Flossing—A First String Player

A simple piece of string can prevent cavities and boost your overall health. 

If you think brushing reaches all tooth surfaces vulnerable to cavities consider this.  A tooth has five sides at risk of developing a cavity and brushing only gets three of them—the top, inside and outside. These surfaces have the natural cleansing effects of the tongue to help them, but the in between areas can only be cleaned by flossing.  So flossing may be even more important than brushing.

Flossing dislodges food particles under the gums in between the teeth that if not removed everyday can harden and fester causing a bacterial load that can lead to an infection of the gums and bone around the teeth-- destroying the very tissues that hold the teeth in the mouth.  Furthermore, this inflammatory disorder can contribute to major problems throughout the body and recent studies suggest links between periodontal disease and diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and stomach cancer.

Ideally, one should floss after every meal, but once a day is more practical.  Bedtime is better, rather than morning because, for those seven to eight hours at night the natural washing effect of salivary flow is very low and the bacteria can proliferate more rapidly in a dry environment. 

Here’s how to get into the groove: Take 60 seconds to wrap 18 inches of floss around your middle fingers and hold it with your index fingers and thumbs to give a “tight inch”.  See-saw through the tight spots and hug the tooth as you scrape up and down.  Begin on the upper right and go all the way around the upper left, and then go from left to right on the lower teeth--systematically so that you do not miss any spots. 

Use flavored floss if you like, a floss pick if you are on the go, a floss holder with a large gripping handle if you have arthritis, waxed or unwaxed (waxed is less likely to shred and easier to slide in between), wider floss “tape” if it is more comfortable to your fingers (it also has the benefit of covering a larger portion of the tooth).  It may take a little practice and your gums might bleed a little until they become healthier, but it is a daily routine that is absolutely essential.

Dr Rodney Andrus is a Board Certified Prosthodontist (an ADA recognized specialist tooth replacement and restoration) and provides expert solutions to challenging dental problems at St George Center for Specialized Dentistry in St George, UT.  For more information you can call his office at 435-674-3100.

Deciding on Denture Teeth

Deciding what type of denture teeth to ask the dentist for can be confusing to patients who want to get the best quality, most durable, and most aesthetic result.  Old chemistry acrylic denture teeth are made out of the same material as the pink part of the denture and therefore have the advantage of adhering well to it, but they are not very aesthetic and usually wear out quicker than the expected 5-6 year life of a denture. 

Porcelain denture teeth have overcome some of these problems, but they have a list of disadvantages of their own.  I was reminded of one of their main disadvantages as I watched the recent movie, Frozen with my kids again.  Just like Elsa, porcelain denture teeth are elegant and beautiful, but have a secret ability to destroy.  They don’t turn things into snow and ice, but their damage can be just as scary.  They are so durable that they can wear down natural teeth and dental work that can be expensive to fix.  Furthermore, they have no dampening effect, and in certain situations, can cause permanent deterioration of the jaw bone underneath the denture, thereby worsening the fit of the denture and all future dentures.

New chemistry acrylic denture teeth have natural layers for better aesthetics and wear resistance and are also kind to the jaws and opposing teeth.  They usually wear out on time with the rest of the denture and you “just let it go” and get a new denture.  Another material, composite resin (similar to the material used in white fillings of teeth) is also kind and looks even more natural.  It is used when even longer durability is desired such as is needed when dental implants or natural opposing teeth give you a stronger bite.

Many factors go into selecting the right material for your unique situation.  As a Board Certified Prosthodontist, an ADA recognized specialist in the replacement and restoration of teeth, Dr Andrus provides expert solutions to challenging dental problems at St GeorgeCenter for Specialized Dentistry in St George, UT.  For more information call 435-674-3100.

Are Same-Day Crowns Really Worth the No Wait?

The Wall Street Journal released the verdict on one-day crowns last week—although they are a little more convenient they have some limitations over crowns made by the traditional lab-made process.  The first part of the same-day crown process is the same as the traditional process, it starts with a numbing and drilling.  The difference is that the impression or mold is not needed and the crown is made faster.  Instead of the impression and the one to two week wait, a wand scanner is waved over the prepared tooth and a computerized milling unit sculpts the crown from a small block of ceramic while you wait for only an hour or two.  The crown is then cemented on to your tooth in the regular way.  The equipment costs about $100,000 to $300,000 and is available in about 10% of dentist offices around the country.  Although convenient and usually adequate, the milled crowns are not very natural looking, making them less ideal for front teeth where the artistry of the traditional method is superior.  The problem is that the small ceramic blocks are usually only one or a blend of two colors; whereas, natural teeth matching requires many layered colors, characterizations, and grades of translucent effects that can only be provided by a ceramist in the traditional lab-made method.  Furthermore, lab-made crowns may be better for people who grind and clench their teeth.  These patients may prefer the strongest crown available, a gold crown that can only be made by the traditional lab method.  Also, sometimes crowns require special attachment features to support other dental work.  These patients may prefer the versatility of gold or porcelain fused to metal type crowns made only by the lab method.  Although dentist made same-day crowns are intriguing, scientists say that studies comparing them to lab technician-made crowns are needed to search for benefits other than the convenience of only having to wait hours rather than several days.  Sometimes strong, esthetic, and versatile crowns are worth the wait.

Dr Rodney Andrus is a specialist in missing and deficient teeth issues including multiple crown reconstruction and is Board Certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics.  He practices with a master dental lab ceramist at St George Center for Specialized Dentistry in St George, UT.  For more information you can call his office at 435-674-3100.

