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CEREC: Crowns in One Hour |
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Dental crowns (or caps) have been used to fix broken or decayed teeth for over one hundred years. For most of this time, gold crowns were the best choice. But what if you don’t want to flash an 18 carat grin? After that, a way was found to make a tooth colored crown out of porcelain fused to metal (PFM) much in the same way that porcelain bath tubs and kitchen sinks are made. The problem is that a PFM crown looks unnatural because unlike your real tooth, this type of crown does not let light come through and it leaves a dark color at the gum line which can be quite unattractive, especially for a front tooth. In addition, gold crowns and PFM crowns require at least two dental appointments. For the first appointment, the dentist prepares the tooth and takes impressions (models) of your teeth. This impression is sent to a dental lab where the crown is made. The turnaround time can be up to two weeks. In the meantime, your dentist will place a temporary crown on the tooth. At the second dental visit, your dentist removes the temporary crown and the permanent crown is cemented in place. While there is nothing wrong with doing crowns this way, CEREC has invented a strong, all porcelain crown that can be made in about an hour!
CEREC, which is an acronym for CEramic REConstruction, was first introduced in 1987. The porcelain used in a CEREC crown is made by a process called sintering. This means that the porcelain is heated below it’s melting point, so that the resulting product is stronger and more able to resist breaking due to the forces of biting and chewing. The CEREC system uses CAD/CAM technology. First, an infrared photo is taken of your tooth. Using the software provided by CEREC, your dentist is able to design your crown using 3D imaging. This information is sent to the milling machine via wireless or direct wired transmission. Next, the block of CEREC porcelain is put in the milling machine. With the press of a button, the machine can make the crown in 10-15 minutes. When the crown is done, your dentist can permanently cement the crown in place with a strong dental cement. That’s it! You now have a new, natural-looking crown made in about an hour with no messy impressions, no temporary crowns, less dental anesthesia and in one dental visit!
Reducing Body Fat With Liposuction |
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For those of you who have lost weight through diet and exercise, but still are bothered by excess body fat deposits, liposuction may be for you. Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves body contour by removing excess fat deposits from the area between the skin and muscle. Liposuction involves a small stainless steel tube (known as a cannula) that is connected to a powerful suction pump. While the patient is under anesthesia, the cannula is inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. The fat removal procedure creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After liposuction, the tunnels collapse resulting in improved body contour.
After the liposuction surgery, compression garments or elastic bandages are put on the treated areas to control swelling and compress the new body contours. Healing may take several months while post operative swelling decreases. Results can be long-lasting provided there is no significant weight gain after surgery. Areas of the body that are most commonly treated with liposuction are the hips, stomach and abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and the face. Liposuction will only remove fat, it will not remove cellulite.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Possible side effects may include uneven contours, rippling or loose skin, skin or nerve damage, and irregular pigmentation around the treated area. There are plenty of things to know before having cosmetic surgery. Ideal candidates are adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have elastic skin and muscle tone. A person must be a healthy, non-smoker with no medical conditions that can affect healing. Lastly, ideal candidates must have a positive outlook and realistic goals for what they want their body to look like. If you believe you are a good candidate for liposuction, you should contact your physician to schedule a consultation to review what liposuction can do to help you achieve the body you have always wanted.
Brite Smile – Whiter Teeth In One Hour |
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Brite Smile is all the rage in dental whitening but is it worth the hefty cost?
Brite Smile is the latest trend in in-office teeth bleaching. This system uses blue-light technology with 15% hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to lighten teeth up to 8 shades lighter instantly. Since there is no laser or heat, Brite Smile claims their bleaching system is the most comfortable method of whitening that can be achieved in only 1 hour.
In addition to their in-office treatment, Brite Smile makes “To Go Pens” which are a portable brush-tip applicator of whitening gel for on-the-go bleaching “touch ups.”
After the in-office bleaching, some patients may report discomfort of some type, including sudden sharp pains or a dull to moderate ache as well as “burning gums & lips.” With the Brite Smile procedure costing around $300 or more per session, it’s fairly pricey compared to other treatments. There are many teeth whitening options available, including in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments. Each teeth whitening treatment has its pros and cons, so talk to your dental professional or browse DoctorBase.com to find dentists in your area that offer Brite Smile.
