How To Take Care of Your Teeth if You’re a Stripper.

by admin on May 25, 2012

Fort Lauderdale StripperSTEP ONE: Don’t hit your teeth on the pole.

Did I get your attention?

This blog post is for anyone who works at nights, and needs to stay awake. So I dedicate this post to my patients in Fort Lauderdale and beyond who work nights to support their families during the days, or are “just doing it to get my degree.”

Recently we have had a small surge of people who work nights. And yes, some are strippers, but some are nurses, and some work for the city of Plantation, FL. You know, just because you’re sleeping, the water in our pipes still needs to be running, and nurses are still taking care of people who need attention.

What we find in our patients who are bartenders, nurses, professional dancers, etc. is that there is an overabundance of energy drinks being consumed for the purpose to stay awake. An energy drink being consumed is not an issue in and of itself. In fact, if you drink a Red Bull, or Diet Red Bull all at once, there’s very little detriment you are going to do to your teeth. The problem is when you drink that Red Bull and Coke (or diet Coke) throughout the evening; you are creating a consistent IV drip type of acid and sugar exposure to your teeth that will create dental decay/caries and even possible tooth removal. Even if you have proper home-care, the sipping of these drinks throughout the day will erode your teeth. Generally in our Fort Lauderdale dental office, we see the greatest impact of decay along the gum line of the teeth.

Fort Lauderdale BartenderHome-care needs to be extra special. The nightlife of a bartender is they usually work their night-shift, come home, and pass out. YOU CAN’T DO THAT!

Before you pass out in your clothes that smell like cigarettes and spilled drinks that some drunk girl tossed on you, you need to floss and brush. But let me take it one step further- floss, brush, and then brush AGAIN with a prescription based toothpaste. Pastes like MI Paste, Colgate 5000, ProdenRX are crucial to combat the constant flow of soda/acid intake. Also, throughout your night, begin using a sugarless gum like Orbit or Trident that has anti-cavity medicament in it that can actually prevent you from getting new cavities.

We tend to find in my office that when someone works a night-shift, and they pass out, they tend to get more dental decay on the side of the face they sleep on. If you combine that with acid reflux, or something like an ulcerative colitis, you can create a serious problem for your teeth.

So I guess the main message of this whole blog post is to use higher fluoride toothpastes in your cocktail of dental care. Acid drinks like Red Bull, Coke, Pepsi, etc. can harm your teeth if you are drinking them throughout the day sip by sip. You create an acidic environment… the mouth slowly goes back to neutral…… you sip again….. and back to an acidic environment.  So prevention is key in keeping your mouth healthy.

So for you bartenders and strippers out there who are keeping your abs and the rest of your body in check, your mouth is equally as important. A denture that pops out by accident is NEVER as sexy as what may pop out of a bikini top.

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Geriatric Dentistry – Being Old is NOT a Disease!

by admin on May 18, 2012

Geriatric Dentistry Fort Lauderdale FLIn my practice I have had patients in their 90’s with all of their teeth, and I have a 20 year old who currently began his first of 3 root canals. Although these are extremes, we see everything in between- Diabetics, HIV patients, pregnant women.

The in between is by far the most interesting. Recently I had a patient in his 50’s come in with a tooth that needed to come out and needed an implant. He opted for a bridge because he said, “if I was younger, I would get the implant. Who knows how much longer I have to live.” Aside from the tooth, he was a healthy guy. The sad reality- implants are primarily made for an older generation. Young people shouldn’t be losing teeth.  In fact, no one should be losing teeth. We are our own worst enemy. People are getting fatter, portions are getting bigger. We don’t floss. Energy drinks are melting your teeth away… Yes, melting!

Everyone tells me they brush. I have never had anyone tell me they don’t brush, but most of my patients wince when I ask them how often they floss. If you are drinking a Monster, Red Bull, etc., you are literally melting your teeth with acid. You know how crazy that is? Your teeth can survive a fire. In fact, a lot of people who were victims to 9-11 were identified by their dental records. We are what we eat; and someone who sips on a big gulp from a 7-11, or even a diet Red Bull throughout the day, will erode their teeth via the acid content.

The fact remains; you will live a healthier life if you floss. Your heart will be stronger. Your gums and surrounding bone will be stronger. There are countless studies to show you will live longer if you floss on a daily basis. As the population ages, I have seen many patients opting for dentures. After all, their parents had them, so why not? This should not be the mindset in this day and age. We as a progressive nation, in times of the internet should be looking into dental implants. If you broke a hip, you would be looking to get a hip replacement wouldn’t you? Or would you want to be on crutches for the rest of your life? Well, we can give you your teeth back. Sort of like the Bionic Man and Terminator rolled into one glorious dental implant.

Look, no one jumps for joy when they have to wear a denture. I will make for you the best looking denture in the world, but dentures are not sexy. The reality is, when I have to make an upper plate/denture for a patient, although they can function with it, I am covering up all those taste buds on the palate.  The more that taste are buds covered, the less a person can taste, and the more prone for someone to add unnecessary salt for flavor to their diet.  The more salt intake, the greater the incidence for high blood pressure and kidney disease. Kidney disease = renal failure and possible dialysis. Am I being extreme? Not really. I see it every day in my office.

