But now, imagine not having to go to the dentist for a shot or to have your tooth drilled on. We simply clean off the tooth, etch it, then paint on a liquid for 4 minutes and it’s done, quick and painless. What’s more, there is no staining or discoloration of the teeth, it is tasteless and odorless, and can be done on all ages 4 and up with virtually no side effects or contraindications.

Many of these early lesions appear like white chalk on the teeth and the liquid contains a peptide or protein that penetrates the lesion and sets up a ladder-like scaffold inside which allows the body to leverage amino acids, calcium and phosphate ions to help new hydroxyapatite crystals grow in the enamel. It can then be tracked over the next 6 months and beyond to make sure it is healing and getting better.

They have been using this product in Switzerland over the past 10 years and the studies show it has a 95% success rate and 13 times higher probability of success versus fluoride varnish alone. Of course, if the person never brushes their teeth or exhibits poor home care or prevention by not coming in for regular check-ups, it may start to form a hole in the tooth and require a filling, but this intermediary treatment is a game changer.

Using ClinPro 5000 or Prevident or any of the prescription strength home fluoride kinds of toothpaste will aid in the remineralization process as will a fluoride varnish treatment in the dental office after the cleaning or maintenance appointment and or after the Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus repair treatment process.

There will be a new ADA code beginning in January 2024 for this procedure titled hydroxyapatite remineralization of the tooth/per tooth. We hope insurance companies will start to help with the costs of this which typically is not covered by insurance. But, at only one-third of the cost of a filling currently, it will be well worth it not to have your tooth drilled on or have to endure filling replacements, crowns, root canals, implants or loss of the tooth over the life of the person.

We are excited to now offer this amazing new technology and look forward to seeing the benefits it provides our dental family. If you have any questions about this new treatment or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to call us at 360-256-1202 or email us at office@tworiversdentistry.com. We look forward to assisting you with all of your dental needs in Vancouver, WA, and the surrounding areas!

The post CURODONT™ REPAIR FLUORIDE PLUS REMINERALIZES EARLY CAVITIES first appeared on Two Rivers Dentistry.

The analogy reminded me of our mouths. As we age, our roots get exposed and are more prone to decay. Dr. Tom Orent has shared one of his “gems” to many of us dentists that I can relate to and I’d like to share it with you.

“Recent research has helped us to uncover one of the most devastating adult dental problems. The problem is known as “root cavities.” All adults are susceptible to root cavities.

One of the most respected dental researchers in the world says that once you get a cavity on your root surface, it’s like the beginning of the end of your tooth. Sure, we’ll try to fix it, but even after we think we’ve removed all the cavity or decay, it often creeps up again right under the filling or crown, and we have to cut it out further and further up under the gum near the bone.

The problem is, your roots are 1000% softer than your enamel! As an adult, you tend to have some recession of the gums — that’s when your gum drifts higher up the tooth and exposes some of your roots. Often early recession is so small it’s not immediately apparent and unfortunately, recession doesn’t have to be visible to put your tooth at risk!

The best prevention for root cavities is fluoride, and the best and most reliable fluoride delivery is immediately after your cleaning — due to the natural film layer (plaque) the body coats your teeth with within 24 hours after your cleaning. Again, the best time for fluoride is at the end of your cleaning as this natural film layer, a sticky substance, decreases the ability of the fluoride to penetrate into and protect your teeth.

In fact, we recently had a patient only 40 years old who lost a tooth due to this disease. The fact is that we had effective fluoride for many years, but they were so incredibly acidic and bitter-tasting that most adults refused to use them, myself included! The old fluoride took from five to seven minutes in your mouth and was pretty close to intolerable.

We are fortunate today to have fast-acting, high-strength fluorides that are extremely effective, but also taste great and require only 60 seconds to apply. I wouldn’t allow my family or myself ever again to have a cleaning without immediately afterward having the fluoride treatment as well.

Insurance doesn’t cover fluoride for adults but it’s like having your own insurance policy to help ensure you can keep your natural teeth for life. The charge is less than a third of one surface filling and we have several flavors to choose from.”

In summary, adults can benefit from topical fluoride treatment just as much as children. Fluoride treatments are an important part of keeping your teeth healthy and they help repair teeth in the very early stages of the disease. Existing restorations, poor oral hygiene or diet, or tooth enamel damage can all increase the risk for cavities. Soda and sports drinks also have a high acid content that can damage teeth.

