Tooth Talk tag:www.drspina.com,2012:/blog//1 2012-04-24T16:57:45Z Tooth Talk is the blog of Dr. Joseph Spina. Dr. Spina practices family and cosmetic surgery out of his Wayne, PA office. Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.0 Laser treatment of Periodontal Disease tag:www.drspina.com,2012:/blog//1.38 2012-04-24T16:56:33Z 2012-04-24T16:57:45Z As many of you know, I have become very involved with the use of the lasers in dentistry. Currently I am active in the Academy of Laser Dentistry as well as the World Clinical Laser Institute. Lasers have revolutionized the... Dr. Spina As many of you know, I have become very involved with the use of the lasers in dentistry. Currently I am active in the Academy of Laser Dentistry as well as the World Clinical Laser Institute. Lasers have revolutionized the treatment of periodontal (gum) disease. Patients that had been treated in the past with gum surgery and extractions can now be treated with laser energy. Periodontal disease is the progressive loss of gum tissue and bone as a result of inflammation caused by bacteria. This inflammation can also effect general and cardiovascular health. Dental lasers have been shown to reduce the amount of bacteria in the gums that cause this inflammation and bone loss. The laser also promotes reattachment of the gum tissue to the tooth (reducing the periodontal pocket). Best of all, it is virtually painless. Please call to discuss this exciting new treatment option. Exciting News: Welcome back to Penn Dental and Open Wednesday Nights! tag:www.drspina.com,2012:/blog//1.37 2012-03-27T12:18:20Z 2012-03-27T12:19:29Z This spring, I am very excited to rejoin the active faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. To ensure we have enough hours to accommodate our patients, we are opening our office Wednesday afternoons and evenings from... Dr. Spina This spring, I am very excited to rejoin the active faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. To ensure we have enough hours to accommodate our patients, we are opening our office Wednesday afternoons and evenings from 1pm -7pm, in addition to our normal hours. As many of you know, I taught on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine for many years. In recent years, I had to take a sabbatical from my teaching responsibilities. This spring, I am very excited to rejoin the active faculty at the dental school. I will be teaching on Fridays in the MCC clinic (which stands for Medically Complex Clinic). I will be working with 4th year dental students on patients who have complex medical conditions that effect their dental care. I am really excited for this new challenge. To compensate and ensure we have enough hours to treat our busy patients, we are opening on Wednesdays from 1pm - 7pm. Evening hours have always been extremely popular and we hope these additional hours will help our patients find convenient appointment times. Dental Screenings Linked to Lower Heart Disease, Stroke Risk tag:www.drspina.com,2011:/blog//1.36 2011-11-14T13:45:24Z 2011-11-14T13:48:00Z Dental Screenings Linked to Lower Heart Disease, Stroke Risk By DR. MIRJANA JOJIC, ABC News Medical Unit Nov 13, 2011 Going to the dentist can be stressful, frightening and painful -- but it may also help your heart. Research presented... Dr. Spina Dental Screenings Linked to Lower Heart Disease, Stroke Risk By DR. MIRJANA JOJIC, ABC News Medical Unit Nov 13, 2011 Going to the dentist can be stressful, frightening and painful -- but it may also help your heart. Research presented Sunday at the American Heart Association's (AHA) annual conference in Orlando, Fla., suggests that not only do frequent dental cleanings ward off plaque and gum disease, but they can also reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.]]> "Periodontal, or gum health, as a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, has been looked at several times over the past 10 years," said Dr. Thomas Gerber, an AHA spokesman and a professor of medicine and radiology at the Mayo Clinic. "Some prior studies found a relationship between gum disease and heart or other disease, whereas others didn't." Gerber was not involved with the new research. The exact mechanism of how gum disease may be linked to heart disease and stroke is unclear. One thought is that poor dental hygiene leads to an overgrowth of oral bacteria. These organisms, fairly benign in the mouth, can get into the bloodstream through the gums and, once there, they can clump on blood vessel walls and grow into plaques that clog arteries and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, because these bacteria are foreign to the body, once they infiltrate the bloodstream, blood vessels think they are being attacked and try to kill them, just as they would an infection. This results in inflammation and swelling that narrows blood vessels and prevents adequate blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart. A variety of studies have established that inflammation and bacteria in the mouth and gums can find its way into the bloodstream, leading to thickening of the arteries and increasing the risk of a heart attack. The recent study was less concerned with the