How Can Restylane Help You Look Younger? |
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Wish you could go back in time? Restylane can help!
Restylane can make you look in the mirror and take you ten, and even fifteen years, back. Restylane is a non-animal hyaluronic acid most commonly used for lip injections to give a fuller appearance to lips and has been successfully used to fix and erase aging marks around the face. Aging can cause sagging of the cheeks and give lines around the mouth and eyes that give an aged appearance to someone’s face.
The wrinkles and sagging that cause harsh looking creases and folds are a natural aging process which happens because of loss of collagen and elastin fibers under the skin. Certain lifestyles such as smoking and constant frowning can cause stress marks in your face which can take ages out of a young and healthy look. Besides treating yourelf to Restylane, make sure to quit smoking if you are a smoker and find time to relax and decompress from daily life stress. Sometimes simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in your health and well-being!
Restylane is a good choice to treat deep lines around the mouth and to achieve fuller lips; it will smooth away wrinkles and even smooth the area around the eyes. The procedure is non surgical, and is performed at the doctor’s office. The area that will be performed is numbed with local anesthetics, and the actual Restylane procedure takes about 20 minutes. Some side effects may include mild swelling and some bruising, and the intensity of these reactions will change from patient to patient. Patients should stay away from sun for the first two days as well report to doctor if any abnormal reactions are noticed. Patients can go home right after procedure, and results are noticeable within a week.
Using Cell Phones For Health |
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We use them to text, share videos, check our stocks, phone home, and thousands of other uses, so why should we use our cell phones to manage our health? Associate Press reporter, Lauran Neergaard, writes of this growing trend in her article “From texting to apps, using cell phones for health.” This trend is called mobile health (or mHealth) and is defined as using mobile devices to support the medical and public health needs of a population. In her article, Ms. Neergaard gives the example of a diabetic patient who uses a special cell phone application to enter his daily blood sugar measurements. Based upon preset danger thresholds, the patient receives text messages telling him what to do if his readings are too low or too high. His doctor can then use this information to track his progress and then to give him the appropriate advice. Ms. Neergaard also cites examples of liver transplant patients reporting fewer organ rejections after receiving text messages that remind them to take their medications. In addition, dieters in a program at the University of California, San Diego lost more weight when they responded to text reminders about healthy food choices than those patients that were given printed dieting advice.
Utilizing health related cell phone apps can be useful in helping people with chronic health problems take control of their disease. By receiving instant feedback and information, patients may eventually become better informed to make the right decisions to improve their health. While the elderly are less likely to use their cell phones for health issues, cell phone apps for health could be used to provide important health education for the home bound or those people in foreign countries where there is limited access to health care. This would provide health care providers with a way to diagnose and track diseases while increasing their ability to provide ongoing medical information for this under served portion of the population.
The i-CAT Cone Beam 3-D Dental Imaging System |
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Technology is advancing everyday! With sophisticated equipment comes improved diagnosis and treatment planning for dental procedures. Many offices are now turning to i-CAT Dental Imaging. The i-CAT Cone Beam 3-D Dental Imaging System puts forward advanced 3-D dental imaging that is a low radiation alternative to traditional dental x-rays, and it’s even safer for the planet!
Three-dimensional imaging technology provides more accurate viewing of impacted supernumerary or abnormal teeth. The i-CAT also provides accurate, cross-sectional slices of any desired location in the mouth. This cutting edge technology can compare structures in the mouth in relationship to other anatomical structures, such as roots, the nasal area, and sinuses to enhance the treatment by understanding the tooth’s position and its relationship to adjacent teeth and structures.
Another alternative technology for 3-D dental imaging is the Galileos 3D Imaging System by Sirona. You can browse DoctorBase.com to see if a dentist near you is using the i-CAT Cone Beam 3-D Dental Imaging System.
“As Popular As a Root Canal” – Six Myths About Root Canal Therapy |
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Root canals get a lot of bad press. Even President Obama, in his first State of the Union address, said that the bank bailout was “as popular as a root canal.” While I’m sure that no one actually looks forward to getting a root canal, they don’t deserve all this negativity. Let’s look at some common myths about root canal therapy to try to separate fact from fiction.
