Determination of a patient's capacity to chew adequately is an important part of the periodic denture exam. Studies in the United Kingdom and Japan have found that maintaining 20 or more natural teeth represents an important cut-off for adequate nutrition.
In addition to tooth loss, chewing effectiveness may be impaired by pain; crooked , worn or loose teeth; dry mouth; loss of tooth or bone support for the bite; joint dysfunction; or ill-fitting dentures. Complete denture wearers have about one-fifth the chewing ability of persons with natural teeth and take more laxatives and anti-reflux drugs for gastro-intestinal problems.
Existing dentures need to be carefully evaluated for fit, comfort and function. Dr. Dulski evaluates dentures for stability, retention, support for the bite and esthetics of the face, bite contacts and alignment, tissue extension and pressure. For a free comprehensive denture examination by Dr. Dulski to spot problems, visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester at http://www.dulski.com/banner.html.
Tags: Denture Exam, Dentures, Dental Implants
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
The American Dental Association lists eight warning signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease in its early stages is often painless. It is the most common cause for tooth loss for adults age 35 years or older and it affects 75% of this age group. Don't wait till it hurts. The eight warning signs are:
1) Gums that bleed when you brush.
2) Gums that are red, tender or swollen.
3) Gums that have pulled away or receded from the teeth.
4) Pus between teeth and gums when the gums are pressed.
5) Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
6) Change in the way your teeth fit when biting.
7) Any change in the fit of partial dentures.
8) Persistent bad breath.
If one or more of these warning signs apply to you, bring it to the attention of your dentist or hygienist. Act now to save your teeth for a life-time. For a free comprehensive dental examination by Dr. Dulski to screen for periodontal disease, visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester at http://www.dulski.com/banner.html.
Tags: Periodontal Disease, Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
1) Gums that bleed when you brush.
2) Gums that are red, tender or swollen.
3) Gums that have pulled away or receded from the teeth.
4) Pus between teeth and gums when the gums are pressed.
5) Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
6) Change in the way your teeth fit when biting.
7) Any change in the fit of partial dentures.
8) Persistent bad breath.
If one or more of these warning signs apply to you, bring it to the attention of your dentist or hygienist. Act now to save your teeth for a life-time. For a free comprehensive dental examination by Dr. Dulski to screen for periodontal disease, visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester at http://www.dulski.com/banner.html.
Tags: Periodontal Disease, Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Link Between Diabetes and Gum Disease
Did you know that gum disease is often linked to the control of diabetes? If you are a person with diabetes, ask your dentist to show you how to keep your teeth and gums healthy because persons with diabetes get gum disease more often than people who do not have diabetes, and gum infections can make it harder to control blood sugar. Conversely, good blood sugar control can prevent gum disease.
Because diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. Keeping your own teeth is important for healthy eating. Natural teeth help you chew foods better and easier than you can with dentures. Good nutrition is another way that healthy teeth and gums can make it easier to control blood sugar.
Persons with diabetes with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and lose more teeth than persons who have good control of their diabetes. It is possible to have periodontal disease and not be aware of it. An early warning sign of periodontal disease is bleeding gums. Healthy gums do not bleed. A later warning sign is loose teeth. Unfortunately, at this later stage of periodontal disease, so much supporting bone has been lost that there is no alternative than to remove the teeth.
Because of lowered resistance and a longer healing process, periodontal disease often appears more frequently and more severely among persons with diabetes. That's why good maintenance of blood sugar levels, a well-balanced diet, good oral care at home, regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations at each appointment are important. For a free comprehensive dental examination by Dr. Dulski to spot problems which could affect the control of your diabetic condition, visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester at http://www.dulski.com/banner.html.
Tags: Gum Disease, Periodontal Disease, Diabetes, Dental Examination
Because diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. Keeping your own teeth is important for healthy eating. Natural teeth help you chew foods better and easier than you can with dentures. Good nutrition is another way that healthy teeth and gums can make it easier to control blood sugar.
Persons with diabetes with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and lose more teeth than persons who have good control of their diabetes. It is possible to have periodontal disease and not be aware of it. An early warning sign of periodontal disease is bleeding gums. Healthy gums do not bleed. A later warning sign is loose teeth. Unfortunately, at this later stage of periodontal disease, so much supporting bone has been lost that there is no alternative than to remove the teeth.
