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Dental Expert: Arvanitis and Associates
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Arvanitis and Associates
55 Bridgeport Road East
WaterlooOntarioN2J 2J7GEO:
43.468302,
-80.518447
Phone: 519-748-2282
Dr. George ArvanitisOwner
Here is why they are an Expert
Dr. George Arvanitis attended the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1986 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1990. He has been in private practice since graduation, but considers his dental degree as only the beginning of his education. In addition to running a full time dental practice Dr. Arvanitis has taken over 1200 hours of continuing education from some of the most renowned masters of cosmetic and implant dentistry. Dr. Arvanitis is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, a Fellow of the International Academy of Dento-Facial Esthetics, an Associate Fellow of the American Association of Implant Dentists and a Sustaining Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also a founding Member of the Canadian Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. His practice is focused on cosmetic, surgical, and implant dentistry including the placement of root form dental implants. He has placed over 800 dental implants, restored over 1000 implants, and placed over 20,000 bonded esthetic restorations.
Tips of the month
- Are you about to lose a tooth?
Have you been told by your dentist that you need to have one or more teeth removed? If so then you will be excited to learn that new technologies and techniques allow you to have your tooth replaced that same day with a new implant suported tooth. That's right!!! At the time of removal of the tooth a brand new tooth, stronger than the old one and impervious to decay can be placed.
The holy grail of implant dentistry has always been to be able to replace the tooth at the time of extraction and in 2006 this is finally a reality. When implants were first invented the first considerations were all about whether or not the implant would fuse to the bone and positioning the implant for esthetics was not the main consideration. The implant was placed where the bone was often leaving much to be desired esthetically. With the cosmetic dentistry boom of the 1990's people started expecting more. As the implant technology improved we stopped worring about the implant and started thinking about what the teeth attached to the implant would look like. The marriage of cosmetic dentistry with implants finally started to make implant teeth look like teeth, but problems persisted mainly with the tissues around the implant.
When a tooth is removed the bone around the tooth remodels right away resulting in loss of this bone. Unfortunately, it is this lost bone that is responsible for holding up the gums, so the bone loss leads to the gums pulling back as well. This isn't a big problem in the new implant with the heights of gum tissues being uneven. Loss of the bone also means that it has to be re grown and a lot of grafting then becomes necessary.
Well technology and techniques have improved. Today we can put the implant in right at the time or removal of the tooth. No bone shrinkage! No gum shrinkage! No need to go back and rebuild the atrophied tissues with painful, expensive grafts before the implant.
Imagine losing the tooth, having it put back and leaving the office with a brand new tooth as good as or better than the old one. No dentures, no embarrassing missing teeth. This is the new reality of dental implants. - Baby Bottle Decay
One children's dental condition that every parent should know about is baby bottle decay. Decay occurs when sweetened liquids are given and are left clinging to an infant's teeth for long periods. Many sweet liquids like formula and fruit juice cause problems, but even milk can cause decay. Bacteria in the mouth use these sugars as food. They then produce acids that attack the teeth. Each time your child drinks these liquids, acids attack for 20 minutes or longer. After many attacks, the teeth can and will decay. Thus it's not just what you put in your child's bottle that causes decay, but how often - and for how long a time. Giving your child a bottle of sweetened liquid many times a day isn't a good idea. Allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night is especially harmful to their teeth.
Sometimes parents do not realize that baby's teeth can decay soon after they appear in the mouth. By the time decay is noticed, it may be too late to save the teeth. You can help prevent this from happening to your child by following the tips below:
1. After each feeding, wipe your baby's gums with a clean gauze pad. Begin brushing your child's teeth when the first tooth erupts. Clean and massage gums in areas that remain toothless and begin flossing when all the baby teeth have erupted, usually by age 2 or 2 1/2.