Myth #1: Root Canal Therapy is Painful
The reality is that most root canal treatments are done because a tooth is already painful. For many people needing a root canal, eating foods that are hot or cold can send searing pain up and down their face. The result of a root canal is a pain-free tooth enabling a person to enjoy food again. In fact, with dental anesthetics, most people do not experience any pain during root canal treatment.
Myth #2: Having a Root Canal Requires Several Dental Appointments
Most root canals can be completed in one to two appointments. The number of appointments needed is determined by the amount of infection present and the difficulty of the tooth anatomy. The dental crown or cap that is needed to put on the tooth after a root canal is necessary, but is not considered a part of the root canal treatment.
Myth #3: Root Canals Cause Illnesses
In the early 1900’s, Dr. Weston Price reported that if bacteria is trapped in the tooth after a root canal is completed, then diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, and arthritis may result. Recent research has not been able to duplicate Dr. Price’s findings. In fact, there are hundreds of different kinds of bacteria that can be in our mouths at any time. Even a healthy mouth free of cavities and gum disease has bacteria present! Researchers believe that Dr. Price’s (almost 100 year old) findings may be due to an unsanitary lab and inaccurate research techniques.
Myth #4: Teeth Should Hurt Before You Have a Root Canal
A tooth may not hurt and still need a root canal. The nerve in the tooth may be already dead from a past injury. If this is the case, a person will not feel pain even if the tooth is infected. In such cases your dentist will diagnose the need for a root canal with x-rays, and hot/cold tests during your dental exam. If a tooth starts to get darker, or you notice a “pimple” on the gum, see your dental professional right away. The pimple is a sign of a draining infection, that if not treated can damage the gums of adjacent teeth.
Myth #5: Root Canals Do Not Last Long
This myth comes from the possibility of a tooth breaking months after root canal therapy. After a root canal is completed, a crown/cap should be placed on the tooth to protect it from getting brittle. If a filling is put on the tooth instead, over time the forces of chewing will weaken the tooth causing it to crack or break. If this occurs, it is not the root canal that has failed, but the improper restoration on the tooth that has failed.
Myth #6: It is Better to Pull the Tooth Than Get a Root Canal
Dentists want to save teeth, not pull them. Your real tooth- even one with a root canal and a crown, requires less treatment (and less money) than replacing a pulled tooth with a dental implant or a bridge. If taken care of properly by daily brushing and flossing, a tooth that has had a root canal can last a life time.
Wisdom Teeth: The Smart Thing To Do Is Remove Them |
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Are we smarter if we keep our wisdom teeth? I don’t know about that, but “wisdom teeth” or the third molars usually come in at early adulthood or when we enter the “age of wisdom.” Third molars can be impacted or never come down. Sometimes they erupt or come down but there is usually not room to be part of the whole mouth. They can vary in size and rotation, which can make them difficult to clean. In the rare instance that these teeth can fit in the mouth properly without restriction and can be kept clean, they can stay. But as I said, it is very rare. It is better for the person, dental hygienist, and dentist if the wisdom teeth are extracted.
Inevitably, people hear the word extraction and it conjures up all sorts of negative thoughts. In reality, it is not that bad. If you follow the post operative instructions properly there should be no problems. Problems occur when people try to do too much right after the surgery. Things like drinking through a straw, not keeping up on pain medication, or not resting. Given the chance, the pain and discomfort of extractions will dissipate.
Without the wisdom teeth, you shouldn’t notice any difference in your smarts!
The Future of X-rays: Galileos 3D Imaging System by Sirona |
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Say goodbye to 2-dimensional, uncomfortable dental x-ray images and films. Introducing, Galileos 3D Imaging System by Sirona which provides amazingly high resolution superiority and has the lowest achievable dose of radiation. In fact, Galileos has 10 times less radiation than a conventional CT scan. Galileos has meticulous anatomical detail which allows the dental patient to have superior treatment and predicted outcome in future dental procedures as the dentist can accurately see the patient’s unique anatomy.
The Galileos 3D Imaging System is available in 2 different versions- the Galileos Comfort and the Galileos Compact. The Galileos Comfort is intended for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, dental clinics, private clinics, and orthodontists. The Galileos Compact is designed for use by general practitioners and oral surgeons and in dental implant practices.
