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Your regularly scheduled check-up is often referred to as a “cleaning,” but there is much more to it than that! The technical term is oral prophylaxis, which means prevention of oral disease.

One way to prevent oral disease is to remove harmful plaque and tartar (calculus) both above and below the gum line. You will be given special instructions on brushing or flossing to keep clean the areas where we found significant buildup. That is the familiar “cleaning” part of your checkup.

Another way to prevent oral disease is by early detection and treatment. During your checkup you will be screened for many potential threats to your oral health, including:

• Cavities
• Gum Disease
• Oral cancer

In addition, some systemic diseases often present themselves first inside the mouth, so early detection extends beyond just oral disease.

OUR BOARD CERTIFIED DENTISTS personally performs his signature comprehensive teeth cleaning fondly called- “Seven steps to BioClean” utilizing golden seal, tea tree oil and other natural mint oils which has NO fluoride, artificial colors, sweeteners, alcohol and animal ingredients.

Molars Trap Food and Bacteria
The most common area for children to get decay (like most adults) is on their permanent back teeth (molars). The molars have very deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces. This is where food and bacteria hide and form cavities. No matter how well your child brushes, it is nearly impossible to remove all of the bacteria from these grooves and pits.

Sealants Can Help Prevent Decay
Sealants are a white or tooth shaded material that is bonded to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, sealing off deep grooves and pits. This makes the grooves of the teeth smoother so your toothbrush can more easily keep the tooth clean.

How are Sealants applied?
Applying sealants is a multi-step procedure. The teeth are first isolated and cleaned. Then the teeth are etched with a solution to help the sealant adhere. Next, the sealant is brushed on and then a special light is used to harden the material. The procedure is “child-friendly” because there is no need for anesthetic or drilling.

When should my Child have Sealants applied?
Sealants are recommended for many children when they get their permanent first molars (around 6 years of age) and when they get their permanent second molars (around 12 years of age). We will determine the need for sealants based upon the child’s diet, homecare efforts, tooth anatomy and lastly, biocompatibility concerns.

Enamel Safeguard Rating: 100 – no change in enamel is necessary

Enamel Shaping (Contouring) is the process of shaping natural teeth to improve their appearance. Shaping can be used to correct minor cases of crowded or overlapping teeth, smooth rough edges, or make small adjustments to the shape of a tooth. No anesthesia is necessary!

Before: This patient has a small notch in three of her four front teeth.

After: Minor contouring (shaping) of the enamel makes her teeth smooth and natural looking!

Enamel Safeguard Rating: 95 to 98- as only minimal amount of enamel are removed.

After decay is removed from a tooth, something must be placed in that space to give strength back to the tooth. Our office only uses metal-free restorations as metal-based (silver-mercury amalgam) fillings weaken teeth, very often leading to cracked teeth. In addition, metal-based fillings are an aesthetic compromise.

White fillings
White (metal-free) fillings are an alternative to silver (mercury amalgam) fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite resin that is matched to the surrounding tooth color. In the past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth, but a stronger, more durable material has been developed that can withstand the chewing pressure of back teeth.

White fillings are often preferable because:

• Many patients prefer mercury-free fillings
• Cosmetic reasons
• Patients with sensitivity to heat or cold find metal-free fillings to be more comfortable.

Gum treatment is the treatment of active gum and jaw bone disease. The treatment can slow or stop the progression of the disease. Since there are different stages of gum disease (from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis), there are different levels of treatment. In some cases, the patient may be referred to a specialist.

Gum treatment consists of one or more of the following procedures, depending on the individual case:

Prophylaxis (Cleaning)

Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and Root Planing is a common non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease. By using special instruments, Dr. Gaba removes bacteria and infection from the unhealthy deep pockets around the teeth below the gum line. This is often referred to as a “deep cleaning.”

First the tooth is scaled to remove the plaque and tarter that has accumulated on the tooth.

Then the root is planed or smoothed. This eliminates any rough areas on the root that can easily trap plaque and bacteria.

