Amalgam vs. Resin Fillings; What is the Real Difference?

Over the years there has been a lot of discussion over Amalgam vs. Resin fillings dental treatment and what is the best type of filling to place in a cavity. There have also been discussions regarding health concerns associated with the type of filling material used. What exactly is the real difference between amalgam or silver fillings and resin or white colored fillings? And, Is there one that is a healthier option for me to use?

  • Aesthetically Resin is generally a more attractive restorative material. The composition of resin has been adjusted throughout the years to create a more durable and functional filling material that ha a bond to tooth structure. Allowing dentists to place smaller, more conservative fillings. However, over time some resin fillings can discolor from drinking dark, staining liquids such as coffee and tea as well as staining from smoking.
  • Amalgam is a very strong and durable material. The material does not have the ability to bond to the tooth, however it forms a layer between itself and the tooth wall that aids is sealing the tooth from bacterial insult.
  • Both amalgams and resins degrade over time. Amalgams tend to shrink away from the borders or margins of the tooth and there may be small fissures or cracks in the enamel surrounding where the filling once was. Resins, over time, may wear away or wear down on the biting surface. Both restorations may need to be replaced between 5-10 years depending on the person.
  • Some Patients may experience temporary temperature sensitivity after placement of resin fillings. Although this can occur with silver fillings as well, there is a higher incidence of post-operative sensitivity with resin fillings.
  • Public controversy has been raised about mercury in silver fillings and BPA’s in resin fillings. The ADA has deemed these claims unfounded and each filling material to be within the standard of care of dentistry.
So, when asked about amalgam vs. resin fillings: in general both amalgams and composite fillings are deemed as acceptable dental restorations and both fall within the range of the standard of care by the American Dental Association. Many Dentists have an opinion as to which material is their material of choice for each individual procedure and are open to explaining their treatment rationale with you before beginning treatment.]]>

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The Dirtiest Things We Put In Our Mouths

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The holiday’s are over and New Year Resolutions have begun. A great time to change old habits and create some new ones. On that note, today’s post is all about the gross things we do and just exactly how gross they are…. The dirtiest things we put in our mouths. Yuck!

  1. Fingernails: Our hands can come in contact with a lot of nasty things throughout the day. Frequent hand washing is a must especially during cold and flu season. However, biting your nails can allow bacteria that may have been overlooked to be introduced into the oral cavity. Yuck! Best thing is to kick the habit if you can, if you can’t when you wash your hands try and do a quick clean up under the nails if possible.
  2. Cigarettes & tobacco products: There have been countless studies about the effect of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco on our overall health as well as mouth. It’s definitely on the top of our list of the worst things to put in your mouth!
  3. Lipstick from the makeup counter: It’s very tempting to use those samples at the makeup counter to see which shade of red looks best with your complexion. However, some samples can be a virtual petri dish of bacteria and you are putting it directly on to your lips! Resist the urge and try it on the back of your hand or forearm.
  4. Someone else’s lips: It’s a little known fact but the bacteria that cause cavities is in fact contagious. Although by adulthood most people have a varying degree of this bacteria we literally picked it up along the way from living with others who carry it. There really is no word of advice for this one, most of us will have been exposed to many types of bacteria by the time we are in our toddler ages. But, that being said it doesn’t hurt to steer clear of someone with a nagging cough or a runny nose.
  5. Bar snacks: Picture this, about thirty minutes before you sat on your bar stool there was a group of guys sitting there drinking, watching the game and chowing down on those peanuts. Innocent enough right? Well, how many times during the game did those guys use the restroom… and how many times did they wash their hands? Unless you’ve seen the bartender or waitress put out a freshly prepared bowl i’d probably steer clear.
  6. Double dipping: Studies have shown that during instances of double dipping oral bacteria is introduced. This can increase chances of food borne illness as well as transmission of other types of bacteria. It was said best in a Seinfeld episode “when you take a chip, just take one dip and end it.”
  7. Pens & Pencils: You hold it, twirl it, chew it, drop it, stick it in your pocket and pass it to a friend. But, when do you clean it? Pen’s and pencils can be nasty little germ carriers. A word of advice, keep your pen or pencil to your self and from time to time wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe.
To stay happy and healthy this year be sure to practice good oral hygiene and good hand hygiene!  Looking forward to another great year!
Effect of a chronic nail-biting habit on the oral carriage of Enterobacteriaceae; B. Baydaş1, H. Uslu2, İ. Yavuz1, İ. Ceylan1, İ.M. Dağsuyu1 Microbial survey of shared-use cosmetic test kits available to the public Tony T. Tran and Anthony D. Hitchins Division of Microbiological Studies, US Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC 20204, USA (Received 10 February t994; accepted 13 June 1994) EFFECT OF BITING BEFORE DIPPING (DOUBLE-DIPPING) CHIPS ON THE BACTERIAL POPULATION OF THE DIPPING SOLUTION JUDITH TREVINO1, BRAD BALLIEU1, RACHEL YOST1 SAMANTHA DANNA1, GENEVIEVE HARRIS1, JACKLYN DEJONCKHEERE1, DANIELLE DIMITROFF1, MARK PHILIPS1, INYEE HAN1, CHLOE MOORE2, PAUL DAWSON1,*
Bacterial colonization of respiratory therapists’ pens in the intensive care unit. Wolfe DF, Sinnett S, Vossler JL, Przepiora J, Engbretson BG.
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What is the Best Mouthwash For Me? Decoding The Label Part III

