Advanced Laser Diagnostics: Diagnodent

Today we wanted to talk about something that we use here in the office when we diagnose treatment. This particular instrument is called Diagnodent and it is a laser specifically used to measure density in the tooth. When we shine the laser light onto tooth structure, the light is then reflected back into the device and gives us a reading of how dense the tooth is. A loss in density means decay is starting. When we look at the readings, anything under 20 on the scale is considered a "watch tooth". We mark it on the chart to recheck this tooth at your next exam. Anything over a 20 is considered needing treatment, which could mean something as simple as a composite filling, or something more involved such as an onlay or a crown. This device is helpful because sometimes decay is not visible to the naked eye, or even under magnification! And x-rays can only show us about 30% of non-visible decay, so having the Diagnodent is a useful tool for early detection of decay, and for "seeing" what we cant see!

Here is an example of a tooth that to the eye, looks normal. No visible decay.

(This next part of this post is taken from www.smilestudio.com/prevention.html)

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Before opening the tooth after use of Diagnodent dental laser. There is no visible decay and often these types of cavities do not show on x-ray.


This is the giant cavity found below the surface with the Diagnodent. It would have been impossible to notice until total disaster struck.


Think all you need to do to prevent dental problems is brush your teeth? THINK AGAIN!

The brush is an important thing you can do to keep teeth and gums healthy. The brush can disrupt the bacteria that cause decay and gum problems. That helps. But the floss is probably your best line of defense-- AT EARLY STAGES OF THE DISEASE PROCESS.

Later on, though, other specialized tools and techniques may be needed to get rid of the germs and germ waste products that plaque your gums and your teeth.

This is where our staff can really contribute to your long-term success by crafting a personalized preventive program just for you.

And this needs to be revisited every time you come back to see us. Things are always changing!
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The Diagnodent is used in harmony with our philosophy of being minimally invasive. We like to preserve as much natural tooth as possible. Treating decay early helps us preserve more of your natural tooth, and this tool is invaluable in detecting that at it's very first signs.

To your health,
Dr. Richard Stickney

What to do in case of a dental emergency

In case of a dental emergency please Call our office. I consider an emergency anything you feel is an emergency. During our work weeks usually Kendra or another team member will answer the telephone and help you. Sometimes the lines are busy or we are unable to answer the telephone. Please leave a message on our urgent care line. We will callback as soon as possible. Most days we are able to get back to you shortly so do not hesitate to call back if you need help. Thursday afternoon through Sunday we are in meetings or out of the office. My home telephone is on the urgent care line. If you want to write it down it is 425-999-4664. If I am on vacation another dentist will be covering my emergency calls. That information will be left on the office answering service.

Reduce Decay and Protect your smile

Our diets as Americans have changed drastically over the last several decades. It includes a substantial amount more of acidic and carbohydrate related foods. These cause oral and systemic acidity. There are several kinds of bacteria that use simple carbohydrates to breakdown a tooth’s minerals, creating opportunity for decay and cavities. Cavities are a preventable infectious disease if you balance your oral chemistry.

Sodas, fruit juices and sports drinks are highly acidic and have seemed to replace our water and milk consumption. Teeth start to demineralize at a pH level of 5.5. On average soft drinks to fruit juices, etc. have a pH level of 2.6-4.6 depending on the type of drink. Sports drinks and energy drinks have the strongest potential for tooth erosion.

Many medications diminish the protective flow of saliva resulting in acid buffering and micro repair to slowing or completely stopping. As we get older this protection lessens and the saliva available is less effective. It is important to not dilute remaining saliva with frequent drinking in these cases.

Enamel is about 98 percent mineralized; the crown of a tooth is much stronger and more resistant to acid attacks, than its roots. When roots are exposed due to bone and tissue loss they are at a higher risk for decay. So making better food choices, eating fewer fermentable carbohydrates and processed and acidic foods can help protect you teeth.

Two actions you can take to protect your health

You would think our government would want to protect our rights and our freedoms. However you have to wonder when you see what’s up in the realms of nutritional supplements and organic foods. If having actual organic food and access to nutritional supplements is important to you please read the attached newsletters from Dr Mercola and Dr Rowen. Both of these doctors push their own brands of nutritional supplements so I always read their newsletters with some caution. However both of them are fighting for our basic freedoms to eat foods that are not laced with GMO foods and for us to be able to freely take the nutritional supplements of our choice. I have personal experience with this as the FDA shut down a company that made a chelation product that I used with good success over the years.

