See the original airing in Chicago at the following link:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=6033564

See the ABC show at the following link:

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4519444

It has long been thought that misalignment in the cervical vertebrae could cause a myriad of different symptoms, such as, headaches, tingling fingers, altered hearing and fluctuations in blood pressure just to name a few.

Many times an incorrect bite will put the muscles of the head and neck under strain which will affect the alignment of the spine.  By correcting the bite we also have seen patients’ blood pressure and many of the symptoms mentioned improve.

We objectively measure the muscles to locate the ideal bite position by the use of electromyography and neck x-rays to verify the relationship. 

We are not saying that we can cure everyone as each individual’s health issues could have many causes, but it is exciting that the word is going out about a possibly less invasive form of treatment for some.

Did you know that typically the patients I see on regular basis spend less than those who only see us for emergency care?  One of the things dentistry has done so well is stress prevention.  Prevention of gum disease means keeping the bone that supports the teeth and the gums healthy through regular brushing and flossing.  It is commonly known today that if the bacteria builds up around the teeth so that the gums become infected the bacteria can get into a person’s blood stream and contribute to causing heart disease, diabetes and bad breath.  Have you ever talked to someone and their breath could kill?  Often this is due to gum disease and you are enjoying the stench of infected tissue, and they don’t even smell it.  Brushing and flossing can help you not only keep your breath fresher, but help you live longer and healthier as well.  Prevention of tooth decay means good oral hygiene, using fluoride and avoiding cavity causing foods-those high in sugar and acid.  Patients that we see regularly avoid decay and tooth infections.  But what if a cavity were to develop?  During a regular dental exam if a cavity is detected early it can often be treated easily by removing the infected part of the tooth and filling this area with a filling which is very cost-effective.  Should this decay go undetected it could result in the tooth dying resulting in an infection and worse yet extreme pain.  If the tooth can be saved it may now cost five to ten times more to fix and relief from the tooth pain could result in financial pain.  Again the objectives are to avoid personal discomfort and the higher costs associated with complex dental procedures.

Like most businesses  today your dental team wants to work with you to maximize the value of each dollar spent, and most offer many different payment options to help you get the care you need.  Although dental insurance does not always cover the total cost it is a benefit that many have which helps offset the costs further and if not used it represents dollars lost at the end of each calendar cycle.  Another way your dental team can help if there are problems is to prioritize those problems from the ones that need the most immediate attention for you to avoid any discomfort to those that can wait.  This allows you to invest your money for the greatest immediate return and make the total costs more manageable.  Remember your dental care team wants to assist you and help you find ways to receive the care that you need while also trying to keep the costs down through prevention, and going to the dentist regularly, in most cases, will save you money.

The other issue I wanted to address is that of your safety.  The bottom line is that you should always feel comfortable with your healthcare providers.  As we hear about problems in safety with medical care it should be clear that consumers should always seriously evaluate the facility and healthcare teams they go to for any health care treatment.  Does the facility appear clean?  Is proper time given to discuss your concerns and answer your questions?  If treatment is recommended are options given?  Does the team seem to care about you?  Remember your safety is priceless.

You should feel as though your healthcare providers not only care about your welfare, but want you to be an informed consumer.  You should be able to meet with your doctor and review your records so that you understand your current dental health status and any concerns.  It is important to understand the implications of any concerns and what type of treatment is recommended, the risks of the treatment and the risk of not treating the condition as well as what your options and alternatives are.  Any treatment done should not make you feel as if it is being done ‘To’ you, but after making informed decisions and choices you should feel as if the treatment is being done ‘For’ you in the most caring and professional manner possible.

Dental health is important for your total body health and your appearance which affects how others view you.  Today your dental professionals can work with you to make treatment affordable and more importantly keep you comfortable and safe.  Today the saying ‘that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ can be directly translated to ‘prevention today can save you many dollars later.’

How can I tell if I have bad breath?

Unfortunately, those around us are often aware of our bad breath before we are since it is difficult to smell your own breath.  If it is not too uncomfortable, you could ask a close friend or family member for their opinion.  To test your own breath, try licking the back of your wrist and scraping the back of your tongue with a spoon.  Let the saliva on your wrist and the spoon dry for a few seconds, and then smell them.  Smelling the spoon and the back of your wrist will give you a good idea what your breath smells like to everyone else.

What causes bad breath?

