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Family dentistry

Do CEREC Same-Day Crowns Last a Long Time?

When it comes to dental crowns, patients have long loved the convenience of the CEREC CAD/CAM system, but some patients do ask if these crowns are as good as the those made by traditional dental labs. They particularly want to know how long these crowns last, because no one wants to have them redone any sooner than necessary.  With that in mind, I happened to see a patient recently who has in her mouth the longest-lasting CEREC crown that I've ever done: my Mom! Porcelain Dental Crown Materials are the Same in Lab & Office CEREC E.max bridge The simple fact is that both labs and CEREC offices use identical materials when making most porcelain crowns, onlays, and veneers.  For many years, Empress and VITA ceramics were highly used, but today the 2 most common materials are E.max and Zirconia, although there are many others available.  Even when dentists use traditional impression materials today, almost all labs still have scanners to convert the models into digital format to design and mill the crowns, bridges, or onlays.  That's why dentists with CAD/CAM systems and labs use identical materials, because we're using extremely similar methods to make them.  Because manufacturers can provide the same materials in the same sizes and shapes to both labs and dentists, it has helped keep the cost of these new methods steady.  That's why we don't charge a different fee based on doing it with CEREC or sending it to the lab. It's true that most dental offices using CEREC can only make onlays, crowns, and bridges from E.max; the oven necessary to bake and crystallize Zirconia crowns only became broadly and affordably available within the last couple years, but they [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:28:17-04:00 April 4th, 2017|Family dentistry, Porcelain Crowns|0 Comments
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Dental Cavities: How Fast Can They Grow?

How fast dental cavities grow may sound like a simple question, but it's actually rather complicated.  I decided to write about it, though, after seeing a patient recently to treat a cavity that went from just beginning to an almost-root-canal-sized cavity in just 14 months.  It's a good example of why most dentists still recommend dental bitewing x-rays every 12-18 months. Is the Cavity There or Not? Here's the starting x-ray, taken on Dec. 14, 2014.  If you look at the circled area, it looks fairly normal.  Unfortunately, there was a slight overlap of the teeth in the x-ray, as the digital sensor was angled ever-so-slightly, and the overlap may have masked the area of concern, preventing an earlier diagnosis.  Since the patient had few fillings, though, indicated a low risk of cavities overall, we didn't retake the x-ray to avoid unnecessary exposure.  Nevertheless, there's really nothing there that caused me any concern. 14 Months Later, the Cavity is Obvious & Deep Check out the circled area this time, eh?  I've outlined the nerve chamber in the tooth on the x-ray in red and the cavity in green, but it's important to know that a cavity is never sharply defined like this.  There are several zones identifiable in cavities, highlighted in the next image.  We also know that cavities are typically about 20-30% bigger than can be seen on an x-ray, which is due to 2 reasons: The human eye can only distinguish about 60% of the shades of grey as a computer monitor can project, so there is simply detail that the eye can't detect, and The deepest zone of decay has not yet softened enough to be less dense enough for x-rays to detect it, [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:28:49-04:00 April 25th, 2016|Cavities, Family dentistry, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments
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Why Do Dentists Still Use the Drill & Shots?

If you had to name 2 reasons why people hate getting dental work done, there's no doubt that the drill and the shot would be in the top 5, if not Number 1 and 2.  Even as a dentist, I completely understand this; in December 2015, I had 3 fillings done and 1 tooth extracted (separate visits), and I didn't like the sound of the drill or the zing of the shot either, nor did I like being numb for hours afterwards.  So why is it that, even in the year 2016 with all of the amazing technology available to us, dentists still use the drill to work on teeth and shots that make you numb for hours? BTW - We Don't Use Novocaine Any More   This is one of those little pet peeves that I'm going to mention quickly, not that I expect it to make a difference.  :-)  If you were born after 1980 or so, you have never ever EVER had novocaine.  Not once.  I don't care what you think - you haven't.  How can I be so sure?  Easy - it was discontinued in the early 1980's.  My fellow blogging dentist Dr. Nicholas Calcaterra wrote more about the evolution of dental anesthetics in his excellent article Dental Mythbusters #4: Dentists Still Use Novocaine if you'd like to know more.  But you CAN still watch the Steve Martin film if you really want some Novocaine.  :-D   Those Dang Nerves Aren't On the Surface It's an unfortunate fact of anatomy that the nerves that give our teeth sensitivity to temperature and pressure are deep inside the gums and bone where we can't easily reach them.  Honest-to-goodness, we have to give shots of numbing anesthetic [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:28:59-04:00 February 20th, 2016|Dentistry in the News, Family dentistry, Laser Dentistry|0 Comments
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2015 Halloween Candy Buy Back!

