Is It Time To Replace Your Old Fillings With Composite Fillings?

Spring is here with summer just around the corner!  

With the change in seasons, our thoughts turn to projects like gardening, fixing up the house and maybe even renovations.  If you are in the mindset for sprucing things up, it might be an ideal time to think about refreshing your smile.

A simple and effective way to “touch up” your smile is by replacing any amalgam (also known as silver or mercury) fillings you have with white ones.  Not only do amalgam fillings look dark and unnatural, they present another issue that is of even greater concern.  Amalgams are typically not bonded to the tooth structure and are placed in a considerably weakened tooth due to decay removal and requirement for a larger preparation to accommodate the material.  The metals in amalgam fillings also expand and contract as you eat hot and cold foods at a rate higher than that of your natural teeth.  This expansion and contraction over the life of the filling creates cracks in teeth, making them weaker, and can eventually lead to a portion of your tooth breaking off... usually when you least expect it!    Composite fillings look natural and they expand and contract at a rate much closer to that of  your natural tooth.  These fillings are also bonded to the tooth structure, restoring the tooth back to 90 - 95% of its original strength.


If you’re embarrassed by your old fillings and tired of hiding your smile, ask us about composite fillings.


What are Composite or White Fillings? 
Composite fillings (or white fillings) are made of a porcelain-like material that bonds to the tooth for a tight seal. They are strong, stain-resistant, and colour-matched to the natural tooth, making them essentially ‘invisible’.

Before Amalgams Removed

How are fillings done?

In filling teeth, areas of decay and old filling material are removed and replaced with a composite restorative material.  A local anaesthetic is most often administered to numb the area and make for a comfortable, positive experience.

After Composites Completed

Why do I need fillings?

Once a cavity starts, it continues to spread into the deeper parts of the tooth affecting the pulp leading to nerve damage and may even result in an abscess.  In the process, it destroys the tooth structure making the tooth weaker and possibly resulting in a fracture.  Early treatment is less painful, less expensive and preserves more tooth structure.

Should I change my amalgam fillings to white fillings?

If aesthetics is a major concern, then you should discuss with your dental professional the best options for replacement of your amalgams with either composites or porcelain restorations.  

Remember that the presence of mercury in amalgams alone is not considered a sufficient reason by the dental community to replace them.  However, amalgam was first used as a filling material for teeth as early as the mid 1800's and has not changed much in formulation since then.  There are far better materials available to us in dentistry today.  When was the last time you used something that has not advanced technologically in the last 150 years?  If it appears that the tooth structure is significantly compromised by large amalgam restorations, it may be in your best interest to take preventive measures and replace them before a larger problem presents itself.  

If you are concerned about your amalgam fillings, feel free to discuss this with us.

Your smile will thank you!


Photos taken at Acreview Dental Clinic with permission of participant.

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear!

Here’s an interesting quiz for you.

Who originally dispensed the famous recommendation to “see your dentist twice a year?”

We all know it’s true (or do we???) – so when and where do you think that bit of advice originated?

 a)      The American Dental Association in 1933

 b)      The world’s first dental college – The University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1845

 c)      An article in The Journal of Oral Surgery by Dr. Henry Horseacre in 1909 entitled “Proper

         Protocol for Dental Cleanings.”

 d)     A radio ad for Pepsodent Toothpaste in 1929

Believe it or not, if you guessed “d” you are correct!

Most of us know the famous order to “see your dentist twice a year.” Some insurance companies even use that interval to define their standards for payment. But the fact is that phrase was developed with no scientific basis at all – and to sell toothpaste!

Another example of this logic was the ad campaign for Pear’s Soap in the late 1800s. The slogan “Have you used Pear’s soap today” ushered in the habit of daily bathing! And while that was certainly a good thing, the fact is that we are all different and to expect that everyone requires the same schedule for their health needs just doesn’t make sense.

When you wash your hair, do you “rinse and repeat?” Do you associate diamonds with engagement rings? Are you convinced that Volvo builds the safest cars? If so, you’ve been influenced by advertising, not necessarily facts. Don’t worry – we are all guilty of it!

At Acreview Dental Clinic, we don’t believe in a cookie cutter approach when your health is involved. In order to determine the correct dental treatment for you (including how often you should have your teeth cleaned) we perform a thorough examination, checking your teeth, gums, medical history, bite, jaw muscles and more. We even do an oral cancer screening at every check-up.

Everyone is different, so despite what the ad men from Pepsodent once said, let’s scientifically determine the correct schedule for your dental visits by looking at the facts, not an ad slogan. Then you can look forward to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums – and keep smiling forever!

