Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Dental Halloween Concerns

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Halloween and Your Teeth

Yes it that time of year when everyone inundates our children with candy sandy and more candy. Not only do the kids bounce off the walls from the sugar surge but they are bombarding their teeth with all these wonderful sticky substances. Yes chocolate is good for your soul but it can be bad for your teeth. So in honor of National Dental Hygiene month which is celebrated in October let’s address some protect to our children’s pearly whites.

Most importantly is after eating this gourmet junk food to have them brush their teeth. Getting the sticky stuff off soon after eating will prevent the bacteria, which cause cavities, from have the food source to cause decay.

While brushing isn’t everything adding the element of flossing to the game raises the likelihood of eliminating
cavities and the pain the accompanies this disease.
Try to get the kids to chew more gum or drink liquids as an alternative to stick foods. The gum will stimulate saliva and help again to cleanse the mouth of these nasty cavity bugs.

If you should have any questions regarding oral hygiene and your home care, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 561-394-9000. We will be pleased to schedule you and your child an appointment for a comprehensive examination to be sure that Halloween hasn’t taken a bite out of your teeth!

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Non-Dental Stop Snoring Devices

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Non-Dental Stop Snoring Devices

If you are like me and have a spouse that snores as she says “like a freight train” there are potential underlying health issues that may be accompanying those awful noises. It is always our advice that if you are a snorer that experiences excessive daytime sleepiness. You should be evaluated to determine if you are suffering with an obstructive sleep disorder.

Unfortunately many of us don’t want to go through the hassle or inconvenience of a sleep study in a foreign bedroom. So hear are some novelty suggestion to help with the snoring while keeping in mind that you are not treating the underlying disease.

Breathe Right strips are spring-like devices that are adhered to your nose that help to open airway. A friend of mine who has been diagnoses with Sleep Apnea uses these and says they are effective in helping him decrease his snoring, or at least that what his spouse says.

Another alternative to help decrease your snoring is the anti-snore shirt called REMATEE. This T-shirt worn during sleep has 3 pockets on its back side. Within those pockets are placed foam inserts. These inserts provide resistance that prevent you form rolling onto your back; the most popular position for snoring. Some people have even reported placing tennis balls into the pockets to create a harder surface to again prevent them form rolling on to their back.

If you have any other questions with regards to sleep disorders please give us a call at 561-394-9000. We can arrange an appointment to determine if you indeed have an obstructive sleep disorder and get you started on your way to improved healthier sleep.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Your Dental Helath and Osteoporosis

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Your Dental Health and Osteoporosis

Our awareness about osteoporosis has significantly expanded over the last decade. The advent of bisphosphonates such as Fosamax to treat this potential debilitating disease has improved the quality of life for many women.

In the dental world your dentist needs to no that you are taking bisphosphonates. Why? Serious side effects can result if you are taking these drugs and you need a tooth extracted.

Parish Sedghizadeh, assistant professor of clinical dentistry at the USC School of Dentistry headed a study which demonstrated that even short-term use of oral osteoporosis drugs may leave your jaw bone vulnerable.
He was quoted saying that “we’ve been told that the risk with oral bisphosphonates is negligible, but four percent is not negligible.”

Many doctors who have prescribed bisphosphonates may have not told patients about any oral health risks associated with the use of the drugs. Bisphosphonate use may make than oral infection more aggressive in adhering to the jaw according to Sedghizadeh.

It is very important to make your dentist aware that you are taking such drugs to treat your osteoporosis. Before any extractions are completed your physician can have a blood test performed to verify the amount of the drug is at a safe level.

If you have any further questions about the relationship between bisphosphonates and your dental health, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 561-394-9000. We will arrange an appointment for you to help insure that you maintain the best dental health possible.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Tooth Whitening Your Options

Monday, October 26, 2009

Tooth Whitening…let me count the ways.

A beautiful bright white smile is very desirable.
Naturally we all have different shades of tooth color.
In the early 1990’s dental technology provided us with a simple way to whiten our teeth. Today that whitening process has expanded to provide an individual with multiple choices for achieving the goal of a whiter smile.
So as a consumer what are your choices.

Let’s start with whitening toothpastes. All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.

Whitening gels are by far the most popular form of tooth whitening. There are several alternative ways to obtain these gels. Most obviously is through your dentist. The gels you get from a dentist are time tested for the effectiveness in helping an individual to achieve the white smile they are seeking. The there are the over-the-counter variety of whitening solutions. The main difference between drugstore tooth whitening systems and the ones that dentists use is that the over-the-counter systems work much slower because the gels have lower concentrations of peroxide than the ones used in dentists’ offices. An example of those types of products is Crest White Strips. They are less costly than the gels your dentist will offer and generally not as effective. You must be very diligent and patient to get the greatest effect with these types of products.

The other popular approach for whitening your teeth is ZOOM or Brite Smile. This is the for the immediate action type of person who may not wear trays or strips. It requires sitting in the dental chair for about 2 hours.
The results, while not always predictable, they can be instantly dramatic. This too is more expensive than the over-the-counter options. For those people who “gotta have it and gotta have it now”, it is the best option available.