With an extremely fast scan time of 14 seconds in addition to minimizing radiation exposure, the Galileos 3D Imaging System has numerous advantages for both the patient and the clinician. Taken as a whole, Galileos looks as if it may be the wave of the future.
Teeth Whitening Options – Which one is best? |
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Everyone wants a dazzling white smile- it’s a sign of health and beauty. But which is the best way to achieve that? There are many modalities to achieve a whiter smile. One may not be better than another but the question of time and money are the biggest factors. I have had the fortune of trying all of the modalities. I can honestly say that they all achieve a whiter “bleached out” smile.
ZOOM! Teeth Whitening
The first and most expensive is ZOOM! Teeth Whitening or in office bleaching. A dental professional applies a strong amount of bleach to the teeth and a blue light activates the bleach on the teeth. It can make the teeth eight shades whiter, which can be great! It takes about 45 minutes for the bleaching time but there is extra time to safely protect the gum tissue. The best thing about ZOOM! is that it is a fast process and the teeth will stay whiter longer.
Teeth Whitening Trays
The next modality is at home teeth whitening trays. The trays are a soft plastic that fit around just the teeth. A small amount of bleach is applied to the wells of each tooth in the tray and then placed in the mouth. There are different strengths of bleach to use at home, but normally the trays are worn for only 30 minutes or 60 minutes. In about two weeks of use, the teeth can achieve a six shade improvement. The best thing about at home teeth whitening trays is that you can control the amount of use. If you happen to have sensitivity one week in, you can stop, and if you are happy with the shade, then you are done. The other great thing is that you can do touch up bleaching whenever you feel like it.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips or gel is a good way to bleach the teeth when you are low on cash. They are sold over the counter and can run between $20-$40. They are applied over the upper and lower teeth and are worn for an hour. The best thing about the teeth whitening strips is their cost. You will achieve a whiter smile but it takes some time and energy. The strips have the least amount of bleach and can get a bit messy. Most people do not like to use them because they slip around and do not stay in place for the full hour. Usually the teeth will get about 3-4 shades lighter.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Finally, “whitening” toothpaste is a tricky modality. It says “whitening” but in fact it does not bleach the teeth. Instead, it has an abrasive quality that removes debris from the teeth well, which in turn can appear whiter.
Bleaching is a great way to make the teeth white. There are so many great teeth whitening options to chose from. As always, white teeth look nice, but having a healthy smile is really what’s best!
Are Patients Being Pressured Into Doing More Cosmetic Procedures? |
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The Washington Post newspaper recently published an article by freelance writer Rita Zeidner entitled “Doctors and dentists can face complaints about pushing cosmetic procedures.” In this article Ms. Zeidner writes about how dental and medical patients are being subjected to pushy staff members trying to sell them expensive dental and medical procedures that they do not want or need. The first example that is given in this article concerns a dental patient who was urged to consider Invisalign by her hygienist as well as the rest of the office staff. Since the patient’s crooked teeth did not bother her, she felt as if she was being pressured to do a dental procedure that she was not convinced that she needed. While it is understandable that a person might not be bothered by teeth that are not straight, they do need to realize that from a dental standpoint, straight teeth are easier to keep clean, stay healthier, and are less prone to gum disease. Perhaps if the office staff had explained to the patient the importance of straight teeth for a healthy mouth, then she might not felt as if she was getting a sale pitch.
Next, Ms. Zeidner explains that many of the cosmetic procedures recommended by doctors and dentists are not covered by insurance. Procedures such as Botox, tummy tucks, and face lifts are generally elective procedures and are not generally covered by insurance. However, if a procedure is needed to get a person back to health, such as breast augmentation after a mastectomy, then it may be covered by insurance. The bottom line is, if insurance coverage is important, then the patient should ask questions about insurance to their medical/dental office or their insurance company. It is interesting to note that this article states that in 2009, during this country’s high rate of unemployment, “cosmetic surgery grew by 8 percent.” In addition Americans in 2006 spent “$511 million on teeth bleaching and veneers.” Patients do not want a “sales pitch,” but they do want to know what their treatment options are by making them aware of what products and services a medical/dental office provides. If patients are given all the pros and cons of a procedure, then they can make an educated decision based upon their individual needs.
