Notes from the Dentist

A Trip to the Dentist - 

A Little Holiday Dental Humor...

This guy goes into his dentist's office, because something is wrong with his mouth. After a brief examination, the dentist exclaims, "Holy Smoke! That plate I installed in your mouth about six months ago has nearly completely corroded! What on earth have you been eating?"

"Well... the only thing I can think of is this... my wife made me some asparagus about four months ago with this stuff on it... Hollandaise sauce she called it... and doctor, I'm talkin' DELICIOUS! I've never tasted anything like it, and ever since then I've been putting it on everything... meat, fish, toast, vegetables... you name it!"

"That's probabably it," replied the dentist "Hollandaise sauce is made with lemon juice, which is acidic and highly corrosive. It seems as thought I'll have to install a new plate, but made out of chrome this time."

"Why chrome?" the man asked.

"Well, everyone knows that there's no plate like chrome for the Hollandaise!"

Happy Holidays from Smile Station Dental!

Source:http://www.dezert-rose.com/humor/christmas/hollandaise.html

R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Dental Did You Know

Toothpaste Trivia 

The first form of toothpaste was used by the Egyptians over 5000 years ago

Colgate introduced aromatic toothpaste in a jar in 1873

Colgate later introduced dental cream in a collapsible tube in 1896

Approximately $2 billion a year is spent on dental products (e.g. toothpaste, floss, mouth wash) in the United States

R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Nitrous Oxide 

Nitrous Oxide, or better known as laughing gas, has been used in dentistry since 1863 and is commonly used as a safe and effective for patients looking to appease overly anxious feelings about treatments.

Close to 75% of Americans report some sort of dental anxiety, many citing previous dental experiences, embarrassed by the look of their teeth, phobia of needles, or sensitive gag reflex.  Nitrous Oxide is a good option option for many patients seeking to control dental anxiety for any reason.

Nitrous Oxide is an odorless gas inhaled through a mask.  Most Nitrous Oxide machines create a combination of 70% nitrous and 30% oxygen which keeps the inhaled sedation technique safe and effective. 

Patients under sedation via nitrous have reported feeling:

• A sense of comfortable distance
• Light-headedness
• Tingling in arms and legs
• Euphoria or giddiness
• Tendency to giggle
• Floating sensations

The Smile Station strives for every patient to have the most comfortable dental experience so if you suffer from dental anxiety, please feel free to ask for nitrous oxide.  

Source:http://bestdentistnews.com/2012/11/hey-dentists-make-em-laugh/#more-865

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Mother's Vitamin D Status During Pregnancy Will Affect Her Baby's Dental Health

New studies from the University of Manitoba suggest that low maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy may affect primary tooth calcification, leading to enamel defects.  These defects are a risk factor for early-childhood decay. 

Out of the 206 pregnant women in their second trimester who participated in the study, only 21 women (or 10.5%) had adequate vitamin D levels which were found to be related to milk consumption and prenatal vitamin use.  Investigators also examined 135 infants with and average age of 16 months.  Twenty one percent had enamel defects while 33.6% had signs of early-childhood decay.

Mothers of the children with enamel defects had lower, but not significantly so, vitamin D levels than mothers whose children did not.  However, mothers of children with early-childhood decay had significantly lower vitamin D levels than mothers with cavity free children. 


Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080704104315.htm


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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The Role Parents Play in the Transmission of Dentist Fear in Their Family

Fear of the dentist among children is not a new phenomenon but a new study about the origin of that fear may be surprising.  The Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid initiated a study that analyzed the role parents play in their children's fear of the dentist. Several other studies have already suggested emotional transition between the parents' and children's fear levels exists but the intricacies of the role of each parent have not been investigated. 

This study analyzed 183 children, aged 7 to 12 years, and their parents in the community around Madrid.  The author of the study concluded that fear levels among fathers, mothers, and children are linked. 

Furthermore, the study results suggested that fear of the dentist in just one family member may increase the anxiety in others, with a key factor being the father.  The father acts a a mediating factor in the transmission of dentist fear from the mother to the children. Previous studies have supported this in that children seem to mainly pay attention to the father's emotional reactions when deciding if the dentist is potentially stressful. 

