Straight out of the hygiene center, Dr. Rafoth gives some advice for how to neutralize your risk for tooth decay. Chris Rafoth is the owner of Lyons Creek Dental Care, providing medical dentistry, dental implants, and facial esthetics since 1998 for Shoreline and greater Seattle areas, as well as communities in King and Snohomish counties. Any questions or comments? Contact him at chris@lyonscreekdentalcare.com today! [ Read More ]

We do a lot of oral surgery at Lyons Creek Dental Care. We screen each patient for risks and potential complications. A recent position paper by the American Association of Oral Surgeons was released that explains the nature and risks of osteonecrosis of the jaws following oral surgery. In the following two videos, I discuss the nature of the disease, as well as how to manage the risks. Chris Rafoth is the owner of Lyons Creek Dental Care, providing medical dentistry, dental implants, and facial esthetics since 1998 for Shoreline and greater Seattle areas, as well as communities in King and… [ Read More ]

For years, implant dentists and surgeons have frowned on placing implants in diabetic patients that had poor diabetic control. But a recent study has shown that just because patients have diabetes doesn't mean they are not candidates for dental implants. In fact, when it came to the survival of dental implants in the study, there was no statistical difference between patients who had poorly controlled or well-controlled diabetes. The main reason for implant failure in diabetic patients is their relatively high risk for periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can affect the supporting tissues that anchor an implant. And without excellent control… [ Read More ]

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that affects an estimated 12 million Americans and another 40 million are at risk for developing the disease. One of the troubling things about osteoporosis is that it is rarely detected before a fracture occurs. At that point, the disease is more advanced and bones have already lost much of their density. Luckily, dentists are on the lookout for early signs of osteoporosis. “The first sign of osteoporosis is usually discovered when we do a thorough gum and bone examination,” says Dr. Rafoth. Depending on what the dentist finds in the examination, taking into account… [ Read More ]

Dr. Rafoth wrote the following summary of this article:  The American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Periodontology Editors’ Consensus, Vincent E. Friedewald, et. al., 7/2009  The human organism is complex. Abnormalities of almost any of its parts or processes have profound effects on multiple other body areas, exemplified by the process of inflammation. In recent years, the immune system, once believed to be only a vital defense against infection and a promoter of healing—except in the instances of a few uncommon connective tissue disorders—is now recognized as a significant active participant in many chronic inflammatory diseases (ID), including hypertension, diabetes,… [ Read More ]

We’re discontinuing Crest toothpaste products in our practice, and recommending that our patients consider an alternative to the Crest line. With the recent public presentation of polyethylene particles in Crest toothpastes, we conducted our own study of the product information and ingredients in Crest products. We feel that polyethylene is an unsafe and unnecessary ingredient for our patients, and our environment. There are countless ecological and physiological consequences of increased concentrations of plastic particles. Promoting these Crest products would not be in the best interest of our patients’ health, or in the best interests of promoting a healthy planet. Update… [ Read More ]

Traditionally, dentists and physicians have used 2-dimensional x-rays to diagnose patients’ problems and aid in treatment. With the advent of 3D cone beam CT (CBCT) images, has come a superior means by which to identify problems, plan treatment, deliver treatment, and avoid critical failures. In the case of dentistry, CBCT has made it easier for doctors and patients to successfully deliver all types of dental care. In fact, there are so many advantages to using CBCT, that it is now considered the standard of care in many parts of the country. This image shows how we can use 3D to… [ Read More ]

A patient recently asked me about an article they read which described the potential health risks of root canals. The article contends that root canals are the source of serious threats to your health. You can find the article here: http://humansarefree.com/2014/02/shocking-connection-97-of-all-terminal.html I would say that quackery is a sound description of the article. We’ll break down some of the high points of Mr. Mercola’s advice to the free world. But let’s go “big picture” for a minute. There are two goals in performing root canal therapy for patients. 1) eliminate the bacterial infection in a tooth in order to 2) maintain… [ Read More ]