This month we are giving a $500 discount off Dental Implants work or Mini Dental Implants.  All you need to do is mention the Secret Code “Bonham Dental Implants Special” when you come in for an evaluation and/or the work.

So, since we started late, this month’s special of $500 off Dental Implants work will run up through March 10, 2010 and overlap next month’s special.

And don’t forget our Dental Plans for Interest Free Financing which makes it easy to pay for the Dental Work you need.

With 2010 started maybe you haven’t outfitted your refrigerator with an updated 2010 calendar or maybe the one you picked up from your local bank just doesn’t seem like something you want to look at all year round.  Well Bonham Dental Arts has produced a beautiful 2010 Calendar that is as useful as it is beautiful. Dedicated to the local arts happenings in the Tampa Bay area, this complimentary calendar not only has a local appeal but will also look stunning in any home or office. Stop in today and pick one for you and a friend or family member while they’re still available.

From numb to normal

OraVerse™ brings you back.

If you’re like so many patients, the lingering numbness of local anesthesia is something you’ve become used to but never comfortable with - it’s not easy getting on with your day when part of you is still not feeling normal. Are you ready for a new possibility?

It’s about time for OraVerse.

OraVerse is the first and only product of its kind to rapidly reverse the effects of your local dental anesthetic so you can feel, speak, smile, and drink normally in approximately half the time. It is scientifically proven to accelerate the return of normal sensation and function following routine dental procedures.

The same drug used in OraVerse has been utilized in other medical applications for the past 50 years. And now the safety and effectiveness of OraVerse have been successfully demonstrated for dental application use through clinical trials involving pediatric, adolescent and adult patients.1

“I don’t just get numb, I stay numb for hours. That means half the day gone before I can feel normal again.” —Connie Lahmidi, Chicago, Illinois

Your return to normal.

Now when you leave your dental office, OraVerse can go with you - moving you comfortably and confidently back into normal activity. And if you feel more like yourself, aren’t you more productive?

The average duration of soft tissue numbness following the use of a local dental anesthetic is 3-5 hours. This numbness results in difficulty in speaking, smiling and drinking normally, and occasionally in drooling. OraVerse is administered by your doctor immediately following your procedure, allowing for a return to normal sensation and function in about half the time2.

And that’s time you can put back in your day…doing what you want to do without limitations caused by lingering numbness. So ask your dental professional - today may be your day for OraVerse.

Get a Bright Beautiful Smile for a Fraction of the Cost

Snap-On Smile is a patented, revolutionary dental appliance that requires no prepping, no injections, and no adhesives. Its exclusive design is flexible, incredibly strong, and snaps right over a patient’s natural teeth. Its retention is completely tooth-borne, so the appliance does not impinge on the gum tissue nor cover the palate, making it look and feel very natural. Snap-On Smile is easily removable, completely reversible and is an excellent option for patients looking for a non-invasive, affordable approach to restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

Why Snap-On Smile

No shots. No drilling. No adhesives. You can even eat while wearing the Snap-On Smile® appliance. Patients looking for a non-invasive, reversible, affordable approach to restorative and cosmetic dentistry are excellent candidates for Snap-On Smile. It’s an easy, quick and affordable solution for patients who want to feel better, look better, and function better. Patients using Snap-On Smile report an immediate boost to confidence and self esteem. Most are impressed with the natural look and feel of Snap-On Smile and are grateful for the brief time investment – about two weeks – to achieve such life changing results.

All it takes is a brief consultation in your dentist’s office. The process is quick and painless. Your dentist will take photos and impressions of your teeth. You choose from different smile shapes and shades for your Snap-On Smile. In about two weeks, the exclusive lab at Snap-On Smile will create and send your dentist your new appliance for final insertion. Snap it in and wear it home.

Change your smile… change your life.

Here are some examples of dental problems that a Snap-on Smile can help:

Malalignment (Crooked Teeth)
Crooked teeth can be caused by several factors. Tooth crowding (or an “overcrowded mouth”) occurs when there is not enough room for all permanent teeth to erupt. Tooth spacing occurs when there is excessive space in the jaw bone.

In ideal scenarios, teeth are straightened with orthodontic treatment during the pre-teen or teenage years while the mouth and jaw are developing. However, many patients who do not have the opportunity for orthodontic treatment in their youth would have to undergo lengthy and expensive treatment to realign their teeth as adults.

Snap-On Smile is a far more affordable, quicker and stunning alternative to orthodontia for adults.

Missing Teeth
There are three basic ways to fix a missing tooth or teeth.

• A fixed bridge
• A removable appliance
• A dental implant

Snap-On Smile can be used in lieu of dentures. Like dentures, the Snap-on Smile is removable, but unlike dentures, patients can transform their entire smile while still maintaining their existing teeth because the appliance is simply placed over the originals. Its retention is completely tooth-borne, so the appliance does not impinge on the gum tissue nor cover the palate, making it look and feel very natural. Another advantage of Snap-On Smile — dentures only replace the missing teeth leaving the appearance of the remaining teeth unchanged. Together, the patient and dentist can choose from several shades and shapes with Snap-On Smile, providing an array of choices to further enhance a patient’s smile with this custom fitted appliance.

