The Skinny on Mini's

As new technological advancements grow bigger & bigger, the results tend to be thinner & thinner. Microwaves, iPods, TVs & even hamburges have all maintained their original functions, but have shrunk quite a bit in size.

Electronics & food aren't the only advancements making waves. The dental industry has also changed with the advancement of implants--and now mini implants. Although mini dental implants (MDI's) have been around for a couple of decades, it is only in recent years they have made their mark mainstream.

Dental implants are used to replace a missing tooth/teeth or to secure a loose denture. Mini dental implants are basically a smaller version of a traditional implant, having the same components for function (screw & abutment), just in smaller form. The screw is what anchors to the bone & the abutment is placed on top of the screw to connect it to a crown, in the case of replacing a missing tooth. If a MDI is used to secure a loose denture, chances are, there will be at least 2-4 mini implants recommended. The implant screw is still anchored into the bone, but in a denture case, a special attachment is used to connect the screw to the denture. This special attachment allows the denture to snap into place for security.

Becasue MDI's are smaller and take less time to place, they are approximately half the cost of a traditional implant. And best of all, most patients have the crown & implant ,or the implants & denture placed in the same day with little to no discomfort.

In addition to providing replacement for missing teeth or security for loose dentures, both MDI's & traditional dental implants provide a way to help keep your bone. Over time, if a tooth is lost & no implant has been placed, the bone shrinks and begins to cause other problems.

So if you have a missing tooth/teeth or have loose or ill-fitting dentures, contact your dentist to see if you are a candidate for mini dental implants. Your frustrations aren't shrinking, but your bone is... so call today!

Dentistry - Key Identifier in Cancer Treatment Success

Picture any visit to the doctor resulting in a converstation about the need for cancer treatment. A myriad of questions begin to form, with the primary one asking, "what do I do now?" If this ever happens to you in the future, there are two key healthcare professionals that must immediately become your best friends...your oncologist & your dentist. Your oncologist, for obvious reasons, and your dentist to help prevent serious problems.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are used to kill cancer cells. But these treatments also harm and/or kill normal cells as well. Some of the side effects cause serious problems in the mouth--some serious enough to delay or stop treatment. Some of these side effects include: Dry mouth, Increase in cavities, Loss of taste, Sore gums, Increased infections, Jaw stiffness & bone changes. Because the side effects often happen when a person's mouth is not healthy, it is recommended that you see a dental professional at least 2 weeks prior to undergoing any form of radiation or chemotherapy treatment.

If you don't have a dentist, ask your oncologist for a recommendation. If you do have a dentist, contact the office to schedule a quick exam and consultation. At this visit, the dentist will check your teeth, take any necessary xrays, and show you how to care for your mouth during your treatment. Make sure the dentist can contact your oncologist for questions regarding your cancer treatment. They may also want to confer regarding any dental treatments you may need prior to starting any cancer treatment.

One of the keys to cancer treatment success is looking at your mouth on a daily basis, keeping it moist with lots of water, saliva substitutes, or sugarless candies/gum, brushing & flossing daily and contacting your dentist about any mouth problems that may occur during or after cancer treatment.

Regardless of where the cancer is located in the body, your dentist is a key part of your cancer treatment success team.

A Dish Best Served Cold

Fortunately, I'm not talking about revenge...but I am referencing the coveted all-american treat of ice cream, in honor of National Ice Cream Month! This crazy commemoration was created for us by Ronald Reagan back in 1984--(you just can't beat a president with a great sense of humor....and sweet tooth!) Like many others, I assume he probably topped his favorite flavor with, you guessed it, jelly beans. Apparently jelly beans brought him much intuition & wisdom, for he once said, "You can tell a lot about a fellow's characher by the way he eats jelly beans." (He noticed some would eat only one color, while others would eat many flavors at once.) Well, I am here to tell you that you can also tell a lot about a person's teeth by the way he/she eats jelly beans (and other candy as well).

Ever experience a burning sensation in your gums or in between teeth when eating something sweet like candy? Ever experience pain or sensitivity when eating something cold like ice cream? These symptoms are indicative that there is something unhealthy about the tooth/teeth. Depending upon the severity of the pain or sensitivity, the treatment is usually something small, common & routine, such as a filling. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeing a dental professional for treatment will eliminate the pain/sensitivity, restore the teeth back to health & help ensure you don't have any suddent toothache-style interruptions to your summer. Just remember...teeth that need treatment get worse over time, which means the treatments become bigger..as does the price.

Enjoy the hot summer days with a cold beverage, a popsicle or a cold bowl of ice cream. And if you experience any pain or sensitivity when you do, contact a dental professional. The summer's long from over, so ensure you can enjoy the rest of it with a pain-free healthy mouth.