Smile Confidence: The Magic of Porcelain
We often meet new patients that would like to make changes to their smile, and are not sure where to begin, or are concerned that what they want is just not possible.
Now, more than ever, the options in dentistry are endless. Much of this is due to innovations in restorative materials and techniques. Dental implants can replace missing teeth and whitening products can achieve dramatic results safely and conveniently.
At the center of the art of dentistry are the creative advantages of Porcelain. This amazing material begins as a mix of clay and minerals and is processed to achieve both strength and beauty, with shades and translucencies available to match natural teeth.
Porcelain and Cosmetic Dentistry 
Are you ready for a new look? The creative properties of porcelain offer unlimited potential to rejuvenate your smile – the process begins with detailed planning, including using photographs, study models, and consultation with a master ceramist at our dental laboratory. Most importantly, we will spend time with you to review our smile portfolio and talk about the shade, shape and overall result that you want to accomplish.
Cosmetic Dental Treatments that are designed using esthetic porcelain include:
Porcelain Veneers are thin custom-molded facings that adhere to teeth to cosmetically enhance their appearance with smooth, highly polished porcelain. They require less tooth preparation than larger restorations, and can improve the appearance of teeth that are discolored, slightly crooked, gapped, misshaped or under-sized.
- Patients with teeth stains from childhood medications often struggle with solutions to conceal dark, grayish-yellow lines on their teeth. In most cases, this type of staining cannot be removed by tooth whitening. Porcelain Veneers are often be used to cover these areas and create a long-lasting and appealing result.
Porcelain Crowns
Sometimes, teeth are too badly damaged or decayed to accommodate porcelain veneers or traditional fillings and require full coverage with a crown. All-Porcelain crowns and bridges are used to restore natural translucency and vibrancy to teeth, and have become the restoration of choice to replace aged crown and bridge work – no metal means no grayed edges!
Instant” Orthodontics
Not really orthodontics at all, minor crowding, rotated and misaligned teeth can sometimes be improved aesthetically with porcelain crowns and veneers, creating the appearance of “straight” teeth.
Contact Us today to schedule you personal consultation with Dr. Sandlin and find out if cosmetic techniques are the solution you have been looking for! We invite you to bring photos of smiles that you like, or photos of your own smile that you were happy with prior to any dental challenges. We would love to help you create the Smile of your Dreams!
May is National Stroke Awareness Month
Did You Know?
Stroke is the #4 cause of death, and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States.
www.strokeassociation.org
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.
Warning Signs of a Stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Response Tips:
- Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you.
- Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. It’s very important to take immediate action.
- If given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.
- tPA is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stroke within three hours of stroke symptom onset.
MINI-STROKES
A TIA or transient ischemic attack is a “warning stroke” or “mini-stroke” that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.
The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary. The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.
Download & Print the Stroke Warning Signs from the American Heart Association American Stroke Association:
http://www.strokeassociation.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_434181.pdf
Your Blood Pressure : more than just a number…
Managing your blood pressure is the most important thing you can do to help reduce your chances of having a stroke.
As a routine part of your preventive visits with us, we will take your blood pressure and review your medical history to help us understand your overall health condition. We also encourage you to visit your medical doctor regularly for routine physicals and blood pressure readings.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure (HBP) is sometimes called “the silent killer” because HBP has no symptoms, so you may not be aware that it’s damaging your arteries, heart and other organs.
Possible health consequences that can happen over time when high blood pressure is left untreated include:
- Damage to the heart and coronary arteries, including heart attack, heart disease, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection and atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in the arteries that cause them to harden)
- Stroke
- Kidney damage
- Vision loss
- Erectile dysfunction
- Memory loss
- Fluid in the lungs
- Angina
But remember, these are not symptoms of HBP. High blood pressure is a symptomless disease except in its most extreme cases known as hypertensive crisis. When BP readings rise to 180 or above for the systolic — top — number OR 110 or above for the diastolic — bottom — number, call for emergency medical treatment immediately.
Learn more about “Your Numbers”. Visit the American Heart Association web site and find out where you stand:
Reference American Heart Association http://www.heart.org/
Technology Update: Saliva Diagnostics
We are anxious to share with you the new clinical laboratory services we utilize in our practice from OralDNA Labs, Inc. You are probably already familiar with lab testing services offered by your physician. Now, for the first time in dentistry, we can use lab tests specifically designed for oral health!
According to the American Dental Association, an estimated 75% of all Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gum (periodontal) disease. Symptoms of periodontal disease may include bleeding gums, bad breath, red or inflamed gums or loss of bone around your teeth.
OralDNA saliva testing is available for anyone with or without symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease. The detection and monitoring of disease-causing bacteria using this diagnostic tool gives us the information we need to prescribe the most effective treatment regimen to promote healing and restore oral health.
Other indications for this test are pre-treatment clearance for extensive dental procedures and, in some cases, surgical clearance (such as heart surgery or joint replacements).
These tests are quickly performed by swishing a small amount of sterile saline throughout the mouth for 30 seconds. We can have your results back from OralDNA in about one week to go over with you and determine next steps.
If you or a loved one is in need of either of these tests, please call for more information or to set up an appointment. It is our mission to offer you the most current, comprehensive oral healthcare available.
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
“While some think this is a rare cancer, mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the U.S. alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day.” www.oralcancerfoundation.org
The incidence of oral cancer deaths is higher than most of the cancers that we hear about, such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and skin cancer.
The death rate attributed to oral cancer is not difficulty in diagnosis, but rather that symptoms often go unnoticed until it is in a very advanced stage.
It is important to find oral cancer as early as possible when it can be treated more successfully. We routinely check your face, neck, lips and entire mouth for possible signs of cancer at your regular examination and preventive care visits.
Oral cancer frequently goes unnoticed by the patient because it does not usually produce obvious pain or noticeable symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer include:
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A sore or lesion in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal within a couple of weeks.
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A lump or thickening in the cheek, or a rough spot or eroded area.
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A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth or other color changes in oral tissues.
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A lingering sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat.
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Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue.
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Pain, tenderness or numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.
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Swelling of the jaw that causes teeth to fit poorly together or dentures to become uncomfortable.
There have been two main causes identified as being linked to oral cancer:
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long term use of tobacco and alcohol
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exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16) – this is also the most common cause of cervical cancer in women.
Your Health is Important. Please share this vital information with your friends and family to help us promote oral cancer screening to detect this life-threatening condition as early as possible.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about oral cancer.
References: American Dental Association web site http://www.ada.org/2607.aspx Oral Cancer Foundation http://oralcancerfoundation.org/ National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/OralCancer/OralCancer.htmOur New Office
We are all moved in and loving our new home! We would love to give you a tour, so stop by soon!
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This Holiday Season you can GIVE & SAVE $$
Help someone in need and save on your next visit with us!
** DONATIONS FOR DENTAL DOLLARS **
GIVE…
Bring any of the following to our office:
~ 10 canned food or non-perishable items
~ a new or like new blanket, coat, or sleeping bag
~ any combination of 4 pairs of socks, gloves, or hats