Proper Instrument Sterilization Practices in Dentistry

Thousands of dental patients in Oklahoma waited anxiously for the results of tests for hepatitis and HIV after health officials revealed an oral surgeon operated his practice under unsanitary conditions. It has now been reported that 60 of his patients have been infected with HIV. This story is shocking and upsetting to dentists everywhere because contracting infections in dentistry is very rare and because dentists take the matter of infection control very seriously. Taking appropriate precautions is something that we do every day on every patient and they are second nature to us. Regardless of what procedures you are getting, your dentist should be treating every dental procedure as the most complicated surgery.

Here are some things you can look for the next time you visit the dentist:

•Check a dental office for overall cleanliness when you walk through the door.

•Make sure the dentist scrubs up with antibacterial soap and water. The dental assistants should do the same.

•The dentist should wear a new pair of gloves immediately after scrubbing.

•The dentist should open sealed packages of sterile instruments right before your eyes.

•Don’t be reluctant to check out the sterilization process for instruments. Sterilizing instruments is a multi-step process that begins with washing off debris after use, placing them in an ultrasonic cleaner, and finally wrapping and placing in an autoclave sterilizer.





Dr Rodney Andrus is a Prosthodontist (an ADA recognized specialist in all types of dentures and oral rehabilitation) and provides expert solutions to challenging dental problems at St George Center for Specialized Dentistry in St George, UT. For more information you can call his office at 435-674-3100.

Too Much Denture Adhesive





Some time ago a neurologist was on Good Morning America to discuss his patient that had developed balance problems from swallowing too much denture cream that contained Zinc—a beneficial mineral found in ordinary multivitamins, but in large amounts can lead to serious illnesses. It was reported that his patient used massive amounts of the cream in her dentures that she wore at night for 10 years trying to compensate for the poor fit of her dentures.


First of all, if excessive denture cream oozes out of the denture after you bite on it, then you have used too much. Secondly, even well fitting dentures should be removed at night. Dentures that require adhesive should never be worn overnight with denture adhesive in them. The mouth tissues must be allowed to rest and nighttime denture wear may result in tissue irritation, inflammation, and fungus infection.


Thirdly, the vast majority of dentures that fit well do not require the regular use of denture adhesive at all. It is important that a prosthodontist evaluate your dentures on a regular basis because your bone and gums may shrink in time and your dentures will need to be remade or relined when they become too lose. Don’t think that you can correct the fit of your dentures by using more and more denture adhesive. Keep in mind that once your teeth are removed, the changes to your jawbones are constant and ongoing. The fit of your dentures will change with time as your jaw shrinks, and the dentures will need to be relined or remade periodically to accommodate these changes.


Finally, if you are suffering with ill fitting dentures and desire more specialized, modern, natural, and permanent solutions to missing teeth such as dental implants, you should seek the care of a prosthodontist—a dental specialist with three additional years of training beyond dental school who is an expert in fabricating teeth replacements of all types. For information on the proper use of denture adhesive or to schedule an appointment for an expert solution to a challenging dental problem call St George Center for Specialized dentistry today at (435) 674-3100.




Rodney L Andrus, DDS, MS
Prosthodontist, Founder
St George Center For Specialized Dentistry
Expert Solutions For Challenging Dental Problems
(435) 674-3100
www.stgeorgedentalimplants.com

Dry Mouth Problems?

Saliva is wonderful—it has powerful chemistry that protects against viruses and buffers the acid from bacteria that cause cavities.  It lubricates everything in the mouth and makes it easier to speak and to taste, enjoy, and swallow food.  It gives a protective coating to removable dentures and gives them more suction so they stay in place.  Dry mouth or “Xerostomia” conditions can cause this natural protection to be lost and the oral tissues to become irritated and uncomfortable for denture wearers and cause serious cavity problems for those with teeth.

There are rare conditions where the body’s own immune system attacks the saliva glands causing them to be unable to produce saliva and there are some cancer radiation treatments that can permanently damage the saliva glands.  But more commonly, adults taking medications are at a renewed risk for dry mouth.  Research has shown that age in and of itself is not directly responsible for dry mouth (a common misconception), but most dry mouth is caused by over 400 medications (particularly antidepressants).  The fact that older adults are more likely to be taking these medications makes them more likely to have poor saliva quality or quantity.  

Denture wearers with poor quality saliva may experience less secure fit and more discomfort and irritation and may require dental implants to support their dentures and relieve their gums from the rubbing of unstable removable dentures.  Those with teeth that are taking medications, although they have not had a cavity since they were a trick-or-treater, may suddenly be at a high risk for cavities and should not only be more diligent in avoiding frequent sugary snacking patterns, but also should incorporate extra protective measures to guard against cavities such as antibacterial Chlorhexidine rinses, super concentrated fluoride and calcium phosphate prescription toothpastes and rinses.  Special custom mouth guards, similar to sports mouth guards, can hold fluoride gels in contact with the teeth on a daily basis at home to protect teeth.  Also, it has been shown that chewing sugarless gum can stimulate saliva flow and with the sweetener Xylotol, reduce cavities by 40%.

Rodney L Andrus, DDS, MS
Dr Andrus is Southern Utah’s ONLY Prosthodontist, a specialized dentist recognized by the ADA with advanced training by the in oral health issue such as utilizing dentures, dental implants and other cosmetic procedures in the oral rehabilitation of patients with missing and damaged teeth.
www.stgeorgedentalimplants.com