Advantage: There's no heat, no vibration, and many times it's all done without numbing your mouth. You'll feel some coolness but it won't hurt. A suction hose removes the gritty particles, which are made from aluminum oxide, a tasteless substance commonly found in toothpaste. It's harmless if accidentally swallowed, although your dentist may place a thin rubber sheet (called a rubber dam) in your mouth to keep you from breathing the particles.

An air abrasion system works best on small cavities that will be filled with non-metallic materials. It's generally used to repair early tooth decay before it spreads. Because this system can be precisely directed, there's less tooth structure lost in preparing for a filling. And unlike regular dental drills, air abrasion systems won't produce tiny fractures in tooth structure. A more recent application of air abrasion is in the relatively new field of Micro Dentistry. Thanks to the successful introduction of fluoride into water supplies and toothpastes, tooth surfaces have become more resistant to decay. But decay is still around. Only now it's concentrated in tiny, hidden parts of the teeth, where it can easily be missed until it has broken into the softer inner portion of the tooth (dentin or pulp).

Because it can precisely remove very tiny layers of tooth structure, air abrasion is a major part of Micro Dentistry techniques. Special dyes locate tiny pockets of decay, air abrasion gently opens and cleans out the decay, and then the tooth is bonded in place with one of the new, white filling materials or a tooth-colored sealant.

Disadvantages: Air abrasion doesn't work for amalgam (silver) fillings, and the aluminum oxide powder can be messy. Because it uses a high-pressure air stream, there's a minor danger of injecting air into the cheeks or gums. And since an air abrasion system can be costly, only about ten percent of US dentists have air abrasion systems in their offices…but we do!

The on-screen picture will look like an X-ray image but a lot bigger, 400 percent bigger! With one mouse click, your dentist can zoom in on a single tooth, rotate it, sharpen it and colorize it - all to explain your treatment procedure. Want to take home that stunning tooth image? Your dentist can print out a color copy for you.

How It Works: Your dentist places a small, flat sensor in your mouth. The sensor is connected to a computer by a thin wire. Next, an X-ray beam is sent through your teeth and into the sensor, which records the image of your teeth and sends it to the computer. The sensor can then be repositioned to photograph other sections of your teeth.

Why It's Good: Your dental checkups take less time. Because the Digital X-ray system is more sensitive than X-ray film systems, your exposure to X-rays is cut as much as 90 percent. (Your dentist and staff receive less exposure, too.) The large and color-enhanced images let you see what your dentist sees, so it's easier for you to understand how your dentist will treat your teeth. Your fees don't include payment for photographic chemicals, film, processing or film storage. Used photo chemicals and film are not dumped into the environment. Finally, it's a blast to watch this system work! Most patients are amazed.

How It Could Be Better: Because the sensors are rigid, they can be hard to position and can cause some mouth discomfort, particularly for small children. Digital X-ray equipment is very expensive. And because it is expensive, not all dentists have a digital X-ray system…but we do!

During your pregnancy, every effort should be made to focus on good health practices. Proper prenatal care will help you enjoy optimum health during and after your pregnancy and the promise of a healthier baby. Such a program of prenatal care involves the combined efforts of your obstetrician, nurse, dentist, dental hygienist and YOU, the expectant parent. Most obstetricians recommend that needed dental care be completed early in pregnancy. Almost all dental procedures can be performed during the fourth to seventh month since the fewest problems of pregnancy occur during this period.

YOUR BABY'S TEETH:
Your baby's teeth begin to form about the fifth to sixth week of pregnancy. The baby needs calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, minerals and vitamins as he/she grows and develops. Contrary to an old belief, however, the baby does NOT absorb calcium from the mother's teeth. Nutrients must be supplied from the foods you eat. Therefore, it is essential for you to follow your physician's and dentist's advice about diet.

TOOTH LOSS AND DECAY:
It is not true that you lose a tooth for every child. Factors which produce dental caries (tooth decay) are the same during pregnancy as at other times. If you have more dental caries while you are pregnant, you may be eating sweets more often or not taking proper care of your teeth.

GUM PROBLEMS AND PREGNANCY GINGIVITIS:
The condition of your gingiva (gums) is related to the presence of local irritants, namely plaque, calculus, and broken-down rough fillings. Plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless germ-filled layer which forms on your teeth each day. It makes your teeth feel "fuzzy" when you rub your tongue over them, yet it can be removed with a toothbrush. Calculus is a hard formation on the teeth that cannot be removed with a toothbrush, but needs to be removed in the dental office. These irritants can cause an infection in the gum tissue called gingivitis. The gums can get red, swollen, sometimes bleed, and be tender. Pregnancy, with its accompanying hormonal changes, tends to aggravate an existing gingival condition and can cause PREGNANCY GINGIVITIS. A thorough prophylaxis or cleaning of your teeth early in your pregnancy coupled with daily brushing, flossing and proper diet are therefore most important to help you avoid such painful complications.

PREGNANCY AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE:
Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a premature, low birthweight baby.

SUMMARY:
Your dentist can work together with your obstetrician to monitor your dental health to help you avoid undue discomfort caused by tooth decay, gum problems, and improper diet. Seek their help early to assure proper prenatal care for you and your baby.

For a free brochure on this topic, please contact Dr. Friedman at 741-6444.

Heavy snoring can signal a disorder called sleep apnea, in which the snorer repeatedly stops breathing for up to 90 seconds at a time. Besides leaving sufferers (and perhaps their roommates) excessively sleepy by day, apnea can increase the risk of hypertension and coronary disease. Some studies have also found a link to stroke. A new study in the journal Stroke suggests a possible explanation for that connection.

