TOOTH WHITENING

Tooth whitening, or tooth bleaching, has been a popular service of dental offices for over a decade.  The actual process of whitening is most often done at home but it can be done in the dental office as well.  The bleach that is used in either case is the same.  The concentrations differ.  Tooth bleach  has been shown to be very benign in the mouth and harmless to teeth. It is called carbamide peroxide, which is a stabilized form of hydrogen peroxide

The in-office concentrations are higher and thus can achieve the whitening faster, usually in one appointment.

Whitening done at home is slower and gentler.  Centercare uses a 3-minute bleach that no longer needs overnight application.  The material is placed in a custom tray that fits tightly over the teeth and left in place.  Because the concentration is lower, the process takes longer, typically a couple of weeks.  Check out our websit http://www.centercare.net/ for more information! 





VIRAL INFECTIONS OF THE MOUTH IMAGES

Introduction to Viral Infections in the Mouth

One of the challenges in managing dental health is controlling viral infections of the lips and other soft tissues.  Viruses are contagious and, once an infection has occurred, the virus remains present in tissue cells, even though the symptoms are gone, and can recur in the future.  There are two broad forms of viral infections in the mouth.

·         Herpes, type I, is the common cold sore.  It can occur on the lips, in the nose, on the palate and inside the cheeks.  When a flare-up occurs, it takes over a week to go away.  In severe cases, multiple sores occur and systemic anti-viral medications are used.  The single sores are more common and can be treated with ointments.

Newer technology now offers quicker relief for these uncomfortable occurrences.  According to Gary Steen, DDS, principal dentist at Centercare Dental Group in Phoenix, application of laser energy to these infected areas is now offering more choices than ever.  Patients are experiencing relief in hours or days instead of a week or more.

·         Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, is the second viral infection that shows up regularly in the mouth.  This virus, which is transmitted orally or sexually, shows up in small bumps on the gums or in the throat and is in fact a wart.  These areas are typically less inflamed than the Herpes sores and can be very silent.  The medications used with the Herpes virus are not effective against HPV.

 Dr. Steen reports that Centercare Dental Group now offers a DNA test for the presence of HPV in saliva.  He says that as more research is done we know now that many oral cancers start from these warts and for that reason, and for contagion reasons, he recommends removing them.  This allows the wart to be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis and hopefully avoid future occurrences.  In this case, lasers would not be used.  Instead the biopsy is performed with electro surgery or with a scalpel to preserve the specimen.

Viral sores can range from simple discomfort to actual risk of dangerous conditions over time.  Quick treatment is good treatment, and in both cases it is simple and inexpensive and can dramatically change the outcome of the infection.

Dr. Steen can be reached at 602-252-2800 and e-mailed at smile@centercare.net .  The website is www.centercare.net .  You are welcome to call with questions.

Laser Bacterial Reduction Update

One of the challenges in managing dental health is controlling viral infections of the lips and other soft tissues.  Viruses are contagious and, once an infection has occurred, the virus remains present in tissue cells, even though the symptoms are gone, and can recur in the future.  There are two broad forms of viral infections in the mouth.

·         Herpes, type I, is the common cold sore.  It can occur on the lips, in the nose, on the palate and inside the cheeks.  When a flare-up occurs, it takes over a week to go away.  In severe cases, multiple sores occur and systemic anti-viral medications are used.  The single sores are more common and can be treated with ointments.

Newer technology now offers quicker relief for these uncomfortable occurrences.  According to Gary Steen, DDS, principal dentist at Centercare Dental Group in Phoenix, application of laser energy to these infected areas is now offering more choices than ever.  Patients are experiencing relief in hours or days instead of a week or more.

·         Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, is the second viral infection that shows up regularly in the mouth.  This virus, which is transmitted orally or sexually, shows up in small bumps on the gums or in the throat and is in fact a wart.  These areas are typically less inflamed than the Herpes sores and can be very silent.  The medications used with the Herpes virus are not effective against HPV.

 Dr. Steen reports that Centercare Dental Group now offers a DNA test for the presence of HPV in saliva.  He says that as more research is done we know now that many oral cancers start from these warts and for that reason, and for contagion reasons, he recommends removing them.  This allows the wart to be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis and hopefully avoid future occurrences.  In this case, lasers would not be used.  Instead the biopsy is performed with electro surgery or with a scalpel to preserve the specimen.

Viral sores can range from simple discomfort to actual risk of dangerous conditions over time.  Quick treatment is good treatment, and in both cases it is simple and inexpensive and can dramatically change the outcome of the infection.

Dr. Steen can be reached at 602-252-2800 and e-mailed at smile@centercare.net .  The website is www.centercare.net .  You are welcome to call with questions.

What's In Your Filling?

Composite resins, in various forms, affect us in our daily lives more than we may notice.  To a chemist, a composite resin means a material, man-made, that consists of a resin matrix holding a large amount, by volume, of a particle material.  If, for example, the composite is a resin holding a fine quartz particle, it would likely be used as a kitchen countertop (think brand names like Caesarstone or Stonite).  It is very durable and is a competitor to pure granite.  Other examples would show up in high impact applications like tool tips, hammer heads, golf clubs and highway paint.  The common risk in all of these uses is heavy stress and heavy wear or breakage potential.

For these reasons, these materials work very well in dental applications, where teeth are exposed to daily stress and wear.  The particle that’s used in our composites is zirconium, which is artificial diamond.  The particle size is ultra-fine, measuring less than half a micrometer across.  This allows for a very high polish.  The zirconium component gives the restoration a very high wear resistance and beautiful light refraction.

LASER PROCEDURES

Laser technology has been with us for over half a century.  The optical accuracy of lasers has been widely applied in technology with uses in readers, scanners and measurements.  The energy aspect of lasers has been slower to develop, especially in medicine.

The value of lasers in dentistry has recently begun to emerge.  A form of laser generation known as a diode laser has now been extensively tested for use in periodontal disease, and the results have been promising.  The hygienists at Centercare are now using this technology and have found it to be very effective at reducing bacterial levels in gingivitis and in periodontitis.

Bacteria are the cause of both gingivitis and periodontitis.  Disease prevention always revolves around managing bacterial populations in the mouth.  Our experience has been that laser applications are one of the best tools we have to do this.  Not only can lasers reduce bacterial levels, they are very effective at removing diseased tissue and stimulating new growth.  We are seeing results that weren’t possible with traditional treatments.  Some of these applications can be effective with only a single treatment.  Others respond best to multiple treatments.

Cold sores are another interesting application of laser energy.  These sores are caused by viruses and we are finding that laser application is reducing viral levels and shortening the healing time.  Sensitive teeth are also responding well to laser exposure with a single application.

More good news:  these treatments are surprisingly easy and also inexpensive, which is how technology is supposed to work.

If you have been frustrated with bleeding in your mouth or areas that aren’t responding to other treatment, laser therapy may offer an answer.  Call Jessie at 602-252-2800 or e-mail her at Jessie@centercare.net.  Check out our website http://www.centercare.net/ ! 

Phoenix Dentist

For an excellent Phoenix dentist, look to Centercare, where your dental health is secure and beautiful smiles are created. Centercare is a unique, high-tech dental office, providing meticulous care and excellence in cosmetic, reconstructive and implant dentistry. Using the latest in advanced dental technology, we create dazzling smiles that are both healthy and beautiful for our patients. For oral health and beauty, choose us as a partner in your dental health.  Call us at 602-252-2800.  Visit our website http://www.centercare.net/. Dr. Gary Steen and his team are ready to make your smile shine!