Indeed, it's once again to start planning for how to get rid of the massive pillowcases, plastic pumpkins, or who knows what else your kids used to collect ridiculous amounts of candy this coming October 31st, 2015, aka HALLOWEEN!  Because as much as I, a dentist who makes a living by fixing peoples' cavities, love the effects that candy has on everyone's teeth (no.....I promise I'm kidding, ok?  I'm trying to be dramatic here for effect - quit being suspicious!), I'm also a Dad and I have ZERO desire for my own daughter to be eating that much candy, just like you don't.  So what do you do?  Here's your answer! Yup, the perfect way to get your kids to WANT to give up that candy!  By donating their candy, they will receive $1 dollar per pound of wrapped, unopened candy up to $5 maximum.  At the same time, they will be helping to bring some smiles and happiness to our US troops serving abroad through the work of Operation Gratitude.  This non-profit organization collects the candy and divides it up as part of Care Packages that are mailed to those who are working to protect our country around the world. Not only that, we will offer Free Cavity Screenings, let the kids write a letter to the soldiers to be included with the candy, have fun with some crafts, get a goodie bag of fun stuff, and even enter a Raffle to win a Family 4-Pack of Movie Tickets.   Sunday, November 1st 1:00pm - 4:00pm 4601 Park Rd. #175, Charlotte, NC 28209 704-364-7069  

By | 2017-06-09T20:29:13-04:00 September 23rd, 2015|ANNOUNCEMENTS, Family dentistry|0 Comments
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Fluoride is Safe & Effective

If you spend any time on the Internet, it's easy to find a lot of scary information about fluoride and why you shouldn't let your kids get any.  Speaking as a professional, however, I'd like to reassure you that NONE of that scary information is actually correct, and that fluoride in appropriate doses is one of the safest and most effective means of preventing tooth decay available.  It saddens me to see both children and adults who've been denied these benefits because of myths and misinformation, because those patients almost universally have many more cavities than patients who follow long-proven recommendations.  And since the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recently released new guidelines, this is a good time to review, as there have been some changes. Current Recommendations for Dental Fluoride for Children Please ensure your infant and child receive no more than the recommended amount of toothpaste.  This is for the same reasons that children should NOT be allowed any fluoride-containing mouth rinses before the age of 6: infants and toddlers can't control their swallowing reflex so as to not swallow the toothpaste or rinse.  Eating or drinking too much fluoride can result in a couple problems (see further down the page for details).   How Does Fluoride Work on Your Teeth? While it has long been thought that fluoride that is drunk or eaten helps to harden teeth, more recent research shows that the main effect is by coating the teeth and being absorbed.  This is why the AAP now recommends starting fluoride toothpaste when the first tooth shows through; it's also one reason that fluoride supplements are now rarely recommended. Basically, enamel is a mineral matrix, mostly made up of hydroxyapatite, which [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:29:42-04:00 February 19th, 2015|Family dentistry, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments
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Smiles by Payet Family Dentistry Turns 15

December 27th, 2014 Was a Big Day! It's actually been 16.5 years since I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry (that's a mouthful for you, eh?) as a brand-spankin' new dentist, but Dec. 27th, 2014 was indeed the 15-Year Anniversary of opening the doors of my own dental practice in the Southpark Mall area of Charlotte, NC.  After 10 years there, we relocated a couple miles away to our current office; it will be officially 5 years in this office in late March 2015. And what a ride it has been! The First 5 Years (1999-2004) When I started my practice, I dreamed of becoming a big cosmetic dentistry guru.  I wanted to help change people's lives.  I was 27 years old, naive, idealistic, and a dreamer.  Not that those are bad things, but some practicality and good sense go a long way in business, too.  It took a long time before I gained those, so it's a good thing I can look back on the past with a sense of humor, knowing we eventually overcame those early struggles. We started out with a fully computerized practice, digital x-rays, and even the CEREC 2 (early version of the CEREC Bluecam we currently have), and a mountain of debt.  Ah well......youth. After opening our doors on Dec. 27th, 1999, the practice grew fairly well for 18 months.  I took a lot of advanced Continuing Education in cosmetic dentistry, and we did OK. But then the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 hit.  Business plummeted out of fear that Charlotte might be attacked next, and in early 2002, I wasn't sure if we'd stay in business.  Fortunately, a big radio [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:29:47-04:00 January 4th, 2015|ANNOUNCEMENTS, Family dentistry|0 Comments
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Tooth Tip: Eat Well for Healthy Teeth

If you've been reading my blog long enough, you may have seen these 2 articles on some big changes to my diet that I wrote in response to learning that my cholesterol was much too high: OMG I'm Dying! Hooray, I'm Not Dying as Fast! To quickly summarize, though, back in June 2013, my physician told me that my cholesterol level was 244, and that unless I wanted to start medications soon, I'd better make some serious changes to my lifestyle: more exercise, less meat, less dairy, more seafood and vegetable/fruits, etc.  And because I knew that I could do it, I did.  But the lesson for today's blog post, though, is not so much about overall health, but the simple idea that  eating a healthy diet of seafood and lots of raw or minimally cooked vegetables and fruits is not only going to keep your body healthy, but that same diet is good for your teeth.  Benefits of Vegetables for Your Teeth Raw fruits and vegetables of any kind are good for your teeth, because the firm texture helps clean the teeth, they don't provide the bacteria in your mouth with easy-to-use sugars to produce enamel-destroying acid, they tend to not stick to your teeth, and of course, they provide necessary vitamins and nutrients.  Lightly steamed vegetables are just about as good, because they still retain most of the texture.  Once you get vegetables really cooked, not only do you lose a lot of the nutrients, but you lose the texture that provides a physical cleaning action while chewing. Juicing is Great, but Watch Out for Sugars and Acidity Sure, "juicing" has long been the rage in alternative medicine, and certainly conventional medicine (and dentistry) [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:31:47-04:00 August 29th, 2014|Family dentistry, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments
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Kids Tooth Tip #3: Spaces Between Baby Teeth are Good