Because of lowered resistance and a longer healing process, periodontal disease often appears more frequently and more severely among persons with diabetes. That's why good maintenance of blood sugar levels, a well-balanced diet, good oral care at home, regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations at each appointment are important. For a free comprehensive dental examination by Dr. Dulski to spot problems which could affect the control of your diabetic condition, visit Adult Dentistry of Rochester at http://www.dulski.com/banner.html.
Tags: Gum Disease, Periodontal Disease, Diabetes, Dental Examination
Monday, November 29, 2010
Top 10 Critical Things You Should Know Before You Select A Sedation Dentist
Sedation dentistry is a great option for patients with dental phobias, patients requiring large amounts of dental work, and patients who just prefer to sleep through their appointment. However, sedation is a powerful tool, and you don't want to entrust your safety to just anyone. These guidelines can help you choose the practitioner who's right for you.
1) Check the doctor's credentials. Unlike other dental specialties (oral surgery, orthodontics, ect.) sedation dentistry is not recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a specialty. However, sedation dentists receive certification through The University of the State of New York Education Department. The sedation dentist should also be licensed through the New York State Dental Board.
2) Investigate the doctor's training. The best sedation dentistry practitioners didn't just go to dental school; they also completed extensive post-graduate training programs that focus specifically on issues of sedation dentistry. In addition, the best dentists regularly attend continuing education classes to stay up-to-date on new procedures and materials. Is the dentist a member of professional organizations such as the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) which promotes quality continuing education courses to its members?
3) Start with a consultation. Going in for a consultation is a great way to learn more about a dentist and dental practice. Consultations are generally inexpensive, and are sometimes even offered for free. Talk to the dentist before you commit to anything. Remember, it's your job to make an educated decision.
4) Look for sedation experience. Sedation dentistry is as much an art as it is a science. In general, the more sedation dentistry that the dentist has performed, the more comfortable and safe will be your sedation dentistry experience. And sedation dentistry is more than just the health of your teeth; the dentist should also consider the health of your gums and supporting bone.
5) Communication is key. It's essential that you be able to talk to your dentist - and that your dentist will listen to you! There's a lot of dialogue that needs to go into an individual long-term treatment plan. If you feel bullied, pressured, or rushed, then that's probably not the right dentist for you.
6) Review before and after photos and testimonials. Take a look at the dentist's portfolio before you make up your mind. What do patients report about their experience? Pay specific attention to cases that are similar to yours. Make sure that the photos are of actual work done by the dentist, not just stock photos.
7) Don's pay too much - or too little. Some dentist charge more marketing themselves as high-end cosmetic dentists offering Hollywood smile makeovers. Other dentists try to make up for poor materials and shoddy work by offering low prices. Beware of extremes.
8) An honest dentist sets realistic expectations. Watch out for doctors who promise more that they can deliver. You want a dentist who will tell you what can and cannot be done for your smile. You need to know how long the process will take, any complications that could occur, expected longevity of the restoration, and cost. Get a written fee estimate.
9) Technology is cool, but it's not the only thing. A dentist with high-tech modern equipment like digital x-rays and intra-oral cameras is more likely to be up-to-date on modern techniques. At the same time, however, don't let yourself be dazzled by a dentist's fancy tools; what really matters is that the dentist knows how to use them properly.
10) A good lab technician is a valuable asset. The dentist might decide on the treatment plan, but it's the lab technician who'll actually fabricate the porcelain veneers, crowns or dentures used to restore your smile. Great dentists are proud of their lab technicians and the materials that they use.
We know that selecting a sedation dentist is not easy. Here at Adult Dentistry of Rochester, we want you to know that you can contact Dr. Dulski personally with any questions or concerns at http://www.dulski.com/contact.html.
Tags: Sedation Dentistry, Dental Phobias, Sedation Dentistry, Sedation Dentist
1) Check the doctor's credentials. Unlike other dental specialties (oral surgery, orthodontics, ect.) sedation dentistry is not recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a specialty. However, sedation dentists receive certification through The University of the State of New York Education Department. The sedation dentist should also be licensed through the New York State Dental Board.
2) Investigate the doctor's training. The best sedation dentistry practitioners didn't just go to dental school; they also completed extensive post-graduate training programs that focus specifically on issues of sedation dentistry. In addition, the best dentists regularly attend continuing education classes to stay up-to-date on new procedures and materials. Is the dentist a member of professional organizations such as the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) which promotes quality continuing education courses to its members?
