Teeth Bleaching: Take Home vs. In Office

            More than ever before, people want to know if they can whiten their teeth and what is the best way to go about doing so. Should you try over the counter or professional whitening? Should you bleach at home over a longer period of time or try to do it in one appointment at the dentist? We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

            A few years ago, Zoom! whitening came into the market and everyone was excited about same day bleaching. While there are definitely some success stories, I believe Zoom! and other in office bleaching techniques are less predictable and are more likely to lead to sensitivity. The concentration of bleach is much higher in these procedures, thus a higher chance of sensitivity. Also, the in office procedure provides us with little to no opportunity to customize the bleaching process to each person and forces you to remain seated with you mouth open for a long period of time. Bottom line, it can be effective but there are a lot more challenges and limiting factors.

            The professionally made ‘take-home’ bleaching trays are my personal favorite. This allows us to customize a specific plan to your daily schedule and comfort level. We can use different concentrations and different intervals to provide optimal results with limited sensitivity. If you don’t get sensitive teeth and have the time to wear the trays, you can bleach as often as 4 or 5 times each day. This can help you achieve the results you are looking for in a shorter period of time. However, if your teeth are more sensitive, we can help by scaling back how often, how long, and how strong how strong the bleach is that you use.

            Finally, you may run into bleaching kiosks at the mall or some other areas that are not run by certified dental professionals. I would be very wary of using these stations to bleach your teeth. While you may be able to achieve some results, there are still risks to bleaching your teeth that they may not be capable of diagnosing or treating. Just to be safe, definitely consult with your dentist or dental hygienist before any type of bleaching, including over the counter.

            Even though there are times where in office bleaching can be done for certain patients, usually our first recommendation is the take home bleaching. Talk with us about your goals and concerns with bleaching, and we can help create a plan to give you the best results for your situation.

For more information, please visit www.brownandkupper.com

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Is Your Insurance Company Trying to Decide the Treatment you need?

            If you have dental insurance, chances are you pay hundreds of dollars each year to cover your family for the basics and in case something goes wrong. So if the time comes along that a major procedure is warranted, shouldn’t your insurance provide some help in covering a procedure that will give you the best long term result? The answer should be yes, but you will be disappointed to learn that this is not always the case.

            A common example of dental insurance trying to dictate the treatment you need is when you want to replace missing tooth with a dental implant over a dental bridge. Dental implants are long lasting, cosmetic, functional, and are non-invasive to your other teeth. Over the course of your life, they typically result in the least amount of long term financial investment because they will last longer than a dental bridge. This also means the insurance company will have to contribute less over the long term.  But for whatever reason, many insurance companies will deny you coverage on the dental implant but will approve the dental bridge. Both procedures require a large financial commitment, and the difference in coverage is often the difference maker if you need your tooth replaced. Thus, the insurance company can push you towards one option over another.

            So what can we do if your insurance company denies coverage to a recommended procedure? In some cases, no matter what we do, the insurance company will simply not provide any coverage for certain procedures. But in other situations we can submit a new request for coverage along with a narrative explaining our rationale for the treatment needed. There are times when reason wins and coverage is granted, but unfortunately it doesn’t always work out that way.

            Before signing up with an insurance carrier or package, I would recommend doing some detailed research on what procedures may be covered. If you are overwhelmed by all of this or confused, I encourage you to call us and we can help you sort through what plan may be best according to the needs and dental history of you and your family.

For more information, visit www.brownandkupper.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Can the Dentist Help with Snoring or Sleep Apnea?

           More and more people are being diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea than ever before. While snoring can be an indicator that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, there are also a number of other symptoms. The first step should be to consult with your physician to determine if you need to undergo a sleep study. Depending upon the findings of the study and the recommendations of your doctor, you may be eligible for an oral appliance to supplement or replace your CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.
          If snoring is your only issue, there are a number of appliances we can offer to reduce or eliminate the issue. Making a ‘snore guard’ is a non-invasive procedure that requires us taking a number of different impressions of the teeth with your jaw in an altered position. This allows us to dictate how the appliance will fit your jaw to limit your snoring. By pulling the lower jaw forward the correct amount we can help open the airway and help you and your significant other sleep better.
         If you are in search of another option to supplement or replace your CPAP machine, there are times when an oral appliance can be used. However, I believe it is always a good idea that we consult with your physician before making an appliance to help with sleep apnea. Each case of sleep apnea is different, and there are times when it may be appropriate for us to try and there are times where it may not. But much like the snore guard, we can fabricate the appliance with a series of impressions with the lower jaw in an altered position. Once it has been made, we will make the necessary adjustments to achieve the best possible results and we may even recommend another sleep study to verify its effectiveness.

          If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea and you are looking for a solution, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with us. We can help evaluate your situation and determine if there is an oral appliance that may help. However, I strongly discourage anyone from using over the counter products because of the potential harm that can be done to your jaw if not properly used.

For more information, visit www.brownandkupper.com

Lee T. Brown, DDS
Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Traditional Dental Implants vs. Mini Dental Implants

            In recent years, mini dental implants have gained some notoriety as an option to help anchor dentures. Some dentists like the idea because they are less invasive and are less likely to have complications with nerves and other surrounding structures in the jaw. Patients like the idea of mini implants because they are less expensive than traditional implants. I want to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each and why we should remain cautious about extent to which mini implants are being used.

            At Brown and Kupper DDS, we have been successfully using traditional dental implants for 25 years. When properly cared for, dental implants can be one of the most successful procedures in dentistry. Millions of dollars of research has shown how and why implants succeed, and the longevity of these studies helps support the validity of these findings. Because mini implants are relatively new, we do not have the benefit of these findings to support their long term efficacy. Until we know more, I believe traditional dental implants to be a safer decision in replacing teeth or supporting dentures.

