2010 December Archive - Dr. Mitchell A. Josephs' Blog

Archive for December, 2010

Dr. J’s Top 3 Dental Technology Picks for 2010

Posted on: December 22nd, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

It’s that time of year again. The Number one category for a new year’s resolution is personal health care. Lose weight. Exercise more. Remove a bunion or two. You get the idea. If you are thinking of going dental, here are my favorite picks for making it more effective and comfortable: 1. The Dentalvibe: a bone and tissue vibrating wand that helps in giving painless injections. 2. Digital USB Intraoral Cameras: fiber optic cameras that show live images of your teeth on a computer for early diagnosis of disease. Images are now email-able. 3. Ziconia implant abutments: porcelain posts that attach the implants to their respective crowns; their white color stops the gray-gum line problem found with metal abutments. For a free consumer guide with many more examples, of the latest advancements from 2010, contact us.

Dr. Josephs will give a free lecture on Implant, Cosmetic and General Dentistry and sign his latest book, 3 to 4pm Jan. 20 in Jupiter and 11am to noon Jan. 21 in Palm Beach. Call (561) 832-2917 to register. Seating is limited.

Dr. Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com (888-378-6684) or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com

By Dr. Mitchell Josephs

Implant Gum Recession Around Over-Denture Attachment

Posted on: December 15th, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: My mother who is 87 had 2 implants on her lower jaw to hold down a full denture. She noticed that one stood up higher than the other. One year later, it is more so now, showing receded gums and irritation. She also has trouble keeping her denture snapped in place. Is this normal? N.M. in SOBE

A: With the cool weather lately, the last thing we want is a set of chattering teeth. Several issues could be at hand. Some recession of the gums is expected, however you don’t want to actually start seeing the threads of the implants, normally encased in bone. The irritation sometimes can be relieved by removing some of the pink acrylic in the denture base, encircling the attachments. Lack of retention of the denture (not snapping-in) often means the “O”-rings need to be replaced with a new, more retentive set. Most importantly, verify that a digital X-rays shows that the implant is not failing due to infection. For a free consumer guide to implant-overdentures, or the dates of Dr. Josephs’ next public lecture on Implant, Cosmetic and General Dentistry, signing his latest book, contact us.

Dr. Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com (888-378-6684) or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com

By Dr. Mitchell Josephs

Spectra Diagnodent

Posted on: December 8th, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: I recently moved down to Florida and was examined by a new dentist. He found several cavities on the chewing surface of some of my molars. Why did my long time, previous dentist miss all of these? I was just in his office a few months ago, just before moving. Sally in West Boca.

A: This is a dilemma we here quite often in the state of hanging chads, flip flops and ankle tattoos. Generally, X-rays are useful for detection of chewing surface decay (occlusal caries) only after extensive lesions have developed that are very close to the nerve canals of the teeth. Over the past few years electronic devices been developed to detect these cavities in much earlier stages. The Diagnodent uses a laser to read the bacteria levels produced by cavity-causing organisms. The Spectra system shows live images of teeth with the microorganisms fluorescing in red against a green backround of the healthy enamel. For free consumer info on these techniques, contact us.

By Dr. Mitchell Josephs

Be Gentle

Posted on: December 1st, 2010 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Question: Before my dentist gives me the needle, he rubs a gel on my gum first. The problem is that I wind up swallowing the stuff causing my whole throat to freeze- up giving me a horrible choking sensation. Should I change dentists?…Meg in Palm City

Answer: Don’t hit the Google search box just yet, Meg. For years now, we have had anesthetic patches to stick on the tissues for numbing specific areas, especially the palate. Holding a cotton swab sprayed with a refrigerant called Endo Ice also works very swell. While avoiding my indigestion-causing relatives during Thanksgiving, I retired to my study to catch up on some journal reading. I came across a new product called “Bee Gentle”. This is a unique topical anesthetic (20% benzocaine) which is applied as a varnish on the tissues and quickly becomes a white film, staying put just where the doctor puts it. No more running down your throat and numbing your insides! For free consumer info on this, contact us. . Dr. Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com (888-378-6684) or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com

By Dr. Mitchell Josephs