Closed for the Christmas Holiday!

Hi everyone,

As usual, we are taking a bit of a break during the Christmas holiday season. Our hours of operation in the next week are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday (Christmas), Wednesday (Boxing Day), Friday: Closed
Thursday and Saturday: Open and extended hours
Tuesday (Jan 1), Wednesday (Jan 2) , Friday (Jan 4): Closed
Thursday Jan 3rd and Saturday (Jan 5): Open and extended hours

I'll be checking our voice messages everyday for emergencies. Be sure to check our website www.promenadecourtdental.com for solutions to common issues. We'll try to fit everyone in. Thanks to everyone ahead of time for their patience during this very busy time of the year. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone.

Take care,

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 Canadian Forces Dental Service

The Canadian Forces Dental Service was first established on May 13, 1915 as the Canadian Forces Dental Corps and currently provides oral health services for our troops in operations far from home.

Source: Feldman B, War and Teeth (OD Editorial), Ontario Dentist, Sept 2007, Vol 84, No 7, pg 8-9.

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: Avocados and Oral Cancer

A study published in Seminars in Cancer Biology showed that phytochemicals kill some cancer cells and prevent precancerous cells from developing into cancer. The mechanism appears to be programmed cell death.

(Dr. Skariah's Comment: Hmmm... I wonder if other phytochemicals (e.g. flaxseed) have the same effect?)

Source: FYI Research, AGD Impact, December 2007, Vol 35, No 12, 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

Dental Did You Know: The Difference in Bite Force Among Teeth

Canine (fangs) absorb about 18 lbs/sq in of bite pressure while molars are in the 350-450 lbs/sq in range.

Source: Martin J, Everyday Occlusion: Evidence-Based or Common Sense, Ontario Dentist, December 2007, Vol 84, No 10, pg 26-30.

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: Submerged Primary Molars

A primary (baby) tooth is considered submerged if its marginal ridge (height at each end of the tooth) is more than 0.5mm below the intact marginal ridge of normal adjacent teeth. Studies show the prevalence of this condition in children ranges from 1.3 to 38.5%.

Source: Sherman M, Clinical Management of Submerged Primary Molars, Ontario Dentist, December 2007, Vol 84, No 10, pg 16-20.

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

Simroid Dental Robot: International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo

This "Simroid" is a dental patient simulator for dental students. Apparently, she has quite the realistic facial expressions, a gag reflex and can "experience" pain. She is currently one of the stars of the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo (and not surprisingly, YouTube).





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 practice is closed for the week: My father-in-law has passed away.

I am saddened to report that the practice is closed until Saturday due to the passing of my father-in-law from complications due to his cancer. Any emergencies can be managed by Jodie and may be handled by my good friend Dr. Andrew El-Faizy.

The funeral will be held on Thursday Nov 22/07 at the OGDEN funeral home 4164 Sheppard ave E (at Midland) at 11 am. Shilpa and I appreciate your prayers and consideration during this time.

Take care.


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: Oral Cancer Rates in Canada

Approximately 3,200 new cases and 1,050 deaths from oral cancer occur each year in Canada. Unfortunately, many cases are diagnosed late and require aggressive treatment. As a result, 50% of oral cancer patients die within 5 years of diagnosis.

Source: Point of Care: What do I need to know about oral cancer screening?, JCDA, November 2007, Vol 73, No 9, pg 797-8.

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

A Reminder to Take Advantage of your Dental Insurance

Hi everyone,

This is just a reminder to our patients to take advantage of their insurance benefits before December 31st. Most dental plans cover approximately $1000 to $2500 a year in coverage. However, if you do not use them by the end of the year you will lose the remaining amount. Usually, a new insurance year starts in the New Year.

Let our practice know if this is your situation and we will try our best to accommodate your dental needs and your schedule. We have convenient evening and Saturday hours available.

Take care,

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

Leadership Keys

Saw this in an Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Journal:

Six essential qualities of a leader:

1. Beliefs: Develop strong core beliefs.
2. Optimism: Be a problem solver not a problem maker; believe that there are solutions.
3. Courage: Take action in the face of fear.
4. Preparation: Do your homework; "luck" is where opportunity and preparedness intersect.
5. Teamwork: Be humble and know that you can get others to help with success.
6. Communication: People who can influence others can move the world; become good at it by practicing the preceding five qualities.

I thought these were great points that I could use to enhance the practice going forward.

Source: Stolz B, Tips for Building an Unstoppable Team, Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry Fall 2007, Vol 23, No 3, pg 70-72.

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

Moving to iTrans

Well, we've got broadband Internet in the office (finally...I was getting tired of dial-up!) and I am pleased to announce that we will one of the first tier of practices to be moving to the iTrans system to further expedite claims and predeterminations. I'll be releasing more information as we progress on this little project, especially the specific advantages of the new system.

