Helaine Smith DMD

As a consumer, you don’t see how technology has advanced dentistry — especially since dentists phase technology (which is pricey) into the dental office over time. Some of the advances you may have witnessed with your own dentist include:

** Moving from film and lightbox x-rays to digital images that dentists can now view on a computer screen.

** Eliminating paper-based records in favor of using software that houses our patients’ records (plus the digial imaging files associated with the patient).

** Making crowns chair-side using a CERAC machine versus sending goopy impressions to a lab and then waiting two weeks for the crown to come back.

But one thing you haven’t seen is how dentistry has truly moved into the 21st-century due to technology — and no where was this more evident than at this year’s Yankee Dental conference.

As I stood on the exhibit floor, I was awed by the sheer number of companies presenting imaging software and hardware — digital impressions, CAD/CAM systems and CBCT units dominated the exhibition floor. Every where you looked technology was on display. (To see a good example, view this Sirona GALILEOS video — GALILEOS is Sirona’s new 3D imaging machine.)

All of this technology has revolutionized dentisty — and has raised the standard of care. Using CBCT scans, for example, a dentist or periodontist can see a patient’s facial structure and precisely locate the jaw bone, nasal passageways and airways, and most important, facial nerves. We can see how the jaw opens and shuts and how the jaw fits in relation to cranium and facial structure.

(image (c) Sirona)

Dentists no longer have to “guess” where to place an implant or whether a patient is a viable candidate for the procedure. A simple scan can tell the dentist instantly what is feasible — and new treatment plans being taught at advanced dental training facilities mean patients can walk away with not just a beautiful smile, but a smile that’s been designed precisely for him or her using the latest techniques.

While at Yankee I gave my first course, “Full-Arch, All-Porcelain Rehabilitation.” (This was a course other dentists could take and then receive continuing education credits. I’m very happy to report that both morning and afternoon sessons were sold out — and on a Saturday, too!)

While talking about my work as a dentist over the years I realized that dentists and their patients are on the cusp of truly extraordinary times.

Health technology will allow dentists and doctors to finally integrate patient health information into one place. At a point in the future, patients will come to me and I’ll know instantly which medications they take, if they have sinus troubles or migranes and the treatment they’ve had, any injuries or surgeries to the head or jaw, and any diseases.

Having this information literally on my computer screen chairside means that I’ll be able to give patients an unprecidented level of care.

Modern dentistry and the technology that supports it mean that dentists can no longer view themselves as “tooth plumbers.” Instead, we are truly “mouth physicians.”

As I stood in the Yankee Dental exhibit hall surrounded by this new technology, I realized how just how exciting it all is. As a modern dentist myself, I embrace this new technology — and am glad I’m able to provide my patients with the utmost in care.

Colgate has been running ads in magazines explaining the connection between your oral health and whole body health. The ad copy tells people to visit www.colgatetotal.com.

The company has been publishing the results of its research for years at dental professionals; this consumer marketing campaign is new — and much needed.

When you visit the Colgate Total site, you’ll find lots of information about how oral inflammation (gum disease) is associated with other diseases including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, pregnancy complications, and respiratory disease.

The company is also running TV commercials with Brooke Shields and other celebrities.

Kudos to Colgate for this much needed educational campaign!

Great blog post from Dental Blogs about a new study out from Eastman Institute for Oral Health Researchers. The researchers wanted to compare the hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening products with the acid in orange juice.

The results were astounding. According to the press release:

Unlike never before, researchers were able to see extensive surface detail thanks to a new focus-variation vertical scanning microscope. “The acid is so strong that the tooth is literally washed away,” said Ren, whose findings were recently published in Journal of Dentistry. “The orange juice decreased enamel hardness by 84 percent.” No significant change in hardness or surface enamel was found from whitening.

The press release goes on to talk about how fruit juice and soda do a real number on your teeth. And since children are the main consumers of these products, it’s the one reason why tooth decay is on the rise in children.

Which brings me to a topic that is quickly becoming near and dear to my heart (in addition to getting tested for oral cancer!) — and that is, ensuring young children see the dentist on a regular basis.

I bring this up because my office manager has a new nephew and the pediatrician told her sister that her son didn’t need to see the dentist until he was four years old — well after teeth have come in and caries (cavities) begin to form. I was incensed!

According to the CDC, tooth decay affects children in the US more than any other infectious disease. Untreated tooth decay “causes pain and infections that lead to other problems such as eating, speaking, playing and learning.” I’ve also read that children with advanced tooth decay end up missing school.

In addition to ensuring your children use a fluoride toothpaste and instilling healthy diets that are low in juices and sodas, the CDC recommends that you bring young children in for their first dental assessment between the ages of one and two — and every six months thereafter.

The fact that a pediatrician didn’t know this simple fact is appalling — one reason why our health organizations need to do a better job at educating consumers.

My office manager’s sister did take her young son to the dentist — as you can see in these delightful photos!

In order to make the public aware of the dangers of smokeless tobacco, Dr. Heidi Aaronson, DDS, teamed up with TRIMIRA, a company that makes an oral cancer screening test, to perform free oral cancer screenings at a July 7, 2009 Boston Red Sox game.

The oral cancer screening team also included students of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity Gamma Chapter from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

What a wonderful idea — and kudos to Dr. Aaronson and the TRIMIRA team for alerting the public to this very real health problem.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 100 people in the US will be diagnosed with oral cancer every day. The rates of oral cancer have been rising since 2008 due in part to young women being exposed to it via the HPV-16 virus — the same one that causes cervical cancer.

Even worse, one person every hour of every day dies from oral cancer.

The next time you visit your dentist, ask to be tested. The test doesn’t take long and it’s not expensive (usually less than $100) — and it can save your life.

It’s National Smile Month and Oral Health America is holding a fun contest for the month of June:  send in a photo of your healthy smile and explain why it’s healthy. This contest is open to kids and adults and you can send a photo of yourself with your dental provider  — so start smiling and taking those photos.

And, for something fun to do, have your kids visit the Mouth Power game (in English and Spanish). Kids can experiment with different substances (such as cigarettes) and learn how these things affect the health of the mouth as well as learn how dental visits have changed over time.

And, a first for me is the National Museum of Dentistry, a real museum you can visit — how cool is that? Located in Baltimore, the museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliates program and features all kinds of unique dentistry items, including George Washington’s dentures, vintage toothpaste commercials, and Queen Victoria’s dental instruments!

I especially like the Moments in Dental History — complete with beautiful photo of an Egyptian dental bridge. Be sure to check it out — it’s a great site — and if you’re in the Washington D.C. area, bring the kids for a great afternoon learning about teeth and oral health.