One of the most valuable and lasting improvements that any dentist can contribute to a successful practice is an investment in great office design. Whether remodeling an existing office or creating a brand new facility from scratch, there are several essential elements to focus on in designing an office that will help create a more productive, comfortable, quiet and user-friendly practice. There are many distinct styles of practice. Clearly, dental office design is an individual matter based on one’s needs and budget. Nevertheless, the following key issues are common to any office: esthetics; the empowerment of key personnel; controlling noise; and creating rapid access to key equipment and materials. Continue reading
Author Archives: chzechze
How to Evaluate Electric-Toothbrush Brands
A majority of dental problems, such as tooth decay, cavities, gum disease and bad breath can be prevented by simple, home oral care. Unfortunately most of us don’t do a very good job of it. Using an electric toothbrush can alleviate many of the mistakes we make when brushing our teeth, from applying too much pressure, or just not brushing long enough. Electric toothbrushes are powered-tooth cleaners that are designed to give a deep cleaning to get rid of plaque and food debris within the mouth. Some electric toothbrushes can retail for less than $20 while other higher-end models run upwards of $100. Here are some things to look for to get the best electric toothbrush for yourself and your family. Continue reading
How to Ease A Toothache By Acupressure
Picture 1: Position the tip of a finger in front of your ear hole
Acupressure uses gentle but firm hand pressure against meridian points in the body to release tension, enhance body circulation and promotes body relaxation and is an ideal treatment to relieve pain. Long before the invention of modern pain medication, people used pressure points to relieve toothache pain. Unlike acupuncture–which involves inserting thin needles into meridians and requires more training–a novice can generally perform acupressure anytime pain rears its head. And few pains are as frustrating as toothaches. Acupressure to relieve toothache pain is slowly becoming popular nowadays. As a number of over-the-counter medications become available to relieve toothache pain, the awareness to explore alternative relief also increases. All you have to do is press the points shown to you here. Continue reading
How to Prevent Denture Salivation
Though dentures are often checked for fit and comfort during dentist appointments, they often wear out or cause sudden problems, such as mouth dryness, increased salivation and discomfort. According to Net Wellness, this is most often due to regular changes in the size and shape of your gums, causing your dentures to fit differently from how they once did. Increased salivation can be a daily hassle for many people, leading many to wonder how to return to their regular lives. Continue reading
How to Prevent Gum Recession With a Tongue Piercing
If you have or want to get your tongue pierced, it is important to receive proper care to avoid infection and gum recession. Gum recession, or periodontitis, is a very common problem with tongue piercings due to the jewelry rubbing against the gums. This can eventually lead to exposed roots, which cause much pain and, eventually, loss of teeth.
When considering lip piercing, you should be aware of the risks that you may encounter while wearing lip ring. To avoid the most common risks of a lip ring piercing, book an appointment with a professional piercer to discuss your desire to get one. Ask about the healing process, and how you can avoid damage to your teeth and gums while wearing a lip ring. Continue reading
Laser Dental Cleaning
Lasers have been used in dentistry since 1994 to treat a number of dental problems. But, despite FDA approval, no laser system has received the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. That seal assures dentists that the product or device meets ADA standards of safety and efficacy, among other things. The ADA, however, states that it is cautiously optimistic about the role of laser technology in the field of dentistry. These lasers are different from the cold lasers used in phototherapy for the relief of headaches, pain, and inflammation. Continue reading
How to Minimize Cancellations in the Dental Office
Cancelled appointments lead to wasted time and money.
Dental appointment cancellations are a major concern of most dental offices today. Cancelled appointments lead to wasted time and money. According to Dental-tribune.com even when the economy is doing well revenue losses can range from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. This value doesn’t include the potential money that could be earned if the patient did come to the appointment, and further treatments and procedures were needed. Often practice teams place the blame of failed appointments on the patients—their lack of respect for the dentist’s time, their lack of urgency of getting the dentistry done, and just plain rudeness. Although some of the responsibility rests with patients, a significant contributor to the problem is the dental team and the lack of training on communications skills that prevent failed appointments and how to effectively handle and “turn around†cancellation calls.  Minimizing cancellations can be done in numerous ways. Continue reading
The Branching Technique for Dentures
We hear from a lot of denture wearers that tell us stories about having a lot of difficulty eating the foods that they want and need to eat, in speaking clearly, and with their appearance. To solve these problems, we use a more involved denture technique called the Branching Technique. The “branching technique,” taught first by Pound and later by Turbyfill and others, allows for extended treatment and management of more complex patient problems.  Less than 1% of dentists in the United States use this technique because of the great amount of training required to learn it, as well as more time spent on working with the patient. Continue reading
Recipe for Homemade Denture Adhesive
Dentures are sets of artificial teeth designed to fit inside the mouth. They are worn by people who no longer have their natural teeth. When natural teeth are removed, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. Over time, this affects the shape of the jaws, which can cause dentures to shift uncomfortably inside the mouth. To hold dentures in place, an adhesive can be placed along the inside of the prosthetic before insertion. This will hold the denture steady throughout the day, allowing the wearer to function with a higher degree of confidence and comfort. Continue reading
Temporary Cement Vs. Permanent Cement for Dental Implants
Dental implants involve one or more artificial teeth being inserted into the jaw to fill a gap in the bite. Dental implants can be used to fill spaces where one or two teeth are missing, or to serve as an anchor for crowns, bridges and dentures where many or all of the teeth need to be replaced. Both temporary and permanent cement play a role in dental implants. Continue reading