In the effort to help you navigate the dental aisle more effectively today’s post is all about mouthwash.Fotolia_11193129_XS-300x225 So, what is the best mouthwash  for you? There are a lot of products to choose from that is for sure. Between rinses that whiten, freshen your breath, reduce plaque and so on, the choices are endless. First and foremost you should know what you are looking for in a mouthwash and what some of the key ingredients are. Here is a little “how-to” regarding picking out the best mouthwash for you. Generally,  most of the population can make great use out of a daily fluoride rinse as well as a general mouthwash to aid in reduction of harmful bacteria. We also suggest a regimen that includes a rinse to reduce acidity in the oral environment

  • Anti-septic and anti-plaque: these products have ingredients that kill bacteria that can cause gingivitis, plaque and bad breath. Some of the ingredients used to do this are: Cetylpyridinium Chloride or (CPC), Domiphen Bromide, or denatured alcohol.  And, most have about 20-25% effectiveness in reducing the plaque the causes gingivitis.
  • Whitening: This usually means that there is some percentage of hydrogen peroxide included in the rinse. Most over the counter products will have a percentage that is under 10% hydrogen peroxide.
  • Fluoride: This is a product that helps to strengthen enamel helping to reduce cavities
  • Sodium Saccharin, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Sodium Cyclamate: These ingredients flavor the toothpaste.
  • Propylene Glycol, Glycerol, and Polyethylene Glycol: These ingredients help keep the rinse moist and have a good mouth feel
  • Sodium Benzoate and Methyl Paraben: These ingredients aid in stopping the rinse from decaying or growing bacteria.
Discuss with your dentist which products are best for you. Depending on your oral environment you may have a different regimen than another person. Also, age and health may change which type of rinse is the best mouthwash for you.]]>

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The Best Ways to Be Sugar-Free

The holidays are filled with ooey-gooey sticky sweet treat, although its a herald of the season Fotolia_15012055_XS-200x300it can wreak havoc on your dental condition as well as your waist-line. Here are a few tips we picked up along the way of how to stay sugar-free or at least minimize the amount of sugar you consume this holiday season.

  • When baking try replacing sugar with Stevia or Xylitol, these natural sugar-free substitute is a great sweetener to try using with your baked goods.
  • Oatmeal is a great healthy breakfast option. However, some instant varieties are laden with sugar. To create a low-sugar or sugar-free breakfast try buying plain oatmeal and adding fruit and nuts to it before heating. Or for something different try adding a little of your favorite flavor of yogurt.
  • If you’re craving ice cream or frozen yogurt a great substitute is soft serve frozen banana ice cream. By freezing ripe bananas and pureeing them in your food processor you can create a sugar-free frozen soft-serve treat.  All with just one ingredient too!
  • If you are a fan of dried fruit check out the back of the label before you buy, some dried fruit products are loaded with sugar. If you simply can not live with out, try using a microwave chip maker. These appliances fit right in your microwave and you can create all sorts of dried fruit treats without the additional sugar.
In general remember natural sugars are a great way to get your sweet fix, try sticking to fresh fruit when you crave something sweet and always remember to brush and floss afterwards!]]>

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Treat Yourself This Holiday Season to Great Dental Gifts

The holidays are upon us, so if you haven’t already you better get crackin’ on that shopping list. To help you along your way here are some great dental gifts and ideas for holiday stocking stuffers. And, maybe a little treat or two for you for being such a great shopper.