details of why gum disease increases risk of heart disease and stroke, but whether the risk can be reduced through frequent dental visits. "Poor oral hygiene has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease," the study's abstract acknowledged. "However, the association between preventive dentistry and cardiovascular risk reduction remained underdetermined." Dr. Zu-Yin Chen and colleagues at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan followed more than 100,000 patients over a seven-year period, only half of whom had ever had their teeth cleaned. They found that the participants who had ever had their teeth cleaned had a 24 percent decreased risk of heart attack and a 13 percent lower stroke risk compared to those who had never had a dental cleaning. Not only did any dental cleanings reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, but Chen said in the news release, "Protection from heart disease and stroke was more pronounced in participants who got tooth scaling at least once a year," meaning that the more often people had their teeth cleaned, the lower their risk of heart disease and stroke. Although the results suggest that preventative dental care can lower risk of heart disease and stroke, the study did not account for other cardiovascular risk factors that could have contributed to the association. "We can't lose sight of the fact that most heart attacks and strokes are related to the so-called traditional risk factors, and those are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, smoking, weighing too much and not exercising enough. It remains very important to take control of those risk factors," said Gerber. "People shouldn't think that by going to the dentist more often they're going to reduce their risk of heart disease." http://abcnews.go.com/Health/dental-screenings-linked-lower-heart-disease-stroke-risk/story?id=14936485 Mini Implant: Exciting New Treatment Option tag:www.drspina.com,2011:/blog//1.35 2011-06-20T19:33:38Z 2011-12-15T14:44:40Z My staff and I are excited to introduce Small Diameter Implants into my practice. Small diameter or mini implants, as they are called, offer many advantages for patients. Mini implants are smaller, narrower, and more conservative than traditional implants. The... Dr. Spina Small Diameter Implants into my practice. Small diameter or mini implants, as they are called, offer many advantages for patients. Mini implants are smaller, narrower, and more conservative than traditional implants. The placement procedure is much less invasive compared to traditional implants and is easily tolerated by most patients. The amount of bone needed for successful placement of mini's is much less than what is required for traditional implants. This makes implant therapy available to patients who previously were not candidates because they had too little bone. In addition, they can be placed for 1/3 the price of a traditional implant, which makes them much more affordable and accessible. ]]> Mini implants excel at stabilizing removable partial and full dentures. My favorite uses for mini implants are : 1) Stabilizing 'floppy' lower dentures 2) Replace metal clasps on upper partial dentures to improve the esthetics 3) Offer implant technology to patients who previously could not tolerate traditional implant therapy I have partnered with 3M ESPE to offer the MDI Mini Implant. This company has a long history of expertise and success in the field. They have a great patient web site at www.mymdistory.com. Check it out for some great information. There are some limitations to mini implants. Unlike traditional implants, they are not used to replace single teeth. Also, they are not used to anchor fixed (non-removable) dental restorations (like a bridge). In some parts of the mouth, the bone is too weak to support a mini implant and a traditional implant is the best option. When deciding between traditional and mini implants, there are a lot of factors to consider. I would be happy to discuss the pros and cons at your next visit. ]]> Dental Radiographs (x-rays) tag:www.drspina.com,2011:/blog//1.34 2011-05-23T15:11:43Z 2011-05-23T15:13:14Z The use of dental radiographs (x-rays) has been used for many years as the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of dental disease. There have been several news reports about dental x-rays recently, and I wanted to clarify the procedures... Dr. Spina The use of dental radiographs (x-rays) has been used for many years as the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of dental disease. There have been several news reports about dental x-rays recently, and I wanted to clarify the procedures and protocols we use to take dental x-rays. We follow the protocol set by the American Dental Association (ADA) for frequency and number of x-rays. This can be found online at www.ada.org. This allows us to check for decay at the point of contact between teeth, decay under existing fillings and crowns, as well as measure bone levels around teeth (an indicator of the presence or absence of periodontal disease).The purpose is to detect any issues early so the treatment can be more conservative and we can achieve a better outcome. Many patients