I hope the beginning of 2009 finds you healthy, happy and stress-free!
I wanted to write this blog, however, to make a few comments concerning what financial analysts are finally conceding - we are now officially in a recession. With all of the financial changes occurring, you may be feeling additional stress in your everyday life. Your body may be sending you a signal that all is not well: you wake up every morning with a throbbing pain in your jaw due to bruxism - grinding your teeth at night. If left untreated, regular grinding may start to destroy your teeth - flattening your molars and causing cracks in your teeth, aging your teeth by as much as 10 years.
As many as half of the population grind their teeth at some point in time. But as many as half of the serious grinders don’t seek treatment - either because the don’t see a dentist or because the habit doesn’t cause them pain. Eventually they’ll wear right through their teeth, and that will be very painful - as well as costly.
If you feel that you might be grinding your teeth at night (or your partner wakes you up because you are making a loud crunching noise), there are various treatments that I can perform to help eliminate your jaw pain and help to save your teeth.
My personal favorite is an NTI-tss - the latest state-of-the-art device used to protect your teeth. You may read more about this device on my web site.
If you feel you are grinding your teeth and would like some help, please make an appointment at my office and we can at least help you handle your stress by eliminating your pain and saving your teeth.
And, I can commiserate, I have been a life long grinder. Let me help you save your teeth during this crazy economical time. Multiple visits to repair your teeth accompanied by a giant dental bill is not what anyone needs at any time!
A study was recently published in the Journal of Periodontology that found yogurt can neutralize the bacteria that can lead to receding gums and tooth loss. Researchers examined the diets of almost 1,000 people and found that those who ate less than half a 6 oz. carton of yogurt a day were less likely to suffer gum disease than those who “weren’t regular consumers”. Apparently, researchers are finding a connection between lactic acid intake and prevention of gum disease.
Of course, all dentists will recommend brushing and flossing to keep gum disease away, but maybe, if you like yogurt, it certainly sounds like consuming some every day may help keep gum disease away!
Approximately 20 years ago, I started providing professional tooth whitening to my patients when manufacturers perfected a user friendly delivery system and a peroxide formulation that was safe and easy to use.At that time, there was only one kind of whitening system available – dentist supervised tray delivery.After taking a mould of the patient’s teeth, we fabricate a soft plastic, custom fitted tray that adapts intimately to the patient’s teeth and does NOT cover the gums. The patient is then provided with the tray and a 15% - 30% carbamide peroxide gel syringe.
To use this whitening system, the patient places the peroxide gel into the custom tray, inserts the tray into their mouth, and leaves the tray in for 30 minutes.This procedure is used twice a day.The key to getting good results with this method is for the patient to remain motivated.A motivated patient will usually see results in one to two weeks.To get the best results possible, sometimes it may take as long as six weeks.
Since the above method was introduced, slick marketers have tried to introduce techniques that are “faster” or perceived to be less expensive.This includes a one appointment technique where a gel is applied to the teeth (in the dental office), and a specialized light or laser is applied – supposedly enhancing the results and only requiring one to two hours in the dental office.I have used several brands of this technique, and have found the results disappointing compared to tray bleaching.Not only were the results disappointing, the procedure was very expensive due to the amount of time spent in the dental chair.In fact, independent research has shown that the use of special lights or lasers has no effect on the results.The teeth are whitened only because the patient sits still in a chair with a strong bleach on their teeth for 2 hours.Don’t be fooled by slick technology claims for this type of whitening.
Manufacturers have also come out with something that appears similar to the custom tray technique discussed above that can be purchased over the counter.The “custom” trays are made by the patients by heating up the tray, and placing the tray in the patient’s mouth while soft – creating a “mould” of the mouth.The problem with this technique is that the mould allows the bleach to cover the gums – which can create burns and damage to the gums.Since the bleach comes in contact with the gum tissue, the manufacturers can only use very low strength bleach.
Another whitening technique developed is the use of whitening strips that can be purchased over the counter at drug stores.If a patient is highly motivated, these strips can produce decent results.However, they are very awkward to use – they whiten only the front teeth, not the back teeth – and are very slow to produce results.Once again, since these strips must come in contact with the gums tissue, the manufacturers can only use very low strength bleach.Therefore, the patient must use these strips for a long time – continually needing to purchase more strips to get good results.To get results anywhere near the custom tray method provided by a dentist, the cost is almost equal.Plus, remember you are only bleaching the teeth that can be reached by the strips.
Since patients are always looking for inexpensive way to get white teeth, I am constantly being asked about the “whitening” toothpastes that are now on the market.To quote Consumer Reports Magazine, “None of the 41 ‘whitening’ toothpastes we tested did any better to actually whiten teeth than any other toothpaste.We say don’t put the extra money where the mouth is.”And, I concur.I have never seen a patient get any results using a whitening toothpaste.
