BEFORE and AFTER:

BEFORE treatment

AFTER veneer treatment with Dr. DeLawter

"Crowning Moment"

Dental Restorations restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure, which can be caused by caries or external trauma, such as chipping or cracking a tooth.


What is a crown?


A crown is a restoration that covers (or "caps") a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, which can strengthen and improve the appearance of the tooth....A crown can protect a weak tooth from fracturing; it can also prevent a cracked tooth from further damage.


Will a crown look natural?


It can, depending on the type of crown you elect to have made....A crown can look just like a natural tooth when it is made with porcelain coverage.


How should I care for my teeth after I receive a crown?


To prevent damaging or fracturing the crown, avoid chewing extremely hard foods and ice. You should also avoid grinding or clenching your teeth. In addition to brushing twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly, cleaning between your teeth is essential if you have crowns.


What do I do if I am still confused about these procedures?


If you are still unclear about the process of placing a crown or a post and core build-up, speak to your dentist.

BEFORE and AFTER:

BEFORE treatment with Dr. DeLawter

AFTER treatment with Dr. DeLawter

June Newsletter!

June Is National Dairy Month
Youth Trends: Less Milk, More Soda

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and several other health authorities, children and adolescents should consume 2 to 3 cups of low-fat or fat-free milk each day to support critical bone growth and development. Unfortunately, two new analyses show children are drinking far less milk and far more soda and fruit drinks.
One analysis examined data from national food surveys from select time periods between 1977 to 2006, and revealed a marked decrease in average milk intake for children ages 2-18, falling to only 5 ounces a day by 2003-2006. Over the same time period, calories from sugar sweetened beverages (soda and fruit drinks) for children and teens increased from 87 to 154 calories per day.
Similarly, researchers who conducted a 5-year study, Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), noted the trend among Minnesota teens of more sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption and less milk consumption. Researchers found that over the course of five years, higher consumption of white milk was associated with less weight gain. In a success story, on the other hand, a systemic change in beverage offerings was made in New York City public schools in an effort to decrease students’ fat and calorie intake while maintaining nutrient consumption, and was met with impressive results.
Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, school cafeterias phased out whole milk and replaced it with low-fat or fat-free white milk and fat-free chocolate milk. Based on purchasing data, it was estimated that the district’s milk-drinking students were served 5,960 fewer calories and 619 fewer grams of fat per student on average in 2009 than in 2004. In addition, chocolate milk accounted for more than half (approximately 60 percent) of the milk purchased both before and after the policy change.
Low-fat and fat-free flavored milk is a nutrient-rich beverage that provides the same nine essential nutrients as unflavored milk, including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents). Read more about flavored milk and learn the latest facts on this important source of dairy nutrition for children in “Flavored Milk in Perspective.” Also, access National Dairy Council’s Child Nutrition resources to learn
more about the key role dairy foods play in child and adolescent health.

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Squares
(Recipe created by 3-Every-Day™ of Dairy)

Makes 9 Servings
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 180 min
Ingredients:
1 cup crunchy wheat and barley cereal
3 cups fat-free strawberry yogurt
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen unsweetened strawberries (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1 cup light or fat-free whipped topping (optional)

Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with foil. Sprinkle cereal evenly on the bottom of the pan; set aside.
Place yogurt, strawberries and condensed milk in a blender; cover and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture over top of cereal, gently smoothing yogurt mixture to edges of pan. Cover with foil (or plastic wrap) and freeze for 8 hours or until firm. Use edges of foil to loosen and remove from pan; let recipe thaw for 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into squares, top with whipped topping, if desired, and serve.

Storage tip: Squares may be individually wrapped and frozen for single servings.
Note: Create your own variations by using other flavor combinations of yogurt and fruit.

(Nutritional Facts Calories: 200 Total Fat: 0 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 5 mg Sodium: 150 mg Calcium: 20% Daily Value Protein: 7 g Carbohydrates: 42 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g)

Gum disease – also known as periodontal disease – is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth.

Periodontal disease attacks the slight gap (called a sulcus) between the tooth and the gum. This causes a breakdown in the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues. When tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket which gets deeper as the disease develops.

The two major stages of periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is milder and reversible and only affects the gums. It may lead to periodontitis, which is more destructive.
There are warning signs that can suggest a possible problem:

• Gums that bleed easily or are tender.

• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.

• Persistent bad breath or taste.

• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.

• Change in how your teeth fit together when you bite.


However, it’s also possible to have periodontal disease with no warning signs. It’s therefore important to have regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations.
Treatment for periodontal disease depends on how far it has progressed.

Good dental hygiene practices such as brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth, eating a healthy diet and regular visits to the dentist will help you reduce the risk of gum disease.

With Heartfelt Thanks for Your Referrals
There’s no question that I have the BEST patients on the entire planet. My business is built on word of mouth advertising and I’d like to thank all my patients who have been kind enough to
recommend my services to their friends.

Is Gingival Bleeding Serious?

Bleeding on probing is a standard part of a periodontal examination. Before we can even report the seriousness of their infection, some patients interject with "It's no big deal. My gums always bleed and my parents had bleeding gums too. It's just normal for me."

Is bleeding normal? Is bleeding a big deal or not?

Bleeding is a big deal.
Bleeding allows bacteria and their toxins to easily pass into the circulatory system and move to other parts of the body. It's a big deal.
We can teach patients to do a perio self-test daily. This involves simply rubbing a triangular toothpick between teeth four times, from the facial surfaces. Check for bleeding or inflammation, which can lead to other serious problems.

Such problems linked to gingival bleeding include gum disease, heart disease, and even pancreatic cancer.

If you are experiencing gingival bleeding, contact your dental healthcare provider to schedule a periodontal cleaning and examination.

Your dental health is VERY important to us!



Excerpts from "Is Gingival Bleeding Serious?"
by Trisha E. O'Hehir, RDH, BS, Hygienetown Editorial Director

Dr. Recommended:

The NEW Sonicare Essence Series rechargable power toothbrush removes 80% of coffee, tea, and tobacco stains. Only Sonicare combines 31,000 brush strokes per minute and extra-wide sweeping motion to create dynamic fluid cleaning action. Sonicare improves gum health by reversing gingivitis and shrinking periodontal pockets. Whiter teeth and healthier gums in 28 days guaranteed!

Link Between Bone Loss Around Teeth And Head And Neck Cancer

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Researchers have uncovered some startling new information about Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is the loss of bone around the teeth. It's already known to cause heart disease, but now, experts say it may also be a risk factor for cancers of the head and neck.

Researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York studied 266 patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as well as 207 healthy people.

They found that with each millimeter of bone loss, the risk of head and neck cancers increased more than four-fold.

Experts say the link was even seen in subjects who had never used alcohol or tobacco.
Researchers say more studies are needed to establish the impact of smoking on the increased cancer risk.

The study is published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.