Publication: Montana Womans Magazine
Things have changed since the days of whiskey and pliers. Modern dentistry is an amazing field of medicine that has been revolutionized by technology. Almost daily, I have patients who are actually surprised and grateful that they had a painless experience. This is the norm now, not the exception. This month, I will provide info on some of the latest and greatest advances in dental care, along with a couple of valuable pointers that will reduce your risk for dental disease.
In August, I attended the Mentor symposium for the Kois Center, a highly regarded advanced learning program for dentists and dental specialists. We were brought up to date on the latest trends and results of ongoing research, and how they affect our delivery of dental care. Recommendations from the Center are all based on science and research that has been reviewed for quality and accuracy. The philosophy of diagnosis and treatment is a risk management approach that is very practical and allows for conservative, comprehensive treatment, that reduces risk factors for dental disease.
Some of the most exciting developments are in the management of tooth decay. The earliest stages of this disease can remain hidden until there has been some surface damage to the crown of the tooth, and it becomes visible as a white spot lesion, a shadow on the x-ray or located with a sharp explorer. Until now, surgical intervention was considered the essential cure for such a lesion and the drilling and filling progressed immediately. It has now been shown that decay progresses slowly in the early stages and can be controlled or even eliminated before surface cavitation occurs. Early lesions may be reversible and can be healed up with a remineralization protocol. Dentists now have products available that, with good patient compliance, can reduce and reverse early tooth decay. For you at home, good hygiene and diet of course are required. In addition, Xylitol gum has been proven to reduce the bacteria associated with decay and even reduce the risk of transference from parents to small children. Testing is now available to monitor decay bacteria activity before and after treatment for tooth decay.
Another new development that can literally save lives, and may become the standard of care, is the VELscope. This is used for early detection of oral cancer, a dangerous carcinoma that has a 50% mortality rate after five years. This has become available to your dentist recently and many of us will have them for oral cancer screening in the next year. The VELscope is a camera like device that detects cellular changes below the surface of the oral mucosa before they become visible to the naked eye. Early detection will significantly reduce the mortality associated with oral cancer. If caught early 90% of cases are curable. It will eliminate the nervous waiting period for the test results of some of the current methods and save these patients with suspicious visible lesions some expense.
Speaking of saving lives, our office has recently purchased an Automatic Electronic Defibrillator, or AED. This lifesaver is state of the art for situations that may require CPR. When someone collapses or becomes unconscious, the AED can read the victims heart rhythm, and by giving instructions on the built in speaker, tell you what to do! This unit is equipped with a strong battery that can shock the victim’s heart back into action, as was demonstrated recently by a nurse in Whitefish MT. who saved the life of a 41 year old man at Grouse Mountain Lodge after he collapsed at dinner. By using
techniques that reduce stress to my patients at their visits, I hope that we never need to use the AED. I have informed the other people in my building that we have this piece of equipment, should they have an emergency.
The things I learned and reviewed at the symposium will benefit my patients and bore them to tears if I try to explain all the technical details. Implants, cosmetics, bonding, diagnosis and treatment protocols, TMD, and multidisciplinary care can fill volumes. The best pearls for your pearly whites are still common sense, good hygiene and prevention. Remember that gum disease and oral infections can impact your general health as I explained in previous columns. Utilizing your dental professionals to manage the problems we can’t cure and educate you about the choices you have regarding necessary and elective treatments is very important. Prevention beats the heck out of procrastination every time, and saves time, money and discomfort. Ask questions, do some research and don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t forget to smile a lot, it is good for you!
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