3) Start with a consultation. Going in for a consultation is a great way to learn more about a dentist and dental practice. Consultations are generally inexpensive, and are sometimes even offered for free. Talk to the dentist before you commit to anything. Remember, it's your job to make an educated decision.
4) Look for sedation experience. Sedation dentistry is as much an art as it is a science. In general, the more sedation dentistry that the dentist has performed, the more comfortable and safe will be your sedation dentistry experience. And sedation dentistry is more than just the health of your teeth; the dentist should also consider the health of your gums and supporting bone.
5) Communication is key. It's essential that you be able to talk to your dentist - and that your dentist will listen to you! There's a lot of dialogue that needs to go into an individual long-term treatment plan. If you feel bullied, pressured, or rushed, then that's probably not the right dentist for you.
6) Review before and after photos and testimonials. Take a look at the dentist's portfolio before you make up your mind. What do patients report about their experience? Pay specific attention to cases that are similar to yours. Make sure that the photos are of actual work done by the dentist, not just stock photos.
7) Don's pay too much - or too little. Some dentist charge more marketing themselves as high-end cosmetic dentists offering Hollywood smile makeovers. Other dentists try to make up for poor materials and shoddy work by offering low prices. Beware of extremes.
8) An honest dentist sets realistic expectations. Watch out for doctors who promise more that they can deliver. You want a dentist who will tell you what can and cannot be done for your smile. You need to know how long the process will take, any complications that could occur, expected longevity of the restoration, and cost. Get a written fee estimate.
9) Technology is cool, but it's not the only thing. A dentist with high-tech modern equipment like digital x-rays and intra-oral cameras is more likely to be up-to-date on modern techniques. At the same time, however, don't let yourself be dazzled by a dentist's fancy tools; what really matters is that the dentist knows how to use them properly.
10) A good lab technician is a valuable asset. The dentist might decide on the treatment plan, but it's the lab technician who'll actually fabricate the porcelain veneers, crowns or dentures used to restore your smile. Great dentists are proud of their lab technicians and the materials that they use.
We know that selecting a sedation dentist is not easy. Here at Adult Dentistry of Rochester, we want you to know that you can contact Dr. Dulski personally with any questions or concerns at http://www.dulski.com/contact.html.
Tags: Sedation Dentistry, Dental Phobias, Sedation Dentistry, Sedation Dentist
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
Dental insurance is a benefit plan, unlike your medical insurance. Dental insurance is an agreement made between your employer and the insurance company to help pay for some of your dental needs. The more that your employer pays for coverage, the lower your out-of-pocket expense will be.
The services covered by the policy are totally arbitrary and have no relation to the treatment that you need or want. At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski's responsibility is to advise you what treatments are available and the risks and benefits of each. Your insurance contract is designed by lawyers and accountants to control costs for the insurer.
We can only estimate your insurance benefit prior to service. At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, we deal with thousands of plans and hundreds of types of treatment each year. Most insurance carriers refuse to release the details of their plans. They change policies and reimbursements constantly and without notice.
Occasionally, we are asked to send a written request to the insurance carrier for an estimate. This pre-authorization is rarely required, despite contract language that is designed to suggest otherwise. The process is so long and frustrating for patients that statistically nearly 70% of the planned treatment never gets done. Plus, carriers rarely disclose what the actual dollar amount of the reimbursement will be. Even after all that time and effort, the carrier is not obliged to honor the pre-authorization once treatment is completed. That's why Adult Dentistry of Rochester does not submit pre-authorizations. Honestly, if you can't afford the risk of the insurer not paying the estimated portion, then you can't yet afford to proceed with the planned treatment.
We are happy to process your paperwork for you. To accept insurance, we ask you to keep a credit card on file. Before treatment, we will approximate your coverage and ask for your estimated co-payment. After insurance pays, we will credit or charge your card to reconcile the difference. Whether your insurer pays some, all, or none of the estimated coverage, remember that you are ultimately responsible for payment. To learn the financial options that are available at Adult Dentistry of Rochester to pay for your dental needs, visit http://www.dulski.com/affordable.html.
Tags: Dental Insurance, Payment Plans
The services covered by the policy are totally arbitrary and have no relation to the treatment that you need or want. At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski's responsibility is to advise you what treatments are available and the risks and benefits of each. Your insurance contract is designed by lawyers and accountants to control costs for the insurer.
