Have you Been Spreading Around Cavities?

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Cavities are bacterial infections. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that they are contagious…sort of. No, if you kiss someone with a cavity, you won’t have an instant cavity yourself. However, the germs which cause tooth decay are spread from person to person, usually when you are very young. A mere 1% of the population is immune to Streptococcus mutans (the bacteria which cause cavities). If you are a parent who has ever shared a spoon or cup with your child, you could have inadvertently exposed them to the germs. Dr. Hofkes in Cerritos, CA wonders if changing certain parenting habits can lower tooth decay rates in the future, or if oral hygiene is still the only way to avoid cavities.

Missed School

Liliana Rozo, D.D.S., assistant professor at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, says that cavities have a detrimental impact on a young person’s ability to perform well in school. Toothaches from severe untreated cavities are a known cause of a lower quality of life for kids and many missed school days. Discomfort is one issue, but embarrassment over visually damaged/discolored teeth and obvious metal fillings compound the troubles of children with extensive decay. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that parents secure a dentist for their little ones as soon as their first tooth erupts.                (more…)

filed under: Oral Health, Patient Education

Learn about Zirconia Dental Crowns

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A dental crown is considered a restoration. Designed to completely surround a damaged tooth or dental implant, dental crowns are affixed to the remaining tooth structure or titanium post using dental cement. Over the years, a large variety of materials have been used for fabricating dental crowns. Some materials proved more successful than others, but improvements and innovations continue all the time. Dr. Hofkes in Cerritos, CA  will tell you about one of your options: zirconia crowns.

The Benefits of Zirconia

Zirconia distinguishes itself as a dental material because of unprecedented strength. Obviously, this is a major benefit when considering a dental restoration. Your teeth weather plenty of wear and tear. When you go through a dental crown procedure, you want the restoration to last. Zirconia is made from an oxide of a metal. The look of zirconia gives the material an aesthetic look of being “metal-free” even if it technically is not. Once placed, a color-matched Zirconia crown is polished or glazed to give a natural, translucent, tooth-like appearance. The most cosmetically appealing method is to layer Zirconia with porcelain.

Disadvantages of Zirconia (more…)

filed under: Patient Education, Porcelain Crowns

Correcting Tied Tongues and Gaps in Teeth

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Some dentists focus their practice of providing basic preventive and restorative dental care, potentially adding a few cosmetic services to their list. Dr. Hofkes in Cerritos, CA is a surgery specialist, but still provides a comprehensive list of dental services ranging from corrective to cosmetic. Common oral surgeries include removal of wisdom teeth, biopsies to remove suspicious spots, tumors, or cysts, and dental implant placement. Less common are frenectomies which address tongues that are tied, or teeth that are significantly spread apart due to excess tissue.

Maxillary and Frenectomies

While most of the oral surgeries we listed probably sound familiar, you may not know as much about maxillary and lingual frenectomies unless you’ve had one. Frenums are attachments of gingival tissue bands with muscle. You can take stock of the two you have in your mouth as you read this. Underneath your tongue and between your inner lip and upper front teeth you have these flaps of skin. In some people, frenums are too big, thick, or poorly placed. This means an obstruction of normal function which causes dental issues such as a large gap between the front upper teeth (clinically known as a diastema) or a tied tongue. Surgical treatment easily resolves these issues in a fairly simple outpatient procedure. The tongue surgery is called a lingual frenectomy and the procedure to help close the gap in upper teeth is called a maxillary labial frenectomy.

Sedation for Oral Surgery (more…)

filed under: Oral Surgery, Sedation Dentistry

The Debate over Silver Amalgam Fillings

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For years, experts have heatedly discussed the use of silver amalgam dental fillings. Somewhat misleadingly named, silver amalgam contains far more mercury than it does silver, and mercury has been linked to a number of serious health concerns. The issue is far from settled, and the debate will most likely continue to rage for years. Fortunately, Dr. Shawn Hofkes offers mercury-free white fillings at his Cerritos, CA practice. Whether or not silver amalgam actually does pose significant health risks, tooth-colored composite fillings offer a number of cosmetic advantages. Why not err on the side of caution and choose fillings that will enhance your smile – and possibly protect your health? (more…)

filed under: Dental Fillings, Science & Research, Tooth Decay

Cosmetic Dentistry: Veneers 101

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Cosmetic dentistry may be the ideal solution to correct your cosmetic dental issues, and porcelain veneers are among the most popular cosmetic dentistry options. Perhaps images of AARP ads, where an older couple with teeth so white they look fake pop into your mind as you consider the word “veneers;” and that may not initially appeal to you.

