Dental Implants Rise in Popularity - Now Considered Treatment of Choice for Baby Boomers

Here is an interesting article on the dramatic rise in Dental Implants procedures being done in the US - and the many reasons why implants are the choice for so many baby boomers who are seeking dental work. Many of the the very same reasons we see in our very same patients, and why if you are facing any of these issues, dental implants in our convienient Los Angeles office may be the right choice for you as well. Please read the full article at the link below:

Treatment of Choice'Many baby boomers and their parents have mouths full of aging dental work. Large fillings, in particular, are likely to crack as they grow older, dentists say. So older adults increasingly are turning to implants when regular crown work and root canals can no longer shore up problem teeth.And new research and technology are reducing the time it takes to design, fit and insert implants. Dentists, oral surgeons and periodontists are now performing about one million procedures a year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, a trade group in Chicago."Implants have increased dramatically in the boomer age group," says Daniel Hardy, an Atlanta dentist who does restorative work — placing new, artificial teeth on top of the anchors.

Tooth Erosion in the News: AGD launches Public Informational Campaign

Here is an interesting article regarding the Academy of General Dentistry and a renewed campaign to inform the public about maintaining good, healthy emamel through proper nutrition and brushing habits. A lot of helpful, informative information that not many people are aware of. Read the full story at the link below:

Academy of General Dentistry Launches Campaign to Focus on Tooth Erosion Repeated exposure to acidic drinks and foods permanently destroysenamel CHICAGO, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Fruit, yogurt, citric andsoft drinks, may seem like harmless snacks and beverages, but improperconsumption and overuse may lead to devastating and permanent damage toteeth. It's known as tooth erosion, and an online member poll conducted bythe Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) revealed that dentists feel tootherosion is more common today compared to five years ago. To help the public better understand tooth erosion as well as find themost effective treatment, the AGD recently launched a new print publicservice advertisement (PSA) campaign to educate the public about thisissue. The AGD also created a special section on its Web site, http://www.agd.org,which provides free tools the public can use to learn more about thisissue. Tooth erosion is the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effectof acid on dental enamel that leads to decay. Dental enamel is the thin,outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure andshape while protecting it from decay. "Our profession and our members continue to see an increase of cases ofthis condition mainly due to changes in nutritional habits," says AGDPresident Vinny Mayher, DMD, MAGD. "Members who participated in our surveyfelt that consuming soft drinks, as well as other foods with a low pHvalue, contributes to tooth erosion."

Academy of General Dentistry Launches Campaign to Focus on Tooth Erosion

Repeated exposure to acidic drinks and foods permanently destroys enamel

CHICAGO, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fruit, yogurt, citric and soft drinks, may seem like harmless snacks and beverages, but improper consumption and overuse may lead to devastating and permanent damage to
teeth. It's known as tooth erosion, and an online member poll conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) revealed that dentists feel tooth erosion is more common today compared to five years ago.

To help the public better understand tooth erosion as well as find the most effective treatment, the AGD recently launched a new print public service advertisement (PSA) campaign to educate the public about this issue. The AGD also created a special section on its Web site, http://www.agd.org, which provides free tools the public can use to learn more about this issue.

Tooth erosion is the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on dental enamel that leads to decay. Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape while protecting it from decay.

"Our profession and our members continue to see an increase of cases of this condition mainly due to changes in nutritional habits," says AGD President Vinny Mayher, DMD, MAGD. "Members who participated in our survey felt that consuming soft drinks, as well as other foods with a low pH value, contributes to tooth erosion."

For example, soft drinks, which contain acids, break down the tooth surfaces. These acids also damage tooth enamel over time by dissolving the mineral structure of teeth, thinning the teeth. Eventually, because of repeated exposure to acid, the tooth's enamel will lose its shape and color. As the damage progresses, the underlying dentin (which is the tissue that makes up the core of each tooth) becomes exposed, causing the teeth to look yellow.

"To prevent tooth erosion, patients who eat or drink an acidic food or beverage should wait at least 20 minutes before brushing the teeth so as not to destroy the weakened enamel," according to David Bartlett, BDS, PhD, who led a discussion during the AGD's Annual Meeting & Exhibits titled, "Acid Erosion -- Why is it Important to My Patients." Dr. Bartlett also suggests eating acidic foods within five minutes, instead of snacking on them throughout the day, and eating these foods just during meal times in order to minimize the amount of time the acid is on the teeth.

Frequently consuming and continual snacking on foods with a low pH (potential of hydrogen) value, such as fruit juices, pickles, fresh fruit, yogurt, honey and raisins can lead to irreversible dental erosion. Dr Bartlett says it is important to also beware of habits such as lemon-sucking and swishing soda in the mouth. "Doing this extends the amount of time that enamel and dentin are exposed to the acids and can increase the structural damage. But eating fruit as part of a balanced diet is good."

Dr. Bartlett also encourages patients to talk to their dentist about the use of dentin bonding to help prevent tooth erosion, a procedure that dentists learned about during his course at the AGD's annual meeting. Dentin bonding is when the dentist paints a very thin layer (about the thickness of plastic cling film) on the surfaces of teeth showing signs of erosion.

"Together, with dietary advice and daily desensitizing toothpaste, the aim is to prevent and treat early or oderate signs of erosion on the teeth," says Dr. Bartlett. Early signs of tooth erosion also consist of dentin hypersensitivity. In other words, if hot or cold foods and beverages cause pain or sensitivity this is an indication of tooth erosion. Dentists may also recommend daily use of over-the-counter fluoridated anti-hypersensitivity toothpaste with a neutral pH to help re-harden softened tooth enamel.

"Early diagnosis and prevention of the effects of tooth erosion are fundamental to keeping teeth healthy for life," according to Dr. Bartlett.

About the AGD
The AGD is a professional association of more than 35,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the world's second largest dental association, which is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists.

More than 772,000 persons are employed directly in the field of dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs.

For more information about the AGD, please visit http://www.agd.org.