Dr. Jerry Mulder's Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Taking good care of your teeth shouldn’t have to mean giving up your valuable time.

New innovations in dental technology and Dr. Mulder’s experience mean that you don’t have to. With the use of the CEREC system, our office can perform traditional restorations in less time—in one visit and just over one hour—so you can spend less time in our chair and more time out flashing your healthy smile.

What is CEREC?
CEREC is a high-tech dental restoration instrument that helps Dr. Mulder restore damaged teeth using a variety of computer-assisted technologies, including 3D photography.

What is CEREC used for?
CEREC may be used to create porcelain veneers, onlays, inlays, and crowns.

Inlays and onlays are fillings used to repair decay and performed with porcelain rather than metal amalgam or white dental composite.

Crowns are used to preserve a badly decayed tooth that still has a viable root. (If the root has been damaged, a root canal may be needed along with the crown.) Crowns fix gaps, chips, cracks, stains, and teeth that have become too damaged or weakened to support a traditional filling.

What are the benefits of CEREC?
The CEREC 3-D system is the epitome of convenience: its computer-aided design and manufacturing system enables Dr. Mulder to plan, create, and place porcelain crowns in a single visit. Conventional crowns usually require two appointments – one for preparation and impressions, and another a few weeks later for inserting the permanent crown. With CEREC, Dr. Mulder can create and insert a crown in one visit in about an hour and a half, saving time and avoiding the temporary phase altogether.

CEREC porcelain crowns and fillings restore not only tooth appearance, but also strength and functionality. Porcelain is durable, highly plaque resistant, and biocompatible. Porcelain is preferable to conventional metal materials for crowns and fillings because it is stronger, less sensitive to heat and cold, and has no risk of expansion or contraction due to temperature changes.

Porcelain is also the closest dental material to natural tooth structure and more aesthetically pleasing than metal materials. Tooth-colored fillings are often indistinguishable from natural teeth! CEREC crowns and fillings look like natural enamel to begin with, and to ensure the perfect match, Dr. Mulder will mirror your current tooth shade.

How does CEREC work?
During your visit, a 3-D digital image of the tooth is created. Dr. Mulder will enter your individual specifications into the CEREC equipment and a solid, durable porcelain crown (or filling) is created in a short amount of time. Dr. Mulder attaches the completed crown (or filling) to your tooth with a super bonding agent. When finished, you will be able to use your restored tooth to eat, speak, and chew normally.
Click here for CEREC photographs and a more detailed description of the process.

Why Dr. Mulder?
CEREC requires expert dentist ability. The CEREC software is very technologically advanced, but its final results depend on how well the dentist uses it. Dr. Mulder has excellent training and a great deal of experience using CEREC, so you can be assured you’ll get high quality results with every appointment.

Contact us to schedule your smile evaluation and learn if CEREC is right for you.

How to enjoy the holidays without damaging your teeth

The holiday season is one of the best times of year to smile. Reasons to grin are everywhere - rising with the smell of sugar cookies baking in the oven, sparkling with the ornaments on the tree, and ringing out in laughter with friends and family. Merriment abounds (along with multiple photo opportunities) and there is no better time to flash your pearly whites.

There is also no better time to treat your smile with extra care. From festive gatherings stocked with sugary treats to Christmas morning package openings, the holidays have the potential to cause havoc on your teeth. With a little caution and just a few steps toward prevention you can ensure that your smile stays as bright as the lights on your tree.

Top Five Ways To Take Care of Your Teeth This Christmas:

1. Brush before visions of sugarplums dance in your head.

Brushing (and flossing) twice a day is always essential for removing plague and preventing cavities, but it's even more important during the holidays when we tend to eat more, eat more often, and eat foods high in sugar content. Since improper teeth cleaning can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss, it's critical to maintain excellent care. Read more about the ADA recommendations for cleaning your teeth here.

(Put an extra toothbrush in your purse or car too, so you can brush immediately after office parties and family gatherings to reduce the amount of time bacteria remains on your teeth.)

2. Leave the cracking to the Nutcracker.

Try to avoid chewing hard nuts, hard candy, un-popped kernels, and ice during holiday festivities. They weaken enamel (the top layer of the tooth that protects your inner tooth from harm) and make your teeth more vulnerable to cracking and breaking.

If you do experience a dental emergency over the holiday season, contact our office and we'll help.