So I want you to floss. I want you to keep your teeth. I want you to stop drinking that high in acid energy drink. If you smoke, STOP.  Heck, I would even like you to get on a treadmill for 20 minutes. I want you to be my next 90 year old patient with all his teeth and some fillings here and there.  And most important, look both ways when you cross the street, and you can DEFINITELY live to be 90.

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“Will They Like Me?… Will I Like Them? – Anatomy of a New Patient.”

by admin on March 30, 2012

On a daily basis, I diagnose and advise patients on their dental needs and concerns. For the most part we have wonderful existing patients, some of whom are probably reading this article right now.

The completely new patient however is different. It’s like a first date. Will they like me? Will I like them? Yes, I said it; I don’t always like all of my patients. But like dating, patient relationships are similar. Some patients don’t like me at first (simply because I am a dentist), but give me a try, and land up becoming completely loyal. Some patients I like immediately turn out to become people for whom I cringe when they walk into the office. Relationships take time to build.

Take for example patient Melissa who walked into my office 18 months ago. She came in initially with a broken tooth emergency. The broken tooth was easy to fix, but you know, teeth don’t walk in just by themselves, people do. Melissa had a lot of questions before I could even touch her. I think answering all her questions took about 30-45 minutes. And in a busy office, allotting that much time for a sudden emergency is tough (generally we schedule accordingly for the new patient exam 90 minutes to cover any and all topics).

And guess what? On her second visit she had even more questions. Her 3rd, and 4th visits brought even more questions, each time further behind schedule. These days, since we know her a little better, we schedule accordingly. This is not about complaining about this wonderful patient, but rather to learn as my Fort Lauderdale dental office grew that my staff and I needed to get to know her a little better. She had a series of poor dental treatments. None of which was her fault. A plethora of poorly done crowns, root canals, etc., from another office – with infections present throughout her mouth. She was truly (and rightfully so) frightened due to her previous experiences. Of course she was going to ask questions about anything that needed to be done, from the emergency visit to the present. Now when she walks in, I look forward to her visits. She is a superstar when coming into my office.

“Is your friend a dentist? - No, he says."

"I’m doomed from the start because a “friend” told them how horrible it’s going to be." ~ Dr. Max

Sometimes a new patient relationship is never even given a chance. “Friends” are the worst enemy. God help me if someone needs a root canal or a tooth pulled. I’m doomed from the start because a “friend” told them how horrible it’s going to be. Heck, I had a patient who needed her bridge re-cemented, and his friend told him how horrible it would be to re-cement a couple of crowns. I asked, “Is your friend a dentist?” He said “no.” Of course the friend isn’t a dentist. They never are. The friend is anything but a dentist.  Did your friend come to my office? He replied, “no.” So I asked him to give our office a chance. He allowed me to do the treatment that day, but I never saw him again. He needed a lot of other work, but even said he only comes in when it hurts. Sometimes you try to educate patients, but the “friend” tends to know more than my years in school. Hey, what can you do?

I think what needs to be taken out of the new patient experience is that a lot of different personalities come into my office. As I said earlier, people walk into my office, not just teeth (and sometimes people walk in with no teeth). Some patients take time to come around. You may not see them for a year or two, and then one day they will be ready to come in and do treatment. Some will go for a second opinion, whereas some will wait until it becomes an emergency. What sparks one patient to get treatment may not be the same for someone else, but our office is here for you. Now it’s your turn.

Leave your comments below. I’d love to hear what you think.

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“Why X-rays Are Important in Dentistry… [And No I Don’t Want to Give You Cancer.]

by admin on March 22, 2012

So we had to dismiss 2 patients this week from our office. It stunk. The economy is bad, but I had to do it. As much as I do not like to lose patients, we had 2 patients refuse x-rays as part of their standard of care. Why? Because they believed that the level of radiation from an x-ray unit could cause cancer. They heard this from “a friend.” It’s always a “friend,” and the friend is never  a dentist.  As much as we tried (and pleaded) to Dental Xray 1explain to them the reasons on why they needed to get x-rays, and the minimal risk involved they still refused. So we did what we had to do- abide by our standard of care and dismiss them from our office with our sincerest regrets.

So let’s break down the myths from the truth. In my Fort Lauderdale dental office, we have digital radiography. So we take the x-ray, and it comes up on the computer screen within seconds. This in of itself serves a few purposes;

 

    1. By the radiograph coming up on the screen instantaneously, we know if the x-ray is good or bad, and we know whether we need to retake it or not. Conventional film radiographs take upwards to 5 minutes to develop in a darkroom. In this day and age, c’mon, who uses a darkroom? And do you want to wait 5 minutes to see if an x-ray is good or bad? In a world of instant gratifications, dentistry is no exception.
    2. We also are using a system in these times where it takes seventy (yes 70) of my x-rays to equal one x-ray from the conventional film system. Less radiation means you are less prone to a cancer risk. Just the opposite of what my patients who left the practice were thinking.
    3. X-rays come up on our 17 inch computer screens (which is a huge regret because I wish I had gone to 20 inch screens). That way it allows me to show our patients the undeniable decay or source of their dental problems. We can even contrast it and enlarge the area even more for verifications.
    4. Old school dental film is small. Although I am a young 35 year old as I write this, as I get older, it’s a lot easier to see a cavity on a 17-inch monitor than a small 1-inch by 1.5-inch dental film.
Dental Xray 2So for all these reasons, and for some I forget, x-rays are NOT your enemy! They are here to help your Fort Lauderdale dentist create a better diagnosis of needed treatment. It’s also more than just cavities. X-rays can be the beginning of diagnosis infections, and even cancer itself. So next time you think getting radiographs is an inconvenience, think of it more as a necessary evil to make sure your oral health is safe and secure.