are concerned about the amount of radiation exposure during dentalx-rays. To minimize exposure we use digital x-ray technology. Using this,we reduce the amount of radiation by 75% when compared to traditional x-rays. In addition,we still use lead aprons with thyroid collars, which further protects the patient from any unwanted exposure. Our goal is to facilitate early detection of dental and periodontal problems in order to achieve the best outcome possible. We feel by following the ADA protocol and using digital x-rays, we achieve our goal. For patients who require dental implants, normal dental x-rays are usually sufficient to safely and predictably place a dental implant. In some cases a CT Scan is needed to determine the position of certain vital structures, such as nerves and blood-vessels, prior to implant placement. This technology is used only for certain patients requiring certain types of implant surgery and is not routine for the vast majority of our patients. My Favorite Tooth Bleach tag:www.drspina.com,2011:/blog//1.33 2011-04-04T15:42:06Z 2011-04-05T13:12:02Z There are many options for tooth bleaching. They vary in speed of function, strength, cost, and effectiveness. We offer patients everything from help picking an over-the-counter product, at-home profession options, as well as in-office rapid whitening. When people ask me... Dr. Spina There are many options for tooth bleaching. They vary in speed of function, strength, cost, and effectiveness. We offer patients everything from help picking an over-the-counter product, at-home profession options, as well as in-office rapid whitening. When people ask me what I would recommend, my choice is usually the 3-day at-home system. For most patients, I recommend the 3-day whitening with bleaching trays. This is a system where the patient is made custom trays that are very small and comfortable. The bleach is worn 3-4 hours per day for three days. If the patient wants their teeth whiter, they can wear the trays for 5 to 6 days. If the patient begins to experience any tooth sensitivity from the bleach, they can put the bleach aside for a few days and then begin using it again. This system gives the patient the flexibility they need to get the results they want. The trays can be made in as little as one day. If the patient comes in the morning for some impressions, we can usually have the trays back later that day. We do this all the time for brides, graduates, and anyone else who is in need of results quickly. Visit us on a Saturday! tag:www.drspina.com,2011:/blog//1.32 2011-01-25T03:04:03Z 2011-01-25T03:06:33Z We are pleased to announce that Dr. Spina will now have appointments available on Saturdays. If this is the best time for you and your family, please call or email because these times fill up quickly.... Dr. Spina Saturdays. If this is the best time for you and your family, please call or email because these times fill up quickly. ]]> U.S. regulators call for less fluoride in drinking water tag:www.drspina.com,2011:/blog//1.31 2011-01-10T02:48:53Z 2011-01-10T02:51:09Z Americans are getting fluoride from a variety of sources that did not exist in the 1940s, when community water fluoridation first got under way. Water consumption patterns have changed too.... Dr. Spina Americans are getting fluoride from a variety of sources that did not exist in the 1940s, when community water fluoridation first got under way. Water consumption patterns have changed too. Lifestyle changes At what are considered optimum levels, public health officials and the ADA have long promoted fluoride as a way of reducing dental caries. But research has also found that consumption at excess levels may cause fluorosis and skeletal deformities (Journal of the American Dental Association, November 2008, Vol. 139:11, pp. 1457-1468; October 2009, Vol. 140:10, pp. 1228-1236; January 2011, Vol. 142:1, pp. 79-87). For the past 65 years, communities across the country have been supplementing naturally occurring fluoride in their water supplies to reach a level considered sufficient to promote oral health, especially among children. The fluoride level long recommended by health officials to prevent caries has been set at a range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of water. The HHS is now proposing the level be set at 0.7 mg/L of water. The reassessment was initiated in part due to new research into changes in diet and lifestyle, as well as regional water consumption patterns seen over time, officials said. The old range was in part based upon differences in regional climate and water consumption that have become somewhat outdated with the advent of air conditioning. In addition, Americans have access to more sources of fluoride than in the past. Besides water, other sources of fluoride include dental products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses, prescription fluoride supplements, and fluoride applied by dental professionals. The findings are also being used to guide the EPA in making a determination of whether to lower the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water. Under the Clean Water Act passed by Congress in 1974, the EPA must determine the level of contaminants