If you have any questions or you would like to schedule a visit, please call (250) 338-9085.

We are here to help you!

A Confident Smile

Did you know that your smile is one of the first things

that people notice about you? 

Ray Shares his positive experience at Acreview Dental Clinic...

Here are the top three things that men and women notice about each other.


What WOMEN notice first...

1. Smile
2. Eyes
3. Clothing

What MEN notice first...

1. Eyes
2. Smile
3. Body

Does your smile needs a little brightening?

Stain and discolouration can dampen your smile.  There are many different stain removers available.  Most over-the-counter products are unable to deliver the results consumers are expecting.  Depending on the type and source of staining, some products won't work at all while others offer a temporary solution.

Surface stains are caused by strong discolouring agents such as coffee, tea and tobacco.  If these are the unsightly stains you wish to remove, a professional polishing with a coarse but gentle cleaning paste will do the trick.  Along with regular brushing and flossing, this will ensure a longer lasting bright smile.

Some stains are harder to remove because they are trapped in tiny fractures in the tooth surface.  These micro cracks are so small they don't become visible until they get stained by food or tobacco.  The only way to beat these stains is with professional whitening or bonding, a treatment that fills in and covers micro cracks with a tooth-colored material.

Even darker surface stains are caused by dark plaque and tartar buildup in areas around the gumline, often on the lower front teeth.  An in-office technique called scaling, performed by your hygienist, will assist in removing these especially difficult stains.

The toughest stains are the kind that become part of the tooth structure.  Bright white splotches on, or brownish gray bands across the teeth can be caused by faulty hardening of the tooth before birth or by tetracycline treatment.  You can also develop deep stains from decay and from old fillings.  Only professional whitening and masking techniques will revive smiles that have been dulled by the very toughest of stains.

Consult a Dental Professional

Almost anyone can benefit from teeth whitening.  Of course, there are many reasons for discolouration and not everyone will experience the same results.  That's why it is important to involve a dental professional.  There are many factors that play into what kind of whitening is right for you, and a dental professional will help you achieve the best results possible.

For more information on professional whitening or to schedule your regular hygiene appointment, please give us a call at (250) 338-9085 and one of our receptionists will be happy to assist you.

Early Detection Saves Lives

Free Oral Cancer Screening Exams

April is DentalHealth Month and Daffodil Days for the Canadian Cancer Society.

To support both of these campaigns, promoting dental health and cancer awareness, Acreview Dental Clinic will be providing an opportunity for the public to receive free Oral Cancer Screening Exams.

With oral cancer on the rise, screenings to discover any potentially dangerous conditions in your mouth are of the utmost importance.  One person every hour of the day dies in the US alone from Oral Cancer.  In its early stages it may not produce symptoms that you notice so a thorough screening by a trained professional is essential.  When found early, this disease is highly survivable.  Many times it can even be found as precancerous tissue changes, the best of all possible situations.  Oral cancer screenings involve both a visual and tactile screening and are totally painless.  Our office also utilizes a new adjunctive tool, the Velscope, which uses a special wavelength of blue light to help us identify suspicious tissues in your mouth.  With it we are able to enhance the early detection of oral cancer.

Who should get screened?

Every adult. Oral cancer can often be caught early, even as a pre-cancer. With early detection, survival rates are high and the side effects are from treatment are at their lowest. Like other screenings you engage in such as cervical, skin, prostate, colon and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at its early, highly curable stages. Make them part of your annual health check-ups.

What are the risk factors?

There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), which is now the leading cause of oral cancers in the US, and the same one, which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. The quickest growing segment of the oral cancer population are young, healthy, non-smokers due to the connection to this virus.

Dr. Karamanis, Dr. Burry and our entire dental team are looking forward to being able to offer those that attend our event, the highest quality of care with regard to oral cancer screening, and on this date, three and a half hours have been set aside to see individuals who need screenings.  It is not necessary that you have been a previous patient in our practice as this event is open to the public.  HOWEVER, the number of screening time slots is limited so register with us early to ensure a spot in the schedule.

For complete details, or to answer any questions that you may have, we urge you to contact us at the number or email below.  We look forward to seeing you for your annual exam. 

Cost:          Free, Donations will be accepted on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society
                               in support of Daffodil Days

When:         Friday, April 20, 2012 from 12:30 – 4:00 pm

Where:       116 – 750 Comox Road, Courtenay, BC V9N 3P6

Contact:     Gillian or Louise (250) 338-9085

                      Email: acreviewdental@shaw.ca

For more information about our clinic, visit our website at http://acreviewdental.com/

WELCOME SPRING!

