Identafi® Multi-Spectral Oral Cancer Screening

Quick facts about oral cancer:

• Kills more in the U.S. than well known cancers such as skin, lymphatic, thyroid, & cervical
• Almost 37,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year in the U.S
• 66% of these individuals will be diagnosed as late stage cancers, only 43% of them will survive five years
• Early detection (stages 1 or 2) increases survival rates up to 80-90%
• Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase
• Prolonged sun exposure, tobacco, & alcohol use are major contributing factors
• HPV16, the same virus that causes a majority of cervical cancers, was the primary causative factor in 63% of diagnosis in early 2011

The test is simple, painless, & fast.

The mortality rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because of difficulty in diagnosis or discovery, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Screenings for oral cancer are crucial in early detection and drastically improve survival rates. An oral cancer screening is a painfree, quick three to five minute procedure that detects external and internal abnormalities. Your head, neck, and jaws will be examined for external abnormalities, followed by a visual screening of the interior of your mouth using a specialized light wand.

When found early, oral cancer patients have nearly a 90% survival rate.

Our office uses the Identafi system by Trimera and we recommend that patients are screened once a year for oral cancer. The Identafi® uses Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye.

(LANAP®) Laser Gum Surgery in Jacksonville

Is LANAP™ right for you?

• Do you have red, swollen, or tender gums?
• When you floss or brush, do your gums bleed?
• Do you have chronic bad breath?
• Do your teeth move or feel loose?
• Have you been told you suffer from periodontal disease or that you need to see a periodontist?

If you answered yes to any of these questions above, you may be a candidate for an exciting treatment option known as Laser Assisted New Attachement Procedure™ (a.k.a. LANAP™, Laser Periodontal Therapy™). This minimally invasive procedure uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ by Millenium Dental Technologies, the only dental laser specifically designed for Laser Periodontal Therapy™ for the treatment of gum disease.

 

No scalpels. No stiches. The new treatment for gum disease.

LANAP™ is a new, less traumatic treatment for periodontal disease that selectively removes infected tissue within periodontal pockets. It replaces the traditional use of  a scalpel during periodontal surgery and requires no suturing, which improves patient comfort, minimizes recovery time and reduces post-operative bleeding and swelling.

 

Laser Periodontal Therapy™ – FDA approved laser treatment for gum disease.

The laser based approach for the treatment of gum disease actually helps the bone supporting your teeth to regenerate. By treating and controlling periodontal disease, it is possible to save and restore teeth to health that may otherwise have to be extracted. LANAP™ can help restore your whole mouth to health and reduce your body’s susceptibility to serious health problems associated with gum disease.

Periodontal Examination

During your checkup, Dr. Berdy will examine your mouth to assess the overall health and stability of your teeth, gums, and surrounding areas including the muscles supporting your teeth, jaw joints, and tongue. He will review your current x-rays and then present his findings to you. A screening for oral cancer can also be performed at this time.

When examining your mouth an instrument called a periodontal probe is used to assess the health and quality of your gums and tooth attachments. The periodontal probe is used to measure the pocket depth, or collar of gum tissue that surrounds the tooth. Normal pocket depths are in the range of 1-3mm.

A microscope evaluation using a phase contrast microscope may be done. This enables us to determine the types of bone destroying bacteria that may be present and the extent of your infection to the surrounding areas. A sampling of the bacteria in the area of an infection may be sent off for further analysis to aid in our determination of an appropriate periodontal therapy. A DNA analysis may also be done to assess susceptibility to periodontal diseases.

Dental Implant Evaluation

Dr. Berdy will take a 3-D image and mold of your mouth to get a clear view of your bone structure, allowing him to determine the best way to replace your missing tooth or teeth. When you are missing a tooth or teeth, you have four replacement options:

• Implant supported crown
• Bridge
• Partial denture
• No replacement

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that can be used in both the upper and lower jaws. Implants are usually made of titanium or zirconium, both of which are well accepted by the human body. Once implants have fused to bone, they can then be used to support a single tooth, multiple teeth, or dentures.

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ARESTIN® Gum Infection Treatment

Periodontal Disease is a serious infection under your gumline.

ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria that cause the infection.

1. It’s placed directly in the infected areas—or “pockets”—in your gums.
2. It’s applied right after Scaling and Root Planing, the dental procedure that disrupts stubborn plaque and bacteria below your gumline—where brushing and flossing can’t reach.

ARESTIN® starts working quickly, right at the source of infection, and keeps fighting bacteria long after you leave the dental office.1,2
ARESTIN® fights infection and inflammation for 30 days,2 and provides significantly better results than SRP alone for up to 90 days.

Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)

Typically, the first non-surgical step in the treatment of Periodontal Disease involves a special cleaning known as scaling and root planing (SRP), or a “deep cleaning.” When pocket depths are 3mm or more, scaling and root planing can be used to treat periodontal disease by removing plaque and tartar buildup found below the gum line. A specialized instrument called a small scaler or an ultrasonic cleaner is used to carefully remove plaque and tartar down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. Finally, the tooth’s root surfaces are then smoothed or planed, helping gum tissue to heal while shrinking periodontal pockets. This procedure makes it more difficult for the accumulation of plaque along the root surfaces. To alleviate any potential discomfort, a local anesthetic may be given at the beginning of the procedure.

Depending on the extent of periodontal disease present, treatment by scaling and root planing may be recommended for one or more sections (quadrants) of your mouth. In combination with a deep cleaning, a localized antibiotic such as ARESTIN® may be used to help control infection and promote healing. Once scaling and root planing has been completed, a follow up appointment is usually scheduled several weeks later to examine your gums to see how they have healed and how the periodontal pockets have decreased. Often, many patients do not require further active treatment for periodontal disease and just need proper preventative care.

• Maintaining good oral hygiene at home and continued follow up maintenance cleanings are essential to help prevent periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring.
• Periodontitis does not go away by itself- prevention and treatment in early stages is crucial to keeping a healthy smile

Gum Disease Prevention

Proper home care is the key…

A good oral hygiene routine practiced for a few minutes twice a day can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal diseases and tooth decay. When choosing Dental Care products, look for those that display the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. The Seal of Acceptance is your assurance the product meets the ADA’s criteria for safety and effectiveness for its intended use.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. With thorough brushing, you can remove plaque from the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Dr. Berdy or your Dental Hygienist can show you a proper brushing technique if you have any questions.
• Clean between teeth once a day with dental floss or another interdental cleaner to remove plaque and debris from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Rubber tip stimulators are also great tools to aid in cleaning your gums.
• If you need extra help controlling gingivitis and plaque that forms above the gum line, your dentist may recommend using an ADA-accepted antimicrobial mouthrinse or other oral hygiene aids as an effective addition to your daily oral hygiene routine.
• Eat a balanced diet for good general health and limit snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Professional cleanings are the only way to remove tartar, which traps bacteria along the gum line.