BENEFITS OF DIGITAL XRAYS

For just a moment, think back to the last time you had conventional x-rays. I'm sure you remember the discomfort of sharp edges against your gums and cheeks as you were asked to bite down on the film. Then, once the films were taken, you had to wait for them to be developed. If any didn’t turn out just right, you had to start all over and bite down on those sharp film packets all over again. GREAT NEWS!!! All that is a thing of the past with digital x-rays.



Digital x-rays don’t require film. Instead, we capture the images via a small computer sensor placed directly in your mouth. Most people find this technique more comfortable, even when we must take the images at difficult angles. And once each x-ray is taken, you can see the results right along with us in real time on a computer that is attached to your dental chair.

But ease of use is not the main reason we chose several years ago to become one of the first practices the area to rely on digital imaging. Most important are the health benefits, superior imaging and user-friendly results.

Although digital x-rays, like conventional, use radiation to capture the images, they require much less of it. Reported results have suggested that the amount of exposure is almost halved. Tests continue to be run to determine the exact amount, but even if the exposure is reduced by less than we currently think, it’s still less. And the less radiation, the better!

In addition, digital images are typically of higher quality than conventional films. They can also be improved through image manipulation. By enlarging, brightening and otherwise clarifying images, we – and you – can get a better view of the condition of your teeth, gums and bone. Consequently, we can often catch problems in their earlier stages – see where bone loss is beginning to occur or the start of interproximal caries (cavities between teeth).

Even better, you, as a client, can more easily view the images. You can see what we see and so better understand your dental situation and our recommendations for care. If you need to be referred to a specialist, it’s also easier for us to get your x-rays to him or her; we can just e-mail them.

The digital x-ray system we use here at Dr. Sutor's office also allows us to view the images in ways that are awkward or time-consuming with conventional films. For instance, we can do side-by-side comparisons of images taken at different times to better chart changes in your dental health. We can switch images from year to year without having to go through your whole chart to find the films we want. Being able to view and compare images more efficiently, we can further broaden our understanding of your dental health and better work with you to maintain or improve it, supporting you in your quest for optimum dental health.

To learn more about the technology used in Dr. Sutor's office visit our website at www.sutordds.com

BATTLE OF THE SEXES?

According to the Journal of Periodontology, research is showing that WOMEN are winning the Periodontal Health Battle of the Sexes! Women are twice as likely to have received a normal dental cleaning as well as schedule recommended treatment following a routine cleaning. Women had better indicators of periodontal health including lower plaque, calculus and bleeding...Read more from this article at

http://www.perio.org/consumer/gender-differences.htm

Maintaining Oral Health During Cancer Therapy

Oral complications that compromise periodontal health, are sometimes a result of cancer therapy. It is extremely important to keep your teeth & gums healthy during this difficult time by seeing a periodontist, Dr. Sutor.



The American Academy of Periodontology gives some possible side effects of cancer treatments:

Inflamed gums and mouth ulcers
Dry mouth
Difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing
Erosion of tooth enamel
Loss of taste
Jaw stiffness
Delayed healing

The AAP also suggests before beginning your cancer treatment, an oral evaluation is very important. It will give you the ability to correct potential problems in your mouth and keep them from getting worse or interfering with your cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy and radiation can cause excessive dryness of your mouth. Some helpful tips during treatment are to keep your mouth moist by sipping cool water, ice chips, chew sugarless gum, apply lip balm and use a humidifier at night.

Your periodontist may also prescribe a fluoride treatment for you, or suggest a dry mouth toothpaste or rinse such as Biotene (www.biotene.com)

As your cancer therapy comes to an end, this relationship with your periodontist is still very important to maintain your healthy mouth for a lifetime.

LOVE HEARING FROM OUR PATIENTS!

WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR PATIENT'S THIS WEEK! THANK YOU ALL! IT IS SUCH A PLEASURE TO BE A PART OF YOUR CARE!

"Hard to get Too Rhapsodic about getting my Teeth cleaned,BUT,as always,Dr.Sutor and Holly were Perfect and It was an important step in my continued Dental Health...Thanks"...Jan B.

"Everyone at the Sutor office seems to take seriously the mission of the office - to provide the absolute best dental care. After my procedure, they met and exceeded that goal. Thank you."...Alicia H.

