SMILE POWER!!!

Your smile is one of your most important characteristics. It conveys volumes of information about who you are. Youthfulness, friendliness, trust, confidence and health are all magnified by a smile.


A survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that most people believe that an attractive smile makes a positive difference in how a person is perceived.



92% of adults agree that a beautiful smile is an important social asset.

88% say they remember a person with an exceptionally attractive smile.

85% say that an unattractive smile makes someone less appealing to others.

75% say that an unattractive smile can negatively influence a persons career.

A Good smile does make a difference. So does choosing a good cosmetic dentist.



Take a look at your smile and see what your smile says about you.  See more examples at www.aestheticdentaldesigns.com

New Technology to Dentistry...The Canary System

The ability to find tooth decay in teeth has come along way from visual inspection, using metal picks, to x-rays, to lasers and intraoral scanners.  One of the most recent technological advancements that has been FDA approved in the United States as of January 2013 is The Canary System.  The first system to be delivered to a private practicing dentist in the United States will go to Dr Todd Snyder of Aesthetic Dental Designs in Laguna Niguel, California.  

The system is an amazing new leap forward in diagnostic capabilities whereby dentists can detect and monitor tooth decay as small as 50 microns and have the ability to see around existing filling materials. The Canary system is a non-ionizing (no radiation) pain free, safe and non-invasive early detection system.  To date the industry has not had a device that could detect lesions this small. Furthermore traditional radiographs (x-rays) often cannot see decay around existing fillings due to the radiopacity of fillings masking part of the tooth and potentially decay.  In addition traditional x-rays cannot perceive tooth decay until a larger portion of tooth had been damaged or demineralized.

The Canary System can find decay earlier so that the decay can potentially be remineralized (reversed) and hopefully not necessitate traditional dental treatment that would require a filling.  The ability to quantify and monitor a lesion to see if it is healing is another aspect that is of great benefit to track over time.  If modern remineralization therapies are not being used properly by a patient or compliance is lacking, then traditional dental procedures can still be performed to eliminate the decay.
Dr Todd Snyder of Aesthetic Dental Designs can be reached at (949) 643-6733.

Potential risk factors associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Researchers have identified potential risk factors for temporomandibular joint disorders, referred to as TMD.  The study presented in the NYSDA News pointed out that individuals with symptoms such as:

• Pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint
• Pain in the neck, jaw and face
• Stiff jaw muscles
• A jaw that locks or has limited movement
• Painful clicking, popping, or grating in the jaw joint
• Changes in the fit between upper and lower teeth
• Notches at the gumline on more than one tooth

• Excessive wear to teeth

Temporomandibular disorders are estimated to affect more than 10 million Americans; women more so than men, according to the National Institutes of Health.  If you have one or more of the symptoms listed above you should ask your health care professional more about the problem or ask for a referral to someone that does manage TMJ disorders (TMD).

At Aesthetic Dental Designs® we have extensive training on handling the various types of TMD.  Dr Todd Snyder, DDS completed an extensive 17 month training program on occlusion and TMJ disorders at the prestigious FACE Institute in Burlingame, CA.

Decrease your risk for a Stroke or Heart Attack

The American Heart Association recently presented a study showing that individuals receiving professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer strokes and heart attacks.  Of the 100,000 people that had their teeth scaled and cleaned, 24% had a lower risk of heart attack and 13% lower risk of stroke compared to those who had never received a cleaning.  The participants were followed for 7 years.

Professional teeth cleaning and scaling appeared to reduce inflammation causing bacterial growth that could lead to bacteria spreading to other parts of the body putting one at greater risk for heart disease and stroke.

Find out more about other new links in the Oral/Systemic Health Connection.
At Aesthetic Dental Designs®, we want everyone to be aware that regular cleanings 2-3x a year is recommended for healthy adults as bacterial buildup on the teeth and root systems at a toxic level at 90 days. Keeping that colonization from progressing and spreading throughout the mouth and body will have huge benefits in ones life and health care expenses.

Have you been checked?

Velscope Vx Oral Assessment Device

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Aesthetic Dental Designs® wants everyone to consider the life changing potential of having oral cancer.  Many people think it will never happen to them, but it can, it can happen to anyone at any age even if you are not a tobacco user or a consumer of alcohol.  Oral cancer is becoming more prevalent in our teenagers also due to the human papilloma virus.

Make sure you get an oral cancer screening once a year by your dentist.  Furthermore, a fairly recent device that is non-invasive and takes less than two minues that can provide early detection is the Velscope Vx.  We are using this device on every patient and have found early forms of cancer that are completely undetectable without its use on a few of our patients already.  Dont wait to find out and check yearly.  April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Snyder and his staff would like everyone to help spread the information so that other's can benefit.

