In the month of April, dentists across the nation are offering patients oral health screenings in celebration of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, an event sponsored by the American Dental Association and the Oral Cancer Foundation to help educate patients on the dangers of oral cancer and learn how to recognize early symptoms of these diseases.

Oral cancer is a serious condition that affects over 30,000 Americans each year, with many people unaware that this disease is even present. It often appears as a tiny white or red sore on the lips, gums, inner cheeks, tongue or hard or soft palate that may go unnoticed. Common signs of oral cancer may include:

• A sore that does not heal
• Red or white patches
• Sore throat
• Pain or tenderness in the mouth area
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Those at greatest risk for oral cancer include patients over the age of 40, although it can occur at earlier ages. Additional risk factors for oral cancer include long-term use of chewing or spit tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Patients with certain types of HPV may also be prone to developing this condition. Your doctor will evaluate your risks and provide you with valuable tips on how to prevent oral cancer.

Like many other cancerous conditions, oral cancer is most effectively treated when detected during the early stages. Regular dental exams are invaluable in the prevention of oral cancer and should be performed on all patients, especially those at a higher risk.

We are proud to provide comprehensive oral cancer screening and education services to our patients yearlong to help them recognize the signs of this potentially deadly disease and learn how to effectively protect themselves.

Many patients with crooked, discolored teeth who are unhappy with the appearance of their smile are apprehensive about undergoing cosmetic treatment because they believe it entails a painful procedure, lengthy recovery and high costs. But thanks to advancing technology, a beautiful smile can be achieved in as little as two visits thanks to Lumineers.

Lumineers are thin porcelain shells applied to the front of teeth improve their appearance. These shells are as thin as a contact lens and are custom-crafted to fit each individual tooth for a beautiful, natural-looking smile. They are similar to traditional porcelain veneers, but are thinner and do not require any grinding down of the natural teeth, allowing for a shorter and more comfortable procedure. Lumineers are also completely reversible, and since the real teeth aren’t affected, there is not additional treatment needed after removal.

Patients who can benefit from Lumineers include those with crooked, chipped, discolored or misshapen teeth, those who wish to correct previous dental work or those who simply want to improve the appearance of their smile. They can even be used in place of braces in some cases.

Dr. Ravin can place Lumineers in two simple office appointments. During the first appointment, a mold will be created of your teeth and used to develop custom Lumineers to improve your smile. The mold will then be sent to the Lumineers Smile Design Studio to create your custom materials. They will be placed during the next visit through a simple and painless procedure with no shots or drills, which usually takes less than an hour.

Patients will leave the office with the bright and beautiful smile of their dreams, with results lasting up to 20 years. And Lumineers require no special care, simply treat them as you natural teeth, which includes regular brushing, flossing and cleaning appointments with your dentist.

To learn more about Lumineers and to take advantage of our special offer on this service, please call us today!

Patients looking to improve the health and appearance of their smile by straightening their teeth with a convenient and aesthetically-pleasing treatment approach. Invisalign® is an advanced alternative to traditional braces that effectively straightens teeth using a set of customized aligners that are worn daily for about a year.

Invisalign can be used to correct a number of teeth problems, including overcrowding, excess spacing, overbite, crossbite and other malocclusions. Nearly anyone who needs orthodontic care can benefit from this treatment, although Invisalign is restricted to minor alignment abnormalities. Invisalign braces eliminate the unattractive, metal appearance of traditional braces, making them ideal for adults or teenagers seeking a subtler treatment approach.

To begin treatment with Invisalign, Dr. Ravin will take a series of three-dimensional photographs of your teeth in order to create customized aligners that will be worn for approximately two weeks, before switching to the next one. The aligners are designed to follow each patient’s individual treatment progression

Treatment is adjusted for each patient throughout the process to ensure the most effective results. You will wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day, taking them out while eating, brushing your teeth and flossing. A visit to the office will be required every six weeks to monitor the progress of treatment.

More and more patients are choosing Invisalign for their orthodontic needs. Dr. Ravin and his staff are highly trained and experienced in administering this advanced treatment to help patients achieve straight, beautiful teeth. We are also offering a special offer on Invisalign for a limited time only! We encourage you to call us today to schedule a consultation and find out whether or not Invisalign is right for you.

