Stafford Smiles

Update on Dr Stafford’s Jack-O-Lantern smile

2011-12-01T13:26:00.000-08:00

There are three common reasons why people lose their teeth. 1) The tooth is ruined by decay. 2) The bone support is destroyed by periodontal disease. 3) The tooth is knocked out by some trauma. I lost my tooth due to another, less common, cause. I was having intermittent mild pain in the tooth so we took an x-ray which revealed a condition called external root resorption. Essentially the root begins to dissolve for unknown reasons. This is different from erosion or abrasion which causes notching of the root surface usually at the gumline. My root dissolved below the gum and bone level. Treatment for this condition does not have a good success rate so instead I decided to have it removed and move the other lower front teeth together to close the space.

Dr Munib Derhalli, a periodontist, removed the tooth. He is an excellent surgeon, and because I may have lost bone around the problem area, I wanted him to be able to place a bone graft immediately if needed. The root was compromised because a portion of it had dissolved. So it was no surprise that it broke during the extraction and Dr Derhalli had to carefully remove the root tip without damaging the bone. Fortunately, no grafting was required so I moved on to the next phase.

Dr Michael Brown placed braces on both my top and bottom teeth because there are some other irregularities to correct. I will be wearing them for about 18 months and I will have rubber bands on the back teeth on one side. This is the third time I have worn braces and I hope it is the last. I have had the appliances on for about three weeks now. My tongue is still sore, and I still bite off chunks of my cheek when I try to chew. So I can be very sympathetic with all of you who are going through the same experience.

If you are wearing braces now, let me know how your experience is going.

With Care
Dr Stafford

What's the Big Deal about Baby Teeth?

2011-07-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

When facing the decision to invest in restoring decayed primary teeth, I am often asked the legitimate question by parents. “Why should we put money into the baby teeth? Aren’t they just going to come out anyway?”

Primary teeth are smaller and less durable than permanent teeth which have much thicker enamel and larger roots. This second set is designed to last a lifetime, the first is not. So why bother repairing them when they get decayed? Why not just leave them alone or take them out? Here are my top three reasons:

1. Primary teeth can get badly infected due to untreated decay and cause an abscess in the jaw. This can be very painful for the child and damage the permanent tooth that is forming in the bone.

2. The jaw grows from the back not the front. Once the 1st permanent molars come in at age 6, the distance around the arch from molar to molar is established and will not grow on its own. If primary teeth lose their size due to decay, or are prematurely removed, the permanent molars will drift forward reducing the arch size. This space can only be regained through orthodontic treatment.

3. Dental decay is an infection. If cavities in primary teeth are not treated, the permanent teeth that erupt into this infected environment are more likely to decay themselves.

Having said this, there are exceptions to treating all decay in primary teeth.
-If the primary tooth will be gone within 6 months and the decay is in the very early stages, I often do not treat it.
-If the primary tooth will be gone within 6 months and the decay is very severe, I will remove the tooth early.

Taking proper care of primary teeth is essential to the health of permanent teeth designed to last a lifetime. So follow the recommendations of your dentist and dental hygienist in order to give your child the best chance of having a cavity free mouth.

This will be my last column in the Clackamas Review. If you have found value in the information I have shared, you can continue to read articles I will write through our Facebook account at www.facebook.com/staffordsmiles.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr S

Dental implants Simplified

2011-06-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

One of the most positive developments in dentistry during the last decade is the increase in the success and popularity of dental implants to replace missing teeth. In this article I intend to outline, in ordinary language, what dental implants are and what they are used for.

Dental implants are pure titanium cylinders that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw to replace natural tooth roots. The bone heals so closely around an implant that it is described as “integrated.” Once this occurs, the implant is very stable and a variety of different attachments can be connected to it.

The most common attachment is a single tooth. These are very successful and have become the standard of care to replace a missing tooth. If several teeth are missing, multiple implants can support bridges that are permanently attached. And in a situation where there are no natural teeth remaining, implants can provide greatly enhanced support and retention for a denture.

Following are some frequently asked questions and their answers:

Aren’t implants very expensive?
The cost will vary depending on the situation, but it will be a significant investment. Remember that price is what you pay, and value is what you get. In most cases implants are the very best solution for missing teeth.

Will my dental insurance cover implants?
Not always, but it is becoming more common.

Do they ever fail?
Yes, but it is very rare and the risk can usually be determined prior to placement.

Who can place dental implants?
Any dentist can place implants. No special license is required, but this is a very technique sensitive procedure, so it is important to find a doctor with the training and experience to do it well. Often a surgeon will place the implant and work with a general dentist who restores the teeth.

If you or someone you know would like more information about dental implants, I would be pleased to provide a complimentary consultation to discover if this is the most appropriate treatment.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr S

Dental Insurance 201

2011-06-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

In my last column I explained the difference between medical “insurance” and dental “benefits.” Understanding this is critical. The next step is to find out just exactly what benefits you have. It is important for you, the policy holder, to obtain this information from the insurance carrier or the human resources department at your work.

A dental office can give you estimates of your benefits based on general information they have about similar policies, but it is your responsibility to understand the specifics of your plan. Since you are the policy holder, it is also easier for you to get the details.

Here is the information you need to know before you visit a new dentist.
- Are my benefits the same regardless of which dentist I choose? If not, what is the difference?
- What is the annual maximum benefit for my plan?
- Is the annual benefit based on a calendar year or some other interval?
- What are my remaining annual benefits?
- Do I have a deductible amount? How much is it for me? For my family?
- Do I have a waiting period before my benefits begin?
- Do I have a limit on how many times per year I can get my teeth cleaned? How is this calculated?
- How do I find out what amount will be covered for specific procedures?