3. Fill your stockings (and your belly) with fruit and healthy foods.

The plague that forms on your teeth is filled with bacteria that feed on sugar, so it's no surprise that the season of cookies, candies, and sweets has the potential to increase tooth decay! Help prevent trouble by following these tips: Minimize your sugar intake. Substitute fruit and nutritious foods for candy canes and sugar cookies. Consume sugary foods with meals and consider chewing sugarless gum afterward (to increase saliva production and help wash out decay-producing acid). Drink more water. And avoid sticky foods such as fruitcakes, gumdrops, and gummy bears.

4. Use your tools - not your teeth - to open packages, tags, and bags.

No matter how excited you (or your little ones) are to get into a gift, avoid using your teeth to open a package, cut through string, or remove a tag from clothing! Biting through plastic tags and ripping open bags with front teeth can lead to serious divots, cracks, and fractures. Keep scissors, or a Swiss Army style tool, on hand to do the job and your teeth will thank you.

5. Be inspired by the glistening snow.

Fresh snow has a special sparkle to it. Why not bring the same sensation to your smile? Our office has two tooth whitening options that can help get your teeth looking bright for all your holiday festivities and photographs. Click here to read more about tooth whitening and then contact our office to set up an appointment and learn more.

(And remember to brush your teeth right after drinking dark holiday liquids - such as red wine, coffee, or tea - to help keep stains away and smiles looking white.)

Happy holidays to you and your family from Dr. Mulder and our team!

Don't let snoring and sleep apnea prevent you from getting the sleep you need.

More than half of all adults snore at some point in their lives: some in quiet whistles every now and again and others like a nonstop Oriental Express. Snoring can be harmless and temporary, or habitual and severe-disturbing both those making the noise and any partners, family members, and roommates nearby. It may even be indicative of a larger disorder called obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring has the potential to prevent a good night's sleep, cause headaches, and place stress on relationships and normal daily activity; that's the bad news. The good news, however, is that there are many types of snoring solutions that can help. Oral appliances are one such option and Dr. Mulder can evaluate if they might be right for you.

Snoring
Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, creating hoarse or harsh sounds. During normal breathing, the muscles that control the tongue, throat, and the roof of your mouth (soft palate) hold the airway open. When you doze off, those same muscles relax. The tissues in your throat can relax enough that they vibrate and may partially obstruct your airway.

The more narrowed your airway, the more forceful the airflow becomes. Tissue vibration increases, and your snoring grows louder. The factors that lead to narrowing vary: your mouth anatomy can play a role, so can nasal problems, alcohol consumption, and weight.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
In severe cases, snoring may also be associated with obstructive sleep apnea. When muscles relax too much, throat tissues obstruct the airway and prevent breathing.

The Mayo Clinic explains: "Sleep apnea is often characterized by loud snoring followed by periods of silence that can last ten seconds or more. Sometimes, complete obstruction does not occur, but rather, while still snoring, the airway becomes so small that the airflow is inadequate for your needs. Eventually, the lack of oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide signal you to wake up, forcing your airway open with a loud snort or gasping sound. This pattern may be repeated many times during the night."

Sleep Apnea affects more than ten million people (according to the National Institutes of Health), disrupting sleep and causing headaches and lack of concentration. Untreated, sleep apnea can also cause long-term consequences from repeated oxygen deprivation including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, and weight gain.

Treatment
Treatment for snoring and sleep apnea can range from an airway apparatus to lifestyle changes or sleeping alterations. One effective solution includes wearing a special snoring device, or oral appliance, for the mouth and that's where we can help.

Dr. Mulder can do a thorough examination to determine what causes your breathing blockage and what kind of appliance will help promote the free flow of air and eliminate the obstruction. (He might also recommend consulting a sleep disorder specialist before continuing with treatment if necessary.)

Dr. Mulder will work with you to find the most comfortable and effective treatment for your needs. The SomnoDent MAS, the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), and the Adjustable PM Ultra Positioner are custom, adjustable oral appliances-similar to a mouthguard or retainer-that are worn while sleeping. The appliances work by holding the lower jaw forward, preventing the tongue and the soft tissue of the throat from collapsing into the airway. Most allow you to freely open your mouth, speak, and drink while wearing your splint.

All of the oral appliance's Dr. Mulder works with are patient-friendly and excellent solutions for snoring and sleep apnea. Don't let snoring disrupt your night’s rest any longer. Contact us to make an appointment.

(Also, if you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP machine, but have stopped wearing it, we may have a more comfortable solution for you. Contact us today.)

You already know that regular brushing and flossing are good for your teeth, but did you know that they are also good for your overall health?

By taking good care of your teeth and gums you help prevent periodontal disease; and research has shown that preventing periodontal disease may have a positive impact on other health concerns.

