2011 January Archive - Dr. Mitchell A. Josephs' Blog

Archive for January, 2011

Flexible Dentures

Posted on: January 25th, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: I love your column and read it every week without fail. Has there been any new technology in dentures? They still seem to be quite primitive. S.M. in Boca

A: Thanks for the positive feedback. I know that my column can be found lining some of the finest bird cages in America! I recently got a call from a near-sighted parakeet from New Jersey asking if I can use a larger type style. An improvement in dentures would be “flexible” dentures. Seldom taught in dental schools or in continuing education courses, this technique can fill a very useful niche of patients. Advantages are: fewer forces on the natural teeth they clip to, fracture resistant, no ugly metal clasps, available in various shades of pink and clear, no metallic taste, non-allergenic and lower cost. Flexible dentures can offer a comfortable and esthetic alternative for those who do not have the financial means for conventional or implant retained prostheses. For a free consumers guide to flexible dentures, contact us.

Editor’s Note: 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

Implants – Hospital or Dental Operation?

Posted on: January 18th, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: I need several dental extractions and implants. Should I have this done in a hospital like when I had my hip replacement, or can it really be done in a dental office with equal success? Moe in PB

A: As long as you don’t have them done at a flea market between the lady’s wig booth and the kettle corn man. Seriously, a recent study in a respected dental journal addressed this. Approximately 1500 implants were placed in a typical hospital surgical setup along with 1500 placed in a simplified operatory setup similar to a typical dental environment from 1985 to 2003. Healing was evaluated after six months. NO significant differences with regard to complications or implant survival rate were found in the study. For a free consumer guide to dental implants, 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

Veneer Out During Endoscopy

Posted on: January 11th, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: Recently, I had an endoscopy (upper G.I. series). One of my porcelain veneers on a lower tooth was knocked out. Could this have been prevented? G.F. in Lantana

A: I though I heard someone yell “whoops” in the O.R. last month! All anesthesiologists ask patients if they have any removable dental work to avoid dislodging them into the throat. However, they should be equally concerned with permanent but “delicate” dental work such as veneers, crowns and temporaries. The plastic bite block that the MD’s use to insert the tube is too hard and does not provide a custom fit. Have your dentist make a custom, tight- fitting, tooth guard to be worn during these procedures to act as a “tooth bumper”.

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

Dry Mouth

Posted on: January 4th, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: My dentist keeps finding cavities along the gum line around old crowns and bridges. He claims that it is due to this dry mouth problem that I have. What can I do about this?….H.J. in Hollywood

A: My old dental school professor at McGill University in Montreal, Ivan Stangel DDS (a nice Jewish boy from Queens), stated in 1984: “Although fluoridated water has helped prevent decay in children, dentist will be very busy dealing with root caries in the aging population of America.” He was right. Dehydration, smoking, cancer treatments, medications for blood pressure, anxiety, depression and allergies are all culprits. Lack of saliva can also be a warning sign of Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disease) and diabetes. A set of custom fluoride trays can be made for these patients to help fend off decay by making the enamel more acid resistant.

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