When you are equipped with this information prior to your dental visit, everything will go smoother and there will be less potential for misunderstanding. Remember that your plan is not designed to cover all of your costs. It is more like getting a discount. So the more you know about your plan, the more you will know about your actual discount.

For Your Dental Health,
Dr S

Dental Insurance 101

2011-06-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

In my experience, the topic which causes the most misunderstanding in dentistry is dental insurance. My goal in this series of articles is to give you some basic information to help you understand this often confusing issue.

First of all the term “insurance” is really a misnomer in the context of dentistry. The word “insurance” literally means protection against future loss. This term is commonly used in medicine, as catastrophic loss can occur as a result of sickness or accident and the benefit limits are very high to cover this.

“Benefit” is a word which more accurately describes the allowance which is negotiated for an employee between his/her place of employment and a dental “insurance” company.

All dental “insurance” companies have a maximum annual benefit which rarely exceeds $1500 per calendar year. This amount is very close to the benefits of the 1960′s when dental “insurance” first began. In those days $1500 would cover the majority of treatment that anyone required in a year. If dental benefits were to have kept up with inflation and technology, as they have with medical insurance, they would amount to over $10,000 per year. This amount would be more than enough to cover the treatment most people would need in a year. However because the annual limit that most insurance companies provide has not increased, usually only preventive maintenance and small restorations are covered.

So while a dental benefit plan is nice, it should never be considered insurance against loss. The best way to reduce risk is the following:

- Let your dentist and hygienist know that you want a proactive plan to prevent dental decay and gum disease.
- Ask your dentist to make sure that all of the existing restorations in your mouth are of the highest quality.

More coming on this subject in Dental Insurance 102

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr S

Pearls from Boston

2011-05-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from the annual conference of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in Boston. This meeting, more than any other, re-ignites my passion for dentistry and gives me a higher vision of what is possible to achieve. The lectures and workshops I attended were first rate, and the knowledge and skills I acquired will immediately raise the level of care I provide. Following are a few pearls from the courses I took:

- We have been successfully placing porcelain veneers for many years. New products and techniques now allow us to place these amazing smile enhancing restorations, in many cases, with no preparation to the underlying teeth, making them non-invasive and essentially reversible.

- New products, techniques, and ongoing research provide increasing support for what everyone wants: a new tooth in one day. If you have a front tooth that for some reason needs to be replaced, in many cases the tooth can be removed, a root replacement implant installed, and a temporary tooth attached to the implant, all in the same day.

- Have you ever noticed a smile that doesn’t quite look right because too much gum tissue shows or the teeth seem to be going downhill on one side? A beautiful smile has just as much to do with where the teeth are located in the smile as it does with the color and shape of the teeth themselves. New treatment options and tools for diagnosis allow us to accurately assess and correct this important aspect of smile design.

- Implant supported attachments offer a much better solution to loose dentures than adhesive products. If an existing denture is otherwise satisfactory, these procedures can often be performed without the expense of replacing the denture or the embarrassment of going without it.

Please let me know if you have questions or would like to discuss any of these procedures further.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr S

The Truth about Tooth Colored Fillings

2011-05-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

In the last decade tooth colored fillings have become a very popular alternative choice to traditional silver/mercury amalgams. The latest insurance company statistics show that 65% of the fillings placed in the US are tooth colored composites compared to 35% amalgam. If you prefer tooth colored fillings, there are some things you need to know.

Tooth colored fillings are completely different from amalgam fillings. They are not just the same hole filled with a different material. Everything from the preparation to the way the filling is placed is different and much more technique sensitive.

Before you choose a composite restoration you should ask your dentist four questions.

1) Do you use a dental dam or other device to completely isolate the tooth? Saliva contamination during the filling process will severely compromise the final result and must be avoided.

2) How do you determine that all of the decay has been removed? Complete decay removal is critical to the bond of a composite filling to the tooth. There are products available that can confirm total decay elimination.

3) Do you place the composite filling all at one time, or in separate, small layers that are individually cured? Composite fillings shrink as a percentage of their volume when cured. Larger filling increments shrink more and make the restoration more prone to post operative sensitivity and premature failure.

4) Do you offer both silver amalgam fillings and tooth colored composites? Because they are do different, you may want to choose dentists who focus their skills and training on tooth colored composites only.

Millions of silver amalgam restorations have been placed by US dentists over the years and have proved to be a valuable service to many. Tooth colored composites now rival amalgams for durability, but only if placed using the proper techniques.

For your dental health,
Dr S

What Sally Fields Doesn’t Tell You

2011-04-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Bisphosphonates are medications commonly used to prevent or treat osteoporosis (a thinning of the bones) or as part of cancer treatment. Some bisphosphonate medications (such as Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva) are taken orally (swallowed). Others, such as Aredia, Bonefos, Didronel or Zometa, are administered intravenously (injected into a vein).

In rare instances, some individuals receiving bisphosphonate therapy have developed Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), a serious condition that involves severe loss, or destruction, of the jawbone, and for which there is no known treatment. Necrosis refers to dead tissue, in this case bone, and the most common symptoms of BRONJ are areas of exposed bone in the upper or lower jaw that do not heal after more than 6 weeks. Most cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with bisphosphonates have been diagnosed after dental procedures such as teeth extractions, however the condition can also occur spontaneously.

The actual incidence of BRONJ has not been accurately determined, but is reported from as low as 1 in 2,000 for certain oral medications to as high as 1 in 10 for those taking high bisphosphonate doses as part of cancer treatment. I have seen one case of BRONJ in my practice. It was after an extraction and the patient had not reported that he was taking bisphosphonates.