Dr. Ravin and the staff at Hospital Dental Group are proud to introduce the CEREC dental restoration system to his patients, allowing for the design, creation and fitting of crowns, veneers and other materials in just one office visit.  CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, and eliminates the need for multiple visits and temporary restorations that may leave your teeth at risk for damage.

Using an infrared digital camera, 3-D imaging software and a unique milling unit, the CEREC system creates highly accurate and long-lasting dental restorations in a single appointment.  First, Dr. Ravin takes a digital photo of the tooth with the system’s camera, which is then converted to a three-dimensional virtual model.  This model is used to create the actual restoration, giving your dentist complete control over the fit and design of the materials for optimal results.

Once a design is finalized, it is sent to an on-site milling unit to create the restoration, which usually takes less than 20 minutes and is performed by an experienced team of professionals.

The restorations produced with the CEREC system include crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, and are made of strong, tooth-colored ceramic materials that look and feel like natural teeth. Patients will be able to eat hot and cold foods with no sensitivity and can care for their restorations just as they do with their own teeth.

To learn more about the new CEREC system at Hospital Dental Group and to schedule an appointent to take advantage of this advanced technology, call us today!

Many people feel nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist, whether it is for a complex procedure or just a simple cleaning.  This fear, known as dental phobia, often keeps patients from getting the dental care they need and can increase your risk of gum disease and other serious conditions over time.

Fortunately, dental sedation can help these patients, as well as those with sensitive teeth, a poor gag reflux or who need to undergo multiple or complex dental procedures.  With dental sedation administered by an experienced professional, patients can undergo nearly any type of treatment with virtually no pain.  In many cases, treatments that would typically require more than one session can be performed in one sitting, reducing recovery times and cost involved.

Dental anesthesia is available as an oral medication or through intravenous administration.  Before your procedure, your dentist will administer the anesthesia in the chosen method, which will quickly take effect and produce a calm, relaxed state.  While patients will not be asleep, they will be deeply sedated and likely not remember any of their procedure.  A professional will be on hand to monitor the patient’s safety throughout treatment.

We offer patients a wide range of sedation options to ensure your comfort for any dental procedure.  Call us today to find out how this service can help your experience at your next dental appointment.

Tooth decay is a growing problem that affects thousands of children every year as a result of excessive sugar intake from common junk foods and drinks. Decay often builds up and leads to cavities, and is especially common in young children who tend to consume large amounts of soft drinks with highly acidic sugars.

While the sugars found in soda, candy and other unhealthy snacks damage the teeth and contribute to the increase in tooth decay, there are healthier alternatives that may actually provide oral benefits. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in fruits, vegetables and within the liver, and does not break down and become acidic after consumption like other types of sugar. Instead of continuing to damage the tooth enamel, xylitol fights bacteria in the mouth to keep the teeth healthy.

Xylitol can be found in many different products that we use on a regular basis, including candy, all-purpose sweeteners, powdered drink mixes and more. Using products with natural sugars can safely and effectively prevent tooth decay and therefore reduce the risk of cavities.

With Xylitol products, parents can help their children protect their sensitive teeth without having to significantly change their diet habits or compromise taste. It is recommended to consume three to five servings of xylitol each day so that it can work against bacteria in the mouth to help prevent cavities from developing.

Dr. Ravin can discuss the benefits of xylitol with patients and recommend adequate consumption to achieve the maximum benefits of this natural sugar.

Dental x-rays are a valuable imaging exam that can provide your dentist with detailed evaluations of your teeth and gums for diagnostic and prevention purposes.  X-rays are performed on a routine schedule depending on each patient’s individual needs as determined by the dentist.

By taking x-rays regularly, your dentist can monitor the size, location and condition of your teeth in order to detect any changes and track their progression over a period of time.  These images serve as a visual timeline of your teeth, roots, jaw and facial bones that your dentist can refer to should any future problems arise.