Positive emotional transmission of attitudes towards the dentist is possible is two key implications of this study are met. There is a need for mothers and especially fathers to participate in dentist fear prevention.  It is also suggested that fathers attend the dentist and show no signs of fear or anxiety.


Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/252954.php


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Dental Did You Know

Denture Facts

• Not long ago, dentures were common wedding gifts in the British Isles because many people expected to eventually lose all of their teeth and expedited the process by having them extracted at an early age

• In Vermont, it is illegal for women to wear false teeth without written permission of their husband

• The first set of false teeth were discovered in the 8th century BC

• George Washington, the first president of our country, had several dentures made of hippopotamus, cow, walrus teeth, and elephant's tusks. 

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Nov. 15 is the 37th annual Great American Smokeout

This Thursday (Nov 15), the American Cancer Society is observing the 37th annual Great American Smokeout.  The Smokeout is a day set aside for tobacco users to begin to create a plan to quit smoking or to quit on that day.   

According to the American Cancer Society, “tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet more than 45 million Americans still smoke cigarettes. However, more than half of these smokers have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes.”

Smoking increases risk for many diseases/disorders including high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, and certain kinds of cancer.  Quitting not only reduces the risk for those but also has some short term benefits including:

• 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.

• 12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

• 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, your circulation improves and your lung function increases.

• 1 to 9 months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

• 1 year after quitting, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker’s.

• 5 years after quitting, risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after 2-5 years.

• 10 years after quitting, the risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking. The risk of cancer of the larynx (voice box) and pancreas decreases.

• 15 years after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s.

Not only is smoking bad for the body but tobacco use increases the risk for periodontal (gum) disease, stained teeth and tongue, oral cancer, dulled sense of taste and smell, and elongated recovery time after oral surgery.  Mouthhealthy.com can offer more information regarding the impact of tobacco on oral health.

Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2012/article/ADA-11-Nov-15-is-the-37th-annual-Great-American-Smokeout.cvsp

R. Eric. Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Better Oral Hygiene Could Lower Pneumonia Risk

With the weather getting colder, people start to think about the ways they can avoid getting sick. One way to prevent pneumonia may be simpler than expect, just brush your teeth. 

Research from the Yale University School of Medicine found that changes in oral bacteria preceded the development of pneumonia in hospital patients.  After studying 37 patients over the span of a month, the researchers concluded that the changes in oral bacteria coincide with the person's risk for pneumonia development.

While respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, and oral health have been thought to be connected for years, the exact link as not been investigated.  Studies have shown a higher pneumonia mortality rate for people with a more than average amount of gum problems. 

Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and cutting down on sugary foods and drinks may just help reduce your risk of contracting pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2012/article/ADA-01-Better_oral_hygiene_could_lower_pneumonia_risk.cvsp

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Dental Did You Know

Halloween Fun Facts!

Just a few facts about the origins of Halloween!

• Pumpkins don't just come in orange but also in white, blue, and green. Great options for creative monster carvings!

• Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the fall harvest while black is associated with darkness and death

• Bobbing for apples is supposedly originated from a Roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees

• The Celts believed that ghosts and spirits roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They wore masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as among the living

• Jack o'Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed out turnips to keep away ghosts on the Samhain holiday.

• Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the U.S.

• Black cats were once believed to be witch's familiars who protected their powers

• Halloween is the second most commercially successful holiday, with Christmas being the first

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Source: http://www.halloween-website.com/trivia.htm

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Best and Worst Halloween Candy Options for Children's Teeth

Halloween is only a couple days away and candy is flying off supermarket shelves.  Candy consumption is unavoidable at this time of year but a recent article released by the Academy of General Dentistry alerts parents to the good and bad candy options

Worst:

• Sticky or Chewy Sweets: Examples are gummy candy, taffy, even dried fruit. These types of candies get stuck in the hard to clean crevices between teeth. It is nearly impossible for saliva to wash them away and toothbrushes might miss them.

• Sour Candies: These types can be highly acidic which breaks down tooth enamel. Saliva can restore the mouth back to it's natural acidity but it is recommended to wait 30 minutes before brushing teeth.  Brushing can force the acid onto the tooth surfaces, causing more erosion 

• Sugary Snacks: Examples include candy corn, cake, cookies. These include high amounts of sugar which factors into tooth decay

Best:

• Sugar-free Lollipops and Hard Candies: These candies stimulate the creation of saliva which helps prevent dry mouth and plaque build up.