Take care,


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

Tooth Erosion "Web Sticker" from the Academy of General Dentistry

Read the e-brochure on this topic: Dental Erosion (PDF format)


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: Attractiveness

1. The face is the most important component of physical attractiveness
2. The mouth/oral region is the most noticed/focused on area of the face

Source: Greenberg J, AGD Impact, "Voices", pg 9, October 2007.

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: Pneumonia and Oral Hygiene

In experiments involving patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit, the use of an antimicrobial rinse and improved oral hygiene reduced the incidence of pneumonia by 60% compared to controls.

Source: The Oral-Systemic Disease Relationship: An Update for Practicing Dentists, The Colgate Oral Care Report, 2007, Volume 16, No 4, pg 3.

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: Fluoride Concentration

The level of fluoride in the water supply is approximately the equivalent of filling a bathtub to the rim and adding a drop of fluoride.

Source: Mancuso A, Fluoridation Misinformation (Letter to the Editor), The Journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, Sept 2007, pg 6.

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: Pica

Pica is typically defined as an eating disorder that involves the persistent eating of non-nutritive substances for at least one month. Some examples are clay, dirt, sand, stones, hair, lead, vinyl gloves, paper, paint chips, coal, and matches to name a few.

Source: Johnson et al, An unusal case of tooth loss, abrasion and erosion associated with a culturally accepted habit, General Dentistry, Sept/Oct 2007, Vol 55, No 5, pg 445-448.

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 Number One Killer of Dentists

Stress-related cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of dentists. (More motivation for me to eat healthier!) :)

Source: Land R, Stress in Dentistry-It Could Kill You, Oral Health, Sept 2007, Vol 97, No 9, pg 3-6, 95.

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 Number of Swallows per Day

According to Dr. Brock Rondeau, it is approximately 1000 times a day.

Source: Rondeau B, The Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with TM Dysfunction, The Journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, Sept 2007, pg 8-13.

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

Take More Vitamin D Mothers Told

Saw this article this morning, about new recommendations from the Canadian Pediatric Society on pregnant and nursing women to significantly increase their intake of vitamin D to reduce the incidence of a number of diseases. Here are the teaser quotes:

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should consider increasing their vitamin D intake to 2,000 international units a day to reduce the chances their children will develop such ailments as multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cancer later in life, the Canadian Pediatric Society says.

That amount of vitamin D is 10 times higher than what is currently recommended by Health Canada for women in their childbearing years, and the advice is believed to be the first time a medical group has called for healthy people to take such elevated amounts of the sunshine vitamin.

...The advice was based on the growing body of evidence that increased exposure to vitamin D during key points of fetal and infant development may offer protection against many dangerous diseases, including asthma, osteoporosis, dental cavities and inflammatory bowel disease, among others

You can read the entire article here: Take More Vitamin D Mothers Told

Source: Globe and Mail Online, Sept 24/07,
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070924.wvitamind24/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

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

London tap water missing fluoride: C-Health Article

Saw this article in C-health. The fluoridation of London's water supply was quietly shut down September 3rd after the commercial distributor in Canada had run out. What is a bit disturbing to me is the lack of communication from the municipal department to the public regarding the change in their water.

Here's the teaser quote:

For weeks most Londoners have been drinking tap water without fluoride, the result of a continental shortage of the substance that's added to water to prevent tooth decay.

It took a plebiscite in the city 41 years ago to give the go-ahead for fluoridated water, but the equipment to add it was quietly shut down Sept. 3 for the larger of London's two water supply lines.

Asked last night whether Londoners should have been told their water composition had changed, at least one city council member was unprepared to take a position.

You can read the rest of the story here: London Tap Water Missing Fluoride

Source: C-Health, September 22, 2007 http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?channel_id=131&relation_id=1883&news_channel_id=131&news_id=22801

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

Starting up a Podcast: The Dental Factoid

Yes, it's true. I believe I have enough dental facts on file to start a podcast on iTunes. Testing the software/back end servers/microphones as we speak. It'll be a semi-random audio blurb on some interesting (to me and hopefully to you) facts about oral health. I'll keep everyone updated as I go.

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

Pain Ratings Fail Sufferers

As a classically trained dentist, one of the first things I ask a patient in discomfort is to describe the quality and amount of pain. I often get answers like "sharp", "throbbing", and "dull" describing the character of pain they are experiencing. As a follow-up, I often ask: "on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst, how is the pain?"

Well, new research described in this Globe and Mail Article has shown that this one value approach may be missing up to 1/3 of patients with enough pain to affect their daily lives. The better approach is to rate their current pain, their highest and lowest levels of pain over the previous week, and the level of pain they endure most of the time. After reading this article, I've changed my methodology and will encourage my collegues to do the same.

Here's a teaser quote from the article:
It may be a painful truth, but a new study suggests that attempting to measure pain on a scale of 0 to 10 may not help doctors effectively treat the suffering.

The findings, published in the October issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine, claim the commonly used numeric rating system failed nearly a third of the time to identify patients whose pain was serious enough to impair their day-to-day functioning.