Some amazing facts to consider: 30,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 30,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only half will be alive in 5 years. Overall survival rate is 18% or less. This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, ovary, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma).

Thinking about getting porcelain veneers?? Choose carefully.....



A new smile with porcelain veneers done
by Dr Todd Snyder (top photo),
replacing the poor quality veneers
that were done by a different dentist (bottom photo).



Everyone wants to look good and have an amazing smile, but if you are thinking about altering your smile with porcelain veneers there are some things you need to know, and the process is not reversible. First is that a veneer is a custom made piece of art hand crafted as a one of kind piece of glass. Every dentist does them differently, and every office uses a different ceramist to fabricate the veneer. Custom craftsmanship has lots of variables. Take extra time to talk about a doctor's previous cases when interviewing an office. Ask to see plenty of photographs demonstrating the quality of the work, make sure it is their work and not just stock photographs of someone else's work. Find out about how the veneer process works in each dental office you interview as it is not the same in all offices. Ask about how the teeth and gums will be handled during the procedure as well as any temporary restorations while waiting for the final veneers to be completed. Veneers can be done in many ways and on one tooth or many teeth. Veneers when done well can look every bit as natural as the tooth next to it. More importantly veneers need to look believable and unperceivable as shown here by Dr Todd Snyder's work at Aesthetic Dental Designs®, in Laguna Niguel, California where he has replaced six existing veneers with new ones. In replacing the bulky white veneers shown in the bottom photo, notice how the lip position was able to be enhanced as well as creating healthier gum tissues, and a more symmetric smile. To replace existing work that has damaged tooth structure and gum tissue can be a lot more costly and challenging, so take the time to interview and ask many questions. At Aesthetic Dental Designs® we always offer complementary consultations.

What are you Blowing??

Everytime you talk you are potentially offending someone.  It could be what you are saying, but more importantly its what your talking or blowing over.  Dr Todd Snyder, DDS of Aesthetic Dental Designs® in Orange County, California states that your tongue has millions of bacteria on it and when they digest food they give off a biproduct made of volatile sulfur compounds.  These compounds smell horrible!!  SO when you talk you are actually blowing the smelly waste product of these bacteria out of your mouth at people in your vacinity. 

Death from gum disease?

Yes it is possible that you or anyone else can die from complications that arise from gum disease.  Gum disease has been linked to overall health in many ways.  Gum (periodontal) disease has been shown to cause an increased risk of blood clots, which could lead to the onset of heart attacks and strokes.  Inflammation that occurs in the mouth due to the bacterial invasion of the oral tissues creates a measurable effect in the bloodstream which is sent througout the body thus potentially compromising other organs.  The pancreas is another organ that can be damaged which increases the risk of diabetes or can worsen the status of existing diabetics health condition.  According to some reports, more than 70% of the population suffers from periodontal disease.

Pregnant women are at risk as well in that they could potentially have premature births and or low birth weights.  This is again due to the oral bacteria that are present in periodontal disease which often flourish in the second trimester due to hormonal changes in the mother.  This bacteria travels through the blood stream which can compromise the baby and give rise to premature births and low birth weights.  Expecting mothers with periodontal disease have a seven times higher risk of premature births than expectant mothers that do not have periodontal disease.

Brushing and flossing properly and meticulously after each meal is the only way to irradicate the disease from your mouth in addition to seeing your dental professionals regularly for checkups and cleanings.  You will live longer and be happier by taking a few extra minutes in your day to protect yourself and those around you.  Yes it is a disease and it is transmisable to others. See some of my other blogs on this topic and more informative dental topics.

For further information you can contact Todd Snyder, DDS, Laguna Niguel Dentist at Aesthetic Dental Designs®. 

 

Acidic Foods and Liquids, linked to Tooth Health

The current typical Western diet is largely composed of acidic foods and liquids (coffee, sodas, energy drinks, some bottled waters and many types of foods). Alkaline foods such as milk, cheese and vegetables are eaten in much smaller quantities. Many foods are alkaline by nature, but many manufactured processed foods are acidic.

Many people will often consume acidic liquids and foods consistently throughout the day while working or going to school.  This process does not allow the body's salivary glands enough time to neutralize the acidity in the mouth which will lead to tooth erosion, damage, and tooth decay over time.  It is important to rinse out the mouth after a meal or eat alkaline type foods at the end of a meal to assist in neutralizing the acidity of the mouth.  Think of eating a piece of cheese after a meal. 

