By Mark Levy | February 18, 2011
David Letterman, Condaleeza Rice and model Lauren Hutton have always worn the gaps between their two front teeth with pride – but most people want the gap gone. The gap is known as a diastema and can be corrected by several methods.
One way to close the gap is by using dental braces. For those who are seeking immediate gratification, the advanced technology used in cosmetic dentistry offers a solution. Depending upon the width of the gap your dentist may choose cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers to give you a beautiful, gap-free smile.
The outcome of these procedures? Freedom to smile without worry. The increased confidence and self-esteem among patients who have cosmetic procedures is astounding. Browse through our photo gallery to see for yourself.
If you are unhappy with the gaps in your smile please contact Columbus area cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696 to discuss your treatment options.
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By Mark Levy | February 1, 2011
Fear of dentists is a popular topic for TV comedians. If you suffer from dental anxiety, however, you know that it is no laughing matter. Some studies suggest that up to 75% of the population experiences some type of anxiety over dental visits. For most patients this is merely mild anxiety but some people delay or avoid dental treatment for years.
Putting off needed dental care only leads to higher expenses and even more treatment needed down the road. This is because existing problems only continue to get worse over time. Modern dental practices are much different than the places that our grandparent’s visited and many treatment options are available.
Sedation dentistry, also called relaxation dentistry, allows dentists to give patients with dental fears much needed treatment without the patient experiencing the anxiety that usually comes with their dental care. Depending upon the needs of the patient there are various types of sedation available ranging from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to oral sedation. The vast majority of patients are able to receive all their needed care using a mild oral sedative that allows them to completely relax. Sedation dentistry allows years of dental neglect to be repaired in just one visit.
If you experience fear or apprehension when visiting the dentist please contact Dr. Mark Levy today at 7614-476-6696 to discuss your options for sedation dentistry. Conveniently located in Gahanna, Ohio for all your cosmetic and restorative dental needs.
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By Mark Levy | January 10, 2011
For the first time in almost 50 years the federal government will reduce the recommended levels for fluoride in water supplies. While fluoride in drinking water is credited with slashing the rates of tooth decay it seems that some kids are getting too much.
About 40% of adolescents have spots or streaks on their teeth because of too much fluoride. It is not enough to cause harm and the effect is generally considered cosmetic. This condition, called bluorosis, appears to have grown much more common since the 1980′s. The upside has been that tooth decay among teens in the US has dropped from 90% having at least one cavity to 60%. In Britain, only about 10% of the population has fluoridated water and in recent years the UK has tried to add fluoride to communities with the worst dental health.
Fluoride is now added to toothpastes, mouth rinses and in many cases children are also given fluoride supplements which can lead to too much fluoride for some.
Fluoride remains controversial and this latest announcement will surely cause another round of arguments about fluoride in municipal water supplies.
Even if you don’t have cavities you may be unhappy with your smile because of discoloration or misshapen or missing teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can give you the smile you have always dreamed of! Please contact StoneRidge Dental Care, conveniently located in Gahanna, Ohio, at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation today.
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By Mark Levy | December 30, 2010
Do you make New Year’s Resolutions each year? How many times have you actually kept one of your resolutions? Most of us don’t last long with resolutions because they tend to involve meeting pretty big goals that we have set for ourselves:Lose 20 pounds
- Work out 5 days per week
- Quit smoking
- Stop nagging my spouse
- Lose 20 pounds
Here is a New Year’s resolution that will improve your overall health (including your heart health), save you money in the long run and help improve your appearance:
Brush after every meal, floss once a day and visit the dentist at least twice per year for professional cleanings and checkups.
This should be a simple resolution to keep because most of us already stick to parts of it – usually the tooth brushing part. But how can taking better care of your oral health make you healthier overall and won’t visiting the dentist actually cost more money? Let me explain…
Brushing and flossing regularly prevent the bacteria in your mouth from setting up housekeeping in your gums. Once bacteria have found a home in your mouth gum disease is the next step. Studies have shown that oral bacteria travels throughout the body and has been linked to heart disease, stroke and pre-term births. Oral bacteria is also linked to diabetes. Since gum disease is easily preventable, keeping oral bacteria in check by brushing and flossing should be resolution number one.
It should be obvious that preventing gum disease will save you health care dollars but why is the regular visit to the dentist and hygienist so important?
Your dental hygienist can point out areas that you may be missing when brushing and flossing at home. The deep cleaning also clears out plaque that you cannot remove at home and a part of your examination includes screening for oral cancers (especially important for smokers and smokeless-tobacco users). Early detection of problems can save lives. Your dental hygienist can also polish away many stains on your teeth that make your smile look dingy and aged.