Researchers attributed the results to the subjective nature of pain, the reluctance of some people to admit their suffering, the propensity of others to exaggerate, and limiting the scale to measuring patients' current pain level.

Source: Globe and Mail Online Edition Sept 18/07; Pain ratings fail sufferers
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070918.wlpain18/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home


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

New Blogging Tool: Microsoft Live Writer

I've been using some new software in the hope that it would make the process of updating the blog easier and faster. To that end, I have to say that Microsoft's Live Writer (Beta) is absolutely fantastic. It gives you a MS Word like layout mode to make it easier to typeset and insert video/pictures/etc. In fact, this entry is using the new software.

I'll have to credit the windows weekly podcast for the link to the software. If you would like to try it out just go the Windows Live Page.

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

Toronto Maple Leafs Team Dentist

Found this little tidbit in the Toronto Star's Sports section, it shows the Leafs team dentists: Dr. Marvin Lean and Dr. Charles Goldberg.

Source: The Toronto Star Online Sept 14/07
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NHL/article/256597


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

Soda/Pop Consumption in Teens

I saw this in the latest email from the Academy of General Dentistry:


In 1977, 12 to 19-year-olds drank 16 ounces of soda a day. In 1996, this same age group consumed an average of 28 ounces a day. Not only is sugar harmful to teeth, acidic flavor additives can also erode and damage tooth enamel.

Source: Academy of Dentistry email (Sept 13/07). TeenFS.pdf

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

Toronto Star Article on the Denticare Movement

The Toronto Star keeps producing great articles on dental care in Ontario. Here's the latest teaser quote:

Denticare is back on Ontario's political agenda. Since George Drew's Conservatives promised it in 1942, various politicians have pledged to introduce some form of universal dental care. So far, none has been forced to deliver. That may be changing(...)

Logically, dentists should be covered by medicare. That's what Justice Emmett Hall, whose 1964 royal commission set the stage for Canada's national public health insurance scheme, recommended. He understood that tooth disease is no less painful than bone disease and that oral infections can be as dangerous as any other.

You can read the rest of the article here: Denticare Movement has Teeth

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

Proposed New Dental Funding for Lower Income People in Ontario

Hi everyone,

It seems when an election is close, we can almost expect new funding announcements. I'm pleased to see that the Liberals and NDP have announced funding for emergency and preventive dental care of 45 million and 100 million dollars respectively. Today's article in the Toronto Star (click the link below) provides a neat summary of the Liberal announcement and its effect on 500 000 people in Ontario.

Source: Toronto Star Online, Sept 5, 2007: Dental plan could aid 500,000

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

Recalled Toothpaste: Neem Toothpaste from India

I got this CDA alert via email:


(With regards to) Health Canada's recall of Neem Active Toothpaste with Calcium, manufactured by Calcutta Chemical Co. Ltd. in India, further testing by Health Canada has found the product to contain high levels of harmful bacteria in addition to the initial discovery of unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol (DEG).

You can read the rest of Health Canada alert here:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2007/2007_108_e.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

Reminder for Corsair Public School Students and Parents

Hi Parents,

Just a reminder before school starts in a few days to get your kids in for a dental checkup and cleaning. A healthy body sets up a healthy mind for learning. All kids are given a properly sized toothbrush and at least 2 sample tubes of toothpaste and instructions on how to use them.

Enjoy the exciting school year!

Take care

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

Post Operatory Instructions after a Tooth Extraction

I thought this would be great list to put online, based on patient requests. As always, your dentist may modify or change these instructions to suit your specific circumstances. These are the general instructions that I give:

1. After the extraction, bite on the gauze given to you for at least 20 minutes until the bleeding for the most part stops. You may have to change the gauze if it gets soaked.
2. Start taking your pain killers/antibiotics right away. The usual course is Motrin 600mg 4 times a day for 5-7 days then continue if you have pain.
3. Be gentle, there is a blood clot that forms in the area that is crucial for proper healing, so ingest only soft foods for the first week to 10 days (soups, yogurt, soft pasta, rice etc.), no peanuts or anything hard as I am usually the one who has to fish it out if it gets stuck in there.
4. Brush up to the extraction area, but not on the site for 7-10 days. You may gently swish with salt water to clean the area. Be careful to spit very gently as you may spit out the blood clot needed for proper healing
5. Swelling usually reaches its peak about 2-3 days afterwards. Use a cold pack or ice cubes in a freezer bag to apply to the cheeks and jaw for about a minute, then allow a minute to rest, followed by a minute on again. Repeat as much as you can tolerate.
6. Any fluids ingested should be around room temperature and definitely avoid the use of a straw as this again can disturb the clot
7. Don't smoke or drink during the healing period
8. We've always told our patients that it's a wise idea to put an old sheet over your pillow case the first night as the combination of residual anaesthetic, salivation, and a bit of oozing from the area sometimes makes a bit of a mess on good sheets/pillow covers
9. If after 2-3 days the pain really increases, then the likely cause is the loss of the blood clot and exposure of bone (often called dry socket). Call immediately for an emergency appointment. We will likely restart the bleeding and pack the area
10. If you have sutures, most likely they are resorbable and will fall out within about 2-3 days.
11. If there is residual numbness in the area, call us for quick assessment, the overwhelming majority of these cases resolve themselves in a couple of weeks to a month, but some can take as long as a year.

