It’s hard to imagine any era of human life where cavities didn’t exist. Tooth decay, or dental caries, is a disease caused by bacteria. In extreme cases, cavities can cause death. So when did the use of fillings begin? Was Mercury the first filling material used? Let’s take a look at the evolution of the filling.

Hypotheses of what may have caused teeth to decay have been found in texts of ancient Sumeria, Japan, China, Egypt and India. “Tooth worms” were to blame according to these cultures. Nearly perfect holes in the teeth of skulls found in Pakistan dating back over 9,000 years are believed to be the work of primitive dentistry. But evidence of using fillings is not found.

Teeth were likely pulled in many cases where pain was an issue. Ancient writings document cases of tooth extraction. It is not entirely certain precisely when the use of fillings began. Doctors used many filling materials including cork, stone chips, lead and gold more than 500 years ago. A silver paste is reported to have been found in a tooth dating-back over 2,600 years in China; but evidence of this as a regular practice cannot be found.

The best evidence for the start – and continuation – of the practice of filling teeth with some sort of material, leads us to French physician Ambroise Pare who used cork and lead to fill patients’ teeth in the 1500s. In 1603, German Tobias Kreilius boiled a concoction of copper, acids and mercury which was poured as a hot liquid onto diseased teeth! I wonder which pain was the greatest!

There is an actual “Father of Amalgam”. This name was given to a Frenchman, Louis Regnart. He improved on a boiled mineral cement by adding mercury, which greatly reduced the high temperature originally needed to pour the cement onto a tooth. Amalgam was originally used in France around 1826.

Amalgams became unpopular over the next several years. Respected dental research included in some of the first textbooks of American dentistry discouraged the use of amalgam. The use of mercury was specifically mentioned as “mischievous.” Although it offered certain benefits since 1833, when the French Crawcour brothers brought amalgam across the sea to America, gold, platinum, silver, tin and lead were preferred in the 1840s.

So what might Doc – John Henry – Holliday have used during his short life as a London Dentist? Literature including the use of dental fillings in the United States during the 1860s makes it very clear what was accepted as professional practice when fixing rotting teeth with filling material. Two texts used by American dentists of this time were, “A Practical Treatise on Operative Dentistry” written by J Taft, and “The Principles and Practice of Dental Surgery”, written by Chapin A Harris.

Taft’s text was published in 1859, Harris’ in 1863. They stated that beginning in the early 19th century, eleven types of metallic fillings were used in teeth damaged by dental caries. The simple process of rolling metal into pellets to be placed into cavities was common. These pellets were made of some of the aforementioned materials like gold, lead, platinum, silver and amalgam as well as aluminum. The texts also cited early uses of materials by various doctors as far back as the 18th century when Pierre Fauchard recommended the use of lead.

The respected Taft and Harris texts make it clear what was used as filling material. We now know much of what was practiced on a regular basis from the 18th century through to the Civil War. One other material that hasn’t been mentioned yet appears in the Harris text. Asbestos was used in the 1850s for its non-conductive properties to be placed under the filling of a sensitive tooth.

At the time, doctors were aware of the dangers of some of these materials. Lead and Mercury were known to be unhealthy, yet they were still used. Graves from the American Civil War were found to contain various soldiers with conventional and odd filling material.

What was recommended by Taft and Harris and what was actually used as fillings were sometimes quite different. Gold was preferred – but very expensive. What was likely a shotgun pellet was found as a filling in one specimen. Thorium, a radioactive element – not known to be radioactive back then – was found in another. Amalgams, tin and iron were found in others.

Today’s dentists may offer alternatives to fillings, depending on the level of tooth damage. Gold and amalgam are still used. Porcelain and composite resin – which can offer the same color as a patient’s healthy teeth – are also used. The Evolution of the Filling has been rather slow and varied, and today we still find materials used that were materials used in the early days of recorded dental practices.

Cosmetic london dentist offers cosmetic dentistry services for the whole family, dental exams for kids, dentures, porcelain veneers, invisalign and tooth whitening.

Are you embarrassed about your yellowing or stained teeth? It is a sad truth, but appearances are important in today’s world. At social functions or even job interviews first impressions last. If you have discolored teeth you should probably be searching for an effective teeth whitening solution. A bright, white smile is very inviting to people, where as yellowing teeth turns people off.

