Cosmetic Dentistry with Invisalign®

The Cosmetic Dental Center of Huntsville Cosmetic Dentistry Blog Series

Invisalign® clear orthodontics is a convenient and effective treatment option for adults.  The Invisalign® process uses clear plastic aligners to perform pre-calculated tooth movement.  The aligners are barely noticeable when they are worn, eliminating the distraction of metal braces hardware (a common concern for adult patients).  And, because they are removable, the patient is not limited in the foods they can eat, and it is easy to maintain regular brushing and flossing habits.

Visit our web site to watch Videos about Invisalign clear orthodontics and other cosmetic dental services 

Doug Booth, DDS is a certified Invisalign® provider.  Our Invisalign® patients enjoy the convenience of the aligners, and they love the results.  Adults that have been reluctant to pursue orthodontics, or, had orthodontic treatment as a teenager and have experienced crowding or other tooth movement are so appreciative of having an alternative to metal brackets and wires!

Not only does a straighter smile look and feel better, it can also improve your oral health.  Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, which helps prevent plaque and tartar accumulation and gum inflammation.  

In most cases, the Invisalign® process can be completed in 18 months or less.  Some cases only require 6 months!

Find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign by scheduling a Complimentary Consultation* with Dr. Doug Booth at the Cosmetic Dental Center of Huntsville.
*consultation does not include x-rays

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

During April, our dental team joins dental professionals around the globe to raise awareness about oral cancer.  Oral cancer is more common that we might think – in the U.S., 1 person dies per hour, every single day, 365 days a year from oral cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer usually begins as something most of us would ignore: an unusual white or red patch or small ulcer in the mouth, hoarseness that lasts for a long time, or a bump or mass inside the mouth or neck.  The key is if these or any pain, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or bumps/masses last for more than 14 days, they should be checked to rule out oral cancer or cancers of the head and neck. 

The most common areas for oral cancer to occur are on the tongue and on the floor of the mouth.  

This is why regular dental screenings are important.  Dr. Booth will visually examine the soft tissues of the mouth, the tongue and roof of the mouth during regular hygiene visits.  We also use Vizlite screening technology to take a closer look at small bumps or discolorations.  If Dr. Booth has any concerns, he will involve a specialist to follow through on testing to make sure there is no danger. 

The Changing Faces of Oral Cancer

10 years ago, the most common cause of oral cancer was smoking and heavy alcohol use, and the predominant victims were men over the age of 50.  Today, however, oral cancer is linked to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), which can occur in young adults.   The percentage of women that are diagnosed has increased to a ratio of 2 men to 1 woman (from 6 men to 1 woman) in the past decade.  And, smokeless tobacco use is also a proven cause of oral cancer.

Treatment for Oral Cancer

It is possible to treat oral cancer and survive, early detection is crucial.  Like most forms of cancer, treatment is specific to the stage/location of the cancer, and is a combined approach of surgeons, specialists and dental professionals. 

Our goal as your dental health care team is to inform you of the risks of smoking and smokeless tobacco products, as well as monitor your oral health through regular examinations during your cleaning visits. 

Please help us fight oral cancer, and share this information with your loved ones.  If you have not been screened within the last year, please Contact Us to schedule an appointment. 

TOGETHER WE CAN STOP ORAL CANCER.

Dental Pre-Medications Guidelines Changes

Have you been told in the past that you should pre-medicate with antibiotics prior to dental treatment?  If so, you should check with your doctor to see if this is still a recommendation for you. 

For years, patients that have certain medical conditions and prosthetic joint replacements have taken a regimen of antibiotic medication prior to dental treatment to prevent the risk of infection.  

The American Heart Association,  American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Dental Association have updated these guidelines in recent years, and in some cases, the need for pre-medication for dental treatment is no longer necessary.  

Of course, we always recommend that you talk with your physician about any medications that you should or should not take, and feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions.