Flap Surgery: Overview, Cost, Risks |
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If you are diagnosed with gum disease, a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planning may be recommended to eradicate the disease. When a deep cleaning does not prove to be successful in pocket reduction and decay still exists below the gum line, periodontal flap surgery may be your next step.
During periodontal flap surgery, also known as pocket reduction surgery, the patient is administered local anesthesia, then tiny incisions are made in the gums. Next, the gums are lifted back so the entire intact tooth and root surface would be exposed. The area is carefully cleaned and all tarter, harmful bacteria and infected tissue is thoroughly removed. The gums are then positioned tightly around the tooth. It is vital to have snug tissue around each tooth as tissue tautness will result in a decreased pocket depth and initiate a reduction in bacteria and will promote a healthy environment.
The cost of periodontal flap surgery varies greatly. It depends on a number of factors, including how many areas of the mouth need treatment, your insurance, the dental technology used in the procedure (such as PerioLase), and the dentist or periodontist, as well as the location of the office treating your gum disease. Periodontal flap surgery may cost as little as $500 to thousands of dollars.
The risks of periodontal flap surgery are fairly low. Ultimately, the roots of your teeth may become more sensitive and the contour of your gums may be altered after the surgery is completed. Additionally, you may have some bleeding and swelling which should diminish overtime. Furthermore, as with any surgery, there is a risk that you could develop an infection.
Here is a short but informative video clip about periodontal flap surgery:
Dental Sealants Are Groovy, Baby! |
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Austin Powers is groovy in more ways than one!
Teeth can be a very groovy thing, literally! The teeth in the back, the molars, tend to have a lot of grooves in the biting surface. Sometimes they are so narrow that a single toothbrush bristle cannot fit into it and clean it well. If bacteria is left in the grooves, eventually a cavity will form. To prevent this from happening, sealants are placed in the biting surface. Dental sealants are a viscous liquid that flows into all the grooves and then cured to a hard plastic and the grooves are “sealed.”
Usually, the molars are sealed as soon as they are fully in. The first molars comes in when we are six years old, thus they are called “six year old molars.” And the second molars come in when we are twelve years old, thus the “twelve year old molars.” If these molars are sealed right away, then there is no worry for children and parents to get cavities as a young person! The great thing about sealant placement is that there is no need to be numb to get them in and more times than not, a dental hygienist or trained dental assistant can place them. If the molars do not get cavities, and children can keep the rest of the teeth from getting cavities, they virtually will never have to sit in the dentist’s chair! This is a good incentive to get sealants.
The molars are the most common teeth to get sealants, but there are other teeth that can get them too. If a person is more prone to cavities, then the bicuspid or premolar teeth can get sealants as a precaution. Sometimes, the teeth in the front of the mouth called the laterals, which are right next to the two front ones can be prone to cavities in the back side of them. They can get one deep groove and sealing that off can prevent future cavity.
Why Is Digital Radiography More Beneficial Than Traditional X-Rays? |
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Radiographs or x-rays are used in every dental office. They are a great way to see the teeth and bones and make sure they are healthy. In the past, x-rays were taken using little pieces of covered film. They were placed in the mouth and exposed using an x-ray machine. They always jabbed inside the mouth and seemed to take forever to be processed. Well, those days are now behind us! In the new era of dentistry, dentists are using digital radiography. The same x-ray machine is used to expose the film but now the film is a sensor that is connected to a computer. When a section of the mouth is taken in the digital x-ray it gets sent to the computer and can be seen right away. The best thing about digital radiography is that the image is high resolution. This means that a dentist can zoom in on a problem area or enhance the image in ways that will help them detect any problems or issues. This offers great flexibility for the dentist and greater care for you. No more waiting for them to develop, and no more jabbing!
Because the images are saved in electronic format, the dentist can easily send your x-rays to a specialist that you may be seeing for a specific problem. This means that your x-rays won’t be lost or damaged while en route to a specialist. Having the x-rays saved in an electronic format also means they will never fade or get lost like actual pieces of film. Some digital radiographs can use less radiation but normally they use the same x-ray machine for the radiation. Radiation is definitely a scary word, but getting x-rays once a year is very beneficial for your mouth in the long run! Maybe even best of all, digital x-rays are good for the planet! Ask your dentist today about digital radiography, it’s the new look of the future!