There are several important risk factors that can increase the possibility of developing BRONJ:

1. High doses
2. Continued use for more than 3 years
3. Corticosteroids being taken at the same time
4. Traumatic dental procedures such as teeth extractions
5. Alcohol or tobacco use
6. Diabetes
7. Poor oral hygiene

If you are considering the use of bisphosphonates for any reason, it is essential that you consult with your dentist and physician about the risks of BRONJ, and that you have any elective dental treatment completed prior to initiating therapy. If you are already using bisphosphonates you must inform your dentist so that he/she can help you make the best decisions about any future dental treatment.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr S

HOW TO PREVENT ONE OF THE MOST COMMON SPORTS INJURIES

2011-04-05T21:34:00.000-07:00

According to the American Dental Association, more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented annually in this country by sports mouthguards. While this is an impressive preventative figure, unfortunately many teeth will still be damaged because failure to wear a proper sports mouthguard exposes an athlete to a 60 times greater chance of dental injury. In fact, dental trauma is the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports.

I recently treated a patient in my office for the second injury to his front teeth
within two years. Different teeth were broken each time because he was not wearing a sports mouthguard. While we can repair most types of dental sports injuries, why not prevent them in the first place?

The child or athlete who loses a tooth (or teeth) in a sporting injury faces lifetime
dental rehabilitation costs of up to ten thousand dollars per tooth. The total rehabilitation costs for a single tooth lost in a sporting injury are likely to be
more than 50 times the preventative cost for a custom laminated, professional grade mouthguard.

There are significant differences between a custom fabricated sports mouthguard and the premade or boil and bite type mouthguards typically found in sporting goods stores. Boil and bite type mouthguards do not fit as accurately as custom fabricated types so they often are uncomfortable, frequently interfere with the athletes breathing and speaking ability, and do not provide adequate protection at the points where trauma is likely to occur. Properly designed and custom fabricated mouthguards are essential in the prevention of athletic oral/facial injuries. Check this link for more information on types of sports mouthguards:

http://www.sportsdentistry.com/mouthguards.html

If you have an athlete in your family involved in any type of contact sport, do not risk injury to their teeth by allowing them to play without a custom fitted mouthguard. Call your dentist today to make an appointment for this critically important service.

Yours for excellent dental health,

Dr S

Change the Oil in Your Mercedes

2011-03-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

I see patients in my office who have previously committed
significant amounts of time and money to have their teeth
restored. They have replaced missing teeth, repaired damaged
ones, straightened them, and enhanced the appearance of
their pearly whites through a variety of cosmetic procedures.
Most of these folks recognize the importance of follow up care
to preserve their investment, but there are some who neglect
simple maintenance after the hard work has been done.

I don’t understand this. It’s like someone who makes the
commitment to buy a Mercedes Benz, a durable, high quality
product, but then neglects regular oil changes even though
the cost of this service is just a small fraction of the original
purchase price.

Recently I saw a patient who had extensive dental
restorative work done several years ago. It was a time and
cost intensive project which made a dramatic improvement in
both the patient’s dental function and appearance. When the
work was completed, this person did not return to my office
for several years until they were in pain. Nor did the patient
seek out follow up care anywhere else during the interim. As a
result, additional complex treatment will be required to bring
this patient back to optimal dental health. All this could have

been avoided by following a plan of regular maintenance and
repair.

So what does this mean to you? Whether your teeth have
been restored by a dentist or you have all your natural teeth,
the key to keeping them working well and looking good for
a long time is regular maintenance. Even if you don’t have
dental insurance, the cost of regular care is much less than
the cost of major repairs—just the same as an automobile.
You may not have a Mercedes in the garage, but you have
something just as valuable in your mouth. Take care of it.

Yours for excellent dental health,

Walk Your Way to a Healthy Mouth

2011-03-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

Walking really does your body good from head to toe. Not only will it help keep your heart and legs strong and your waist trim, but it may protect your pearly whites, too.

It all has to do with the aerobic fitness benefits that walking confers. In a recent Japanese study, the folks who were the fittest were also the least likely to have severe periodontitis, a form of gum disease.

Tone for Your Teeth
Being both fit and slim is even better for your teeth. In the study, participants with a healthy body mass index (BMI) as well as a high capacity for aerobic endurance had the lowest odds of gum troubles. It's just one more great reason to add a calorie-burning daily walk to your oral-care regimen. You'll make your doctor and your dentist proud.

Axing Inflammation
How, exactly, does breaking a sweat keep your mouth healthy? Well for one, researchers believe that exercise helps quiet inflammation throughout the body, and that's a good thing because inflammation is one of those potential triggers for disease, including gum disease. Physical activity may also help keep blood levels of C-reactive protein in check -- another happy outcome because this compound may play a role in the origins of gum disease.

Reverse Benefit
It works the other way also—keeping your mouth healthy can benefit the rest of your body. Because untreated inflammation in your mouth can lead to inflammation in other parts of your system. In fact, effectively flossing and brushing your teeth daily can make your health age as much as six years younger.
So as you plan your personal health strategy, keep in mind that the health of your mouth is intimately related to the health of the rest of your body.

What Will You Do for Your Smile This Year?

2011-01-05T11:11:00.000-08:00

As you set goals for your personal health this year, don't forget to include your teeth and your smile. There is a growing body of scientific research that shows a significant connection between oral health and systemic health in general. So, if you goal is to be healthier in 2011, taking care of your smile should be part of your plan. To get you started, here are some ideas to help you decide what you want to do for your own smile.

1. Half of the people who have dental insurance don't use it. If you are one of those, take advantage of what you have this year and make an appointment with a dentist to evaluate your oral health.

