What the Future of Dental Care will Look Like

Dental technology and treatment methods have advanced rapidly in the past few decades. From the development of composite to repair fillings, to the introduction of Invisalign® clear braces to correct malocclusion, patients are far more comfortable in the dental chair than they used to be. There is still room for improvement in the way dentistry is done; the near future provides the potential for more comfortable ways of obtaining bright and beautiful smiles.

Repairing Teeth Decay without Drills

Teeth decay accounts for most of the issues dentists treat in their dental office. Removing decay and restoring a tooth typically requires local anesthesia, drilling, and the use of composites, all of which can be uncomfortable. In an article titled, “Enamel remineralization: the future of dentistry?”, researchers in the UK have experimented with electrical currents to comfortably and naturally treat issues caused by teeth decay. These currents stimulate remineralization in areas where decay has eaten away at enamel. Combined with a gentle decay removal process, the remineralization could fully restore the integrity of a tooth, reducing the need for future fillings and the chance decay will advance further. Not only could this procedure decrease the use of drills, but also make root canal treatment unnecessary in situations where decay has been caught early on.

Replace Missing Teeth

When it comes to developing methods of restoring lost tissues, stem cells are at the forefront of scientific and public intrigue. These adaptable cells seem perfect for replacing teeth since stem cells can be found in the bone. Scientists at Tufts University are working to get these cells to grow new teeth, as reported by David Levin in his article, “The Promise of Growing New Teeth.” These researchers are developing ways to grow healthy adult teeth. They build a scaffold which serves as a frame for stem cells to begin growing and introduce a mixture of hormones and nutrients to encourage them to become full adult teeth. The experiments have proven promising and may have significant applications in the future.

Contact Marcia Blazer in Scottsdale for Cutting Edge Dental Care

Our practice implements the latest in dental technology and methods to enhance the quality of your treatments. Dr. Blazer and our whole staff pursues continued education to stay ahead of changes in techniques in the dental field. Everyone at our practice is passionate about oral health and offers a wide range of options to improve it. Call us today for an appointment!

Implant-Supported Dentures or Traditional: Which is Right for You? – Marcia Blazer, DDS – Scottsdale, AZ

When you have multiple missing teeth you have two options for replacing: dentures or implant-supported dentures. Whichever treatment you choose, it’s important to fill these gaps to protect a comfortable bite and enable you to freely speak, smile, and laugh. Both options offer pros and cons, which we examine below:

Implant-Supported Dentures

Dental implants offer a powerful way to treat the smile. They are placed directly into the jaw to ensure restorations will not fall out, and are built to last. Implant posts are made of titanium and are capped with custom-made acrylic or porcelain dentures that match the look of natural teeth. Implant-supported dentures are adaptable to the number of missing teeth, from a few to entire rows. The placement procedure is simple and safe, requiring only local anesthesia, and treatment offers permanent benefits.

The downside to implant placement and restoration is the cost, which may cause many patients to believe it’s not the right treatment. Dr. Marcia Blazer strives to meet patient needs and offer payment options to make treatments available. Additionally, it’s possible to begin with one implant and introduce more as needed.

Traditional Dentures 

Custom-fit acrylic dentures are proven to be affordable, easy to repair, and fully customized to your dental needs. After tooth extraction, they are constantly tailored to match the changing dentition, as the jaw heals. Dentures offer the convenience of a removable restoration, making oral health habits and maintenance simple.

As many denture wearers know, it’s not a perfect way to restore teeth. They can fall out while speaking, grow uncomfortable with use, and upper dentures cover the palate which limits taste. Although cost-effective, they are not designed to last for a lifetime.

Helping You find the Best Treatment in Scottsdale 

Marcia Blazer, DDS is passionate about restoring normal dental function to your daily life. If you or someone you know has missing teeth, or is looking to improve their denture care, call our office. You options will be discussed in detail, allowing you to make an informed decision.

Improve your Smile with Nutrition – Marcia Blazer, DDS – Scottsdale, AZ

Oral health requires a balance of care, just as the body does. With the proper measure of brushing, flossing, nutrition, and dental care, your teeth can remain bright and healthy.  A bright smile starts at home, with good habits that can remove bacteria and prevent decay.

Fruits, Vegetables, and Water

A good diet plays a huge role in supporting the health of your teeth and gums, while also reducing dental decay. The nutrients and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables support bacterial resistance and the upkeep of oral tissues. Although not a replacement for brushing teeth, eating fibrous vegetables and fruits can help to clean the surfaces of the teeth in between brushing.

To further enhance the health of your mouth, drink plenty of water.  Avoid habits that cause dry mouth, such as smoking, chewing tobacco, or excessive alcohol consumption.  Be aware that many medications can cause dry mouth as well.  Oftentimes, chewing sugarless gum can stimulate salivating, and help with symptoms of dry mouth.