Spring is Here and it is time for Spring Cleaning...

Spring is finally here!  It is time to dust off and brighten up all those dark corners... including your teeth!  Spring is a great time to book your recall cleaning at the dental office.

With teeth and gums in good shape, a hygienist or dentist can examine and clean your teeth in the same appointment.  If periodontal disease is present, it may require more than one appointment for our hygienist to thoroughly clean and polish all exposed tooth and root surfaces.  

Potential problems can be detected and contributing factors can be addressed.  Your teeth will receive a thorough cleaning, removing all debris, plaque and calculus that have accumulated around your teeth and early signs of decay can be noted.  Fluoride is recommended and a radiograph or two may be required to see those hard to get at places between your teeth.

Brushing Technique Review

 You may even get a refresher on how to care for your teeth at home!

Regular maintenance of your teeth, as with most other things, is the best way to avoid major repairs.  So when you set out your plan for spring cleaning, remember to include your teeth.

If you have had your spring dental cleaning and are thinking of brightening your smile further, call our office at (250) 338-9085 or visit our web site www.acreviewdental.com

 for more information on the options for whitening that we offer.

Good For Your Waistline, But Not Your Teeth!

If your new year’s resolution is to trim your waistline, be sure you are not affecting your teeth!  You may think that if you are drinking diet soda that your teeth are safe from the dangers of sugar.  We all know that sugar contributes to the development of tooth decay.  What you may not realize is diet pop can do almost as much damage to your teeth.  Diet sodas don’t have any sugar, but they do contain larger amounts of phosphoric and citric acid to enhance flavour.

These acids attack the enamel that protects your teeth which means you’re much more likely to get cavities and to develop irritations, cracks and sensitivity to cold.  People with orthodontic appliances (braces)) may be even more prone to decay, especially if they do not practice excellent oral hygiene. 

Any highly acidic drink can spell trouble including pineapple, orange and other fruit juices and sodas.

A tall glass of water following the consumption of highly acidic drinks will help, but the best way to reduce your risk is to brush your teeth.  Better yet, why not choose the very best thirst quencher?  Water has no fat, no caffeine, and no acid!

Dentists treat you, not your dental plan

According to the 2010 Canadian Health Measures Survey, 62% of Canadians have a dental plan, but many don't realize that group plans aren't designed to meet individual health needs.  "Dental plans are a valuable component of extended health benefits and are designed to offset the cost of dental treatment," says President of the BCDA.  "Understanding how dental insurance plans work can help patients make informed choices in partnership with their dentist or dental specialist.

Dentist's Responsibility

Just like your physician, your dentist is highly trained.  Treatment recommendations are based on your dental health needs, not dictated by your dental coverage.  A dental plan is a contract between a third party (such as your employer), and the insurance company.  The procedures and percentages covered are determined by the contract, not your dentist.

Your dentist can help you understand your coverage and assist you in getting pre-authorizations for treatment.  This will provide you with a good estimate, before treatment begins, of what will be covered by your plan, and what you will have to pay. 

Coverage Varies

Your dental coverage is part of your benefits plan, not based on your (or your family's) dental care needs.  Every dental plan is different.  Coverage varies based on what services are covered in the contract; percentage of fees covered for each service; and yearly maximums.  It is the plan purchaser, such as your union or employer, who determines what is covered when they purchase your plan -- not your dentist.

Patient's Responsibility

Dental office staff are not experts on your plan.  It is your responsibility to know your plan coverage, including any changes.  Ask your benefits manager or insurance provider for a plan booklet or information on your specific coverage.

The Co-Payment 

Regardless of the actual costs, most dental plans cover between 50% to 80% of the cost of dental care.  Any portion of the price not covered by your plan must be paid by you, and is referred to as the co-payment.  The claim form submitted to your insurance company is a contract.  Your dentist has an ethical and legal obligation to collect the co-payment from you.

As a service to you, at Acreview Dental Clinic, we bill the insurance company directly for the covered portion of treatment.  Dentists are not required to do this.  The full cost of the procedure, including the co-payment or the cost of any services not covered by the plan must be collected from the patient at the time the treatment is provided. 

How are dental costs determined?

The BCDA produces an annual suggested fee guide for dentists and dental specialists in BC. the majority of insurance plans base coverage percentages on this guide.

Dentists in Canada do not follow a fee schedule and set their prices to cover: lab costs and quality of materials required for your procedure paid for directly by the dentist; salaries; rent; mandatory continuing education; equipment; and all related costs in running their dental practice.

Source: British Columbia Dental Association

For more information visit the British Columbia Dental Association web site.