Snap-On Smile is a smart alternative to the invasive, painful and costly treatment options of dental implants and fixed bridges. Available in quadrant sizes as well as full arch, no other removable partial denture performs both these tasks as comfortably and naturally as Snap-On Smile. This option is also ideal for patients who are not candidates to receive implants.

Raising Facial Height/Vertical Dimension
Severe wear due to attrition and bruxism can cause substantial loss of facial height. Facial height, or vertical dimension, is a measurement taken between the tip of the nose and the tip of the chin. If left untreated, this condition can lead to angular chelitis, which is a deep fold at the corner of the mouth. Not only can this fold harbor bacteria, but it usually makes a patient look much older.

Traditionally, full mouth reconstruction is done by drilling down the teeth to prepare them for crowns (caps) on both upper and lower arches. This is an invasive, painful, time consuming and costly procedure.

A custom fitted Snap-On Smile can increase facial height as well as provide patients with a more pleasing smile with no drilling. The appliance can also be used for diagnostic analysis before full-mouth rehabilitation. Snap-On Smile is a non-invasive, quick, affordable procedure to dramatically combat the loss of facial height.

Enhancing Existing Smile
Planning an upcoming wedding? Starting a new job? Getting in shape for a school reunion? Dazzle on a big day with a gorgeous new set of pearly whites with Snap-On Smile.

In just a few weeks, Snap-On Smile® can give you a million dollar smile that is far less expensive, less painful and less time consuming than traditional cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics.

We have a new way for Patients to view our DVD List.  You can click “Movies” here or simply type in www.bonhamdental.com/movies/deliciouslibrary/

This will let our patients view cover art and movie titles easily before they come in to visit us.

Enjoy!
Bonham Dental Staff

By now, it’s common knowledge that our country and even the world is facing hard economic times. So, as a community, we need to pull together and make sound economic decisions about our local economy and the way local businesses and residents can work together to strengthen our local economy. We’d like to do our part during this time to make dental care affordable because we know that while we can wait for things to get better, gingivitus and periodontal disease won’t. So we’ve made two major changes to accommodate your needs as a patient:

(1) In the past, we have commonly let the insurance companies reimburse YOU. Now, not only will we continue to do complimentary benefits checks but also commit to working with ALL PPO Plans and do what’s called an assignment of benefits. This means you will only have to pay for your part of the treatment and not have to wait to be reimbursed by the insurance company. In addition, as the end of the year is coming to a close, make sure you use your remaining coverage or else you lose it come the first of the year.

(2) The other MAJOR change you might be interested in-is a new discount program called Bonham Benefits. For a low monthly payment (as little as $20 a month), you can receive all your preventative treatment (professional cleanings, x-rays, and exams) without coming out of pocket the day of your cleaning. Plus, as a member of Bonham Benefits, you will receive 20% OFF ALL other treatment! This substantial discount will make any treatment you need affordable, both cosmetic and restorative, and without the restrictions and hassle of insurance companies. And don’t forget, Bonham Benefits may cost even less than your current dental insurance so consider withholding it for next year during open enrollment.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BONHAM BENEFITS

We hope that these changes can greatly help the community as we all figure out how to navigate through these tough economic times. It’s the little things that make the difference in life and we hope we can play a small part in making the defining difference in your dental care and in your budget.

Want to have and maintain that brilliant white smile you’ve always wanted?  Don’t bother wasting your money on consumer-grade whitening strips when you can have the power of professional whitening the rest of your life!

New patients may receive a home whitening kit ($388 value) when they establish at our office with a new patient exam, x-rays, and professional cleaning.  If you are a current patient, you can join too!  Call to learn more about your promotional discounted rate for this program.

It works like this: at your visit we will create a custom tray and afterwards, we will provide a lifetime supply of whitening gel.*  It’s that easy!

• 2 professional cleanings must be maintained annually at our office or else lifetime subscription may be voided.
• May not be combined with any other offer or discount.
• The patient and anMay not be combined with any other offer or discount.y other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or to be reimbursed for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, or reduced fee service, or treatment.

A current complex dental issue is the concern about osteoporosis medications causing healthy bone to die. There are things you need to know if you are taking these medications. Please ask your Bonham Family Dentist about this and he will help educate you on what you need to know.

There are studies indicating the bisphosphonates in osteoporosis medications can cause a serious dental condition called “osteonecrosis,” a rare condition in which healthy jawbone dies.

Early research shows that certain cancer patients who take an intravenous bisphosphonate are more likely to develop osteonecrosis than other patients.

Here is what is important for you to know if you are taking a bisphosphonate.