"Up to date and state of the art technology makes this the Mercedes Benz of Periodontics. Dr. Mark Sutor presents a confident can-do attitude, which suggests competence and high quality care. Staff also projects a caring, professional and personable demeanour, underscoring every nuance of the visit.. There is a payment program for those who can indenture themselves, ..hehe..pun..with differing terms and levels of interest. I would absolutely entrust Dr. Sutor with my care. Two thumbs up to him and his staff!"...Janas W.

"When I first stared coming to Dr. Sutor I was in pretty bad shape. I feel as if we are a team in the effort to help me keep my teeth and prevent further damage."...Lila J.

Do You Have Exposed Roots?

Gum recession is the gradual loss or retraction of the soft tissue of the gums, eventually exposing the roots of the teeth.

The visible part of your tooth, is buffered by a hard coating of enamel, but the roots are much more vulnerable. One of the first signs of gum recession is teeth that are highly sensitive to cold and heat at the gumline. Even though gum recession is a common problem, if it is left untreated over time it can leave teeth more susceptible to cavities and infection.
Gum recession tends to progress slowly over time and gets worse with age. One cause is gum disease, or an inflammation of the gums. Other factors in gum recession are poor oral hygiene, the use of tobacco, and/or a genetic predisposition to thin bones and gums. Terrence Griffin, chair of the department of periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, says that “for most people the problem is an anatomical defect.’’ Teeth that are not set properly in the bone of the jaw and stick out are at higher risk of gum recession. For that reason, he says, recession is sometimes seen later in life in people who have had braces, because teeth have been moved outward to reduce crowding. Sometimes brushing too vigorously can wear down the gums, but Griffin says that with today’s softer brushes it’s rare to see gum recession caused by abrasion. Clenching and grinding the teeth at night can exacerbate the problem, and wearing a bite guard at night may help in those cases.

For the most part, however, gum recession “is very difficult to prevent,’’ Griffin says. Orthodontics to fix prominent or crooked teeth may help ward off recession at those sites. Good oral hygiene and regular cleanings of tarter buildup by a dentist can help keep teeth free of gum recession caused by gum disease.

Early treatment is the best way to avoid tooth decay, tooth loss, and infection. Dr. Sutor performs a Gum Grafting procedure here in our practice that is a very common treatment and often involves taking tissue from the roof of the mouth and attaching it to remaining gum tissue. In some cases, Dr. Sutor chooses a synthetic grafting material as it can serve a better solution in some scenarios. After a grafting procedure, the patient generally can expect to resume their normal routine within a couple days and in many cases the next day.

Our awesome team would love to speak with you anytime! Call at 333-4550 or visit our website at www.sutordds.com for more information on the gum grafting procedure. We'd love to have the opportunity to meet with you to answer any questions you may have and be able to be a part of improving your oral health for a lifetime!

What Does My Tooth Socket Have To Do With An Ice Cream Cone?

When you are having a tooth removed, your surgeon MUST be careful to be as atraumatic as possible. Why? "Think of your tooth socket as an empty ice cream cone". The walls can easily collapse, especially where the bone is thinnest such as the surfaces facing the cheeks and lips where gum recession will show. Modern tooth removal techniques and bone grafting products, make it very easy to maintain or replace bone in extraction sockets. Small amount of bone grafting material is placed in the empty socket, then the body begins to build its own bone upon that material and eventually replaces it with good solid bone. This process prepares an excellent scenario for a permanent solution: a dental implant to be placed for an ideal long term result replacing only that missing tooth and not bothering the healthy teeth on either side, that could be compromised by a bridge or partial. Call us today for your complimentary consultation or check out our website for more information regarding this service we provide as well as many others!

(Dear Doctor article referenced)

AWESOME PATIENT TESTIMONIAL!

Had one of our patients Don H. write us such a kind note this morning and we just had to share! We loves these reminders of why we do what we do every day! Thanks Don!

"Nine years ago, I received 2 implants for my front teeth. Dr. Sutor and his staff did such a remarkable job that today I even forget they are implants. For 20 years I was ashamed to show my teeth and now I have a movie star smile, not to mention being able to eat properly. It's a great feeling! I absolutely cannot say enough good things about my experience. Dr. Sutor is an amazingly skilled surgeon who is also extremely gentle and caring. If you are afraid to get in the dentist chair, then your best bet is to visit him. He'll take care of you."