There are a variety of dental and non-dental causes for bad breath.  Everyone suffers from transient or temporary bad breath at some point in their life, due to factors like smelly foods, hunger, dry mouth and poor dental hygiene.  Chronic bad breath is often a dental hygiene issue, but it could be a sign of a serious dental problem or non-dental medical condition.  The biggest dental cause of bad breath is bacteria on the tongue or trapped between the teeth and gums.

What can I do about my bad breath?

Many cases of bad breath can be relieved by proper flossing and brushing, at least twice a day, especially after meals.  Cleaning your tongue with a brush or tongue scraper will also help alleviate the odor in many cases.  Make sure to drink plenty of water, as dry mouth is often a cause of bad breath.  There are many over-the-counter products available, from toothpastes to antibacterial mouthwashes.  

What can Dr. Miyasaki do about my bad breath? 

Dr. Miyasaki will start by giving you a thorough examination to see if there are signs of tooth decay or gum disease that are contributing to the bad breath.  A thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums, combined with proper brushing and flossing may reduce or eliminate the problem.  He may recommend the use of special mouthwashes designed to control the bacteria that cause bad breath.  A dental examination is also important to rule out more serious causes of bad breath.

An abscessed tooth has an infection and it’s better to take care of it soon before IT takes care of you.  The infection may be removed by extracting the tooth or performing root canal treatment.  Root canal treatment is a dental procedure designed to remove infection from the softer center of a tooth and save the rest of the tooth.

Why would someone need root canal treatment?

Some toothaches or gum pain are actually symptoms of an infection inside a tooth, called an abscess.  Tooth decay and trauma can break through the hard outer layers of a tooth, exposing the inner tooth to bacteria and infection.  If there is infection in the soft center of a tooth, it has to be stopped from spreading to the gums and the rest of the mouth.  A spreading infection can cause damage to other teeth, your gums and jawbone, and even spread through your body.  Root canal treatment removes the infection and saves the rest of the tooth.

What is a root canal?

Root canals are actually specific parts of a tooth, but usually the term, “root canal” refers to a common dental treatment designed to save a tooth.  The crown of the tooth, the part you see above the gum, has a soft center filled with blood vessels and nerves.  These nerves and blood vessels also run through the tooth roots, down to the gums, inside thin tunnels known as root canals.  When these nerves, blood vessels and other soft tissue get infected, a condition called an abscessed tooth, infection and bacteria can travel through the root canals down to the gums.  To stop the spread of infection without extracting the tooth, Dr. Miyasaki performs a root canal treatment.  The soft tissue is all removed, and the hard tissue of the tooth is cleaned and filled.  The procedure is very common and can be done with minimal discomfort.  Since the procedure actually saves much of the original tooth structure, it is a better, healthier option for the patient than having the tooth extracted.

What can I expect from the root canal procedure?

Root canals have really gotten a bad reputation, but for many people the procedure is not much more complicated than having a cavity filled.  Dr. Miyasaki may perform root canal treatment right in the office, or refer you to a specialist, called an endodontist.  In any event, the treatment can be done quickly and comfortably.

• Before anything else is done, Dr. Miyasaki will make sure that you are completely comfortable with local anesthetics that numb the area around the affected tooth.  If local anesthetics are not enough to make you comfortable, or if you have trouble getting numb, ask Dr. Miyasaki about relaxation dentistry.
• Dr. Miyasaki will create an opening in the hard surface of the tooth, and use special tools to clean out the soft tissue, the nerves and any bacteria or infection. 
• Once all the soft tissue has been removed, all the empty spaces, including the root canals, will be filled with special filling material to keep out any future infection.  Dr. Miyasaki may wait a week to be certain the infection has been eliminated before permanently filling the tooth.  If this is the case, temporary filling will close the tooth until the next appointment, the following week, when the tooth is permanently filled and closed.
• After root canal treatment, the tooth will be more brittle than a “live” tooth, so Dr. Miyasaki will fit the tooth with a dental crown.  Once the crown has been fitted, there may be some initial tenderness, but the new tooth will soon function and feel just like the original healthy tooth.

What are my alternatives to root canal treatment?

If you have an abscessed tooth, the infection must be removed to stop it from spreading.  The only alternative to a root canal is extraction of the tooth.