The best way to prevent these risks as well as the biggest risk of all — root cavities — is a topical fluoride varnish application immediately following your dental cleaning. One of the many prescription-strength 5000 toothpaste at-home fluoride daily regimens is another great way to prevent this most unfortunate problem. If you have any questions about topical fluoride prevention treatment, ask your dentist or hygienist.

The post THE BENEFITS OF TOPICAL FLUORIDE TREATMENT first appeared on Two Rivers Dentistry.

At Two Rivers Dentistry, we do everything possible to preserve and protect your tooth enamel.  Enamel erosion leads to the eventual loss of this important protective layer. Its deterioration exposes the inner yellow layer of dentin, leading to rapid erosion, wear, sensitivity, cavities, bacterial invasion, and the loss of tooth structure–among other complications.  If damaged, you’ll need your dentist’s help to repair it so it doesn’t wear away more.

The proliferation of acidic beverages is a major culprit in the loss of tooth enamel today.  Because many of our most popular drinks are so acidic, most patients who consume acidic beverages on a regular basis will experience the dissolution of the enamel layer in a fairly short amount of time. In moderation, however, and with a vigilant home care routine, they may be fine–it is the frequency and quantity of consumption that becomes critical in dental care

It is relatively common for people today to think that because a beverage claims to have no sugar, it will not cause long-term damage. Yet, even flavored sparkling waters can cause tremendous damage. Within twenty minutes of consumption, studies have shown that bacteria already present on your teeth produce acid from the byproducts of the carbonated water. For comparison purposes a handy chart may be of benefit

The more we consume acidic beverages, the more prone we are to acid erosion. Those hoping to avoid yellow teeth, tooth sensitivity, cavities, extensive wear, and other painful or embarrassing outcomes should educate themselves on the effects of acidic beverages.  Those with sensitive teeth experience acute pain when they drink or bite into hot, cold sweet, acidic or spicy foods and drinks, and consequently, enamel erosion can have harmful effects on their long term diet. Acidic citrus juices are indeed packed with the ever-helpful Vitamin C, but one must exercise caution and moderation. Their PH levels–especially lemon and lime juice–rival the acidity of stomach and battery acid.

So, how can we protect our teeth and keep our enamel safe? First, reduce any frequent, repeated intake of acidic beverages, replacing them with water, milk, or a milk-substitute. Second, drink acidic beverages with food rather than sipping them between mealtimes.  If at all possible, after your meal rinse with water to further dilute any remaining acid in your mouth. Wait at least thirty minutes to brush your teeth after mealtime as toothpaste can damage newly sensitive areas. Baking soda or rinses we carry at our practice (like Cari-free CTX Maintenance) can bring your mouth’s PH back up to healthy levels after drinking highly acidic beverages. If you are concerned about your enamel and experience any problems stemming from the consumption of acidic beverages, call or visit your dentist right away.

The post DO YOU KNOW THE DANGERS OF ACIDIC DRINKS? first appeared on Two Rivers Dentistry.

Since Invisalign pioneered the first clear aligners back in the late 1990s, the trays have improved and gotten more comfortable to wear. There are no wires or brackets and you don’t have to change the way you brush and floss. The only possible downside is occasionally we need to do IPR (interproximal reduction) which means we remove 0.4-0.5 mm between the teeth that are crowded to gain space. There is still sufficient enamel left to protect the tooth. Sometimes we may need to place a composite button to aid in the movement with the tray fitting over the top. Treatment time can be as little as six months, with results beginning after only a few weeks. The cost varies depending on how many aligners you will need and case difficulty. The aligners are virtually invisible and you can eat or drink your favorite foods without worry. One must commit to wear them 22 hours a day and only remove them to eat or drink to be successful.

The process begins with a consultation to see if you are a good candidate, followed by a digital scan of the teeth and bite and photographs. This is sent off to the lab and a treatment plan is made showing the possible outcome and goals. We cannot guarantee a particular treatment outcome but encourage you to share your treatment goals with us prior to approving the plan.

We are happy to offer this new service and look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.

The post CLEAR ALIGNERS first appeared on Two Rivers Dentistry.