Dental Did You Know: Using Straws After Oral Surgery

Contrary to what most dentists were taught, the use of straws after third molar extractions did not affect the percentage of patients developing dry socket or alveolar osteitis, a very painful condition. 15% of both the test and control groups having mandibular (lower) wisdom teeth out had this complication. No maxillary (upper) sites were affected in either group.

Source: Sevels I, Clinical Abstracts, Ontario Dentist, March 2013, Vol 90, No 2, pg 20-21.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dentistry in the Media: Dental Questions Answered on NPR

The Science Friday show on National Public Radio in the US had a nice segment on common dental questions. Here's the teaser quote:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. And, it turns out, the dentist -- because that fibery skin is good for your teeth. Dentists Mark Ryder of the University of California San Francisco and Mark Wolff of New York University answer your toothy questions in this episode of our "Ask an expert" series.

Listen to the podcast here: Ask a Dentist: Facts to Sink Your Teeth Into

Source: National Public Radio (Science Friday) Aired on Feb 22, 2013, viewed on Feb 27, 2013
http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/02/22/2013/ask-a-dentist-facts-to-sink-your-teeth-into.html

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

The clinic is on our vacation schedule

The clinic will be on a limited schedule until January 31st as various members of our staff enjoy their vacations. As such, primarily emergencies will be handled currently and messages on our voice mail will be taken care of at the end of the day/evening.

Take care,

Hans

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Eruption Time of Permanent First Molars

It takes 12-18 months for permanent molars to erupt to occlusion.

Source: Antonson D, Imagine a World Without Occlusal Caries: Are Glass Ionomer Sealants the Answer, Oral Health, Dec 2012, Vol 102, No 12, pg 31-36.


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Eruption Time of Premolars

It takes 3-6 months for permanent premolars to erupt to occlusion.

Source: Antonson D, Imagine a World Without Occlusal Caries: Are Glass Ionomer Sealants the Answer, Oral Health, Dec 2012, Vol 102, No 12, pg 31-36.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Success Rates of Veneers vs Composite Buildups

A small study has revealed that the 5 year survival rate of direct composite buildups was 79% (which was lower than the 6 year survival rate of veneers of 92%).

Source: Sevels I, Clinical Abstracts, Ontario Dentist, Dec 2012, Vol 89, No 10, pg 20-21.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Nice Dental Website: Region of Peel Oral Health Website

The region of Peel (Mississauga and area) has an informative oral health website. I'll quote from their press release:

This resource has been designed to provide parents/caregivers with clear messaging to guide proper brushing patterns as well as direct parents/caregivers to the Region of Peel oral health website (www.peelregion.ca/dental). At this website they will find additional information on caring for children's teeth and information on Region of Peel dental services including the Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT) Program and the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) Program.

I've added a screenshot of the website below:

Screenshot of the Peel Region Oral Health Website (www.peelregion.ca/dental)

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Added a New Blog to my Reading List: JCDA's Question and Answer Blog

Added the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association's Clinical Question and Answer Blog to our blog reading list. It is a tremendous resource for clinicians and worth a view from patients if you are so inclined. We are also honoured to be recognized by them as a top dental blog. Thanks!! :)

Source: Canadian Dental Association's Clinical Question and Answer Blog: http://www.jcdablogs.ca/, read Dec 7, 2012

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Colon Cancer and Proposed Breath Screening

A small study from Italy has determined that it is possible to use breath analysis of volatile compounds to identify people with colorectal cancer.

Source: CBC News website, http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/12/04/colon-cancer-breath-test.html, first posted Dec 5, 2012, read Dec 6, 2012.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

End of Year Reminder: Take Advantage of your Dental Insurance Benefits!

Just a reminder to everyone with dental insurance benefits that renew in January:

Take advantage your benefits by scheduling your hygiene or restorative appointments before the year is up to preserve the full amounts of your insurance for the following year. Statements for this year's dental expenditures for tax purposes will be ready anytime after January 1st, just phone Jodie with your request.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100