in drinking water at which no adverse health effects are likely to occur. The EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for fluoride at 4.0 mg/L, based on the best available science to prevent potential health problems. But in 2006, an analysis by the National Research Council concluded the EPA's drinking water standard was too high to protect against adverse health effects. And the National Academy of Sciences reviewed new data on fluoride and issued a report recommending that EPA update its health and exposure assessments to take into account bone and dental effects and to consider all sources of fluoride. Any formal change to the drinking water regulation would be made only after a formal proposal, public comment period, and finalization process. As of 2008, 195.5 million Americans, or 72.4 % of the population on public water systems, had access to optimally fluoridated water, according to the most recent statistics available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has hailed the fluoridation of drinking water as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Opposition and support In some communities, however, efforts have met continued resistance from opponents who contend that fluoridation amounts to forced medication or an unwanted intrusion of government into private life. Fluoridation opponent Paul Connett, PhD, who heads the Fluoride Action Network, dismissed the January 7 announcement as "spin and collusion" between federal health officials and the dental establishment to continue fluoridation, which he argues is dangerous, especially to children. "It's a stupid bloody practice," Connett said. "Once you put a medicine in the water, you can't control the dose." The ADA commended the move by health officials to revisit fluoride guidelines and standards. "As a science-based organization, the ADA supports the Department of Health and Human Services' recommendation," the ADA said in a statement. "This adjustment will provide an effective level of fluoride to reduce the incidence of tooth decay while minimizing the rate of fluorosis in the general population." ADA President Raymond Gist, DDS, called the HHS recommendation "a superb example of a government agency fulfilling its mission to protect and enhance the health of the American people." Shelly Gehshan, director of the Pew Children's Dental Campaign, praised the actions of the HHS and EPA. "These announcements show that federal health officials are carrying out their proper role and relying on the best science to do so," she told DrBicuspid.com. "The public can feel reassured that optimally fluoridated water is a safe, effective way for people of all ages to prevent tooth decay." The notice of the proposed recommendation will be published in the Federal Register soon, and HHS will accept comments from the public and stakeholders on the proposed recommendation for 30 days at CWFcomments@cdc.gov. HHS is expecting to publish final guidance for community water fluoridation by spring 2011. Copyright © 2011 DrBicuspid.com ]]> FDA panel calls for more research of amalgam risks tag:www.drspina.com,2010:/blog//1.30 2010-12-21T03:03:23Z 2010-12-21T03:04:35Z Labeling for dental amalgam should more clearly inform dental practitioners and their patients of the potential risks posed by the mercury it contains, an expert panel advised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a two-day meeting in Gaithersburg,... Dr. Spina Labeling for dental amalgam should more clearly inform dental practitioners and their patients of the potential risks posed by the mercury it contains, an expert panel advised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a two-day meeting in Gaithersburg, MD, this week. And the FDA should do its own risk assessment and meta-analysis of scientific literature to gain an authoritative grasp of what is knowable about the dangers that mercury restorations may pose, particularly for sensitive subgroups such as pregnant women, their fetuses, young children, and medically vulnerable patients. The FDA is expected to consider the panel's advice, delivered at the conclusion of the meeting, and then determine whether to make changes in how it regulates dental amalgam. "We are going to go back and really hit this, and hopefully we will come back with something everybody can be proud of," FDA Dental Devices Director Anthony Watson, MBA, told the panel. In July 2009, the FDA issued final rule that reclassified dental amalgam and its component parts as class II devices and designated special controls for the materials. But the ruling caused an outcry from some consumer and patient groups that are convinced of the dangers of mercury and that are seeking a higher level of regulation. They said the FDA underestimated the level of mercury exposure from dental amalgam and failed to fully consider differences among subpopulations that could affect the absorbed dose. They also contended that the reference exposure level (REL) of 0.3 µg/m3, set by the FDA to assess risk for mercury exposure, was not sufficiently protective. Pages of expert reports During the two-day meeting this week, the panel explored a range of mercury exposure scenarios for