2. Never ever leave your child with a bottle in their mouth after they fall asleep. If they need a bottle to fall asleep try putting water in it. They might not like this at first but they will get used to it. If you must, have milk then make sure that the bottle is removed as soon as they fall asleep and that you give their mouth a little wipe to ensure that none of the drink is pooled around their teeth. Do not allow any kind of sweet drink in the bed time bottle.
3. If your child needs a comforter between regular feedings, at night, or during naps, give the child a clean pacifier recommended by your dentist or physician. Never give your child a pacifier dipped in any sweet liquid.
4. Avoid filling your child's bottle with liquids such as sugar water and soft drinks.
5. If your local water supply does not contain flouride ( a substance that helps prevent tooth decay)ask your dentist how your child should get it. The water in Waterloo is flouridated, but the water in Kitchener is not.
6. Start dental visits by the child's firt birhday just so you can rule out any early problems. Regular cleanings begin at age three. If you think your child has dental problems, take the child to your dentist as soon as possible.
I can't warn you enough of the harm caused by baby bottle decay. Not only does it rot the teeth, but it sets your child up for many dental experiences that may not be very much fun. This can then make them fearful of the dentist and may set them up for a lifetime of dental problems. - Back to Basics
There have been numerous advances in Dental technology over the years. Porcelain Veneers, Titanium Implants and composite resins among others are becoming more and more popular and widely used in the dental world. Dental technology will continue to progress for the years to come, but it is important to remember that the very basic elements of keeping your teeth healthy remain the same as they have been since modern dentistry began, (around 200 years ago). Brushing, flossing, rinsing as well as keeping up with your regular check ups and cleanings are critical to maintaining good oral health. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day helps prevent gum disease and keeps food and plaque from building up and damaging your teeth. A good toothbrush has soft bristles. Although you may feel that firm brushes scrub better, they can actually damage your gums and teeth and as a result cause you more harm than good. Make sure you replace your toothbrush every 4- 6 weeks. Over time bacteria builds up in the bristles and this means that every time you clean your teeth you are adding more bacteria to your mouth, not removing it! If your bristles begin to bend before this 4-6 week time period, replace your brush more often and consider a more gentle brushing routine. Electric toothbrushes are even better and work to gently massage your gums which helps prevent recession. Flossing every day aids in removing food particles that may be building up between your teeth and also works to help prevent periodontal disease. Regardless of what type of dental floss you are most comfortable using, the oral health benefits remain the same. Using a daily rinse containing ingredients that help kill bacteria will also help keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh. Choose a rinse that also contains flouride to provide even more defense against cavities. Flouride based products can not only provide relief from the feeling of sensitivity but also provide protection from cavities by forming a more acid-resistant surface layer on teeth. It can even re-mineralize cavities that are still in very early stages of formation. Of course, visiting your dentist or hygienist regularly will assist in making sure your at home maintenance is being done correctly and will catch any small problems that arise, before they turn into painful, expensive procedures. A regular routine is the best way to keep your smile healthy and happy. - Do you have gum disease? Take a self evaluation quiz.
You may not realize that persistent swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity and bad breath are warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease - a serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
Jot down your answers to the following questions to find out if you have the symptoms of periodontal disease.
1. Do you ever have pain in your mouth?
2. Do your gums ever bleed when you brush your teeth or when you eat hard food?
3. Have you noticed any spaces developing between your teeth?
4. Do your gums ever feel swollen or tender?
5. Have you noticed that your gums are receding (pulling back from your teeth) or your teeth appear longer than before?
6. Do you have persistent bad breath?
7. Have you noticed pus between your teeth and gums?
8. Have you noticed any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?
9. Do you ever develop sores in your mouth?
Don't let periodontal disease take away your smile. If you answered yes to any of these questions, consult your dentist right away - and help save your natural teeth! - Brush your Teeth - Save your Life!
Although it may have seemed like nagging at the time, those contstant reminders from your mom to brush your teeth when you were younger, was her way of telling you how important it was to maintain good oral health. Little did she know, her nagging was not only helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy, but just might also have kept you healthy as well. Studies now clearly show that there is a strong link between Periodontal (gum) disease and the formation of plaque and clots in the coronary ateries.