2. Even if you do not have dental insurance and have no discomfort in your mouth, remember that preventing dental problems is much more economical that treating them after they occur. Make a commitment to follow a regular dental maintenance plan.

3. If your dentist has already recommended a plan to optimize your oral health, follow through with it. Even if you don't do it all this year, take care of the things that are the highest priority.

4. Dental problems seldom get better on their own. If you know something is wrong with your teeth or gums, deal with it this year before it becomes more complicated and expensive.

5. Maybe 2011 is the year to make the aesthetic changes to your smile that you have always wanted. Ask your dentist to do a computer simulation for the changes you want so you can have a visual proposal to help you decide.

My team and I are available to help you make 2011 your "Year of the Smile."

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr. S

Hat Adoption

2010-12-13T19:47:00.000-08:00

Stafford Smiles invites you to adopt a hat. Stop by and pick a fun, stylish winter hat. Then show it the world. If you send us images in your hat, we will enter you into a drawing for a flat screen TV at the end of 2011.

Mission of Mercy 2010

2010-11-27T06:06:00.000-08:00

Tuesday afternoon, I had an amazing opportunity to see my dental family in action serving the Portland community.

Mission of Mercy is a national organization that organizes free dental clinics in cities all over our country. This is the first time Portland has hosted a MOM clinic and it was an amazing sight. Semi trailer trucks backed up to the convention center and unloaded all of the equipment for hundreds of dentists, assistants, and hygienists, to provide services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canals, and denture repairs. Dental equipment and supply companies donated thousands of dollars of products to provide services for approximately 1500 patients over the two days.

I personally had a chance to work in triage, anesthesia (numbing), and oral surgery (extractions). I was so proud of the energy, enthusiasm, and compassion of all of my colleagues working there. We didn’t have all of the support we were used to in our own offices, but I didn’t hear any complaints, instead everyone was doing their best with what we had. In the end the patients received excellent care and were extremely grateful.

This was a huge project and I congratulate the many people who put in long hours to make it happen. It is truly inspiring to see what the private sector can do on its own to meet the needs of the underserved among us.

Mission of Mercy

2010-11-21T19:35:00.000-08:00

Nearly 100 dental chairs are ready, 1500 volunteers have been oriented.

Patients are camped out waiting for the doors to open.

Oregon Mission of Mercy is the largest free dental clinic in the history of Oregon.

It happens Monday and Tuesday. Dr Stafford will be there Tuesday. Check back for a first person report.

Are You Afraid of the Dentist?

2010-11-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

One of the primary reasons that people do not go to the dentist is dental anxiety. Estimates vary, but somewhere between 10-15% of the American population, or 30 - 40 million people, avoid much needed care due to anxiety and fear surrounding the dental experience.

Whether this stems from a previous bad experience, the media, or friends who have told them horror stories, the result is that they neglect to maintain their dental health by avoiding visits to the dentist, and in turn create more problems.

As we discussed last time, the key factor for good oral hygiene is prevention - stopping problems before they arise. Unfortunately, phobic patients who suffer from severe anxiety do not visit the dentist for regular care. This results in more complex problems which require more invasive solutions, which in turn creates more fear and anxiety.

A recent study in the British Dental Journal has found that despite the advancement of modern techniques and the use of very effective anesthetics, patients still seem to maintain the same level of anxiety as they did years ago. The proportion was shown to be the same today as it was in the 1930’s.

Are you avoiding dental treatment because of fear? If so, the first thing you need to know is that you are in good company and there is nothing wrong with you. Next time I will discuss what positive things can be done to reduce your dental anxiety and allow you to get the treatment you need and want.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr S

Candy Buy Back 2010

2010-11-16T19:00:00.001-08:00

We collected 100 pounds this year. It has been sent to Operation Gratitude and will find itself overseas one day soon.

Thanks to all the children who shared their candy, parents who brought their children to the event, and Happy Valley Town Center businesses who made the goodie bags even cooler.

'Til next year, folks. (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)

Got Atlanta?

2010-11-16T17:00:00.001-08:00

We know our patients are busy and we try hard to respect their time. Our computer software is the glue that keeps everything from scheduling to charting to accounting humming. But when an opportunity arose to receive additional training, we jumped at the chance to improve our skills in the hopes it would improve our efficiency and ultimately be a benefit to our patients.

We were not disappointed! We hope you notice a positive change as we implement the knowledge in the next few months.

But since we were already there, Deon and Heidi felt the need for a small detour. Somehow they managed tickets on the 50 yard line for the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Baltimore Ravens game. The game (and their t-shirts) were a hit! (And inspired some fun ideas we will be talking about in the year to come . . . )

I Hate Flossing

2010-11-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

These are words my dental hygienist and I hear frequently. Sometimes they are said in defiance but more often they are spoken sheepishly with a sense of guilt, almost like a confession. If you have ever spoken, or even thought these dreadful words, I have three things to say to you.

First, you are not a bad person.

Second, you are not alone.

Thirdly, you have effective alternatives to flossing that can help you maintain optimum oral hygiene.

One of these alternatives is tooth picking. Wooden tooth picks work. We also have some specially designed plastic ones and others with a neat little serrated rubber tip. Whatever you use, be gentle and thorough. Intentionally clean the spaces between all your teeth, not just the ones where the big pieces of schmuck collect.

Waterpiks are another option. Research indicates that the water spray not only removes food debris, but actually penetrates and damages the thin biofilm that attaches the bacterial plaque to the teeth, thereby retarding both dental decay and periodontal disease.

Waterpiks are readily obtainable in a variety of styles. There are even portable devices that can be used in the shower. They all work--if you actually use them. I have a box of very simple Waterpiks that attach to your shower head and require no electric power source. I will give them away on a first-come-first-served basis, as long as my supply lasts, to anyone interested in trying one.