Whew, I hope I've covered most of the usual questions. Like I said, these are the usual instructions given to our patients, but each case is different, consult your local dentist.

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: Diagnosis of Oral Cancer

Unfortunately, 83% of oral cancers are diagnosed by non-dental personnel, at a stage where the mortality rate is high. (Just goes to show you how important early detection and diagnosis is.)


Source: Newton A, AGD Impact: The War Against Oral Cancer, Vol 35, No 8, Aug 2007, pg 40-46.

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: Incidence of Oral Cancer

The American Cancer Society has projected that more than 34 000 people in the US will be diagnosed with oral cancer (cancer of the mouth, lip, tongue, salivary glands and oropharynx) in 2007 up 11% from the year before.

Risk factors include: smoking, alcohol, UV radiation, diet, and human papillomaviruses (HPV)

Source: Newton A, AGD Impact: The War Against Oral Cancer, Vol 35, No 8, Aug 2007, pg 40-46.


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

Humourous Quote: Bank Accounts and Toothpaste

Heard this from my assistant at the Tavistock location:

Money in a bank account is like a tube of toothpaste...easy to get out but hard to put back in. :)

(Groan)

Take care all.

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: Toothpaste Chemistry

Two of the components of the new Crest Pro-Health toothpastes are:

1. Stabilized Stannous Fluoride: which fights plaque, has a prolonged antibacterial action, protects against sensitivity, makes teeth more resistant to cavities and freshens breath
2. Sodium Hexametaphosphate: which inhibits calculus, helps remove intrinsic stains and prevents stains.

Source: Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry (Suppl 1) Sept 2005, Vol 26, Num 9. (Coverpage)


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

Microwaving of Dentures to Disinfect and Sterilize

Found this blurb in the International Journal of Prosthodontics:

Microwaving dentures for 6 minutes at 650w either sterilized or promoted the disinfection of the appliances. Inserting the denture in a plastic autoclave bag avoided both sparks and scorching of the base material.

(my summary)
Hmmm, not sure that I will recommend this technique yet, due to its inherent dangers.

Source: Int J Prothodont 19:288-293, 2006 via Ontario Dentist: Vol 84, No 6, July/Aug 2007 p 18.

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

New Tech Upgrades for the Practice

Bought a nice laptop for the main operatory. It's a Dell Inspiron 6400 (see image), with a number of multimedia bells and whistles. It will allow us to stream video to the (future) flat screens for patient education and entertainment. We also obtained a nice Samsung flat screen (17 inch) for Jodie at the reception area to give her more room, a better screen and quite frankly a better/high tech look to the front desk area.

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

Changing our Hours for your Convenience

Promenade Court Dental is proud to announce that due to our continued growth and requests from our patients, that we are changing our Thursday hours (starting Aug 1st) and opening them up as full clinic hours. The new hours of operation will be 2-8pm on Thursday to reflect the great need for afternoon and evening hours. Thanks to everyone for making this possible!

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 News Update: Oral Fluid HIV Test

As reported in the Academy of General Dentistry Impact Magazine (July 2007): Vol 35, No7, p26

McGill University Health Centre (Canada) and the Mahatma Ghandi Institute of Medical Sciences (India) have successfully tested an oral swab HIV test that is 100% accurate. The test involves rubbing a swab against gingiva twice to collect oral fluid. The applicator on the stick then detects blood HIV antibodies in 20 minutes or less.

(my paraphrasing)
What a great advancement in HIV testing (especially for the third world, which usually has limited access to high tech labs and equipment).


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: Salivary Glands Part 1

A bit of Dentistry 101:

There are basically 3 types of salivary (spit) glands and secretions they produce:

1. Serous (watery); mostly in the parotid gland (the largest salivary gland, its duct comes out at the level of the upper second molar) and glands of von Ebner
2. Mucous (thick); in the palatine and posterior lingual glands. They generally aid in swallowing.
3. Mixed; in the sublingual glands, submandibular glands (the most prolific producer of saliva), and the anterior sublingual glands. These glands (generally) secrete around the tongue.

Source: Crossley H, Unraveling the mysteries of saliva: Its importance in maintaining oral health, General Dentistry, Vol 55, No 4, July/Aug 2007, pg 288-296.

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

Pediatric Trauma and All Terrain Vehicles

It has been reported that in pediatric trauma centres, 40% of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) crash victims are fatalities, many of which are head and neck injuries.

Source: Humber C et al., Maxillofacial Injuries Associated with an All-Terrain-Vehicle Accident, Oral Health, June 2007, Vol 97, No 6, pg 35-42.

