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It is actually more common than most of us realize to have children missing some of their adult teeth.  Missing adult teeth is a common developmental problem with children.  When a child is missing one or more of their adult teeth, typically a family member is also missing one or more of their adult teeth.  This is due to a mutated gene during development.  Statistically, 3.4% of the populations missing their second premolars.  Also, 2.5% of the population is missing their upper lateral teeth.  It is rare to have missing baby teeth in general.  A good rule of thumb is if a baby tooth is missing during eruption, the corresponding adult tooth will also be missing.  This can be frustrating for parents as there are several options to choose from when it comes to their child missing their adult teeth.  In this blog I am going to review treatment options for congenitally missing teeth.

Treatment Options:

1. Retain deciduous (baby) tooth:

It is common for dentists to recommend to patients to retain their baby tooth during the developmental years of childhood.  The deciduous tooth maintains the spacing between the teeth so that when development and growth is completed in the later teenage years, there are better options for permanent replacement.

2. Removal of deciduous tooth:

Depending on if your child will need orthodontics it may be recommended that the tooth be removed.  Here at my Riverside Biological Family dental office, we collaborate with our referring orthodontic specialist on the removal and replacement of deciduous teeth.  At times, the removal of the deciduous tooth is all that is needed for the orthodontist to maneuver the teeth and bite into a proper position.

3. Removable Prosthetic:

If the deciduous tooth is being removed for cosmetic purposes in the smile line, then a removable appliance is made.  The “flipper” is used as a removable temporary device to conceal the extraction area and a ceramic tooth is made to fill the space.  This device is typically only worn until the final restoration of the area is complete.

4.  Fixed Bridge:

A great option once your child has fully developed or has completed orthodontics is a fixed bridge.  A bridge consists of a porcelain tooth in the area where the tooth once was along with shaving the adjacent teeth down and placing porcelain crowns on top of the teeth.  All of the teeth would be connected with porcelain thus a bridge is formed.  These can be tricky to keep clean.  Also, the bone surrounding the adjacent teeth can be lost much more quickly do to the weakened structure.

5. Placement of an Implant:

This is the option that I prefer as a dentist when it comes to the removal and replacement of deciduous teeth.  Implants help retain the bone structure surrounding the area where the tooth was removed as well as around the adjacent teeth.  Your child is best served when it comes to bone retention, especially in the smile line.  Implants last a lifetime as a general rule and are the best from a cosmetic standpoint.

For a consultation on the best treatment options for yourself or your child please call (951)686-3666.  Please visit my dental office which specializes in cosmetic implant placement.

There have been major technological advances in dentistry over the past several decades when it comes to preventative care.  I believe that the introduction of electric toothbrushes alone has helped prevent gingivitis and cavities in a countless number of people.  However, there is much debate on whether an electric toothbrush is better than a manuel toothbrush.

My Biological and Technology-filled dental office believes that the electric toothbrush is a “tool” to use to remove plaque, stain, and food debris.  The electric toothbrush that we recommend and offer in our Riverside dental office is the Sonicare.  The electric toothbrush stimulates the gum tissue and vibrates off the plaque and debris from in and around the teeth.  Lastly, the Sonicare also helps to remove surface stains from coffee, tea, and wine.

Recent research has shown that biofilm which is on the tooth structure even after toothbrushing, stimulates the inflammatory response leading to gingivitis.  Sonicare   has compared the effectiveness of their toothbrush against biofilm against other toothbrushes.  It so far, has proven to be most effective in the disruption and removal of biofilm.

On a side note; the majority of our patients’ use the Sonicare toothbrush and give daily testimonials on how it has changed the the health of their mouth for the better.  Our advanced Technology Dental office is dedicated to the health and well-being of our patients and strive to offer the latest in dental technology.  Please call our office located in Riverside, California at(951)686-3666.

As a Biological and Cosmetic dentist, I prefer to conserve as much tooth as possible during any treatment of tooth decay.  I have been successfully treating the early stages of tooth decay without removing any tooth structure.  Traditionally, dentists have been taught to try preventative measures i.e. fluoride then “watch and wait.”  This way of thinking is now not the standard in treating tooth decay.  Rather, an innovative material has been created to treat early tooth decay.

Icon material is the first product to treat small and early tooth decay along with white spot lesions.  Icon offers an option for my Biological dental office in treating early tooth decay.  We now recommend treating the early signs of tooth decay as opposed to the old school way “watch and wait.”  Icon prevents the cavity lesion from growing in size and increases the life expectancy of the tooth.  Also, when treating white tooth lesions, Icon helps to better blend the white spot lesion with the color of the enamel.  Icon can treat cavity lesions detected in-between the teeth or on the cheek side of the teeth.

Please contact my Southern California Biological dental office treating early tooth decay with Icon material at (951)686-3666.

As my previous blog posted how MSG is hidden in our processed foods and drinks, I would like this blog to reveal the foods that have the most MSG present.  Please remember that these foods and drinks are mass produced.  Also remember that reading the ingredient list on all packaged food will help to keep you and your family protected from food additives.

Here is a quick list of popular foods containing MSG to avoid, along with a link to a very informative website regarding the truth of MSG.

Some Foods to Avoid:

Chicken in any restaurant

Sausage

Ranch dressing

Gravy

Soy Sauce

Dipping Sauces

Flavored Chips

Flavored French Fries

Canned Food

Canned Soups

*there are many more foods/drinks to avoid in regards to exposure to MSG.  Please review http://www.msgtruth.org to learn which fast food restaurant foods to avoid in regards to MSG.

As a Southern California Biological Mercury Safe Removal Dentist, my focus is also on the health and well-being of my patients.  Please contact my California Biological Dental office to maintain or restore the health of your chewing system (951)686-3666.

As a dentist that is focused on total body health, I wanted to discuss research that is hot off of the press regarding the food additive MSG.  As a member of the IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology), I receive many articles that address controversy with the FDA approval of food additives and medicaments and their affects on our health.  A recent article I received was in regards to the food additive MSG which I found quite alarming.

Alarmingly, MSG (monosodium glutamate) has been deemed by the FDA as safe.  However, when diving through research articles and materials on the dangers of MSG, I wonder why the FDA still allows this food additive.  In further research, I discovered that most food companies have now schematically replaced MSG with similar additives that are just as dangerous due to its negative press.  So, as Americans are becoming more health conscious, the food companies are becoming more devious.

MSG and its counterparts; glutamate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and free glutamic acid are added to processed food because when broken down by the body; the brain is stimulated and left wanting more.  Simply, adding one of these to food tricks the body and creates processed food addiction.  The majority of fast food restaurants incorporate this into their food.  Unfortunately, employees working for these fast food chains as well as other popular restaurant chains do not know the ingredients of their food.  Research is now showing that MSG/Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein/Glutamate is injected into fast food and chain restaurants chicken along with many of their sauces and seasonings.  It used to be that Chinese restaurants solely used MSG but know it is mainstream and causing many health issues.  Hydrolyzed vegetable protein and glutamate are placed also in our “snack foods”.  Our children are ingesting these harmful additives in high quantities due to product labeling successfully misguiding the consumer.  My recommendation, eat fresh fruits, vegetables, beef, chicken etc.  Eat out less or know what foods are safe to eat when dining out at a restaurant.  Finally, do your research regarding products which you and your family consume regularly.

My Biological and Cosmetic Dental Wellness office is committed to health and dental wellness.  Please contact our dental office to take care of your dental needs (951)686-3666.