Whether do to genetic factors or what you eat, our teeth begin to lose their luster and become dull over time. Lucky for you however there are plenty of solutions to this nasty problem. There are many effective teeth whitening solutions out there today, and what it really boils down to is how much you want to spend and the convenience factor.

As you know trips to the dentist are not cheap even if you have dental insurance. Many times dental insurance won’t cover teeth whitening as it is more of a cosmetic procedure. Do not forget the costs and time involved with going to the dentist, which both can be enormous. If you want to skip the high cost and time involvement associated with a dental visit there are several over the counter teeth whitening solutions that are not only effective, but affordable.

Numerous of the over the counter teeth whiteners give the exact same outcomes as the dentist but at only a fraction of the cost. It really is quite handy too, since you can whiten your teeth inside comfort and ease of your own residence. When looking for a product make certain you select one that you can be comfy utilizing multiple instances, as multiple applications will most likely be essential. Some teeth whitening kits come with trays, and some with pen style applicators; each appear to be extremely effective.

You have to think how much better you will come across to others when you have a whiter, brighter smile. A whiter smile may open doors that once were closed for you. What is great is now you can improve your appearance quickly and effectively in the comfort of your own home without the huge expense of a dental visit.

If you have yellowing teeth pick up the Best Teeth Whitener, it is your best bet for aCheap Teeth Whitener.

About half a year back, I went to my dentist for a routine check up. Unfortunately, it was not really a good experience. Soon after jamming a dental instrument into one of my teeth and asking me if I had been consuming candy, she seemed to make a rather odd diagnosis. She felt I had a tooth that needed to be drilled into, “to see how much the trouble it was in,” even though I didn’t have any pain at all in the tooth.

Luckily, I decided against this course of action. This all happened right after she informed me of her new marriage. Perhaps there may be something about a brand new house, marriage and honeymoon that makes a doctor prone to poor analysis?

I think I experienced one of those gut suspicions. You know, the type of sensation that tells you something is totally and completely wrong? She obviously saw the disbelieving look on my face as she began backpedaling with her analysis.

I chose to see another dental professional to get a second opinion. In my estimation, my doctor was completely wrong about what I believed to be a totally healthy tooth.

I’m not certain about you, but I am a tiny bit concerned about drilling into a tooth that may have absolutely nothing wrong with it! Really, I was so certain there was absolutely nothing wrong with my tooth that I did not bother to see that second dentist until half a year later.

Sometimes we put too much faith in doctors when we really need to understand that they are just making an informed guess based on their experience. But its up to us, ultimately, to take control of our health and stay as informed as possible.

Case in point – my mother’s ophthalmologist told her she had glaucoma in one particular eye and started her on some extremely expensive medicine with known side-effects. The large checklist of problems incorporated modifying eyesight color, headaches, and extreme light sensitivity.

When she returned for a follow-up check out she asked how many drops she should use, the physician instructed her to set the same quantity of drops in both eyes. My mother didn’t understand why the doctor told her to treat both eyes since he had only diagnosed a problem in a single eye. She went to get a 2nd opinion. You probably guessed the second doctor claimed she did not have glaucoma in either eye.

Doctors are only people, and therefore none of them are perfect.

Regardless of whether these mistakes were deliberate or not doesn’t matter. The most crucial point here is to realize is if you’re experiencing doubt about your doctor’s diagnosis, it is duty to get a second opinion prior to submitting to treatment that you simply are not confident about.

For more information about Dentists West Hollywood, and other dental matters, please go to our site: www.west-hollywood-dentist.com

categories: Pediatric Dentist,Dentist,dental,health,medicine,medical,doctor

Most resolutions are so difficult that we have forgotten about them before February hits. But if a whiter, bright smile is on your client’s list, then the people at Shine have something for you. New professional teeth bleaching kits are easily affordable whitening solutions for almost any client you serve.

Some patients may think that teeth whitening products don’t work. The truth is that most over-the-counter products are only somewhat effective. The popular “bleaching strips” contain only a mild level of whitening agent, and can cause unintended problems such as uneven whitening (if the strips start to slip), or hardening that makes them difficult to remove. Many whitening strips also leave behind an unpleasant grittiness.