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

A Quantum leap for treating tooth decay?

I saw this article in today's Toronto Star about cavity detection without x-rays. It initially sounded similar to Diagnodent, which has issues detecting caries (cavities) in between teeth. I'm still waiting for more details before I form an opinion. Here's the teaser quote:

Once a cavity has formed and exposed itself on the surface, it's too late – it has to be cleaned out and filled.

Abrams says the industry needs to take a more preventative approach, and this is where Quantum Dental enters the scene. The company's research team, based out of the University of Toronto, has developed a prototype of a laser device that uses heat and light waves to detect tiny, below-surface lesions in teeth without exposing a patient to potentially harmful radiation.

A commercial prototype is scheduled to be launched next summer and, after a year of clinical testing, the company hopes to begin selling the device in the fall of 2009.

Dentists will still need x-rays to look at jawbone structure, but Abrams believes Quantum's device has the potential to be a fixture in every dentist's office. The absence of radiation means it can be a standard offering whenever someone gets in the dentist's chair, improving the chance of catching early-stage tooth decay before it becomes a bigger problem.

Read the rest of the article here:A Quantum leap for treating tooth decay

Source: A Quantum leap for treating tooth decay, July 2, Toronto Star, Business Section B, pg 1.

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

Reasons People Don't go to the Dentist

The reasons people gave on why they haven't been to a Dentist in over three years:

1. Didn't think it was necessary ~35%
2. Cost ~18%
3. Haven't gotten around to it ~11%
4. Fear ~7%

(values are my approximation of the chart data)

Source: Papadopoulos C, The Latest on Dental Consultations in Canada, JCDA June 2007, Vol 73, No 5, p 391.

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: Contact Rate with Dental Professionals

The contact rate with dental professionals (once in a 12 month period) for all Canadians 12 years and older was 63.7% in 2005. The 12-19 year old age group had the highest dental consultation rate at 78.6%, while the lowest was the 75 year and older group (40.8%). People from Ontario see their dentist the most frequently at an 85% rate.

Source: Papadopoulos C, The Latest on Dental Consultations in Canada, JCDA June 2007, Vol 73, No 5, p 391.


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

Counterfeit Toothpaste: Read the Label

In the category of "always read the label". There has been an epidemic of fake toothpaste around the world containing harmful chemicals. As a rule, always try to buy from a reputable supplier or major chain and look at the packaging. Virtually all major brands of toothpaste sold in Canada are made here or the US and are packaged with english and french labels (without spelling errors on the package i.e. Colgate becomes Coigate).

The Globe and Mail had an excellent article on this, here's the teaser quote:

Health Canada is investigating suspected counterfeit toothpaste found in Southern Ontario that is similar to a product at the centre of a health recall throughout the United States because of fears it contains an ingredient used in antifreeze.

Steve Janke, 40, bought a tube of what purports to be Colgate brand toothpaste labelled as being manufactured in South Africa from a dollar store in Guelph, Ont.

The packaging was missing the French translation found on most Canadian products and the 100-millilitre tube was labelled as being manufactured by Colgate-Palmolive (PTY) Ltd. [CL-N] in South Africa.

You can read the rest of the article here: Tainted toothpaste sparks probe

Source: Globe and Mail Online, June 19, 2007
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070619.wcolgate19/BNStory/National/home

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 Tavistock Dental Health Group

Just wanted to throw a few pics online of the practice where I started working at after I graduated in 2002 (and the model of dental care that I use for my own practice in Mississauga.) The first pic is of the building and the second are the two great dental assistants that work with me: Megan and Sue.

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: Second-Hand Smoking and Death

In Canada, more than 1000 non-smokers die from as a result of second-hand smoke.

Source: CTI Update, Ontario Dentist, June 2007, Vol 84, No 5, pg 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: Red Wine and Healthier Gums

Compounds in red wine called polyphenols which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties, may also have an effect on inflammatory periodontal (gum) disease. They work in part by scavenging free-radicals produced by immune cells in response to bacteria.

Source: Sevels I, Ontario Dentist, June 2007, Vol 84, No 5, pg 18-19.

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: Milk and Teeth

Enhancing milk with fluoride reduced the number of decayed, missing or filled teeth in a 21 month long study. Milk itself contributes to enamel remineralization (healing), prevents bacteria from attaching to teeth and forming biofilms.

Source: Sevels I, Ontario Dentist, June 2007, Vol 84, No 5, pg 18-19.

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 Do it Yourself Dentist

Found this nice article on some of the ways you can deal with a few common problems in the mouth. However, you should always contact your dentist for further advice. Here's the teaser quote: 7 maladies of the mouth and how to treat them — yourself.


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

UWO Dental School Receives 1.2 million from the Ontario Government

It's always good to see a news story about the government funding our dental schools. Dentistry is one of the most expensive professions for a university to fund and teach due to the massive infrastructure needed for dental operatories.

