Summer 2008 ~ Dr. Nasralla’s Patient Newsletter
Implants have arrived
Dr.Nasralla
is pleased to announce that he is now placing dental implants for his
patients. Implants offer a whole new realm of treatment options to
restoring one's smile to optimum health. A dental implant is an
artificial tooth root (titanium screw) and is used in dentistry to
support restorations that replace one or more teeth in the form of
crowns, bridges and dentures.
The earliest example of dental implants (sea shells) have been found in Mayan jawbones dating circa 600 A.D. However modern implant dentistry is credited to Dr.Branemark, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon who in the 1950's was conducting research on rabbits. One day he observed that titanium metal placed in the bone was not easily retrieved and consequently the bone had grown and adhered to the titanium surfaces (osseointegration). Dr. Branemark carried out further studies both in animal and human subjects and confirmed this phenomenon of osseointegration with regular consistency. In the past 40 years over 7 million Branemark type dental implants have been placed in people around the world.
Treatment planning for implants typically involves a CAT scan of the jaw (3-D x-ray imaging), review of one's medical history, digital photos and impressions of the teeth. In addition, all financial arrangements and payments are made prior to surgical dates.
The procedure of placing an implant has become systematic, easier and very successful. What was once performed by specialists is now possible in the hands of trained general dentists. Uncomplicated procedures are performed with local anesthetic in a relatively quick and clean, nonsurgical manner that is virtually pain free.
The success rate of implants, when followed over a 10 year study was averaging 85-95%.
Contraindications for implants may include:
- smoking
- severe gum disease
- uncontrolled diabetes
- severe clenching and grinding
- the use of Bisphosphonate drugs (which delay bone healing and cause implant failures)
"Housekeeping"
As we have mentioned in past newsletters, our office no longer will send a bill after the completion of your treatment. Payment must be made on the date of service. We still offer our third party financing and accept all major credit cards, cash and cheques.
For all patients, if you must reschedule your appointment we do require at least 2 business days notice or a fee maybe levied. We ask this to better serve those in need of urgent attention who would gladly accept your appointment time. Please be considerate of our time as well as other patients.
If you are interested in being "on call" for your dental work or would like to have all correspondence via email let us know and we will be happy to add you to our lists.
If you have moved or have new dental insurance please let our receptionist know when you arrive at the office or call ahead, this will eliminate long waits at the front desk at the end of your appointment.
Comings and goings
Like
many offices, there are always changes. We are sad to say good bye to
Tracie our treatment coordinator. Tracie and her family are moving to
Washington, DC this summer, we are excited for them and wish them all
the best. Tracie will be truly missed by us and all our patients. The
rest of the team is still here, Erin our Hygienist,Deborah and Joelle
our Dental Assistants, and Carmen our Receptionist.
Please remember that we are always happy to accept new patients; and having our patients refer their family and friends to us is the biggest compliment we can receive.
Before and after implant cases
A flossing a day keeps our Hygienist away
A Message from our hygiene department
Okay smokers it's time to quit. If you are sitting on the fence about quitting,here are some reasons why you should:
- Persistent bad breath
- Discolored teeth
- An increase of tartar build-up
- Periodontal (gum and bone) disease that may progress more quickly and severely than in non-smokers
- Jaw bone loss
- Shifting teeth (pipesmokers)
- Oral cancers
- Root caries
- Sinusitis
- Delayed wound healing
Of the many effects smoking has on ones teeth and gums, oral cancer is of course the most serious. The death rate from oral cancers (which includes the tongue, mouth, gums, tonsils, and pharynx) exceeds the death rate from cervical cancer.
Here are some tips to help you quit smoking:
- Figure out why and when you smoke. That's the first step to quitting for good.
- In order to succeed, you must convince yourself that you really want to stop smoking.
- There are two ways to quit smoking:going "cold turkey" or tapering off slowly. Which ever way you choose, pick a memorable date to quit, preferably during a time of low stress.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- If you have been a heavy smoker, the use of nicotine patches or gum may be advisable.
- Don't be discouraged! On average it takes about five attempts to successfully stop smoking.
Each relapse brings you one step closer quitting for good.
Ex-smokers have a decreased risk of heart disease, respiratory illness, strokes, and many cancers. In fact, after 15 years, an ex-smoker's risk of death is similar to that of a person who has never smoked.
Quitting will have a significant impact on oral health as well, reducing the rate and incidence of gum disease, oral cancers and bone and tooth loss; keeping teeth whiter; and allowing sores to heal and disappear; and you will be reducing the risk of passing on harmful second-hand smoke to your loved ones.
Goodbye from Tracie
After nearly two years as the treatment coordinator for Dr.Phil it is time to say goodbye. I have been posted with my family to Washington, D.C. where my husband will work at the Canadian embassy.
In my 24 years as a Certified dental assistant, my time here with Dr.Phil and the rest of the team has been my most rewarding. The training we have received at the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dentistry has been very exciting. Learning how to help patients who have suffered for years with Migraines, head and neck pain has been extremely fulfilling.
As
a treatment coordinator I have had the great pleasure of getting to
know many of our patients very well, I will truly miss the smiling
faces and all of the friends I have made here. I have had the
opportunity to see many of our patients smiles transformed and in some
cases lives as well!
I firmly believe Dr.Nasralla has the best
patients in the Comox Valley. Keep smiling and if you see someone
walking down Comox Ave in 10-15 years, who looks like me.... say hi.
Tracie
Your smile is your first impression
We love nothing more than seeing a big smile on a patients face when we pass them a mirror for the first time after completing a cosmetic case.
If
you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth or smile please ask
about cosmetic dentistry. We can change and enhance your smile with
cosmetic crowns, veneers and/or implants.
There is more than one
way to brighten your smile, crowns or veneers for cosmetic reasons are
a great choice; however if it's a whiter smile you want without the
time and cost of major dental work ask us about whitening.
We have a new whitening system with a 3minute wear time. Now you can have whiter brighter teeth with just a few minutes a day.
