What You Need to Know About White Spots and Braces

Written by: Dr. Argiro Kechagia, Specialist Orthodontist

A very common problem that can occur while a patient has braces is the formation of white spots during treatment and it is always a bit disappointing to find that your teeth are marked with chalky white patches after your braces are removed.

But why?

Many believe that braces can cause these spots to appear, but in reality they are the result of plaque build-up just like any other form of tooth decay. These chalky patches, or dental decalcification, affect 24% of all teenagers without braces. That number jumps up to 50% in teenagers with braces. Although braces are not directly responsible for causing these white spots to form on your teeth, they can complicate the process of plaque removal. The white, chalky marks on the teeth appear when acids created by the plaque, remove minerals from the tooth surface and change the way it reflects light. Decalcification, most commonly affects the region between the gums and the brackets where plaque is most difficult to remove. So, braces do not cause white spots, bad oral hygiene does!

Can I prevent it?

Of course you can; and it is very simple, brush your teeth. Keep the plaque to a minimum. When you brush, be sure to focus on the areas that are obstructed by your brackets and wires, place the bristles of your brush underneath the wire. Finally, try to avoid having sodas and other foods that are high in sugar and acid, as these build plaque fast.

What if I have them already? Can I make them disappear?

1. The first step is to improve your oral hygiene with meticulous brushing in order to give some time (around 6 months) to the enamel to re-mineralize the affected tooth surfaces. All white spots improve some with time and minor ones may disappear altogether.
2. After 6 months our dentist can give you low concentration fluoride rinses and remineralization pastes that can be used in order to improve further the appearance of white spots.
3. Alternatively, bleaching, as it lightens the enamel, can make white spots to blend in better and actually improve as the effects of the bleaching wear off.
4. A newer technique, known as “caries infiltration,” involves injecting a liquid tooth-colored resin, which has optical properties closer to natural enamel, beneath the surface enamel in the area of the white spot. This makes the spot less opaque and more translucent like normal enamel.
5. For more severe problems, your dentist may perform microabrasion (removing superficial white spots), cosmetic bonding (replacing damaged enamel), or place porcelain veneers (covering badly damaged surfaces).

 Always remember that the best treatment is prevention.

5 Most Common Questions on Brushing Kid's Teeth

Written by Dr. Carol Onyango, Specialist Pediatric Dentist

Moms and dads, here are five things you need to know about brushing your little one’s teeth.

1. When should I start brushing my child's teeth?

You should start brushing your child's teeth when the first baby tooth erupts (grows in the mouth).

2. What's the right way to brush my child's teeth?

The best way to brush your child's teeth is in a circular motion with a soft toothbrush of age-appropriate size. All surfaces of all teeth should be brushed to help dislodge food and reduce bacteria plaque levels.

3. How much toothpaste should my child use? Should I use a fluoride toothpaste?

Fluoride in the right amount is safe and effective in preventing and controlling tooth decay; and fluoride toothpaste is recommended twice daily.

A smear amount of fluoride toothpaste should be used for children under age 3, while children 3-8 years old should use a pea-sized amount.

4. When can my child start brushing on his/her own?

Your child can start brushing their own teeth when they can hold a brush well. However, this does not mean that they will brush well and there is no specific age when a child will do this. Supervision and assistance is needed for all children and can in some instances, continue into adolescence.

5. What can I do if my child refuse to brush his/her teeth?

Many young children will give parents a hard time with brushing but it's important to persevere through the process because a healthy mouth is much better than the consequences of tooth decay and gum disease. While visiting your pediatric dentist, they can demonstrate how this can be done to make the process quicker while still efficient.

Dr. Michael's Blog: Top 100 Dental Blogs in the World

23rd February 2016, Dubai, UAE: Great news! Anuj Agarwal, Founder of Feedspot, has announced that Dr. Michael’s Dental Blog & Beyond ranks #6 out of all the dental blogs in the world!

“After extensive research, our editorial team has come up with 100 of the best, most valuable, informative and up-to-date blogs exploring the latest news and issues of the heart of dentistry and oral health including opinion, comments, facts, tips and information from leading dental experts in the world,” Anuj wrote.

“I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of top Dental blogs on the internet and I’m honoured to have you as part of this!!”

“We are more than thrilled that all our hard work paid off. Our team started the blog in February 2012 and has written 224 articles up to this date,”said Dr. Michael Formenius.

“The goal was to be the best and most consistent source of everything dental in the entire region. Our team wrote day in and day out covering every dental topic imaginable. We have a great team at Dr. Michael’s. Congratulations, everyone!”

One thing is for sure, we won’t be parking our pens (or our computers) anytime soon.

Thank you, Feedspot!

Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic in Dubai Welcomes American Board Certified Pediatric Dentist to its Team

14^th February 2016, Dubai, UAE: Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, the leading and most advanced dental health care provider in the region, welcomes American Board Certified Specialist Pediatric Dentist Dr. Carol Onyango DMD, MPH to its team of Specialist Pedodontists.

