Dental Seminar: Laser Dentistry

Hello everyone!

About 2 weekends ago I attended a Waterlase dental  laser seminar done by Dr. Marshall Golan. Much of this seminar discussed technical aspects of laser dentistry, and some of it I'd like to share with you all today.

I've had my Waterlase for over 5 years now, and I use it as often as I can on my patients. Dr. Golan outlined some suggestions that I've already been putting into practice during the seminar, but one thing he mentioned is that he uses the laser on just about every patient to kill bacteria and decontaminate after decay removal, even if he used the drill. On Dr. Golan's website, he outlines some other advantages of using the laser, such as:

• It helps remove areas of infection
• Removes gum disease with great precision
• The laser beam sterilizes as it works
• Anesthetic is not needed as often
• Faster healing
• Less bleeding and swelling
• Less noise so less anxiety
• Less post operative pain so less pain medication is needed.

92% of stained grooves on a non smoker's occlusal (or biting) surface has decay underneath, and this does not show on an x-ray. If that decay stays only on the enamel, then we can treat that as a sealant, but if it goes into the dentin layer of the tooth, at that point we have to do a composite filling. The laser can often be used in removing such decay without the use of anesthetic. Some other uses of the laser include:

1. Gum surgery- we can often treat gum disease with the laser to disinfect deep pockets, remove diseased tissue, and stimulate reattachment of the tissue to the gum without invasive painful scapel surgery.
2. Decay removal- the laser can remove decay, disinfect and biostimulate the tooth
3. Cosmetic purposes- the laser can re-contour the gums and eliminate a "gummy" smile

We love using our laser, and I enjoy learning new ways to use it. If you'd like more information about the Biolase water laser that I use in my practice, please visit their website.

Be well,
Richard Stickney DDS PS

What's In Your Mouthwash?

Today we wanted to talk a little bit about what's being put into current toothpastes and mouthwashes. A dangerous chemical called Triclosan, which is an antibacterial chemical used in mouthwash and toothpaste, along with other products such as lipstick, deodorant and hand soap. A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has shown that not only does Triclosan hinder reproductive hormone activity and signaling in the brain, but also has dramatic effects on cardiac functions and hinders muscle contractions on a cellular level. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating the safety of this chemical.

What we'd like to get across to our patients is the importance of checking the ingredients on the dental products you use. Many of the popular products on the market these days are using ingredients and chemicals that might be harmful to overall health. These chemicals are then being absorbed quickly into the body "sub-lingually" (under the tongue) and directly into the blood stream.

I once heard from Dr. Marshall that you don't want to put anything on your skin or in your mouth that you wouldn't eat because it can be absorbed into the skin very easily. And that has become part of my philosophy here; don't put things in your body that cause problems. In my practice I like to use and recommend products that are natural and that have no harmful chemicals in them. One of the mouthwashes and toothpastes that I carry is from a company called "Dental Herb Company" and their products contain medicinal grade herbs and essential oils. The tonic and toothpaste contain no artificial chemicals, flavorings, preservatives, sweeteners or fractionated ingredients.

I hope that you are all experiencing good health!
Richard Stickney DDS

I take...

"I take Asprin for the headache caused by the Zyrtec I take for the hayfever I got from Relenza for the uneasy stomach from the Ritalin I take for the short attention span caused by the Scopederm Ts I take for the motion sickness I got from the Lomotil I take for the diarrhea caused by the Zenikal for the uncontrolled weight gain from the Paxil I take for the anxiety from Zocor I take for my high cholesterol because excersise, a good diet and regular chiropractic care are just too much trouble."

(Source: http://chirocentre.co.uk/chiropractic-t-shirt-medication-side-effect/)

This is a picture of a real T-shirt. My son, Pearce, sent this to me, and although I knew you'd all enjoy the humor in it, I also believe our patients can see the seriousness as well. What we put in our bodies sometimes have side effects, and to cover those side effects, many people take other medications. What a cycle!

The problem is.. many doctors do not take the time to search for the CAUSE of the problem, but instead just cover over the symptom. In our practice, we enjoy taking the time to listen to the needs of the patient, and try to discover the underlying problems associate with their symptoms. From there we are able to help relieve the patient's immediate symptom or pain while at the same time addressing the cause of the problem.


To hoping you are all happy and healthy (and enjoying this beautiful summer)!
Richard Stickney DDS PS

Undriving: A Patient's True Story

Today we thought it would be really nice to share a story about one of our patients. This story is about a program called "Undriving" and her experience with making the effort to reduce the amount of time she spends driving her car. Here is her experience:

Anne Phyfe Palmer is from New Orleans, LA, and  currently lives in Madison Valley up near Capitol Hill in Seattle with her husband and children. She teaches yoga as her occupation and has two young daughters. Anne Phyfe has been bicycling since she was in high school, but stopped when she started having children a few years ago. She stated that it was a lot of work and time to carry another body from "point A to point B", but when her family had to move out of their home for a short period of time to do some remodeling, she started riding her bicycle again because of an easier biking commute.

