IMPLANT FYI

BY DAWN, IMPLANT COORDINATOR

TOOTH REPLACEMENT FOR THE YEAR 2000

As we face the new millennium hastily approaching, it can certainly be anticipated that there will be many breakthroughs in modern medicine. It may also be predicted that dental implants will be the standard form of tooth replacement in the year 2000.

What many people may not realize is that dental implants have been around for years. When we see patients in our office many often ask whether or not implants are still “experimental”.

This is definitely not the case. Of course, dental implants are still considered new as opposed to other forms of tooth replacement such as dentures and dental bridges.

It has been said that George Washington wore wooden dentures. Dental bridges, which as their name describes “bridges” spaces between two good teeth across a missing tooth or series of teeth. Both of these methods of tooth replacement are readily used and some people have great success.

However, speak to someone who has dental implants and I’ll bet that they tell you there is something better. Missing teeth are a real problem which prevent many people from eating normally, being social in public and really feeling good about their appearance.

Today we have so much to offer in the way of painless, modern and natural tooth replacement, that it seems unreasonable not to at least investigate the utilization of dental implants.

SMOKING VS. DENTAL IMPLANTS

Nothing needs to be said regarding the health risks associated with smoking. We have all heard it before. However, if someone is interested in the utilization of dental implants, I can only give the facts:

a. Smoking has been identified as a major factor in implant failure.
b. Studies done on smokers and non-smokers found that failure rates of implants were significantly higher in the smoker groups.
c. Smoking causes reduced blood flow and reduced vascularity which has been shown to be a predominant factor in the failure rate of implants among smokers.

A lot of time and effort is spent in the decision to go ahead with dental implants and it is well worth it in the end. Every attempt should be made to ensure a long relationship between you and your implants.

WORDS FOR THOUGHT

Do you remember what it felt like when you still had all your natural teeth? Do you remember what is was like to eat whatever you wanted, to smile without thinking about it? My guess is that at the time you probably didn’t give much thought to it, but I’m sure if you’re missing teeth you think a lot about it now. Hindsight is 20/20 and we can never regain totally what we have lost. The best thing we can do is utilize modern technology and take advantage of all it has to offer.

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST

1. The cost of a dental implant is comparable to that of a dental bridge in most cases.
2. Dr. G. M. Silverman invented and patented the first submergible two stage tapered dental implant in 1971, so you can see that he has been at it for a while.
3. Dental implants are made of titanium the same material used in hip replacement so they are safe and reliable.

THE STAFF AT DR. GERALD SILVERMAN’S OFFICE WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP WITH ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR COMMENTS. MY NAME IS DAWN AND I AM DR. SILVERMAN’S IMPLANT COORDINATOR.

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL ME AT THE OFFICE OR E-MAIL ME WITH YOUR QUESTIONS REGARDING DENTAL IMPLANTS AT OUR WEB SITE.

OUR GOAL IS TO WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS BY USING THE MOST ADVANCED IMPLANT PROCEDURES. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON.

THANK YOU, DAWN

Interesting useless information:

1. Average number of teeth of individuals and missing teeth at different ages:

How many of these individuals would benefit from dental implants?

2. “NO TEETH, NO CHARGE”

Fans with missing teeth were admitted for free to the Kansas City Blades regular season IHL finale Saturday night.

Any fan with a chipped tooth got a half-priced ticket.

Some 269 fans got in for free with another 48 qualifying for the half-price deal. The other 9325 fans apparently had full sets of teeth.

Toothless Night was part of a fan appreciation promotion that saw every fan in attendance go home with a prize.

More than $25,000 in prizes, including a diamond ring, were given away.

Canadian Press

3. New Computers for the office:

We got new DELL computers for the office this week so that can be compliant with the new YK2 or is it Y2K for the year 2000. I still have problems setting my VCR clock. I can’t understand why it always blinks 12:00... 12:00... 12:00...

Oh, well, bear with us and the new computer system. This will allow us to use EDI which is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

The EDI allows us to submit your dental claims electronically directly to the insurance company. Payments to you can then be made within a few days in most cases The best part about my new computer is the new “Star Wars” video game that came with it. So far I can only reach level two.

4. Best Joke of the Day:

A man decides to join the circus. He shows up to demonstrate his skills to the impresario. "I have the most unusual act," he announces. "I'm sure it will amaze you."

He proceeds to climb a tall tower, and jumps off. He flaps his arms wildly, and finally his fall slows. He soars forward, then swoops upward, turns and swoops back again. Finally he stops in mid air and gently lowers himself to the ground.

The impresario stares blankly at him for a long time. Finally he speaks, "Is that all you've got? Bird imitations?"
from “Arthur Frommer Travel Newsletter”

5. Strange facts:

a. Americans on the average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

b. An ant can lift 50 times its own weight and can pull 30 times its own weight.

c. Polar bears are left-handed.

d. The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It would be similar to a human being jumping the length of a football field.

e. Butterflies taste with their feet.

f. Elephants are the only animals that can’t jump.

g, Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

h. The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds, that makes the catfish rank #1 for animal having the most taste buds.

i An ostrich’s eye is bigger than it’s brain.

If you have any important strange facts that you think that our readers would find amusing and interesting, please write, call, fax or E-mail them to us for publication in our Dentalimplants.net September Newsletter.

