Practice News

Practice News • Continuing Education • Community Involvement   Oral Cancer Update: Introducing an important and conservative new option in the detection of  Oral Cancer One person every hour of every day dies of Oral Cancer in America.  It has become the sixth leading cancer among men and is one of the few cancers in which the rate of detection is increasing among young adults.  Most people are not aware of the potential risks; however, when detected early enough, the survival rate for oral cancer is very high.  At one time oral cancer was predominantly seen among smokers, however, increasingly, oral cancer is being seen in patients of all ages.  Although smoking is still a leading factor, many other criteria such as age, family history, ethnicity and alcoholic consumption also play a role.  Many experts have surmised that an increasing cause is exposure to the HPV virus, which is the primary precursor of cervical cancer.  These various factors all point towards the need for better technology to assist in the early detection of this curable disease. We at Dr. Deneka’s office have always conducted an annual comprehensive oral cancer screening for all of our patients, but we have recently incorporated a breakthrough technology that will allow us to see things we’ve been unable to see previously.  By detecting potential problems earlier, we’ll be providing our patients with the best oral health care currently available. This new and exciting technology, called VELscope™, utilizes a narrow band of safe, high-energy blue light and specialized filtering technology to help thoroughly evaluate the oral tissue for abnormal areas of concern, such as potentially cancerous lesions that may not be evident under white light. As we care about your health as well as your teeth, we are now offering this to all patients during their annual oral examination.  We believe that this new technology will assist us in detecting disease at earlier stages and therefore catch abnormalities before they turn into cancer.  Your dental insurance may or may not cover the fee for this care.  Coverage for this procedure (like most dental procedures) usually varies among insurance companies; however, this modest annual fee is well worth the benefit that this new device provides. For even more information, please check out the Velscope website @ wwww.velcscope.com This was the team traveling to Atlanta to attend the 2007 American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Convention.

It was with many tears that we said goodbye to our longtime assistant Donna in July 2007.   Donna has decided to retire and move to Deep River with her husband to be closer to family.  She has been with Dr. Deneka since his first day in practice in August 1985.  We all wish her the best in the coming years.

Wondering about the latest in dentistry?

We're working very hard to make sure your visits are convenient, comfortable and gentle. To that end, we investigate all the latest technologies and techniques. Click on the desired topic to learn more:

• Periodontal Disease
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Bridges and Crowns

Something to Smile About

Caring for your oral health includes regular teeth care and gum care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, which is a culprit for the deterioration of your overall oral health. Periodontal disease affects 75% of adults over 35 years of age and is responsible for approximately 70% of all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms of periodontal disease oftentimes are unnoticeable, people never realize their mouth is under bacterial attack.

Highly recognized as a greatly progressive disorder, periodontal disease is triggered by preventable factors like plaque build-up, tobacco use, certain medications and stress, as well as unpreventable measures like systematic disease and fluctuating hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Research proves up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.

Periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in the sticky film which forms on the tooth surface, or plaque, causes gum inflammation. If the irritation is ignored, plaque will release toxins breaking down the natural fibers which hold your gums to your teeth, permitting even more bacteria and toxins to invade. Plaque deposits quickly harden into calculus or tartar, which is a rough, porous substance not removable with brushing. Over time, this progression can lead to severe inflammation, bone loss, gum recession and tooth loss. Recent studies are showing a link between periodontal (gum disease) and heart disease, diabetes, and low birthweight babies

Symptoms and signs include:

• Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums
• Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between the gum and tooth
• Persistent bad breath
• Bite changes
• Change in the fit of partial dentures

If you have noticed any of the above signs or symptoms, please make an appointment promptly! Together, we can win the battle against periodontal disease and maintain your wonderful, dazzling smile: gums and all. Now that’s something to smile about.

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From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

The dental profession is often seen as merely a place where you clean, drill and fill teeth. However, a dentist is actually an artist who can make your smile sensational. Most dentists now practice and perform cosmetic techniques, not just the run-of-the-mill routine cleanings. Cosmetic dentistry seeks to create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy smile.

Although you may be meticulous about your dental care routine, your teeth still might not look their very best. Drinking coffee, tea or wine will take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull and stained. Aging or the use of some medications can also result in a discolored smile. One easy, safe way to revive your smile from these factors is through whitening.

Plenty of adults are looking towards dentistry to heighten the appearance and function of their teeth. Cracked, chipped or unevenly spaced teeth are easily resolved by procedures like bonding or veneers. Severely damaged teeth can be repaired with crowns, while bridges and implants are natural-looking options used to revitalize your smile. These methods will not only give you a more beautiful smile, but will also rejuvenate your mouth’s functionality.

If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to take it a level up from dull to dazzling, speak with us about the many smile enhancing preferences available to you.

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“ Bridging” the Gaps and Wearing a “Crown”: Total Oral Health Renovation

Face it, we are rough on our teeth. Sometimes we neglect them, take them for granted or simply just abuse them. Between physical activities like sports or chewing hard substances like ice, our teeth can get knocked out, broken, cracked and worn down. Forgetting routine dental appointments and ignoring proper cleaning tactics can result in periodontal disease, tooth decay and ultimately tooth loss.

When teeth are missing, your mouth must compensate for the lack of chewing power in that area in order to function normally. So, the chewing force may shift to another part of the mouth, which can cause unwanted spaces and changes in your smile.

So, how do we mend our mouth’s broken ties? By simple dental procedures. Smiles can be renovated to look pristine using a combination of crowns and bridges to support or replace lost teeth. A crown snugly covers the complete visible surface of your affected tooth to add strength, durability and tooth stability, while restoring your tooth to its natural shape and size. Crowns can be made of precious metal, porcelain pressed to metal and all-porcelain. A bridge is a combination of crowns and something to replace the missing tooth. This unit is fixed securely into place, restoring your smile and function.

The moral of the story is to be nice to your teeth: be diligent with your oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly. Your teeth are hard workers and they deserve to be pampered. But, if the damage is already done, see us immediately. We can decide on the best treatment to restore your smile. Your teeth will thank you for it.

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