J. Peter St. Clair, DMD, PC

Many people avoid technology as long as possible and others embrace it early. For many of us, it’s not easy to decide when, how, and even if, to incorporate different technological advances into our lives. My dilemma is often whether the cost and learning curve will be worth it in the end. How do we know whether the investment in time and money is really any better than an “older model”? Technology is great, but there is no arguing with historical success.

Technology does come at a cost. While we would all love to have unlimited resources to purchase everything that catches our eye and try it out, this is not reality for most of… (Read More)

It is amazing to think that a short time ago we didn’t have pocket cell phone computers or the internet to gather information. Today, everyone searches the internet to get information about everything. That includes where to eat, where to travel, who to see for a doctor, diagnosing conditions, and even treatment options. The information out there is overwhelming and constantly growing.

I have had four patients this past week who presented with issues in which they came armed with self-diagnosis and/or solutions. Much of the information people came with was good. An informed patient can make better decisions on treatment that meets their needs. However, there was also some misguided information. Although it does… (Read More)

A couple of weeks ago I discussed the different types of materials that are being used today to “fix” teeth. I broke them down into two main categories – direct vs. indirect materials. Direct materials are things like silver 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… (Read More)

One of the most important things you do when visiting a new physician or dentist is to fill out a medical history form. Many patients balk at filling out these forms, and in my experience, a high percentage of patients fill them out incompletely. There are many risks involved with not including all prescribed and self-prescribed medications.

The most frequently prescribed medications by therapeutic category are anti-hypertensives (blood pressure), cholesterol regulators, antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents (blood thinners), respiratory agents, antiulcer drugs, antidepressants, hypnotics, and anti-diabetic medications. In addition to including any of these medications on your history form, it is also very important to include any over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, as well as vitamins and supplements.

Research shows that babies are born without any harmful bacteria in their mouths. However, once bacteria colonize in the mouth, children are more prone to cavities in their baby teeth and permanent teeth. How do they get the bacteria? Caregivers.
Most parents don’t know that they can pass harmful bacteria from their mouth to their baby’s mouth. The most critical time is during the child’s first 2 and one-half years of life. Most children are born without a single tooth. Can bacteria passed to children without teeth affect their decay potential for their whole life? According to research, the answer is yes.
If you have a history of poor oral health, including many… (Read More)

Many patients and dentists face a decision-making process when it comes to keeping a natural tooth with root canal therapy vs. removal of a tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. The introduction of dental implants has proved to be a pivotal technology in dentistry. In a profession that strives to help patients keep their dentition, the point when it becomes necessary to opt for dental implants is a judgment call.

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Dentists are taught the skills in dental school and beyond to diagnose and treat dental decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and other things to help preserve teeth for a lifetime. A more mystical area of dentistry for many dentists is the ability to identify, communicate and treat bite-related problems that occur over long periods of time.

The term in dentistry for how the teeth come together is called occlusion. The masticatory system is composed of the teeth, the joints (TMJs), and muscles. How the teeth occlude and what a person does with their teeth, determines what happens to the teeth, muscles and joints over time. If these three things are not working together in harmony,… (Read More)

This is the final column of this series. If you missed any of the past segments, you can find them at www.thetowncommon.com.

I’ve heard of some new cosmetic techniques that can improve smiles. Are they appropriate for older adults?

Older adults can benefit from many of the options available today for improving the look of a smile. Your dentist can describe and discuss with you the range of treatments that would be right for you. Part of older adulthood is the acceptance of aging and the development of realistic expectations for appearance. In that context, dental treatment for older adults can be a healthy and adaptive way of maintaining dental health and emotional well-being.

I find that some foods have become difficult to chew and swallow. Do I really need to eat the same amount or variety of food that I did when I was younger?

Maintaining proper nutrition is important for everyone, young or old. Many older adults do not eat balanced diets and avoid meats, raw vegetables and fresh fruits because they have trouble chewing or swallowing. These problems can be caused by painful teeth, ill-fitting dentures, dry mouth or changes in facial muscles. Others find their sense of taste has changed, sometimes due to a disease or certain medications.

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I understand that periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults, but is there anything I can do about it?

Gum disease—periodontal disease—often progresses slowly, without pain, over a long period of time. This is one reason why it is common among older adults. The longer the disease goes undetected and uncontrolled, the more damage it causes to gums and other supporting tissues. Although periodontal disease is caused by bacteria, other factors can increase the risk or severity of the condition. These include food left between the teeth, smoking, smokeless (spit) tobacco use, badly aligned teeth, ill-fitting bridges or partial dentures, poor diets and some systemic diseases such as diabetes.

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