dental amalgam but did not collectively embrace any of them. "The FDA has the best risk assessment experts in the world," said panelist Michael Dourson, PhD, an Ohio toxicologist. "Look at the new data and develop your own REL. By all means, use all the new tools we have." At the request of the FDA, the panel weighed pages of expert reports and listened to testimony, much of it from dozens of speakers convinced they had been harmed by their amalgam fillings. "My dentist poisoned my brain," testified Virginia housewife Marie Flowers, describing the onset of debilitating illness she blamed on dental mercury. Others suggested the FDA itself has attempted to hide the dangers of amalgam. "The FDA is under the influence of sinister forces that are trying to undermine health," said New Jersey dentist Steve Markus, DMD. Yet others attested to the safety of the material, which has been used by dentists for more than 150 years. University of Washington researcher Michael D. Martin, DMD, MPH, PhD, who spoke about the Casa Pia Study of the Health Effects of Dental Amalgams in Children (Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, December 2001, Vol. 64:7, pp. 521-530), said that he and other researchers found no statistically significant differences in memory, attention, visual motor function, or nerve conduction velocities over the seven years they compared the health of a group of Portuguese schoolchildren with amalgam fillings with a group that had composite fillings. He also came away convinced of the superior durability of amalgam, he said. "The composites failed at a much higher rate," Dr. Martin said. "We concluded amalgam should remain a clinical option." No final conclusions The panel did not vote on final conclusions, but several members stressed their wish to know more about the effects of mercury on certain subpopulations. Joel M. White, DDS, MS, a professor in the division of biomaterials and bioengineering at the University of California, San Francisco, said he believed there is "clearly a subgroup of highly sensitive individuals where amalgam is contraindicated." "I want to know that subpopulation, that subgroup, and where that threshold is," he said. "That will make me a better dentist and patients more trusting of dentists and the FDA." Dr. White asked if any of the consumer groups who petitioned for the meeting had developed a composite study that might help researchers better identify people likely to suffer adverse reactions to mercury. David Kennedy, DDS, who testified on behalf of the consumers, said no such study existed. But, he added, "You are asking a question that should have been asked 50 years ago." Following the conclusion of the meeting, the ADA praised the panel's finding that the FDA acted appropriately when it ruled last year that dental amalgam is a safe and effective treatment option for the general population. "The panel recommended continuing review of existing and new scientific information as it becomes available," said ADA President Raymond Gist, DDS, in a press release. "As with all clinical issues, our position on amalgam is based on the best available science. We will continue to maintain or revise our positions on oral health and oral healthcare issues accordingly. At the end of the day, all treatment decisions should be made by patients with the advice of their dentists. We support the rights of all patients to decide how best to maintain and improve their oral health." Copyright © 2010 DrBicuspid.com Single All-Porcelain Crown on a Front Tooth tag:www.drspina.com,2010:/blog//1.29 2010-11-20T16:05:46Z 2010-11-20T16:06:27Z This is a great patient who had a beautiful smile except for one badly discolored front incisor. Using one all porcelain crown we were able to greatly improve her smile. I am really excited by how well her smile looks... Dr. Spina This is a great patient who had a beautiful smile except for one badly discolored front incisor. Using one all porcelain crown we were able to greatly improve her smile. I am really excited by how well her smile looks now because of one simple procedure. This shows once again that treatment does not have to be 'extreme' to have a big effect. (Lab work by Dodd Dental Lab New Castle, DE) Cut and paste the link below to see before and after pictures: http://drspina.posterous.com/single-all-porcelain-crown-on-a-front-tooth The Philadelphia Department of Public Health issues a Fact Sheet about amalgam (silver) fillings tag:www.drspina.com,2010:/blog//1.28 2010-09-24T01:28:28Z 2010-09-24T01:37:42Z The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has issued a Fact Sheet about amalgam (silver) fillings that presents patients with the facts and the risks associated with mercury containing fillings. All dentists who practice in Philadelphia County that still place amalgam... Dr. Spina The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has issued a Fact Sheet about amalgam (silver) fillings that presents patients with the facts and the risks associated with mercury containing fillings. All dentists who practice in Philadelphia County that still place amalgam (silver) fillings must distribute this form to their patients. I have included the form below for your information. As you know, we are a mercury free practice. We do not place any silver (amalgam) restorations. We used either composite or porcelain materials