When she noticed her body becoming stronger, she began attempting to bike the hill to her home, and now she says she is almost a 100% cyclist. Anne Phyfe got her Undriver's License and her endorsements on the card are to walk, bike, telecommute and "skip the trip". She has committed to doing no less than 50%, but is happy to share that she is been doing about 100%!

When she talks about her experience with Undriver's she shares that what she likes about this program is that it is realistic. She does her best not to get in the car but when she needs it, she uses it. She recognizes that you don't have to take the car out completely. Another thing that she likes is that her family can do it together. They have purchased a Burley bike trailer, which is able to hold their things while they bicycle, such as purses, groceries, shopping bags, beach towels, and picnic lunches. They also have a "tag-a-long" for her youngest daughter Coco, that attaches to Anne Phyfe's bike. Coco says she really enjoys helping her mom bike up their hill!


Anne Phyfe commented that, during the summer, it felt so good to cycle and that feeling kept her going through the winter, even though it was more challenging. Along with cycling, she practices and even teaches yoga. Killing two birds with one stone she says about her cardiovascular exercise that "I get it done during my commute!" To her and her family, cycling has become a "part of the flow, part of our lives".


The BP oil spill back in 2010 really shook Anne Phyfe up. She says she was heartbroken over it and felt compelled to do something. For her, that meant continuing to use her bike as her main form of transportation, and trying to find ways to use her car less and less. She believes that as a society, we have created the demand for gas, oil and petroleum products. It is clear, she is determined to do her part to help our environment.


When Anne Phyfe talks about why she stopped cycling a few years back, she said she realized one of the reasons was time and making the time to get places. One of the other reasons was having her children, and having to move another body from one place to another. And that hill! But one way they got through those challenges was by planning ahead. They had to purchase the right equipment, put their bike locker in a place where it is accessible, make the time, and by changing the way they live their lives.


For more information and to hear and read about other's stories in their participation of the "Undriver" program, please visit their website. And to see Anne Phyfe's full story, you can see the video here. Also, Anne Phyfe let us know that in the July/August issue of Momentum Magazine, she will be featured in an article called "Bike Smart". Although the article has yet to be published, we eagerly look forward to reading it. You can check out Momentum's website here and search under "Bike Smart" to find her story when it comes out!


We are happy that our patients are able to do what they can to keep our environment healthy and their bodies healthy. Reducing the amount of time we spend in our cars and finding alternative ways to travel is a great way to help the environment, it's good on your pocketbook, and it's great for the body! Whether it's bicycling, walking, jogging, or even carpooling to work, every little bit helps.

To your health,
Richard Stickney

Perio Supplements

Hello!

I hope everyone is doing well! Today we wanted to share some exciting information about a few new supplements we will be carrying in the office. They come from a company called Pharmaden and they have created 3 dental supplements focused on periodontal health. These three products are called PerioTherapy, OsteoTherapy, and PerioCare. Here is how they work:

 
PerioTherapy: This supplement is designed to help support the immune system to promote normal gum health. The ingredients selected to formulate this supplement are balanced to achieve the ultimate bio-availability (which is the body's ability to absorb nutrients). It is a diligent homecare program, that along with personalized care from your dentist and hygienist are key components to good oral health. Some of the ingredients include: Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Echinacea Angustifolia Root, Grape Seed Extract, and CoQ-10. This is used as a 60 day regiment to kick start getting the mouth healthy again.


OsteoTherapy: This is a remineralization supplement. Bone loss support and mineral support is essential but sometimes overlooked in gum disease. This supplement is designed to provide mineral support to assist the body is maintaining bone density. The ingredients include: Calcium Citrate, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6 and B12, Folic Acid and Grape Seed Extract. Again this is used for 60 days.

 
PerioCare: This is designed to be the perfect compliment following PerioTherapy and helps maintain the results of the dentist's treatment. It is developed to enhance the body's host resistance. Some of the ingredients include: Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Grape Seed Extract, and CoQ-10. This supplement is used after the 60 days of using PerioTherapy and OsteoTherapy to continue good oral health.

We are very excited to be carrying these new products and will be incorporating them into our normal hygiene program depending on the patient's needs and wants. So next time you are in, make sure to pick up and brochure and ask our staff about how these products can work for you! You can find more information on their website as well.

Take care,
Richard Stickney DDS

TA-65

Hello!

Today's blog post is about a supplement called TA-65, taken from an email we received from TA Sciences. Now for those of you who don't know what TA-65 is, it is a cell rejuvenation supplement that activates our telomerase. So what is a telomere? It is strings of DNA located at the ends of chromosomes. They maintain the structure of the chromosome and protect the genes. These telomeres shorten as our cells divide and once one becomes too short the cell will either stop working properly or it dies. These telomeres shorten as we grow older and certain things, such as environmental, physical and emotional stress can accentuate that.

Leading a healthy lifestyle will help slow down the shortening of our telomeres but what can we do to LENGTHEN them? Activating our telomerase! So what is telomerase? It's an enzyme that maintains the telomeres at the end of chromosomes in order to prevent cell death. And how do we activate it? TA-65!

