Cavities – the mouth is connected to the body

It is not merely semantics, but rather a paradigm shift in thinking to consider dental caries (cavities) as a ‘complex disease caused by an imbalance in physiologic equilibrium between tooth mineral and biofilm fluid’.[1]  A consequence of dental caries being a complex disease is that on a population basis we may have success with a particular preventive oral program in one select segment of population in our country, but not necessarily in another segment with different cultural and behavioral habits.

Moreover, society and the dental community may need to organize our dental health care very differently in neighboring counties, and apply fluorides, tooth brushing protocols and flossing in very different ways (mouth rinsing, toothpaste, water fluoridation and supervised brushing etc.) to obtain rather similar caries reductions from one locale to another.

Contrary to urban lore, the mouth is connected to the body.  So, whatever directions caries research should take from here it will require a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex problems and should be included in a well-planned healthcare approach. More than ever, well-educated clinical dentists set the stage and should be included in collaboration with colleagues trained in the multitude of new fields in the basic sciences (biophysics, functional genomics, proteomics, chemical biology, nano-technology, etc.) to address clinically relevant questions.

A higher standard of oral healthcare well planned.  Get the facts, ask the Right Smile Center.  If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-404-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

[1] Fejerskov O, Nyvad B: Is dental caries an infectious disease? Diagnostic and treatment consequences for the practitioner; in Schou L (ed): Nordic Dentistry 2003 Yearbook. Copenhagen, Quintessence Publishing, 2003, pp 141– 151.

Dentist Sandy Springs: Top 4 Reasons Not to play hooky from Your Dental Cleanings

Your regular cleanings in our office promotes good oral hygiene, but did you know these visits also screen for a multitude of diseases?

Getting your teeth cleaned and having your doctor’s exam may not rank up there with an afternoon on the course or ditching work to enjoy a matinee, but it may be well worth it for your overall health. Here are 4 really great reasons to see your dentist for your regularly scheduled cleanings.

1. It’s an opportunity to check for Oral Cancer. You may or may not realize that you’re screened for oral cancer during your regular dental cleaning but you are. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, an American dies of oral cancer every hour of every day. It’s a sad proposition, especially when you consider that it is highly curable with early diagnosis.
2. Your gums are being checked for Gum Disease. Gum disease, or an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place, is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. It can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. Unfortunately, not receiving treatment will lead to a more serious and advanced state of gum disease. Regular cleanings and check-ups along with daily brushing and flossing are key defenses against gum disease.
3. Your overall health. Studies have linked heart attacks, diabetes detection and strokes to gum disease associated with poor oral hygiene.  A trip to your dentist at least every 6 months and in some cases more often, could reduce your risk of other serious health issues.
4. Early detection of Dental Problems. We’ve already touched upon early detection of gum disease and oral cancer, but don’t overlook more basic dental problems. Cavities and broken fillings are easy to treat. Without regular check-ups, undetected problems can lead to more serious issues like root canals, gum surgery and tooth extraction.   An ounce of prevention verses a pound of cure.

So you haven’t been keeping up with what current research has to say about caring for your teeth.  That’s why check-ups allow our dentists to examine your mouth and keep you on the right path.  If it’s been more than 6 months since your last check up and cleaning, call your dentist to schedule an appointment today.  If we can be of any help or answer any questions please feel free to drop us a line.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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Elderly Patients in Sandy Springs

More than 250,000 Americans turn 65 each month.  By 2030, 67 million Americans or close to 20% of the population will be 65 or older. Thanks to decades of better preventive care, these people are keeping more of their teeth than their predecessors, even into their eighties and nineties.

Yet the need to understand the geriatric patient has never been greater than it is today.  And treating an older patient is much more complex because they will have a combination possibly of decay, periodontal disease and other global health issues to take into consideration.

A large number of older patients have chronic medical conditions that impact oral health, particularly if they are on medication that causes dry mouth.  Or, these patients may have difficulties with brushing and flossing because of declining vision, coordination, and cognition, further negatively impacting their oral health.  Some are just fatigued and thus unmotivated to maintain their oral health.

With these issues in mind, you’ve got a patient that has complex clinical needs and complex medical needs, and you’ve got to balance the two.  As a consequence, you are inhibited by circumstances to do everything you want for this patient because of their medical history. Maybe you have to come up with a more creative treatment plan. Our experience has found that there needs to be more time and attention paid to the over 65 population.

Senior citizens also have limited access to dental insurance, preventing many of them from getting the care they need. Often retired, seniors aren’t covered by any employer and for some unknown reason Medicare does not cover routine dental care in its basic benefits. Only 12% of Medicare beneficiaries have some kind of dental insurance coverage. 