Dr. Carol completed her B.S. degree in Biochemistry and graduated Summa cum Laude from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2003. Four years later, she received her DMD from the University of Connecticut - School of Medicine and Dental Medicine. She earned her Specialization in Pediatric Dentistry from Columbia University, New York in 2009 and successfully completed her Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Dental Leadership from the same institution in 2010. Pursuing further studies, Dr. Carol received her Masters of Public Health degree from King’s College London in 2011.

“I needed a specialty that was challenging, exciting and varied on a day to day basis,” said Dr. Carol.  “Pediatric dentistry fit me like a glove. There is never a dull moment working with children; they keep me on my toes and make me smile very often.”

Before joining Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, Dr. Carol teamed up with other physicians and dentists and served as the sole Pediatric Dentist for one of the U.S. Government Health Centres in Germany serving a community of over a thousand children.

She also worked as a Pediatric Dental Resident in New York where she treated patients under conscious sedation and general anesthesia, collaborated with various specialists in the management of patients with complicated craniofacial disorders and treated patients in both the Adult and Pediatric Emergency Department. She offers full-scale dental health services, oral health literacy, early detection of oral diseases and risk intervention.

She is a strong advocate of preventive oral health care for underserved communities and has been a dental volunteer in several countries since 2004.

“Child oral health tends to lack priority on the health agenda of many countries, yet oral health diseases in children are on the rise globally. This needs to change and I hope to be a part of it through child oral health philanthropy projects which I am passionate about.”

“Over the years, I have volunteered in Kenya, Belize, Dominican Republic and several states in America.  I also serve as the African Region consultant for the Global Child Dental Fund and served as an oral health working group executive for the World Federation of Public Health Associations.“

Dr. Carol is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, American Dental Association and the New York State Dental Association.

To schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Carol, please visit www.drmichaels.com to book an appointment online, or call Dr. Michael’s Children’s Dental Center in Umm Suqeim at 04-3397700.

 About Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic

Founded in 1997, Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic represents the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art, multispecialty dentistry in Dubai, UAE. It has assembled a team of international dental specialists, hygienists and support staff for general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, implantology, orthodontics, prosthodontics and pediatric dentistry, serving nearly 40,000 patients in and around the UAE.

ENDS

Media enquiry

For further information, please contact:

Maria Cristina Cubacub

Marketing Director

Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic

cristina@drmichaels.com

Contact No: +971564423078  

Distinguished Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Joins Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic in Dubai

14^th February 2016, Dubai, UAE: Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, the leading and most advanced dental health care provider in the region, is proud to welcome Dr. Walter Goriwoda, MD, DMD to its team of dental experts.

Dr. Walter Goriwoda is a well-published Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who brings to Dr. Michael’s his many years of specialized training in Germany, Austria, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

His major fields of clinical interests include oral and dentoalveolar surgery (including complex dental rehabilitation via augmentation/distraction procedures), maxillofacial traumatology (experiences in 3-D navigated surgery), orthognathic surgery (surgical correction of skeletal jaw discrepancies) and facial aesthetic surgical procedures (blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, genioplasty, facial implants).

“Maxillofacial surgery is a very delicate and precise type of surgery, which I find very appealing. It is visible surgery and highly aesthetic.”

Dr. Walter received his medical degree (MD) from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany in 1999 and earned his conferral of doctorate (MD) from the University of Freiburg – Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany in 2005. He graduated in Dentistry (DMD) from the University of Vienna, Austria and received his conferral of doctorate (DMD) from Medical University Vienna, Austria in 2005.

Before moving to Dubai, Dr. Walter was a lecturer and clinical instructor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Medical University Innsbruck (Austria). He was a Specialist Registrar at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Private University Salzburg (Austria), a Specialist Registrar at the Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery at University Hospital Zurich (Switzerland) and a Consultant at the Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery at University Hospital Innsbruck in Austria.

As an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, he offers full-scale oral surgical procedures including surgical extractions, removal of impacted wisdom teeth, removal or exposure of any other impacted teeth, periradicular surgeries (apicoectomies), cystectomies, periodontal surgical procedures, surgical insertions of temporary orthodontic bone-anchored appliances, dental rehabilitation via insertion of dental implants and necessary prior bone augmentations.

He also performs maxillofacial surgical procedures such as removal of benign osseous and soft tissue tumors in the oral cavity, the head and the neck, secondary surgical procedures for cleft lip and palate, surgical procedures related to facial trauma or severe acute and chronic infections, orthognathic surgical procedures inclusive of facial aesthetic procedures.

“I am excited to join the team because I believe that professional expertise and supreme quality of treatment in a teamwork approach are highly appreciated at Dr. Michael’s.”

Dr. Walter will be practicing at Dr. Michael Dental Clinic in Umm Suqeim from the 14^th of February. To schedule an appointment with him, call 04-3397700 or 04-3949433 or visit www.drmichaels.com to secure an appointment online.

About Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic

Founded in 1997, Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic represents the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art, multispecialty dentistry in Dubai, UAE. It has assembled a team of international dental specialists, hygienists and support staff for general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, implantology, orthodontics, prosthodontics and pediatric dentistry, serving nearly 40,000 patients in and around Dubai.

ENDS

Media enquiry

For further information, please contact:

Maria Cristina Cubacub

Marketing Director

Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic

cristina@drmichaels.com

Contact No: +971564423078 

Top 3 Most Sought-After Cosmetic Dental Procedures

By Dr. David Donelson D.M.D., F.A.G.D. (U.S.A)

Looking at enhancing your smile? Check out the three most sought-after cosmetic dental solutions at Dr. Michael's Dental Clinic in Dubai today.

First impressions are everything. Studies show that the first thing people look at in a face is a person’s eyes. The second thing that directly draws their attention is the teeth. People want to have an esthetically pleasing smile. Your smile should accentuate your unique personality. However, frequently people neglect their teeth and it adversely affects their self confidence.

The three most common cosmetic dental procedures for people who wish to achieve a beautiful smile are teeth whitening, orthodontics and veneers. 

The most minimally invasive and common approach to improving your smile is through teeth whitening. This can be done in the dental office in one session with a very strong whitening gel or at home in self applied trays using much weaker whitening gel. 

The next most common sought after solution to achieving a perfect smile is through orthodontics. "Braces" have taken many new forms from the traditional silver brackets of yesteryear. Invisalign, Inman aligners and Incognito Lingual Braces are far more esthetic ways to discreetly align and fix the position of your teeth to achieve a beautiful smile. 

If braces and whitening are either too time consuming or will not achieve the desired aesthetic look, then you might be a candidate for a bonded porcelain restoration. We can change the shape, color, contour and look of a smile by adding paper thin porcelain veneers to the teeth. This can be done quickly and accurately to achieve that perfectly imperfect smile you have always wanted. 

Regardless of your dental situation, seeing a dentist at regular 6 month intervals is imperative to maintaining your dental health. A consultation with your dentist about your specific dental needs would be a great place to start having a discussion about any of these three cosmetic treatments.

Guided Implant Surgery: Safe, Precise & Predictable

By: Dr. Fernando Arroyo Meneses

Dental implants are a uniquely stable and effective solution for missing teeth. They are surgically embedded in your jawbones designed to function just like natural teeth.

With new technologies stepping in, the world of oral implantology has experienced great developments, specifically with less invasive and more effective dental implant techniques such as computer-guided surgery.

Computer-guided dental implant surgery at Dr. Michael’s allows our surgeons to place implants in a safe, precise and predictable manner. This technology eliminates all the guesswork involved in determining which site on the jawbone is best to place the implants.

Now, we can do implants without surgical flaps (small incisions into the gum tissue to allow visualization of the bone's shape and location). This makes our patients’ postoperative recovery virtually nonexistent - no bleeding and no sutures.

What is Guided Surgery?

With the use of advanced 3D technology, guided surgery allows the surgeon to place the implants in a previously planned area in its exact place and with greater accuracy. This approach has significantly simplified the procedure for both patients and surgeons.

Using a specialized software for implants, surgeons can make a preliminary simulation of how implants will be placed in the mandible or maxilla of the patient, all of this will happen before the day of the intervention. This enables us to do the procedure calculated down to the last detail with practically zero margin of error.

How do surgeons place implants with guided surgery?

The procedure begins by taking molds of the patient’s teeth in the clinic. The plaster models are then sent to the lab to build a radiographic template. This radiographic template is nothing but a small device placed in the patient’s mouth to determine if the desired implant position is possible. If not, this template can help the surgeon make decisions on ow to augment a surgical site. These templates are easily and inexpensively made in our clinics.

The patient will get a CBCT scan, and this is also done at the same day in our own clinic. Once made, we're ready to start planning the implant placement. There is no need to see the patient until the day of the intervention.

Since we have all the images of the jaw and bone anatomy in our screen, we are able to carefully study and choose the most suitable implant location. We also get to view the most ideal place for dentures or crowns in the future.  All these are planned with respect to all the surrounding anatomical barriers like the nerves or sinus.

Once the planning process is done, the laboratory will send us a customized surgical guide or template that will be placed in the patient’s mouth during surgery. This template has accurately measured holes that show where the implants should be placed.

What are the advantages of guided surgery over traditional implant placement?

·         It saves a lot of time. A major concern of patients is the idea of having their mouths open for a long time all throughout the surgery. Surgery time is considerably reduced because guided surgery allows for a much shorter intervention.

·         It eliminates the need for detachment of the gums thus preventing tissue trauma, bleeding and post-surgical discomfort.

·         Recovery is much better. Patients can resume their normal activity after the surgery.

·         Guided surgery lets surgeons put crowns or dentures in the ideal screwed retained position improving the biomechanics and the function of these implants.