Reduce Processed Sugar Levels

Sugar provides bacteria with the fuel it needs to grow abundantly.  Excessive sugar intake isn’t exclusive to just candy or desserts, nor are children more at risk.  A sweetened drink from Starbucks® can have more sugar per serving than soda or candy bars.  Also, Gatorade and other sport beverages contain a lot of sugar.  If drinking sweetened beverages, it is best to drink them all in one sitting, rather than sipping on them all day.  It’s important for adults to review their own or their child’s diet and minimize excessive sugar intake when possible. Although acceptable in moderation, sugar isn’t good for oral or overall health.  

Contact Dr. Marcia Blazer for Good Oral Health

For all your oral health needs, visit Dr. Marcia Blazer in Scottsdale. She offers compassionate, comprehensive dental care in a relaxing environment. Call her practice for an appointment, today!

Veneers, the Pros and Cons

Your smile can make a lasting impression on the people you meet. Are you worried that your chipped, stain, or crooked teeth are causing others to get the wrong idea about you? Luckily, there are solutions for improving less-than-perfect smiles. Don’t let your confidence lag because of the appearance of your teeth! Contact your Scottsdale dentist, Dr. Marcia Blazer, to learn about the many benefits of veneers, and what they can do for your smile.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin, custom made porcelain facings that your dentist places over the front of your teeth to repair and hide imperfections. The veneer procedure is minimally invasive, but offers exceptional results. If you’re looking to make big changes to the look and feel of your teeth, porcelain veneers may be a viable option.

The Pros of Veneers

Porcelain veneers offer several advantages for patients who are looking to correct their smiles. These advantages include:

• Durability- Porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years, or much longer in some cases.
• Natural appearance- Veneers deliver realistic looking results that blend in with your surrounding teeth, making your smile look natural, not fake.
• Customized- You can work with your dentist to find the right shade of white for your new smile.
• Stain resistant- Go ahead and have that glass of wine. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and remain vibrant throughout their lifespan.
• Improved confidence- With your new veneers, you will feel amazing and ready to smile at the world.

Determining if Veneers are Right for You

While veneers are a great option for most patients, this cosmetic treatment may not be the best solution for all patients. Like many other cosmetic dental procedures, the tooth must be prepared, which may cause some minor tooth sensitivity. Additionally, as veneers are an optional treatment, they may not be fully covered by your insurance program.

While there may be some disadvantages to veneers, the majority of veneers patients find that the perks of having the smile they always dreamed of definitely outweighs any of the cons.

Make an Appointment

If you’re ready to stop hiding your smile, don’t wait to make an appointment- call today! Your Scottsdale dentist, Dr. Marcia Blazer, can discuss a path forward to creating your desired smile.

What Are Overdentures?

For patients with advanced dental conditions or those who have lost all or most of their teeth as a result of trauma, dentures have historically helped return function and aesthetics back to their bite. Through advanced technological advancements in dentistry, people with missing teeth now have multiple restoration options to choose from. One denture type is an overdenture, a removable denture plate that will support chewing, speaking and a beautiful smile.

Overdentures are removable and can replace several teeth as a partial or full denture. For patients seeking stability in their tooth replacement solution, this type of denture can be anchored to your remaining teeth, roots or more securely attached to dental implants. Many patients find supporting overdentures with dental implants to be highly successful, yielding a number of positive long-term benefits.

Just like traditional dentures, overdentures allow your mouth and bite to function as it would naturally, and minimally impacts your life and the things you enjoy. With overdentures, you can still enjoy the foods you love, while benefiting from the easy maintenance of this treatment.

Advantages of an Overdenture

Overdentures offer many advantages to patients with tooth loss. These advantages include:

• Increased Stability
• Easy to clean
• Effective
• Comfortable
• Decreased bone loss with implants as anchors

Disadvantages of an Overdenture

While overdentures work for many patients, it is still a good idea to discuss the pros and cons of this treatment with your dentist prior to choosing the final treatment plan. Some patients may find removable overdentures to be bulky and unwieldy, often preferring a stabilized restoration.

When compared to traditional dentures, the secured overdenture process can be more expensive. Additionally the procedure may take longer to complete when used in conjunction with dental implants. However, the long-term health benefits and convenience make this restoration a worthwhile investment into your improved dental health and function

Scottsdale Dentist' Denture Options

With a strong focus on personal and gentle care, Dr. Marcia Blazer works to educate her patients on their oral health needs and will discuss all available options to restore their bite and well-being. Whether you are in need of elder care and want to return function or have suffered a trauma and are looking for a comprehensive restoration, our Scottsdale dentist will provide a treatment plan to solve all your dental needs.

Make an Appointment Today

If you’re suffering from tooth pain or loss, and think overdentures may be a good solution for you, please be sure to call your Scottsdale dentist, Dr. Marcia Blazer to schedule a consultation today.