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“I hate you…Well not you, but I hate the dentist.”

by admin on March 13, 2012

Cavities and Cheesecake

Yes, cheesecake is a matter of upkeep. I need a reason to work out, and cheesecake on Saturday reminds me to go to the gym on Monday. ~ Dr. MaxAny patient who walks in never wants the bad news that he or she has cavities. People in general hate going to the dentist. The conversation usually goes to the effect of “I hate you…well not you, but I hate the dentist.” And you know, after you hear that enough times, you begin to understand why my profession has the highest suicide rate.

I don’t go to the Cheesecake Factory complaining on how the cheesecake will make me fat. I accept that cheesecake, just like going to the dentist is a matter of personal upkeep. Yes, cheesecake is a matter of upkeep. I need a reason to work out, and cheesecake on Saturday reminds me to go to the gym on Monday.

But cavities happen. How and why are for various reasons. Sugar, smoking, not flossing, excessive soda drinking, too much acid, the list goes on and on. Here at our Fort Lauderdale dental office, we work as a team with you to figure out why you are developing cavities and try to curb certain habits.

Although most people will come in blaming genetics, saying, “well my dad had bad teeth,” or something of the sort, the reality is for 90% it is lifestyle. If you are not flossing, if you are eating poorly, and especially if you are smoking, your teeth will feel the effects.

I can’t make you stop smoking, but we here in the office can hopefully influence you to start flossing, or using a prescription strength toothpaste. Something that will prevent further decay, or arrest the cavity from growing further until it can be treated. In our office alone, we have a plethora of different gels, pastes, and fancy electronic toothbrushes that are suggested on a case by case basis to help you as a patient better your oral hygiene.

Restoration of Cavities

In this day and age cavities can be restored in various methods. Although silver fillings are still performed, I personally have not done one in years. Generally we are able to restore teeth with white composite fillings. Sometimes if the cavity is greater than 2/3 of the tooth, I would recommend something with more integrity like a crown. But for the sake of this article, let’s just say you need a filling.

Tooth Filling Fort Lauderdale FL

Yes you will get numb to fill the cavity. I have a few patients who have told me their previous filling experience has been with dentists who used no anesthetic. That’s crazy! I always numb. My assistant can even tell you, if you feel ANYTHING, we stop to give you more anesthetic.

Once the decay is completely removed from the tooth, I generally place a layer of fluoride to help desensitize the tooth. This helps in preventing patients who may feel some cold sensations once the filling is complete. We then restore using a bonding agent, and multiple layers of white composite material. The material is in small increments to maximize the adhesiveness of the material to the tooth, and for the best esthetics possible.

Cavitiy Filling

There that’s it! You leave with a filling that looks and feels like what god gave you (but nothing is ever as good as what you were born with)! You will be numb for a little while longer after the filling, but it goes away and your crazy hectic life goes back to where it was before- still crazy.

Remember, the best dentistry is prevention. But if you need to get work done, feel confident in knowing that we here at my office are here for you to do the best work possible. Sometimes the anticipation is worse than the participation, but after the needle and drills sounds are over, you have a great filling you can go eat some cheesecake with.

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New Studies Amplify the Health Risks Associated with Periodontal Disease and the Benefits of Treatment.

by admin on February 29, 2012

At the October 2011 American Heart Association scientific sessions in Orlando, two very large studies amplified the increased risk of heart attack and stroke caused by deep periodontal pockets and bleeding – as well as pointing out the benefits of having your teeth professionally cleaned to reduce these risks.

In the first study, 7999 patients with periodontal disease in Sweden were evaluated. Those with a higher number of deep pockets had a 53% increased risk of heart attack. Those with the highest incidence of gum bleeding had more than twice the risk of stroke.

In the second study, 102,620 patients in Taiwan were followed for seven years. Those who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once per year, had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and a 13% reduced risk of stroke compared to those who had their teeth cleaned once or less in two years.

These huge studies by physicians may be the tipping point that we now have irrefutable evidence of the connection between periodontal disease and systemic health. In addition to these studies, we have scientific evidence for 21 different conditions listed below that are affected by periodontal infection and the resulting inflammation involving virtually every organ system in the body.

Periodontal Disease1. Heart disease
2. Infectious endocIrdl1is
3. Carotid artery stenosis
4. Stroke
5. Diabetes
6. Rheumatoid arthritis
7. Mouth and throat cancer
8. Pancreatic cancer
9. Colon cancer
10. Kidney infection
11. Lung infection/COPD
12. Low fertility in men
13. Erectile dysfunction
14. Brain abscesses
15. Cognitive dysfunction/Alzheimer’s
16. Infectious Mononucleosis
17. Pre-term babies
18. Yeast infections
19. Multiple sclerosis
20. Osteoporosis
21. Congestive heart failure in dogs

Back to >> Dentist Fort Lauderdale

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Cancer Schmancer

by admin on February 24, 2012

Ok I copied that from Fran Drescher’s book. But you know my mom was a big Nanny fan, and I was tortured as a kid to having to watch it with the folks. Even worse to admit; at one time I knew all the lyrics to the theme song. Nightmares of her laugh were recurrent, but the book title is important for the sake of this topic.

