Bad teeth, broken dreams: Lack of dental care keeps many out of jobs

With five broken teeth, three cavities and a painful gum abscess spreading to her sinuses, Patty Kennedy knew she had to get in line early for a free dental clinic held last month in San Jose, Calif.

The 53-year-old woman from Modesto, nearly 100 miles away, was counting on the care to repair not only her smile and her worsening health — but also her chances of getting a job.

“I’d love to work at a grocery store as a cashier. I’d even go for bagger,” said Kennedy, who camped out overnight at the CDA Cares clinic sponsored by the California Dental Association Foundation. “At this point, I’d do whatever.”

But like many of the more than 2,200 people who showed up for the 5:30 a.m. clinic on May 18 and 19, Kennedy knew that bad teeth translate into poor employment prospects, even for the best workers.

“I really don’t smile a lot,” said Kennedy, whose husband, Lucas, also 53, lost his job five years ago when California’s construction economy tanked. “I know that when you have a job, you want to have a pleasant attitude and you’ve got to smile and be friendly.”

Written by JoNel Aleccia. To read the full article, click here. For more information on dentistry, visit our website http://www.regencydentalofstuart.com/

Hundreds line up in Laurel for free dental care

LAUREL, Md. (WJLA) – Hundreds of people are getting free dental care at Saint Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland. Friday and Saturday, dentists will provide everything from cleanings to surgery for free for as many adults as possible. Patients started lining up before sunrise Friday.

For Ruth, a Prince George’s County resident, Friday was the first time in five years that she’s seen a dentist.

“Oh it just wonderful when someone is giving you services like this wonderful dentist here,” said Ruth. “It means everything.”

More than 300 volunteer dentists, hygienists and pharmacists are providing the dental care. The pop-up dental clinic is expected to serve about 800 people and provide $650,000 in dental work.

“We’re doing what we can to get them out of pain and get them restored back to some sort of function,” explained Chris Liang, a dentist participating in the pop up clinic.

Written by Brianne Carter. To read the full article, click here.

5 things to do at the dentist’s office

(CNN) — The recent news in Tulsa, Oklahoma, brings to light an issue that is rare, but nonetheless important — cross infection in the dental office, or the transfer of infection from one patient to another in a health care environment.
The unfortunate reality is that you, as the consumer, have very little chance of knowing what’s going on — it’s a huge trust relationship. Cross contamination is literally invisible because it’s caused by microbes invisible to the human eye, so only the professionals can guarantee that it doesn’t happen.
That doesn’t mean it’s out of your control. Use this checklist to find out how seriously your dentist takes the issue of infection control procedures.

Written by Dr. Mark Burhenne. To read the full article, click here.

How Bonding Can Fix Crooked and Broken Teeth

Bonding is an uncomplicated treatment within dentistry for repairing slightly damaged or cracked teeth. It is also a painless procedure that provides a positive cosmetic solution as well. Bonding can also used to fill gaps between teeth, align crooked teeth, cover minor cracks and repair tooth decay to a limited extent. As with most medical issues, the sooner the problem is identified the more likely a solution can be found. This means regular visits to your dentist and routine brushing and flossing as often as possible.

How Does Bonding Work?
Put simply, bonding is the specialized application of a white resin to the damaged area of a tooth. Your family dentist will match the resin to the natural color of your own teeth in order to ensure a natural look when you smile. The flexible resin can be applied to existing cavities, or even molded and shaped to bridge gaps or cracked and broken teeth. The material hardens or bonds to the original tooth when your dentist directs a special light to the area they have repaired.

Article from Dentistry.net. See more here.

What Does a Crown Lengthening Do?

Crown lengthening is a process in dentistry where the gum tissue or bone is removed to expose more of a tooth. This procedure is common in dentistry and is often used during root canals and sometimes for fillings. Crown lengthening is necessary when a tooth needs to be treated but very less of it sticks above the gum to support a filling or a crown. This can be due to the tooth breaking off at the gum line.

A crown lengthening also occurs when there is decay underneath a tooth and the crown or filling falls out. If the dentist needs to do a filling or replace the crown, he will need to expose more of the tooth. Therefore the gum tissue and sometimes the bone around the affected tooth need to be removed.

Another condition for which crown lengthening may be needed is known as “gummy smile.” Some people have a lot of gum tissue around their upper teeth. To improve their smile, their dentist will conduct a crown lengthening. With more of the crown exposed, the smile looks much more appealing. How it’s done The procedure involves the use of local anesthesia. The time required for the whole treatment depends on the number of teeth that need to be lengthened. If only one tooth needs to be lengthened, even then the neighboring teeth are included in the treatment in order to give a natural look to the reshaped gum tissue.