            But if mini implants are less expensive, is it worth the risk? While they may be of short term benefit, they are less likely to last as long as traditional implants. The mini implants don’t have enough length and width to support the normal biting forces that we typically need to function. And if you have to replace them 2 or 3 times in the span of 1 traditional dental implant, you will end up spending much more than if you did the larger implant from the start.

            Right now, the only time I may recommend the use of mini implants would be in an effort to help stabilize a denture while traditional implants were healing and could not be used. This would allow for immediate use of a denture without disturbing the larger implants. Until more definitive data can support mini implants, we will continue to recommend traditional implants to support dentures and replace missing teeth.

For more information on dental implants, visit www.brownandkupper.com

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

How Do We Check for Signs of Oral Cancer?

            Every time you are in our office for an exam, both the dentist and dental hygienist perform an oral cancer screening. Our goal is to understand you medical history, dental history, and any other risk factors you may have. Using this information we can help identify, treat, or refer you to the right person for any possible treatment.

            To identify any potential areas of concern, we look for colors or lesions that are out of the ordinary. They could be red, white, blue, black and just about everything in between. In most cases the key is to identify these areas, take pictures when necessary, and follow their progress. If these areas continue to change size, shape and color, we will likely recommend a specialist examine and biopsy the area. In more extreme situations where the appearance is more aggressive, we will immediately refer you to a specialist for a biopsy of the area.

            There is technology now available that uses a light or a rinse to look for potential cancerous areas. We currently do not use these tools because we have found they present a large number of ‘false-positive’ findings. This means it shows an overabundance of areas that may be pre-cancerous or cancerous and can lead to over treatment. Until this technology improves, we will continue to conduct our oral cancer screenings without the lights or rinses.

            So what should you look for at home and when do you need to come see us? When you notice something new and it does not go away in 10-14 days, I believe that is a good indication to have the area more closely examined. If you have any history of oral cancer, smoking, or smokeless tobacco it is even more important to see us whenever you are in doubt.

            Like many other types of cancer, oral cancer can go undetected for a long time if you do not maintain regular visits with your doctor or dentist. Even if you do your best to check at home for any irregularities, you should always consult with your dentist whenever in doubt.

For more information, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Should I Try Oil Pulling to Whiten My Teeth?

            Oil pulling, which is an old folk remedy that originated in India, has been all the rage lately due to news coverage and social media sites. It involves swishing with an edible oil (coconut, sesame, or olive) for up to 20 minutes in your mouth before spitting it out. The goal is swish until the oil turns white, which allegedly shows that bacteria have been drawn out of your mouth. While it may eventually prove effective in some ways, dental professionals are still very hesitant to get behind the practice of oil pulling until more legitimate research can be completed.

            In theory, the removal of bacteria in your mouth sounds appealing. However, there are many different kinds of bacteria that live in the oral cavity that everyone needs to maintain good oral health. If the oil does actually remove all of the bacteria from the mouth, it could actually do more harm that good if the normal flora of bacteria is disrupted. This could lead increased risk to infections or cavities by changing the way our mouth usually defends itself.  Until more long term clinical studies have been performed, dental professionals will continue to remain skeptical.

            To effectively use the oil pulling technique, it requires 20 minutes of swishing, which is a long time to keep something in your mouth and actively swish. To achieve whiter teeth and better oral health, I would advise just spending a little extra time with the traditional toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouth rinse.  I believe that using those home care tools will yield the best long term results. And if whitening is your concern, most dental professionals agree than professional teeth bleaching will be the safest, most predictable and effective way to brighten your smile.

            Whether or not you decide to try oil pulling is ultimately your own decision. However, even if you are diligent in using this home remedy, I would strongly advise that you don’t use it to replace the more traditional homecare methods of brushing, flossing and using mouth rinse.

Please visit us at www.brownandkupper.com with any other questions.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Why do I Need to See the Dentist at Least Twice Each Year?

            If you have a history of developing cavities or stains on your teeth, it is obvious why you need to visit the dentist on a regular basis. However, for those who seldom have cavities or don’t accumulate much stain on the teeth, you may wonder why we insist on seeing you every six months. While there are plenty of studies and vast amounts of data to support six months check-ups, the bottom line is we base our recommendations on early detection and preventative care.

            The earlier we find a cavity, the easier it is to treat. This means you are less likely to experience sensitivity following the filling because it is less invasive on your tooth. And with a smaller filling, your appointment time is shorter. This means you have to spend less time in a dental chair and more time keeping up with your busy schedule.

            Most cavities and other dental issues do not exhibit any painful signs or symptoms until significant damage is done. Our goal is to catch any problems early and treat them before it causes you discomfort. A clinical exam every six months and bitewing x-rays every year are critical in diagnosing developing problems that may not otherwise be noticeable. Absence of pain does not mean absence of dental problems.

            Tarter (calculus), the hard buildup on your teeth, is a collection of bacteria that has formed on your teeth. Once it has formed on and around your teeth, simple brushing and flossing will not be enough to remove these deposits. Our hygienists use specialized instruments to remove the calculus and allow your teeth and gums to remain healthy. We do not recommend that our patients use their own ‘tools’ at home to remove the deposits in an effort to avoid cleaning appointments. You will not be able to remove all of the calculus and will likely leave some underneath the gums. Left unchecked, this can lead to more serious infections.

 

            Frequent and consistent visits to the dentists are essential in maintaining your health and for diagnosing and treating problems early. Doing so will end up saving you time and money in the long run and will hopefully keep your teeth and gums pain free.

 Please visit us at www.brownandkupper.com for more information.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.