Periodontal disease forms when bacteria attack the gums, bones and tissues that provide the support system for the teeth. Although often painless, gum disease can be very persistent and agressive in its progression, and many people don't notice they have the condition until substantial damage has already occurred. Gingivitis is periodontal diesase in its earliest stages and while in this stage, the damage done can be reversed with good oral hygiene and regular visits with a dentist and hygienist. As Periodontal disease advances, the gums separate from the teeth and pockets form beside the teeth and deepen with time, as toxins produced by the bacteria destroy healthy tissue. Scientists are unsure of the exact way in which cardiovascular risk is increased, but it is believed that bacteria from the gum infection can enter the bloodstream and cause white blood cells to release materials that create a build up of fatty deposits and clots in your arteries. These clots then are responsible for the increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, premature births and other health issues currently being linked to periodontal disease.
So remember that good oral health will not only save your smile, it may save your life as well! - Erase Your Age with a Smile Makeover
As soon as we open many popular fashion magazines on the market, we are immediately bombarded with advertisement after advertisement for skin care systems, hair dies, lotions, patches, clothing etc. that claim to make us look and feel younger. After the hair is done, the skin is glowing, the body is fit and the wardrobe complete, nothing will give your age away faster than a worn out, yellow smile. This after all is not the smile of a healthy 25 year old.
Stained or cracked teeth, a receding gum-line, or yellow teeth can all be restored today in as little as one or two visits. Your dentist can improve all of these conditions, with whitening treatments, white composite fillings or perhaps a complete smile makeover with porcelain veneers.
Whitening is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to improve your smile. Whether you opt for the one hour BriteSmile treatment or have a set of custom bleaching trays made, teeth whitening is a relatively quick way of brightening your smile. If you are considering having whitening done, keep in mind that whitening will not change the colour of previous dental work like fillings, crowns, bridges, etc.
White composite fillings or dental bonding can be used to improve the appearance of a cosmetic flaw on the surface of a tooth, fill a chipped or broken tooth or repair damage done by tooth decay. One major benefit of dental bonding is you may see a dramatic difference in your smile in as little as one visit. However, dental bonding may stain over time and is not as lasting or durable as other cosmetic techniques.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that fits over the front surface of the tooth to improve its appearance. This procedure has several advantages over other dental bonding procedures. Porcelain is an extremely durable material with a color, translucence and texture that is similar to tooth enamel. It is not susceptible to decay and resists staining while maintaining a very natural appearance.
If the smile in your mirror is holding you back then a smile makeover can easily brighten your smile and boost your self-esteem, making you look and feel younger.
Most recently answered questions
- I brush, floss and rinse with mouth wash, and my gums are still receding. I quit smoking a year ago and now my gums bleed. They never bled when I was smoking. I don't have a lot of money but I'm afraid that I'm going to loose my teeth. What can I do?
First of all you must see a dentist and have your situation addressed. Don't worry too much about the cost. Let the dentist know you are on a tight budget and I'm sure they will be able to work out something affordable for you. To date I have rarely if ever treated anybody with gum disease who was not a smoker or previous smoker. A dentist knows from the minute they see periodontal disease that smoking is involved. So as a previous smoker now is the chance to clear up the damage of the past and begin anew. Congratulations on kicking the habit.
I've done root canal on tooth, then had it redone because apparently it was not done right. And now my newest dentist wants is redone the second time... Does that sounds right to you? What should I do?
Up until the re-treatment of the root canal it seems that everything has been tried to save this tooth. At some point a frank discussion should be had regarding what other options you have. It would seem that this is that point. Please keep in mind that I am commenting without seeing a radiograph or having examined the tooth in question, but you do have other options. How much money do you want to spend on one tooth when no one will guarantee you that even with a second re-treatment you will still have this tooth in 5 years? Sometimes treatment options come down to a matter of money. If cost is no object and you want to try every possible treatment to save the tooth then by all means treat it again. If however you want the treatment that has the highest probability for long term success then you should ask specifically whether a second re-treatment will meet this objective or is it a maybe. If the answer is maybe then it is my opinion you should consider other treatment options.