We can only estimate your insurance benefit prior to service. At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, we deal with thousands of plans and hundreds of types of treatment each year. Most insurance carriers refuse to release the details of their plans. They change policies and reimbursements constantly and without notice.
Occasionally, we are asked to send a written request to the insurance carrier for an estimate. This pre-authorization is rarely required, despite contract language that is designed to suggest otherwise. The process is so long and frustrating for patients that statistically nearly 70% of the planned treatment never gets done. Plus, carriers rarely disclose what the actual dollar amount of the reimbursement will be. Even after all that time and effort, the carrier is not obliged to honor the pre-authorization once treatment is completed. That's why Adult Dentistry of Rochester does not submit pre-authorizations. Honestly, if you can't afford the risk of the insurer not paying the estimated portion, then you can't yet afford to proceed with the planned treatment.
We are happy to process your paperwork for you. To accept insurance, we ask you to keep a credit card on file. Before treatment, we will approximate your coverage and ask for your estimated co-payment. After insurance pays, we will credit or charge your card to reconcile the difference. Whether your insurer pays some, all, or none of the estimated coverage, remember that you are ultimately responsible for payment. To learn the financial options that are available at Adult Dentistry of Rochester to pay for your dental needs, visit http://www.dulski.com/affordable.html.
Tags: Dental Insurance, Payment Plans
Monday, November 15, 2010
Conditioning And The Origin Of Dental Phobia
If you dread the dentist, then you are not alone. 50% of Americans are afraid of the dentist. How does this common fear of the dentist become the disabling disorder of dental phobia?
A dental phobia is a persistent and unreasonable fear that results in a compelling desire to avoid the dreaded object, activity or situation. There are three characteristics that distinguish a phobia from ordinary, everyday fears. First, you are persistently afraid of the situation over a long period of time. Second, you know that your fear is unreasonable, even though this recognition does not help to dispel it. Finally, what is most characteristic of a phobia is your avoidance of the feared situation. Being unreasonably afraid of something is not yet a phobia; the phobia begins when you actually start avoiding what you fear.
Only when you start to avoid that situation do you "learn" to be phobic. A cardinal principle in behavioral psychology is that any behavior that is rewarded tends to be repeated. Avoiding a situation you're anxious about is obviously rewarded - the reward being the reduction of anxiety. Each time you avoid the situation, the reward of being relieved of anxiety follows, and so your behavior gets strengthened and tends to be repeated. Your avoidance works very will in saving you from anxiety. Learning to stay away from a fearful situation because it is rewarding to do so is what constitutes conditioning by avoidance. Avoidance conditioning is the most critical process in the formation of any phobia.
The most effective way to overcome a phobia is simply to face it. Continuing to avoid a situation that frightens you is, more that anything else, what keeps the phobia alive. Having to face a particular situation you have been avoiding for years may at the outset seem an impossible task. Instead of entering a situation all at once, you can do it gradually in small increments. Here at Adult Dentistry of Rochester, we practice the process of desensitization, or exposure, which is the unlearning of the connection between anxiety and the dental experience. The goal is to unlearn the connection between a phobic situation and re-associate feelings of relaxation and safety with that particular situation. We can train you to relax and feel safe in response to the dental experience so that you will no longer feel anxious about it. Relaxation and anxiety are incompatible responses, so the goal of desensitization is to learn to remain in the phobic situation and be calm at the same time.
Exposure therapy demands a strong commitment on your part. If you're genuinely committed to overcoming your dental phobia, then (1), you'll be willing to take the risk to start facing the dentistry that you may have been avoiding for years, (2), tolerate the initial discomfort that entering the dental office, even in small increments, often involves, and (3), persist in practicing exposure on a consistent basis, despite probable setbacks, over a long enough period of time to allow your complete recovery. Generally, this takes from six months to two years. If you're ready to make a genuine commitment to real-life desensitization, then you will recover from your dental phobia. For practical, step-by-step directions for mastery of these techniques, refer to Dr. Edmund Bourne's, The Anxiety And Phobia Workbook. For Dr. Dulski's help overcoming dental anxiety and phobia at Adult Dentistry of Rochester, visit http://www.dulski.com/oral.html.
Tags: Dental Phobia, Dental Anxiety, Sedation Dentistry
A dental phobia is a persistent and unreasonable fear that results in a compelling desire to avoid the dreaded object, activity or situation. There are three characteristics that distinguish a phobia from ordinary, everyday fears. First, you are persistently afraid of the situation over a long period of time. Second, you know that your fear is unreasonable, even though this recognition does not help to dispel it. Finally, what is most characteristic of a phobia is your avoidance of the feared situation. Being unreasonably afraid of something is not yet a phobia; the phobia begins when you actually start avoiding what you fear.
