In a paper published in J Am Dent Assoc 1998 Mar;129(3):301-11 Dr Walter Loesche from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, wrote:

“Several recent studies have shown a link between dental disease and coronary heart disease. The authors studied 320 U.S. veterans in a convenience sample to assess the relationship between oral health and systemic diseases among older people. They present cross-sectional data confirming that a statistically significant association exists between a diagnosis of coronary heart disease and certain oral health parameters, such as the number of missing teeth, plaque benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide test scores, salivary levels of Streptococcus sanguis and complaints of xerostomia. The oral parameters in these subjects were independent of and more strongly
associated with coronary heart disease than were recognized risk factors, such as serum cholesterol levels, body mass index, diabetes
and smoking status. However, because of the convenience sample studied, these findings cannot be generalized to other populations. ”

To translate this article, in this study dental disease was a larger risk factor for heart disease than being overweight, having a high cholesterol level, not exercising or smoking.

By MELINDA MAWDSLEY/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Brian Burton knows braces not houses.

A local orthodontist, Burton, 34, doesn’t have much experience building a home.

But the orthodontist’s commitment to Mary White and her three daughters trumps any contribution Burton can give hanging drywall and installing electrical outlets at the house being built for the White family.

“I worked construction throughout college, but I was primarily responsible for sweeping floors,” Burton said. “I was the clean-up guy.”

Instead of actually donating materials toward construction of the house, Burton is helping with fundraising.

Burton has known the White family for several years. His family used to live near the Whites and he was assigned through his church to check on the Whites periodically.

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Camarillo Orthodontist’s FACT or FICTION

1. Orthodontists are appropriate only for the most challenging and complex orthodontic cases.
FICTION: Orthodontists recognize the difference between a simple case and a complex one. And when a case is challenging, orthodontists know what to do.

2. My family dentist says he can straighten my teeth.
FACT: However, an orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist at straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function. A dentist may see a handful of cases a year amid drilling and filling. An orthodontist only practices orthodontics and treats hundreds of patients.

3. Braces are for kids.
FICTION: One in five orthodontic patients is an adult.

4. If there was a giant, overhead magnet and someone flipped a switch, people wearing braces would fly out of their chairs and stick to the ceiling.
FICTION: Unlikely, as braces are made from non-magnetic materials.

5. Orthodontists charge more than general dentists for orthodontic treatment.
FACT: However, it’s not the same work. The value in seeing an orthodontist for treatment is that the orthodontist is an expert, highly experienced and understands form, function and a wonderful smile.

6. Braces are painful and take two years or more for the desired result.
FICTION: After the adjustment period, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, braces are comfortable. Some may be worn for months, not years.

7. Signals from braces link to the Internet to download songs onto an iPod.
FICTION: This is not possible! Not yet anyway!

8. Braces are ugly, call attention to themselves and would be embarrassing in business settings.
FICTION: Today’s braces may be nearly invisible, made from clear plastic, or unseen, mounted on the back (lingual) side of the teeth.

9. Orthodontists have a low profile.
FACT: Some may prefer to be low profile, but orthodontists give back to the community by offering free, discounted, services to patients in need.

10. Any dentist may join the American Association of Orthodontists
FICTION: Only orthodontists may become members of the American Association of Orthodontists.

There is a new option for patients who wish for straighter teeth and a more functional bite without the unsightly “train tracks.” For the “ideal” patient – that is, the orthodontist believes good results can be achieved using this method for a particular patient – Invisalign provides a tooth straightening alternative. If surgery is required to help optimize orthodontic results, Invisalign will likely not be recommended for the aligning the teeth.

Invisalign treatment begins with a visit to a dentist who will make the referral to an orthodontist. There, the orthodontist will discuss whether or not Invisalign is an appropriate treatment plan and schedule an appointment to take molds of a patient’s teeth. These molds/impressions are sent to a lab where a system of mouth guard-style aligning devices will be fabricated, each one a couple millimeters different than the last until the ideal tooth position is realized with the final appliance. These appliances will be kept in your dentist’s or camarillo orthodontist’s office. (Some general or cosmetic dentists may also be able to initiate Invisalign treatment.)

Check out the Camarillo Orthodontist video

Bonding.

If you have a misshapen or rotated tooth or if the shapes of your teeth create a smile you don’t like, then a Camarillo Orthodontist can painlessly change your smile by adding a bonded composite material to your teeth. Minimally bonded smiles can look great and tend to look more natural than a fully veneered smile. When people see your new smile, they usually notice your own, natural teeth, not the small altered portion. Bonding, combined with a prior bleaching treatment, is one of your best options for teeth that look wonderful. Although bonded teeth can look great, they do sometimes pick up stain and the texture bonded surfaces can change over time.

Braces.

Both conventional orthodontics and Invisalign clear braces (invisible trays) are great options these days. Conventional braces move your teeth using wires and brackets on teeth (to hold the wire). The wire exerts tension on different teeth to move them into more desirable positions. Invisalign is relatively new and uses a series of clear invisible plastic trays to gradually move the teeth into a better position. While undergoing treatment patients are encouraged to wear the trays up to 23 hours a day and only remove them while eating and brushing their teeth. Sometimes straightening just the front and side teeth will dramatically improves your smile. With the Invisalign technique, straightening can be accomplished in as few as 18 weeks.