My son is 19 and has calcium spots on his front teeth.Will whitening help with this?
Whitening may even out the difference between the white spots and the adjacent tooth areas. There are times though where the white spots whiten further and the effect is white teeth with whiter spots. There are other non invasive treatment also available to help deal with these hyper-calcified areas. One treatment is enamel abrasion. A light buffing of the surface can eliminate the spots that don't go too deep. If none of these things work then you may have to consider some conservative bonding or porcelain veneers.
I have a teenage daughter who is still scared to go to dentist, she needs work done (we have dental coverage but can't afford much more then the 80%) We don't know where to take her or what to do? any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
There are many options available today to help apprehensive patients. There is Nitrous Oxide sedation which involves breathing in this gas. The patient becomes lightly to moderately sedated and can then have treatment completed. It's benefit is that it works immediately and also stops working immediately so you leave the office feeling normal. For more extensive work there is oral sedation, administered as a pill. This generally takes time to wear off so adult supervision is required after the appointment as well as a ride home. This form of sedation is slightly deeper than the Nitrous Oxide. Also available are deeper forms of sedation such as Intra-venous and general anesthetic. It is best to seek out a dentist who works with sedation to find out which type would be best for your daughter.
As for dental insurance it is currently illegal for a dentist to accept only the 80% without collecting the 20% co-pay. The reason this is considered to be fraud is that if a dentist bills insurance $100 and they pay 80% or $80 of it and the dentist fails to collect the 20% or $20 then it is assumed that the dentist only meant to be paid $80. Therefore he must have over-billed the insurance company in order to get them to pay 100% of his charge. This is clearly considered fraud as he billed $100 for an $80 procedure. If all he wanted was $80 he should have billed the insurance for $80 and they would have paid 80% of that. The law does not consider his 20% gift to the patient as doing them a favor but as a fraudulent cash grab from the insurance. This is why it may seem like only a couple of dollars to you that the dentist could surely afford to not collect but to the dentist it means the difference between committing a crime or an honest charge.
So be prepared to pay the 20% co-payment. Beyond this there are many ways to deal with financial issues. Once a full exam has been completed the full extent of treatment can be determined and all associated costs. Insurance estimates can then be made so that you clearly understand what will be covered and what won't be. Then a payment plan could be set up to deal with the amounts not covered by insurance. There are always solutions that can be worked out so don't let financial or anxiety concerns interfere with seeking care. The longer you leave the problem the more costly it will become.
At my office we offer both nitrous-oxide and oral sedation and have access to specialists who perform intra-venous and general anesthetics if necessary. We also offer a dental card that allows three months with no interest to pay for all treatment. This allows you to not have to pay out of pocket and to be able to apply insurance payments to your bill once they come in. Longer term low interest payment options are also available if needed.
Your daughter doesn't need to worry and neither should you. There are solutions.
Are baby teeth important and why do we bother to fix them if they are just going to fall out anyway?
A common thinking process is that since baby teeth are unimportant since they are just going to fall out anyways. The reality is that those first teeth are very important. Not only does your child need them to in order to be able to eat, smile and talk they also are used to hold space for the permanent teeth that will eventually replace them. Premature loss of the first teeth allows adjacent teeth to shift into the spaces creating crowding when the permanent teeth start to come in. Additionally allowing your child to suffer with a bad tooth and then finally going to the dentist to have it pulled, sets your child up for a bad dental experience which can lead to a lifetime of fear. This can lead to a lifetime of dental trouble and eventual loss of their teeth. Regular checkups is the key to prevention.
My dentist told me I need a root canal. What is a root canal procedure?