In the last 3 weeks I have seen 3 patients who have either had radiation to the face or will be going for treatment in the coming weeks.  The specifics of smoking, lifestyle habits etc. obviously have some impact on why they got cancer. We are all predisposed for something, and if we neglect ourselves, these erratic mutations will become life threatening. The thing that stinks even more is sometimes you don’t even have to neglect yourself, life just happens.  My dad died of cancer. He never smoked a day in his life, but succumbed to cancer of the stomach and esophagus.

Osteoradionecrosis, or ORN, is the most serious possible complication facing the oral cancer patient.My advice as follows is for people who already have cancer and how we can treat them, especially when they will be getting radiation to the head and neck. First and foremost, GET ALL DENTAL TREATMENT DONE BEFORE YOU GET RADIATION. Yes that’s in caps for a reason. Your healing will be slower if you begin to get radiation and then need a tooth to be pulled.  Slower healing = more painful healing.  All necessary extractions, whether it’s wisdom teeth or removal due to infection, should be done prior to any radiation treatment. If a tooth needs to be removed during or after radiation treatment, you run the risk of a condition called osteoradionecrosis. Not to go into too much detail, but the jawbone can actually dissolve, become infectious, or even break if osteradionecrosis incurs. Do you want to be that person who ignored my advice and lands up needing to be admitted into the hospital for a dental infection? Pre-planning is a must in order to prevent such a debilitating disease.

Once you undergo radiation, your salivary glands will become decimated.  Since saliva is a buffer that helps prevent dental decay, you will become more prone to getting cavities. These cavities can grow exponentially in as little as six months in the absence of saliva. Talk with your doctor about your options. In my office I suggest a cocktail of various gels, pastes and rinses that will help prevent decay and tooth loss. We use a combination of a saliva substitute (i.e. Biotene) in conjunction with a prescription fluoride toothpaste (Prevident, Prodentec), and a calcium/phosphorus paste (MI Paste).

I also endorse a very simple rinse to endorse a stable oral environment in the mouth. It’s as simple as going to your local dollar store. The rinse can be made simply by combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Yes, it tastes like crap, but the baking soda is neutral and will help create a more neutral environment in your mouth.

So look into these options. If you have cancer, I am sure you have a lot going on right now. But as the saying goes, never give up the ship. Fight the good fight. No success in life was ever accomplished by giving up in life, and I hope you have a good support group around you. I know we were there for my dad when he was ill. And when you need help for your mouth, and living better by just being able to eat and swallow, contact us! We are here for you!

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.

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Brushing Without Flossing Is Like Pooping Without Wiping…

by admin on February 20, 2012

A few months back, I put that above statement up on my Facebook wall. I did it as a joke. It was my personal page and not my business page. On my business page, I tried to keep things classy and posted, “Brushing without flossing is like putting a broom to carpet without vacuuming.” On my business page I got 3 responses. On my personal page, apparently, “pooping’ makes more of an eye catching statement, and received about 20 responses. The funny thing is what happened after.

Just because I got 20 responses, doesn’t necessarily mean I only had 20 people viewing the phrase. All of a sudden patients who also are on my personal page who would come in for cleanings began to tell me they started flossing daily. So I decided to make the statement into a blog post and perhaps influence some people into flossing a bit more often.

The reality is the same plaque you find in your teeth is found in an artery wall when a patient has a heart attack.  The reality also is that although most of us are afraid of dying on a plane or from a shark attack, your heart will be your own worst enemy. Heart disease is the number one killer of women. Furthermore, heart disease is the number one killer of women….more than ALL cancers combined.

So what can you do? Begin with the basics- floss and brush (and if you smoke, STOP). Getting that stuff out from in between your teeth will lower plaque buildup. Consider getting cleanings every 3 months instead of every 6. Did you know getting teeth cleanings twice a year was something insurance companies dictated to us as practitioners. A good dentist will tell you to get cleanings 4 times a year. Prevention of 3-5 minutes a day can help you live a longer life.  The studies prove that you can live longer just by flossing on a daily basis.

Ok, now let’s say you have a denture. You can build up plaque on a denture if you do not clean it. So for you denture patients out there reading this, go buy yourself a denture brush, and clean your denture once a day. Simply by using soap and water with the brush, you can remove the plaque retained in the crevices of a denture. Better yet, go buy some Polident or over the counter denture cleaner. Or stop by my office, I can give you a sample.

At the end of the day, like Mr. Clean says, “Keep It Clean.”  Sure he was talking about your kitchen, but your mouth is just as important.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.

Dr. Max

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Great Dental Tips to Heed from the Dentist in Fort Lauderdale

by admin on February 8, 2012

Here are some tips to enjoy great dental health.

