Your best bat

Prince Fielder made a splash at the All-Star Home Run Derby in Kansas City last night. Eight splashes to be exact, as he lofted balls straight into the right field fountains. The Detroit slugger is now in the history books along side Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players to win multiple derby titles.

The pro-baller will tell you practice is key in his successes. That and a little video game action as a child with Griffey Jr. and his father. Baseball at its simplest is repetitive motion: load, step, swing. As long as you can see and predict exactly where that speeding bullet of a ball will be... when it will be at the optimal position, you're good to go.

Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder beat Toronto's Jose Bautista 12-7
in the MLB MVP Home run Derby July 9th.

The breakdown of the sport got us thinking about the surprising similarities between baseball and prosthodontics.

As a prosthodontist, a specialist in the replacement of missing teeth, Dr. Mary Dooley is familiar with repetitive motion, but that isn't what makes her so precise. It is her ability to "see that ball" and predict where it will be that gives her an edge.

Computer guided implant dentistry allows
virtual placement of implants to ensure success!

In the field of modern-day tooth replacement, patients of Dr. Mary Dooley are asked to have a CT scan performed. Consider this the "load" element in our baseball analogy. With a CT scan, prosthodontists are able to prepare for your dental implant surgery in its early stages. The next step in the process is unique. Our office utilizes advanced computer guides that allow the viritual placement of every implant. It is this stage that we'll label the "step." In reality, this is what allows Dr. Dooley to see and predict exactly where the real-life implants will go in a live patient. The virtual imagery gives her the precision she needs to make your case a home run. She can see where to place the implant, how deep to insert the implant and what size implant you'll need for optimal positioning. Finally, surgery day, and she "swings," and gets that hit of a lifetime with the successful placement and healing of new dental implants! The winner in this case, is the patient, but we're happy to accept the applause!   

The advancement is so important it puts the use of digital x-rays back in the shadows. No longer will prosthodontists have to extrapolate information from xrays. The ability to see a patient's implants before placement is amazing!

If you are considering having full size or mini dental implants, ask your doctor if they will be using a computerized surgical guide. Your chances of success will be dramatically increased, and your smile, that much brighter! Total Care Dentistry and Dr. Mary Dooley are excited to offer specials on implant placement this summer. Call 757-486-4880 or click here to schedule online and ask for more information.

4 Bad Dental Health Practices You Should Avoid

It isn't often that I'll share something we found online, but this article is great.
Please, take a few minutes and take this advise, and mine, to heart!

4 Bad Dental Health Practices You Should Avoid - Dental Health Magazine

We're Moving!

Last week we announced the office of Dr. Mary T. Dooley will soon be moving. To help communicate with you, our valued patients we have put together these FAQ's. Please don't hesitate to call us at 757-486-4880 with any questions!

Q. What is the address? Where is it?

A. Our new location is very centrally location in Virginia Beach. It is 1 block south of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Witchduck Road intersection, right at the 264 & Witchduck Road interchange. Next to the Sears building.

114 S. Witchduck Road, Suite 201

Virginia Beach, VA, 23454

  

Q. Will the phone number change?

A. No, our phone number will not change. You will be able to contact us as you always have, with zero to no interruption! Our phone number is 757-486-4880 or, reach us online at office@drdooleydental.com. Our website is www.drdooleydental.com.

Q. Will my existing appointment change?

A. It is our goal to keep all appointments as scheduled. Unless you have been contacted with a change, your appointment is already scheduled for you at the new temporary office location.

Q. You say “temporary” what does that mean? How long will you be there?

A. Plans are in the works for a new permanent home for Mary T. Dooley, DDS and staff. We cannot announce those changes as of yet and no timeline is available. However, it is our goal to stay in our temporary home as long as we need to maintain quality care. It is our goal to make sure you will always be able to see Dr. Dooley!

Q. What other changes are in store?

A. We like to think big! You may have noticed improvements to our website and social media in the past few months. We plan on expanding digitally, and more!  Look for more information about this over the next year.

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.