Many Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Dental Care

Fox Business (8/20) carried a Motley Fool article that explains some of the differences between the “original” Medicare package of Part A and Part B and the “Medicare Advantage plan, sometimes referred to as Part C.” The article noted that “while original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing, vision and/or dental care, many Medicare Advantage plans do.”

Caring For Oral Health Considered Among “Natural Ways” To Look Younger

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution includes taking care of oral health in a list of “10 natural ways to defy your age.” The article states “the health of your mouth can also affect the health of your body,” adding that “nothing can make you look older than yellow, stained or missing teeth.” Given this, the article recommends brushing teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly.

Dentists Can Play “Major Role” In Oral Cancer Detection

Noting the link between the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) and oral and oropharyngeal cancers, the Cape Cod (MA) News reports that “a thorough oral exam during your dental visit and dialogue about the subject can save lives.” Dr. Alessandro Villa, an associate surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said, “HPV-associated cancers are a concern for all providers, and dental health care may play a major role in diagnosing oral cancer.” The article adds that “approximately 48,250 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year and that translates into 132 new cases of oral cancer every day.” Several symptoms may indicate oropharyngeal cancers, such as a persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing, ear pain, vocal changes, coughing up blood, and sudden weight loss.

New HPI Report Details Troubling State of Oral Health in U.S.

A new study published by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute (HPI), released in conjunction with Families USA on June 8, reports large numbers of adults suffer from dental problems that affect their quality of life. The report, “Oral Health & Well-being in the United States,” found across all income levels, nearly 30 percent of those surveyed said life is “very often” or “occasionally” less satisfying because of the condition of their mouth or teeth. The full report includes data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and is based on the responses of nearly 15,000 adults nationwide.

Consulting With A Dentist Advised To Treat Bruxism, Sleep Apnea

The Huffington Post (4/17, Cunnington) “The Blog” states that there are several “links between your teeth and sleep,” noting, for example, that bruxism “commonly occurs during sleep and can cause pain and damage to teeth.” According to the article, bruxism is “very common” and may be “exacerbated or precipitated by stress and/or anxiety” or sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. Using oral appliances is one strategy for managing bruxism, and they also may be an option for treating sleep apnea, the article states, recommending people speak with their dentist if they think they may have sleep apnea or bruxism. MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on bruxism and sleep apnea.

Misuse Of Home Tooth Whitening Products May Cause Dental Issues

The Sierra Vista (AZ) Herald (3/8, Neff) reports that millions of Americans are purchasing do-it-yourself whitening products, “which topped $1.4 billion in sales last year,” adding that toothpastes and chemical application are among “the most popular over-the-counter whitening products.” The article states that “the misuse of whitening products can result in painful, even long term dental issues,” however, adding that an Arizona dentist “stresses that anyone considering whitening treatments should first see a dentist to evaluate if whitening will aggravate existing dental conditions, if the process will be painful, and if the teeth are suitable for whitening.” The article notes this advice follows the ADA recommendation that patients consult with a dentist before using a bleaching product, particularly for patients with “fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides tips on achieving a whiter smile. In addition, several whitening toothpastes and a whitening product have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

UCLA Researchers Find Protein Combination Could Improve Bone Regeneration

EurekAlert (1/28) hosted a release announcing “a UCLA research team has found a combination of proteins that could significantly improve clinical bone restoration.” The findings, which will appear in the February print edition of the American Journal of Pathology, “may be a big step toward developing effective therapeutic treatments for bone skeletal defects, bone loss and osteoporosis.” Dr. Kang Ting, professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, said, “The combination of NELL-1 and BMP2 resulted in improved safety and efficacy of bone regeneration in animal models – and may, one day, offer patients significantly better bone healing.”

Study: Children With High Risk Of Cavities Not Receiving Needed Preventive Dental Care

PRNewswire (12/29) hosts a Delta Dental Plans Association release announcing that its “study of more than 97 million dental claims...found two-thirds of children who are at higher risk of developing cavities aren’t getting recommended preventive dental care.” The study determined 27 percent of children are at higher risk of developing cavities based on their history of recent fillings. Of those children, the study found that “65% did not receive two fluoride treatments per year,” “68% of 6- to 9-year-olds didn’t receive sealants on their first permanent molars,” and “85% of those ages 10 to 14 didn’t receive sealants on their second permanent molars.” According to the release, the ADA “recommends children at higher risk of tooth decay receive two fluoride treatments a year as well as sealants on their first and second permanent molars.” The ADA provides fluoridation FAQs online.

Dental Care Advised Before, During, And After Cancer Treatment

The About (12/29) website states that “mouth complications...can and do occur in more than one-third of those being treated for breast cancer,” adding that untreated dental problems may impact treatment. Given this, the article recommends seeing “your dentist as soon as you know you will be having chemotherapy,” adding, “Consider your dentist a part of your care team as you will be seeing him or her during treatment, as needed, and after treatment is completed.”