Source: Western News, University of Western Ontario

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 Article: Getting Young Kids to Brush

I found a nice article online on getting young kids to brush their teeth from www.canadianparents.ca. Here's the teaser quote:

Dear Mr. Dad: Our five-year old refuses to brush his teeth-almost every night my wife and I end up screaming at him (and each other) and he ends up in tears. We're thinking about bagging the whole idea. Does he really need to be brushing his teeth at this age? If so, what can we do to make the process a little less miserable for all of us (and our neighbors, who probably think we're torturing our son)?

You can read the rest of the article here: Getting Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth

Source: http://www.canadianparents.ca/CPO/SchoolAged/HealthWellness/2007/05/24/4205089.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

Cool Dental Website: Evidentista

Evidentista is a nice evidence based dental site helping practitioners access the latest information in the scientific literature on common clinical questions. The webiste has 2 lay individuals review the evidence while 2 oral health professionals provide a subsequent review.

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: Mouthrinses, Plaque and Gum Disease

Initial studies have shown that over the counter anti-plaque rinses are not much more effective against plaque and gum disease than rinsing with water.

Source: AGD Impact, Factsheet, April 2007, p 51.

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

Periodontal Disease and Tongue Cancer

Hi everyone,

I saw this breaking story on gum disease and tongue cancer over the newswires. I decided to quote the Globe and Mail: Chronic gum disease linked to risk of tongue cancer

If the risk of losing all your teeth to gum disease isn't incentive enough, researchers have found another preventative reason to brush and floss religiously — tongue cancer.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute say they have found a possible link between long-standing periodontitis, or gum disease, and the risk of developing tongue cancer.

The study, published in the May issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology, found the risk of tongue cancer due to chronic periodontal disease increased fivefold with every millimetre of lost alveolar bone — the bone in the jaw that holds teeth in place.

... After adjusting for potential effects of age, smoking status and the number of existing teeth, researchers found that the men with chronic gum disease were 5.2 times (my emphasis) more likely to have tongue cancer with every millimetre of bone loss than those without gum disease.

Yikes! Yet another reason to keep great oral hygiene and regular visits to your dental office.

Take care,


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

Happy Victoria Day!

Hi everyone,

Happy Victoria Day (for Canadians)! Have a great long weekend! The office is closed today and will be closed as usual on Tuesday. Jodie will be back to work on Wednesday fielding your calls. For any emergencies, give the office a call to leave a message (or to get my emergency number), or visit our website to get emergency dental tips.

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: Risks of HIV Transmission to Healthcare Workers

The risk of HIV transmission from infected patients is very low. Approximately 3 out of every 1000 cases (0.3%) in which a needle stick or other sharp instrument transmitted blood from infected patients to health care workers resulted in HIV transmission.

Source: Little J and Rhodus N, HIV and AIDS: Update for Dentistry, General Dentistry, May-June 2007, Vol 55, No 3, pg 184-196.

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

Cool Dental Site: Dental-Professional.ca

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to put up a link to a nice site for dental professionals (by Glaxo SK- makers of Sensodyne and other products). It has good information about their products and some patient friendly tools. However, as a company based site, it is natural that they will have a bias toward their products.

Take care


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

Botox for Bruxism?

Saw this in an issue of Chatelaine Magazine (March 2007, p 46). People with severe TMJ pain (the discomfort may extend to earaches, headaches, tooth pain, and facial/neck pain) may be able to get some relief by receiving Botox injections. However, multiple treatments may be required (at $400 a shot) and there may be side effects. My current recommendation is to stay with stress relief and the fabrication of a custom mouthguard if your case is mild to moderate.

Here's the teaser quote:

In the same way it paralyzes the muscles that cause wrinkles, Botox relaxes the tight, inflamed muscles around the jaw joint....patients usually see results in 2 to 3 weeks. Some people find long term relief after one session, while others need 2-3 sessions and then an injection every 3-6 months. The side effects can be...flu like symptoms for a day or two or some weakness in the face.

Take care

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: Dental Attrition

Dental Attrition: the normal physiological wear of teeth from chewing and tooth-to-tooth contact, without any foreign substances intervening. The degree of attrition is usually associated with age.

Source: Asa R, AGD Impact, April 2007, V35, No 4, pg 54-58

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

Cool Dental Site: Acid Erosion

Glaxo has put out a nice site (in the UK) explaining the causes of acid erosion. There is a multimedia explanation of the current research as well as an opportunity to get a CD-ROM with the data. Well worth the visit.

Take care

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: Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless tobacco has over 3000 chemicals including 28 known carcinogens.

Source: Prevention Source BC Website: www.preventionsource.org

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

Emergency Dentistry Tips from Promenade Court Dental Mississauga

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to put out a primer on what to do when a dental emergency hits. These suggestions are general guidelines, contact your dentist for information specific for your case and any modifications to the suggestions below:


Bitten tongue, cheek, lips, etc: Gently rinse area with cool water or wipe with damp gauze or cloth. Swelling is controlled with a cold pack or crushed ice in a ziplock. If bleeding continues, apply pressure with cool wet gauze or teabag. Take appropriate pain medication.