Article from Dentistry.net. See more here.

Best Toothpastes for Whitening Your Teeth

We always like to look our best in public, and our teeth can certainly help boost moral and confidence levels when we smile. Of course it also helps if your teeth are gleaming white and in good shape. Seeing your dentist regularly is one way to ensure that your teeth (and smile) are in the best shape as well as using toothpastes that can assist with whitening, or bleaching.

Whitening your teeth is something you could quite successfully do yourself at home, provided that your teeth are not too stained and using a range of over-the-counter toothpastes readily available for the purpose. Alternately, your family dentist should be able to assist you if you would prefer professional guidance. Either way, it is a safe and effective process provided you follow the maker’s instructions carefully. Over time our teeth become stained and discolored through various causes such as smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating certain foods and we can usually see the tainting quite clearly when we look at ourselves in the mirror. Whitening teeth involves using specific pastes and gels that go about bleaching or removing those unsightly stains that make our teeth look yellow

Article from Dentistry.net. See more here.

Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Basics

In the budding field of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening treatments happens to be most popular treatment, universally. A bright set of pearly whites is a sign of confidence, personality and maintained personal hygiene. Several kinds of cosmetic tooth bleaching or whitening solutions available, which suit all kinds of budgets, time restrictions and personal choices.

Therefore, we can comprehend, cosmetic tooth whitening suits everyone. There are several people who have opted to get their teeth whitened and have witnessed moderate to drastic enhancements in the whiteness and brightness of their teeth. However, we must know that teeth whitening doesn’t last forever and should be regularly touched-up to for long lasting effects. These are some of the commonly available teeth whitening alternatives for you:

Article from Dentistry.net. See more here.

Crown Lengthening for a Prettier Smile

“If you’re bothered by a “gummy” smile or teeth that you feel are too small, you may want to consider crown lengthening. Also known as a gum lift, this cosmetic dentistry procedure can beautify your smile by exposing more of your teeth.

“Crown lengthening has been used by dentists for years to improve dental health, but it’s recently been gaining popularity as a cosmetic dentistry technique,” says Kimberly Harms, DDS, a dentist in Farmington, Minn., and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association.

What Is Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is an oral surgery treatment that involves removing excess gum tissue, and possibly some bone, around the upper teeth to make them look longer. It’s a common procedure performed by dentists and periodontists, or gum specialists.

“If the gum line is uneven, crown lengthening can also sculpt the gum line to produce a more symmetrical smile,” says Dr. Harms. Crown lengthening may be done for dental care and medical reasons as well as for the cosmetic effect. If there’s decay or fracture under the gum line, for example, crown lengthening can help expose more of the tooth’s crown in order to support a filling or porcelain crown.”

Written by Jan Sheehan.  To read the full article, click here.

Improve Your Smile: Cosmetic Dentistry 101

“Today, cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever, from whitening and shaping, to closing spaces and replacing teeth. And dentists have a wide array of tools and techniques at their disposal for improving the look of your smile.

Before deciding to undergo any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to know the benefits and risks, and what you can expect during the process. Make sure you’re clear about what it will cost, how much experience your dentist has with the procedure, and whether any special maintenance will be needed afterward.

Teeth Whitening

Over time teeth can become stained or discolored, especially after smoking, taking certain medications, or consuming foods and beverages such as coffee and tea. Using a chemical process, your dentist can bleach your teeth in one of two ways. He can do an in-office procedure, or provide you with a system to use at home.

Your dentist can create a custom mouthpiece that ensures the right amount of whitening solution reaches your teeth. You may find whitening at home more convenient. But it can take two to four weeks. In-office whitening can take place in one or more 45- to 60-minute visits.”

Article by WebMD.  To read the full article, click here.

Considering Veneers for a Hollywood Smile

“If you’re looking for a dazzling smile, veneers could be the answer. Veneers are tooth-colored shells made to cover your natural teeth and produce a bright, beautiful smile.

Veneers can correct a multitude of cosmetic defects, from discolored teeth to slightly crooked teeth to gaps in your smile. And advances in cosmetic dentistry have made veneers look even better today.

“The translucent quality of today’s veneers gives a more natural look than what’s been available in the past,” says Kimberly Harms, DDS, a dentist in Farmington, Minn. and consumer advisor and spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA).

How Veneers Work

Dental veneers are very thin shells made from tooth-like material designed to cover the front surface of teeth. They can be made of porcelain or resin composite materials. Most veneers today are made of porcelain because this material resists stains better and has a light-reflecting quality similar to that of natural teeth. The veneers are placed on the front of the teeth, concealing imperfections and sometimes changing the size, shape, and length of teeth.”

Written by Jan Sheehan.  To read the full article, click here.