Here's the bottom line. If you are not flossing, for whatever reason, you don't need to avoid your dental hygienist our of guilt. Just experiment with something until you find something that works for you.

Yours for excellent health,

Dr. S

Stuffing of Another Kind

2010-11-15T13:42:00.001-08:00

Just a couple of weeks until Thanksgiving. Here's a recipe for "stuffing" of another kind. . .

Shauna Lugar, The Children's Center's (childrenscenter.cc)Development Director said, "We give each child an opportunity to pick out any stuffed animal and blanket in our quilt closet. It’s a sweet moment where they become a kid again with the only pressing problem to pick out the very best blanket and bear to snuggle. And while those who gift a stuffed animal and/or blanket to our kiddos will never see these sweet reactions, the Children’s Center is honored to facilitate this support and care from our community to our children. "

Women's Health Fair

2010-11-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Earlier this fall Stafford Smiles participated in one of Clackamas County's yearly staples, the Providence Women's Health Fair. This event is anticipated by many. We loved seeing mothers and daughters of various ages participating and enjoying the day together.

Each year speakers come and teach about a variety of topics at a luncheon and in classes throughout the day. We participated as a vendor, specifically offering free screening for sleep apnea for the participants and/or their loved ones who may suffer the symptoms.

Those who attended will remember our "straw test". We asked them to breathe through a straw effectively demonstrating how little someone with sleep apnea actually breathes when the airway is restricted at night during.

Congratulations to our raffle winner of a free sedation dental appointment!

2nd Annual Candy Buy Back

2010-11-01T15:25:00.001-07:00

Halloween has come and gone. But the candy is still around. What to do with the extras? Bring it to our 2nd Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back this

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

2:00-4:00 p.m.

Here are some fun scenes from last year:

Kids bring any candy they would like to sell.

Dr. Stafford weighs it. (Thanks, New Seasons for sharing your calibrated instrument with us!)

And then he pays cold hard cash. (This lucky girl even had parents and grandparents that matched funds!)

Take a minute at our writing station to send a note to the troops.

Last year we sent the candy to Dr. Stafford's son overseas. This year we will be shipping it to Operation Gratitude who will distribute it in many care packages.

We are hoping to double our collection to 200 pounds this year.

And let's not forget the fantastic prizes!

- iPod nano and other fun surprises from Stafford Smiles
- $500 off orthodontic treatment at Happy Valley Orthodontics
- free pizza from Round Table
- coupons from other Happy Valley Town Center vendors
- a NEW TOOTHBRUSH for everyone! (We are a dental office, after all!)

Invite your friends and come on down for a fun time supporting a great cause - we hope to see you!

Get the Candy Out of the House

2010-10-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again when bands of costumed children arrive at your door looking for sugary treats. A couple of days of candy binging is not likely to cause serious problems for any of them, or their teeth. But the huge amounts of candy that are currently collected in neighborhoods like ours can last for months. And that can be a health problem.

To help reduce this concern, we are holding our 2nd annual Halloween Candy Buy Back from 2-4 pm on Wednesday, November 3 at our office in Happy Valley Town Center. It’s very simple: the kids bring their candy, we weigh it, and they receive $1/pound. The candy is then shipped to Operation Gratitude, an organization that collects candy from all over the country and places it in care packages with other items for the troops overseas. The soldiers use the candy to create goodwill with the children in the area. We will have a card center where kids can create a message of appreciation to the troops, which will be added to the packages. Here is a link to a video showing the work of Operation Gratitude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYSQebRyTM4&feature

My son, Jonathan, is a captain in the US Army and has been deployed to Iraq. I know how much our support means to the men and women who are putting themselves into harm’s way every day.

To sweeten the deal we are having a drawing for some great prizes including an iPod nano and a $500 gift certificate toward orthodontic treatment with Dr. Tracy Ouyang.

So gather up your kids, their candy, and come on down to turn their candy into cash.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr. S

Stafford Smiles Hits Denver

2010-10-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

We went for work, but found time to play.

Killer Sleep

2010-10-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there is a serious health threat that is largely undiagnosed and can be easily screened by a dentist?

It is called sleep apnea and is a form of sleep disordered breathing that affects approximately 5% of the population. That percentage is much higher if you are a male over 50, overweight, and have a neck size over 17 inches in diameter.

In sleep apnea the upper airway is blocked by the surrounding tissue as it collapses during sleep. This reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream until it is so dangerously low that the sleep must be interrupted in order to get a good breath. The net result is a night of restless sleep and fatigue during the day. The health consequences of this low oxygen level are increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents.

The symptoms of sleep apnea are not rhythmic uninterrupted snoring, but rather prolonged periods of strained or non breathing punctuate by sudden gasps.

If you suspect that you or someone you know is affected by this serious health problems. I invite you to come to a short seminar at my office on Thursday, October 7. We will discuss sleep apnea in more detail, offer a screening test, and have a representative there to demonstrate a simple home test used to make a diagnosis. All of this is free, but I request an RSVP as space is limited.

For more information go to: GotGoodSleep.com

Yours for excellent detal health,
Dr. S

Killer Sleep

2010-10-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there is serious health threat that is largely undiagnosed and can be easily screened by a dentist? It is called sleep apnea and is a form of sleep disordered breathing that affects approximately 5% of the population. That percentage is much higher if you are a male over 50, overweight, and your neck is over 17 inches in diameter. In sleep apnea the upper airway is blocked by the surrounding tissue as it collapses during sleep. This reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream until it is so dangerously low that sleep must be interrupted in order to get a good breath. The net result is a night of restless sleep and fatigue during the day. The health consequences of this low oxygen level are increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents.