A sparking clean, healthy smile announces to the world that you are vibrant, energetic and youthful – no matter what your age! Want your smile to look even more dazzling? Dental bleaching can remove years from your appearance and return the white, bright smile you once had.
Please contact Mark Levy, DDS at 614-476-6696 to schedule your appointment. Start the New Year with a resolution that you know you can keep – a resolution for a healthy, beautiful smile!
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By Mark Levy | December 6, 2010
Do you crunch on the ice in your soft drinks? Can’t wait to get to the center of that Tootsie Pop so you bite instead of lick? Both are common ways that people chip their teeth. Other people grind or clench teeth, many times at night so they don’t even realize they are doing it until their dentist sees damage. Simply exposing teeth to heat and cold can lead to chips, cracks, and breaks in your teeth.
Tiny chips are usually not a bother. But large chips and cracks in teeth or in fillings can lead to pain or permanent tooth damage. If you recognized yourself in this list of bad habits – it is time to stop. No more ice munching, no more crunching hard candy or cough drops. Protecting your teeth from damage will save you discomfort and hours in the dental chair repairing problem teeth.
Once a tooth has been damaged the treatment required to restore that tooth will vary depending upon the type of crack or chip, how bad the crack or chip is and where it is located in your mouth. For some simple repairs dental bonding or tooth contouring may be all that is needed. Porcelain veneers or crowns are usually needed to fix badly damaged teeth. Old, cracked mercury silver fillings are always replaced using modern dental restoration materials that do not contain mercury.
In the Columbus, Ohio area please contact StoneRidge Dental Care today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your appointment. Cracked or broken teeth will not heal themselves and the problems will only get worse over time. Call today to discuss your options for repairing damaged teeth.
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By Mark Levy | December 2, 2010
Yet another reason to get those old mercury amalgam fillings out of your mouth. The November issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease states that inorganic mercury, the type found in dental amalgams, likely is a contributing cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
A systematic review of 106 studies found that the symptoms and features of Alzheimer’s disease were reproduced, or occurred more quickly, when mercury was introduced. Forty of the studies tested memory in individuals exposed to mercury and thirty-two of them found significant memory problems following exposure.
The study authors noted that the evidence against mercury was “strongly suggestive” but added that some links between inorganic mercury and Alzheimer’s were missing. “The situation is similar to the early 1970′s regarding smoking: enough experimental evidence existed, but human studies were inconclusive at the time and were under attack by groups with a vested interest” said lead researcher Dr. Harald Walach.
Dr. Walach called for “the removal of mercury from public and ecological circuits and replacing it wherever possible by less toxic alternatives. “ He added, “To wait until irrefutable evidence has accumulated is not the best options in view of what we already know about the toxicity of mercury. The removal of inorganic mercury from ecological cycles might prove to be the easiest and most effective public health measure to contribute to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.”
StoneRidge Dental Care is mercury-free and we can help you and your family become mercury-free as well. Please contact us today at 614-476-6696 to discuss your treatment options. for replacing mercury fillings with safer, non-toxic and more attractive restorations.
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By Mark Levy | November 18, 2010
Many people think they they will never need a cosmetic dentist, after all cosmetic dentistry is just for “Hollywood types”. This idea couldn’t be further from the truth. For example, one of your front teeth is broken accidentally. Repairing this tooth will require placing a crown (or a cap as some people call them). All dentists are trained to prepare and place dental crowns. Placing a crown in the front of the mouth that matches the surrounding teeth and has the same translucent, vibrant appearance as the adjoining “real” teeth requires extensive training beyond what is taught during a dental education.
A good example is the following photo. This patient had cosmetic dentistry performed by a general dentist that did not have higher level training and, when compared to the same smile made over by a cosmetic dentist I think the difference is obvious.
Many people have a family dentist that they trust, and the family dentist thinks that he or she can do cosmetic dentistry. The truth is that doing cosmetic dentistry well requires much specialized study. Thus, his or her attempts often need to be re-done by a true cosmetic dentist. The first dentist is probably well-intentioned and also is probably reluctant to refer the patient to an expert cosmetic dentist for fear of permanently losing that patient.
If you love your current dentist – that’s wonderful. We all hope that our patients are loyal and like coming to the office. However, if you are in the market for cosmetic dentistry – whether for an entire smile makeover like the photo above or just repairing one broken tooth so that it brings your smile back to its original beauty you need to check the cosmetic dental training and experience of your dentist.
Please contact StoneRidge Dental Care at 614-476-6696 to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation. A radiant, beautiful smile can be yours!
Posted in cosmetic, Oral Heath Care | 1 Comment »
By Mark Levy | November 9, 2010
The California city of Costa Mesa has become the first American municipality to pass a resolution calling for banning the use of dental amalgam. The silver colored filling material is controversial because about half of it is mercury, a known neurotoxin. The resolution passed by the city council calls on federal and state agencies to ban amalgam, for dentists in Costa Mesa to voluntarily switch to non-toxic alternatives and for the other 33 cities in Orange County to adopt similar measures.