• Sugar-free Gum: Prevents tooth decay by dislodging particles between teeth and increasing saliva production

• Dark Chocolate: According to some studies, dark chocolate contains antioxidants that are good for the heart and may lower blood pressure 

As always, children's candy intake should be monitored all year to promote good oral health habits. Kids should also brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes.

Source: http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=b&iid=296&aid=11070

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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A Perfect Body or a Perfect Smile?

In a recent poll, 80% of Americans said they would invest money in hiding or correcting aging flaws. Of those, 62% said they would pay to fix their teeth as opposed to the 48% who said they would invest in weight loss options. 

Almost half (45%) of the adults surveyed claimed a smile could defy aging. Eyes (34%), body shape (10%), hair (6%), and legs (5%) were the other areas of the body mentioned after teeth. 

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry president Dr. Ron Goodlin commented that "a great smile is always in style, and these results prove it". Over half of the adults over 50 claim a smile can overcome decades of birthdays, making the investment in a beautiful smile more worth it. 

These results came from a survey questioning American adult's attitudes on aging and beauty in observance of Healthy Aging Month that takes place in September. It was conducted on a sample of 1,018 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and over. 


Source: http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/content/scope/news/region/usa/id/10262


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Cold Cases Heat Up Through New Approach to Identifying Remains

Dental records have long been used to help detectives identify remains of missing persons for police investigations but at times, this technology was not advanced enough for a full identification. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory research team has come up with a new, interdisciplinary way of identifying remains in hopes of closing thousands of cold cases due to unidentified Jane/John Does. 

New technology called "bomb pulse" radiation, in combination with recently developed anthropological analysis and forensic DNA technologies, better enables scientists to identify remains for cold case investigations. Radiocarbon analysis of the enamel of teeth allows for the exact birth date to be identified DNA analysis and mitochondrial profiles determine the gender and any living relatives of the deceased. 

Using bomb pulse radiation is a new development that allows scientists to test the enamel of teeth and match the carbon in the enamel to the amount of carbon in the atmosphere as a way of identifying the birth year. This technique also aids the scientists in identifying the year of death in the same manner. These techniques alone really help increase the identification of missing persons.

This multidisciplinary analysis recently identified the remains of a cranium found 41 years ago, allowing for the cold case to be reopened and subsequently closed. This new technology may help investigators close hundreds of cold cases by determining the birth date, death date, gender, and possible relatives for cases that are up to 60 years old. The implications of this work are enormous as far as implementing new and better techniques to solving both old and new cases.


Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121010141458.htm


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Nature vs. Nurture in Oral Health: Nurture Wins

It is a well-known fact that the mouth contains a variety of microorganisms, some good and some bad. Traditionally, little was known about what dictates which microorganisms live there and which do not. A recent study published by Genome Research investigated whether nature or nurture has more influence in determining oral microbiota and found that environment plays more of a role than genetics.

The oral microbiota (the microorganisms that exist in each person's mouth) starts forming as soon as a baby is born. The differences in oral microbiota influence a person's immunity and therefore change prevention and treatment programs. The researchers did a study comparing the salivary microbiomes of identical twins to further investigate whether the oral microbiota is influenced by genetics or environment.

Identical twins share the same genetic makeup and a common environmental upbringing. Surprisingly, the authors found that the salivary microbiomes of the identical twins were no more similar than those of fraternal twins, who only share half of the same genes. 

Another interesting finding was the fact that the oral microbiomes of the identical twins became even less similar when the twins moved away from each other. These findings suggest that genes do not control the make up of the oral microbiota as much as environment does. 

This study is a great basis for future research. Knowing more about how the oral microbiota is formed will better inform research on oral immunity.


Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251417.php


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Dental Did You Know

Animal Oral Facts

-Rodents' teeth never stop growing

-A chameleon's tongue is twice the length of it's body

-Sharks can grow a new set of teeth in a week

-A crocodile's tongue is attached to the roof of it's mouth so it cannot stick it's tongue out


Answer to the Smile Station Dental Facebook quiz:

-Catfish have the most taste buds of any animal, over 27,000!



