Anti-Aging in Dentistry

Posted by drgracesun on October 14, 2009 under Beautiful Smile, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Nutrition and Diet, Smart Smile | Be the First to Comment

Anti-Aging is something of a buzzword in today’s marketplace: the medical community, the marketing community and nearly every community in between seems to have been captured by this craze. What exactly is anti-aging? The concept is to reduce the visual signs of a person’s age to make one appear younger, more vibrant and more beautiful. While there are a range of methods and procedures available to the public to accomplish anti-aging, the patient themselves must be willing to make changes to his or her lifestyle in order to sustain the changes provided by his or her physician.

I recently attended the 5th European Congress in Aesthetic Dermatology and Surgery in Anti-Aging Medicine, hosted by the European Masters in Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine (or EMAA) in Paris, France. The conference focused on a plethora of anti-aging information and news in the field, but what I found interesting were the procedures tailored toward dental medicine. Botox, or Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein that is in fact one of the most poisonous substances known to man! Despite the dramatic definition, the use of very small amounts of this toxin to treat muscle spasms in anti-aging medicine is widespread. Botox relaxes muscle spasms in a way that can reduce wrinkles, by training specific muscle groups to relax and lower tension.  Botox effects wear off between three and six months, and will need to be re-administered to maintain results.

From the dental aspect, Botox can be used to control a gummy smile. Botox relaxes the muscles in a person’s upper lip – known as hyperactive upper lip – which contributes to a gummy smile. When Botox is injected into the muscle group in a person’s lip, the toxin actually relaxes the muscles and restricts the muscle’s ability to overly contract upward thus showing excessive gum tissue . Botox can also be used to control facial muscle spasms that contribute not only to wrinkles and frown lines, but to headaches as well. By undergoing Botox therapy, the muscles in the lips and face can be trained to eventually relax on their own.

Although Botox may sound like a miracle drug for reducing the appearance of gummy smiles, fine lines and even headaches, one must remember that any anti-aging treatment plan is dual-fold: the patient must be committed to their health in order to achieve long-lasting results. Patient compliance is key in any medical treatment plan, but when it comes to anti-aging, a healthy lifestyle can make all the difference in the world. Diet is one of the most important factors in patient compliance. Everyone has heard the age-old saying “you are what you eat,” – it is absolutely true.

A patient who is concerned with his or her physical health and appearance – and is willing to go through Botox therapy to achieve anti-aging results – must realize that his or her diet is vital to achieving long-lasting results. Vegetables, lean proteins and minerals are all vital in achieving healthy skin, bones and organ function. A poor diet high in refined sugars, fat and carbohydrates with poor habits (like alcohol consumption and smoking, staying up late and no exercise) all will contribute to a faster aging process. We all wishto be young and healthy forever – it all starts with healthy choices.

“Do I Need Laughing Gas?”

Posted by drgracesun on April 27, 2009 under Information | Be the First to Comment

” May I have some laughing gas please?” is a popular request among the “high anxiety” or “wants to get away” group.

A patient is anesthetized with nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide gas (nitrous oxide and oxygen (N₂0-0₂)) is affectionately known as “laughing gas” due to its euphoric qualities when inhaled. Discovered in 1772 by Humphrey Davy, he had this to say about its effects: “On the day when the inflammation was the most troublesome, I breathed three large doses of nitrous oxide. The pain always diminished after the first four or five inspirations; the thrilling came on as usual, and uneasiness was for a few minutes swallowed up in pleasure.” When the gas is inhaled (at an approximately 50% nitrous oxide + 50% oxygen dilution), after several minutes nearly all pain dissipates from the body and a euphoric warmth spreads throughout the body. This pleasant feeling is not only pain-reducing, but can calm anxious nerves and relax all but the most fearsome patients. The calming, relaxing and euphoric qualities of nitrous oxide make it a prime candidate for anesthetizing patients who have irrational fears about dental procedures who are unable to get comfortable in the chair. Because laughing gas can be highly effective in treating moderate dental anxieties, nitrous oxide gas can also benefit the dental physician working on a patient – calm environments benefit everyone! Patients with high blood pressure, or who have had heart attacks in the past and are at risk from traditional IV anesthesia are prime candidates for nitrous oxide sedation.

The level of sedation and warmth felt in the body after inhaling nitrous oxide gas depends on the concentration of the dosage, and how long the gas is administered. Because the gas is administered into the lungs, it is saturated into the blood stream very quickly  and once the procedure is finished, there are no lingering “hangover” effects, meaning it is safe to drive home without an escort. Local anesthesia is still necessary for the treatment site, but needle-phobia will disappear with laughing gas. If you suffer from dental anxieties and have tried different techniques, seen different dentist and you still can not  face dental work with ease, it is worth while for you to try nitrous oxide during your next dental procedure. Have a discussion with your dental professional.

“What Is Spa Dentistry?”

Posted by drgracesun on February 25, 2009 under Information, Technology | Be the First to Comment

Going to the dentist can be fun and exciting!

Many patients look forward to coming into their dentist’s office to take care of their dental work, but some dental practices take into account the patient’s entire well-being. Yes, we are talking about providing a spa-like environment in the dental office.

The concept behind Spa Dentistry is to build a relaxing, cleansing and recharging dental environment in which a patient can feel safe and comfortable, leaving the office feeling recharged, not drained of energy. Providing a spa-like environment for a patient means not only catering to the mouth, but treating the whole person both physically and psychologically. Apart from attitude, how can this be achieved? Personal services and thoughtful touches to a patient’s treatment environment complimented by a caring, educated and well-trained staff. Services such as reflexology (zone therapy), aromatherapy, movie glasses and noise-canceling headphones (with a full iPod music library), food and drink menu service (including teas and smoothies) and concierge services work together to create a harmonious, energizing environment for the body and mind.

At my practice for example, our famous strawberry smoothies serve several purposes! The cool taste and smooth texture helps alleviate possible discomfort and soreness from work through which we have just put the oral cavity . Its delicious taste will neutralize any lingering taste of dental products used in the oral environment. Also, the immediate energizer (and mood elevator) in a smoothie is really great for those whose mouth has been numbed. When combined with a caring dentist with the right service attitude, little touches like this in spa dentistry combine to create a healthy, comfortable and enriching experience.

I am grateful to work with a wonderful team that has the same caring and “full of life” attitude that embodies this concept of spa dentistry. Relaxing smells, music and laughter make coming to work like going to the spa – even though we are the care takers! Love is in the air, which really makes all the difference.