Oral Digital Impression System
Coming Soon
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Patients who have had impressions made with the gooey,
rubbery putty in trays will appreciate the latest dental technology that will
provide digital impressions. It
should be in use at Wallach Dental by the end of this year.
Dr. Marc Wallach and the office staff are comparing features
of four different models and will decide on one soon. This new system should eliminate patient complaints about
one of the more uncomfortable aspects of dentistry.
"People say it tastes bad and feels weird, and then
there is all that tugging on jaws to get the trays removed," said dental
assistant Liz Eilermann, who is looking forward to the change. She and dental assistant Phyllis Scott
have attended meetings to learn about the painless, new technology.
The oral digital impressions will be highly-detailed 3-D
pictures or videos that will be as good or better than the putty
impressions. As the digital images
are captured, the dental assistant will check the screen to ensure that the
results are accurate and thorough.
This new process will only take about three minutes,
compared to five minutes with the current system. A wand, about the size and shape of an electric toothbrush,
is inserted into a patient's mouth to record images.
With the use of digital images, it is hoped that dental
appliances, such as crowns or dentures, will fit better and be more comfortable. The digital images are sent to labs
that prepare the appliances.
Our office can also maintain permanent images of a patient's
mouth to track changes in patient dental health over time, to prevent and
diagnose problems.
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Fall Newsletter - September 2009
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Wallach Dental newsletter. Each newsletter will share all of the latest news from our office. Browse through the articles and find out how Wallach Dental can help your smile.
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New Sign-in System at Front Desk
When you arrive for your next appointment at Wallach Dental,
you will notice a touch-screen monitor and keyboard on the front desk
counter. Both new and existing
patients should sign in and check their records. (Don't look for a computer mouse because it's not
necessary.)
One of the nice things about the system is you won't have to
remember a user name or password to use the program. Your name will be recognized by the first three letters of
your first and last names, accompanied with your birth date. Only patients with appointments that
day will be listed in the system.
"It is very user friendly, " said Michele Floyd,
who will still be available behind the counter to answer any questions, and she
also has a view of your screen.
"This system is more secure and keeps the information more
up-to-date."
You will have an opportunity to check and confirm your
address and insurance information and also update that information for other
family members.
Through the system, you'll be able to review your health
history and remind the staff of any allergies or recent changes to your health.
Some patients have been adding their cell phone numbers to
their profiles, to be contacted more easily when awaiting cancellations in the
schedule. At the end of the form,
you will be asked to save your additions or changes. Finally, we will have you attach an electronic signature to
your updated information.
By using this very secure electronic health record format,
we are providing your information in a form that is easy for you to view and
edit, with less chance for errors. |
Studies Link Gum Disease to Heart Disease
Numerous studies in recent years have linked periodontal
disease with cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death for
men and women in the United States.
Periodontal disease is a chronic, inflammatory disease that destroys
bone and gum tissue, affecting millions of Americans, and is a major cause of
adult tooth loss.
Managing gum disease might reduce the risk for heart
disease. Signs of periodontal
disease are significant tooth loss, visual signs of oral inflammation, and
receding gums.
Early signs are tender, swollen, or bleeding gums, which is
called gingivitis. Bacteria
irritates the gums, making them bleed more easily. If gingivitis isn't treated, the bacteria will work its way
toward the foundation of teeth and form periodontal pockets, which can damage
the bone structure that supports teeth.
Researchers
have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to
suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.
You can
reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease by getting regular teeth
cleanings and check-ups. Of
course, you should brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis, too.
We often
recommend deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for those who have increased
plaque and tartar build-up. For
more severe problems, we refer patients to periodontists or other dental
specialists.
Research
is ongoing to determine precisely how gum disease contributes to heart disease. Recent reports have suggested that
chronic inflammation reduces the body's ability to fight other infections. Both periodontal and cardiovascular
diseases are inflammatory diseases.
The
inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases plaque build up, which may
contribute to the swelling of coronary arteries. Oral bacteria also could damage the heart when it enters the
blood stream, attaching to fatty plaque in coronary blood vessels. This could contribute to clot formation
that can lead to heart attacks.
Periodontal disease can also exacerbate
existing heart conditions. Patients with heart disease may require antibiotics
prior to major dental procedures, so you should keep our office informed, using
the sign-in system on the front counter, if you have any heart conditions.
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