In efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics and  synthetic antiseptics, ozone has been used by clinicians as an effective treatment for disinfection of a tooth cavity, an extraction socket,  and soft tissue incisions. I found in my experience over the years that lasers have done extremely well to disinfect and prevent post-operative or secondary infections.  They also reduce the secondary formation of cystic or scar-like lesions in surgical sites. I also use lasers to remove or debride lesions when patients are interested in removing the "cavitation" type issues they are concerned about. Diode, Co2, and crystal-supported lasers all seem… [ Read More ]

I attended a learning session last month for a new technique called the Bioclear Method that benefits every dental patient. I'd heard the excitement building about this for a few years, but I am always resolute in waiting for evidence-based success to surface in this industry; technology has been moving so fast in dentistry over the past 10 years, that it's not surprising for us dentists to get convinced about something we may see or hear in the trades, and it doesn't stand the test of time, or the technology changes too quickly. Sometimes these new things become obsolete in… [ Read More ]

Dr Bob and I have been practicing integrative care for our entire careers. One of the things that has been fascinating for us dentists (and frustrating for patients) is how common muscle and fascial pain is when diagnosing a dental problem. It can be confounding to both us and the patients when we could swear a tooth is the source of consistent pain, and then we take the time to identify that a muscle or bite imbalance is truly at the heart of it all. A struggle we use to have is: how do we rule out muscle pain in… [ Read More ]

Here are a few tips we recommend to change your sleep lifestyle and improve your sleep performance. 1) Be consistent about using your CPAP and/or your oral appliance for best results. 2) Watch when and what you eat before bed.a.  Eating within 2 hours of sleep time disrupts your body’s ability to prepare for a beneficial sleep cycle.b.  Many of us love to have something to eat before bed, and the stuff that makes us feel satisfied are comfort-type foods–rich and higher in fats. These types of foods alter body chemistry and disrupt sleep too. Low-fat, protein-rich foods are best.… [ Read More ]

Happy Daylight Savings Time! Or should we say, Happy Sleep Deprivation Time? It's a salient point to discuss, because this antiquated tradition of moving our clocks to reduce our energy consumption is responsible for significant impacts on our quality of sleep. The human race requires sleep to function and maintain physical health. Our ability to sleep is directly connected to the transition between day and night. Our circadian rhythm is crucial to how we stay healthy. We know that when we disrupt our sleep, it can put us into a short-term tailspin. We fail to get into a cycle that… [ Read More ]

It makes logical sense to handle heavy metals with care for countless reasons. Lyons Creek Dental Care has been practicing a specific protocol for removing metal fillings for over 30 years, called S.M.A.R.T.--Smart Metal Amalgam Removal Technique. We thought it would be useful to offer our patients the following checklist illustrating the protections we take when patients ask for amalgam filling removal. This protocol was designed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), of which Dr Chris and Dr Bob are active members. Check out more IAOMT information at https://www.IAOMT.org. Patient Protection Slurry of charcoal, chlorella, or… [ Read More ]

When I became a dentist in 1998, my grandmother Betty relayed a quick story to me about what her dentist used to recommend for her “patchy, white sores.” She said it worked like a charm whenever they resurfaced over her lifetime. Well, I was a young buck who had a lot on his mind at the time, and I propmtly forgot about her story for a few years until she came from Florida to visit and get her teeth cleaned. “Gram, those white patches are back on your gums and cheeks,” I noted. “Are they sore today?” “Not for long.… [ Read More ]

Dr Chris from Lyons Creek here again. Proudly, Dr. Bob and I are great tooth carpenters--repairing a broken shingle or two, sometimes building a better roof on a tooth, uprighting a sagging tooth, maybe cleaning the dirt and debris off the foundation for all those little houses on the block we call teeth. But the other part of my job is to be a detective; a forensic, "CSI"-dentist. And when our patients introduce their dental health to me, I find more than just a cavity or a gum infection. I often find teeth have a combination of physical wear and… [ Read More ]

Losing teeth stinks--for a lot of reasons. You lose the ability to chew with confidence. You might have some compromises when you smile. And going through the process of surgery to remove hopeless teeth is not fun either. But if it happens to you, just know you have me around to employ some modern procedures to get you back to where you want to be chewing and smiling. When you lose teeth, you immediately lose the surrounding bone that supported them. And that bone continues to atrophy over time if there are no teeth in place. The supporting bone is… [ Read More ]

This used to be a debate that swirled around bathroom sinks and dental offices for decades. But in a recent article published on AP’s site The Big Story (1), a look to the past has apparently started pushing the debate toward a resolution of sorts. Because you, dear reader, are always looking to us for sound wisdom and advice, I’d be honored to oblige. As the article mentions, floss has limited benefits.  It’s hard to hold, tough to manipulate, and can’t always eliminate every bit of food and sludge on and between teeth and gums. Even when performed perfectly, it’s really difficult… [ Read More ]