R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental 
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Chewing Ability Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

A new study from the Department of Odontology and the Aging Research Center at the Karolinska Institutet and from Karlstad University found that older adults who maintain their chewing ability are less likely to develop dementia compared to those who have difficulty chewing or cannot chew at all. 

It has already been suggested that the more people chew, the smarter they become. A study published a few years ago showed results that students who chew gum on a regular basis had higher standardized math scores than their counterparts who do not chew as regularly. This new study furthers these results to suggest that chewing not only makes us smarter, but helps us retain cognitive functions later in life.

The theory behind these results is that chewing increases the blood flow to the head, and more specifically, the brain.  Less blood flow to the brain leads to a higher risk of dementia. Older adults who maintain chewing ability will decrease their chances of experiencing the specific cognitive deficits that accompany dementia.

Until this research, a national survey of older adults and their chewing ability had not been performed.  A group in Sweden did just that, gathering data from a representative sample of 577 older adults.  When controlling for confounding factors such as education, sex, age, and mental health, the researchers found that older adults who chew harder substances (like apples) with relative ease had a lower risk of developing dementia. Those who had difficulty chewing or could no longer chew due to tooth loss were more likely to develop dementia. 


Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251303.php


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Dental Did You Know

Handedness Influences Chewing Patterns

Did you know your dominant hand influences your chewing patterns? If you are right handed, you tend to chew your food on the right side of your mouth. If you are left handed, you tend to chew on the left side of the mouth. 


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63017
(314)821-7100
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Researchers Make Strides in Growing  a Tooth

Having all your teeth fall out might be a nightmare to some but new strides in the field of biotechnology may assuage those fears.  Researchers at the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki in Finland recently identified the marker for dental stem cells in mice. 

Mice incisors grow throughout life due to the stem cells present at the base of their teeth. Humans are not so lucky but the discovery of this marker may provide a great model for human dental stem cell research. How the human body controls and regulates tooth growth in humans is similar to mice. 

The researchers in Finland are excited about what this marker may mean for the dental field. It may lead to the development of the first bioengineered tooth. Someday, it may be possible to replace lost teeth with ones grown from stem cells


Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2012/article/ADA-08-Researchers-put-some-teeth-into-growing-a-tooth.cvsp


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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More Trust in Dentists Than Doctors

Traditionally, the family General Practitioner is widely trusted in the community, always ready and willing to give out advice. New research in this area has revealed that this may not be true anymore. A recent poll found that 88 percent of people indicated that they have a very high trust in their dentist, even greater than their doctor. 

Twice as many people value their relationship with their dentist than their doctor with three out of four people following the advice of their dentist on what procedures need to be done and when to come in for dental checkups.

This research is exciting for all health practitioners as a culture of only seeking health care when there is something wrong has been increasing in past years. This new research on trust in dentists lends to the belief that more people will seek preventative measures than simply waiting for something to go wrong.


Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/250925.php


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Dental Did You Know

Dental Facts

100 years ago, about 50% of adults in North America were toothless.

Today, less than 10% of adults over 65 have lost teeth.

What an improvement!


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Coconut Oil Could Combat Tooth Decay

A new study from a research team at the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland tested the antibacterial effects of coconut oil and coconut oil treated with enzymes (as if it were going through the digestion process).  The oils were tested against Streptococcus bacteria, a common inhabitant in the mouth and one of the major causes of tooth decay. The oils were also found to be harmful to Candida albicans, or the yeast that causes oral thrush.  

It is suggested that this new discovery of the antibacterial effects of coconut oil could be helpful to the healthcare industry. Considering tooth decay is the most commonly overlooked health problem (effecting 60-90% of children and adults), adding coconut oil to dental hygiene products may be a better addition than chemical additives. Coconut oil also works effectively at smaller doses, making it even more feasible.

Furthermore, the recent increase in antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria are forcing scientists to look for other avenues of fighting microbial infection.  Coconut oil not only aids in keeping dental caries low but has been found to aid in the antimicrobial activity in the gut making it a promising alternative to chemical methods.


Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/249793.php


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Is Your Child's Hobby Making Him/Her Sick?

While research shows that playing a musical instrument can increase intelligence in children, playing a used instrument can bear a potential health risk.