Bleeding Gums: Normally associated with periodontal (gum) disease. The best way to minimize bleeding is brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing daily, cleaning your tongue and visiting your dentist for regular checkups. Very rarely, persistent bleeding gums can be a early warning sign for leukemia.

Canker Sores: Keep the area clean by gentle tooth brushing and rinsing with salt water. Healing should occur in about 2 weeks. Avoid acidic, hot and spicy foods and drink. If needed, take pain medications and give us a call for an assessment. Do not apply any pain medication to the area.

Fractured or Broken Tooth: Gently rinse area with water (salt water if possible). Control bleeding with a cool wet gauze or teabag (apply pressure only to the bleeding tissues, not the tooth). Do not remove fractured pieces and save all fragments. Take the appropriate pain medication and see your dentist right away.

Gum Boil: Keep the area clean by gentle tooth brushing and rinsing with salt water. If pain and swelling increases in the area then cool compresses and pain medications will help. Do not try to pop the boil. You may need to be put on antibiotics. See us as soon as possible.

Knocked out Tooth: Save the tooth or tooth pieces in a balanced saline solution, contact lens solution, milk or water. If bleeding continues, apply pressure with cool wet gauze or teabag. Take appropriate pain medication. Do not clean the area as the tissue fragments will help the healing process if the tooth can be reinserted. Be gentle with the developing clot, no spitting, smoking or use of a straw. You must get to a dentist within 60 minutes to have any real chance of saving the tooth.

Loose Baby Tooth: If the child can wiggle the tooth out...great! Encourage the child to move the tooth in all directions, but do not use large forces. Slow and steady usually wins out. If both the adult tooth and baby tooth are visible then see us for an assessment.

Toothache: Avoid the area as much as possible: no biting, or food items in the area, avoid hot and cold drinks. If pain increases and swelling occurs, then a cold compress in the area will help. Pain medications as needed. See your dentist as soon as possible, you will likely have to take antibiotics.

Teething Pains: Freeze or chill some baby carrots and apply them to the area. Ice chips in a ziplock or cloth is also good. Some mild pain relievers and teeth gel (follow the instructions closely, do not overuse) can help.

Wisdom Tooth: Keeps the area as clean as possible with tooth brushing and warm salt water rinses. If the area begins to swell and pain increases, a cool compress and pain medications will help the situation. You may need to be put on antibiotics and the tooth/teeth will likely need to come out. Give us a call immediately

In general, Advil (Motrin/Ibuprofen) 200mg every 4-6 hours should help pain and inflammation. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 325mg every 4-6 hours is a good secondary alternative. Please review any allergies with your physician/dentist to these medications before using them. We can prescribe higher doses and different pain medications once an assessment of your situation is completed.

Hopefully this helps!

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

Tragic Story: Blindness because of the Lack of Dental Care

Here's a tragic story from the Toronto Star, Saturday April 28th, 2007 (online and paper editions):

Plunged into Darkness:
For want of $1,300 to pay an emergency dental bill, Moses Han went blind.

It was a simple problem to fix – for those with the money or private dental insurance.

But Moses, born in Korea with the name Jae-Bum Han, did not have either. He worked 14-hour days, seven days a week, in his Oakville convenience store, the sole source of income he and his wife, Gloria Joung-Rae Lee, used to raise three young daughters in their nearby townhouse.

Too embarrassed to tell his dentist he didn't have the money, Moses decided to take the pain. When he walked out of a Mississauga dental clinic last October, Moses knew only that the nerves in his back left molar were dying.

What he did not know is that abscesses can develop in dead teeth. Dr. Hazel Stewart, of Toronto Public Health, says these infections can expand swiftly, sometimes creating severe distress within 48 hours.

Left unchecked, infection can spread through the neck, jaw and torso. It can creep upward to the nerves and blood vessels that surround the brain, and the orbital cavities around the eyes.

(Read the rest of the story, it's a long expose: Plunged into Darkness)

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

Happy First Anniversary!

Hi everyone,

I am so very proud to announce that we have reached our first anniversary at our current location. I want to thank all the people that have made my first year as a practice owner so rewarding. First, I would like to thank my dear wife and family along with my friends and co-workers at 2233 Hurontario. A special note goes to Jodie Ton, who has done a magnificent job as my assistant/front desk person.

I am pleased to announce that we have added, in our initial year over 135 families to our roster of active patients. Both Jodie and I are very thankful for the support of our patients during the growing phase of our practice and appreciate the great number of referrals...keep it up :)

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

ODA Convention was a Blast!

Hi everyone,

Yesterday, some of our great staff at both practices went to the Ontario Dental Association convention (at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto) and we all had a great time there. I attended a nice course on oral surgery and bought a few more instruments to expand our scope and efficiency at extractions and other surgical procedures. Of course, it wouldn't be a day without taking a picture with the Listerine guys.