There are some other products that can help reduce the acidity of the mouth as well.  Chewing gums that have Xylitol and Recaldent are excellent sugar free sources that can assist in neutralizing acidity in ones mouth by stimulating the salivary glands to naturally secret saliva that will buffer acidity.  Products like MI Paste can also help to diminsh the effects of acidity on our teeth when applied to the teeth daily.

Brushing and flossing also helps to remove remaining food and bacteria that cause increased levels of acidity to remain while the natural body defense of saliva is trying to counteract the acidity.  It has been noted after eating or drinking very acidic foods and liquids that the teeth may be more susceptible to toothbrush damage.  Allowing the acidity of the mouth to diminsh or be reduced prior to brushing may take about 15 to 30 minutes based on salivary flow, stimulation and other factors.

Todd Snyder, DDS of Aesthetic Dental Designs in Laguna Niguel, CA. states that anyone from children to elderly should try to minimze the acidic attack on their teeth daily by chewing sugarless gum and rinsing with water after meals followed by brushing and flossing.  By doing so the protective enamel coating will last longer and teeth will have their health and pretty white exterior for many more years.

Dental Tourism and Drug Cartels

You might want to avoid both of them. Thousands flock to Mexico and other countries, annually to pay foreign dentists to fix their teeth.
They make the trek because the savings seem enormous. But is it safe?
Dentists in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico all agree no country has a monopoly on good dentists.
However, there are significant differences in the training of dentists in Mexico and other countries compared with Canada and the United States, and much different standards with regard to infection control and materials used for fillings and crowns. There are also differences in licensing and liability.
The key question is what happens when something goes wrong?
You are putting your health at great risk when you have complex dental procedures done in a distant clinic, the obvious concern is that, if there are subsequent problems, you will have logistical difficulties obtaining the followup care. However, it is also very possible that the dental work may appear esthetically acceptable, but still be of poor quality with health-care ramifications, which might not be evident for months, or even years.
While reputable dentists in Mexico offer warranties of their work and/or materials, it's a long and costly trip back to have the dental work repaired and problems corrected.  The rise of drug wars across the border may also have untold effects on ones journey.

If the main motivation of patients is to get the work done as cheaply as possible during this economic down turn, they are taking a risk with their health. Unless you know what the standard of care is, you have no idea what you will be getting.  Price is not the only thing to consider when you think about oral health.  Quality, health risks and longevity should also be weighed heavily.
"I can give you many examples of patients who have permanent damage in some shape or form, and there's no recourse," Dr Todd Snyder, (Orange County, CA). "The amazing thing is the patients know it before they go, but they are willing to take that risk. Patients often dont realize or undertand that some dental treatment is irreversible. Some poorly handled cases would result in legal claims for millions in damages in the United States, but dentists in Mexico may be very difficult to go after if something is done incorrectly. If you have crowns, bridges and implants done and it doesn't work, then what? It's different than getting your hair cut. .If it's not done well, it may not be something anybody can fix afterward.
Not only is there a risk of permanent damage, but if infection control isn't rigidly followed, patients could end up with life-threatening infections. Hepatitis and systemic diseases can be transferred. An infectious disease like hepatitis or potentially AIDS won't happen in North America, but in other countries, who knows?

There are quality dentists in many parts of the world, but impossible for a patient to determine. Be careful and understand the potential life changing risks that saving a few dollars may cause and know that you may have no legal grounds to stand on when you return to the states. 

Great News--No more drilling or filling of cavities!

A new study in ACS Nano uses this first of its kind technology to eliminate or reduce the need for the drilling and filling of cavities. The use of peptides embedded in a soft gel or thin, pliable film can be placed next to a cavity which encourages cells inside teeth to regenerate in about a month, according to the study. The film or gel containing the peptide MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) encourages regeneration, such that a dab on an infected tooth could heal teeth from within.

The study was performed on cavities in mice, and after about a month the cavities were gone. The MSH peptide gel or film however does not prevent cavities so everyone still has to brush, floss, use MI Paste Plus and eat right. Although the product is not available yet, it does provide hope of a new form of therapy in the future. “The best type of treatment is not needing treatment, so keep them clean”, says Dr. Todd Snyder, DDS, Laguna Niguel, CA.

Keep your wisdom……teeth!

Wisdom teeth often have to be removed due to not growing into the mouth properly, having decay or gum disease. Aesthetic Dental Designs and Todd Snyder, DDS want you to know about a recent study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that wisdom teeth actually hold valuable tissues inside them that are capable of creating therapeutic stem cells. “In the event that a person needs them, such stem cells could be used to regrow needed tissues and organs or to treat debilitating diseases.” Wisdom teeth are often removed in developed nations, so they are easy to utilize as a source of induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPS).