Children With High Risk Of Cavities Not Receiving Needed Preventive Dental Care

PRNewswire (12/29) hosts a Delta Dental Plans Association release announcing that its “study of more than 97 million dental claims...found two-thirds of children who are at higher risk of developing cavities aren’t getting recommended preventive dental care.” The study determined 27 percent of children are at higher risk of developing cavities based on their history of recent fillings. Of those children, the study found that “65% did not receive two fluoride treatments per year,” “68% of 6- to 9-year-olds didn’t receive sealants on their first permanent molars,” and “85% of those ages 10 to 14 didn’t receive sealants on their second permanent molars.” According to the release, the ADA “recommends children at higher risk of tooth decay receive two fluoride treatments a year as well as sealants on their first and second permanent molars.” The ADA provides fluoridation FAQs online. Additional information on fluoride is available on MouthHealthy.org.

Increasing Number Of Adults Seek Orthodontic Treatments

Healthline (12/23) discusses the growing number of adults seeking orthodontic treatments, stating that “the number of adults undergoing orthodontia has risen by 40 percent in the past decade, according to the American Association of Orthodontists.” The article states that nearly 25 percent of people who began orthodontic treatment in 2014 were adults, attributing the increasing number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment to “a combination of relatively lower prices and newer, less clunky products.”

What Goes Into Designing your Cosmetic Treatment Plan

When you have a tooth that’s stained, decayed, chipped, or cracked, restoring it to its natural, healthy appearance requires skill and precision. Cosmetic dental treatments should look as natural and seamless as possible, which means that all of the following needs to be taken into consideration:

Soft Tissue Height – Part of making sure that your restoration – veneers and dental crowns – matches the appearance of the rest of your teeth, is taking soft tissue into consideration. A restoration shouldn’t be placed too far into the gum tissue, throw-off the aesthetic balance, or cause gum irritation and inflammation.

Picking the Right Restoration – It’s not uncommon for some dental offices to recommend the restoration that requires the most work and therefore the higher price tag; however you don’t necessarily always need the most extensive treatment. It’s important to save as much of your natural tooth structure as possible and select the restoration that is best for your oral health and treatment goals. Even small changes, like teeth whitening, can provide a significant boost for the appearance of your smile.

Comfort and Durability – Your cosmetic treatment shouldn’t irritate soft tissue and should remain a beautiful addition to your smile for as long as possible. Selecting the appropriate materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, tooth-colored composite, and zirconia help you achieve bio-friendly treatment that stands the test of time, and looks as natural as possible.

Matching Color and Luminosity – A treated tooth shouldn’t stand out in your smile by looking obviously fake, or being a completely different color than surrounding teeth. Considering the shade, hue, and luminosity of your natural teeth are important factors in a cosmetic dental restoration. With this information, your new tooth can be created to be a perfect complement for your natural smile aesthetic.

Planning Your Treatment at Peninsula Dental-Facial Esthetics

Dr. Kinsel puts a great deal of care into helping you meet your cosmetic dental goals and has specialty training in prosthodontics, dentures, crowns and fixed bridges. With an on-site, full-service dental laboratory, we’re able to ensure that your restorations are created with all of the above criteria in-mind. We also have an on-staff Master Ceramist who is especially skilled at creating life-like reproductions of your natural teeth for use in cosmetic dental prosthetics.

If you have questions about getting cosmetic care, please feel free to call our Foster City cosmetic dental office for more information.

Tooth-Colored Cosmetic Dentistry

When you need a tooth repaired, you have the option to restore your smile with treatment that is made to match the color and luminosity of real dental enamel. Tooth-colored dental treatments make it easier to enjoy long-lasting care that doesn’t detract from the appearance of a naturally beautiful smile.

Tooth-colored dental treatments include:

White dental fillings – Cosmetic dentists can use white composite resin to fill in cavities, instead of silver metal amalgam. The result is a tooth that looks free of damage and doesn’t contain metal and mercury.

Porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia crowns – Standard dental crowns are often a layer of porcelain over a base of metal. While these crowns are sturdy, they don’t age well and look less like natural teeth over time. Crowns made from all porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia mimic the qualities of real teeth and blend into your smile seamlessly.

Porcelain veneers – A veneer is a tooth-shaped shell of porcelain that is used to hide cosmetic flaws, like cracks, gaps between teeth, and severe discoloration. Like porcelain crowns, veneers are custom made for each patient and made to look as natural as possible.

Tooth-colored cosmetic restorations are excellent for repairing teeth that are in your smile line. Thanks to the wide-spread use of stronger materials (like zirconia), cosmetic restorations are durable and can support improved oral function. If you have decayed or flawed teeth, you can choose cosmetic treatment options that will look just as natural as your own teeth.

If you have questions about tooth-colored cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Kinsel for more information about available treatments and the work performed by his in-house master ceramist.