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<title>The Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist</title><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/index.html</link><description>Everything Dental</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2006 apple</dc:rights><dc:date>2008-06-26T08:41:57-07:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:43:51 -0700</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>A. Patric Cohen DDS, FAGD</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>A. Patric Cohen DDS, FAGD</itunes:name><itunes:email>smiledr@earthlink.net</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:category text="Everything Dental" /><creativeCommons:license>http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/</creativeCommons:license><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/thecosmeticdentistblog/tnpl" type="application/rss+xml" /><feedburner:emailServiceId xmlns:feedburner="http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0">thecosmeticdentistblog/tnpl</feedburner:emailServiceId><feedburner:feedburnerHostname xmlns:feedburner="http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0">http://feedburner.google.com</feedburner:feedburnerHostname><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com" /><item><title>Informed Consent for Mercury Fillings</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-26T08:41:57-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/1fe8f148317085c8706996ba316969ee-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/1fe8f148317085c8706996ba316969ee-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[For those of you following the mercury controversy, It is now illegal to place silver fillings in California without a patients informed consent of the dangers of mercury.

...Biomedical Engineering, and Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Trauma, Education and Research, Legacy Emanuel Shock Trauma Center, Portland, OR, USA....  Realizing the environmental dangers of mercury, the Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, has therefore prohibited the use of mercury in products in Norway....  Sweden announced a similar ban, and dentists in Denmark will no longer be able to use mercury in fillings after April 1, 2008.  It is indeed unfortunate that the United States has not taken a leadership role in enacting Informed Consent Legislations for patients receiving dental amalgam restorations.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>FDA and Mercury Fillings</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-04T00:55:04-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/802edc77fb2b05149303bec94b9ec580-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/802edc77fb2b05149303bec94b9ec580-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It Shows us that there is definitely an issue with the silver mercury fillings, and that dentists should not be placing these in the mouth.

...Gone, gone, gone are all of FDA&rsquo;s claims that no science exists that amalgam is unsafe, or that other countries have acted for environmental reasons only, or that the 2006 Scientific Panel vote affirmed amalgam&rsquo;s safety.  Instead -- see http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html -- FDA has moved to a neutral course, while recognizing the serious health concerns posed by amalgam in particular for children and unborn children, for pregnant women, for those with mercury immuno-sensitivity or high mercury body burdens.

...&ldquo;Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner.&rdquo;

...Indeed, having repeatedly raised the question of amalgam&rsquo;s risk to children, young women, and the immuno-sensitive persons in its website, I find it inconceivable that FDA will not in some way protect them in its upcoming rule.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>American Dental Association Response to Silver filling ban</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-01-08T08:13:39-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/c721fd6fa40be9c936e21aa31b5b1142-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/c721fd6fa40be9c936e21aa31b5b1142-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As I mentioned last week it was announced that as of this year, in Sweden and Norway the use of mercury-silver, or amalgam, dental fillings has been banned.

...It is only in recent years that some of the better insurance companies have approved payment for alternatives to mercury-silver fillings.

...Since these fillings are tooth colored the dental insurance companies felt they were only cosmetic and therefore not covered under the policies they had written....  But, if a person is starting to get decay around a resin filling the decay can be easily seen compared to the decay starting between a black mercury filling and the white enamel.

