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

Archive for April, 2012

Dental X-Rays Do Not Lead to Tumors

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

Q: The news reported last week that Dental X-rays can lead to brain tumors. Is this True? Joanne in Deerfield

A: One of the most flawed studies ever to hit the medical journals surfaced last week, scaring people into thinking that dental X-rays contribute to forming brain tumors. According to John Graham DDS, MD (dual degrees) and Mathew Massina DDS of the ADA, the study by Dr. Elizabeth Claus, an epidemiologist, is so fraught with troubling variables, that the validity of data “degrades the veracity of any of its findings. Absolutely no cause and effect link was found”. This single study was useless and only instilled fear in the public.

The biggest flaw is how the data was gathered. They made phone calls to 1433 patients, age 29 to 79, with a certain, benign (non-cancerous) brain tumor and simply ASKED them to recall how many X-rays they have received over lifetime. They never checked the actual dental charts, which would have shown exactly how many X-rays were truly taken.

In my research, one hundred percent of all dentists surveyed stated that when they “ask” a patient: “When were your last X-rays, what type and how many did you have?, most patients answer incorrectly, compared to what the patient’s dental chart from their previous dentists actually shows”. There is no way I could possibly answer this question myself! Also, they did not take into account how many CAT scans, chest X-rays and sun exposure these patients had; all creating significantly more radiation than digital dental X-rays.

Avoiding safe DIGITAL dental X-rays used with lead aprons will only result in missing dental problems, which rarely cause pain, leading to extremely expensive and extensive dental treatment.

Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts “Tooth Talk” on WBZT AM1230 (www.radiotoothtalk.com) Dr. Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry and completed his residency at Manhattan’s Beth Israel Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Hospital.

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

Failed Implant, Not Doctor’s Fault

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

Q: I had two implants placed on my upper back jaw. One failed and needed to be removed. I am very upset at my dentist. What did she do wrong? Melvin in Green Acres.

A: Melvin. The human body is not like building a deck in your back yard. There are no guarantees how human tissue will react to any insult. Heart surgery patients die in the O.R., cancers recur, pneumonia is not always curable, skin growths often grow back even after several attempts at removal and biopsy (Just ask the back of my neck).

Dental implants actually have one of the highest success rates for surgical procedures, between 90 and 95%, however if you are one of the 5 to 10 patients out of 100 who have an implant that is rejected, you wont be happy. The main reason why dental patients are less tolerant of failure of their dental work is because it hits them in the pocket. If all dental procedures were covered by health insurance, you would not have to pay to have the first implant performed AND you would not have to pay for its removal, bone grafting and placement of a new implant. Not to mention the abutment posts and crowns that connect to the implant to give you some choppers to chew on. For free consumer information on incision-free dental implant surgery, contact us.

Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts “Tooth Talk” on WBZT AM1230 (www.radiotoothtalk.com) Dr. Mitchell Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry and completed his residency at Manhattan’s Beth Israel Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Hospital.

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

Lack of Saliva After Inner Ear Surgery

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

Q: After undergoing inner ear surgery to correct my hearing loss, I notice my mouth is constantly dry. Would this be related? Stan in Palm Beach Gardens

A: “Oh, the head bone is connected to the….neck bone…..and the neck bone is connected to the…etc. etc.” (You know the song.) There is actually a connection of nerves that if damaged from ear surgery can cause inadequate stimulation of the salivary glands resulting in a dry mouth (xerostomia). A condition known as otosclerosis (loss of mobility of one of the inner ear bones that transmit vibration) warrants a procedure called a stapedectomy which can involve severing this special nerve, called the chorda tympani. (A classic question on the gross anatomy, head and neck exam in medical and dental school.)

The dry mouth often manifests itself during resting periods when the back-up salivary glands located in the inner cheeks decrease their flow. We recommend that patients use sugarless chewing gum or sour candy frequently to stimulate these extra glands and use oral lubricants and sip water as needed. Pass this on to your favorite ENT doc!

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

Internet Doctor Background Checks, Flawed

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

Q: I was referred to a doctor for dental work. On the Internet, I saw his malpractice insurance carrier settled a case with a patient. Should this be of concern? Larry in West Boca

A: This is one of those columns that I hope finds its way on many refrigerators and in doctor’s waiting rooms. (as apposed to the kitchen floor for puppy training.)

The more years in practice, the more patients a doctor will treat and the more possible complaints, disciplinary actions and law suits he or she will have, especially in this litigious society. (on average; one every 9 years.) I know a dentist who was sued and disciplined due to a patient who complained that she was “not able to perform oral sex on her husband while undergoing several weeks of dental treatment”. The dentist could not fight the case due to losing the patient’s chart as it was inadvertently thrown out with the retiring dentist’s old filing cabinet.

Many celebrity heart surgeons and dentists will have “negative” issues on the un-regulated cesspool of information, called the Web. Advertising violations, like using signage that has letters that are “too big”, can result in disciplinary actions. Don’t let a few bad web pages over a three-decade career of a doctor hold you back.

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 The Palm Beach Towers, 44 Cocoanut Row in Palm Beach, on Wednesday April 4^th at 4:00 pm. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. Seating is limited. Call 561-832-2917 to register.

____________________________________________________________

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