Dental Education

Your comfort and quality care is our number one goal and we know there’s a close connection between comfort and understanding. So, hopefully the following information will help you further explore some of the dental health topics relevant to your needs. If you have any questions or want to discuss any of this information, please call us.

About Oral Cancer

One American dies every hour from oral cancer, a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. Statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%

Oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%. Late stage oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy

Signs and Symptoms:

  • A white or red patch in the mouth
  • A sore that doesn’t heal in 10-14 days or bleeds easily
  • Unexplained pain or soreness in the moth, lips or throat
  • Numbness of any part of the mouth
  • Swelling in the moth or neck
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue

Risk Factors:

  • Tobacco use (any type, any age, within 10 years)
  • Alcohol consumption of at least 1 drink per day (3 ounces of hard liquor, 4 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer)
  • Immune deficiencies such as HIV & AIDS
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 16/18)
  • Diabetes
  • Prolonged exposure to the sun (lip cancer)

Statistics, Facts and Famous Victims

* Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer.
* The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence for oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%.
* The death rate in the Unites States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney or ovarian cancer.
* More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, less than 57% will still be alive.
* 8,000 Americans will die each year of oral cancer.

Famous Victims

1. Babe Ruth
2. Sigmund Freud
3. Jack Klugman
4. Aaron Spelling
5. Alan King
6. Humphrey Bogart
7. Lana Turner
8. Eddie Van Halen
9. Rod Stewart
10. Bill Blass
11. Burl Ives
12. Sammy Davis, Jr.
13. John Prine
14. Jim Thorpe
15. Mary Wells
16. George Harrison

CEREC® - One Visit Crowns

This revolutionary system allows us to replace full or partial crown damage in a single visit.

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Composite Resins: Strengthen Your Smile

If you're embarrassed about your smile because of decayed, disfigured, or discolored teeth, you may be a good candidate for composite resins.

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Crowns

If you’re self-conscious about your smile due to cracked, broken, decayed, or worn teeth, we can bring back your healthy, natural-looking smile with dental crowns.

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Do Women Need More Dental Attention?

Growing evidence shows women may be significantly more susceptible to serious health consequences unless they maintain a tremendously vigilant home hygiene campaign against tooth decay and gum disease.

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Fixed Bridges

If you’ve lost teeth due to accident, injury, or gum disease, we can create a permanent 'bridge' appliance to replace the missing teeth.

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Gum Disease: Serious But Treatable

Although gum disease is terribly pervasive, it's also preventable. Conservative estimates report that up to 80% of people unknowingly have some amount of chronic gum disease.

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Healthy Mouth, Happy Life?

If you think about it, it makes perfect sense: poor oral health is linked to poor physical health. How so?

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Implants - Permanent, Secure Tooth Replacements

When people lose permanent teeth due to accident, injury, disease or extraction, dental implants can be a secure, functional replacement option.

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Invisalign: Braces for the 21st Century

FDA approved Invisalign is the “invisible” way to straighten your teeth without wearing conventional metal braces.

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Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers can often provide people who have chipped, stained, discolored, unevenly spaced, or even slightly crooked front teeth with a completely new-looking smile in just a few simple appointments.

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TMJ Disorder

TMJ disorder or TMD can cause a wide variety of mild to severe symptoms, from jaw clicking and minor discomfort to sharp pain in your temple, ear, jaw and teeth; it can also "lock" your jaw open or shut, or dislocate the jaw altogether.

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Whiter, Brighter Teeth

Teeth whitening is a safe, effective and lasting way to lighten most people's smiles, available in a wide variety of methods and concentrations for various kinds of teeth.

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Zoom! Whitening

The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe, effective and fast - very fast.

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