Rhinoplasty – Procedure and Risks |
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Rhinoplasty, or as it is more commonly known as a nose job, is the most often performed plastic surgery procedure in the United States. Rhinoplasty can improve the appearance of the nose by straightening the bridge of the nose, reshape the tip, reduce or add to the size of the nose, and change the distance between the nose and the upper lip. In addition, rhinoplasty can also repair defects from injury, birth defects or to improve breathing difficulties.
How is rhinoplasty done?
The upper portion of the nose is bone and the lower part is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can change both bone and cartilage. The rhinoplasty surgery is done with anesthetic from inside the nose. The plastic surgeon adjusts the bone and cartilage from underneath the skin and cuts inside the nostrils. The surgeon then trims, cuts or builds up the nasal bone or cartilage. After surgery, the patient will need to rest with their head higher that their chest in order to reduce bleeding and swelling. The nose may be packed with cotton and covered with a surgical dressing. The result will be a slight change to the appearance of the nose. If these changes are not enough, then a second surgery may be needed. If this is the case, then the patient should wait one year for the follow-up surgery as post operative changes to the nose may take place during this time.
What are the risks of rhinoplasty?
As with any major surgery, risks can include bleeding, infection, an adverse reaction to the anesthesia, tissue scarring, and numbness around the nose. Also, the ideal rhinoplasty candidate should be a person whose facial growth and body development are complete. This usually means age 15-16 years for women and 16-17 years for men. Having rhinoplasty done before growth is complete may result in undesirable results as the person continues to grow. Before deciding on any kind of surgery, the patient should consult with his or her board certified surgeon to discuss all of the risks and benefits involved.
How to Keep up Dental Care While on Vacation |
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Don't forget to pack your toothbrush!
Your bags are packed and you are ready to leave. Did you pack your toothbrush and floss? Vacations are a fun getaway but most people take a vacation from dental health care too. It’s an easy thing to forget. You don’t have a normal schedule, you sleep in late, and eat way too many sweets. Any one of these can be a disaster for cavities or dare I say, bad breath! The job of brushing and flossing rids the mouth of plaque. When plaque has time to sit without being brushed away or flossed in between the teeth, it can cause bad breath. That could put a hinder in your vacation plans. So, what should you do?
The very simple answer is, “Just do it.” No, don’t put your Nikes on and run. Just remember to brush and floss every day you are on vacation. If you have an electric toothbrush you can still bring it with you. Many brands, especially Oral-B, have travel cases and also have long battery life. Floss is small and easy to pack and if new, will always last the entire vacation. Mouthrinse is good to use at home and on vacation. But if you don’t check your luggage, three ounces mouthrinse won’t get you very far. The best thing to do is to pack a larger bottle of rinse. If you are a frequent flyer and only have carryon bags, then when you get to your destination, find the closest pharmacy and load up. If you are traveling out of the country, then you should probably buy some mouthrinse in the airport, just to be safe. Now you have no excuse to take care of your teeth while on vacation!
Taking responsibility for your own dental care is very important. Your teeth won’t brush themselves on vacation or at home. So break out the goods and enjoy clean teeth while on vacation!
Varicose and Spider Vein Treatment and Removal |
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Unsightly web-patterned spider veins and bluish-purple varicose veins have haunted patients for years. Unfortunately, any vein in the body can become contorted and varicose. Varicose veins are generally found in the legs and may appear enlarged, twisted and knobby. Spider veins may accompany varicose veins on the legs due to the dilation of blood vessels near the skin’s surface. However, spider veins can also be found on the face.
Veins operate by transporting blood from the body to the lungs and heart. Faulty vein valves and weakened walls can contribute to poor circulation and cause veins to bulge with pools of blood. Varicose and spider veins can occur due to genetics, old age, hormonal changes, being overweight, pregnant, or prolonged periods of standing or sitting overtime.
There are several treatment options for the removal of unattractive veins. One of which is sclerotherapy. This type of procedure is typically performed by injecting a concentration of saline to collapse the engorged vein. Furthermore, various laser treatments are utilized by heating the inside of the vein and causing the vein to diminish. These procedures are relatively safe as the deeper vessels and healthy tissue surrounding the targeted vein will pick up the blood flow of the collapsed vein.