X-rays may also be performed to further investigate any suspected abnormalities, including gum disease, abscesses, abnormal growths and cavities outside of the scheduled radiographic schedule.  These detailed images allow your dentist to pinpoint the precise location of these and other conditions to ensure the most effective treatment.

While some patients may worry about the safety of x-rays and associated radiation exposure, dental x-rays involve radiation levels similar to those encountered from frequent airline travel and certain home appliances.  They are safe for most patients, including pregnant women who may be at risk for gum disease and require x-ray examination.

Dr. Ravin utilizes advanced x-ray techniques to provide his patients with the highest quality of imaging services.  He is available to address any questions or concerns you may have about dental x-rays.

Replacing missing teeth is important in maintaining strong oral health and reducing the risk of decay, disease and further tooth loss. While there are many restorative options available to replace missing teeth, only dental implants provide the strength and durability comparable to natural teeth.

Implants can be used in conjunction with crowns, bridges and dentures, depending on each patient’s individual needs. During the implant procedure, the small titanium cylinders are implanted into the jaw, provided that there is sufficient bone in the area to support it. If not enough bone is present, it may be grafted from another area. After implantation, there is a waiting period known as osseointegration, in which the implant anchor fuses with the bone to create a supportive base while a temporary crown or bridge is put in place.

After the healing period of three to six months, the temporary prosthetic is replaced with a permanent one, which allows for reliable, long-term restoration of missing teeth. Implants are cared for like regular teeth, requiring daily brushing and professional cleanings twice a year. They have a strong success rate and provide more strength and stability than crowns, bridges and dentures, as well as a reduce risk of damage to surrounding teeth.

Dental implants can be utilized for both cosmetic and functional benefit, allowing patients to restore a full, beautiful smile, while also reducing the risk of serious complications and allowing for normal speaking and eating habits. Dr. Ravin provides dental implants for many patients seeking restorative treatment and makes use of them frequently for their many advantages over other techniques.

A bright, white smile can help make a great first impression in both professional and personal situations. Maintaining such a smile can be difficult, since the color of our teeth can be affected by coffee, tea, smoking and other substances that we commonly eat or drink. Despite the number of whitening toothpastes and other home products available, none are as effective as professional bleaching treatment.

Bleaching often involves the creation of custom-made trays that help gradually whiten the smile over a certain period of time. More advanced treatments can dramatically whiten in a single treatment session, during which time patients can watch television or read a book if they desire. During these treatments, a whitening gel that contains hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth, which are then exposed to a special light that activates the hydrogen peroxide and provides significant, long-term results.

When performed by a skilled and experienced dentist, bleaching is a completely safe and highly effective treatment that can easily enhance your entire appearance by creating a beautiful smile. Dr. Ravin performs ZOOM! Whitening in his office, which is performed as a one-time treatment that takes less than an hour to perform. There is no downtime and nearly no side effects associated with bleaching, so it can be performed at your convenience.

Bleaching is most effective on natural teeth, healthy teeth that have become discolored as a result of natural or environmental factors. Some patients may experience mild irritation or sensitivity after treatment, but these side effects usually subside after treatment is completed. Please call us today to find out if bleaching performed by Dr. Ravin is right for you!

As one of the most popular beverages in the country, bottled water is preferred over tap water by many individuals for its taste, quality and on-the-go convenience. While it has been of environmental concern lately, bottled water may also affect your dental health, as it is lacking one important nutrient that tap water does have.

Fluoride is an element found naturally in tap water and other sources that protects teeth from tooth decay, as it prevents plaque from dissolving tooth enamel. When combined with a healthy diet and regular dental care, fluoride provides even more protection against decay. This element is especially important for children, whose developing teeth are at an increased risk for decay and need to build strength as the child grows.

In most cases, children and adults alike receive enough fluoride from tap water and their toothpaste, with no need for additional supplements. However, with the recent surge in bottled water, some people may not be receiving enough of this nutrient, and it is considered one of the factors that have led to an increase in cavities.

While you may opt for the benefits of bottled water, it is important to recognize the value of tap water and ensure that you receive a sufficient supply of fluoride in order to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Be sure to check your bottled water to see if it contains enough or any fluoride for effective protection against decay.