According to a study published in the March/April 2011 issue of General Dentistry, certain types of instruments can increase the amount of bacteria your child is exposed to.  Woodwind and brass instruments use reeds to create the sound so after a while these instruments can become contaminated with a variety of different bacteria and fungi.

The risk of exposure to the bacteria and fungi found in woodwind and brass instruments is especially high for used or borrowed instruments.  Many children participate in a school's band program and subsequently use borrowed instruments with used reeds.  If these instruments are not properly sanitized, the bacteria and fungi can thrive for weeks to even months after the last use. 

The study tested 117 spots on 13 previously used instruments from a high school band, half of which were played in that last week and the other half of which had not been played in about a month. The instruments produced 442 different bacteria, many of which were strands of Staphylococcus (the bacteria that causes staph infections).  Furthermore, 58 molds and 19 yeasts were found on the instruments. 

For more information on this subject and tips for avoiding transmission of bacteria from instruments, follow the link below:

http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=I&iid=308&aid=9430

R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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New Evidence of Ancient Dentistry

An article published on September 19th in the open access journal PLoS ONE described the recent finding suggesting ancient dentistry.  Federico Bernardini and Claudio Tuniz, of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Italy, led a team of researchers who analyzed a 6,500 year old human mandible found in Slovenia near Trieste.  One tooth in the mandible showed signs of a crown with a beeswax filling. 

After a series of tests, the scientists concluded that the tooth was worn which exposed areas of dentin (the second layer of the tooth after the enamel).  This wearing of the tooth was probably due to non-alimentary activities such as weaving which tended to be done by Neolithic females.  These women used their teeth to cut or hold thread when weaving.  This activity bore a vertical crack in the enamel and dentin.

The filling was completed around the time of this individual's death.  It is unclear as to whether the beeswax was placed before or after death.  If the filling was done before death, it is likely that it was performed as an intervention aimed to relieve tooth sensitivity from the fracture and exposed dentin.  

This tooth is the most ancient evidence of prehistoric dentistry in Europe and the earliest known example of a therapeutic dental filling to date.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/250511.php

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/250478.php

R. Eric Emery, DDS 

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Dental Did You Know

Teeth as Identifiers

A person's set of teeth is unique much like their fingerprints.  Even identical twins do not have exactly the same set of teeth.  Did you know that your tongue print is also unique?

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Notes from the Dentist

Cerec Machine Upgrades

A couple days ago, I posted about the new material being used for crowns.  Today, I’d like to take a little time to explain more about the benefits of one-visit crowns.  Traditionally, getting a crown consisted of at least two appointments about two or three weeks apart.  The first appointment was to prepare the tooth and take impressions to send to the lab for the fabrication of the crown.  At the end of this first appointment, the patient would leave the office with a temporary crown covering the prepared tooth.  The second appointment would be used to insert and cement the fabricated crown onto the prepared tooth. This method includes several impressions, two trips to the office, and several hours for the whole process to be complete.

Our office has been offering one-visit crowns since 2002 when the office acquired the Cerec acquisition and milling machines.  The Cerec acquisition unit takes CAD/CAM photographs of the tooth to be crowned and then directs the milling unit to shape a block of ceramic material to the natural size and shape of your original tooth. 

The materials used by the Cerec are bio-compatible, resist plaque, and result in a natural, tooth colored restoration that does not contain any dark metals.  The absence of metal also leads to better translucency and no allergic reactions.  The Cerec process also eliminates the need for messy impressions. 

While our office has been offering one-visit crowns since 2002, some cases were not able to use this method due to the position of the tooth and the relative frailty of the porcelain used by the machine.  With the innovation of the E-max crowns, this procedure can be offered to more patients.  Our office is pleased to offer this technology to our patients, saving them time and making the experience more convenient.

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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E-Max Crowns

The dental field is constantly changing. New technology, instruments, techniques, and more are being developed every day and all with the patient in mind.  One of the newest advances in the field is the implementation of E-max crowns.  More aesthetically pleasing than traditional porcelain fused to metal crowns, E-max crowns are also harder and more durable than other all porcelain crowns. 

Each E-max crown is carved from a block of lithium disicilate ceramic which is a material known for its toughness, durability, and opaque qualities.  The probability of a crown fracturing is significantly less with this new material.  This material is considered to be the best match to natural teeth color. The lifelike shape and all ceramic body of the crown also add to the appeal of an E-max crown.