A root canal procedure is a treatment used to clean and disinfect the nerve or pulp tissue from the inside of a tooth if that tissue has become diseased. There are many reasons why this might occur. Decay, trauma, dental work, long term sensitivity, and aggressive clenching are some of the most common causes. When the pulp becomes inflamed and swollen the pressure created can disrupt the blood flow to the tooth resulting in the death of the pulp. Alternatively bacteria from a cavity or advanced periodontal (gum) disease can infect the pulp chamber and cause an abscess. In either case the treatment is called Root Canal Therapy.
A tooth is held into the jawbone by 1-3 roots, depending on the tooth. Inside each root, is an area called the pulp chamber. Once diseased your dentist will have to clean this area, disinfect it and then seal it with a special filling material. This in a nutshell is what is involved in root canal therapy. The root canal procedure is a relatively painless procedure and many patients are relieved when the tooth no longer hurts them anymore. This procedure is also a necessary procedure in order to save the tooth. If an abscessed tooth is left untreated, other dental problems can occur such as bone loss, swelling, and severe toothaches.
What can you tell me about Dental Implants?
Implant treatment is one of the most life changing treatments in dentistry. For people who have lost their teeth, implant therapy provides a second chance to take eating and smiling for granted again. For those who have lost even a single tooth, the ability to replace it without damaging adjacent teeth is a modern day miracle. Studies have shown that when implant patients were asked if they had to do it all over again, over 90% said they would.
What are Dental Implants?
Implants are titanium root replacements that are surgically placed into the jaw bone and used for supporting prosthetics. Usually they are shaped like the root of a tooth and placed in bone but implants can also be custom fabricated to fit over the jaw bone.
They are not a new or experimental procedure as hundreds of thousands of implants are placed every year and the procedure has been around for over 30 years.
Can anyone have implants?
There are very few contra-indications to implant placement. They can be placed in elderly people as well as young people. They are indicated wherever a tooth has been lost. If the tooth has been missing for a long time the volume of bone required to place the implant may not be sufficient and reconstructive bone re-growth surgery will also have to be performed.
How long do they last?
The exact longevity will vary from person to person, but most studies show average survival rates in excess of 90% after 15 years.
How much does it cost?
Implant costs vary depending on how many are required and what type of prosthesis they are supporting. Two implants holding down a denture can start as low as approximately $3500- Replacing a single tooth compares favourably to the cost of a porcelain bridge. A custom treatment plan tailored for your specific requirements can only be discussed after a full examination.
How can I relieve a toothache?
Many people experience a toothache late in the evening, the middle of the night, or just before they are about to leave on vacation. This is why it is absolutely crucial that you have regular examinations and cleanings so that the toothache can be prevented in the first place. However even with the best of care and intentions toothaches still happen. So what can you do? First of all don’t wait until a small toothache becomes a big one. Call your dentist right away and have it checked out. It is much easier to treat a dental problem when it is diagnosed earlier than later.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where your tooth is hurting and you are not able to see a dentist right away, you can relieve the toothache by placing clove oil on the tooth. Clove oil is available at most pharmacies and is a natural sedative for the nerve in your tooth. You do not need to drown the tooth in clove oil for it to work. All you need to do is take a Q-tip and dip it into the clove oil. Dab the Q-tip on a piece of sterile gauze to get the excess oil off the end. Then place the Q-tip on the tooth and swirl it around the tooth. You should begin to feel some relief. Repeat as necessary.
You will also want to take some over the counter pain reliever, such as extra strength Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Excedrin) at the recommended dosage even if the toothache is not too bad. It is very difficult to get a roaring toothache under control when it is at its peak. By taking the pain medication early, the medicine will work throughout the day and evening to keep the toothache at bay.
If you are away from home and a dentist is not available then it is a good idea to at least call your dentist from wherever you are. Prescriptions can be faxed or phoned in to a pharmacy near to you, even if you are in a foreign country. Most dental infections require treatment with antibiotics and the sooner you get started the faster the toothache will go away.
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