  1. Avoid cracks and chips – Tooth cracks during the course of time do become large enough allowing bacteria to cause infection in the nerve roots and tooth decay.  To help prevent this from occurring, do not crack things with your teeth, bite on threads, chew your pencils and pens, rip crisp packets with your teeth, bite your fingernail or crush ice cubes with your teeth.
  2. Take your child to the Oakland Park dentist for his or her first ever checkup even as early as six months to make him or her get used to the dentist.  The more exposure the child has with the dentist in Victoria Park, the more relaxed the child will be with the Imperial Point dentist later in life.
  3. Ibuprofen is considered the best type of analgesic for toothache.  It is an over the counter drug available at all local pharmacies. This drug acts to reduce pain and inflammation but is only meant to be a temporary short term form of pain relief.  The necessity to take this drug for your toothache means you need to see the Wilton Manors dentist urgently.  Before taking any medications, READ the label first or consult with the pharmacist to be quite certain if the drug is safe and good for you.
  4. If a family member or you are taking prescription drugs, you or your family member may experience dry mouth, which is a common side effect of prescription drugs.  For older patients, this side effect may be more problematic.  If this happens to you or to someone else, try chewing sugar-free chewing gum or consult your dentist in Fort Lauderdale by The Sea regarding artificial saliva.  When you experience this side effect avoid eating citrus foods or boiled sweets as much as possible as they can wreak damage to your mouth and teeth without the presence of saliva in your mouth.  Avoid also using whitening toothpastes in the absence of saliva in the mouth as they tend to weaken the enamel of the teeth because of their abrasive attribute.
  5. If you are they type who easily gets mouth sores or mouth ulcers, buy toothpastes that have no Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (or SLS in the label) in them.  SLS seems to trigger reactions in the mouth that result in mouth sores.
  6. Always let the Galt Ocean Mile dentist supervise your teeth whitening procedures to prevent any event that may lead to undesired results.    Not all tooth whitening gels are safe to use even if they have undergone very strict quality control during production.  Selecting the right type of tooth whitening product to use and having a qualified professional oversee your teeth whitening procedure are essential factors in getting a much brighter and whiter teeth and smile that you have always longed for.

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What You Need To Know About Inlays and Onlays…

by admin on February 3, 2012

Inlays and Onlays - Dentist Fort LauderdalePorcelain Inlays and Onlays are a superior substitute to the regular filling. Whereas a regular composite filling is made of a plastic material that is hardened directly in the mouth by an ultraviolet light, the porcelain inlay/onlay is made of pressable porcelain that has the same flexile strength as enamel. The cosmetics of the porcelain inlay/onlay is far superior as well.

Over time the “white fillings” will yellow versus the porcelain which will always keep that life and nature cosmetics of the natural tooth. Strength is also key. Pressable porcelain is far stronger because it is made in a lab with a technician developing countours in a sterile environment. This by far differs from a composite filling that has to be shaped in the mouth where we have to be more conscious of isolating the area from the patient’s saliva.

You have to think of a porcelain inlay or onlay sort of like a piece of a puzzle. The dentist drills out the affected area of the tooth that needs to be removed. We then take an impression and make a temp just like a patient who would come in for a crown. The lab tech then makes the restoration in his or her lab. When returned, it is bonded into place like a piece of a puzzle. The cement is cleaned off and you have a stronger porcelain restoration that can mimic nature far better than that of a regular white filling.

Dr. Max Zaslavsky is a Dentist in Fort Lauderdale >>

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“Only Floss The Teeth You Want To Keep.”

by admin on January 26, 2012

The “Not So” New Way to Replace Missing Teeth

One of the reasons I became a dentist was because of what I saw my dad had gone through with his dental problems. You see my dad had me at an older age in his life, 52, to be exact; and he came from a generation where he didn’t know about fluoride, flossing, or even brushing your teeth. In fact, and I think we can all relate to this, when he was a good boy, he would get a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie from his mother. Fast forward to when I was getting Bar Mitzvah’d, and my dad was now 65, he had almost none of his teeth left in his mouth. He didn’t even smile for my big event (but I know he wanted to) because his new denture didn’t even fit properly.

The Dentist in Fort Lauderdale

My Dad and I in the clinic after I delivered his dentures (my first denture.)

In this day and age of information via T.V. and the internet, there truly is no reason other than trauma that someone should lose any amount of teeth. Trust me when I say this, ”Nothing will ever be as good as what God or Mother Nature has given you!” Or in other words, only floss the teeth you want to keep. And you want to keep your teeth, because once you lose even just one tooth, your other teeth begin to drift and become displaced.

 With that said, we still have a variety of ways to replace single to multiple missing teeth. For some of us it’s a bridge, for others it may be a partial/full denture, but optimally what I always give as a premiere option to my patients is the dental implant. An implant, in layman’s terms, is a glorified Home Depot screw placed into the bone, and allowed to heal for about 6-8 weeks. Once healed, and assimilated into the bone, we then cement an artificial tooth on top of the implant called a crown….and that’s it. It looks and feels like a tooth. Sounds simple, right? Not really.

What you should know is to do your research and ask questions. There are over 100 companies that make dental implants. They are not all created equal…. and neither is the surgeon placing them. If an ad sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Great implants for $499 do not exist. It’s right up there with the Tooth Fairy and Santa (sorry kids).

Find out where your surgeon received his or her education.

  1. Did he or she take a weekend course at an institute?
  2. How many implants has that surgeon placed of that particular system?
  3. Is he or she board certified?
  4. Is he or she a specialist in the field?
  5. What implant company does he or she use? And finally, what is their success rate? Those answers make all the difference on how you should choose who does a surgery in your mouth. And yes….it is a surgery.

