Arial Dental Blog

Aria Dental 2nd year Anniversary

2011-11-17T10:42:00.000-08:00

Today, we are celebrating Aria Dental Studio's 2nd year anniversary.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank:

* All our loyal patients for their confidence in us & their referrals
* Our hard working and enthusiastic staff Theresa and Maria

* My lovely wife and daughter for their endless support and for putting up with my constant dental talks over breakfast, lunch and dinner, (and in between snacks)

* Our wonderful reps, maintenance crew and suppliers - you know who you are! ;-)

* The hard working and innovative researchers and developers for making dentistry so much FUN and Magical!

Thank you!

Dr Mehio

Want straighter teeth without the hassle of metal braces?

2011-05-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Most people want straighter teeth. If you would like to improve the look of your smile, we have the solution for you.

Dr.Mehio is a preferred Invisalign provider. What is Invisalign? It is the clear alternative (pun intended) to traditional metal braces. Traditional braces may cause the roots of your teeth become shorter and about half of the wearers of metal braces experience tooth decay.

Why, is this? The reason is that traditional braces can’t be taken out for cleaning or eating, and thus also decrease the accuracy of x-rays. With Invisalign, you receive new removable aligners every 2 weeks, adjusted to fit the changes in your tooth alignment. These aligners are less painful for patients. You can also eat whatever you want, because you can remove your aligners before meals. These aligners are clear, making them virtually invisible. Invisalign may also work more quickly than braces.

Some people are unhappy with their smile, but don’t want to go through the pain and embarrassment of visible metal braces.

Now you can have the straight teeth you always wanted without the inconvenience of braces. If you are interested in Invisalign, please give us a call and we will schedule you a free consultation at your convenience.

Mouthwash: Do you really need to use it?

2011-04-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Q: Is it necessary to use mouthwash?
A: Mouthwash is beneficial to your oral health.
Q: How so?
A: It can reduce bad breath, periodontal disease, and if it contains fluoride it can even reduce cavities. If you are prone to cavities, you may benefit from using a mouthwash.
Q: Great, so I don’t have to brush or floss anymore?
A: Sorry to get your hopes up, but brushing and flossing remain highly important for your dental health. Mouthwash does not replace brushing and flossing, but together they are like the three musketeers of dental health.
Q: Should I use mouthwash before or after brushing and flossing?
A: It is most advantageous to use mouthwash last, and to not rinse your mouth out with water afterwards. The reason for this is that when you introduce water into your mouth, you are preventing some of the fluoride from coating your teeth. Fluoride in regulated quantities is beneficial for your oral health.
Q: What kind of mouthwash should I use?
A: Whichever brand you prefer, as long as you make sure that the label says that it is alcohol-free. There has been some debate about whether or not mouthwashes containing alcohol can contribute to oral cancer. It would be wise choose a variety that does not contain alcohol. Most new mouthwashes do not contain alcohol. Choosing a mouthwash that contains fluoride is also a good idea.
Q: Thanks for the info!
A: Our pleasure, we are here to help you achieve great oral health and smile confidence! Please comment if you have any questions, or topics you would be interested in reading about on our blog.

Too busy for two dental visits?

2011-04-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

We have good news for you!

We are very excited for our new addition.
Our favourite new staff member is CEREC! That stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEramic REConstruction). Developed at Zurich University, this CAD/CAM system has been successful in dental studios since 1985. Over 8 million patients have been treated by CEREC. She works like the Ferrari of dental machines, and she’s a real time saver.
Are you too busy for two visits to the dentist? Our new CEREC machine eliminates this need, cutting down your time to one visit.
How is that possible? Well, instead of taking impressions at our office and sending them to the lab, CEREC creates the crown for us in office. No need to take impressions, no temporaries, and no waiting for the lab to send us your restorations. CEREC creates crowns, onlays, inlays, and veneers.