This is just an overview of the many options available for whitening your teeth. Each system has pros and cons, depending on the individual person. Should you have any additional questions about whitening your teeth, we are here to answer them for you. Please give us a call at 561-394-9000 and we will arrange an appointment for you to determine the best whitening technique for you.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Reducing Dental Numbing Blues

Thursday, October 22, 2009

I hate being numb!

Probably one of the most popular complaints that we hear on a daily basis is “I hate being numb!”
I can’t say that I blame anyone. I too hate being numb.
That being said it is better to be numb than not and experience the pain that comes with getting a tooth restored.

The pain of an injection can be minimized if not avoided altogether. First of all have your dentist apply a topical anesthetic to the area to be injected. This ointment should be left in place for several minutes for it to be effective. When used correctly this topical anesthetic will deaden the tissue where the needle will be entering.

Computer driven syringes will also make the experience of getting numb more comfortable. There are two such systems available The Wand and Comfort Control Syringe (CCS).

Although different in their application, they are similar in the way they deliver the anesthetic in a steady smooth precise control manner. I personally use the CCS and most of my patient rave about how we don’t hurt them. They often state that they didn’t even know that I had used a needle.

Even without a “special syringe” if a dentist takes their time and slowly infuses the anesthetic the patient should be relatively comfortable. Some dentists are even attaching a little vibrating mechanism on their syringe to distract the patient while the injection is being given.

A suggestion to help the numbness go away faster is after your dental appointment go for a power walk or light exercise. The exercise will increase your heart rate and thus your body will metabolize the anesthetic that much faster.

There is truly an art to giving an injection that is comfortable and painless. If you have any questions about this or ay other aspect of your dental health, please give us a call at 561-394-9000. We will be please to arrange for an appointment to help you obtain the highest level of dental health.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Dental Myths

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Dental Myths

People Magazine, National Enquirer, Entertainment Tonight E News. Popular media sources about celebrities and their often complicated lives. We love them for the gossip and the buzz. Rumors are hard to squash and old wise tales live on forever and we all love them and thrive on them.

So what about some dental anecdotes and chitchat?

Have a child lose a tooth?
Researchers at the NYU College of Dentistry found that pregnancy raises the risk of developing gingivitis. Repetitive episodes of gingivitis can lead to worsening periodontal disease which could lead to loss of teeth. Moral of the story: Get your teeth cleaned while you are pregnant!

Laugh Your Teeth Off?
Nitrous Oxide, affectionately known as Laughing Gas, isn’t really that. Actually laughing gas is an analgesic! It is in the same classification as an aspirin; something for relief of pain. It does not put you sleep but it does help your mind experience an amnesic affect. It will help you to forget your dental appointment away, but it certainly will not provide a comedic environment.

There are many of these types of dental myths. Just for fun check out this web site for more amusing antidotes.
http://dentalassistingschool.org/top-10-teeth-myths-that-everyone-still-believes/

If you should have any questions about your dental health, please give us a call at 561-394-9000. Your health is our priority, we would be glad to schedule an appointment to make sure that you maintain the dental health that you desire!

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Implants for You?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Losing a tooth today isn’t like it used to be. Unfortunately there are times whether due to decay, neglect or trauma we have to have a tooth extracted.
It happened to me! In the past our alternatives were a prosthesis that was removable or bridge that requires drilling on the teeth adjacent.

With the advances in dentistry those two procedures are no longer the gold standards for replacing missing teeth.
Dental implants, carefully placed into the bone where the tooth previously resided are now the standard bearers! These wonderful fixtures are made of specially processed titanium. The surface of the implant is treated so that it promotes the growth of bone on and around the implant. As the new bone matures it secures the implant and locks the so that it becomes one with the bone. After the implant and bone have teamed up, which takes a couple of months, a crown can then be placed on the implant.

Even people who have lost all of their teeth and wear dentures can have implants placed. Once the implants have ready to be utilized, special attachments are joined to the implant that will hold a denture in place so that it doesn’t move around or require using a denture adhesive.

If you have any questions regarding implants please give us a call at 561-394-9000. We will arrange an appointment to see if an implant is a solution to your missing teeth.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Stem Cells Grow Jaw Joint!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Stem Cells Are Amazing

Chronic degenerative disease of the temporomandibular joint is can be frighteningly debilitating. Fortunately most people are able to adapt to the arthritic condition. Like a knee or a hip, occasionally the destruction of the joint is so bad that surgical reconstruction is needed.
Unfortunately though implants for temporomandibular joints have not progressed as well as other types of implants.
Now it looks as help may be on the way in the near future. Scientists from Columbia University, using human adult stem cells have recently to build the bones of the temporomandibular joint. The stem cells were obtained form bone marrow and seeded into a “tissue scaffold” that served as a matrix for growing the bone.
According Dr. Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, the lead author on the research, the new technique could also be applied to other bones in the head and neck, including skull bones and cheek bones, which are similarly difficult to graft. Dr. Vunjak-Novakovic pointed out that only bone was created and not other tissue such as cartilage.
If you are experiencing temporomandibular joint pain and questions about the option available to treat a temporomandibular joint disorder, please give us a call at 561-394-9000.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

I HATE MY DENTURE!