Five Common Senior Dental Problems

As we age, our dental needs change. This is due not only to age itself, but to a slew of developments that have a great impact on the health of our teeth, gums and dental function. From introducing new medications, to the long-term consequences of lifestyle choices, our dental well-being often needs some extra attention as we get older. Here are five common dental problemsencountered by senior patients:

Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable and irritating, it’s actually a health concern that can have a huge impact on health. A common side effect when taking medication, dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva flow. This lack of saliva means food remnants and bacteria are not washed away and take up residence in between teeth and under the gum line, and. acids that cause tooth decay are not naturalized as quickly. Without saliva flow, teeth absorb fewer protective, nurturing minerals like calcium and fluoride. Ultimately, dry mouth can lead to tooth decay and multiple cavities.

Darkened Teeth

Darkening teeth is the change we see in dentin as we age. Dentin is the like tissue that lies underneath tooth enamel. Dentin can gradually darken due to life-long habits, such as tobacco use, stain-causing foods and drinks, and even dead teeth.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a highly prevalent condition experienced by a large percentage of the adult population. Caused by bacteria in plaque, gum disease inflames and irritates gums, resulting in swelling, bleeding, bad breath and more. Advanced gum disease can destroy bone and gums, and even cause teeth to become loose or fall out. It has been linked to many health conditions and diseases including heart disease, diabetes and stroke. To avoid gum disease, dentists recommend annual or bi-annual professional cleanings, depending on the patient’s dental needs and health.

Diminished Taste

Full dentures – a common restorative appliance for seniors – can block the palate, affecting the way we taste our food. As people age, taste buds tend to lose their strength, but when coupled with dentures, it can change the way seniors view eating, diminishing quality of life. Routine visits to a dentist will help to maintain oral health and can potentially stop or prolong the need for full dentures.

Oral Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) approximately 39,500 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. Of those, an estimated 7,500 people will die from the disease. Oral cancer becomes more prevalent with age, which is why regular dental visits are vital for your health. With regular screenings cancerous regions can be detected and more successfully treated.

Maintaining oral health through at-home hygiene care and routine dental appointments will help to prevent many types of dental problems. Schedule an appointment with our Scottsdale dentist, Dr. Marcia Blazer to receive the gentle care that you deserve to treat and prevent common dental problems that can arise from the natural aging process 

5 Tips to Handle Dental Emergencies at Home

In a perfect world, dental accidents would only happen Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Unfortunately, there is a strong likelihood that you will find yourself facing a dental emergency at odd hours, while on vacation, or even during a holiday. While we cannot stop accidents from happening, there are tips and tricks you can use to minimize damage until you can see your dentist.

Five dental emergencies and how you should address them 

1. What do I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

For adult teeth, be sure to keep the tooth moist at all times. You can keep the tooth moist by positioning it in between your cheek and gums, or by storing it in a glass of milk. There are also tooth preservation products on the market that can be used. Most importantly- get to your dentist as soon as possible. Delaying seeking dental care can reduce the likelihood of being able to save your tooth.

2. My teeth are fine, but my child knocked a baby tooth out! What should I do?

Children have a real knack for getting into mischief after hours. If your child knocks out a baby tooth, you should keep it moist and get it to a dentist immediately. Depending on how much of the tooth came out, your dentist can determine whether or not it can be safely replaced.

3. Ow! I have a serious toothache. What can I do?

To alleviate some of the pain caused by a toothache, try gently rinsing your mouth out with warm water. Once you’ve cleaned your mouth, you can try removing any foreign items with dental floss. If the pain persists, try taking an over-the-counter pain medication, and call your dentist for an appointment.

4. I broke my tooth, Help!

If your tooth breaks, it is important to immediately rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Call your dentist to make an appointment. Your local drug store will sell a dental putty that you can place over the tooth to help relieve some of the sensitive and keep the area clean while waiting to see your dentist. Use a cold compress and pain reliever to help make your wait more comfortable.

5. I’m on vacation and my filling came out!

You can’t guarantee that a tooth problem will only occur during business hours or why you are local. If you are away from home and are suffering from a tooth emergency, contact your dentist to let them know your problem as they may offer some insightful tips. Most importantly, don’t ruin your time away with tooth discomfort. Contact a local dentist who offers emergency hours to non-patients. Schedule an appointment to follow-up with your dentist when you return home.

Remember: these tips are just suggestions for when you find yourself in a tight spot. Regardless of what your dental emergency is, seeing your dentist as soon as possible can help save your tooth without risking compromising your oral health. If the emergency is serious, and your dentist’s office is closed, you can visit an emergency room.

Please be sure to call Scottsdale dentist, Dr. Marcia Blazer, at 480-596-8273 to make an appointment immediately after any of these events so she can continue what you started.