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

Archive for March, 2011

Adopt-a-Mom

Posted on: March 29th, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: What can new mothers living in poverty do about their dental health? Mary in Lake Worth

A: An important segment of the population, indeed! Without mothers, where would we be!?

Evidence suggests that most infants and young children acquire caries-causing bacteria from their mothers. Improving the oral health of expectant and new mothers and providing oral health counseling to promote healthy behaviors may reduce the transmission of such bacteria from mothers to infants and young children, thereby delaying the onset of caries.

Several communities in the USA have begun “Adopt-A-Mom” Programs where local dentists volunteer to adopt one mother in need after she has given birth, treating her dental issues for a two year period. The program was developed for mothers who have no dental insurance coverage and thus, limited access to dental care. Local endodontists volunteer their time and services to provide root canal therapy for children under the age of 18 that would have no choice but to have a permanent tooth extracted.

For more information, call the Dental Division of the County Health Department at 561-837-5557.

Dr. Mitchell 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

MI Paste Remineralization

Posted on: March 22nd, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: Can cavities be reversed?…Lou via email

A: Welcome to the wonderful world of REMINERALIZATION.

Example: Patients often have decalcified white spots on several teeth. These may be due to wearing orthodontic appliances, the patients’ having a high sugar diet or heavy plaque build-up. These white spots really are the precursors to dental caries. Also realize that you cannot see these white spots between teeth and they may not be deep enough to show up on an X-ray. The spots are produced by acids released by the bacteria that attack enamel, leech out calcium and phosphate from the tooth, and cause demineralization.

What is a tooth to do?! ACP and CPP have been proven to reverse EARLY carious lesions. These ingredients are found in MI Paste Plus by GC America, a sugar-free cream that is applied topically to the tooth surface. This also works to calm sensitivity after bleaching teeth.

For free consumer info on this “miracle” paste, 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

Implants Angled Abutments

Posted on: March 15th, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: Four months ago I had several implants placed up North. I planned to have the crown and bridge work completed in Florida. While looking at the X-rays of the implants, I and my Florida dentist both commented on how the implants do not seem to be parallel to each other or to the adjacent teeth. Is this a problem?

A: Too many cooks spoil the dinner. Opinions are like spleens; everyone’s got one. You will often see this with implants. Although parallelism is a goal in implant placement, setting the implant into the maximum available bone can be just, if not more, important.Thankfully, we have “custom” abutments which are cast in the lab to compensate for a variety of odd angles of the implants. They create perfectly parallel posts to anchor crowns, bridges or dentures.

A recent study in the J.A.D.A, states that off-angled implants with custom angled abutments are equally successful as dead-on parallel ones and can result in lower fees and shorter treatment times by eliminating the need for guided bone grafting procedures.

For a free consumer guide to implants, 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

I.E.D’s and Pre-med

Posted on: March 8th, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

By: Dr. Mitchell Josephs

Q: I have a pacemaker and a defibrillator implanted in my body. Do I have to take antibiotics before dental work? Hyman in Royal Palm Beach.

A: When I was a kid growing up, Sunday nights my dad and I watched the Six Million Dollar Man. (The 30 million dollar man, in today’s money.) Many of his bionic parts came true: Implantable eye lenses, artificial arms, knees and hips. The six million dollar woman had the “super” hearing. (Which we already know women have naturally.)

Today millions of patients have PPM’s (Permanent Pacemakers) and CIED’s (Cardiac Implantable electronic Devices). Last year, the American Heart Association published a scientific statement regarding the need to pre- medicate with antibiotics before dental treatment for prevention of bacterial endocarditis.

Studies have shown that any infections that have arisen associated with these devices do not come from the oral flora. Therefore, prophylaxis with antibiotics is not recommended for any dental procedures, including cleanings, extractions and dental implant surgery.

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.

Implant’s 10 Advantages Over Dentures

Posted on: March 1st, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

By: Dr. Mitchell Josephs

Q: I have worn full dentures for decades and have had no complaints. Is there any general health concerns that should make me consider implants?…Moe in Boynton.

A: There are two denture-related lines that stick in my mind (both, I believe were uttered by Henny Youngman in between screeching violin strokes.) “Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you.” And: “Darling. Your teeth are like stars; they come out at night.”

Most of the time dentures are fabricated as a compromised treatment due to limited finances. Replacing missing teeth with permanent teeth via implants has the following advantages:

1. Improved appearance
2. Improved confidence
3. Comfort and convenience
4. Durability
5. Improved eating
6. Improved taste
7. Improved nutrition and general health
8. Improved speech
9. Reduced chance of further tooth loss and
10. Arresting of further bone loss in the face and jaw.

Technology has allowed the success rate of dental implants to range form 95 to 99%. Check with your dentist to see if you are an ideal candidate for implants. For a free consumer guide to implants, 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

Implant's 10 Advantages Over Dentures

Posted on: March 1st, 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

By: Dr. Mitchell Josephs

Q: I have worn full dentures for decades and have had no complaints. Is there any general health concerns that should make me consider implants?…Moe in Boynton.

Most of the time dentures are fabricated as a compromised treatment due to limited finances. Replacing missing teeth with permanent teeth via implants has the following advantages:

1. Improved appearance
2. Improved confidence
3. Comfort and convenience
4. Durability
5. Improved eating
6. Improved taste
7. Improved nutrition and general health
8. Improved speech
9. Reduced chance of further tooth loss and
10. Arresting of further bone loss in the face and jaw.

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