...If you do not have a dental home you are welcome to call Brandi at my office, 310-271-7727 and schedule an appointment so we can discuss your unique situation.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Silver fillings banned in Norway</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-01-04T07:01:27-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/7326789b623d7c48031ff76c35677acc-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/7326789b623d7c48031ff76c35677acc-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Norway Bans Dental Amalgam The Scandinavian country of Norway became the second country in that part of the world to ban the use of dental silver fillings.  The government action was done as part of a large effort to restrict the use of mercury introduction into the environment.  Although this was their primary purpose, the controversy over the health issues surrounding mercury fillings still remains a concern for many patients.  Sweden banned use of the amalgam filling siting a possible health risk.  Whether you believe it is a health risk or not, it definitely is an issue of environmental safety.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Stem cells in baby teeth</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-11-17T01:13:17-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/3b63bb759fdc7f667872d55026699f97-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/3b63bb759fdc7f667872d55026699f97-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[There is a company in Austin, Texas called BioEDEN, that is doing some very interesting work with the use of baby teeth.  The theory is that there are a large quantity of adult stem cells in kid's baby teeth.  They claim that preserving the teeth could be used later in life for treating many diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimers, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries and others.  Stem cell therapy has gotten a lot of press, and looks to be the future of treatment for many of these diseases.  I think that future research is needed regarding this theory, but it could turn out to be very promising.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mini Implants and Lower Dentures</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-10-10T04:50:29-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/fe982d5d5e77d4f4bc850f7947f6b601-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/fe982d5d5e77d4f4bc850f7947f6b601-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The MDI System that we use is a miniature titanium implant that replaces the root of a missing tooth and clips into retention ball in the denture.  The top of the implant is shaped like a ball that snaps into the o-ring in your denture....  This result in a tight fit, with very little movement of the denture.  Since the procedure in so simple, the average patient is usually able to eat a light meal within an hour after surgery.  So, if you or a family member has been having a hard time with an upper or lower denture, the mini implant system may well be the solution to your problem.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Piercings and Your Oral health</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-08-17T00:35:33-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/a7c68c5326846e87b920540f80a46fec-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/a7c68c5326846e87b920540f80a46fec-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It has been awhile since I posted, but this is something that has bothered me for quite some time, so I thought I would get it out there.  For a number of years dentist's have had concerns about what long term effects lip and tongue piercings had on the teeth and gums....  The patient informed the dentist that she had been wearing a tongue bar for the previous 41/2 years.  Turns out that the bar had been pressing up against the two front teeth, and over time and caused bone loss and periodontal disease in the area....  The moral of the story is that if you are going to have an oral piercing, you need to be aware of the damage it can cause, and need to treat it as if it were one of your teeth.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New Guidelines for Antibiotics before dental procedures</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-04-19T11:44:12-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/cc38102bce700696cd9e0ecbffda662d-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/cc38102bce700696cd9e0ecbffda662d-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The new guidelines indicate that most of the patients who needed to take antibiotics in the past no longer are required to take them....  Researchers have found that there is no evidence that taking the antibiotics prior to a dental procedure will prevent infective endocarditis in patients at risk of developing a heart infection.  These bacteria in the mouth are already able to enter their blood streams from brushing and flossing..The guidelines say patients who have taken prophylactic antibiotics routinely in the past but no longer need them include people with:

...The new guidelines are aimed at patients who would have the greatest danger of a bad outcome if they developed a heart infection.

...any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Simple New Test for Oral Cancer</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-04-16T16:46:26-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/b6868dd726fbe0a387e33e8cb49cca88-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/b6868dd726fbe0a387e33e8cb49cca88-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[According to the American Cancer Society, more women in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year (12,000 cases) than will be diagnosed with cervical cancer (<10.000 cases), and there are as many cases of oral cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV 16/18), a sexually transmitted disease, as there are HPV-related cases of cervical cancer.

Clinical studies have determined that using VizLite Plus after the standard oral cancer examination improves the dental professional&rsquo;s ability to identify and evaluate suspicious areas at their earliest stages....  ViziLite Plus is an easy and painless examination that gives your dentist the best chance to find any oral abnormalities you may have at the earliest possible stage.

...Increased Risk: Patients age 18-39, sexually active patients (HPV 16/18) High Risk: Patients age 40 and older; tobacco users younger than age 40 Highest Risk: Patients age 40 and older and lifestyle risk factors (tobacco use); patients with a history of oral cancer.

...Most dental offices will provide you with a medical insurance form for you to use to file this procedure with your medical insurance.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Diamond in the rough</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-03-24T01:24:31-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/8d64c8312dcd67a75cf2072c3f90c560-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/8d64c8312dcd67a75cf2072c3f90c560-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[There is a new type of material available today for crowns on your back teeth.  In the past, a crown on a molar was almost always made of all metal of some sort, such as gold, or a porcelain fused to gold blend.  The problem was that the cosmetics of these crowns was not very good and many people did not want to put any type of metal in their mouths....  Yes, just like the cubic zirconium, it is a very hard substance that dentals labs actually make to fit the tooth and then bake porcelain on top of to give the tooth a life-like appearance.  The most popular trade name today is Lava, and it is a great restoration for those people who don't want metal in their mouths, but need the durability of a metal type material.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Gum disease and your health</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-01-16T07:28:49-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/3ae2d82d7cbc1286fc167fb6894684fa-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/3ae2d82d7cbc1286fc167fb6894684fa-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We have known for a number of years now that people with gum disease have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes as a result of increased inflammatory proteins in the body.  A recent study at the Harvard School of Public health found that men with gum disease had a 63% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those with healthy gums.  Since pancreatic cancer is usually only detected in the very late stages, this could be helpful in screening for it.  The study does not indicate that the gum disease causes the cancer, researches say that there is a very strong correlation.  They believe that men with gum disease have an elevated level of c-reactive protein, which is the result of inflammation in the body.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ancient Dentistry</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-11-20T02:35:18-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/457c499d79206375cb6ccc9db677dd0f-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/457c499d79206375cb6ccc9db677dd0f-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, a 4500 year old grave was found in Mexico with the skull of a man who had an upper denture made from the palate and teeth of either a wolf or panther.  There has been evidence of cavities being filled as early as 9000 years ago, but this is the oldest example of tooth modification for dentures ever found....  The 30 year old man probably suffered quite a bit, since the nerves of two of the teeth were exposed and badly infected.  Archeologists speculate that he may have died from blood poisoning as a result of the infections.