The symptoms of sleep apnea are not rhythmic uninterrupted snoring, but rather prolonged periods of strained or non breathing punctuated by sudden gasps.
If you suspect that you or someone you know is affected by this serious health problem, I invite you to come to a short seminar at my office on Thursday, Oct 7, at 5:30pm. We will discuss sleep apnea in more detail, offer a screening test, and have a representative there to demonstrate a simple home test used to make a diagnosis. All of this is free, but I request an RSVP as space is limited.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr. S

Trick or Treat?

2010-10-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

The annual costumed candy gathering is over. So now what to do with the mountains of decay inducing sweet stuff in the house? Not to worry. We have a plan for you. We are buying back the candy for $1/ pound on Wednesday, November 3 from 2-4 pm at our office, Stafford Smiles, in the Happy Valley Town Center. If you missed the details in our last article, go to our website, StaffordSmiles.net, and click on the blog link. There you will find more information and photos of the event from last year. I hope to see you this afternoon!

Sugar, as you know, often turns out to be a trick, not a treat as it causes tooth decay and other negative health consequences. But have you heard about xylitol? This is an artificial sweetener that not only does not produce tooth decay, but can actually reduce it. A recent study suggests that only 6 grams of xylitol a day are needed to prevent bacteria from causing cavities. To get the benefits of this product, look for it as the primary sweetener in the ingredient list for the gum or breath-freshening mints you buy.

Since products containing xylitol are somewhat uncommon in this country, here is a link to a company that sells xylitol sweetened gum and mints in case you have a hard time finding them in stores. www.epicdental.com. Epic makes it easy to get your 6 grams a day through their great-tasting, diabetic-friendly, and sugar free xylitol products! Check out their website. This is one of the easiest ways I know of to fight tooth decay.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr.S

The Secret to Saving $$ on Your Dental Bills

2010-09-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

The secret is simple—regular preventive maintenance visits. In general, people who want to keep their teeth all of their life will spend less money if they follow their dentist’s recommended maintenance interval than if they only make appointments when they have symptoms.

This may seem counter intuitive, but I can support this from my own observations over the years. Often I will see a patient who has not been in for many years because they lost their dental insurance and did not want to pay for maintenance out of pocket. They present with problems that will cost much more to repair than what they would have spent on preventive visits and early treatment. In addition the outcome and the longevity of the repair will not be as good.

The statistics are pretty consistent over the years. About half of the population understands the value and has a dental visit at least once a year. The other half does not. Unless you are unusually resistant to both dental decay and gum disease, you are not saving money by staying away from the dentist. The CDC estimates that approximately 1/3 of the population has untreated dental decay. By the time that cavity starts to hurt, you will be facing a much greater expense than the cost of early diagnosis and treatment.

Bottom line: economics are not a good reason to avoid the dentist. Next time we will address the other major barrier—FEAR.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr. S

Is there Hazardous Waste in your Mouth?

2010-09-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

A 2006 survey revealed that 72% of the respondents were not aware that mercury was a main component of dental amalgam fillings. Here are some facts you should know:

-The content of what we in the dental profession call “silver amalgam” is approximately 50% mercury.

-All amalgam fillings emit mercury vapor throughout their life. The amount of vapor is related to the size and number of amalgam fillings plus chewing habits.

-Mercury vapor from amalgam fillings is absorbed by the body and accumulates in various organs.

-Dental amalgam is the most common form of exposure to elemental mercury in the general population.

-Mercury in the body of a pregnant woman will cross the placental barrier and enter the fetus .

-Each individual has their own threshold at which mercury contamination becomes a health problem. This threshold can change due to aging and other immune system challenges.

-The Oregon DEQ requires dentists to handle scrap amalgam left over from fillings as hazardous waste.

-An FDA news release dated July 28, 2009, stated that the levels of elemental mercury released by dental amalgam fillings are not high enough to cause harm in patients.

-There are good studies published in peer reviewed journals supporting both sides of the question about whether dental amalgam fillings pose a health hazard to the general population.

So are amalgam fillings safe? Should you get all of your amalgam fillings replaced right away? Maybe, maybe not. First educate yourself. I would be glad to consult with you. Also Jeff Clark, ND, is an excellent local resource (drjeffclark@truehealthmedicine.com) as is the IAOMT (iaomt.org)

I will cover more on this subject next time. I welcome your opinions and stories, so please use my email address to contact me.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr. S

Conquering Dental Anxiety

2010-09-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

Last time I discussed the prevalence of dental phobia and reassured you that if you have dental anxiety you are not alone. I pointed out that avoiding the dentist just leads to greater problems and more anxiety. So what is a more productive way to deal with your fear of the dentist?

1. Don’t wait till it hurts. Deal with the problem before you have acute pain. You need to take it slow and when you have severe pain, that’s not possible.

2. Find a dental office that understands your situation. It takes a lot of courage to pick up the phone and call a dentist so don’t give up at this point just because the first person you called was impatient with you.

3. Schedule a get acquainted visit. Many offices will do this free of charge. Find out if there is a non-clinical area to talk with the dentist and the staff to see if it is a good fit.

4. Make sure that the doctor offers different kinds of sedation. Oregon requires an additional endorsement on the dental license specific to the type of sedation offered.

5. Discuss your fears with the dentist and staff and work out a plan to get back into optimum dental health at a rate you are comfortable with.
Dentistry is different than it was 10 years ago. And you will be surprised at how well you can overcome your fear by taking it slowly before you have pain and using modern methods of sedation.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr. S

In-ci-DENTAL-ly

2010-08-25T22:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome and thanks for checking out this new column about dental health. I am looking forward to providing useful answers to common questions that I have heard from my patients. I will be writing every other week and plan to cover a wide variety of topics that will be helpful. I will discuss:

Dental care: pregnancy through the senior years

Fluoride: children only?

