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