A smooth clean root provides a healthy environment to allow the gums to heal naturally and reattach to the tooth. This will create a reduced pocket, therefore eliminating areas for bacteria to hide and cause further disease. 

Gum Surgery
Limited Oral Surgery removes inflamed or diseased gum tissue. This attempts to restore periodontal health that can then be maintained by the patient.

Rinses or Oral Medications
We routinely recommend herbal mouth rinses and depending upon the severity of the gum disease, will also prescribe additional therapies.

ORAL SURGERY (HOSPITAL DENTISTRY)

Extraction is the complete removal of a primary or a permanent tooth. An Extraction can be surgical or non-surgical. This depends on the difficulty of the extraction and whether or not the tooth is impacted or erupted, and whether it has straight or curved roots.

An Extraction may be done by DRA VANESSA or you may be referred to an Maxilofacial (someone who specializes in difficult or surgical extractions). No one looks forward to an extraction, but modern anesthesia and dependable homeopathic remedies will help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Reasons for an extraction are:

• Advanced Gum Disease. This is the #1 reason adults loose their teeth!
• An abscessed tooth that cannot be saved.
• An infected root canal tooth.
• A tooth with decay too deep to save the tooth.
• A tooth that has broken at the gum line and cannot be saved.
• Impacted tooth (typically a “Wisdom Tooth”)
• Some Orthodontic cases require that one or more teeth be extracted.

If you have made the decision to remove a tooth, whether to avoid a root canal, or to eliminate an infected root-canal tooth, it is important that every effort be made to also clean the extraction socket of the tooth and bone well to help insure proper healing and prevention of a Cavitation.

Dr. VANESSA makes every effort to extract teeth as atramatically as possible and to clean the bone as thoroughly as possible. The following represents the protocol followed:

• Questions are answered and an informed consent form is explained to the patient and signed by the patient.
• Enzymes and homeopathics are dispensed to those patients interested in an effort to minimize the trauma and subsequent post-operative swelling.
• A biocompatible anesthetic is administered.
• The extraction socket is then cleaned using hand and rotary curettage with sterile saline irrigation.
• Hemostatic agents are used when necessary.
• Sutures are placed to protect and maintain the blood clot that will form. This helps to prevent a “dry socket” from occurring.
• Antibiotics and pain medications are prescribed only when necessary.
• Homecare and post-operative surgical instructions are reviewed and given to the patient.
• Any follow-up visits are scheduled.

When an extraction is performed, it is important to put something in the place of the missing tooth or teeth. If the space is just left open, your teeth will shift and cause many unnecessary complications. Extracted teeth may be replaced by a partial or complete denture.

New advances in dental medications have virtually eliminated the discomfort of dental procedures. There are several elements to creating a comfortable experience for your dental appointment:

Topical Anesthetic
A topical anesthetic can be used any time for the surface of the gum that needs to be desensitized, such as easing the discomfort of a painful mouth sore or preparing a site for an injectable local anesthetic.

Local Anesthetic
Modern fast-acting local anesthetics, in conjunction with effective topical anesthesia, have virtually eliminated the discomfort of numbness. Local anesthetics are available in several strengths. The preferred anesthetic is epinephrine-free; however epinephrine is available if needed

Aroma Therapy for your Comfort and Relaxation 
The first step is to make you relaxed and comfortable. Our clinic will be using organic essential oils of your choice readily available during the course of the dental procedure for purposes of calming and relaxation. From the soothing Zen environment in our reception area to the state-of-the-art and comfortable environment we have created around the dental unit and chair, no detail is too small when your comfort is concerned. Our caring, professional staff is committed to creating a stress-free environment for your comfort.

Bonding is simply adding a little tooth-colored composite material to “fill in the blanks.” One of the most frequent uses of the bonding technique is to fill in a gap between front teeth.

Before: A noticeable space between the front teeth.

After: Bonding fills the space, but still keeps the teeth looking natural.

Enamel Safeguard Rating: 95 to 100- very little change in the enamel will be done.