Philadelphia Department of Public Health (2009) Information Sheet - Amalgam dental fillings containing mercury The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has developed this information sheet pursuant to Section 1, Title 9, Chapter 9-3100 of the Philadelphia Code.
Its purpose is to give you information about amalgam fillings that contain mercury and other dental filling options. Your dentist's office should provide you with a copy of this sheet and answer any questions that you may have. 1. What is dental amalgam? Dental amalgam is the silver-colored material used to fill (restore) teeth that have cavities. It is one of several approved choices for filling cavities. Amalgam is made up of 50 percent mercury, a type of metal. Amalgam also contains other metals including silver, tin, copper, and zinc. 2. Is dental amalgam that contains mercury safe? There is ongoing research and discussion about the health effects of mercury in amalgam fillings. Small amounts of mercury are released as a vapor (gas) when amalgam fillings are placed or removed and through chewing. This mercury can be absorbed by the body and may build up over time. High levels of mercury can cause toxic effects on the brain, nervous system, and kidneys. Generally, people with amalgam fillings have higher levels of mercury in their blood and urine than people without amalgam fillings. The mercury levels in people with amalgam fillings are not high enough to be considered toxic. So far, well-done studies have shown that amalgam fillings do not impact behavior, information processing, and kidney function among children. It is more difficult to study the long-term effects of dental amalgam (effects that may appear later in life). Research in this area is still being performed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the safety of medications and medical devices, has stated that "dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses." The FDA is currently reviewing data and will make a decision about how strongly to regulate the use of amalgam. 3. Are there alternatives to amalgam? Yes. Amalgam is one of several approved choices for filling cavities. The most common dental filling used today is resin composite, which does not contain mercury. Resin is usually tooth-colored. Other filling materials are a form of glass cement, porcelain, gold, and other metals. 4. Aside from safety issues, what are the pros and cons of amalgam and alternatives? Amalgam fillings generally last longer than resin composite fillings, so they don't need to be replaced as often. Resin composite fillings are tooth-colored and, therefore, are preferred by some people for cosmetic reasons. There may be a cost difference between resin composite and dental amalgam. To protect the environment, amalgam must be disposed of as a hazardous waste. 5. What should you do? Talk to your dentist, ask questions, and make an informed choice about dental fillings if you have a cavity. Prevent cavities through regular brushing, flossing, and dental exams. For more information on amalgam fillings that contain mercury: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Questions and Answers on Dental Amalgam: www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html Centers for Disease Control Dental Amalgam Use and Benefits Fact Sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/oralHealth/publications/factsheets/amalgam.htm or call toll-free: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-638-2041 (option #2) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m A copy of this information sheet has been provided to the patient (or patient's representative) and his/her questions, if any, have been answered. Patient signature___________________________ Date________ Dentist signature___________________________ Date ]]> Small correction can have a big impact! tag:www.drspina.com,2010:/blog//1.24 2010-09-02T21:36:40Z 2010-09-02T21:38:17Z This is a great patient that got a great result from two veneers. This once again shows that even a small correction can have a big impact on your smile.... Dr. Spina This is a great patient that got a great result from two veneers. This once again shows that even a small correction can have a big impact on your smile. This patient had bright white staining (fluoride stains) on her two front teeth, a fracture on the left tooth, and a slight overlap of the two front teeth. In order to correct her smile, we placed two porcelain veneers that corrected the color, fracture, and the alignment. Both the patient and myself are very happy with the result and we are happy to share it with you. Cut and paste the link below in your browser window to see before / after pictures: http://drspina.posterous.com/this-is-a-great-patient-that-got-a-great-resu Overall fitness reduces risk of periodontal (gum) disease tag:www.drspina.com,2010:/blog//1.22 2010-08-13T00:40:29Z 2010-08-13T00:42:23Z This is a really interesting and important finding linking general physical fitness to periodontal disease. It is another