the right smile

Educating Patients on their Oral Health Options

Daily Archives: July 3, 2012


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Dentist Dunwoody: The Right Bite for a Great Smile

When a dentist talks about your “bite,” she’s referring to your occlusion, which means how your top and bottom teeth fit together. Optimal occlusion occurs when opposing teeth come together in their ideal arrangement.  When your teeth are misaligned, called malocclusion, a whole host of issues can result, including headaches, jaw pain, the wearing away of tooth enamel, and even cracked or loose teeth.

The Right Smile Center helps people achieve beautiful, healthy smiles – the right smile.  Optimal teeth alignment is a crucial component to the right smile.  You can’t have a great smile if the teeth, gums, joints, and muscles don’t function in harmony with each other. The prosthodontic training I received at Emory University School of Dentistry allows me to give patients smiles that look great, feel great and function properly.

During your exam, our team will look at how your top and bottom teeth come together when you bite down.  We will also assess the wear patterns on your teeth.  And of course, we are going to make recommendations that help your smile be a proud part of your expression.

Equilibration means restoring optimal contact between upper and lower tooth surfaces that prevents the abnormal wear and tear on your teeth, joints, and muscles.  Oftentimes, a slight adjustment made to the surface of a tooth makes a huge impact on occlusion.

Also, with the addition of Dr. Nanci Lubell to our practice, we are now offering in-house endodontic treatment.   So, if we can be of service please feel free to contact us for a complimentary consultation.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

 

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Dentist Dunwoody: How Much Does an Occlusal Guard Cost?

Teeth grinding (bruxism) can cause serious damage to your teeth.  With so much at stake, it’s no wonder that grinders are willing to spend a lot of money on custom occlusal guards (or splints) to protect their valuable smile.  But how much is too much?   And exactly how much should an occlusal guard cost?

The reason this question is so important is because a) not everyone who grinds their teeth has dental insurance, and b) dental insurance doesn’t always cover a night guard for teeth grinding. In fact, in many cases, insurance pays up less than half the time – and not always for the full cost.  Most of the time, dental night guard cost is your cost.

The guard price varies by dentist, depending on the expertise of the dentist and their location.   In most cases, your dentist will take bite impressions in his or her office.  Taking a bite impression is a routine service that any competent dentist or dental hygienist should be able to perform.   A typical price for an acrylic occlusal night guard is about $300-400, but $500 or more is not uncommon.

Having the feeling of trust in your oral healthcare provider may also play a role in the decision process.  We generally don’t sell product as a goal.  Ethically, the more important factor in accessing your needs is what drives us to the decision of whether or not we recommend an occlusal guard for your care.  If we can be of assistance please do not hesitate to call or email us.

Scheinfeld, Tourial and Lubell

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com


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Dentist Dunwoody: Dental Plaque Means Higher Cancer?

New research suggests that people who have more plaque on their teeth and gums are more likely to die prematurely from cancer.  The June 11 edition of BMJ Open findings show only an association between plaque and a raised risk of early cancer death, and not a cause-and-effect relationship.

In the study, nearly 1,400 Swedish adults were followed for 24 years.  During this time, 58 of the subjects died, 35 from cancer.[1]  Specifically, people with high amounts of dental plaque were 79 percent more likely to die prematurely.  That said, the absolute risk of any person with dental plaque dying early of cancer was low.[2]

Although the study did not examine the causal connection, underlying inflammation may be the common denominator.  Calling the new findings “interesting,” Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, said they raise more questions than they answer.

 “This study does not answer the question of whether or not dental plaque leads to cancer death,” he said. “We only know how many people died, so we don’t know if there is an increase in the incidence of cancer among people with plaque, or if, perhaps, it renders them more susceptible to treatment-associated infection.”[3]

While insurance companies only pay for two visits, we think the growing evidence of how your oral health care relates to your global health indicates that you should have your teeth cleaned at least 3, if not 4 times per year.  As long as I have been practicing, I have been ethically driven to inform you of your needs.  Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t take an oath of professionalism.  Learn more about healthy teeth and gums at the American Dental Association.  If we can be of service or answer any of your oral health questions, please do not hesitate to contact us or schedule a complementary consultations.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

[1] June 11, 2012, BMJ Open

[3] Len Lichtenfeld, M.D., deputy chief medical officer, American Cancer Society, Atlanta

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