If the thought of needles and lasers cause you agony, the use of compression stockings can be effective in the removal of varicose veins depending on the severity of your condition. Additionally, daily exercise and weight loss are helpful in prevention and reducing the development of unsightly veins. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or visit a vein removal specialist to determine which treatment option is right for you.
Should You Add Your Doctor to Your Email Address Book? |
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Many many years ago, in a land far, far, away, doctors used to make house calls to ill patients. Those days are long gone. They have been replaced by waiting rooms in doctor’s offices…or have they? In a recent CNN article by Kevin Pho, MD, titled “Will the doctor answer your e-mail?” Dr. Pho reports on the growing trend of patients researching their ailments online before going to see their doctor. He also promotes the idea of doctors being encouraged to communicate with their patients by email.
With the advent of the Internet, more and more people have access to a wider variety of resources and information than ever before. There are dictionaries, movie databases, library catalogues, and free editable “encyclopedias” (suck as Wikipedia) all available online 24/7 to provide instant answers to a wide variety of questions. So why not use the Internet for health-related questions?
According to Dr. Pho, “e-patients are an essential part of the health care team, and play an increasingly influential role in the shared decision making process with their physicians.” With the increased amount of patients that a doctor must see on a daily basis, comes less time that the doctor has to spend with each patient. The result of this lack of time may result in a patient not having enough time with their doctor in order to ask questions and receive complete answers to their health needs. Therefore it is important that patients have the resources available to research and fully understand any changes in their health.
In this article, Dr. Pho also addresses the issue of doctors who are “hostile to their [patients] efforts” and “frustrated with the time needed to engage e-patients.” As this TIME Magazine article “When the Patient Is a Googler” explains, doctors are overwhelmed with the amount of patients they are required to see on a daily basis. This leaves little time to answer the many questions a patient may have about their health. If patients are able to do research on their areas of concern before they see their doctor, then the time they have with their doctor will be utilized better.
The last issue that Dr. Pho addresses in his article concerns the lack of ability to email patients directly, since doctors simply do not have enough time or (monetary) incentive to email patients. He proposes that Medicare and health insurances “need to reward doctors to take the effort to engage e-patients both in the exam room and outside the clinic.” If more doctors were able to email answers or information to patients, then perhaps the amount of patients they would have to see on a daily basis would decrease. This could leave more time in the day for patients with more serious health issues.
Dr. Pho raises some very important doctor/patient related issues. Perhaps bringing health care up to date with the Internet age can improve the issues of lack of time available for patient care and education. Should you add your doctor (or dentist) to your address book? Only time will tell. But for now, a wise choice would be to bookmark trusted healthcare sites such as DoctorBase, WebMD, and the American Dental Association (ADA) for trusted information on a variety of health related topics, and of course, see your doctor and dentist for regular check-ups.
What Is Botox and Is It Safe? |
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Would you believe there is one product that can make your wrinkles disappear and make you sweat less? Well, there is and it’s called Botox. Botox is the brand name of a collection of bacteria called clostridium botulinum. In a small, diluted form this otherwise toxic substance can prevent you from frowning and hide those embarrassing sweat stains.
Wrinkles can be annoying, so if you can’t commit to a face lift, then Botox is the answer to those problem areas. A medical professional injects small amounts of Botox in strategic areas of the face, such as crows feet wrinkles around the eyes, and in a couple of hours the once crinkled lines between the eyes with look smoother.
How does Botox stop sweating?
Sweating can be a different story altogether. Yes, like I said, wrinkles are annoying, but over sweating can be down right embarrassing. Some people can roll on the deodorant and antiperspirant to no avail. Botox can also be the answer for chronic sweaters. Gone are the days of stained shirts and constant pit checking, well, until the Botox wears off of course! To stop excessive sweating, Botox is injected into the armpit area and produces paralysis of the area that allows sweat to be excreted.
Is Botox safe?
Well, let’s not forget, it IS botulism and that can cause catastrophic disease. Yet, the amount of botulism toxin is formulated in a way that can be considered “safe.” The downside is, if Botox is chronically injected over time, it takes more injections to achieve paralysis. I guess that is the “price” of “beauty.”