Permanent Fixed Bridge
A Permanent Bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. A Bridge will:

• Keep teeth from drifting into the space created from a missing tooth
• Help preserve normal function and normal bite for the jaw joint

A Permanent Bridge is usually anchored to the teeth on both sides of the space from the missing tooth. This gives the bridge strong support. Our Board Certified Biological Doctors prefers to use non-metal containing bridges in most cases, but will choose the material based on biocompatibility, strength, and aesthetics.

Brushing a bridge is no different than brushing natural teeth, but special flossing instructions are given to keep the bridge and surrounding tissue healthy. Water irrigation devices such as a Waterpik may be recommended to help maintain the supporting teeth.

A Permanent Bridge is permanently bonded in place through one or more tooth that was used as an anchor or a post.

Our Board Certified Biological Doctors needs to emphasize that usually this anchored tooth post (neighboring teeth) will require reduction of the tooth’s natural crown structure (enamel and dentin covering) to facilitate artificial crown coverage and placement in all caps/crowns and permanent fixed bridge works.

Enamel Safeguard Rating : 0 – More than one tooth is having it’s enamel removed.

A crown fits over the entire top of the tooth. A crown is needed when a filling just will not work. A crown may be made of gold, porcelain fused to gold or non-precious metal, white porcelain, or indirect composite. Our Board Certified Biological Doctors recommends using non-metal crowns in most case. The specific material will be chosen based on strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetics.

There are many situations that may call for a crown:

Large decay
If a tooth has decay so deep and large that a filling will not stay, or if the tooth structure is weakened, a crown may also be placed on the tooth to save it.

Large old fillings
When large old fillings break down, or get decay around them, they usually need to be crowned. It is important to crown a tooth that has been structurally weakened to prevent a cracked or broken tooth. Once a tooth breaks, it may not be possible to save it.

Cracked tooth
When a tooth is cracked, a filling will not seal the crack. A crown has to be placed over the tooth to hold it and the crack together. If a crown is not placed on the tooth, the tooth will become sensitive to chewing pressure, or will eventually break. It is important to crown a cracked tooth before it breaks, because in some cases a broken tooth cannot be crowned and must be extracted.

Broken/Fractured tooth
Sometimes a tooth that has broken is too weak to hold a filling. A crown will hold the tooth together and prevent it from breaking again.

This patient chose not to have the cracked tooth above crowned, and it later fractured. This tooth had to be extracted because it cracked all the way to the root. 

Sensitive teeth
Teeth that are very sensitive, either from a lot of “wear,” or from receded gums, sometimes require crowns to seal and protect the teeth from hot and cold sensitivity. Although Our Board Certified Biological Doctors may recommend composite restorations combine with homeopathic remedies as an initial treatment plan.

In cosmetic dentistry, crowns (sometimes called “caps”) are rarely used since the advent of veneers, but in some cases a crown may be necessary for a particular tooth. A tooth with a bad fracture or a large filling may be a candidate for a crown instead of a veneer.

Before: This tooth has a large filling as shown. A crown is needed on this tooth, instead of a veneer, because there aren’t enough natural teeth left to support a veneer. A crown will cover and protect the tooth, but will look the same as a veneer.

After: The top teeth now have veneers, except the one with the large filling, which has a crown.

Enamel Safeguard Rating (Crowns or remaking crowns): 5 to 0- rating base also on the damage during initial preparation of the tooth. Once the enamel is re prepared for another crown, even more tooth structure must be removed.

“The first criterion that one should choose in choosing a procedure to improve the appearance of the tooth is one which does the least damage to the tooth for the greatest improvement.”

When most or all your natural teeth have been lost, dentures provide many benefits:

• Restore your self-esteem
• Regain your eating ability
• Aid speaking ability
• Give support back to the lips and cheeks (giving you a natural and younger appearance)

A Complete Denture is placed in the patient’s mouth after all the teeth have been extracted and the gum tissue has healed. Healing takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending upon the patient.

An Immediate Denture is placed the same day the teeth are extracted. The advantage to an Immediate Denture is that the patient does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

A Partial Denture or “removable bridge” replaces one or more missing teeth, but there must be teeth remaining for the partial to attach to. Unlike a Fixed Bridge, a partial is removable. A partial will prevent other teeth from shifting, preserving your remaining teeth.