In summation, after 20 years of trying to improve on the original custom tray technique, I still find this technique to be the most cost effective and predictable way to whiten your teeth.I have had patients use all of the other techniques, and have found that the original dental office fabricated custom tray technique still works the best and is the most cost effective.Anyone can get whiter teeth if they consistently use this technique.
Somewhere in my past, some ancestor decided to drop the “a” out of Chamberlain (he must have been tired of signing such a long name)… Anyway, just to let you all know, I really don’t care how anyone spells my last name, but with search engines, they do seem to care. So, I am adding this message to my blog to see if it can help the search engines find me using either spelling of my last name!
Full mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction can be necessary for cosmetic or functional reasons – or both. This treatment is needed when teeth are worn down, broken, missing, or decayed. Your entire mouth can be rejuvenated in just a few visits. Dr. Chamberlin has extensive experience with full mouth rehabilitation and reconstruction.
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Dr. Chamberlin is a Boulder, Colorado dentist with 30 years experience in cosmetic based dentistry. You can reach him at (303)-544-9636, or at www.drchamberlin.com.
Implants are used to replace a tooth that has already been lost.They can help hold dentures in place, replace one tooth, or even replace a full arched bridge.Implants are frequently the treatment of choice to replace what has already been lost, rebuild a collapsed bit, or replace a tooth when the patient does not want a bridge.Implant technology has come a long way in the past two decades, and the results are now so predictable as to make placing implants and restoring them the treatment of choice in many situations.
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Dr. Chamberlin is a Boulder, Colorado dentist with 30 years experience in cosmetic based dentistry. You can reach him at (303)-544-9636, or at www.drchamberlin.com.
-An invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
-A series of clear, removable, custom-made aligners that put pressure on the teeth to move them.
-Uses no metal wires or brackets.
-Custom-made for comfort.
How does Invisalign work?
-Wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks
-Remove only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
-Your teeth will move gradually each week until they have reached their prescribed final position.
-Visit us every 4 - 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
-Total treatment time is about a year, but will vary from case to case.
-Average number of aligners is between 12 and 30, but will vary from case to case.
Why Should You Choose To Straighten Your Teeth Using Invisalign?
Invisalign can help you get the great smile you’ve always wanted because it’s…
INVISIBLE
REMOVABLE
COMFORTABLE
Invisalign can work for you!!!
Invisalign can be used to treat a vast majority of adults and teens who want a better smile.
Invisalign treats teeth…
That are too crowded.
With spaces between them.
With narrow arches.
That may have shifted after having worn braces.
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Dr. Chamberlin is a Boulder, Colorado dentist with 30 years experience in cosmetic based dentistry. You can reach him at (303)-544-9636, or at www.drchamberlin.com.
The combination of veneers, crowns and bridges in an artistic and functional fashion can provide what has been referred to as “instant orthodontics”. This technique can be utilized to create the illusion of straight teeth without the time, effort and discomfort often associated with years of braces. In addition, it can be used functionally to change the way teeth relate to each other to correct bite problems. In as little as two visits, we can change the position, color, shape and size of the teeth to give you a completely new smile!
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Dr. Chamberlin is a Boulder, Colorado dentist with 30 years experience in cosmetic based dentistry. You can reach him at (303)-544-9636, or at www.drchamberlin.com.
Sealants are a thin plastic film that is bonded to the natural groves and pits in the chewing surfaces of the teeth. They must be placed soon after a permanent tooth has broken through into the mouth. Once a tooth has been exposed to the oral environment for more than a few months, decay causing bacteria may have already started to work deep below the surface. Therefore, around the ages of 6 – 12-years old are crucial times for a patient to visit the dentist, as this is when most permanent tooth erupt through the gums.
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Dr. Chamberlin is a Boulder, Colorado dentist with 30 years experience in cosmetic based dentistry. You can reach him at (303)-544-9636, or at www.drchamberlin.com.
Sealants are relatively inexpensive, painless, and covered by many dental insurance policies. By placing sealants on time, you child will avoid permanent damage to teeth caused by cavities that inevitably form in the groves and pits of molars. They can proudly remain cavity free in these areas of their teeth.
In our office, we only use tooth colored fillings.These fillings are made of a plastic composite material that is bonded to the enamel and dentin.Composite tooth colored fillings can be used to fill small to medium size cavities.
We do not place any fillings which contain mercury or any other metals.Composite “white” fillings can be used to replace existing mercury containing fillings which are leaking or discoloring the tooth.Composite fillings do a superior job of sealing the tooth compared to silver fillings.Our office uses the safesttechniquesavailable when removing old mercury containing fillings from your mouth.