However, there are some things you should know about porcelain veneers that may convince you that these are a great option, if you’re the right candidate.

What Porcelain Veneers Are For

Dental laminates, commonly known as porcelain veneers, are ultra-thin porcelain shells – about .5 to .6 millimeters thick — that are bonded on the front surfaces of teeth. The purpose of porcelain veneers is to improve the appearance of teeth, and they can correct numerous cosmetic issues, including: (more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Patient Education, Porcelain Veneers

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Gum Disease Linked to the Immune System

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Have you been told by your dentist that you have signs of gum disease? Periodontal (gum) disease affects nearly 80% of people in the United States. Early symptoms include mild things such as puffy gums or scant bleeding when brushing and flossing. As the condition becomes increasingly severe, side effects become more major such as periodontal pockets, loose teeth, and eventual tooth loss. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) are the bacteria in our oral cavities which cause gum disease. Dr. Hofkes in Cerritos, CA will explain a research study which connects gum disease to the body’s overall immune system in what dentists term the oral-systemic condition.

Bacteria which Cause Gum Disease

Details of a research study performed at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Alabama in Birmingham was published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. Scientists zeroed in on P. gingivalis. These particular germs can manipulate your immune system so (more…)

filed under: Gum Disease, Patient Education

Do You Have Dry Socket?

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Alveolar osteitis, better known as dry socket, is an uncomfortable dental condition deriving from an oral surgery, called tooth extraction. After a tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms in the socket as a part of the body’s healing process. The clot develops as a protective layer for underlying bone and nerves, and it is the foundation for future growth of bone and surrounding soft tissues. If this clot is dislodged, or dissolves prior to healing, a dry socket occurs. (more…)

filed under: Dry Socket, Extracting Wisdom Teeth, Patient Education, Tooth Extractions

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Oral Cancer Testing Improvements on the Horizon

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We recently spoke about oral cancer treatment options. Fortunately, only five to 35% of mouth lesions end up with a malignant diagnosis. It’s easy to see why sores, bumps, and abnormal spots in your mouth are often overlooked as no cause of concern. There is a fine line between proactivity regarding your oral health versus running to the dentist every time you have a canker sore. Early detection significantly improves oral cancer survival rates. That’s why an exciting gene test developed by researchers from Queen Mary, University of London has created a buzz in the world of dentistry. Detecting pre-cancerous cells in even the most benign looking lesions could make a huge difference in raising oral cancer morbidity rates.

Oral Cancer Testing

The research study which took place in the UK and Norway involved 299 patients who gave tissue specimens. Mouth cancer afflicts over 6,200 people in the United Kingdom every year. This equivocates over 500,000 people worldwide. Oral cancer rates are on the rise, with an expected statistic of over one million cases annually (more…)

filed under: Oral Cancer, Oral Cancer Treatment

The Role of the Oral Biopsy

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When the doctor finds an unexplained patch of abnormal cells such as a white patch or a bump, the doctor will recommend a waiting period of two weeks to monitor the area or lesion.  Lesions that are caused by local trauma, infection, or inflammation may improve on their own.  For lesions that persist for two weeks or longer, he will order an oral biopsy.  An oral biopsy is a procedure in which the doctor will remove a small tissue sample to be examined under the microscope.  Oral biopsies will indicate if the lesion or bump has pre-cancerous or cancerous cells in it, guiding the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment. (more…)

filed under: Oral Biopsies, Oral Cancer, Oral Pathology

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How Does One Treat Oral Cancer?

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Each year, over 43, 250 people are diagnosed with oral cancer. Of these, around half will pass away within five years. Why are oral cancer mortality rates so high? The fact is most people are not diagnosed until the late stages of the disease. However, with screenings during regular checkups, the disease can be diagnosed and oral cancer treatment started right away.

(more…)

filed under: Oral Biopsies, Oral Cancer, Oral Cancer Symptoms, Oral Cancer Treatment