Snoring is usually caused by a partial, intermittent obstruction at the back of the throat, which reduces the flow of air to the lungs. The most common type of sleep apnea occurs when that obstruction closes the airway entirely. That chokes off breathing until the sleeper jerks, snorts and gasps for breath - usually without even waking.

U.S. and German researchers studied 12 people with apnea and found reduced blood flow to the brain during those episodes. The resulting loss of oxygen, they speculate, could trigger a stroke in much the same way that a clot does when it blocks an artery to the brain. To explain the decreased blood flow, the researchers propose the following chain of events: As the chest struggles to draw air through the closed airway, it creates a vacuum. That suction pulls more blood to the chest, which lowers blood pressure, thus decreasing blood flow to the brain.

Mild cases of sleep apnea may improve if you lose weight, avoid sleeping pills, avoid tranquilizers and alcohol for at least four hours before bedtime, and try not to sleep on your back. Severe cases or mild ones that don't respond to those measures may require examination by a sleep specialist.

Ask your dentist about an appliance that can reposition your jaw forward, thus creating a larger opening for air flow. These appliances are 85% effective, easy to wear, and compared to other treatments are a fraction of the cost.

If severe apnea is diagnosed, your doctor can prescribe a forced-air mask to wear while you sleep or, in extreme cases, recommend surgery. It's best to avoid laser surgery, which bums away the obstructing tissue but may not improve airflow or lessen apnea.

Gum Disease Linked To Heart Illness

PHILADELPHIA -  The most common stain of bacteria in dental plaque can cause blood clots that induce heart attacks when they escape into the bloodstream, researchers reported Monday.

Mark Herzberg of the University of Minnesota said the findings are the first to link bacteria to the formation of potentially fatal blood clots.

Previous studies had found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal disease, but scientists didn't know why.

"Now we show a potential biological reason.'' Herzberg told the 150th annual meeting of American Association for the Advancement of Science.

In lab tests, Herzberg and colleagues injected bacteria from dental plaque into the bloodstream of rabbits. The bacteria caused clots to form within minutes. Rabbits are a proven model for testing hypotheses about human heart disease and heart attacks.

Chronic inflammation of the gums due to plaque also could be involved in the inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels that is known to lead to the build-up of plaque in the arteries, Herzberg said

Additional studies presented at the meeting show that bacteria in plaque are also linked to:

1. A potentially fatal disease called infective endocarditis in which the sac around the heart becomes inflame.
2. Lung infections in people with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
3. A weakened immune system that can slow wound healing and diminish a person's response to vaccines against hepatitis B and influenza.
4. A higher risk of giving birth to premature, low birth weight infants.

ADA NEWS-- Researchers at the University of Michigan found that patients with periodontal disease had a stronger association with coronary heart disease than did recognized risk factors such as serum cholesterol levels, body mass index, diabetes and smoking status.

Copyright 1998, USA TODAY. 2/17/98
Reprinted with permisson
Additional Information
Amercan Dental Association ADA News,  3/2/98

Mitchel L. Friedman, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. June 3, 1998
709 Sycamore Ave
Tinton Falls, N.J. 07701Contact: Dr. Friedman
Telephone: (732)741-6444

Area Dentist Offers Patients A New Computer Controlled Anesthetic Delivery System That Conquers The Fear, Pain, And Anxiety Of Anesthetic Injections.

"My patients appreciate the comfort and overall efficiency of THE WAND injections, particularly patients who are uneasy about visiting the dentist in the first place," says Dr. Friedman. "The faster I can get them out of the dental chair, the happier they are. And it's always a pleasure when the procedure is finished and the patient says 'Wow, that was easy!"'

Dr. Mitchel Friedman gives his patients the highest quality dental care while addressing their concerns about the pain, fear, and anxiety associated with standard syringe injections. In his dentistry practice, Dr. Friedman uses THE WAND Computer Controlled Local Anesthesia Delivery System.

Over 50% of patients fear anesthetic syringes according to a recent national survey. "We know that some patients get more nervous than others at the mere sight of a needle and syringe. That's why the office of Dr. Friedman now performs most anesthetic injections with a revolutionary system called THE WAND™. "After just one experience with THE WAND™, the patient's fear and apprehension vanishes," says Dr. Friedman.

Developed by Milestone Scientific, THE WAND SYSTEM represents the first major technological advance in anesthetic delivery since the syringe was first invented nearly one hundred fifty years ago.

THE WAND doesn't look like a traditional syringe, so the patient's initial apprehension is minimized. Then during the actual injection the development of an anesthetic pathway combined with computer controlled constant flow assures that there is minimal awareness that the injection is even being administered. "The combination of visual difference and painless performance makes for a much more positive overall experience," says Dr. Mitchel Friedman. "A relaxed and comfortable patient is a happy patient. Even my youngest patients don't seem to mind the injections administered with THE WAND. Some of them even like to count the beeps of anesthetic they are getting."

The source of most discomfort for injections, however, isn't the needle. It's the flow of the anesthetic into the tissues of the mouth. Unlike traditional syringes, THE WAND delivers anesthetic at an optimal flow rate for a comfortable injection every time. The key to THE WAND's pain-free anesthetic delivery is based on its ability to compensate for different tissue densities. Using a microprocessor, THE WAND provides a controlled delivery of anesthetic at a constant pressure and volume that is typically below the threshold of pain.

Because THE WAND can be positioned more accurately and has a controlled flow rate, THE WAND enables the dentist to use new techniques that provide more rapid onset of anesthesia and help eliminate the lingering numbness of the tongue, lips, and face.