1. Deck the halls, then deck out your smile with an at home whitening kit. Some great over the counter products to try as well are:

  • Crest White 3D White
  • Listerine Vibrant White Pre-brush Rinse
  • Colgate Optic White

2. For Brushing on the run:

The Rinser Toothbrush

3. For the child who just can’t wait for the tooth fairy to come:

twooth-300x300Twooth® Time Children’s Dental Care Kit

4. For Man’s Best Friend:

Q-ring-300x263The Q-Ring Dog Toothbrush

5. Who said brushing your teeth can’t be luxurious?:

vik_gold2_1-300x30018k Gold Toothbrush Holder

Happy Holiday’s Everyone!

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The Worst Foods To Eat… From a Dental Perspective

Thanksgiving is here and along with celebrating all that we are thankful for this day also Fotolia_46102108_XS1-200x300heralds the holiday season to come.  So, being in the  being in the holiday spirit this post is dedicated to The Worst Foods to Eat… From a Dental Perspective. I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 worst holiday foods for dental restorations and overall dental health.

  1. Popcorn balls: This sticky-popcorn and caramel concoction although delightful to eat will leave you with every nook and cranny of your dentition filled with sugary caramel and popcorn kernel-y goodness. Definitely one to avoid if possible, if not then just make sure you have your toothbrush and floss handy for afterwards.
  2. Un-shelled Nuts: The nuts are not exactly the bad part of this holiday treat… its the shells. If you are going to partake of shelled nuts, take the safe route and use nutcrackers and not your teeth. I can’t count how many fractured crowns and chipped teeth I see from chomping on a shelled nut. And who wants a big gaping hole staring back at you in your holiday photos!
  3. Hard Nougat or Torrone: Some may not be familiar with this type of candy, but growing up in my family around Christmas time we would get an enormous block of almond hard nougat. This candy is a dangerous treat, It’s dental danger is two fold. First its incredibly hard and chewy exterior can be dangerous to your teeth if you decide to attempt bit a hunk off. And secondly, as you begin to chew it and it starts to soften and melt this tasty candy become a big sticky chewy mess that clings relentlessly to every surface of your teeth. So eat with care! And, on that note I’d like to give a faithful nod to all types of caramels, toffee’s and a holiday favorite Candy Canes.
  4. Pecan Pie: This pie isn’t notorious for breaking teeth, however it is literally a caramel and nut pie. So, if you plan on indulging this Thanksgiving and Holiday season remember to brush afterwards. The sticky texture and corn syrup and sugar filling are bona fide cavity creators.
  5. Cranberry Sauce: This seemingly innocent concoction is a sweet, sugary and teeth staining mess. Although it can top off a fantastic Thanksgiving meal I would probably avoid it if you’ve just whitened your teeth.

Thank you every one for reading today and We at Frangella Dental wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!!!!

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Can I Use a Waterpik instead of Floss?

If you are a follower of our blog or if you’ve had your teeth cleaned any time within the past ten years you’ve been Fotolia_194988_XS-300x200told that flossing is incredibly important for dental and periodontal health. A common question about flossing that I receive is: Are there alternatives to traditional floss? And, can I use a Waterpik instead of floss?

  • Waterpik falls under the category of a water flosser. This device uses a stream of air and water to clear debris from between the teeth and around the gingival area. Another popular brand of water flosser is the Sonicare AirFloss.
  • Some studies show that there is little difference between effectiveness of water flossers vs. traditional floss
  • My professional opinion is that mechanical flossing when done correctly is more effective than using a water flosser. My first recommendation to the majority of patients is to use traditional floss.
  • However, effectiveness is contingent on flossing correctly. Many people do not floss correctly either because they were never taught how to, or lack the manual dexterity to do so. Flossing incorrectly although still helps to keep the teeth clean, can cause you to be less effective while flossing. And, may cause minor irritation to the gums.
  • Some patients who have had an injury or have a disability such as arthritis simply may not capable of flossing. Patients who can not floss at all or are causing more damage than good with traditional floss will show better results with a water flosser.
  • In general, if you are curious if a water flosser is appropriate for your home care we recommend  asking  your dentist or hygienist if a water flosser is a good option for you. They will evaluate you as well as teach you the best method to clean your teeth and gums.
Comparison of Irrigation to Floss as an Adjunct to Tooth Brushing: Effect on Bleeding, Gingivitis, and Supragingival Plaque; Barnes RDH; Russell DMD, PhD; Reinhardt DDS, PhD; Payne DDS, MDS; and,  Lyle RDS, MS Interdental Cleansing; Jacquelyn L. Fried, RDH, MS
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Children's Oral Health