So one of our issues is education about the importance of oral healthcare.  We see this as particularly a challenge with somebody who’s on a fixed income—how and when they’re going to spend their money. I think that once you get patients into the office, you can talk to them about home care. So much of dentistry, or oral disease, is preventable. If we can be of assistance, please contact us.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

Howard Abrahams, DDS

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-256-3620

And

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.comwww.rightsmilecenter.com

Sandy Springs Dentists: Quality and Experience Count

For over 30 years, Dr. Scheinfeld and her staff have been devoted to providing the finest quality dental care to Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell and other surrounding cities.  They are proud of to being your preferred multi-specialty practice in Georgia.  Here at Dr. Scheinfeld’s office, we are committed to your oral health. That’s why we’re committed to making every experience in our practice a positive one for you.

Our highly trained multi-specialty team builds a foundation of trust that gives you comfort and peace of mind, not to mention the right smile.  And because we believe nothing is more important than your health, we take the time with each and every patient to educate them on the key points to healthy teeth and gums.

As trained experts in creating beautiful smiles, the Right Smile Center, its hygienists and staff are available to transform an ordinary smile into something functional as well as extraordinary with our comprehensive menu of dental specialties – ranging from routine cleanings, oral exams, to teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, periodontics, dentures, and in-house dental implants.  We pride ourselves on keeping up with the latest trends in dental technology so we can provide our patients with the most advanced equipment and treatments available.  Yet we also pay close attention to prescribing only the most conservative and tested dental treatments for your care.

As Atlanta’s premier destination for bright, beautiful smiles – the right smile – we are proud to extend our leading-edge dental expertise to our community.  Our door is open to patients of all ages with new patients are always welcome!  We look forward to seeing you!  Feel free to call or email us for a complimentary consultation.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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Warning signs of Periodontal Disease : Dunwoody Dentists

The following are warning signs of periodontal disease:

• Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures

When you begin to notice these signs call and see your dentist.  Whether your gum disease is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day, from this point forward.

If we can be of assistance, please call for a free consultation.

 

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Scheinfeld Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

http://www.rightsmilecenter.com

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Dentist Sandy Springs: Teeth Get the Glory

A beautiful smile is not just about healthy looking teeth.

Your gums are equally as important.

One out of every two American adults aged 30 and over has periodontal disease, according to the CDC. A study titled Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010 estimates that 47.2 percent, or 64.7 million American adults, have mild, moderate or severe periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease. In adults 65 and older, prevalence rates increase to 70.1 percent. This study is published in the Journal of Dental Research, the official publication of the International and American Associations for Dental Research. And the recent pandemic has made it even worse.

A beautiful smile usually consists of teeth and gums living in perfect harmony with each other.  But the teeth often steal the credit when it comes to beautiful smiles.

Our periodontal practice has always been on the leading edge of patient care.   We can treat gum your disease.  We have always incorporated the newest technology and technique to our patient care, but with our periodontal services, we can to help patients achieve the best dental health possible in the most comfortable, relaxing environment possible – here in our own office.

With that in mind there are many new procedures we can perform in our office, including root planning and scaling, more comprehensive pocket depth monitoring and reducing the improper brushing techniques they may have gone unsupervised when we sent a patient out to a referring specialist.

If we can be of service please contact us for your complimentary consultation.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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Addicted to Soda

Notice the Acid enamel erosion!

Whoa, hard to believe! But the consumption of soda can cause similar damage like the illegal use of drugs such as methamphetamines or crack cocaine.   The tooth erosion can occur from the acid found in soda.  According to the study conducted by the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, researchers found the same type and severity of damage from tooth erosion in each of the participants.

Obviously, in order to have the same effect, a significant amount of soda has to be consumed.  Nonetheless, the effects are similar and need to be conscious of.

And our recommendation to patients is minimize the intake of soda and consume more water.  If you can’t stop drinking soda, don’t brush immediately afterwards because you could damage your teeth enamel.  Rather chew xylitol based sugarless gums or rinse with water to remove the acid agents left behind by soda.

If we can be of help, don’t hesitate to contact us for your complimentary consultation.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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Dentist Near Me: How Much Does Teeth Cleaning Cost?

So you got a mailer coupon from a dentist that says they only charge $69.95 for a regular cleaning & $19.95 for an exam & x-ray.  Seems like of a cheap gimmick?  And a lot of the times it might be, because depending on the type of practice it might be designed to get you in and up-charge you for a lot of unnecessary dentistry. Anecdotally, we here this a lot in corporate dental practices.