We had a mother in with her 3 children today, and she was concerned that her (almost) 6-year old son doesn't have any wiggly baby teeth.  We took a couple x-rays and they didn't look quite right (almost like the adult teeth were overlapping under the gums), so we took a panoramic x-ray to get a bigger picture of the young man's overall development.  What we found was that his adult teeth, as they're forming under the gums, are EXTREMELY crowded already, and there's no way there will be enough space for them to come in. Perfectly Straight Baby Teeth with No Spaces is Not Good   Indeed, it's very simple - baby teeth are a LOT smaller than adult teeth, so if there are no spaces between the baby teeth, where will the adult teeth fit?  As much as we all love to see our kids with perfectly straight teeth, it's really not the best.  Sure, as they grow, the jaws will also grow, but they don't grow fast enough, or just big enough, to accommodate those grown-up teeth. Should Your Child See an Orthodontist Early? While we usually take a "wait-and-see" approach for kids, this was a case that I chose to refer to one of our orthodontic offices, Webb Orthodontics.  I'll try to remember and update this page with their recommendations. Our next Kids Tooth Tip will be coming soon, and it will be either about Flossing or Your Child's First Dental Visit.....whichever I happen to finish first.  :-P If you'd like to schedule a check-up and cleaning for your child, we see kids as young as 1 year old, so please call us 704-364-7069 or Request an Appointment Online. And hey - if [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:31:55-04:00 August 13th, 2014|Family dentistry, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments
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Just How Bad are Sodas for Your Teeth?

MOST people know by know that sodas are bad for you. Not as many people know that diet sodas are just about as bad as regular sodas, simply because of how acidic sodas are. Yes - sugar is bad for your teeth, but acidity is even worse, and when you combine sugar and acidity, you're talking Tooth Decay Bonanza!  I just recently came across this really awesome infographic that spells out for you just how bad it is.  Check it out, and at the end, I've included several links to previous articles about how to prevent cavities, repair early cavities, and some suggestions on recommended products to keep your mouth healthy.   For more information on "soft teeth," how to prevent cavities, choosing dental products, and more, check out the following articles: There's No Such Thing as Soft Teeth How to Reduce or Prevent Cavities Think the Dentist is Expensive?  Then Brush and Floss! My Baby Stole the Calcium from My Teeth What Does Heartburn Have to Do with Cavities? To make an appointment: Request an Appointment Online or call us at 704-364-7069. We'll look forward to meeting you soon!

By | 2017-06-09T20:32:02-04:00 August 6th, 2014|Cavities, Family dentistry, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments
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Hooray, I’m Not Dying As Fast

Yup, another attention-grabbing headline for ya.  :-)  But I'm serious, and here's why....my cholesterol is down! A little over a year ago, I wrote an article about how healthy teeth and healthy living go hand in hand.  I had just learned that my cholesterol was alarmingly high - 242.  Given that I was only 41 years old and thought that I was pretty healthy, it was definitely alarming.  Since then, I've made big changes to my lifestyle through an improved diet, increased exercise, meditation, and more frequent time off to recharge.  At my recent 1- year follow-up, I was rewarded with good news: while my total cholesterol only dropped to 233,  my good cholesterol went up, and the bad cholesterol went down, so the overall ratio showed a solid improvement. Conventional and Holistic Medicine & Dentistry Agree - Eat Well, Sleep Well, Exercise, Good Hygiene If you've been reading my blog for the last year (or following us on Facebook or Google+), you'll have seen a trend in the subjects: that I am really NOT a fan of so-called holistic/alternative medicine or pseudoscience.  For reference, here are a few of the articles: Holistic, Alternative Medicine is Usually Wrong Can Cavities be Cured? Do Silver Fillings Poison You?  Heck No, Dr. Oz! Dr. Oz is Called before Congress for his Quackery (on Google+) Nor do I have a problem with GMO food; I don't believe in chemtrails; I don't believe in miracle cures for cancer that only some people know; I think the whole "Big Pharma" and "Big Medicine" conspiracies are full of crap.  Now that I've surely pissed off a lot of people and will get a lot of angry comments, let's get to the one [...]

By | 2017-06-09T20:32:10-04:00 August 4th, 2014|Family dentistry, Taking Care of Your Teeth|0 Comments
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