Tell us if you take an osteoporosis medication. Having your current medical history is critical when we plan your dental treatments.

You need regular check-ups, especially if you will undergo cancer treatments. Regular exams will help us to identify any unusual oral changes while they are in their early and most treatable stage.

Before you begin any medical treatment, tell your physician and oncologist about dental issues. This will help your medical team plan your treatments and monitor any effects from dental procedures we perform.

Tell us and your doctors if anything out of the ordinary occurs in your mouth. This includes bleeding gums, pain, an infection or an unusual sensation in your mouth.

Update your dental and medical history with me and your medical team. When your medical and dental teams have the same information, we will all be aware of anything that could affect your dental and overall health.

Provide phone numbers. Your physician, oncologist and I may need to confer about your health or care and coordinate our treatment plans.

Because we know so little about the bisphosphonate effect on the body, we should proceed with caution, for today is not as simple as we wish it were.

As always, please call our office if you notice anything out of the ordinary in your mouth. We can examine you and intercede early.

Childhood is a time for believing in imaginary friends and fantastic beings such as the tooth fairy. Soon, children begin a phase in which they trade some childhood magic for something real as a signal that they are growing up. In many cultures this trade is a rite of passage that happens when a child loses a baby tooth. Believe it or not, the tooth fairy became associated with that rite of passage.

There is not much reference to the magical connection between losing a tooth and a mystical being until about the eighteenth century. Then, in the late nineteenth century, the king of Spain asked a priest to write a story for the king’s young son who had just lost a tooth. Thus, was born Ratoncito Pérez, the Spanish version of a tooth mouse that had magical powers.

Today, it is unlikely that you think about tooth rituals and rites of passage when your child loses a tooth. You just pay the ransom and enjoy playing along with the tradition.

In our culture, the idea of a tooth fairy probably began in the early 1900s. But the idea didn’t really take off until sometime in the middle of the twentieth century. Suddenly, there were books, movies and cartoons about the Tooth Fairy. Then, in 1961, Charles Schultz gave the Tooth Fairy national exposure when he introduced her into one of his “Peanuts” cartoon strips.

Exchanging a lost tooth for money or a small gift may have begun as a way to calm a child’s fear about this important dental event. But it is big business today. Stores brim with all sorts of Tooth Fairy merchandise. Even the exchange rate has skyrocketed. What used to be a dime or quarter reward, today is two dollars—and climbing—in some families.

Yes, it is a natural progression of life when children five or six years old lose their baby teeth. It is also a time when we need to monitor this process so that we can make certain that a tooth replacement is happening normally. It is also a time for us to carefully watch the eruption of the permanent tooth. That way we can intervene early if the permanent tooth needs some help, erupts at an incorrect angle, or needs professional guidance in many other situations that can occur.

We want a child’s permanent teeth to be healthy and strong. With good home care and regular dental visits, we can let the tooth fairy continue to do her magic, and we can take over the real work of giving your child a smile that will last a lifetime.

Call us if it is time for a check-up or someone is having a dental issue. We are here to help.

Every year, the Pinellas County Dental Association (PCDA) and the Upper Pinellas County Dental Association (UPDCA) participate in the national ADA event called “Give Kids a Smile” (GKAS), which provides education, preventative and restorative care to low-income children who do not have access to care. 

After 3 years of coordinating this event in Pinellas County, Dr. Chris Wujik is passing on the torch to Dr. Carey Bonham of Bonham Dental Arts in Largo.  Dr. Carey Bonham will be in charge of orchestrating volunteers, transportation, and marketing this humanitarian event that is held annually in tandem with National Children’s Dental Health Month in February.

This past year, the three Bonham doctors–Dr. Carey, Dr. Amy, and Dr. Chris–volunteered along with almost 200 other dental professionals who made this year’s GKAS a great success. They had 470 appointments and performed roughly $134,000 of treatment for children in need. 

But making this event a reality is no easy task. From coordinating screenings and getting supplies, to organizing the venues and finding dentists, Dr. Carey has his work cut out for him.  “When Dr. Wujik asked me to do this, I knew it was going to be a lot of work,” Dr. Carey explains, “but knowing we can make a difference in the lives of children within our own community–now that is an irressistable offer.”

The influence of GKAS is far-reaching and partners with other local organizations such as Help a Child, Sallie House, the Salvation Army and CASA. In addition many public schools such as Sanderlin, Azalea, and Sawgrass participated, even to the point of providing bus transportation.

With the help of his wife, Dr. Amy Bonham, next year’s GKAS will surely be another heralded success.  She also shares a love for pediatric denitstry and hopes that this event will raise a county-wide awareness of the importance of children’s dental health.

After just a few years out of dental school, this is a huge opportunity for Dr. Carey to lay some roots down in the community.  “This is just another way of helping Pinellas,” says Dr. Carey, “and while most of these patients will never set foot in our office, we know we’re playing a bigger role in caring for the oral health of the community we’re a part of.”