The moral of the story is, do everything you can to keep your teeth, less you end up with a mouthful of cat.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>George Washington's Not So Wooden Teeth</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-10-10T13:47:25+00:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/f5c6183b61e0c2ff1951b2136c528db4-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/f5c6183b61e0c2ff1951b2136c528db4-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Although Washington was a stickler for homecare such as brushing and using mouthwash daily, he would eventually lose all of his teeth....  Many of the toothpowders at that time were very abrasive and this could have added to the breakdown of his teeth.

It is possible that Washington's famous short temper may have been the result of his constant agony resulting from chronic tooth pain.

...The dentures that Greenwood made had a base of hippopotamus ivory that was carved to fit the shape of Washington's gums.  The upper teeth were also ivory and the lower teeth were eight human teeth that were screwed into the base by gold pivots.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Migraine Headaches- Imitrex vs. Neuromuscular dentistry</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-09-17T01:38:12-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/33f4b8f141c7cc4561544acdb3341a72-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/33f4b8f141c7cc4561544acdb3341a72-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This medication is very effective in treating a number of the symptoms of migraines including pain, nausea and light and sound sensitivity....  One of the major problems with treating migraine patients is that most treatments are directed at treating symptom relieve as opposed to treating the actual cause of the symptoms.

...Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on how the relationships of the jaws and jaw muscles can be the cause of a number of different head and neck pain syndromes.  By balancing the relationship between the upper and lower teeth, neuromuscular dentists are able to relax the muscles of the head and neck, reducing the pain significantly for many patients.

Many patients are finding that being treated using neuromuscular dentistry can actually result in an almost complete elimination of their pain, depending on what is the actual cause.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Protecting Those Back To School Smiles</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-08-24T15:11:40-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/27733cf45f7331b95a12cc75979d9a5b-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/27733cf45f7331b95a12cc75979d9a5b-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just a reminder for students and parents that part of any back to school supply list should be a mouthguard for any child playing contact sports such as football, basketball, wrestling, soccer or any sport that poses a risk of injury to a child's smile.

...Mouthguards are also helpful in preventing concussion as they absorb about 50% of the force from jaw related impacts, thus reducing the amount of trauma to the brain.

There are three types of mouth guards: the regular store bought mouth guard, the boil and bite mouthguard, and custom made mouthguards fitted by your dentist.

...To ensure the mouthguard continues to do its job it is recommended the child bring it to any dental checkups to make sure it is still fitting properly and is in good condition.  The American Dental Association recommends seeing a dentist about a mouthguard for the following sports: Acrobatics, Basketball, Boxing, Field Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Racquetball, Rugby, Softball, Volleyball and Wrestling.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease?</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-08-13T09:10:06-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/d59a90393c3ac2eafa314f4f3681ecfd-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/d59a90393c3ac2eafa314f4f3681ecfd-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[80 % of the people in United States have some form of periodontal disease, and most of them don&rsquo;t even know that they have it....  Brushing and flossing regularly can help to keep the plaque under control, but regular dental cleanings are needed to remove the calcified plaque, called tarter, from underneath the gums.

Besides poor oral hygiene, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to Periodontal disease including: Smoking or chewing tobacco, medications that cause decreased saliva, pregnancy, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and genetics.

Signs of gum disease can include: Red, puffy gums, gums that bleed, persistent bad breath, increased spaces between teeth, loose teeth, receding gums, and tender or discomfort in the gums when brushing.