References
American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/CongenitalHeartDefects/TheImpactofCongenitalHeartDefects/Infective-Endocarditis_UCM_307108_Article.jsp


American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Dental Association (the 2012 Panel). Joint Study
http://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)00019-1/fulltext?nav=rotatorJanmain

Save on Invisalign thru May 15th!

Take advantage of our Spring Invisalign Promotion!

Join us in supporting Girl Scout Troop 562 & Donate to the Huntsville Humane Society!

We are a drop-off point for donations for this wonderful drive to support Huntsville homeless pets.  Please bring any of these items to your next appointment with us:

Meet our CDC 

Family Dogs!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Each year, we raise awareness about oral cancer during the month of April by sharing an update about this life-threatening disease, but we are diligently on the lookout for it all year long.

Once thought to be a cancer that only affected tobacco users, oral cancer has been linked to the HPV16 virus which also causes cervical cancers.   According to the CDC, HPV is the most common sexually transferred infection in the U.S. and between 50-80 % of the entire US population will have an HPV infection at some point in their lifetime.  (www.oralcancer.org)

  

Oral cancer typically appears as something we might otherwise ignore – a bump, raised area or discoloration of the tissues in the mouth, or unexplained, persistent throat irritation or hoarseness.  

As part of your dental examination visits with us, Dr. Booth and our Dental Hygienists will perform an oral cancer screening of the tongue and oral soft tissues.  We may also use a special oral cancer detection system, Velscope®.  This patented technology uses a combination of light detection and specially formulated staining solution to react to potentially cancerous cells.  If we see a bump or lesion that looks questionable, the Velscope® system can help us rule out oral cancer or be an indicator that we need to take a closer look.

Both teens and adults are at risk for oral cancer.  At home, pay attention to your tongue, cheeks and oral soft tissues when you brush and floss.  A good rule of thumb, if you see a spot in your mouth that looks and feels different for more than 2 weeks, it is time to call us.  Same rule applies if you have an unexplained persistent sore throat or hoarseness, give your physician a call.  As with any form of cancer, early detection can be life saving!

If you have questions about oral cancer or would like to learn more, we invite you to Contact Us.

 

A Beautiful Bride deserves a Beautiful Smile!

Are you getting ready for that Special Day?  Congratulations!   

Dr. Doug Booth and Team want you to have a picture-perfect, beautiful and healthy smile for your wedding day.  

If it’s been a while, we recommend that you add a dental check-up and cleaning appointment to your to-do list.  During this visit, we invite you to ask for more information about any of our cosmetic dental services that might help you feel more confident about your smile:

Teeth Whitening

Whitening is a simple, safe way to brighten up your smile!  We offer ZOOM!® Whitening for fast in-office results, as well as home whitening products that are specially made for professional use.   Teeth whitening removes old stains caused by dark beverages and foods, making  teeth several shades lighter.    Learn more about ZOOM!® Whitening

Botox® & Dermal Fillers

Huntsville Dentist Dr. Doug Booth has completed advanced training in the facial application of Botox® and Dermal fillers for cosmetic enhancement of wrinkles, “laugh lines”, “crow’s feet”, tiny forehead lines and skin furrows.  We have loved helping our patients like what they see in the mirror again with this non-surgical cosmetic alternative! 

Invisalign®

Invisalign® Clear Orthodontics offers a solution for straightening crooked teeth using clear, nearly invisible plastic aligners.  Dr. Booth is a Preferred Invisalign Provider in Huntsville; using patented Invisalign® technology and special 3D software, he can develop a treatment plan for calculated tooth movement to straighten teeth.  The best part about the clear aligners is that they can be removed for eating and are barely noticeable when you speak.  Read more about Invisalign.

Porcelain Veneers & Crowns

Do discolored, chipped or misshaped teeth keep you from smiling?  Dental porcelain restorations are a beautiful way to make your smile look naturally gorgeous!  Dr. Booth enjoys this facet of dentistry and has helped numerous patients renew and rejuvenate their smiles using porcelain veneers and crowns.  Learn more about cosmetic dentistry at the Cosmetic Dental Center of Huntsville.