The American Academy of Periodontology found that "that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease," and that "treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions."

Proof that good care of your gums goes a long way.

What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue that supports your teeth. It attacks the gums and tissues causing inflammation and irritation, and in severe cases, pockets between the gums and teeth. It's often known as gingivitis-the early stage of the disease.

How can it be prevented?
Gum disease is caused by plaque and can be prevented by removing plaque from your teeth - brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and maintaining regular dental check-ups and periodontal exams. (Avoiding tobacco and eating a healthy, balanced diet helps too.) It's particularly important to maintain care, as periodontal disease can occur without noticeable symptoms.

How will I know if I have Periodontal Disease?
Warning signs, according the American Dental Association, may include:
* Gums that bleed easily
* Red, swollen, tender gums
* Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
* Persistent bad breath or bad taste
* Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
* Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
* Any change in the fit of partial dentures

If you notice any signs, it's important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mulder. Pregnant women and those who smoke or chew tobacco, have defective fillings or bridges that don't fit properly, have systemic diseases, or take certain types of medication (such as steroids, oral contraceptives, and anti-epilepsy drugs) may be at higher risk for periodontal disease.

With proper care and regular check-ups with Dr. Mulder, you can maintain a lifetime of healthy gums.

Introducing the new Under Armour Performance Mouthwear

Looking to improve your golf game? Decrease your marathon time? Excel out on the football field, hockey rink, or tennis court? Your jaw holds the key, and our office can help!

Dr. Mulder now offers Under Armour Performance Mouthwear - a new, innovative bite splint that can help you excel at any sport.

When you exert energy during sports and athletic activities, the natural tendency is to clench your teeth. Clenching, however, triggers the excess production and release of hormones - such as cortisol - which increase stress and fatigue and reduce performance capabilities. In other words, clenching holds you back from reaching your full athletic potential.

That's where we come in. With a custom-molded Under Armour Mouthpiece or Mouthguard, you can prevent clenching during activity and relieve pressure on your jaw joint, therefore stopping the release of excessive hormones and allowing you to fully excel.

Bite Tech engineers (product innovators of the ArmourBite patented technology) say using Under Armour Mouthwear "can help any athlete improve strength, endurance and reaction time, reduce athletic stress, and with the mouthguard, reduce impact from blows to the jaw."

It's used by hundreds of professional, Olympic, and collegiate athletes, and recommended by dentists, professional trainers, strength coaches and wellness experts. The UA Performance Mouthpiece is perfect for non-contact sports such as baseball, golf, tennis, and running, while the UA Performance Mouthguard offers superior protection for contact sports such as football, hockey, and wrestling.

No matter your age, level of ability, or sport focus, an Under Armour Performance Mouthpiece can help you succeed. Visit www.bitetech.com to learn more and contact us at 616-458-0631 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mulder.

Labels: bite splint, mouthwear, Under Armour

The VELscope

Over 35,000 people each year are diagnosed with oral cancer according to The Oral Cancer Foundation. When diagnosis and treatment are performed early, the survival rate is more than 90 percent - that's the good news. Unfortunately, oral cancers are hard to discover, and the majority of cases are not diagnosed until they are in the later stages, leading to a startling 45 percent death rate - that's the bad news.

Early screening and diagnosis are critical. That's where Dr. Mulder can help. With a yearly VELscope screening, Dr. Mulder can increase your chances of early cancer recognition and prevention. The VELscope is an advanced technology tool that vastly improves the ability to detect the signs of the disease early on through use of fluorescent lights.

Oral cancer cells are often non-detectable to the human eye (even with magnification eyewear) under standard lighting conditions. By the time a cancerous cell becomes visible by plain sight, it has often already advanced to invasive stages. With the VELscope, Dr. Mulder can accurately identify tissue changes at and below the surface before they become apparent under white light examination. He can identify cancerous cells sooner.

Who Should Be Screened?

We recommend that all adults over the age of 18 have the VELscope procedure done annually. It takes only a minute and is painless. The invaluable procedure is also very affordable, costing only $45 a screening.

Oral cancer risk factors include tobacco usage, frequent alcohol consumption, the presence of the HPV virus, or a past history of cancer. Screening is obviously essential for those at risk, however, screening is actually essential for everyone. According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, 25 percent of all newly diagnosed cases have been in patients under the age of 40 with no known risk factors.

Let Dr. Mulder keep a closer eye on oral cancer for you. Call us today to schedule a preventative VELscope screening with your next appointment.