When I entered Nova Southeastern Dental School clinic in 2000, my dad became my first patient ever. I got to make what would be his final denture. Although he was proud of me for what I had accomplished, and what I did for his mouth, for me it was bittersweet. Knowing what I knew, I felt if somehow I could have changed the hands of time, could he had gotten implants, or more importantly could I had saved his teeth. So for those of you out there, who are nice enough to read this article until the very end, see your dental hygienist on a regular basis and FLOSS! For those of you missing one or more teeth, really take time with your dentist to evaluate your options- implants or otherwise.

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The Nine Common Dental Procedures

by admin on January 15, 2012

Dental care concentrates on treatment and prevention of mouth, teeth and gum problems and oral disease. Part of it also aims at enhancing the look of an individual’s gums and person’s teeth. Listed below are some of the more common dental procedures practiced today by a Fort Lauderdale dentist.

Dental Treatment Fort Lauderdale1. Root canal treatment is a procedure to take care of problems of the dental pulp. Dental pulp corruption is usually due to tooth decay and cavities that directly affects the nerve of a tooth causing severe pain. The manifestation of this damage can be in the form hypersensitivity when drinking cold fluids, facial swelling and toothache while biting down or chewing. If left untreated, the disease of the dental pulp may weaken the bone making it unable to hold the tooth properly. A person in need of root canal treatment should select a dentist who has vast experience in tackling this problem.Teeth Cleaning Fort Lauderdale

2. Dental cleaning is an essential part of dental care that needs to be done twice a year, specifically, every 6 months. As the name suggests, this procedure is all about teeth cleaning to prevent the rise cavities, tooth decay among many types of dental issues.

Dental Implants Fort Lauderdale FL

3.Dental Implants can have more advantages for the patient than dentures. One advantage worth mentioning is that they can be used as replacement for or more lost teeth. Dental implants make chewing food a lot easier, props up the surrounding teeth and enhance your looks.

Dentures Fort Lauderdale FL4. Dentures come in three types: The first called partial dentures close the gap between a missing tooth/ teeth. Conventional dentures are installed a one or two months after the extraction of a patient’s whole set of teeth. Immediate dentures are installed in the mouth of the patient fit as soon as his/her are removed.

Tooth Extraction Ft Lauderdale5. Extractions are necessary when a tooth is beyond repair. This procedure is often done when a patient has a broken tooth or tooth decay and repairing it is not anymore viable.

Crown Work Fort Lauderdale6. Crowns are applied to the tooth if the latter has a part that is decayed or broken. Crowns can be made with gold or porcelain. Crowns are more durable and strong than normal teeth.

Dental Bridge7. Bridges are used as replacement for a missing tooth. A missing tooth distorts a person’s and it can give rise to periodontal disease and tooth decay.

8. Periodontal Therapy is the treatment of gum disease. Treatment of gum disease is much more effective if the disease is diagnosed early. Gum health can be addressed and restored with periodontal treatment that does not involve surgery. Some noted periodontal treatments are root planing and scaling.

Teeth Whitening Fort Lauderdale FL9. Teeth whitening procedures offered today are whitening procedures done in the dentist office and teeth whitening kits that can be used at home.

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Finding the Right Dentist for the Elderly

by admin on November 4, 2011

Dentists can be quite discriminating on the patients they are willing to treat.  A growing amount of seniors are in dire need of proper dental care but only few dentists are interested in taking care of this segment of our population.  Some dentists do not discriminate but sadly, lack the proper skills and tools to properly address the dental needs of the elderly.  Finding the right dentist for the care and dental needs of the elderly should not have to be hard to do.  Knowing the dental needs of the elderly and doing a little bit of research in locating the right dentist for seniors, one who has training in geriatric dentistry, is the right step in getting the proper dental care for the elderly.

Hence the first proper step in choosing the right dentist for old people is to judge whether the dentist has the proper and needed skills and tools available to treat old people.  You can also seek recommendations from people you know and see if they know a dentist who may be qualified at treating old people.

When you have found a potentially good dentist, make an appointment and come with questions.  There are dentists who find no problem accommodating visits to assisted living facilities, houses or nursing homes since they know most elderly people live in these types of dwellings and that many old people have difficulty traveling or cannot travel at all.   These dentists know that providing dental service to the elderly may necessitate exactly these kinds of situations.

For the elderly who are able to adequately care for their dental health, there are many ways in maintaining the health and strength of the teeth that can prevent them from needing to go to the dentist.  Good healthy teeth is actually much more valuable for old people since they make eating a much easier activity to do.  If they still have their own natural teeth, updated techniques for flossing and brushing can make their teeth cleaner and healthier.  The elderly also need to be aware of the effects of their medications particularly its effects on their oral health.

A little research can come a long way in the proper dental care of the elderly.  You need to ask the right questions to ascertain a dentist’s ability in giving proper and correct care for the aged.  If they pass the criteria you are looking for and if you feel you can trust the dentist, then go for it.  Also you need to know whether the dentist is fine with your senior’s insurance coverage and whether he/she does entertain house calls.  Finding the right dentist for the elderly may take just a little effort on your part but the outcome will be worth your while.

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Getting the Teeth and Smile You Want with Cosmetic Dentistry

by admin on October 20, 2011

Best Cosmetic Dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Live Life Smiling

Get the perfect teeth and smile you desire with the help of a Fort Lauderdale cosmetic dentist.  Non-cosmetic dentists may be able to give you maintenance and preventative dental services, but for brighter and whiter teeth or for a more perfect smile, only the skill, training and expertise of a cosmetic dentist will you be able to acquire these.  Besides, maintenance and preventative services such as dental implants, bridges, porcelain crowns, veneers and other dental services that make your teeth healthier and look better can also be done by the cosmetic dentist.