While extraction may seem initially like the least expensive option, Dr. Miyasaki will probably recommend replacing the extracted tooth.  An extracted tooth that is not replaced can leave a gap that causes problems for the surrounding teeth and potentially affect your bite.  If root canal is an option, it may end up being less expensive than extracting and replacing that same tooth with a partial denture, bridge or a dental implant.  Ask Dr. Miyasaki to explain all the options, and why root canal is recommended. 

Bishou Dentistry

702.823.5793

 

BEFORE

AFTER  

Snap-On Smile is a comfortable, removable dental appliance that requires NO shots, NO drilling, NO adhesives.  Its patented design is flexible, incredibly strong and snaps right over your natural teeth.

You can even eat while wearing the Snap-On Smile appliance.

If you are looking for a non-invasive, affordable approach to restorative and cosmetic dentistry Snap-On Smile is an excellent choice.

Patients using Snap-On Smile report an immediate boost to confidence and self esteem because they feel better, look better and function better.  Most are impressed with the natural look and feel of Snap-On Smile and are grateful for the brief time investment – about two weeks – to achieve such life changing results.

The process is quick and painless.  Dr. Miyasaki will take photos and impressions of your teeth.  You choose from different smile shapes and shades for your Snap-On Smile.  In about two weeks, the exclusive lab at Snap-On Smile will create and send us your new appliance for final insertion.  Snap it in and wear it home.

Snap-On Smile is a far less invasive, less painful, less time consuming and less expensive alternative to cosmetic dentistry or orthodontia and the results can be just as dramatic.

Change your smile….change your life! 

Amalgam fillings are silver-colored and often turn dark or black over time.  Have a look in your mouth or that of a loved one who has had a filling placed and there is a good chance you will see one of these silver or black fillings.    Many patients today are electing not to have these fillings placed in their mouths simply because they are unsightly.  But the controversy concerning this metal filling material is not about its color, but about the small amount of mercury it contains.  For decades there have been debates about whether the material was safe to place in patients’ mouths.  In the last twenty years, newer materials have been developed but amalgam is still being used.

Why?  Amalgam fillings have been used for more than 150 years.  Their use is still taught in dental schools and paid for by insurance.  It is a less expensive material.  And, finally, it is less technique-sensitive for the dentists to place.

Today’s dental consumers can choose the newer non-metal materials to repair their teeth.  These new materials are made of composite resins or porcelains and have numerous advantages over amalgam.  First of all, they have the natural color of healthy teeth.  No longer do you have to smile and show dark and unsightly restorations.  Patients appreciate this; the appearance of restored teeth is always an important consideration.  Most often these restorations are chemically attached to the surrounding tooth structure.  This bonding procedure means these restorations require the removal of less good tooth structure and when properly bonded to the natural tooth these restorations can help maintain the natural strength of the remaining tooth.

Even with all the obvious advantages of the non-metal restorations, there are still some perceived disadvantages.

The bonded restorations are much more technique-sensitive to place and many dentists don’t learn the proper technique until after dental school, so advanced training is required.  The materials cost the dentists much more, and these restorations require more time to place properly.  These reasons together explain why these restorations typically cost the patient more, and unfortunately, cost will often influence which restorative material is used.

Many dentists in the United States have been watching the advisories issued in the European countries for the last ten years regarding concerns about amalgam fillings and the mercury they contain, and most dentists in North America have already moved away from them and now favor the non-metal, natural-looking, bonded restorations.

The bottom line is that as with every decision regarding your oral health, you should ask your dentist what would be the best material to use for your particular situation.

A Visit to the Dentist Might Just Save Your Life

Bishou Las Vegas, Dentistry by Miyasaki

Responds to Breast Cancer Awareness in October by

Offering Complimentary Oral Cancer Screening with VELscope powered by Sapphire

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2009, an estimated 35,720 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, causing approximately 7,600 deaths.  It is one of the few types of cancer that has not seen a significant reduction in incidence over the past 30 years, and recent research has shown a strong association with human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be sexually transmitted.  For this reason, it is recommended that all individuals over the age of 18, or anyone who is sexually active, should have at least an annual comprehensive oral examination, and ideally at every dental hygiene visit.

Oran cancer is typically discovered in late stages, when the five-year survival rate is only 22%.  However, if detected in the early stages the five-year survival rate is 80% or higher.  VELscope powered by Sapphire can help discover abnormal growths  before they become cancerous, even below the surface.