6. Our Dental Assistant Kim's contribution to the August Newsletter:

“The ornaments of our home are the friends that frequent it”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

7. Computer Education:

Since we now have new computers in our office, the entire staff is taking an all day course in how to turn off and how to turn on the computers including some information on the Windows Small Office 2000 Program. The course will be taken in mid-September, so bear with us and hopefully by then....well, no promises, but our new system should be up and running.

8. Elaine, Financial Coordinator, recipe:

Toffee cookies:

1.Place graham cracker squares on a cookie sheet.
2. In a sauce pan or pot, place 1/2 cup of butter and/2 cup of margarine at room temperature, 1/2 cup of brown sugar and a tablespoon of corn syrup.
3. Over medium heat, bring to a boil and gently boil for 2 minutes.
4. Pour over graham crackers and sprinkle with slice almonds.
5. Bake at 350’ for 8 minutes.
6. Remove from pan immediately before they harden.

Do you have any low fat recipes, such as the one above, to contribute to our readers?

Elaine’s tip of the day: Cut your bagels in half before you freeze them and they are ready for toasting when you’re ready.

9. Worst Dental Joke of the Month:

A man walks into a dentist’s office with a large cloth wrapped around his face and jaw. It literally covered most of his face. “My word, “ laughed the dentist. “I haven’t seen anyone with a toothache wearing a get-up like that in years!” “What toothache?” retorted the man. “This is a stickup”

Contributed by Morton Grossman, D.D.S.

10. Worst Chewing Gum Joke of the Month:

Before her first plane ride, a woman was told that chewing gum would keep her ears from popping during the flight. After the plane landed, she turned to her seat companion and said, “The chewing gum worked fine, but how do I get it out of my ears?”

11. Short Dental Jokes:

a. Three days ago, my wife and I stopped by our dentist. “I’d like you to pull a tooth,” my wife says to the dentist, “ and no anesthetic because I’m in a hurry.” “My, that’s brave,” the dentist said, “which tooth is it?” “Honey”, my wife said to me, “show him your tooth.”

b. My wife has a heart of gold - and teeth to match.

c. “Did they take an X-ray of your wife’s jaw at the hospital?”
“They tried to - but all they got we a moving picture.”

d. There is nothing to promote the payment of an old dental bill like a new toothache.

e. Patient: “Do you extract teeth painlessly?
Dentist: “Not always. The other day I nearly dislocated my wrist.”

f. Philosophy: Teeth is very nice to have,
They fills you with content.
And if you doesn't know it now,
You will when they have went.

g. “Darling, in the moonlight your teeth are like pearls.”
“Oh, when were you in the moonlight with Pearl?”

h. Why do dentist get fat?
Everything they touch is filling.

i. “This toothache keeps me awake at night. What can I do for it/”
“You could get job as a night watchman.”

J. Dentist: “The check you gave me came back...”
Patient: “So did my toothache.”

Do you know any good jokes? If you do, please send them to us.

12. “Five things your dentist may not have told you”

a. Try brushing before meals:
If you’re about to eat acidic foods, brushing ahead of time will be kind to the teeth since acids will soften enamel rendering the teeth vulnerable to be being brushed away. Eventually saliva neutralizes the acidity.

b. Chew gum to stem decay:
Gum stimulates saliva, which lowers acidity in the mouth. which may significantly reduce dental decay. However, gum chewing is not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing.

c. Stay with three square meals:
Anyone prone to cavities may benefit from a simple change of lifestyle by eating less frequently.

d. Diet soda’s also bad for teeth:
The sugar in regular soda feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay.Diet soda contain the same kind of enamel-eroding acids though they appear to be less harmful than regular sodas. Pineapple and citrus juices can have the same acidic effect.

e. Take pain relievers by the clock:
After dental work, pain relief is most effective if you maintain a steady level of medicine in your system, so maintain the level of pain medication on a regular basis until relief is obtained.
“Consumer Reports”, August, 1999

13. Calculation of automobile costs:
leasing vs. buying:

The CIBC Getting Behind the Wheel auto web site allows consumers to do their financial homework electronically before heading to a dealer to buy a new vehicle. The site which is located at www.cibc.ca offers interactive tools to make financial judgments by offering loan versus lease comparisons and online applications for loans and auto insurance.

The database has about 1100 new cars and light trucks complete with specifications to help shoppers decide what they should buy or lease based upon their individual circumstances.
Windsor Star, July ,1999

Maybe we should see if the patient wants to buy or lease their dental implants. What would be the cost comparison between an outright purchase of their implants compared to a lease which requires patients to return the dental implants after 5 or 7 years? Could there be a 10% buyback at that time?

Would there be a limit on the number of meals they can eat during the 5 year lease similar to the miles on a car? Let’s see - three meals a day X 365 days a year X 5 years = 5475 meals. With a liberal meal program, we’ll round it off to 5500 meals in 5 years. Perhaps a charge of 50 cents a meal beyond the 5500 meals would be warranted since the more meals one eats, the more use of the dental implants.

Do you think that this would be a good idea? Lease, rather than buy the dental implants? Let me know your thoughts on this. Hmmm...Interesting...

WELL, FRIENDS, WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED OUR NEWSLETTER FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1999. WE WANT TO KEEP IT LIGHT, FRESH, AMUSING AND INTERESTING, SO YOU’LL COME BACK. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO CONTRIBUTE PLEASE SEND IT TO ME. SO UNTIL NEXT MONTH, BYE FOR NOW, HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON,

JERRY SILVERMAN, AUGUST, 1999