There is nothing wrong with having shiny bright teeth and a beautiful smile.  In fact, it is these things that make the world a much pleasant place to live in.  To be straightforward, would you rather have a pleasant smile and white perfect teeth to a not-so-pleasant smile showing brownish teeth?  If having perfect teeth and smile are important to you, then the service of a cosmetic dentist is just what you need.

You can find a good cosmetic dentist usually through a referral from family, friends, acquaintances or better yet your own regular dentist.  You can also look one up on the Internet.  You can know what services each dentist offers by calling them up or browsing through their websites.  When you find the one you feel is capable of giving you the specific dental work you want you then can make an appointment.  Your initial visit will entail the examination of your teeth and recommending a specific dental procedure(s) that will help you attain the smile and teeth you so wish for.  It is important to earnestly talk with the dentist to let him/her know what kind of look you expect and want.

Different treatments and ways can be offered by the cosmetic dentist and they all are based on your existing dental condition and on what you desire to look in the end.  If you merely desire whiter teeth, then the dentist will solely perform whitening treatment on your teeth.   If the cosmetic dentist sees that some restorative procedures need to be done prior to working on your desired goal, then he/she will deal with the restorative matter first.  You may need to visit the cosmetic dentist more frequently for adjustments and fittings.  Once the restorative work is done, the cosmetic dentist now can proceed to enhance your teeth and smile.

To ensure the health of your teeth, you need to visit your dentist at least twice a year so that general professional cleaning and needed restorative work and maintenance can be done on your teeth.  You are then guaranteed a set of beautiful teeth that will last a lifetime and a smile that will certainly uplift you emotionally and socially.

 

 

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How To Find The Best Dentist in Fort Lauderdale

by admin on September 1, 2011

An experienced dentist in Fort Lauderdale can provide the best dental care for his or her patients.  If you are looking for a dentist that can help you achieve healthy and strong teeth, here are some tips to help you find the right dentist for you and your loved ones.

1.    Your friends and coworkers can provide you the best information – This is the easiest way to find the right dentist.  You’ll still want to do some research on that dentist whom you’re entrusting your family’s dental and oral health to.  Seek information from others who have been seeing the dentist to get the most information you can. Testimonials are a great place to start.

Dr. Max Zaslavsky Dentist Reviews on InsiderPages2.    Do some research online – There is abundant information on the internet about dentists in Fort Lauderdale.  The Internet provides tons of information, ratings and reviews of dentists in or near your area.  Check the background of the dentists you are considering and find out how long he or she has been in the profession.  Dental association websites the dentist belongs to can also provide information about the dentist.

3.    Get essential data – What exactly do you need from the dentist?  The dentist should provide the basic preventative needs to ensure the health of your teeth.  You need to ask him or her questions regarding oral hygiene and care and you should be able to trust your dentist with your dental care.  If you cannot trust the dentist then he or she is not the dentist for you.  When choosing from several dentists, make appointments with each to know them better.  It is important a long term relationship of trust is built between you and your dentist.

4.    During an appointment be observant – Take time to notice everything about the dentist and the dental clinic.  The way the clinic looks says a lot about the dentist.  See if the dentist practices cleanliness. You would think this is a given – and it should, but always do your due diligence when choosing your Ft. Lauderdale dentist..  The employees should have a warm and nice attitude and should be diligent in their work.  These things can give you insight into the work habits of the dentist himself.  Great quality dentists always have clean and hygienic offices. It is hard to imagine a dentist with a less than desirable dental office giving very good advice on dental and oral hygiene.

5.    No one is perfect – Hence, there is no perfect dentist in the same way there is no perfect patient.  Select a dentist that addresses your needs and you feel you can trust. You don’t have to go with the most expensive dentist in Fort Lauderdale to find the best one. Instead go with the dentist who is most qualified to address your specific dental needs.

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The Important Role of a General Dentist in Dental Health

by admin on August 20, 2011

One can compare a Fort Lauderdale general dentist to a family doctor or a general practitioner in the realm of medicine.  The general dentist often tackles the general and fundamental issues and maintenance dealing with dental and oral care.  The general dentist is the dentist you go to for your gums and teeth examination and care.  In order to observe them better, the general dentist may use x-rays to identify any existing dental or oral problems you may have.

For problems that are more specific and needs specialized care such as crooked or misaligned teeth or gum problems, the general dentist will refer the patient to an orthodontist to straighten out your teeth or a periodontist to treat one’s gum problems.  Most dental clinics have a resident dental hygienist to clean the teeth of their patients while some general dentists do that service themselves.

Dentistry basically espouses preventative measures to maintain oral and dental health.  That is why, it is recommended to have a dental check up and teeth cleaning at least two times a year.  Home care of your teeth is very important but it may not be enough to prevent cavities or other kinds of dental problems from developing.  So having bi-annual check ups and cleaning is a good way to impede the rise of dental problems that can become serious and painful and which often means costly, painful and lengthy dental procedures.