By seeing your dentist and dental hygienist on a regular basis, early detection of gum disease can result in arresting its development into potential loss of teeth.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Finding the Right Cosmetic Dentist</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-07-30T07:14:54-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/312bc5c0c6dc543beab2312d956fedf5-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/312bc5c0c6dc543beab2312d956fedf5-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Interview at least two or three cosmetic dentists, and ask to see before and after pictures of the work they have done....  You need to also be sure that you communicate well with the dentist, and he understands what it is you want....  These types of programs have the dentists bring in actual patients to work on, they aren&rsquo;t just a weekend lecture course on how to do veneers.  Most importantly, make sure the dentist takes the time to explain everything to you and answers all of your questions....  Anyone who refers you to a cosmetic dentist has far less at stake in the outcome than you do, so it's up to you to take responsibility for finding the best doctor.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Extreme Makeover</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-07-21T17:26:23-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/282e247bbae638a7da63c1b48d56a139-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/282e247bbae638a7da63c1b48d56a139-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[But believe it or not, some of the results available today using plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry can be truly amazing.  I am going to post a few pictures here of real transformations that simply involved changing the smile.  If you are thinking about a cosmetic transformation, there are a few things you need to be sure to do....  If you are going for a smile change, get consultations from dentist who have finished advanced training programs like The Las Vegas Institute(LVI)....  Go in with a precise idea of what you want, and make sure you communicate with your doctor what your desires are.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dental Bonding-How does it work?</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-07-14T07:49:33-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/6cb78029f90158c3160b14411ae93b1b-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/6cb78029f90158c3160b14411ae93b1b-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It can be used to fix chips or cracks, change the shape or color of a tooth or even make crooked teeth look straighter.  Unlike Porcelain Veneers which require that impressions be made and the covering be fabricated in a lab, tooth bonding can be performed by a qualified cosmetic dentist in just one visit.

...Then, a drill is used to roughen the enamel surface of the tooth, so that there is a smooth transition from the existing tooth to the bonding material....  Then a resin adhesive is placed on the tooth, like a very thin film of glue, to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth.

...Results: Very large bonding restorations can break and stain if the individual is not careful with them, but in most cases, tooth bonding will last from 3 to 7 years.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dental Insurance: A Good Thing?</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-07-01T08:13:19-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/702812e67152619d9234238df0c1d821-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/702812e67152619d9234238df0c1d821-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It really is not insurance Dental insurance is not really insurance, rather it is a package of benefits that act as a discount towards your dental needs....  If, for example, we are in a car accident we expect our insurance to cover the major repair costs of our car. Your car may be insured but your teeth are not.

...Dental Insurance is not what it used to be In 1984, when I first started practicing, most dental benefit packages offered $1,000 in covered benefits per year.

...A $1,000 toward your dental needs may seem like a great benefit, but it is not what it used to be.

...Be sure to have read your benefits manual before going to the dentist, and ask any questions that you might have.&bull; Be sure you understand the positives and the negatives of your plan before you get any dental work done.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Improve your Sex life with Dental Implants</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-06-19T13:38:43-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/0df76c78c4b5dcf065f1d485434e6042-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/0df76c78c4b5dcf065f1d485434e6042-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA["In a 2005 research report, Heydecke et a, compared the impact of social and sexual activities by 102 adults between the ages of 35-65 years, before and after being fitted with dental implants, against people fitted with conventional dentures only.  The research revealed that the subjects fitted with implant-retained dentures experienced a greater increase in comfort felt during kissing and sexual activity over a two month compared to those with normal dentures.

...Of those participants who experienced loose dentures when kissing, more than 80% felt uneasy when kissing, and 70% felt uneasy when engaged in sexual relations."

Dental implants are a great way to replace teeth that are missing as the result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, or an accident....  Since they often are placed between other teeth, it is not necessary to grind down healthy teeth, as is needed in preparation for a bridge.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What is a porcelain veneer anyway?</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-06-12T14:42:08-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/bef31d0e469e6770ea94da48231672f3-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/bef31d0e469e6770ea94da48231672f3-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Porcelain veneers, otherwise know as laminates, are very thin coverings that are custom made to fit over your existing tooth, and are a great way to improve your smile.  Porcelain veneers can be used to whiten stained or dark teeth, fix chipped or broken teeth, change misshaped teeth or even re-align crooked teeth using a process called instant orthodontics.

...The preparation: At the preparation appointment, your cosmetic dentist will numb your teeth with local anesthetic so that you are comfortable and don't feel any pain.

...Cost of porcelain veneers:Porcelain veneers are much more expensive than composite veneers, but can last 2 to 3 times as long as composite without discoloration.

...With regular cleanings and good oral hygiene, you should keep your beautiful smile for 10 to 20 years or longer with your new porcelain veneers.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Dentistry, But Were Afraid To Ask</title><dc:creator>smiledr@earthlink.net</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Cosmetic Dentist</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-06-06T19:01:19-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/f07f11f094a072aebe2379c59d9ed715-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.skittle.dreamhost.com/files/f07f11f094a072aebe2379c59d9ed715-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[So, this is the first of hopefully many once a week information sessions about cosmetic and general dentistry....  Anyway, after Dental school, I started working with my grandfather, who was one of the founders of cosmetic dentistry in the late 1940's.

...In addition, many of today's modern offices offer Virtual Reality Glasses, so you can watch a movie while your dentist treats you.

...Well, as you can see, there are a lot of options available to make your trip to the dentist much more comfortable....  If there is a subject of interest you would like to hear more about, drop me an email or place a comment in the comment feed.]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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