Mercury in dental fillings: are they safe?

Dental implants: are they right for you?

Teeth whitening: how do I get the best results?

New technologies in dentistry

Painless & anxiety-free dentistry: it IS possible!

Lifesaver: a dental solution to a little understood, but major health risk

I hope this creates a little curiosity about what is to come. We begin the next week answering the question, “What are dental implants, and what can they do for me?”

I’d love to create a dialogue, so please send your comments or questions to me at doctor@staffordsmiles.net or post to our blog (StaffordSmiles.blogspot.com) All of the columns will be archived through our web page for a reference or to share with others.

Yours for better dental health,
Dr. S

Relay for Life Wrap Up 2010

2010-07-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

Just a little reminder of our 2010 Relay for Life experience.

Implant Seminar

2010-06-17T17:15:00.001-07:00

Last month we held our first in-office seminar for our patients and the public on the subject of dental implants.

No longer considered experimental, the success rate for dental implants is so high that they are now the treatment choice for replacing teeth. To insure the very highest rate of success for our patients, Stafford Smiles works with a team of professionals involving an implant manufacturer, dental surgeon, lab technician, and Dr. Stafford. Dr. Stafford acts as the quarterback for the team, developing the plan and taking responsibility for the final outcome.

Each part of this team shared information regarding their particular step in the implant process. The remainder of time was spent answering questions. Those who attended felt like the information was valuable and that they acquired a much better understanding and appreciation for the entire process.

Here is a summary of the event:

Stafford Smiles - Dental Implant Seminar from Matrix Video on Vimeo.

If you have questions, please let us know in the comments below or email doctor@staffordsmiles.net.

Inspiring Power

2010-06-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

I sing with the Oregon Adventist Men's Chorus and had the opportunity to travel to Romania to sing with them last spring. We joined with a men's chorus from that country and toured together singing sacred choral music in churches, cathedrals, and concert halls. It was truly an amazing experience. You can see some video clips from that trip at oamc.org/romania.asp.

This spring the chorus from Romania has come to the United States to sing with us here. We begin our NW concert tour on Wednesday night in Salem and end with a concert in Vancouver on Sunday, June 20. We will be accompanied by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. I am excited to renew friendships with men from Romania that I met last year and to have the opportunity once more to join them in sharing the gospel through music. If you are interested in attending the Vancouver concert, tickets are available through oamc.org.hh.

Ironman . . .Almost

2010-06-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago I completed a triathlon at Blue Lake Park. This was an accomplishment for me and consisted of an 800 meter swim, a 20K bike ride and a 5K run. Don't confuse it with the Ironman in Kona. That is about 8 times these distances.

For me it is all about having the motivation to train. Knowing I have a triathlon coming up motivates me to run when it is raining, to bike when it is cold, and to go to the pool when I am tired. My ultimate goal is improved health, particularly cardiac health, as I have a family history for cardiovascular disease. However, that goal is harder to get my arms around. Sure I can measure my triglycerides, blood lipids, and blood pressure, but that doesn't motivate me like knowing that on a certain morning in the near future I will be standing in the water with a bunch of others getting ready to swim, bike, and run as fast as I can.

Greg, the husband of our hygienist, Deon, completed the Olympic distance which is twice as long. I now have a new goal for August. I'd better go train--I only have two months to go.

IMPLANTS: the Who, What, & Why

2010-05-25T16:36:00.001-07:00

Dr. Stafford is putting on his speaker-extraordinaire-hat and hosting a seminar on dental implants. Here are some of the questions he will answer:

What are they?
What can they do?
What is the installation process?
Does it hurt?
How long does it last?
How much do they cost?
Am I a candidate?

An oral surgeon, an implant manufacturer's representative will also be there to answer all of your questions.

Come join us Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. for delicious dessert and receive a $500 voucher towards implant services.

Space is limited. Please R.S.V.P.

Relay-Cancer Does Not Stop for Nighttime

2010-05-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

8 days until Relay! Some may think we are nuts to walk through the night. But the following explains why we do it:

"Relay for Life is overnight because cancer never sleeps. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotion, and mental states of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.

The Relay begins when the sun is in the sky. This symbolizes the tie that the person has been diagnosed as having cancer. The day gets darker and this represents the cancer patient's state of mind as they feel that their life is coming to an end.

As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient does. The 1:00/2:00 a.m. hour represents the time when the cancer patient starts treatment. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As a participant, you have been walking and feel much the same way. You are tired, want to sleep, maybe even want to go home, but you cannot stop or give up.

The 4:00/5:00 a.m. hours represent the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again, they are tired, but they know they will make it.

The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient. As a participant, you will feel the brightness of the morning and know that the end of Relay is close at hand.

When you leave Relay, think of the cancer patient leaving their last treatment. Just as you are exhausted and weak, so is that person after treatment.

Remember: There is no finish line until we find a cure.

Relay for Life

2010-05-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

Stafford Smiles is thrilled to be sponsoring and participating in Oregon City’s 2010 Relay for Life June 26-27 at Clackamas Community College. This fabulous event raises awareness for ALL types of cancers while raising money to support those fighting the disease now and celebrating with those who are survivors.

The event is held for 24 hours to symbolize that cancer does not rest. Over 50 teams have committed to have a representative on the track (walking, running, riding in a wagon) during that period of time. The time is filled with many events (kids’ carnival and parade, watermelon eating contest, live bands, silent auction just to name a few.)