These products only deliver marginal whitening results and are only effective for improving the appearance of light surface stains. But for the majority of people plagued with greying or dinginess due to our habits or the beverages we consume, a professional strength whitening product such as the options from Shine can provide beautiful, long-lasting results.

Remember that even though teeth appear to be solid, they have pits and grooves that allow coffee, nicotine, and tea to stain the enamel. Regular brushing is not able to lift these embedded stains. Professional teeth whitening kits – particularly those comprised of high quality custom-fit trays used in conjunction with professional-strength carbamide peroxide gel, can seep into these nooks and crannies, generally lifting away dinginess and stains after a period of 7-10 treatments. However, if we continue to drink coffee or smoke cigarettes, these stains will reappear, which is why periodic use of professional bleaching products is the optimal strategy for keeping your smile bright and white.

If your New Year’s plan includes whiter teeth, now is the time to investigate Shine’s professional whitening products and custom made whitening kits. Shine’s low wholesale pricing and volume discounts make professional level bleaching more cost effective than ever before. At a retail price of $99, your patients can save $200-300 over an equivalent kit from their dentist, while providing a lucrative source of additional profit for you. And that is something to smile about!

Shine Teeth Whitening products are a Select Partner of Medical Spa MD, a cosmetic medical community of plastic surgeons, cosmetic dermatologists, and aesthetic physicians with more than 3,500 physician members discussing Sciton BBL reviews, cosmetic treatment info and more.

The economy has been terrible for several years now and it doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of improvement. People all over the country are having trouble just making ends meet and it is a stressful time indeed. During times of high stress like these, things happen to your body that you are sometimes unaware of.

For example, teeth grinding, also known by its medical name, bruxism, is a symptom of stress that you may not even be aware of because it happens while you’re asleep. The cause of bruxism isn’t known, despite the research that has been conducted into its origins. What these studies do conclude is that stress is a significant factor.

With the stress levels so high across the country, bruxism should be more of a problem than ever before. People are living everyday not knowing what the next one will bring and so many people are worried about their future. This means more and more people might be grinding their teeth and doing long-term damage to them. Surely trips to the dentist are up everywhere.

One of the biggest problems with grinding teeth is that so many people do it while they are sleeping. This means many of them are totally unaware that they are doing it at all and it can go years before the damage is visible. Dentists are usually the ones who diagnose the problem, as they are able to see minute changes in your teeth.

Wearing a mouth guard at night is one way to prevent bruxism. Dentists will fit one just for you, but it is very expensive, sometimes over $500. For a non-emergency situation, not many people want to spend that much money, especially in light of the financial situation. The most common choice right now is probably a generic mouth guard that anybody can use.

When finances are tight, people may cut out their dental appointments because they have other expenses more pressing than their teeth. However, teeth grinding at night may cause more people than every to see a dentist during these stressful economic times.

Do you have a problem with your children grinding teeth at night? If so, please visit my site Grinding Teeth Cure to learn more.

Which service can you easily add to your practice to make it more profitable?

Why not add teeth whitening? According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.9% of adults believe that a good smile is a prerequisite to a good social life. 96% of adults believe that a great smile is essential for making a good impression on the opposite sex. 74% believe that a less than perfect smile will hurt you career.

Is it any wonder that professional teeth whitening has become a $300 million industry? Dentists report that the number of their patients seeking bleaching treatments has actually tripled over the past five years.

Professional teeth whitening-using professional strength bleaching agents in combination with custom-fit whitening trays-is one of the simplest, safest and most profitable procedures you could provide.

The ADA agrees:

“Dentist-prescribed, home-applied bleaching from a reputable manufacturer for short-term treatment duration is safe and recognized as most effective in lightening the color of teeth.”

And to make matters worse, the more porous surface of the teeth will require more maintenance than before to sustain any portion of the immediate whitening gain.

And to add more bad news, the more porous surface of the teeth will require more maintenance than prior to sustain any piece of the immediate whitening.

The good news is that for optimal results, lowest cost and highest profitability, simply offering an economical option for a high-quality professional-fit home whitening kit will require no equipment, little to no training, and could make your practice more profitable by the end the of day!