So by now your children are hopefully coming down from their Halloween sugar high and revving up for the long holiday season and kidssmile-207x300all the great treats that come with it. To keep up with all the newest information regarding children’s oral health I’ve come across some great resources that can help keep your child’s smile healthy while instilling great oral health habits.

  • Check out this great website for great videos, information about your child’s mouth as well as ideas about how to get your child into great health habits
  • Keep an eye on nutrition this is incredibly important not only for oral health but also for overall health. This website is ADA recommended as well and can help learn important information on nutrition as well as how to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
  • I thought this P.S.A. was not only hilarious  but educational as well.
  • And Finally, most parents are curious as to what teeth are permanent which are baby teeth and when exactly are they supposed to come in. Here are a couple of great charts that I found along the way that explains the sequence of eruption for primary and permanent teeth
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Halloween Costumes: Dental Edition

Halloween is almost here if you’re looking for some interesting Halloween costumes check out some of our top (tooth related) picks:

 

Its hard to turn down a classic! And, if you want to get creative you can cut a little chunk out and color the edges brown, carry a bag of candy and be a tooth with a cavity.

       

If you’re looking for something a little creepy then maybe this costumes for you. Nothing says scary like this bloody dentist!

         

If you’re looking for a couples costume Life sized toothbrush and floss make a great pair. Just don’t try and give toothbrushes out as a treat, trust me I know from experience, it doesn’t go over well…..

               

If you’re feeling a little silly try this costume on for size. One look at this costume and the kids will be hiding their baby teeth.

           

And finally, For the little ones.

       

Have a great day and a safe and Happy Halloween!

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Stem Cells In Dentistry

Fotolia_45158534_XS-300x200Stem cell research has been a hot topic for the past few years. It seems as if every aspect of health care has been exploring the potential for stem cells, and dentistry itself has not been left untouched. So what is the potential for stem cells in dentistry? Stem cells are cells in the body that have the potential to generate into a variety of different types of cells. They can be found in a variety of areas of the body, you may not have  known this, but they are also located in the  dental pulp tissues. The dental pulp or area in the center of the tooth where nerve tissue and blood supply for the tooth is located. Although research up to this point has been limited, it is known, as stated by researcher Pamela Robey, Ph.D., that ” the cells from dental pulp in baby or wisdom teeth have the ability to make dentin and pulp and they might have the ability to make bone but right now that’s all we really know for sure.” Continued research and clinical trials are being completed to learn more about the potential for regeneration of bone as well as to evaluate any regenerative endodontic techniques. There are many companies that have begun capitalizing on stem cell storage which at this stage may be premature due to the lack of research for practical and/or possible applications of these cells. There is definitely a lot of room for research and if you are planning on storing stem cells keep that in mind. In my opinion, it is a topic that is incredibly exciting and worth keeping an eye on.

Human Mandible Bone Defect Repair By the Grafting of Dental Pulp Stem/Progenitor Cells and Collagen Sponge Biocomplexes. RICCARDO D’AQUINO, ALFREDO DE ROSA, VLADIMIRO LANZA, VIRGINIA TIRINO, LUIGI LAINO, ANTONIO GRAZIANO, VINCENZO DESIDERIO, GROGORIO LAINO AND GIANPAOLO PAPACCIO Clinical Study: Development of a Model to Evaluate Regenerative Endodontic Techniques Using Extract Human Teeth Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells: From Biology to Clinical Applications. RICCARDO D’AQUINO1, ALFREDO DE ROSA2, GREGORIO LAINO2, FILIPPO CARUSO2, LUIGI GUIDA2, ROSARIO RULLO2, VITTORIO CHECCHI3, LUIGI LAINO1, VIRGINIA TIRINO1, AND GIANPAOLO PAPACCIO1
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