J. Peter St. Clair, DMD, PC

This is the second column in a series about the state of dental insurance in our country. The information presented is intended to explain “dental insurance” from a perspective which may be different than most consumer’s view of insurance. I encourage you to read all the columns in this series. If you missed any they can be found at www.thetowncommon.com. I hope the information helps you to make more informed decisions about your dental health.

One of the statistics I presented last week was the fact that dental “insurance”, unlike medical insurance, has a yearly monetary limit that the company will pay out. For the majority of dental plans this number has not changed… (Read More)

You have probably heard the terms “gingivitis” and “periodontitis” come up when discussing gum health. But what’s the difference? Are they related? Which one is worse? Are they reversible? Continue reading to learn everything you need to know from your dentist about gum disease, what causes it, and what you can do to prevent it from occurring and progressing.

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The Merriam-Webster definition of insurance is “coverage by contract whereby one party undertakes to indemnify or guarantee another against loss by a specified contingency or peril.” We have insurance on our house and car in case of damage or loss. We have medical insurance to cover our care when we need it; especially if it is major care. Dental “insurance” has always been different, in that it is only meant to help with basic needs.

This series of columns will explain the current state of dental insurance, and how its trend is changing the way dental care will be delivered in the future. It may sound boring, but I encourage you to read them and… (Read More)

A couple of weeks ago I discussed different types of materials being used today to “fix” teeth. I broke them down into two main categories – direct vs. indirect materials. Direct materials are things like silver/mercury amalgam and tooth-colored resin/composite that are placed directly into the tooth after the tooth is prepared. Indirect restorations are things like crowns, gold and ceramics in which the tooth is prepared and a manufactured restoration is cemented or bonded to the tooth.

Whatever your feelings are on amalgam, there is no disputing that it proved to be a very successful material over a long period of time. Despite this, it has not been used in most of Europe in… (Read More)

There have been lots of changes over time in the materials used to restore teeth. Many of the materials I use today were not in existence when I started to practice. The most significant changes have been to materials that are tooth-colored.

There are very few patients who ask for gold or silver fillings any more. And, while some of these newer materials are tooth colored, there are factors which need to be considered in determining what material is appropriate for each individual situation. The longest lasting restorations I have ever seen are gold done by dentists who really knew the art of working with gold.

As I said last week – The… (Read More)

The sun is shining and the weather is warming up, which means summer vacation is finally here! Before you hit the road and set off on your adventures, make sure you take your loved ones to their dental checkups. The last thing you need is for your summer vacation to be ruined by a cavity or toothache! Here are five excellent reasons to visit a Rowley family dentist for all your loved ones’ oral health care needs.

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Dentistry is full of old, new, and emerging technology. For example, the different ways to use dental implants over the last 30 years has been a major game changer in the field of dentistry. Likewise, CAD/CAM technology (computer-aided design and manufacturing of dental restorations) has seen steady growth over the same 30 years. Here is a little background on the some of the reasons this technology is here to stay.

Let me start by saying that the best dentistry is NO dentistry. Prevention of decay and other destructive things that happen to teeth is the best line of defense. Having said that, the fact of the matter is, there are many people who need things… (Read More)

The Golden Years are much more golden if your teeth are in good shape. One of the most difficult areas dentists have to address are issues concerning aging patients, specifically those who require assisted or nursing care.

Whether you are the one making decisions for someone else, or you are making your own decisions, regular dental maintenance visits are the key to success with your teeth as you age. Dental health needs to stay at the top of the priority list for many reasons; quality of life and the link between oral health and systemic health are two big ones.

It’s not uncommon for an older patient to say, “I don’t need to fix that.… (Read More)

One of the most common things dentists deal with is broken and/or sensitive teeth. Teeth can break or be sensitive for many reasons. While catching a popcorn kernel the wrong may cause a tooth problem, more often than not there are other factors at play.

Are you stressed out? It seems that stress levels in people are on the rise. We worry about school, work, finances, illness, children, relationships, and more. Some even worry about how much they worry. Not to add to your stress, but you should be aware that all that worrying could have a negative impact on not only your general health but also your oral health.

According to an article published… (Read More)

Here is the scenario: You haven’t been to the dentist in a few years. You decide on a dental office and go for a cleaning, x-rays and examination. The dentist hasn’t told you yet, but you have relatively extensive treatment needs. How do you want to hear the news? Do you want the dentist to tell you everything she finds and present a comprehensive treatment plan to get you back to health? Or, would you rather her tell you the most significant issues that need to be dealt with first, and break the rest of the news to you at a later date?

A patient’s initial visit with a new provider is an important time… (Read More)