We Were Always Taught

Posted on September 28, 2017May 19, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

Dentists who were trained in the 70’s were always taught that the first instrument used in an operative procedure was the enamel hatchet. Caries excavation was done with spoon excavators and a belt driven low speed handpiece. We were always taught that reversible hydrocolloid was an excellent impression material, especially since you could use the same material on multiple patients. You just had to warm it back up in the water bath. We were always taught that we only needed to use a mask and...

A Total Health Approach at a Reasonable Price: An Interview with Dr. Isaac Comfortes DDS

Posted on September 22, 2017May 19, 2021 by Isaac Comfortes DDS

Dr. Nagelberg: Tell me how you use OralDNA salivary diagnostics. Dr. Comfortes: I started utilizing salivary diagnostics in 2013. Since then my approach has concentrated on total health, which I discuss this during every patient consult. Without the use of OralDNA® salivary diagnostics, the total health conversation would be difficult. First, I ask the patient if they understand the importance of the test. Then I address the levels of bacteria and how that is expressed in their gum health...

Where to Start

Posted on September 15, 2017May 19, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

A common dilemma among many dental practices is how to transition the hygiene department from prophylaxis to comprehensive periodontal diagnosis and treatment. Among the concerns is the perception that if we are starting something new, does that imply that up until now patient needs have been inadequately addressed? The simple solution to this dilemma is referring to the constantly evolving knowledge in healthcare. Using phrases such as “Research has shown” or “We now know” , can help with t...

Communicating with Patients about Nicotine and Perio

Posted on July 21, 2017May 19, 2021 by Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH

During a recent in-office team workshop, we were discussing nicotine use and its dramatic effects on the progression of periodontal disease. To help the team fully understand the consequences of nicotine use, we talked about vasoconstriction and how smoking masks the true level of periodontal infection. The vasoconstrictive properties of smoking reduce blood flow and, in turn, oxygen to the tissue, resulting in gums that do not bleed or have reduced bleeding. Smoking patients have pockets th...

Assessing Risk with Salivary Diagnostics

Posted on July 14, 2017May 19, 2021 by Herb Bader, DDS, FACD, FICD

The development of commercial laboratory tests utilizing the collection of saliva is, in my opinion, an important step forward in understanding and managing inflammatory periodontal disease. There are, in fact, no tests available that will predict the onset of attachment loss. However, by gathering information on a patient’s genetic inflammatory profile as well as periodontal pathogen profile we have access to objective data when ascertaining risk, or the possible onset of periodontal disease ...

Reduce Dental Benefit Hassles and Help Your Patients Say Yes

Posted on June 23, 2017May 19, 2021 by Tanya Brown, DMD

Wouldn’t it be great if you never had to deal with a denied claim again? One way to help prevent these hassles is by having more diagnostic information from the beginning! The quantitative results that you receive in a salivary diagnostics report gives you a measurable overview of a patient’s bacterial profile as well as risk level—both of which provide crucial evidence for your best chance at insurance coverage. (You’ll also have a great baseline from which you can assess the efficacy of tr...

WNL: What’s your definition?

Posted on June 16, 2017May 19, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

During virtually every dental examination, there is a review or updating of the patient’s health history and a clinical examination. If everything is consistent with good oral and overall health the notation WNL is commonly made, which is an abbreviation for Within Normal Limits. There is however another less commonly known meaning to WNL; We Never Looked. Looking goes way beyond visual observation and includes other diagnostic tools such as radiographs, scans and laboratory testing. Let’s co...

5 Medical Facts that Every Dentist Simply Must Know

Posted on May 5, 2017May 19, 2021 by Jennifer Rankin DDS

5 Medical Facts that Every Dentist Simply MUST Know. . . There is a well-substantiated link between oral health and certain systemic diseases.1 Diseases can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making it more susceptible to developing or exacerbating periodontal disease. Pregnant women with periodontal disease tend to have earlier term babies and babies of lower birth weight.2 Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s Syndrome and even Alzheimer’s can affect oral health.3 Recent ...

The True Cost of Clinical Lab Testing

Posted on March 24, 2017May 19, 2021 by Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH

As an in-office coach I often hear the following objection, “Clinical laboratory testing is too expensive. My patients won’t want to spend the money.” Taking into consideration the latest research, released in the online British Medical Journal November 29, 2016, which states that periodontal disease with high risk pathogens (Aa, Pg, Tf, Td, Fn) is causal for arterial sclerotic vascular disease, the patient can’t afford NOT to test for the presence of these dangerous bacteria. (1) As a prof...

The Effects of Marijuana on Oral Health

Posted on March 17, 2017May 19, 2021 by Richard H. Nagelberg, DDS

There is a heightened level of interest on the impact of marijuana usage in the oral cavity given the number of states that have legalized the drug for medical and recreational uses. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Several other states will soon join them. At the present time, the body of research on the effects of cannabis on the oral cavity and periodontitis in particular is very limited. A recent JADA article (J Am Dent ...