How it works:
We take a 3-D photograph of the tooth being restored, and then this is uploaded to the CEREC computer where the restoration is designed to fit in naturally with your surrounding teeth. This info is then sent to the milling unit, where diamond burs mill the restoration from a ceramic block. The Dentist then uses resin cement to bond the restoration to your tooth.
Not only will your restoration look natural, but milled ceramic is also stronger than ceramic that is layered and pressed by hand in a lab. The materials used are also biocompatible and metal-free. There are no disadvantages for the patient. For the patient the cost is the same, and the time is reduced.
The only downside is the cost that we pay to purchase the machine, as well as the time spent for the Dentist to learn to use the machine. Here at Aria Dental, we strongly believe this is time and money well spent. We appreciate your loyalty, and know that you will appreciate the saved time. One appointment is all it takes!

What is a Dental Implant?

2011-04-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. The benefit of using implants is that they don't rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants are a good solution to tooth loss because they look and feel like natural teeth.

Implant material is made from different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissue. There are different types of dental implants: the first is placed directly into the jaw bone, like natural tooth roots; the second is used when the jaw structure is limited, therefore, a custom-made metal framework fits directly on the existing bone.

If you have missing teeth, did you know you are losing bone?

2011-03-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

Teeth are essential to chewing, speaking and smiling. They can be a good reflection of your personality, age & lifestyle. Missing one or more teeth can compromise our ability to do any of those tasks and may affect our confidence. More importantly, missing teeth may lead to bone loss in the jaw.

Bone needs that constant stimulation from teeth like muscles require stimulation to maintain their volume and strength. Without the tooth to stimulate the jaw, the bone beneath it will begin to shrink (atrophy) in the same manner that muscle underneath a cast gets smaller. Since your facial bone supports the skin and muscles on top of it, losing volume can cause your face to look prematurely aged. The good news is that dental implants offer a solution to stop bone loss.

For any questions or a complimentary consultation, you may contact our Vancouver office at (604)568-8686

Botox for Clenching/Bruxism treatment

2010-10-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Botox injections are well known for their facial cosmetic benefits as well as the relief of certain medical conditions such as excessive sweating. Botox works primarily by temporarily decreasing or paralyzing the muscles into which it is injected. Because of the ability to lessen muscle contractions, it is logical to assume that Botox will work for many other medical conditions in which excessive or too strong muscle contractions are the source of pain and dysfunction.

Jaw clenching and bruxism are common conditions that cause facial pain and excessive wear on one's teeth. Typical treatments include nightguard to protect the teeth and medications that attempt to decrease inflammation of the muscle or cause sedation in attempt to limit the strength of the muscle. Neither approach really addresses the source of the problem....excessive muscle activity and spasticity.

Botox would seem to be a very logical approach to the treatment of bruxism. It can be injected precisely into the sorest part of the muscle, weakening the most spastic part of the very large masseter muscle without affecting the ability to chew. Breaking the spasm of a muscle often only requires stopping the origin or focal area of contraction and not the whole muscle. Even with only partial relief of muscle tension, pain is less and less clenching occurs.

This has been precisely my experience with the treatment of clenching and associated TMJ disorders. The key to a successful outcome is to be able to locate by feel the source of muscle spasm. Usually this is possible as the patient knows where the sorest part of the jaw muscle is. Three to five injections are done through the outer skin into the underlying masseter or temporalis muscle. It usually takes about 25 to 30 units per affected side as a starting dose. It may eventually take a higher dose to get a more complete relief but this starting dose should at least get some relief. If no relief is obtained at this dose, this would suggest that a higher dose is unlikely to be effective either. Like all Botox injections, it takes about a week to see its effect, so patients have to be patient.

For a complimentary consultation, email us at: info@ariadental.com, http://www.ariadental.com/contact.php or call 604-568-8686.

Homemade mouthwashes

2010-07-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

If you tried the old-fashioned over-the-counter mouthwashes, you must be familiar with the burning sensation they provide. In this blog, I have 3 simple home-made mouthwash recipes that will leave your mouth feeling fresh for a long time. they also help eliminate bad breath as well as kill germs.