California already has declared the mercury in amalgam to be a reproductive toxin and the Dental Board of California requires dentists to distribute a fact sheet to each patient disclosing amalgam’s risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold hearings at the end of 2010 to consider banning amalgam for children and pregnant women and the E.P.A. announced in October that it would require dentists to install technology to catch waste mercury before it goes down the drain and into the water supply.
Costa Mesa City Council Member Gary Monahan said that dentists and their staff members will benefit because without mercury vapors, dental offices will be a much safer workplace environment. He also noted that consumers have been deceived by the term “silver fillings” and explained that a 2006 poll showed that over 80% of California residents would pay more to get non-mercury fillings but only 40% of them knew that amalgam’s main component was mercury.
StoneRidge Dental Care is proud to be a mercury-free environment. Our commitment to the total health of our patients means that we offer only mercury-free dentistry. Removal of old mercury amalgam fillings and replacement with new composite filling material will reduce exposure to mercury and reduce further damage to teeth from old, cracked amalgams.
In the Columbus, Ohio area please contact my office at 614-476-6696 today for more information about mercury dental amalgams and their effects on the environment and your health.
Posted in cosmetic, Mercury Free, Oral Heath Care | 2 Comments »
By Mark Levy | October 27, 2010
Remember when drinking coffee was bad for you? Now it seems that coffee is not only a source of antioxidants but is associated with reduced risk of oral cancer. Italian researchers performed a meta-analysis of previous studies on the subject.
The investigators discovered that drinking coffee is associated with a 36% reduction in the risk for cancer of the mouth area and pharnyx. How many cups per day are required to give this benefit was not determined. However, most of the studies analyzed compared drinkers of 3 or more cups per day to drinkers of less than a cup a day showing “a favorable effect of coffee at moderate/high doses”.
The study authors also point out that coffee drinking has been shown to reduce risk for liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, endometrial cancer and colorectal cancer. It seems coffee has more to offer us than just a morning wake-up!
Coffee does have its downside as well. Caffeine is not tolerated well by everyone and for some medical conditions it should be avoided. Talk to your physician if you are unsure. Remember that an oral cancer screening is always part of your comprehensive oral examination at StoneRidge Dental Care.
Coffee can also cause teeth to stain. While regular dental hygiene appointments for cleaning and polishing can remove most stains on teeth if you are looking for a whiter, brighter smile ask about your options for dental bleaching.
Please contact my Columbus area full service dental office at 614-476-6696 to schedule your appointment for your comprehensive examination including oral cancer screening or your dental hygiene appointment. Don’t forget to ask about dental bleaching for a younger, brighter smile.
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By Mark Levy | August 26, 2010
“What were George Washington’s false teeth made of?” is a common trivia question. Find the answer at the National Museum of Dentistry located in Baltimore, Maryland. The museum hardly considers the question trivial however, the dentures worn by our first President are the star exhibit at the museum. They are not carved of wood as many visitors guess, but are made from a much more durable material – hippopotamus ivory.
The National Museum of Dentistry is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and hosts about 10,000 visitors annually. In addition to the famous false teeth, the museum includes exhibits such as Queen Victoria’s personal dental instruments, toothbrushes throughout the ages and an Arctic whale known as a narwhal. The narwhal is best known for the six foot tooth growing out of its head.
Children visiting the museum get to put on lab coats and play dentist. They learn to floss and brush correctly using a giant mouth for practice. Parents will remember the old toothpaste jingles played at the museum.
The most popular exhibit are those famous dentures which were made by President Washington’s favorite dentist in Philadelphia. Washington only had one tooth in his mouth by the time he became President in 1789. According to the museum’s director of communications Washington lost his teeth due to illnesses. “We think he had many illnesses throughout his life, it was tough living back then” according to Amy Pelinsky. “And the medicine was tough too… the medicine actually made your teeth fall out”. So even though we know he brushed, George Washington still lost his teeth.
Today’s dental care is a far cry from colonial times. If you have lost one tooth or several you have choices about what type of replacement to use. The best option for most people is a dental implant. Dental implants are placed into the jaw bone and serve as an artificial tooth root – a dental crown is placed over the implant and you have a restoration that looks and feels completely natural. Implants can also be used to anchor dentures for those patients who have lost most or all of their teeth. Utilizing a combination of implants, cosmetic crowns and dental veneers you can achieve the smile you have always dreamed of.
Please contact my Gahanna, Ohio office today at 614-476-6696. Ask one of my team members at how cosmetic dentistry including dental veneers, crowns and implants can help restore your smile.
Posted in cosmetic, implants | 1 Comment »