It would be our pleasure to help you enjoy your best smile on your special day!  Contact Us to schedule a dental consultation to learn more about options for your dental health and smile appearance.

Dental Sealants for Prevention of Cavities

If you could use a tiny paint brush to help protect your child’s tooth from getting a cavity, you would, wouldn’t you?  That is how simple it is for Dr. Booth and our Dental Hygienists to apply a dental sealant. 

Okay, there is a little more to it than just painting, but the great developments in modern dental materials make it feel that easy!   

Dental sealant material is made up of a specially formulated dental  resin designed to adhere to tooth enamel and fill in the tiny grooves and pits on the chewing surface of teeth.  Young molars and premolars are notorious for having deep crevices where bacteria love to hide; it is often impossible to clean these areas with normal tooth brushing.  Sealants create a smooth, cleansible surface that is easier for your child to take care of.

When your child’s permanent first molars are fully erupted, we will talk with you about dental sealants during our dental examination.  The procedure can usually be completed during the same visit:    

• We lightly polish the tooth to clean it and then apply the sealant material using an etch-adhesive bonding process.  There is no drilling or shots!

• Our special dental light hardens the material and Dr. Booth checks the sealant to make sure it does not interfere with normal biting and chewing.

We will check your child’s sealants at regular cleaning visits to make sure they are intact.  It is possible to crack the sealant material or dislodge it while eating sticky foods such as caramels or hard-crunchy foods like peanut brittle, or chewing ice (which is bad for teeth in general!)

Dental professionals and researchers have recommended sealants for years and most parents today have had dental sealants during their lifetime.  While no preventive treatment is a complete guarantee against dental disease, dental sealants have beaten the odds for decades.

Please Contact Us to learn more about preventive dental care in our Huntsville, AL dental office.  We would love to help you and your child have healthy, beautiful smiles!

And the Winner is… Clean Teeth!

We love sweets and goodies too!  When we enjoy the occasional sweet snack, we remember a few things to help keep our teeth healthy:

•  Dental cavities are caused by a scientific process that happens right in our own mouth – really!  Our mouth always contains bacteria which forms a film on our teeth called “Plaque”  - this is not a prize, but actually becomes a harmful foe when it combines with sugars or starches from foods  to produce acids that destroy tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.  Candy is one of the foods that fuels the plaque bacteria, but even bread and milk can be used by these nasty germs to complete their science experiment on your teeth!

• Did you know that saliva is a hero?  Our own saliva contains minerals that slow down this process and help fight tooth decay.  It works constantly to build a supply of helpful minerals.  We can help!  By drinking fluoridated water and brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, this helps provide reinforcement for the minerals that saliva needs.  
•  Not only does what we eat matter, WHEN we eat is part of the deal.  Saliva can’t fight the bacteria if we sip sodas and snack all day on sugary or starchy foods.  Even diet sodas contribute to acid levels!  If you are having candy or a soda, enjoy these with a meal to give your saliva time to rebuild itself between meals.
  
  
  
  
  
• Clean Teeth really do win!  By brushing and flossing 2-3 times a day, we can help keep the bacteria levels down in our mouth to reduce the formation of dental plaque.  
  
• Fluoride is a mineral that becomes part of the winning team and helps fight off acid attacks on teeth.  For very young children (under age 4), be sure to ask your pediatrician or Dr. Booth about the best way to give fluoride, it should not be swallowed.  For the rest of us kids, fluoride toothpaste and dental fluoride treatments at regular cleaning visits can help too.

So be a WINNER!  Keep those teeth shiny clean and don’t let your mouth be a science project for evil tooth acids!

General Dentist Dr. Doug Booth and the Cosmetic DentalCenter of Huntsville Team want all kids to have healthy, happy smiles.  Please Contact Us if you have questions about your child’s dental health, we are glad to help!