Our Board Certified Biological Doctors utilizes biocompatibility testing to determine the best material for your partials or dentures. Non-metal partials are typically preferred for most patients.

Elecrodermal Screening (EDS) or Electroaccupuncture According to Voll (EAV) is an innovative testing method that has been used for over 60 years. It is used widely throughout Europe by over 25,000 medical practitioners, and is gaining acceptance in the United States.

EDS offers a quick, non-invasive method of screening for health imbalances. It is an energetic evaluation of an individual and provides an invaluable general assessment of a patient’s state of health. It has also proven to be a powerful tool for remedy and dental material selection, as well as for evaluating tooth stresses and jaw infections.

EDS utilizes the body’s Acupuncture Meridians or the “energetic system” as a means of communicating with the body. This energetic system is a network of communication pathways in touch with even the smallest corner of your body. By indirectly measuring this energetic system, EDS can evaluate the functional condition and general health of the entire body, including determining the presence or absence of parasites, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and toxins.

EDS is not meant to be a replacement for the other patient evaluation methods, but rather function as a complementary means of information gathering. In the final analysis, the more information we have about a patient’s condition, the greater success we can hope to achieve with the treatment recommended. Our Board Certified Biological Doctors usually collaborates with doctors who practice Biological and Integrative Medicine for such a procedure.

Homeopathy is a scientific school of medicine that has been in existence since the 1700s. It is supported by the basic fact that a medicine or a substance can cure the same problem it can cause. It works by using progressive dilutions of the original substance that actually cause it to become energetically potentate or stronger.

A homeopathic remedy is chosen not by being concerned with the disease itself, but rather with the diseased individual. Homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s own healing force and has virtually no side effects.

Intravenous Vitamin C (IV-C) has very well documented health benefits. It is a technique that allows the delivery of large amounts of vitamin C and other nutrients to the body without causing any gastric upset. IV-C can help to loosen the mercury from the bonding sites within the body. It may also help to protect the body from potential damage that the mercury might cause while being removed and can promote the healing process of cells throughout the body.

Many Biological and Integrative medical practitioners that Our Board Certified Biological Doctors currently obtains referral patients from are providing I.V. services in their offices. The ability to receive IV-C following, or in some cases during, a mercury amalgam removal visit is a service that we hope to soon have available at Biodent Clinic

Dr. Nelson Gaba and Dra Vanessa is an advocate of Music Therapy. The latest research confirms that music bypasses your conscious mind. It goes directly to and stimulates the part of the brain that controls your emotions and vital pulses such as the heart and respiratory rates, as well as blood pressure. Music that is played at sixty beats or less per minute will slow down your metabolic responses, which not only decreases your stress level, but also increases the amount of chemical endorphins your brain releases and leads to strengthening of your immune system. Listening to special music that has been designed to work with the body’s natural frequency has helped people reduce or eliminate stress, anxiety, pain, insomnia, moodiness, and susceptibility to catching colds and flu, as well as helping to eliminate and prevent many other diseases. It has also been found to turn the body pH from acidic to alkaline, where disease cannot exist. Stress reducing music such as this has been proven by health-care practitioners around the world to be a major aid in eliminating degenerative diseases without drugs and surgery.

Since most of the damage typically caused by bruxism is during sleep, a night guard can usually be made to stop further damage. A night guard is custom made to fit over the upper or lower teeth. With the night guard in place, the patient can’t grind their teeth together and cause further damage.

The HealthyStart® System is a non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical, pain-free approach to opening the airway and straightening teeth WITHOUT braces. HealthyStart® is rooted in 54 years of research and experience and has treated over 4 million children around the world. Our system straightens teeth without the price-tag of braces and does more than traditional orthodontic aligners. The HealthyStart® System consists of a series of appliances that address symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing, which 9 out of 10 children are affected by. These symptoms often go misdiagnosed or untreated and worsen with age. HealthyStart® aims to address these symptoms early-on so that they can be solved naturally

Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM)

What is nasoalveolar molding (NAM)?
Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a nonsurgical way to reduce the space and align further the  area of gums, upper lip, and nostrils with a plate before cleft lip and palate surgery. Pre-surgery molding may decrease the number of surgeries your child needs because it makes the cleft less wide.