Recipe 1:
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
a drop of tea tree oil
a drop of peppermint oil

Recipe 2:
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup water
1 tsp of salt

Recipe 3:
1 Tbs water
1 Tbs 3% hydrogen peroxide

Just brush for two minutes, floss and rinse for 30 seconds with the mouthwash and spit, don't swallow! Let us know how you feel!

5 things you can do to prevent bad breath

2010-07-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

1.Practice good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
2.See your dentist regularly -- at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning and will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
3.Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
4.Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
5.Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods that you eat may be causing your bad breath, record what you eat so that you can determine which foods may be contributing to the problem. Bring the log to your dentist to review. Also make a list of the medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.

Successful Presentations – Thanks to your teeth!

2010-07-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

Successful Presentations – Thanks to your teeth!

Aria Dental Studio’s location in the heart of the downtown Vancouver business district naturally attracts many business professionals who are concerned about the image they portray to their colleagues and clients. They usually give presentations and attend social functions. Their number one wish is to have a healthy looking, well aligned and bright smile – after all they already know how to dress for success and what’s left visually is their SMILE.

Sometimes people think that it takes a lot of work to correct a smile but the simplest of changes can make a world of a difference. Ask us to simulate your perfect smile! It's complimentary.

Here are some of the most common chief complaints that bring people to Aria Dental Studio:

Misaligned teeth:
“I feel like people are staring at my protruding fangs”
“ I try to talk without opening my mouth up too much when I give presentations because I feel that people are staring at my crooked teeth – its true you only get one first impression”
Stained teeth
“ I don’t usually smile, instead I smirk because of the permanent stain on my front teeth”
Uneven teeth:
“I don’t like the look of my chipped front tooth”
Missing teeth:
“I feel older now that I have a missing tooth”
Unhealthy looking smile / “Bad Breath”
“My metallic fillings make my teeth look dirty”
“ My gum recession is making my roots appear, it looks like yellow dirt at the edge of my teeth”
“I am never sure if my breath smells bad or not, sometimes my girlfriend notices it”

The first step that we take is to do a comprehensive exam and smile analysis when patients come in for their exam and cleaning. We then do a smile simulation with the “wish list” in mind. Once the patient is happy with what they see, we can proceed with the treatment(s) as needed.

The methods we employ for smile corrections and achieving healthy looking, aligned and bright smiles can include the following:

Invisalign: has allowed us to render many beautifully aligned smiles for our patients having to do minimal preparation work on their teeth in a discreet and comfortable manner for the patient
Zoom Whitening: to remove any tough stains they have and change the smile from a yellow to a bright one
Porcelain Veneers: to cover any permanent stains not removable by Zoom Whitening
Composite White Fillings: to replace silver amalgams fillings
Dental Implants for any missing teeth
Gum plastic surgery: contouring and gum grafts to correct “gummy smiles” or incorporate more gums for people with gum recession

We hope that you found this blog helpful, please contact us if you have any of the above problems and would like more information. Our consultations are complimentary!

Teeth Whitening. The Good. The Bad and the Evil.

2010-05-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

The world is full of teeth whitening products. So, we chose to write this blog to answer some of the most commonly asked questions are our clinic (Aria Dental Studio in Vancouver)

Which are the best whitening products to use? Drug store versus Professional office kits/procedures?

Which one causes more sensitivity? Do they all cause sensitivity?
Is it bad for the teeth?

First off, let’s talk about why people want whiter teeth. Most people aren’t aware of the subconscious reaction they get when they see a beautiful white smile. They just think it’s a beautiful smile but may not pin point exactly what makes it beautiful.

White teeth are considered beautiful because they are associated with good health and youth.

There are different types of stains that can discolour our teeth:

1) Superficial stains: that can be removed by brushing or polishing before they become set into the enamel. They are caused by coloured foods or drinks (ex. Red wine, chocolate, beef etc)

2) Deep Stains that have sunk below the enamel and cannot be removed by polishing or brushing but can be removed with hydrogen peroxide. They are also caused by foods and drinks we eat but if they are not removed immediately from the surface of the tooth they get into the matrix of the enamel and can only be removed by hydrogen peroxide.