The event is kicked off with survivors, donned in purple t-shirts, walking the first lap. Then all are invited to walk. The highlight of the evening is luminaries lighting. Bags with messages and images of loved ones, are lit with candles and provide the track’s light at night and into the dawn.

Our office has set a goal to raise $2000 as a team. We hope to do that through fundraising and donations. We’d love to have your support.

Please consider joining our team or participating as a survivor. Follow this link:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=33294&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=21952 , come to the office or call for help over the phone.

Questions, Ideas and Smart Remarks . . .

2010-05-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

As Stafford Smiles enters the blogging world, we hope to provide information that is useful for your health, your family or just to have if ever needed. We love what we do and could wax on about many topics. And we will.

BUT . . .

We also want to know what questions you may have for us. Do you have a great idea that we should discuss? Or do you just have smart remarks?

In case you need a little incentive to share your thoughts or become a follower, we will enter each response posted into a drawing for $25. More comments = better chances!

The winner will be announced June 1, 2010.

Champion for Children

2010-05-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, Stafford Smiles hosted a table at the Clackamas Children's Center Champion for Children Luncheon at the Oregon Golf Club in West Linn.

More than 400 participants gathered to support the Center as they help the vulnerable children of our county.

Tracy Barry, of KGW NewsChannel 8, was a delightful Master of Ceremonies.

The Center's director, Tonia Hunt, spoke of the purpose and mission of the Center as a safe place for children to receive the most skilled help. It was heartbreaking to hear that there are times when the Center must turn children to other sources of help (emergency rooms, pediatricians, etc.) due to the size limitations of their facility. Because of this, the Center has aggressively campaigned to raise money to enlarge the facility, and in turn, help more children.

Women look on as they hear the news that last month alone, the Center served 68 children.

Dr. Wendy Bourg Ransford spoke to the group regarding the importance of supporting the women who in turn support the children as they recover.

And then there were the cakes. . .

Market of Choice proudly makes and donates a different cake for each table. They were as delicious as they were beautiful.

We were happy to help in our small way. Please consider joining our table next year.

Texas Travels

2010-05-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from Grapevine, Texas and the annual session of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry which was held there. This is my favorite meeting each year because of the quality of the presentations, the opportunity to rub shoulders with the luminaries of the profession, the hands on workshops, and the networking with other dentists who have a similar practice vision.

The location was the Gaylord Texan which is an excellent venue because it has hotel rooms, restaurants, and a convention center all on the same campus and all within walking distance. This makes it easy to access the educational offerings and enhances the networking opportunities.

I was a little disappointed in Grapevine itself because I had borrowed a hat and picked up some boots at Goodwill so I would fit in with the local culture. What I discovered was that people there dressed pretty much the same as anyone in Happy Valley. No bolo ties or chrome belt buckles! I’ve since heard that maybe west Texas would be a little more like what I was expecting.

The challenge that I always come home with from this meeting is to raise the bar of what I offer my patients, I always learn new ways to improve what I can do in terms of health, natural beauty, function, durability, and comfort. And this is really my passion—to learn how to best restore these features when they have been lost due to disease or dysfunction in a way that most closely mimics nature. To this end, here is a description of the courses that were really valuable to me.

I took a hands on workshop for posterior composite placement with an emphasis on reproducing the original contours and surface shape. An optimum restoration involves more than removing the damage and filling in the hole. The restored tooth should look and function as much like the original as possible. This is significant because the new tooth colored composite materials require totally different placement techniques to achieve the best results. We cannot simply use the old mercury amalgam techniques with the new materials and expect a good outcome. I have been doing these types of restorations for over 15 years and there is always something new to learn.

I learned about the subtleties of replacing an anterior tooth in a way that makes it appear to have never been missing. This can be done with either a fixed bridge or more recently with an implant. Matching the color to the adjacent teeth is obviously critical but other considerations are equally important such as the shape of the replacement and the contours of the tissue surrounding the artificial tooth. The work necessary to achieve these results is different in every situation but requires dedicated time and attention and often the services of other dental specialists as well as clear communication with an excellent dental lab technician.

I did a workshop on adding implant retention to an existing mandibular denture. This has become a very predictable technique and is the treatment of choice in cases where patients want more stability for their lower denture. This procedure also prevents the progressive loss of bone that is normally associated with a lower denture. Any amount of stability can be achieved depending on the number of implants placed. The most popular choice is two implants placed near the front that stabilize the denture even though it is still supported by the tissue for chewing.

I listened to a lecture on the selection of ceramic materials for tooth restorations. When I began my career there were no options. If I wanted to make a tooth colored restoration, I used a porcelain fused to gold crown—period, end of discussion. In 2010 there are a plethora of tooth colored materials to choose from, all with different characteristics, and various advantages and disadvantages. It is important to stay current in this area to know how to recommend the best material for each individual situation.

It was an excellent meeting as always. And, as always, I feel like I was drinking water from a fire hose for four days. But in the end it is about me becoming a better clinician and you getting best dentistry available.

Welcome

2010-04-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

"Dentistry with a Difference" is Stafford Smiles' tag line. You can find it on our business cards, within our web page and hanging as a sign on our walls. But most importantly, we hope this is evident in the actions in our office, our dentistry, our health recommendations, our interactions, our community, and our world. This blog is a place for us to share those differences with you.

Welcome!

Stafford Smiles - dentistry with a difference

2010-04-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

The minute you walk through the door or call to schedule an appointment, you will know you’ve come to the right place. Specializing in modern, cosmetic and comfortable dentistry, we utilize only the most advanced techniques and materials available. Visit our practice to experience the level of service and care that you deserve from your dental practice. For your free consultation or more information please contact us at www.staffordsmiles.net .