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:
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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Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
News You Can Use
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.
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.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
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
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Sunday, September 16, 2012
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
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Friday, September 14, 2012
News You Can Use
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.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
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
Like us on Facebook!
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
Like us on Facebook!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
News You Can Use
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
Like us on Facebook!
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
Like us on Facebook!
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