Everyone healthy or otherwise, needs a general dentist to take care of their dental and oral needs.  A general dentist will take stock of your dental and oral health by examining the condition of your teeth and devise a plan which may involve scaling, x-rays, tooth cleanings and examinations.  He/she may use other kinds of diagnostic procedures to maintain the health of the teeth or to repair and treat dental conditions.

Oral and dental health of the patient is the paramount aim of any general dentist.  So your dentist needs to instruct you on how best to achieve and maintain optimal dental and oral health.  If one takes good care of his/her teeth, then the dentist makes the teeth all the more strong, durable and healthy; strength and durability that ought to last a lifetime.

Dental treatment occasionally requires restorative procedures.  A restorative procedure is all about the prevention and avoidance of factors that lead to teeth decay and cavities as well as preventing the rise of disease not only to the teeth but also to the gums, lips and tongue.  Popular forms of restorative procedures include root canal, bonding and dental filling, etc.

The role of a general dentist is more important than that of an orthodontist in many aspects not only of dental health but in one’s overall health as well.

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David Goes To The Dentist.

by admin on August 17, 2011

Here’s a video of David, a seven year old boy who had a tooth extracted due to a condition called Hyperdontia. His father had a flip camera with him and recorded this short video after the procedure in the parking lot of the dental office. The video went viral and has more than 98 million views on YouTube.  David’s father says David is a smart kid who is always saying something interesting about a lot of different issues. He says; “His philosophical reaction to the medication didn’t really surprise us.”

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Fort Lauderdale Sedation Dentist

by admin on August 17, 2011

Dr. Max is a Fort Lauderdale, FL dentist who received his Bachelor in Chemistry from the University of South Florida in 1999, and subsequently attended Nova Southeastern University School of Dentistry.

Do you dread sitting in the dentist’s chair while waiting for treatment? Studies show that among Americans’ greatest phobias include the fear of going to the dentist!

In my Fort Lauderdale sedation dentistry office I offer a safe and effective treatment  for patients suffering from dental phobia. Oral sedation dentistry leaves patients relaxed and comfortable, unlike their past experiences with dental appointments.

The Sedation Dentistry Process

Sedation dentistry is available for patients in the form of different methods. They dull the pain and rid patients of any discomfort during the procedure. Among these methods are:

  • Intravenous (IV) sedation – Introduced in the system through the veins, this method is safe and effective when administered by a licensed Fort Lauderdale sedation dentist.
  • Nitrous oxide – Commonly known as laughing gas, it is another sedation method used to establish a relaxed, easy, and calm state while fully conscious.
  • Oral sedation – The most common procedure used to alleviate patient anxiety.

I am licensed to provide ‘one-pill’ sedation for patients seeking anxiety-free treatment.

As a patient of oral sedation dentistry, you maintain a level of consciousness so you can respond to the dentist’s instructions throughout the treatment. You will, however, feel no pain.

Tips for Sedation Dentistry Patients

  1. If you are apprehensive about major dental treatments, notify our attendant as soon as you make an appointment. This way the sedation pill is guaranteed to be available in advance.
  2. With our sedation method, you will receive the pill on an earlier visit with further instructions via the phone on how to take the sedative before coming to our Fort Lauderdale dental clinic.
  3. We recommend you ask a friend or family member to drive you home and accompany you. It is not advisable for a patient who has undergone oral sedation to drive for a couple of hours.

For more information about sedation dentistry, please don’t hesitate to call us or leave a comment below.

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Meet The Fort Lauderdale Cosmetic Dentist

by admin on August 16, 2011

Dr. Max graduated in 2004, garnering prestigious awards from both The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and The American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist who can give you a star-quality smile, I’d like to invite you to call me for a FREE – no obligation consultation, so I can answer all your questions and show you how to get the perfect dental smile you’ve always wanted.

As a cosmetic dentist in Ft. Lauderdale, my patients rely on me to consistently perform successful cosmetic procedures that make a profound difference in their lives.

Why Cosmetic Dentistry?

  • Crooked teeth
  • Discolored teeth
  • Misshapen teeth
  • Misaligned teeth
Cosmetic dentistry is also advised for people who have unnaturally short or long teeth. Cosmetic dentistry is not just about looking good. It’s also used to restore the teeth and jaw’s natural functions. As a cosmetic dental doctor, I’ve helped numerous patients regain full use of their teeth and jaws without pain.

If you’re looking for cosmetic dentistry in Fort Lauderdaleyou can trust, I’ll make sure you are given a complete dental analysis to diagnose your eligibility for a cosmetic procedure. These procedures include:

  • Teeth Whitening – This is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures performed today. It is done on patients that have darkened teeth due to years of drinking coffee or poor oral hygiene.
  • Dental Implants – Patients with missing teeth require dental implants to regain proper chewing functions.
  • Dentures and Bridges – Dental bridges and dentures are part of restorative dentistry as they help patients chew, talk, and laugh properly. They are also considered a cosmetic procedure because they fill in missing teeth.

Through proper oral dentistry and the help of a qualified Ft Lauderdale cosmetic dentist, the smile you want is easy, convenient and affordable. If you have any questions about our cosmetic dentistry services, please feel free to call me or leave a comment below.

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Max Zaslavsky DMD

Dentist in Fort Lauderdale
6451 N. Federal Highway, Ste. 129 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Latitude: 26.2075996 Longitude: -80.10801679999997
Phone: (954) 491-3544