Overall, E-max crowns are more durable and more aesthetically pleasing than crowns made of other materials.  They are also available for the one visit crowns, saving our patients time and money.

Source: http://www.myperfectdentist.com/e-max.html

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

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Notes from the Dentist

Affordable Fees for All

It is a constant challenge trying to provide you, the patient, with the highest
quality dental treatment and keep our cost and prices reasonable. Today’s
insurance market encourages many dentists to participate in “insurance
plans” which in reality require the subscriber to pay a monthly premium to the
insurance company, while the dentists who participate in this plan are required to substantially discount their fees for the plan’s participants. Many of the dentists that participate in this type of plan cope by substantially raising their fees, thus making up for any discounts given to those patients in the plan by overcharging the patients that do not have this type of insurance. Long ago I decided this practice is unfair to all involved except the insurance company. Subsequently, I do not belong to any discount insurance plan. I have tried very hard to keep my fees reasonable and affordable for all. Please do not let cost be a deterrent to getting the dental treatment you need.


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Cost Keeps Many Americans From Good Dental Care

A recent study published in U.S. News and World Report took a closer look at how often Americans visit the dentist and what deters them from regular dental checkups.  Stemming from survey results from over 17,000 men and women between the ages of 18 and 64, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that roughly 75 percent of Americans claim to have good oral health, leaving 25 percent with fair to poor oral health. 

Several aspects went into whether or not an American schedules regular dental visits. Insurance was a factor as those on Medicaid were five times as likely to have poorer dental health than those with private coverage.  Race also played a role as White and Asian Americans were more likely to have good oral health as compared to Hispanic and African Americans. 

According to the survey, the largest deterrent for not visiting the dentist was cost.  While the original assumption was that fear kept people from regular dentist visits, only ten percent cited it as a factor.


Source: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/07/18/cost-keeps-many-americans-from-good-dental-care-report


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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10 Reasons to Fluoridate 

Recently, the American Dental Association presented 10 reasons to fluoridate public water at the Capital Hill forum on "Oral Health: Putting Teeth into the Health Care System".  The ten reasons cited include:

1. Fluoride is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay
2. Natural fluoride is already present in most water sources, including the ocean
3. It is similar to fortifying other foods
4. It is safe and effective
5. It protects people of all ages from dental caries (cavities)
6. It prevents dental disease
7. It saves money
8. It is recognizable by more than 100 organizations
9. The availability of fluoridation continues to grow
10. The ADA endorses it

For more information on fluoride, follow the link below:

ADA.org/fluoride

Source: http://ada.org/news/7487.aspx

R Eric Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

smilestationdental.com

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Oral Health Connection to Celiac Disease

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, canker sores could be a symptom of Celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a lifelong inherited auto-immune disease where gluten (the proteins found in specific grains, such as wheat) causes an immune-mediated toxic reaction, damaging the small intestine and not allowing food to be absorbed properly. 

Celiac disease can appear at any time during a person's life but specifically after surgery, periods of severe emotional stress, pregnancy, childbirth, or viral infections. It is a multi-system, multi-symptom disease in which several of the bodies systems are affected and there are a myriad of symptoms.  For more information about the symptoms associated with the disease, follow the link at the end of this post. 

Canker sores are small ulcers that appear white or grayish with a red border.  They are not contagious but can return often and several may appear at once. For more information on these sores, see the Word of Mouth post from July 16th.

Currently, the exact cause of these sores is unknown but is thought to be viral or bacterial. Canker sores may be linked to Celiac due to the auto-immune nature of the disease. 


Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2012/article/ADA-08-Oral-health-connection-to-Celiac-disease.cvsp


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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New School Year, Healthier Lunches

With the start of the new school year, children may find a few changes in school cafeteria. The American Dental Association recently supported the legislation entitled the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act in Washington which advocates more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in children's school lunches. The new dietary specifications also indicated that schools have to set specific calorie limits depending on the grades in the school (K-5, 6-8, 9-12).  The act includes a gradual decline in the sodium content of the meals as well. For more information, follow the link to the ADA article below:


New school year, healthier lunch - American Dental Association - ADA.org


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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