Obama leads McCain in Florida smile poll

Sen. Barack Obama is outsmiling Republican opponent Sen. John McCain by more than two to one in Florida’s first presidential smile poll, held online at www.smileperfect.com/forpresident. According to cosmetic dentist William Balanoff, D.D.S., Obama’s lead in the early tally may be due to his wider, broader smile and larger teeth versus McCain’s more retrained, narrower smile. So far Obama has 120 votes compared to McCain’s 74. Both candidates are excellent

Oral piercings: Where fashion and dentistry clash

Being a teen’s dentist is not easy. You are already battling problem trends such as crystal meth, smoking, questionable eating habits, and even diabetes. Now a new study has pushed an old enemy to the forefront: oral piercings. Researchers at the recent International Association for Dental Research (IADR) session in Toronto reported that the most common complications related to oral piercings are chipped, fractured, or cracked teeth and gingival recession.

Dental braces stop bullet, save life

A Michigan teenager who was critically injured in a recent gun fight appears to have been saved by his braces, according to an NBC news story. Anthony Pittman, 18, was hit in the mouth with a .45-caliber bullet last week. The bullet split into pieces on contact with his braces, according to police. “We believe what happened is that the bullet was split, in part by the braces, so it

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The Buyer’s Guide Update is a periodic comprehensive review of the latest in dental products and services. The Buyer’s Guide Update is sent to HuangshanDental.com members. If you were forwarded this e-mail from a colleague and would like to receive your own copy of the Buyer’s Guide Update, click here. To sign up for other newsletters, or unsubscribe from this newsletter, edit your user preferences here. If you need additional

What’s in a checkup?

Many patients in the past have asked me, “So what’s in a checkup?” I assume they mean what am I and my dental team looking at and looking for in a typical dental exam. I’ll take this opportunity to let you know exactly what comprises one of my dental exams. First, let me clarify that I’ll be describing the makings of one of my initial exams. A comprehensive initial exam

Most-effective dental braces are the least attractive, survey finds

When it comes to the attractiveness of orthodontic braces, less metal is better, according to a survey published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (April 2008, Vol. 133:4, pp. S68-S78). The study of the public’s attitude about the attractiveness of various styles of braces indicates that the types of dental appliances with no visible metal were considered the most attractive. Braces that combine clear ceramic brackets with

Lie to the dentist? Not me. Never.

When dentists and their staff ask their patients simple questions, they shouldn’t expect truthful answers. That’s the take-home message of a recent survey, in which more than four in 10 adults admitted they would tell their dentists they always brushed for the recommended time — even if it weren’t true. One in four, meanwhile, said they would fib about flossing, too, according to a Harris Interactive poll of 1,001 U.S.

Prenatal vitamin D linked to kids’ dental health

NEW YORK (Reuters Health), Jul 7 – By maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy, mothers may be protecting their babies against early tooth decay in childhood, according a study reported Friday at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Robert Schroth from the University of Manitoba reported that mothers of children who developed cavities at an early age had significantly lower vitamin D levels

Glass ionomers get vote of confidence at IADR

TORONTO – Speakers at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting on Thursday called for wider adoption of glass ionomers for restorations, linings, and bases. First developed in the U.K. in the 1970s, glass ionomers have long been used in Europe, Asia, and developing countries for restorative and lining purposes, offering a readily available, cost-effective alternative for caries treatment, particularly in children. But their use in the U.S. has

Acupuncture for anxiety looks promising but unproven

TORONTO – Acupuncture might calm patients who fear their dentists, but there isn’t enough evidence yet to recommend this approach. So said researchers from King’s College in the U.K. at the annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) on Wednesday. The researchers headed by Nora Donaldson, Ph.D., M.Sc., searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane database, and several complementary medicine databases for studies on acupuncture for dental anxiety. Discarding

My Mission Statement

Allow me to introduce myself and share with you my philosophy of dentistry. I was raised here in Houston and have seen this great city blossom into the diverse metropolis it is today. After graduating high school, I traveled out-of-state for college and dental school. Yet throughout my many travels, my love for Houston endured and I ultimately realized my career and my family would find its home here again.

My Practice in Sugar Land, TX

Ok, I know that my stated focus for this blog is Dental Education. I will strive to keep that its focus, but here in the beginning I must digress. Just this once… Please humor me my moment of parent-like pride in my new practice. (I won’t let it happen again… I hope, but ya’ll keep me honest ok?) I promise this will be the LAST time I will ever post