illustration of the link between dental health and general health.... Dr. Spina This is a really interesting and important finding linking general physical fitness to periodontal disease. It is another illustration of the link between dental health and general health. Overall fitness reduces risk of periodontal disease People who maintain a healthy weight and good physical fitness have less periodontitis, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology (August 2010, Vol. 81:8, pp. 1124-1131). Using body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat as a measure of weight control and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) as a measure of physical fitness, researchers from Kyushu University compared subjects' weight and fitness variables with the results of a periodontal examination. Those with the lowest BMI and highest levels of fitness had significantly lower rates of severe periodontitis, the study authors concluded. Research connecting overall health and periodontal health should motivate people to maintain a healthy weight and get enough physical fitness, noted Samuel Low, D.D.S., M.S., associate dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "Research continues to demonstrate that our overall health and oral health are connected," Dr. Low stated in an AAP press release. "Weight management and physical fitness both contribute to overall health; and now we believe staying in shape may help lower your risk of developing gum disease. Since gum disease is related to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, there is even more reason to take care of yourself through diet and exercise." Copyright © 2010 DrBicuspid.com ]]> If mom has tooth decay, child likely does too tag:www.drspina.com,2010:/blog//1.21 2010-07-20T01:09:46Z 2010-07-20T01:15:05Z Here is an interesting article I found about the link in tooth decay in mothers to tooth decay in their children.... Dr. Spina Here is an interesting article I found about the link in tooth decay in mothers to tooth decay in their children. If mom has tooth decay, child likely does too Untreated tooth decay in mothers almost doubles the odds of tooth decay in their children, according to a University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study that examined the oral health of rural Hispanic families (Journal of Dental Research, May 2010). The population-based study included low-income Hispanic families working in agriculture in a small, rural community in California's Central Valley. The analysis included 179 mothers and their 387 children, and found that 46% of mothers and 27% of children had untreated tooth decay. "These results translate into key messages for parents, dentists, and policymakers," said Jane Weintraub, D.D.S., M.P.H., director of UCSF's Center to Address Disparities in Children's Oral Health, in a press release. "The oral health of parents, especially moms, can impact the oral health of children, so dentists should include the whole family in the dental care process -- not just the individual in the chair -- to prevent future disease." Although a specific population was analyzed in this study, its conclusions are likely to be valid for other demographic populations because bacteria that cause tooth decay can be transmitted from person-to-person, including mother-to-child, the authors said. Almost half of the mothers studied and more than a fourth of the children and adolescents in this population had untreated tooth decay. "This can occur, for example, from a mother tasting a child's food and then using the same spoon to feed her child," Dr. Weintraub said. The findings underscore the need for families to have access to dental care, especially those within underserved populations. Instead of cutting Medicaid dental benefits for low-income adults and excluding adult benefits from healthcare reform, the authors recommend that adults be included in dental programs and policies to improve the oral health of children and families. For family dentists, the findings emphasize the importance of asking about the oral health of other family members. "Dentists should encourage all family members to get treatment, especially if a child already has tooth decay, and provide the family with the preventive measures, knowledge, and skills to help prevent future disease," Dr. Weintraub added. Copyright © 2010 DrBicuspid.com ]]> Replacing Amalgam (silver) fillings with Composite (white) fillings tag:www.drspina.com,2010:/blog//1.19 2010-06-17T02:21:06Z 2010-06-17T02:22:11Z Many patients have asked me recently about changing their old amalgam (silver) fillings to composite or white fillings. We just did this for a patient and the results were fantastic. Both the patient and myself were really happy with the... Dr. Spina Many patients have asked me recently about changing their old amalgam (silver) fillings to composite or white fillings. We just did this for a patient and the results were fantastic. Both the patient and myself were really happy with the results and we are both happy to share the before and after pictures! Cut and Paste this link into your browser: http://drspina.posterous.com/replacing-amalgam-silver-fillings-with-compos