So if you have unwanted wrinkles or a faucet of sweat under your arms (or both!), then Botox can really help you out. Book an appointment with your dermatologist or local certified spa center and take time to enjoy life!
What is a Brazilian Butt Lift? |
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Do you have a flat booty and need a little extra “junk in the trunk?” Well, if you are prepared to go under the knife, then a Brazilian butt lift surgery may be your best option to attain a round and shapely rear end.
The Brazilian butt lift is a surgical technique where the patient’s buttocks are modified into a well-rounded backside. This type of butt augmentation uses the patient’s own fat from areas of the body such as “love handles” from the back, abdomen, hips, and thighs instead of butt implants. The fat is removed through a liposuction, where the fat cells are purified and injected into the patient’s buttocks. Numerous injections are given to the upper region of the butt to achieve the desired “lifted” results.
If you yearn for a little boost in your booty, be willing to fork over anywhere from $3,000-$18,000 depending on the doctor performing the surgery for a Brazilian butt lift. You can browse DoctorBase.com for a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon if you have any questions.
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Contributor Bios
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- James Newman, MD
James Newman, MD completed his fellowship in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University where he continues to serve on the Clinical Faculty. He has performed over one thousand surgical procedures and is trained in the use of every major laser system used in plastic surgery today. Dr. Newman is well known for his surgical expertise and shares his clinical experience by teaching surgical residents at Stanford University as well as authoring over 30 scientific publications related to plastic surgery and laser surgery. -
- Marzieh Oghabian, DDS
Dr. Marzieh Oghabian, graduated from Case Western University School of Dentistry in Cleveland OH with a doctor of dental surgery . Dr. Oghabian was awarded the "Excellence in Prosthodontics" award from Case Western where she also completed an externship in Oral Surgery. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Neurophysiology and Biology from University of California, at Davis. She is a member of the American Dental Association. -
- Clarissa Celestino
Patient/Customer
Service mediator
Tri-lingual representative Quality Control Assurance for Sutter Health. She graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Political Science with concentration in International Studies and Latin America at CSUEB. Clarissa also attended Federal University in Brazil with major in Psychology where she investigated and did research on the impact of social issues in mental health. Clarissa is an avid volunteer and an advocate for social causes including UNICEF in Brazil where she volunteered at IPREDE an organization that promotes health to children living under poverty with cases of malnutrition. On her free time Clarissa enjoy long walks and running.
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- Katie Sullivan, RDH
Katie Sullivan is a full-time Registered Dental Hygienist in Sonoma County. She recently graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College in 2009, majoring in Dental Hygiene. Katie brings a fresh, young standpoint to DoctorBase as she conveys a current perspective not only to the younger patients, but to the skilled professionals & consumers as well. Katie is a member of the ADHA, CDHA & Redwood Dental Hygiene Society.
- Cheryl Calmis, RDH, BS
Cheryl Calmis, RDH, BS is a registered dental hygienist in the San Francisco Bay area. She graduated from U. C. San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Ms. Calmis' clinical experiences include laser assisted periodontal therapy, sedation dentistry, and non-surgical periodontal treatment. Prior to becoming a dental hygienist, Cheryl worked as a Microbiology Lab technician in the biotech industry after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from San Jose State University. -
- Alissa Pacheco, RDH
Alissa has worked in the dental field for 10 years. She got her dental assisting and dental hygiene degrees at Diablo Valley College. She loves learning about dentistry and enjoys helping people get healthy one smile at a time. In her spare time, Alissa loves to bake and play with her young daughter.
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- Jenna Rogers, RN
Jenna has worked in the health care field for 13 years as a Registered Nurse, specializing in Oncology and clinical research. Jenna writes articles and equipment and procedure explanations for DoctorBase with the consumer-patient perspective in mind. She is an avid writer and photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area and in her spare time writes a relationship improvement column for Examiner.com. -
- Olivia Masui
Speech Pathologist
Olivia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from CSU, Chico in Linguistics with a special emphasis in ESL (English as a Second Language) before earning her Speech Pathology certificate in Orange County. Olivia writes articles for DoctorBase for the patients’ benefit and with their best interest in mind. In her spare time, she tutors International Students in ESL.
