cone Beam 3D imaging. This advanced system captures clear, concise and amazing views — at the lowest radiation levels possible.
Cone Beam 3D imaging offers a tremendous advantage for a number of needs.In a single scan, this technology is able to produce three-dimensional (3D) images of teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone structures.
“Cone-beam” describes the way these particular x-ray beams are emitted, shaped liked a cone rather than a fan. The beam scans the head in one pass around the patient, capturing up to 600 images.
These imagesare most often generated for:
- ideal assessment of the jaws (for implant placement)
- evaluation of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
- review of airway passages
- views of bone structure damage or bone loss
- examination of teeth and facial structures for orthodontic treatment planning
- lower wisdom teeth in proximity to the mandibular (lower jaw) nerve canal
- evaluation of teeth and bone for signs of infections, cysts, or tumors
Through these images, we may be able to minimize treatment and even eliminate the need for additional x-rays. Our Planmecaunit is also appropriate for children and is wheelchair accessible.
The Cone Beam 3D technology joins our family of advanced technology and features – all available to make treatment more exact, enhance treatment outcomes, optimizecomfort,and reduceprocedural requirements and treatment time.
Your Recommendations Are Appreciated!
We love meeting new smiles and take special pleasure in welcoming patients referred to us by current patients.
Please share the importance of healthy smiles with friends and family. And, please extend an invitation to join our patient family!
Tackle Age-Related Challenges For Confident Smiles
Not counting wisdom teeth, the adult mouth is designed to hold28 natural teeth. Yet, for American adults over the age of 65, the average number of teeth is less than 19. Over 27 percent in this age bracket are missing all of their natural teeth.
Particular oral health challenges for mature adults include…
HIGHER RISKS OF TOOTH LOSS:
Tooth loss, at any age, poses particular challenges to both physical and psychological health. In addition to a compromised ability to eat a healthy diet, the ability to chew comfortably is an issue for many who are missing teeth or wear a denture.
Food not properly chewed can lead to digestive problems. To no surprise, denture wearers take more medications and have more gastrointestinal problems than adults with their natural teeth.
HIGHER RISKS OF GUM DISEASE:
The leading cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S. is periodontal (gum) disease. The aging process poses additional challenges to oral health, which can seriously impact overall health as well.
As research has found, gum disease bacteria have been linked to heart disease, stroke, some cancers, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies, impotency and erectile dysfunction (ED). Studies are being conducted to further review suspected links between these infectious bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease.
Gum disease develops when the mouth can no longer combat high oral bacteria levels. Initially, accumulated bacteria form a sticky film that coats teeth and gums, known as plaque. When plaque is not removed thoroughly and regularly, it can harden on tooth surfaces, known as tartar (or calculus).
Tartar cannot be brushed or flossed away. It can only be removed by dental professionals using special tools. This is what your hygienist is scraping off teeth during cleanings. If not removed, tartar continues to build, attacking tooth enamel and tender gum tissues.
HIGHER FREQUENCY OF DRY MOUTH:
Older adults have particular challenges in maintaining good oral health due to”dry mouth,”which is apart of the aging process. Saliva flow helps to continually rinse bacteria and food particles from the mouth. As the flow declines with age, a dry mouthoffers an ideal environment for bacteria reproduction.
In addition to age-related dry mouth, oral dryness is a side effect of manyprescription medications. The American Association of Consultant Pharmacists reports that adults ages 65 – 69 take an average of 15 prescriptions with ages 80 – 84 averaging 18.
GREATER CHALLENGES FOR FEMALES:
Post-menopausal women are more susceptible to the development of gum disease due to declining hormone levels. This leaves them with a higher risk for developing inflammation that comes from oral bacteria’s attack on gum tissues.
GREATER CHALLENGES WITH AT-HOME CARE:
Aging can reduce the ability to brush and floss thoroughly. Conditions such as stiff joints and arthritis compromise manual dexterity. This often makes it difficult to reach awkward tooth angles at the back of the mouth or the back sides of teeth.
When accumulated bacteria are allowed to remain on teeth, the potential for tartar to form increases. This, as you’ve read, is the path to gum disease.
GREATER CHALLENGES FINANCIALLY:
For some, losing dental insurance after retirement adds a new expense to already-reduced budgets. Too, other age-related health conditions can be draining to funds. Because many people assume, “If it doesn’t hurt, then nothing is wrong,” gum disease, which begins without obvious warning signs, can develop and run rampant.
What to do?
Preventing tooth loss and avoiding periodontal disease are important to maintaining a healthy body, at any age. If you have noticed signs that are posing continual challenges to your oral health, let’s discuss proactive ways to overcome these during a no-charge, private session.
During this time, I’ll be happy to recommend ways to restore your smile to a healthy state and greatly decrease your risk for gum disease and tooth loss. We can also discuss comfort options and affordable payment plans.
Call 586-739-2155.
Community Support
- April 13 – Easter Egg Scramble – 1 OR 2PM at River Bends Park(through Shelby Township Parks & Recreation)
- 2019 Scholarship
Accepting applications for the 2019 Ban R. Barbat, DDS Scholarship. This annual award provides financial support to a high school senior pursuing higher education in a health-related field.
- “A” Grades To Win BIG!
Students K – 12 have a chance to win a $500 Visa Gift Card! After Spring Semester report cards are issued, we will be accepting entries for all “A” grades! Look for an announcement in May but hit the books NOW!
Do you snore?
A patient recently shared that she returned home early from a weekend getaway with girlfriends because her roomie snored. Anne stated, “Her snoring was so bad I got little sleep, in spite of wearing ear plugs!”
More than just bothersome, snoring can compromise quality of sleep and contribute to daytime fatigue. As concerning as snoring is, it can lead to more severe health problems.
During snoring, the walls of the throat can collapse, completely blocking air flow. Known as”apnea,” about half of those who snore also have sleep apnea for this reason.
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing pauses. For some people, this can last for up to a minute and repeat hundreds of times each night. This deprives the body, especially the heart and brain, with sufficient oxygen flow.
In addition to daytime fatigue and lack of alertness, sleep apnea has been associated with a number of serious conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, obesity, depression, headaches and diabetes.
If you snore, you are urged to have a sleep study. This will determine if you do suffer with sleep apnea and, if so, to what degree. If the thoughts of a sleep center study are deterring you, however, an at-home sleep study may be an option.
For people who snore or have mild to moderate sleep apnea, we create custom-designed oral devices that are small and worn comfortably during sleep. The device adjusts the jaw position slightly to open airway passages for sufficient oxygen flow.
Not all oral appliances are alike. The process of proper fitting and usage requires more than a brief course in a particular appliance type. It requires advanced training in airway flow and skills in conforming each appliance to accommodate specific needs.
Snoring is no laughing matter when it comes to your health. If you snore, take measures to halt it — without surgery or CPAP devices – with our oral appliance therapy.
If you suspect sleep apnea, please act soon. Although snoring may seem like “no big deal,” sleep apnea is too serious of a health threat to ignore. Please mention this at your next visit or call 586-739-2155.