TA-65 is those only proven way to activate telomerase. It also lengthens shortened telomeres, restores an aging immune system and increases bone density. Many people who have taken this supplement have noticed an increase in energy, vision improvements, better skin elasticity and improved endurance. So now the question is...What is it? What makes it different than anything else? Well, TA-65 is a purified molecule taken from the Astragalus plant. Astragalus is a well known Chinese medicinal plant that has been used for over 2,000 years. This is the only known supplement to be using this kind of technology.

So knowing all this, again, we wanted to share with you an email we received from the makers of TA-65 about Suzanne Somer's new book called "Bombshell".

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Suzanne Somers is a fan of TA-65®MD - here's what she had to say about our product in her new book, Bombshell:

"Telomeres and telomerase - these are two words that will change the way you age! So it's only fitting that they are the next Bombshell I'll introduce you to. There is a new supplement that may turn the medical world on its ear. It works by lengthening your telomeres, which appear to be the key to the fountain of youth. And best of all, the supplement that does this work is all natural."

"TA-65 is the only telomerase activator available right now."

"TA-65 can rejuvenate and strengthen an aging immune system. Seems it's worth it if only for that."

"I see this supplement as a step toward health and away from the present aging paradigm."

"It's like rolling the clock back."

Please click the link below to download the segment of Suzanne Somers discussing TA-65®MD on Fox & Friends:

Suzanne Somers on Fox & Friends  

Bombshell is available now!  You can get a copy of the book on Amazon:

Suzanne Somers new book, Bombshell

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I have personally been using this supplement now for about 1 year and I can say with confidence that I have noticed a difference in how I feel. It has definitely made me feel better and more energized. I am a registered distributor of this product and am happy to explain in more detail what TA-65 can do for you! Feel free to pick up a brochure or ask about this supplement next time you're in for a check-up.

To your health,
Richard Stickney DDS

Protecting You and Our Environment

Protecting You and Our Environment

Fifteen years ago I became one of the first dental practices to install digital x-ray system in our office. I am still excited because every x-ray we take has 80-90 per cent less radiation than traditional dental x-rays. Using the digital system also eliminates the dental developing and fixing chemicals. By eliminating them none of us are exposed to these toxic chemicals and do not have to breath them in. It also eliminates disposing of them into our environment. We also have filters that remove mercury and other chemicals from the air while we work. We have specific air filters to remove mercury and a filter on the waste line that also traps the old amalgam that is removed from the tooth. We place any mercury amalgam scrap into a sealed container for disposal by a hazardous waste company. Our lead apron recently wore out and we wanted to replace it. We also wanted to dispose of it safely as lead is another big concern in the environment. My assistants, Xia and Katlyn spent hours searching for a safe place to take it for disposal.

We have also reduced the use of chemicals in our office by using melaluca which is natural and also an approved disinfectant. We even filter our office water supply with reverse osmosis and carbon block filters to provide pure water for drinking and for use in the dental water we use for procedures and for the laser.  

I came across the following information about mercury and the environment from Dr Mercola. Dr Mercola is a ostheopathic physician and a health advocate and he has many interesting articles on his web site. He sends out a free daily health newsletter. This is from his newsletter:

(You can read more here)

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Coal Plants and Dentists May be Accelerating Wildlife Extinctions 

Coal generates 54 percent of the electricity in the United States and is the single largest cause of air pollution. Coal fired power plants are also the number one source of environmental mercury pollution. Mercury is extremely tenacious once in the air, water and soil, and levels gradually increase over time, as it accumulates.

Each coal plant discharges an average of 170 pounds of mercury into the air each year, along with other pollutants. There are about 600 coal plants in the United Statesⁱ. So, if you do the math, you will discover that coal plants in the U.S. are releasing about 51 TONS of mercury into the environment each year. Just one gram of mercury can make the fish in a 20-acre lake unfit for consumption for a year.

A study by Island Restoration Network found dangerous mercury levels in 68 percent of swordfish, high enough to cause harm to wildlife. Recent evidence indicates mercury is now present in all fish. Other studies have demonstrated high levels of mercury in sensitive and endangered species across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, indicating that mercury pollution may be a significant factor in species population reduction.

The second largest mercury polluters in this country are dental practices. As a result of their continued use of mercury amalgam fillings, another 29.7 tons of mercury is discharged into the air, water and soil each year from installation and removal of amalgams.

Don't let the "cheap" price of these fillings fool you. When environmental cleanup costs are included, dental amalgams are actually the most expensive type of dental fillings on the market. Besides its toxic effects to wildlife, mercury is terribly harmful to humans as well.

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Another source of mercury in the environment is cremation. When a body is cremated, any amalgam fillings in the person's mouth are vaporized into the air and then is put forth into our environment.

We try to be very conscience of our environment and how we can best serve our patients. We make efforts in any way that we can to eliminate harmful chemicals from our office, as well as safe handling and disposal of metal's that are harmful to our environment.

Stay well!

Richard Stickney