3) Inorganic stains are stains that are incorporated into the structure of the tooth while the tooth was developing, they may be caused by certain medications or fluoride that were ingested by the pregnant mother or the child as the teeth were in the development stage. These are stains that cannot be removed by whitening products (some tetracycline stains will fade with repeated in home hydrogen peroxide treatments used over long periods of time). There is still hope for these types of stains as they can be dealt with by the dentist by either placing bonding or veneers.

So, it’s important to ask your dentist what type of stains you have before going ahead and trying to whiten your teeth. It’s also important to brush and floss after eating and drinking to avoid staining your teeth as much as possible. Also, keeping regular hygiene appointments where your teeth are polished will also keep your teeth at their brightest.

Breaking down the products:

1) Whitening toothpaste: most toothpastes that claim to whiten your teeth contain a pumice like material to polish your teeth as well as titanium dioxide (which reflects light). The pumice like material works to polish off superficial stains while the titanium oxide will give a reflective light thus creating the illusion of whiter teeth.

a. The pros: very affordable in comparison to any other product, toothpaste + whitening promises into one product

b. The cons: the pumice like material is harsh on your enamel. The more you use this product the more of your enamel you brush off therefore exposing the more sensitive part of your teeth which is right under the enamel. Also, the titanium dioxide is not safe to ingest in large amounts and will not provide any true whitening effect.

Our conclusion: save your money for something better!

2) Whitening Strips or brush on from the Drug Store: they claim to contain a very low, un-labelled or undetermined concentration of carbamide peroxide.

a. Pros: cheaper than the in office or professional take home kits cost about $30-50 versus $100-500 in office or professional grade take home kits. May provide some whitening action if used correctly over a very long period of time.

b. Cons:

i. Very low efficacy. The concentration of carbamide peroxide is very low and then breaks down to the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide yielding even less of the active ingredient needed to whiten the teeth.

ii. No Desensitizers provided into or incorporated with the product. So, if you have sensitive teeth you will have to either purchase desensitizer from your dentists’ office or keep rubbing sensodyne or orajel on your teeth

iii. Must be used long term to see results, thus; prolonging sensitivity. You will need to pay for a few kits before seeing very little results.

iv. No Dental Assessment. If you have any cracks or hairline fractures in your teeth that aren’t detectable by you, you will experience extra sensitivity or damage to the pulp of your teeth. Only a dental professional can properly assess your teeth and recommend the type of product and concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

Our conclusion: proceed with caution.

Professional Grade Whitening products contain higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide ranging from 6-9% to about 35%.

The procedure goes as follows:

1) Assessment of your teeth:

a. Determining your current shade on the shade chart

b. Determining the type of stains you have

c. Providing you an estimate of how many shades lighter you should expect to see

d. Ruling out any contra-indications to whitening

Zoom Whitening:

a. This is a very powerful way to get teeth to whiten by up to 8 shades in one office visit

b. It is a 1.5 hour session performed at our office by the dentist

c. The procedure involves the following steps:

i. Isolation of your gum tissues by the dentist using liquid dam as well as guaze and mouth retractors

ii. Polishing of your teeth by the dentist – freshly polished teeth allow better penetration of the hydrogen peroxide into the enamel and therefore better results!

iii. Hydrogen peroxide application by the dentist

iv. The Zoom Advanced Power Light Activation to synergize the way hydrogen peroxide cleaves the stains on your teeth – this is much more powerful that hydrogen peroxide gel alone. This occurs in three to four 15minute light sessions until we achieve the desired result

v. Application of desensitizer

vi. Take home after care instructions

2) Take home whitening kit: contains professional grade hydrogen peroxide concentration. It is a lower concentration than the in office system; however, still contains a higher concentration than drug store brands as well as a specified concentration unlike the drug store brands. Some of the products we carry even contain a desensitizer for those who have sensitive teeth unlike the drug store brands. The product is to be applied daily for about 14 days to achieve about 4-6 shades difference than your starting shade.