Monday, October 12, 2009

I HATE MY DENTURE

A new patient came to see me. “I hate my denture! It is always slipping out of place and my other dentist told me I don’t have enough bone for an implant. What can I do?”

The solution for this patient and others like her is a “mini implant”. People who have suffered loss of bone in their jaw due to aging or as the side effect of wearing a traditional denture can be candidates for implants after all. In many cases the implant dentist can “grow bone” by performing a surgical procedure called a “bone graft”. A successful bone graft will allow for the placement of traditional dental implants.

In some cases, bone grafts cannot be performed. In those instances mini implants may be the solution to help the denture stay in place and to avoid those embarrassing slips.

Mini implants do not require a surgical incision to be made in the gums. Simply placed, they are then immediately available to be used to help retain the denture. A new set of dentures is not required, a special attachment inserts into the existing denture and attaches to the implant. The dentures are still easily removable for cleaning, but they won’t shift while chewing or talking.

With stable dentures this patient will achieve a more natural look and gain new self-confidence.

If your dentures are uncomfortable and an occasional embarrassment please call Dr. Mogell at 561-394-9000 to see if you are a candidate for dental implants than can help improve your quality of life.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Sleep Hygiene

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Sleep Hygiene

How many times when you are at a dental office does your dental hygienist or dentist remind you of the need to floss and brush to maintain good oral hygiene? Of course you know how important is to do all the things necessary to preserve a healthy mouth, but what about sleep hygiene, your sleep habits?

The purpose for sleep is to allow our bodies to recover, regenerate and heal. Without the appropriate amount of sleep we increase the risk of disease and illness. Our quality of our sleep is affect by many factors and there are things that we can do to improve our sleep on a nightly basis. By improving your sleep habits, you can increase your chance of falling asleep fast, staying asleep and sleeping between seven to nine hours each night.

Some suggestions from the experts to improve the quality of you sleep.

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will train your body to sleep on a schedule. Create a nightly ritual to signal that it is time to sleep.

The bedroom should be used only for sleep and sex. Don’t put that book by your bedside and be tempted to open it. Men, keep that remote control away from your reach. That means no reading in bed and no TV in bed. Doing these things will just send the wrong signals to your body and make it difficult to fall asleep.

Alcohol before sleep is a non-no. That small glass of wine can make it more difficult to stay asleep. That drink may feel good going down and you might fall asleep just fine, but you will likely wake up in the middle of the night. This effect is caused by a rebound in blood sugar and withdrawal from the alcohol after it is metabolized.

Don't Smoke, the nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant that will keep you awake. Exercising is of great benefit to enhance your restful sleep. Lastly, keep your bedroom dark!

If you are having difficulty sleep, improving your sleep hygiene may help. If not this may be your body’s way of telling you that you may have a sleep disorder. If you have any questions regarding the hygiene of sleep or sleep disorders, please give us a call at 561-394-9000. We will try to answer your questions and get you on the right path to better a healthy better night of sleep.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Eye For An Eye, tooth for a .....

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

An eye for an eye, a tooth for an eye?

We are all familiar with the figure of speech “an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth”, well here’s a new slant to that metaphor.

At the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School Of Medicine earlier this month, corneal specialist Dr. Victor L. Perez performed a surgical procedure that entailed implanting a patient tooth in her eye to hold a prosthetic lens in place.

The patient had a rare skin condition which also destroys cells on the surface of the eye. As a result cornea was scarred and she lost her sight.
Dr. Perez was quoted “For certain patients whose bodies reject a transplanted or artificial cornea, this procedure 'of last resort' implants the patient's tooth in the eye to anchor a prosthetic lens and restore vision".

The surgery has been successful and within two weeks the patient was able to read newsprint and had a visual acuity of 20/70. In another strange twist to this story was that the tooth the doctor choose to use for the procedure was the canine, otherwise known as the eye tooth!
We continue to discover how dental health isn’t just about the mouth. The relationship of dental diseases to diseases throughout the body is growing.

This is just another illustration to the importance of taking car of your teeth and having them cleaned by our hygienist regularly. One never knows when you will need your teeth or what for! Give us a call at 561-394-900 to schedule your next appointment.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Is there are dentist in the house?

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Emergency Room Dentistry?

Recently an article in USA Today found that people are beginning to use emergency rooms for dental care. The newspaper quoted a patient that had gone to the University of Virginia Medical center with a “horrible toothache”.
According to personal at the medical center, dental visits are the 5th most common reason for people to walk into an emergency room.
Why is this happening? It could be due to many individual who don’t have dental insurance and hope that the medical staff at an emergency room will attend to them. In instances such as these an emergency room will have the ability to provide antibiotics for infection and possibly pain medication, but the need to still be seen by a dentist will exist if the source of the pain and infection is to be eliminated.
This emphasizes the need for routine visits to a dental office to have your teeth cleaned and examined periodically. Usually an episode of dental pain can be avoided with these periodic appointments. Please call our office to arrange a cleaning and examination. We can be reached at 561-394-9000.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.