Make yourself comfy!

All too often patients think of a trip to the dentist as sterile, cold and uninviting. That may have been true 20 years ago, but today its more like a break! Truth be told we see patients actually fall asleep in the dental chair quite often!

Our office welcomes modern creature comforts you're used to at home! For instance, our patients are welcome to bring their own I-pods. This is a great option for teens and young adults who like to express themselves through music. Feeling a chill? We will gladly warm things up a bit for you with a nice cozy throw. Is your little one a bit anxious? Have them bring a favorite stuffed animal to their next appointment. We'll give them a quick "exam" and help your youngster feel a little more at ease! We know adults get a little nervous too. Check out our article on relieving stress and anxiety, and consider bringing something to cuddle yourself! OK, maybe not a stuffed animal, but a stress ball will work wonders!

At Mary T. Dooley, DDS, we are always looking for new ways to make our patients feel more at ease. If you have a suggestion, let us know! With convenient scheduling online, over the phone and in person, our goal is to make you smile!

A Surprising Player in Tooth Decay

If you drink lots of water but still have a dry mouth, or suffer with bad breath, the problem could be dry mouth. Dry mouth is a condition in which your mouth is unusually dry. Dry mouth is pretty common, and might seem just annoying. But a dry mouth can affect the health of your teeth.

Dry mouth can lead to problems because saliva helps prevent tooth decay. Your saliva limits bacterial growth and washes away food particles. Saliva also enhances your ability to taste and makes it easier to swallow.

 Dry mouth is, in some cases, a side effect of medication. Dry mouth may improve with an adjusted dosage or a new prescription. This means that patients of any age can suffer from dry mouth. Dry mouth advances the rate of dental decay at an alarming rate, but can be somewhat controlled.

If you're not producing enough saliva, you may notice the following signs and symptoms:

• Dryness in your mouth
• Saliva that seems thick and stringy
• Sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth
• Cracked lips
• Bad breath                                                       
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing
• Sore throat
• An altered sense of taste
• A fungal infection in your mouth
• Increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease

In women, dry mouth may result in lipstick adhering to the teeth.

If  Dr. Dooley or your hygienist does not notice your dry mouth, ask about it during your next dental exam appointment. Try these simple remedies to help stop your dry mouth:

• Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies.
• Limit your caffeine intake. Caffeine can make your mouth drier.
• Avoid sugary or acidic foods and candies because they increase the risk of tooth decay.
• Don't use a mouthwash that contains alcohol because alcohol can be drying.
• Stop all tobacco use if you smoke or chew tobacco.
• Sip water or suck ice chips throughout the day to moisten your mouth and drink water during meals to aid chewing and swallowing.
• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes. Look for ones containing carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose, such as Biotene Oral Balance.
• Avoid using over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants because they can make your symptoms worse.
• Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
• Add moisture to the air at night with a room humidifier.

Dry mouth is a common concern of patients. You can visit our website's FAQ section to read answers to more common questions.
Taken in part from Mayo Clinic.com, Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Papoose boards not used at Mary T. Dooley, DDS

Virginia Beach, VA,  April 30, 2012 – The April 26 episode of “Inside Edition,” the television news magazine    program, is causing an uproar in the dental community. The show aired a segment about a California doctor’s use of a “papoose board” during the treatment of children.  Parents of child patients allege papoose boards, which act as restraints, have caused emotional and physical harm. While the doctor has not been charged with any wrongdoing, and the use of papoose style restraints is allowed by the dental boards, the practice is not common.

  The American Dental Association released a statement about the case Friday, saying in part, “The American Dental Association (ADA) notes that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) guidelines state when stabilization is used, it should always be the least restrictive, but safe and effective. “  The entire ADA statement can be found on their website. 

              Virginia Beach dentist Mary T. Dooley says she’s never used a papoose style restraint on a child patient. “If a child needs special behavioral management for care we refer them to pediatric specialists. Those specialists adhere to AAPD guidelines.” Children are a welcome part of Dr. Dooley’s Virginia Beach practice. “Our goal for care is the same as any parent, a happy child with a healthy mouth,” Dr. Dooley adds.

                If you have questions about pediatric dentistry, do not hesitate to ask your dentist.

Dental Implants Preserve Bone

As you may be aware, this is National Prosthodontics Awareness Week, recognized here in Virginia Beach to be so important our own Mayor has issued a proclamation announcing the same locally! Many of our patients and other blog readers are asking to better understand what a prosthodontist is.

Prosthodontists specialize in the replacement of missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth is important because of its side effects. In a recent Institute of Dental Implant Awareness survey, only 36% of respondents who knew about implants knew that tooth loss immediately results in bone loss. A lack of bone then leads to a change in your physical appearance, giving some people a "witchy" look, sunken features and a protruding chin and nose.

75% of respondents who already had bridges, partials, or dentures stated that they would have changed their minds about getting those treatments if they had been aware of bone loss resulting from extractions and that implants can preserve bone.

This patient has a multi-unit bridge. Bone loss is clearly
visible as support under the gums has been lost.

Dental implants are substitute tooth roots, providing the same function as natural tooth roots, including stimulating the bone, therefore preserving it.  By preventing bone loss, the facial structure stays remarkably intact. Bone grafting at the extraction site is still necessary in many cases and improves the likelihood of a successful implant.

Believe it or not, dentures reduce your ability to chew by nearly 75% less than your natural teeth. Restoring your smile with implants at the time of extraction, and treating periodontal disease regularly can keep you from suffering this fate!