But, it just depends of on the practice.  If it’s a mature practice you might want to question why they are giving away services.  Usually, it’s a loss leader.  Something they use to get you in and pressure you into other dental procedures.  If it’s a new practice, then providing discounted services is one of the few methods a new practice has to introduce itself to the surrounding community, no different than a new restaurant trying to showcase its menu.

With respect to continuing care (on your next 6 month visit), a teeth cleaning really depends where you go and the quality of the practice you see.  And it is more than likely covered by your insurance.  The charge is going to be somewhere around $90+, but it can be more if there’s a need to do a full mouth root scaling. Often dental insurance will cover some or all of this cost for only 2 of your cleanings per year, regardless of what you might need.

The exam is $45 to $55 and the 4 basic bite wing x-rays are around $59 to $72.  Depending on your insurance this might be covered anywhere from 60 to 100% after a small deductible is met.   Periodic X-rays ($32 -$135) are needed to see if any problems are developing inside the teeth or around the jaw bone, and are generally required before cleaning the teeth of a new patient (which is why some practices offer coupons to defray the initial cost of a first visit). These are also often covered by dental insurance.

The main goal of professional teeth cleaning is to prevent gum disease, which is the primary cause of tooth loss.  Dental hygiene is imperative, and cleaning your teeth is the first step toward their long term preservation.

Where we here a lot of horror stories is from the corporate dentistry experience where the more extensive deep cleaning process called scaling and root planing is up charged on your first visit.  The procedure, when necessary,  is done by quadrants (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left) at a cost of about $100 -$400 per quadrant depending on the severity of the problem or $400 -$1,600 for the entire mouth.  This is rare in our office,  but more often than not, if the mouth is in such poor health and we can’t treat it, we will refer the you out to a periodontist.   Most dental insurance includes these procedures.

Again, the goal is a healthy mouth which an integral part of your overall health.  Oh, and by the way, just because you had your teeth cleaned professionally, the jobs not done.  You have to do your part and brush and floss daily if you want to keep them.   If you have additional questions, feel free to email or call our office.  Our goal here is to create an informed patient.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Scheinfeld Orland, DMD

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

and

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Dentist Dunwoody: Calcium and Women

While both men and women require an appropriate amount of calcium to build bone mass during their early developmental years, women have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, a progressive loss of bone mass due to aging. This makes women more susceptible to fractures and possibly loss of teeth from weakening of the jawbone.

For women in the age range of 19-24 years, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium is 1,300 milligrams.[1] This decreases to 1000 milligrams thereafter.[2] Foods rich in calcium include milk, cheese and ice cream, but these also are high in calories and fat.  So, shop wisely and check the labels. Alternatives such as skim or no fat milk can solve the problem. There are a reasonable variety of cheeses and yogurts that are low fat as well as ice cream substitutes. Besides dairy, other healthy foods rich in calcium are salmon, tofu (soybean curd), broccoli, peas, beans, nuts and calcium-enriched grain products.

If we can be of assistance or answer any questions surrounding your oral health, do not hesitate to contact us or call for a complimentary consultation.  We serve Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Dunwoody, East Cobb, greater Marietta, Woodstock, Acworth, Buckhead and Vinings communities.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS. PC.

ZoAnna Scheinfeld Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Scheinfeld Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

 

---

[1] http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/

[2] http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_RDA_for_calcium

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Tooth Root Exposed? Not good… Dentist Sandy Springs

Are you the patient coming in with severe gum recession where the root is exposed in front of your tooth?  You don’t have symptoms, yet, it just looks strange and you want to know if there is a problem.  We’re a multi-specialty practice with in-house periodontal treatment.  And in a healthy mouth, the tooth roots are not exposed.  If they are exposed, it’s usually a sign of one of these problems:

• Gingivitis or Periodontitis.  Gum disease can cause the gum tissue to pull away from the tooth, and expose the root.
• Brushing too hard.  Aggressive tooth brushing can cause the gums to recede.  We recommend soft tooth brushes to prevent this from happening.  Soft tooth brushes used properly minimize the trauma to the tissue and bone.
• And on rare occasions tooth developed outside of the jaw bone.  In this case, we highly recommend seeing a periodontist to determine the best form of treatment.

So if you have an exposed tooth root, you need to see us at one of our two offices.  Our dental team will determine the quality and quantity of the gum tissue that remains.  If the gum recession is caught early, the tissue can be treated until healthy, replaced and your tooth may have an excellent prognosis.

We offer complimentary consultations.  Please allow us to help you if your gums are receding.  Call now for your free consult.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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