Only when you start to avoid that situation do you "learn" to be phobic. A cardinal principle in behavioral psychology is that any behavior that is rewarded tends to be repeated. Avoiding a situation you're anxious about is obviously rewarded - the reward being the reduction of anxiety. Each time you avoid the situation, the reward of being relieved of anxiety follows, and so your behavior gets strengthened and tends to be repeated. Your avoidance works very will in saving you from anxiety. Learning to stay away from a fearful situation because it is rewarding to do so is what constitutes conditioning by avoidance. Avoidance conditioning is the most critical process in the formation of any phobia.
The most effective way to overcome a phobia is simply to face it. Continuing to avoid a situation that frightens you is, more that anything else, what keeps the phobia alive. Having to face a particular situation you have been avoiding for years may at the outset seem an impossible task. Instead of entering a situation all at once, you can do it gradually in small increments. Here at Adult Dentistry of Rochester, we practice the process of desensitization, or exposure, which is the unlearning of the connection between anxiety and the dental experience. The goal is to unlearn the connection between a phobic situation and re-associate feelings of relaxation and safety with that particular situation. We can train you to relax and feel safe in response to the dental experience so that you will no longer feel anxious about it. Relaxation and anxiety are incompatible responses, so the goal of desensitization is to learn to remain in the phobic situation and be calm at the same time.
Exposure therapy demands a strong commitment on your part. If you're genuinely committed to overcoming your dental phobia, then (1), you'll be willing to take the risk to start facing the dentistry that you may have been avoiding for years, (2), tolerate the initial discomfort that entering the dental office, even in small increments, often involves, and (3), persist in practicing exposure on a consistent basis, despite probable setbacks, over a long enough period of time to allow your complete recovery. Generally, this takes from six months to two years. If you're ready to make a genuine commitment to real-life desensitization, then you will recover from your dental phobia. For practical, step-by-step directions for mastery of these techniques, refer to Dr. Edmund Bourne's, The Anxiety And Phobia Workbook. For Dr. Dulski's help overcoming dental anxiety and phobia at Adult Dentistry of Rochester, visit http://www.dulski.com/oral.html.
Tags: Dental Phobia, Dental Anxiety, Sedation Dentistry
Friday, November 12, 2010
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Thanks to advances in dental materials and techniques, tooth-colored ceramic-polymer composites now substitute for the black mercury-metal amalgams of the last 150 years. These tooth-colored fillings not only look like natural teeth, they are bonded to the tooth with dental adhesive to seal out leakage and decay.
Composite fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium that provides the tooth color. Composites provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-medium-size restorations. Less tooth structure is removed in preparing the tooth for restoration, resulting in conservation of tooth structure and strength. The strength of a filled tooth is proportional to the percentage of remaining tooth structure. For larger restoration, crowns are placed to restore the tooth to its original strength to resist fracture under the load of chewing forces.
Several factors influence the performance, durability, longevity, and cost of dental restorations. At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski evaluates the patient's oral and general health, the components used in the restorative material, where in the patient's smile the restoration is to be placed, and the direction and force of chewing forces that the restored tooth will bear. To help you decide which restoration is right for you, visit http://www.dulski.com/restorative-dentistry.html.
Tags: Amalgams, Silver Fillings, Composites, Tooth-Colored Fillings, Cosmetic Dentistry
Composite fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium that provides the tooth color. Composites provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-medium-size restorations. Less tooth structure is removed in preparing the tooth for restoration, resulting in conservation of tooth structure and strength. The strength of a filled tooth is proportional to the percentage of remaining tooth structure. For larger restoration, crowns are placed to restore the tooth to its original strength to resist fracture under the load of chewing forces.
Several factors influence the performance, durability, longevity, and cost of dental restorations. At Adult Dentistry of Rochester, Dr. Dulski evaluates the patient's oral and general health, the components used in the restorative material, where in the patient's smile the restoration is to be placed, and the direction and force of chewing forces that the restored tooth will bear. To help you decide which restoration is right for you, visit http://www.dulski.com/restorative-dentistry.html.
Tags: Amalgams, Silver Fillings, Composites, Tooth-Colored Fillings, Cosmetic Dentistry
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