The Center for Esthetic Dentistry Blog | Dr. Charley Varipapa

Monday, April 23, 2007

WHO'S WALKING WHO?

JUST A CUTE SHOT OF MOOKIE AND SIMONE BEING WALKED BY GRANDMA! ENJOY.

posted by Dr. Charley Varipapa at 5:30 PM 0 comments

Thanks! Photo Shoot.

We had a real blast at our last photo shoot! This was a shot we took spontaneously and wound up using it in a Post Ad. The friends of the practice are, from top left clockwise, Shaundra, Chris, jane, and Donna. I am the one in the middle-hey watch it!

All of these fine folks looked long and hard for the right Cosmetic Dentist and found us. I think Clare was the final deciding factor, she is so warm and sincere and she really really cares. I have worked with many people but not many have been as authentic as she is. When you meet her you will know what I mean.

The folks featured in this photo have had everything from our new Power Bleaching to veneers, crowns and full mouth re-construction. We sincerely appreciate their sharing their stories with you. Cosmetic dentistry and careful planning has made significant changes in their smiles and their lives. Maybe that's why they are smiling so beautifully!

Cosmetic Dentistry is not always elective. It is an important part of the restorative process. When you choose a dentist be certain to select one who has had advanced training in case planning and treatment. Don't become one of the many who have had to re-do new dentistry that was not well-planned.

They come to us from all around, from McLean to Leesburg, DC to PA and from Maryland to Arlington. We love them all and it is our privledge to serve them and help them choose what is best for them! Thank you all. CV

posted by Dr. Charley Varipapa at 5:07 PM 0 comments

Lumineers!

Lumineers by Cerinate are an alternative to traditional veneers. Lumineers offer a painless way to have veneers placed "without anesthesia, without temporaries and without post-op sensitivity". The manufacturer fabricates these contact lens thin veneers that can be placed over stained, crooked, spaced and worn down teeth. THey can be used to lengthen the teeth, and creat what has been described as a "beautiful smile that looks perfect for everyone". Call us to see if Lumineers will be your choice for cosmetic dentistry.

posted by Dr. Charley Varipapa at 4:45 PM 0 comments

Antibiotics, Dentisty and You

Recently, antibiotic pre-medication guidelines have changed. The below article explains what patients with heart conditions need to know about taking antibiotics before dental treatment:

For decades, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended that patients with certain heart conditions take antibiotics shortly before dental treatment. This was done with the belief that antibiotics would prevent infective endocarditis (IE), previously referred to as bacterial endocarditis. The AHA’s latest guidelines were published in its scientific journal, Circulation, in April 2007 and there is good news: the AHA recommends that most of these patients no longer need short-term antibiotics as a preventive measure before their dental treatment.

The American Dental Association participated in the development of the new guidelines and has approved those portions relevant to dentistry. The guidelines were also endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

The guidelines are based on a growing body of scientific evidence that shows the risks of taking preventive antibiotics outweigh the benefits for most patients. The risks include adverse reactions to antibiotics that range from mild to potentially severe and, in very rare cases, death. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can also lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Scientists also found no compelling evidence that taking antibiotics prior to a dental procedure prevents IE in patients who are at risk of developing a heart infection. Their hearts are already often exposed to bacteria from the mouth, which can enter their bloodstream during basic daily activities such as brushing or flossing. The new guidelines are based on a comprehensive review of published studies that suggests IE is more likely to occur as a result of these everyday activities than from a dental procedure.

The guidelines say patients who have taken prophylactic antibiotics routinely in the past but no longer need them include people with:
• mitral valve prolapse
• rheumatic heart disease
• bicuspid valve disease
• calcified aortic stenosis
• congenital heart conditions such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The new guidelines are aimed at patients who would have the greatest danger of a bad outcome if they developed a heart infection.

Preventive antibiotics prior to a dental procedure are advised for patients with:
1. artificial heart valves
2. a history of infective endocarditis
3. certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions, including
• unrepaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits
• a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention, during the first six months after the procedure
• any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device
4. a cardiac transplant that develops a problem in a heart valve.

The new recommendations apply to many dental procedures, including teeth cleaning and extractions. Patients with congenital heart disease can have complicated circumstances. They should check with their cardiologist if there is any question at all as to the category that best fits their needs.

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please feel free to contact the ADA Division of Science by calling 312-440-2878. ADA members may use the Association’s toll-free number and ask for x2878.

Your dental heath and heart health are both very important. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have questions about the new AHA recommendations.

posted by NoëlO at 1:39 PM

Art and Science: Sedation Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry!

Summer is just around the corner and it's is Mookie's birthday tomorrow. She is going to be seven years old! She takes good care of her teeth but needs a crown on her lower front canine which she broke on a veal shank bone! The veal was delicious and I know I should never have give her the bone but she had been so good she deserved it.

We just returned from another sedation dentistry program in Monterey, California. We learned a number of new things but basically were keeping our saw sharp so we can make our patients appointments as comfortable as possible. We were probably the only Cosmetic Dentistry group there. As a Cosmetic Dentist I can say there are even more proceedures to make people comfortable with using Sedation Dentistry. When you are in please ask us about Sedation Dentistry and how it can work easily and safely for you. Whether you are coming in for Cosmetic Dentistry, Veneers, Lumineers or advanced restorative dentistry there may be a form of Sedation that is right for you!

We also had some advanced training in Life Support. The team and I really enjoyed our visit to California but as they say in the great land of Oz, "There's no place like home."

posted by Dr. Charley Varipapa at 1:28 PM 0 comments