I have had great success in my personal life using nutrition, exercise and supplements to keep me off of all prescription drugs. Many of you are likewise taking no prescriptions. I am always looking toward the future. I think what if the government did ban our nutritional supplements?

I recently added 2 books to our office library, written by Jeff Primack. Conquering any Disease and his accompanying Smoothie Formulas, these books provide really good information on how to have radiant health by using the whole food (seeds and all). They are available on this website qirevolution.com

I have the books at the office and every person that looks at them doesn’t want to put them down. These are not part of our lending library but feel free to peruse them when you are in the office.

To your health and well being.

Rick

Newsletters:
http://www.secondopinionnewsletter.com/Health-Alert-Archive/View-Archive/1980/Stop-the-FDA-from-banning-your-supplements.htm

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/19/mark-kastel-cornucopia-good-food-movement.aspx?e_cid=20111119_DNL_art_1

For Patients With Dental Insurance....Use It or Lose it!!

Many of our patients have Dental Insurance that they use when getting their treatment or continuing care.
The way dental insurance companies help is by giving a annual benefit maximum amount. Most companies base this benefit period on the calender year, January thru December. Once the calender year is up that benefit amount refreshes, so any of the benefit amount that was not used the previous year goes away. We wanted to send out a reminder to all of you, to come in and get any of your treatment done before the end of the year so you can fully maximize your insurance benefits!
Our office will be open its normal business hours through this holiday season. We will only be closed on November 24th and December 26th.

Gives us a call and we would love to see you and help you get all you can out of those insurance companies!

50% Less Radiation Exposure in our Office!

Hi everyone,
Last week we had our semi-annual x-ray inspection by the state of Washington. The inspector evaluates the x-ray machines for how much exposure there is from each individual x-ray. He also checks the software to be sure it is providing good images.
The inspector commented that our x-rays tested 50% or better than many of the other digital systems he examines. I have one of the earlier digital x-ray systems in Seattle. I got it for several reasons. The most important is reducing x-ray exposure to the patient. The second is it gives me an excellent image that I can look at and show the patient if they are interested. The third is that it is faster and the fourth is that there is no need for the toxic developing and fixing chemicals. So the office air is healthier to breathe and we do not need to dispose of these toxic chemicals into the environment.

Your dental and overall health is our primary concern. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I love doing dentistry and helping people be well.

The best to you!

Rick

New Changes to Our Office Staff!

Well as some of you may have noticed, we no longer have a few of our longtime staff members. There has been a few changes.

Brooke and her husband recently moved to Texas to further their volunteer work, they will live there for a few months while getting prepared.....then its off to Africa! Brooke was a fundamental part of our team here.
Lacey also has new adventures in her future away from our office. She's now a proud new Mom! We'd like to welcome her new baby boy Asher! They are both doing great and we are very happy for Lacey and her husband. We wish both Brooke and Lacey all the best in their exciting new endeavors and they will be missed.

So due to these recent changes we have a new addition to our team. Our newest member will be sharing the ranks with Katlyn in assisting Dr. Stickney. So we wanted to take some time and let you get to know her!

"Hi, I'm excited to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Shandi Luellen. I've recently joined Dr. Stickney's team as a Dental Assistant taking over for Brooke, who is a close personal friend of mine as well. Which is how I got in touch with this wonderful office and staff. I am a Washington local. I grew up in Marysville. I started working in a dental office when I was 14 as a sterilization technician. My mother, aunt and cousin all worked in the same office so naturally I followed. I came to enjoy the dental field very much, so I attended the Sno-Isle Skill Center Dental Assisting Program in 2000. After completing the course, I continued on the job training and have been assisting ever since. I have worked for a variety of different dentists ranging from general to cosmetic to neuromuscular dentistry, where we would correct TMD/TMJ disorders as well as full mouth rehabilitation correcting the teeth aesthetics and function of the bite. I am thrilled to have been invited into Dr. Stickney's practice and to continue learning about incorporating holistic methods to truly benefit each patient individually. Its been a pleasure meeting some of you already and I'm excited to meet all of our patients soon.