I actually won a prize at the convention: a great gift certificate from FTD flowers. Thanks to the ODA and everyone involved for making the day very interesting and informative.

(in the picture above, from left to right: Jodie, Deborah, and myself)

Take care,

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

Donation of Toothbrushes for Fundraiser a Success!

Hi everyone,

We were proud to be one of the sponsors for the 4Unity Productions fundraiser. Who are they? Here's how they describe themselves:

4UNITY productions is a youth driven media association dedicated to facilitating multimedia-based opportunities [audio, video, new media] for youth [12-24] in Parkdale and across the GTA. 4UNITY productions stresses teamwork, creativity, critical thinking and arts education and is committed to improving the lives of urban youth by enabling the transformation of their often challenging life experiences into positive realities. 4UNITY integrates life and job skill development with urban art forms in an effort to help develop and foster self-esteem, self-worth, creativity and hard skills to youth at no cost.

They are based in Parkdale, which is one of the lower income areas of Toronto. Thanks to the Arts Management students at the University of Toronto and Sonia P. for contacting me for this endevour.

(I found it ironic that the toothbrushes were next to the candy, but if you're going to eat a few sweets, you might as well brush afterwards.)



Take care

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

ADA email: Infective Endocarditis

Hi everyone,

Got this email from the ADA:

New guidelines for prevention of infective endocarditis were released by the American Heart Association April 19. The AHA and ADA now recommend that fewer dental patients with heart disease receive antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures to prevent the heart infection called infective endocarditis (IE). The guidelines were developed by a group appointed by the AHA that included experts in infectious disease and cardiology and members representing the ADA. The guidelines were endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

After reviewing relevant scientific literature from 1950–2006, the group concluded that bacteremia resulting from daily activities is much more likely to cause IE than bacteremia associated with a dental procedure. In addition, only an extremely small number of IE cases might be prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis, even if prophylaxis is 100% effective. Based on these conclusions, antibiotic prophylaxis is now recommended before dental procedures only for patients with underlying cardiac conditions associated with the highest risk of adverse outcome from IE, such as patients with artificial heart valves, a history of endocarditis, certain serious congenital heart conditions and heart transplant patients who develop a problem with a heart valve.

For more details see ADA.org.

Interesting... I'll be waiting for confirmation from all the relevant Canadian organizations before changing the way I practice.

Take care



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

Cool Dental Site: Straumann Canada

Hi everyone,

This site is mainly for dental professionals as it is the Canadian website for Straumann Implants. Straumann, along with Nobel Biocare are the leading manufacturers of dental implants in the world.

Take care

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

Oral Appliance Therapy and Tooth Movement

Hi everyone,

Oral Appliance (OA) therapy has been used in patients with primary snoring and mild sleep apnea and has been proven effective. The concept is to position the mandible and tongue anteriorly (forward) to help open the airway. However, long term use has been shown to cause tooth shifting in about 85% of patients with about 41% having a favourable change and 44% unfavourable. Overbite and overjet also tended to decrease.

Source: Sevels I, Snoring, Sleep Apnea and Occlusion, Ontario Dentist, April 2007, Vol 8, No 3, pg 20-21.


Take care

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: Transposition of Maxillary (Upper) Canines

Sometimes teeth can appear out of place in the mouth. The upper canine is the only tooth that can show up in the central incisor position; an apparent movement of two tooth spaces.

Source: Greenberg D, Restoration of a Transpositioned Canine: A Case Report, Oral Health, March 2007, Vol 97, No 3, pg 114-116.

Take care,

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

Zirconia and Implants

Hi everyone,


I've started the transition to using zirconia abutments and crowns with my implant cases. Why? Two main advantages:

• The silver colour of a usual titanium implant abutment (structure underneath the crown) can now be a colour that more resembles the final crown. Allows for better aesthetics. (first image)



• The strength of the crowns is incredible (reportedly up to 1200 MPa), especially compared to all-porcelain crowns with very comparable aesthetics. Allows for better durability. (second image)

Thanks to POW Laboratories for the excellent lab work. The crowns can be cemented with a temp cement (yes, the fit is that good!) or a non-expanding permanent cement. The implants that we primarily use are Noble Biocare Replace Select.


Take care

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

Health Canada Alert: Salivart

Hi everyone,

I just got this alert via email from Health Canada via the Canadian Dental Association:

Health Canada Recall Advisory for Certain Lots of Salivart Oral Moisturizer

Since dentists can recommend the use of Salivart Oral Moisturizer, the Canadian Dental Association is bringing to your attention the following Health Canada advisory about the recall of certain lots of this product because of possible contamination with mould or yeast:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2007/2007_38_e.html

We don't use Salivart at either of the offices that I work at, but I wanted to put this information out to our general readership.

Take care,


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

Happy Easter!

Hi everyone,

Happy Easter to everyone!

(Remember to brush after eating those Easter bunnies!) :)

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