Lihua Zhang - Beacon Dental Center

Beacon Dental Center
Lihua Zhang, D.M.D.
Friendly, Caring Dentistry for the Whole Family
www.beacondentalctr.com
News from the office of...
Compliments of Dr. Lihua Zhang & Team
Complete Your Smile With
Bicon Dental Implants!
An essential component to an attractive smile is a full set of teeth.
Because it’s important to fill any gaps you may have, not only for
cosmetic purposes, but for the health of your entire mouth, we are
happy to offer our patients the option of Bicon dental implants.
Dr. Lihua Zhang
The gap left by a missing tooth can influence the position of other
teeth. For example, when teeth on one side of your mouth don’t
have a corresponding partner on the opposite side, they can drift
out of position, change your bite and potentially lead to gum
disease and pain in the jaw joint. In addition, you may find that
you have difficulty eating certain foods and you may experience
muscle strains and discomfort as the remaining teeth shift.
Welcome to our very first issue of Beacon
Dental Center - a newsletter especially
produced to bring you practical
tips and information on
If you’re missing one or more teeth and would like to
everyday dental health
minimize the risk of more dental problems due to the
Win an
issues. Whether it's a guide
gap – as well as be able to smile and eat again with
to brushing and flossing
iPad 3!
confidence – ask us about Bicon dental implants!
effectively or options on
Call us a
t
whitening your teeth,
A Bicon dental implant fuses to your jawbone, creating
6
1
7-734-58
we hope to bring you the
a secure replacement for the root portion of the
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for Deta
information that you need
missing tooth. A dental crown is then manufactured
ils!
to ensure good oral hygiene
to attach to this “anchor”, resulting in the look, feel
and health, and leave you
and convenience of a natural tooth. smiling!
®
Let us know what you think
of our new newsletter, and what
topics you'd be interested in reading
about in the future.
Another great advantage of a dental implant is that,
unlike a bridge, a missing tooth can be replaced without any of the
surrounding teeth being affected. If you’re missing more than one tooth,
implants may be used as “anchors” to secure bridges and dentures.
As always, if there's anything you have
questions about or if you need further
information, please do not hesitate to give
us a call.
If you have healthy gums and
bones but are missing one or
more teeth and are looking
for a permanent, naturallooking replacement, or if you
currently wear dentures
that are uncomfortable
or don’t fit as securely
as you would like, please
call us to ask if you may
be a suitable candidate
for Bicon dental implants.
All the best,
Lihua Zhang
Dr. Lihua Zhang
Volume 10, Issue 1
Tooth Tips!
Below are a few frequently asked dental-related queries. Are you
wondering about a dental issue not covered below? Please call us
with your questions – we’d be happy to answer them for you!
Q: I’m missing a tooth. It’s in the back though, so
nobody can see it. That’s not a big deal, right?
A: E
ach tooth in your mouth is there for a purpose. It’s
important to replace any missing tooth – even if it’s
in the back – because the gap due to a missing tooth
allows surrounding teeth to drift out of position, shift,
or tip into the empty space and change your bite.
This could lead to jaw pain, cavities, gum disease and
additional tooth loss.
Please talk to us about replacements for any missing
teeth. Early intervention will help you avoid more
extensive – and expensive! – dentistry in the future.
Q: As I get older, I find I’m getting “long in the tooth”.
What other dental issues can I expect as I age?
A: F
irst of all, while the old adage leads us to believe
that our teeth get longer as we age, the illusion
is actually the result of receding gums, which are
commonly caused either by overbrushing, or by
gum disease.
One of the first warning signs of gum disease
is swollen or bleeding gums. If you notice any
changes in your gums, please be sure to call us for
an appointment. We will assess the condition of
your teeth and gums and work with you to halt and
prevent any damage.
Another change you may notice as you age
is that your teeth – either because of
naturally-thinning enamel as the years
go on, or as a reaction to years of
exposure to coffee, tea, colas
and staining foods – are not as
white as they were when you
were younger. Professional
tooth whitening is one of the
easiest, most effective ways
to create a younger look
– sometimes in just one
dental visit!
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Q: I just found out I’m pregnant! I guess I should
avoid the dental office until after the baby
arrives, right?
A: C
ongratulations! This is certainly the time to take
extra-good care of yourself, and that includes keeping
up with – NOT reducing – your dental visits.
Please make us aware of your situation before we
start your appointment, in case we need to alter your
treatment or X-ray schedule. Know that pregnant
women have a risk of increased inflammation of
the gums because of a surge in estrogen and
progesterone, and as such, rigid attention to dental
hygiene and regular cleanings at the dentist are a
must in order to keep teeth and gums clean, and to
prevent plaque from forming. If plaque isn’t removed,
it may lead to gingivitis and subsequently to more
serious periodontal diseases, which have been linked
to pre-term and low-weight babies.
As your dental professionals, we’re here to help you and
your family through each dental situation and life stage.
Regular visits and open communication about any
changes in your life will allow us to monitor
your oral health and keep you smiling!
Take a Deep Breath. Now,
How’s Your Blood Pressure?
There’s a “silent killer” in our midst, and it’s known as high blood
pressure, or hypertension.
Hypertension is a growing concern in today’s society.
It’s a sneaky disease, because in many cases, the
patient is not aware of any problems, and doesn’t
notice any symptoms. High blood pressure should not,
however, be taken lightly, as it can be a contributing
factor to heart failure, strokes, kidney failure
and blindness.