As a prothodontist, I know you don't want to lose your natural teeth, or bone! Let us help you stay in the best oral health as possible. Visit my website and watch our videos on dental implants and periodontal disease. If you have questions, call us at 757-486-4880 or schedule your appointment online.

Your FAQ's: Dental Implants

The Your FAQ's titled posts are truly inspired by our patients and prospective patients. Please take the time to read these thorough explanations of the most common questions we hear in our practice.

Most people are aware of implants as replacements for single teeth, but implants as supportive structures under dentures, and partials are growing in popularity. A great deal of patients ask us first about price. Today's post helps adress the question!

Pictured: Mini dental implant supported denture.
Mini implants require less bone to attach securely and have a quicker
healing time than full size implants. Your dentist
will ask for a CAT scan to help determine which kind
of implant is right for you and where to place the implants.

Q: How does the cost of implants compare to alternatives?

A: The perception is that implants cost a great deal more than other methods of tooth replacement or restoration. However, looking at the long term, implants are in fact less pricey that the alternative. For example, if a single tooth is being extracted (or has been lost) and replaced, a bridge would be the traditional treatment. This option is often times asetheticly pleasing, and lasts 5-10 years. Surrounding teeth will be affected as grinding is necessary to fit supporting crowns on either side of the missing tooth. The cost would vary from $6,000. With a single implant and crown, you can expect a 25 years to life expectancy and the added benefit of bone preservation. The implant physically acts as a tooth root and maintains your natural bone. This bone would deteriorate otherwise. The implant costs $2,500-$4,-500, once.

                                      Cost over 20 years
Bridge                  6,000                       Single tooth implant   2,500-4,000
Replacement  #1  6,000                               no need to replace
Replacement  #2  6,000                               no need to replace

Total                  $18,000                  Total                  $2,500-4,000

If you have more questions about full size or mini dental implants, check out our website or give us a call at 757-486-4880.

Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Submit your questions in the "reply" section here or email us at office@drdooleydental.com. We hope you've found this questions helpful. Be sure to check our website for a list of other frequently asked questions!

Mayor declares Prosthodontics Awareness Week in Virginia Beach

We are excited to announce a partnership between Virginia Beach City Mayor William Sessoms and our office! Below you'll find our official press release.

Mayor declares Prosthodontics Awareness Week in Virginia Beach

National Prosthodontics Awareness Week 2012 will be April 22-28. It focuses on raising public awareness about the critical importance of a healthy mouth. This is especially important now as the link between oral health and overall health is being increasingly documented.

Seeing the need for immediate treatment in many people in Virginia Beach, area dentist Mary T. Dooley decided to reach out to Mayor William Sessoms to bring attention to the cause. “Oral hygiene and restorations improve an individual’s self-esteem, Many adults who do not replace their missing teeth suffer premature aging, poor diet, loss of function and social embarrassment,” says Dr. Dooley.

Understanding the cause, Mayor William Sessoms issued a mayoral proclamation declaring Prosthodontics Awareness Week in Virginia Beach. It is our hope that his support will give weight to to the matter in the minds of patients desperately in need, and yet unconvinced of necessity.

“By utilizing dental implants, fixed bridgework, removable partial dentures and complete dentures a prosthodontists’ expertise can change a smile and a life.” Dr. Dooley explains. This initiative focuses on the important role prosthodontists have in treating patients with missing, broken and worn teeth. The American Dental Association recognizes prosthodontists as dental specialists with two to three years of additional training after dental school in the prevention and treatment of tooth loss and advanced expertise in comfortably treating even the most complex dental needs of patients. The American College of Prosthodontists is urging all patients to talk with their dentists about how to care for their damaged or missing teeth during this National Prosthodontics Awareness Week campaign and the appropriate time to seek the care of a prosthodontist.

 

Virginia Beach dentist Mary T. Dooley is proud to have served in the US Navy Dental Corps before having opened her doors to patients in private practice a decade ago. As a specialist in prosthodontics she is able to see patients through all aspects of care, from general cleanings and examinations, through major restorative care and implant dentistry.

X-rays and Brain Tumors Headline Misleading

Patients should consider factors in wake of new research. Study suggests people who had certain kinds of dental X-rays in the past may be at an increased risk for the most commonly diagnosed brain tumor in the U.S.

The latest dental related headline may be jarring to patients. The results of a new study suggest x-rays could be more harmful than once thought. The findings cannot prove that radiation from the imaging caused the tumors, and the results are based on people who were likely exposed to higher levels of radiation during dental x-rays than most are today."It's likely that the exposure association we're seeing here is past exposure, and past exposure levels were much higher," said Dr. Elizabeth Claus, the study's lead author and a professor at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

A typical bitewing x-ray. Bitewings are necessary x-rays
to make sure your dentist can make
informed diagnoses.

A panographic x-ray is most often taken while standing.These are helpful for intensive cases and determiningthe development of wisdom teeth.

Here at Mary T. Dooley, DDS, we use digital x-rays, which require less exposure. With panoramic x-rays, we can treat wisdom teeth proactively, to prevent possible life-threatening infections. Every person is evaluated individually as to the frequency and type of x-rays they need to prevent infection and tooth loss. We follow the guidelines accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA), including the use of blankets to reduce exposure to other parts of the body. 

The American Dental Association put out a statement noting that the interviews relied on participants' memories of how often they had different types of X-rays years earlier. The statement added, "The ADA's long-standing position is that dentists should order dental X-rays for patients only when necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Since 1989, the ADA has published recommendations to help dentists ensure that radiation exposure is as low as reasonably achievable."

Portions of this article were taken from Reuters news service. Click here to read the full article.