According to Dr. Michael A. Miyasaki of Bishou Dentistry, “We have always conducted an annual comprehensive oral cancer screening for all of our patients, but now VELscope powered by Sapphire will help us see things we might have missed previously.  By detecting potential problems earlier, we will be providing our patients with the best health care currently available.”

The FDA and Health Canada recently cleared VELscope powered by Sapphire for assisting dentists and hygienists in discovering cancerous or precancerous growths that may not be apparent during routine visual examinations.  A screening with VELscope powered by Sapphire adds only a few minutes to a conventional examination and gives dentists greater insight into the condition of the patient’s oral cavity.  The process is completely free of any pain or discomfort and is affordably priced.  In fact, an increasing number of insurance companies are covering the cost of the screening.

 YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore in the mouth.
• It can affect the lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.
• Oral Cancer most often occurs in those who use tobacco in any form.
• Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the risk of lip cancer.
• Oral cancers can occur in people who do not smoke and have no other known risk factors.
• Oral Cancer is more likely to strike after age 40.
• Other signs include:
•        A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
•        A color change of the oral tissue
•        A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
•        Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
•        Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
•        A change in the way the teeth fit together

How the VELscope® System Works

Shines safe blue light into oral cavity, causing tissue to fluoresce

 from surface of epithelium to the basement membrane

 (where pre-malignant changes normally start) to the stroma

beneath.

Patented optical filtering allows clinician to view the different

fluorescent signatures to help differentiate between

normal and abnormal tissue

-Abnormal tissue typically appears as an irregular, dark

area that stands out against the otherwise normal fluorescence

 pattern of surrounding healthy tissue                                       

For more information about VELscope powered by Sapphire, visit www.denmat.com, or call Dr. Miyasaki’s office at 702.823.5793 with any questions and to schedule a complimentary screening appointment in October.                                                                                     

So how is this possible?  Inflammation is your body’s normal response to injury.  If you cut yourself, for instance, your inflammatory response activates a reparative process that allows our body to rid itself of invading bacteria and heal itself.  But when the inflammation is chronic and long-term that’s when the same response begins to hurt the body.  Have you brushed your teeth and found blood on the brush or in the sink?  Although you hope it is normal it is not.  If you were to brush your hair and have the same bleeding you’d probably be in to see your physician ASAP.  Your dental team has probably told you to brush and floss, and you’re not really good at doing either every day.   The bacteria builds up around the teeth and gums causing an infection, and that’s why you have the bleeding.  You should brush and floss that area regularly so that it can heal, but the bleeding often scares people from doing the right thing and they brush and floss even less.  As the bacteria works its way down into the gums and bone they begin to release waste by-products which produce the infection.  Your body fights back with an inflammatory response to rid itself of the bacteria, and in some long-term cases the body will actually destroy the bone around the tooth rather than have a chronic invasion of bacteria.  If this reaction does not resolve itself specific inflammatory molecules produced in response to the local infection travel through the body’s general circulation and activate the liver to produce what are called C-reactive proteins.  These C-reactive proteins are actually very good indicators of an infection in the body, but they also have a deleterious effect long-term on the other parts of the body.  Doctors can now measure C-reactive proteins and like your cholesterol determine if the levels are normal or not.  Higher C-reactive protein levels suggest not only inflammation somewhere in the body, but is also a predictor of other possible problems, such as, a heart problem.

It is important that physicians and dentists work together to educate their patients about the risks of chronic infections, how to prevent them and how to treat them.  Prevention is the most comfortable way for us to treat disease both physically and financially.  Physicians need to refer their patients with possible oral inflammation to their dentist to assess and pro-actively treat chronic gingivitis, bleeding gums, and periodontitis, infections of the bone, to control other systemic disease.  And, in turn, dentists need to refer their patients with long-standing inflammation to their physicians for monitoring and/or treatment.  More such tests are becoming available to dentists to screen for systemic inflammation so that the dentists can better work with their physician colleagues to co-manage their patients’ health care.

Ultimately, the good news is that by working with your physician to monitor your systemic health, and with your dental team to prevent or rid your mouth of the inflammatory disease process you can possibly prevent life-threatening ailments, and live a longer, healthier life.

At Bishou Las Vegas, Dentistry by Miyasaki, we are making a concerted effort to inform the public and other healthcare professionals about the strong correlation between your body’s health and how it relates to the health of your mouth.  For more information visit our website at www.BishouDentistry.com or call for a complimentary consultation 702.738.5793.