“In 2006, researchers first discovered that certain genes in adult cells could be reprogrammed to once again express themselves as fresh stem cells. These cells have great therapeutic potential because they can be instructed to develop into virtually any needed adult stem cells, which can be used to promote healing. But obtaining iPS is difficult because they must be extracted from viable sources, most of which are not easily accessible. Bone marrow contains the necessary cells, but extracting from it is a laborious process. And skin cells, which are the easiest to obtain, do not possess a very strong programming capability.”

“Researchers from Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science discovered that wisdom teeth contain considerably viable "starter" cells. And since most people in developed nations get their wisdom teeth removed anyway, the process of obtaining them is simpler than it is from practically any other source. They also found in some cases, the cells proliferated 100 times more efficiently than those derived from skin, and they were capable of forming a variety of different adult cell lines. Wisdom teeth can also be frozen for several years after being extracted, allowing their valuable pulp to be stored for potential future use. This breakthrough research advances the cause of non-controversial iPS treatments, which show incredible promise in helping the body to heal itself.”
Info provided by http://www.naturalnews.com/

TCS Aesthetic Dental Designs: What is your dentist possibly missing?

TCS Aesthetic Dental Designs: What is your dentist possibly missing?: "A new form of dental technology can make finding cavities easier than ever. FDA clearance on the new SoproLIFE was just granted in January,..."

What is your dentist possibly missing?

A new form of dental technology can make finding cavities easier than ever.  FDA clearance on the new SoproLIFE was just granted in January, 2010.  Does your dentist have one?

   

The new SoproLife imaging fluorescence device, is an extremely useful tool in detecting dental caries early and effectively. The SoproLife uses blue LEDs to emit light and excite dentine, sending a fluorescent light signal that helps detect early tooth decay often too small to be detected by traditional X-rays or explorers.
The device allows for more accurate identification and diagnosis, as well as a procedure that is less invasive and aggressive than traditional methods. With the ability to detect cavities early on, dentists can give their patients the treatment they need earlier to prevent further damage and improve their smile.

Dental caries, better known as dental cavities, often do not have any symptoms until the decay has eaten through the enamel, causing pain and sensitivity. Cavities caught too late can cause serious damage and, in some cases, can lead to tooth loss.  Identifying cavities early with SoproLife dental technology allows dentists to treat cavities before they become worse.

The SoproLife is changing the way cavities are diagnosed and treated.  Conventional methods of cavity detection include visual observation, probing with an explorer, and radiographs. These methods can miss early carious lesions and require a more aggressive excavation once the cavity has been identified.

Orange County cosmetic dentist Dr. Todd Snyder at Aesthetic Dental Designs now uses the SoproLIFE.
You can reach us at (949) 643-6733 or on the web at http://www.aestheticdentaldesigns.com/.

Are you unknowingly giving dirty diseased kisses to your loved ones??

Did you know...
Dental cavities and gum disease with their bacterial agents are infectious diseases, and they have a vertical transmission to those around you. The control of bacterial transmission from mother to child has been studied, and its results on their children's dental cavities development, and on their siblings’ bacterial levels and dental cavities are linked. This also applies to the transmission between spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends.
If you or your loved ones have oral health problems the bacteria linked to gum disease and tooth decay can be spread. Make sure you and your loved ones are not infecting each other or your children with oral bacteria that can change the oral health and create a potential life long problem for those around you.
See a dentist and get help before you hurt the ones you love. Over 80% of American Adults have some level of gum disease and as previously mention it is transmissible. This is still one of the most prevalent infectious diseases that is still relatively unknown due to lack of media attention and yet virtually everyone has some form of gum disease and a history of cavities. You can stop this problem with proper oral health and visiting a dentist. Don't harm your children and your loved ones see a dentist.

Death to Tooth Decay!

NEW TOOLS TO FIGHT TOOTH DECAY AND WIN!!!! When you eat, plaque bacteria eat too. As a result, the bacteria produce plaque acids. These acids can eat away at the enamel on your teeth. This can promote tooth decay and eventually cause cavities. These plaque acids cause calcium and phosphate to migrate out of the enamel, eventually resulting in the formation of a white spot lesion (weakened enamel) or worse a cavity if left untreated. Recaldent is a milk-derived ingredient containing portions of a milk protein (casein), calcium and phosphate. The milk protein binds to the plaque layer on the surface of your tooth. When it then comes in contact with plaque acids, it releases the calcium and phosphate in a soluble form that penetrates the enamel, rebuilding weakened enamel from the inside out.
The product Recaldent can be found in Trident Xtra Care Chewing Gum, as well as in a more concentrated solution called MiPaste Plus which can be purchased in our office. The results when used daily are amazing!!! You can possibly never have a cavity again!