As your dental provider, we need to be aware of your
current medical status and which medications you’re
on. Since blood pressure increases with anxiety, and
dental appointments trigger anxiety in many people,
we recommend the following:
1. B
ook an afternoon dental appointment. The increase
in blood pressure in a hypertensive patient is
associated with the hours immediately after waking
up, usually peaking by midmorning. For this reason,
we suggest an afternoon appointment, when the
fluctuation of blood pressure is less likely.
2. C
onsider using a sedative the night before a dental
procedure to help counter any rise in blood pressure.
Depending on when you take your sedative, you may
need to get a ride to or from your appointment.
3. Avoid caffeine before your appointment.
4. B
reak a multiple-procedure appointment into several,
shorter appointments if possible.
As much as we try to keep our dental environment
friendly and relaxing, it’s common to feel some anxiety
about some dental treatments. Please let us know if
you suffer from hypertension, and keep us aware of
your overall health issues so that we can do our best to
safely accommodate your dental needs.
The Downside of Daily Medications
A large percentage of the population relies on at least one daily prescription or overthe-counter medication. While the benefits of the correct medications may outweigh
any risks, it’s important to recognize that, from a dental perspective, many of these
drugs have side effects that interfere with the normal production of saliva.
Saliva keeps your teeth bathed in a mineral-rich solution
that helps wash away foods, sugars and acids, to keep
your teeth more resistant to decay. While saliva makes
it easier to talk, swallow, taste and digest food, a lack
of saliva could lead to a condition known as dry mouth,
identified in some cases by sores or split skin at the
corners of the mouth, bad breath, difficulty speaking
and swallowing, a burning or tingling sensation on the
tongue, an altered sense of taste, and increased plaque,
tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, dry mouth can
lead to extensive tooth decay, mouth sores and oral
infections, particularly among the elderly.
Periodontology, over 500 medications can contribute
to oral dryness, including antihistamines (for allergies
or asthma), antihypertensive medications (for blood
pressure), decongestants, pain medications, diuretics
and antidepressants.
Dry-mouth sufferers need to be aware that it’s especially
vital for them to come in for a dental examination and
cleaning at least every six months. Please keep us aware
of the medications you are on and how to work around
their side effects.
Which medications are most likely to cause oral
dryness? According to the American Academy of
Volume 10 Issue 1
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Lumineers UltraThin, Natural-Looking
Porcelain Veneers
Straighten
Your Smile With
Invisalign
We are proud to offer LUMINEERS by
CERINATE , an improved cosmetic alternative
to traditional veneers. LUMINEERS are
porcelain veneers that are placed over
existing teeth. These contact-lens thin, super
translucent veneers provide a unique solution
for permanently stained, chipped, discolored,
misaligned teeth, or even to revitalize old crowns
and bridgework.
®
®
®
®
Beacon Dental Center is pleased to offer their patients Invisalign .
Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without
braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to
straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets. You wear
each set of aligners for about 2 weeks. As you replace each aligner
with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little,
week by week - until they have straightened to the final position
prescribed.
®
®
®
You'll visit us about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your
treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time
averages 6-15 months and the average number of aligners worn
during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from
case to case.
Invisalign can help you get the great smile you've always wanted
because it's:
®
• Invisible, so no one can tell you're straightening your teeth.
• Removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while
in treatment.
• Comfortable, because it has no metal to cause mouth
abrasions during treatment.
If you would like further information on Invisalign we would be
pleased to discuss it with you.
®
In just two or three visits to the dentist,
LUMINEERS provide a custom-made smile
clinically proven to last up to 20 years.
®
One of the biggest differences between
traditional veneers and LUMINEERS is that
there is no need for grinding, cutting or filing
of teeth in almost all cases, so there is no pain
or discomfort involved. Most other veneer
procedures require a substantial amount of
tooth structure removal, so anesthetic or
numbing shots are administered. Since
LUMINEERS are so thin, little to no tooth
reduction is necessary, making this procedure
both practical and painless.
®
®
In addition, no uncomfortable temporaries are
required while you wait for your LUMINEERS
to be created. Once the procedure is completed,
there is no post-placement discomfort or
sensitivity, which means they will look natural
and feel comfortable from the start.
®
Ask us how easy it is for LUMINEERS to
brighten up your smile!
®
Beacon Dental Center
1842 Beacon Street
Suite 206
Brookline, MA 02445
Dr. Zhang and Team
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Our Services Include:
• Braces & Invisalign® For Childrens & Adults
• Sealants • Crown & Bridge, Inlays/Onlays
• Dental Implants
• Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
Phone: 617-734-5868
• Tooth-Colored Restorations
Email: [email protected] • LUMINEERS®
Web: www.beacondentalctr.com
• Wisdom Teeth Extractions
• Root Canal Therapy
• Partial & Full Dentures
Office Hours:
• Snoring & TMJ Treatment
Mon. - Fri.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sports Guards & Night Guards
Sat.: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Oral Cancer Screening
Closed most Wed. & Sun. (with exceptions) • Free Consultations
• Flexible Payment Plans Available
• New Patients & Emergencies
Welcome!
The information contained in this newsletter is not designed as dental advice, but rather as a means to encourage interest in your dental health and communication with your dentist. Whole or partial reproduction of this newsletter is
forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. © Market Connections Inc. 2012, Phone: (800) 795-8021, Website: www.dentalhealthnews.org
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