The average cost of a professional home whitening kit from a dentist is $350. However, Smile Simple offers an easy outsourced lab solution for creating the same level of custom-fit kit-combined with full 22% carbamide peroxide whitening gel (over the counter whitening strips provide a solution of just 2-4%) for just a third of the retail cost. All this good news for your patients coupled with additional profit for you!

If you offered teeth bleaching kits to your existing patients, you could be adding several thousand dollars a month of incremental profit to your existing practice with no new equipment, no additional staffing requirements, no training, just by carrying and offering the simple-to-use Smile Simple kits.

More good news: Each 5ML syringe of 22% carbamide peroxide replacement gel is $20 retail, providing an instant profit margin of more than 60%.

What next? Check out the new Smile Simple kits from MedicalSpaMD to get your share of this booming $300M industry.

Shine Teeth Whitening offers professional teeth whitening services for medical spas, laser centers and cosmetic medical offices. Shine gives these medical spas and physicians the ability to provide custom teeth whitening services and products like teeth whitening services and new smile whitening pens.

You have probably noticed the abundance of teeth whitening tubes and pens on the market. As small as a lip gloss, these tiny six inch cylinders contain professional-strength whitening gel that you can easily apply with the tiny brush “tip.”

This is the easy-to-use impulse purchase that pleases everyone, from teens to retirees, and the portable container makes teeth bleaching instantly available wherever you go. There must be something to the phenomena-the pens are flying off the shelves of sites like Amazon and Sephora for $25 and up, and customers are giving them very favorable reviews.

This is why teeth whitening pens are breaking out as one of the most popular and high volume new products from Shine. Imagine the impact of custom-labeled whitening tubes for your practice, marketing your company wherever they go. And at Shine’s volume pricing (starting as low as $5 per pen), you can enjoy an instant source of new profit – what customer wouldn’t be thrilled to buy an additional pen or two during every spa visit at the suggested retail price of $20 per tube?

How do bleaching pens work?

Even high strength and professional teeth whitening isn’t enough to combat coffee and tea stains. The porous nature of the tooth’s surface makes it very susceptible to staining. Anything that would stain a white blouse, from red wine to your favorite Starbucks coffee, will also be making an impact on your smile.

Nothing that can beat the results of periodic bleaching using a high-quality professional whitening gel and custom-fit trays. But for on-the-go-maintenance – or for clients who choose not to go to full professional bleaching – a whitening pen can provide quick touch-ups or as much as two shades of whitening after consistent twice-daily use for a period of 7-10 days.

Shine delivers pens filled with 1.9 ML of 33% carbamide peroxide bleaching gel with a mild peppermint taste. Clients simply brush the front surface of the 6-8 teeth that show when they smile, on the top and bottom, with a light coating of the bleaching gel. Special care to apply gel to the spaces between teeth is important, where the shade is most likely to darken. Keep the lips away from the teeth for 30 seconds to give the gel time to dry. It’s that simple! At home, at the office, in the car – professional strength teeth whitener is a brush stroke away.

Additional Uses for the Pen

For clients who purchase full bleaching kits, whitening pens are the ideal add-on accessory to brush the whitening gel evenly over the front surfaces in the whitening tray. This is an ideal step to gain the maximum amount of whitening with a minimum amount of gel (saves on sensitivity, too) and it also helps ensure even application of the bleaching gel to each tooth. So every client who purchases a Shine whitening kit (or who already owns and uses whitening trays), be sure to point out the value of owning at least one Shine whitening pen as well.

A great marketing tool

For a small one time set-up fee, Shine can custom label your whitening pens for your spa or salon. Imagine the marketing impact of a whitening pen as a client appreciation gift that includes your logo, your phone number, and a reminder that you’ve been “Making clients smile since 2003?” The fun is endless as whitening pens make an ideal and unique gift that your clients will never forget.

Check out Shine’s new whitening pens today and you’ll be on your way to a fun and immediate new source of profits in 2010. Now that is something to smile about!

Shine Teeth Whitening offers professional teeth whitening services for medical spas, laser centers and cosmetic medical offices.Now, medical spas and physicians the ability to provide custom teeth whitening services and products like teeth whitening kits and fantastic new smile whitening pens.