2012 January Archive - Dr. Mitchell A. Josephs' Blog

Archive for January, 2012

General Surgery and Dental Damage

Posted on: January 31st, 2012 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: I am scheduled for open- heart surgery and am concerned about damage to my dental work. A friend of mine had a bad experience, which cost him thousands of dollars in repairs. How can I avoid this? Arthur in Boynton Beach

A: Firstly, I wish you only the best outcome of your surgery. I am impressed you are thinking of your teeth and your ticker! Dental damage caused by trauma from the anesthesiologists’ intubation process accounts for one-third of all medicolegal anesthesia claims, acceding to the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine (now stuck between my front car seats.) These accidents are usually caused by the anesthesiologist using the upper front teeth as a fulcrum for their laryngoscope while placing the breathing tube.

To avoid damage, loose teeth can be tied with suture material which would prevent dislodgement into the air way or esophagus. I take impressions on my patients pre-operatively and have a specialized custom mouthpiece fabricated, which will prevent all possible damage to their teeth and dental work.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers and Choosing a Dental Office, at the Ross Jewish Community Center on Jog Road in Boynton Beach on Wednesday February 22^nd at 10:00 am. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. Seating is limited. Call “Shawn” at 561-259-3016 to register.

Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts the “Tooth Talk” radio on WBZT AM1230. (www.radiotoothtalk.com) On staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Dr. Mitchell Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry.

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drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com

Second Opinion on Gum Surgery

Posted on: January 24th, 2012 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: A dentist told me I need gum surgery, which will involve thousands of dollars of treatment, stitches and many appointments. I already had this done back in the 80’s. Should I seek a second opinion?…Mel in West Palm Beach.

A: Every year a poll is taken on what are the most trust worthy professions. The top three, year after year, not necessarily in this order, are clergy, pharmacist and (you guessed it) dentists. A second opinion might be in order after a trip to the confession booth, or when the pharmacist recommends a jock itch cream or when a dentist recommends full mouth periodontal surgery. Second opinions are a fact of life. See both a general dentist and a periodontist for their take. It might be possible to perform more conservative treatments such as non-surgical root planning and curettage with the injection of sub-gingival (under the gum) antibiotics such as Arestin for pocket depths of 5 millimeters or less. Pockets over 5 millimeters with bleeding and/or advanced bone loss may benefit from extraction of the tooth and implant placement for a long-term prognosis. For a free consumer guide on this subject, contact us.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers, Choosing a Dental Office and NEW TOPIC: Oral Care for Cancer Patients, at the Boynton Beach Jewish, Ross J.C.C. on Jog Road on Wednesday February 22^nd at 10:00 am. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. Seating is limited. Call today to register at 561-740-9000. Ask for the Adult Lecture Series.

Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts the “Tooth Talk” radio show on Fridays at 11am and Tuesdays at 8:30am on WBZT AM1230. (www.radiotoothtalk.com) On staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Dr. Mitchell Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry.

____________________________________________________________

drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com

Franchise Discount Dental Offices

Posted on: January 17th, 2012 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: I tried getting a refund for faulty implant and denture work I had done at a franchise dental office. The doctors told me they “do not own the business” and I must “deal with their corporation’s headquarters in another state”. What’s up with that? “Angry Al” in Boca
A: Let me begin by telling all the angry dentists who will read this and send me hate mail that I am only the messenger and will be merely quoting my source. At the last meeting of the county dental society, an expert in dental practice transitions, Dr. S. Auerbach stated: “ According to The Florida Department of Health, Board of Dentistry, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, statute 466.028(1)(h) states that ‘being employed by any corporation, organization, group, or person other than a dentist(s) is illegal in Florida. Three popular outfits are Gentle Dental, Aspen Dental and Affordable Dentures”.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers, Choosing a Dental Office and NEW TOPIC: Oral Care for Cancer Patients, at the Double Tree Hotel, PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday January 19th at 4:00 pm. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. There are only 9 seats left. Call today to register at 561-832-2917
Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts the “Tooth Talk” radio show on Fridays at 11am and Tuesdays at 8:30am on WBZT AM1230. (www.radiotoothtalk.com) On staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Dr. Mitchell Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry.
____________________________________________________________

drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com

Pre-Cancer Treatment Dental Treatment, a Must

Posted on: January 10th, 2012 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: My husband is about to undergo cancer treatment and his doctor says he might have severe dental problems during and after treatment. What can he do to prevent this? Jill in Lake Worth

A: Many physicians, including oncologists, are not aware of an important publication written by the N.I.H (National Institute of Health), entitled “To Fight Cancer Best, your Cancer Team Should Include a Dentist.” I have recently re-written a version of this booklet with easier verbiage for the general public. This publication will be distributed for free at my next seminar, listed below. I will be covering this important topic as well.

Important pre-cancer treatment needs: Digital X-ray examination, minimizing radiation exposure, fabrication of custom fluoride trays to prevent massive root decay from chemo and/or radiation, removal of un-restorable teeth that could abscess during cancer treatment, possibly resulting in the suspension of the treatment, and relining or re-making ill-fitting dentures.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers, Choosing a Dental Office and NEW TOPIC: Oral Care for Cancer Patients, at the Double Tree Hotel, PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday January 19^th at 4:00 pm. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. There are only 15 seats left. Call today to register at 561-832-2917

drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com

Less Implants Can Achieve Same Result

Posted on: January 3rd, 2012 by Dr. Mitchell Josephs No Comments

Q: I am missing three molars. My dentist wants me to have three implants and three crowns. If I did two implants and three crowns, this would save me $2600. Is this safe to do? Melvin in Boynton

A: Let’s compare kiwis and pomegranates here. If your bone is super dense and plentiful as verified by digital imaging, you can get away with two implants to support three crowns, HOWEVER these three crowns will be connected to each other, like a permanent bridge, with a floating tooth in the middle that can trap food and will require the use of a floss threader. If you are OK with this and have great oral hygiene and see your hygienist regularly (at the dental office, not at Starbucks.) then, you are OK with the two implants. The ideal treatment would be three implants.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers, Choosing a Dental Office and NEW TOPIC: Oral Care for Cancer Patients, at the Double Tree Hotel, PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday January 19^th at 4:00 pm. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. There are only 30 seats left. Call today to register at 561-832-2917

drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com