• It reduces the cleft inside the mouth.
• It reduces the gap in the upper lip.
• It lifts and narrows the nose.

Surgery is done after the molding is complete, when your child is approximately 3 months old.

NAM is used mainly for children with large or wide clefts and has greatly changed cleft repair. It may reduce the number of surgeries when recommended by our orthodontist and plastic surgeon.

With NAM we can reduce a large cleft in the months before surgery. NAM also improves the shape and position of the lip and nose. With a smaller cleft, there is less tension when the surgeon closes the cleft. Molding the lip and nose in advance can mean less reshaping is needed during surgery. 

With a better result from the first surgery, your child may need fewer surgeries later in childhood.

TMJ Massage Therapies is a non-invasive, whole body approach to TMJ Dysfunction.
A unique combination of TMJ myofascial release techniques, remedial massage, trigger point therapy and cranial sacral therapy is used to help relieve jaw pain, headaches, migraines, sinusitis, tinnitus and facial pain.

Reiki is a hands-on healing technique that combines the utilization of the “universal life force” with the warmth, reassurance and healing power of the human touch. Reiki energy is a specific energy that helps revitalize and balance the body enabling it to work more efficiently.

Dr. Gaba likewise incorporates Reiki in his Holistic dental practice to remove energy blockage and create a feeling of deep relaxation. He believes that this complementary therapy can bring positive changes to both mental and physical health.

What are Dental X-rays?
What most people call X-rays are actually X-ray photographs (also known as radiographs). An image is made using X-rays, which are similar to sunlight, but of a shorter wavelength, and able to show us what’s below the surface of a tooth. Even though we call them X-rays, we are actually referring to the image created by X-rays.

Why are Dental X-rays Necessary?
X-rays are the only way to identify problems that aren’t externally visible. X-rays are very essential in doing a complete and thorough dental examination. They are especially important in diagnosing serious conditions early to allow for effective treatment before you experience discomfort. X-rays show bone anatomy and density, decay between the teeth or how extensive the decay is, whether an abscess is present, impacted teeth, or if children have permanent teeth.

This cavity was detected and filled before the patient felt any discomfort, and before the nerve became infected or the tooth became abscessed.

How Often Do I Need Dental X-rays?
The number and type of X-rays you will need depends on several factors such as age, current dental health, and external signs that may trigger a cause for concern. We are sensitive; however, to your concerns about exposure to radiation, and we only perform those X-ray procedures that are necessary for your continued dental health. 

Still Have Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns about dental X-rays, feel free to discuss them with any of our staff. They are highly trained in the prudent and effective use of dental X-rays and share your concerns about exposure levels.

Zeolite is a mineral that has many potential health benefits, including detoxification, improved gut health, and skin health.

Essential Detoxification:

• Absorbs toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals including MERCURY.
• Helps protect against the negative effects of smoking, stress, and pollution
• May help with leaky gut syndrome

Zeolite is a porous material that can be used in dental composites and to enhance the properties of dental materials. It can also be used to incorporate antimicrobial ions, such as silver, into dental materials.

How zeolite is used in dentistry:

• Zeolite-filled composites: Zeolite can be used as a filler in restorative dentistry composites.
• Silver-incorporated zeolite: Zeolite can be combined with silver ions to create a compound with antimicrobial properties.
• Zeolite-incorporated glass ionomer cement: Zeolite can be added to glass ionomer cement (GIC) to improve its antimicrobial properties.

Benefits of zeolite in dentistry:

• Biocompatibility: Zeolite is biocompatible and has long-lasting effects.
• Antimicrobial properties: Zeolite can impart antibacterial properties to dental materials.
• Remineralizing potential: Some zeolites have remineralizing potential, meaning they can release calcium ions in conditions that mimic the oral environment.