Diamond Certified Resource Dentists Guide
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Read MoreSAN LEANDRO — Treating cancer is one of the great challenges of modern health care, and dentistry is no exception. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and only slightly more than half typically survive. In fact, oral cancer has a higher mortality rate than many more well-known forms of cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation asserts the main reason for oral cancer’s unusually high mortality rate is that it’s typically discovered in later stages when treatment is less effective. As with any form of cancer, early detection is the most important factor in successfully treating oral cancer. For this reason, Read more
WALNUT CREEK — Although it’s often mistaken for mere snoring, sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes the sufferer to literally stop breathing during sleep—potentially hundreds of times in a single night. In addition to daytime sleepiness (which can affect work performance and increase the likelihood of a car accident), it can cause a variety of health problems, including elevated blood pressure, depression, and the risk of diabetes and stroke. There are several factors that increase your susceptibility to sleep apnea, including physical attributes and personal habits. One common contributing factor is your body weight, although it’s primarily the size of your neck that matters. Males whose neck circumference is more than 17 inches and females whose neck circumference is more than 16 inches are particularly at risk. Read more
WALNUT CREEK — Traditionally, dentists have employed two different methods to detect cavities: x-rays and directly examining teeth with a handheld instrument. While these continue to be valuable techniques, a more recent innovation benefits patients by identifying cavities in their earliest stages: dental lasers. How does a dental laser work? When a dentist shines the laser on the chewing surfaces of a patient’s teeth (where the vast majority of cavities are found), it measures the reflected light energy, or “fluorescence,” of the tooth structures’ various layers. While a healthy tooth will exhibit little to no fluorescence, any decayed areas will register a noticeable reading on the laser’s sensor. One of the biggest attributes of dental lasers is they can detect cavities when they’re still very small, Read more
HERCULES — Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a medical imaging technique that’s being used more and more commonly in dental offices today. This technology is extremely useful for ensuring accuracy with diagnosis and evaluation. It’s particularly beneficial for determining the placement of dental implants. When placing a dental implant, a dentist needs to make sure the jawbone is of adequate height and width and that no important structures will be damaged, such as the nerve or the maxillary sinus. CBCT allows a dentist to get a clear image of the implant area and determine a suitable placement location. Due to the potential risks involved, if you’re planning to get one or more dental implants, Read more
SAN RAMON — If you suffer from sore or bleeding gums, you may just need to implement a couple of oral hygiene measures, the most important of which is flossing. If you aren’t flossing every day, you’re missing out on a crucial part of your oral hygiene routine—in fact, it’s probably the main reason your gums are bleeding. Keep in mind that when you first start flossing, it’s going to cause your gums to bleed even more. However, with time, regular flossing will correct this issue, resulting in healthier gums. As an alternative to flossing, some people prefer to use a water flosser (such as a Waterpik®), which employs the power of pressurized water to clean between the teeth. Read more
