McCarl Dental Group

Did you know that straight teeth are healthier than crooked or crowded teeth? Crowded and crooked teeth are harder to brush and floss causing plaque buildup, tooth decay and periodontal disease. When left untreated, crowded, missing or widely spaced teeth can prevent normal chewing which also increases the likelihood of periodontal disease and bone loss. Similarly, misaligned teeth and jaws can cause abnormal wear on your teeth, painful jaw joint problems, TMJ syndrome, tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.

Overall gum and bone health are improved when teeth fit together with an ideal bite. Clinical studies have shown that when teeth are properly aligned, gums fit tighter around the teeth, which improves periodontal health. And, of course, there are cosmetic benefits of a beautiful straight smile. Your teeth should make you look and feel great. Our Millersville and Greenbelt Dental patients love their healthy, straight teeth and beautiful smiles.

Adults are having their teeth straightened in unprecedented numbers! Whether you are self-conscious about your smile or concerned about your dental and overall health, Invisalign is a great solution.  Many adults notice their teeth shifting, crowding and getting crooked, especially the lower front teeth. Even people who had braces as teenagers often experience relapse causing crowded teeth.

Benefits of Straight Teeth
• Improved function and wear patterns of the teeth
• Increased ability to clean the teeth
• Better long-term health of teeth and gums
• A more attractive smile

Fortunately there are simple and convenient ways to straighten your teeth. Invisalign trays straighten teeth and correct your bite just like metal braces – only nobody else knows you are wearing them! The metal brackets and wires used with braces often cause irritation to the mouth and gums. Also no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your dentist’s office getting adjustments. Invisalign is more comfortable, more convenient and less expensive than metal braces. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are premier providers of Invisalign Orthodontics.

Invisalign can correct a wide variety of dental and orthodontic concerns.  Before starting Invisalign orthodontics at McCarl Dental Group, your dentist will take x-rays and photographs that are combined with 3-D computer imaging technology to design your individual treatment plan. You will receive a series of custom made clear trays which fit snugly over your teeth. Each tray is worn for two weeks before moving to the next tray. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will gradually shift until they have straightened to an ideal position. If you have only minor crowding, it will take fewer trays to correct. Some Invisalign cases take only ten trays (20 weeks) to correct fully. Major crowding cases take longer; however, Invisalign is often faster than traditional braces. For most adults, treatment time is just under one year. Invisalign is a great way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.

Sally McCarl Moore adds that hygienists LOVE Invisalign because the patients take them out to eat and brush and floss before replacing them. “This keeps the gums healthy during treatment and does not cause any decay or tooth discoloration, which are all significant problems with traditional braces. Invisalign allows patients to maintain good oral hygiene habits and is a great way to straighten teeth!”

Invisalign Orthodontics are often combined with other dental procedures including, dental implants, porcelain veneers and crowns. Because crooked teeth and misaligned bites can contribute to other health problems, Invisalign orthodontics may be covered by dental insurance. There are also excellent financing options available. Call our Greenbelt Dental Office at 301-474-4144 or our Millersville Dental Office at 410-987-8800.

How much do you know about Periodontal Disease?

1.  What systemic diseases are related to periodontal disease?
a)    heart disease
b)    diabetes
c)    premature birth
d)    rheumatoid arthritis
e)    dementia
f)    all of the above

2. Flossing and gum health have been linked to longer healthier lives. True or False

3. What percentage of Americans over the age of 35 has some form of periodontal disease?
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 100%
d) 75%

4. Patients who want to maintain a healthy smile should…
a) visit their dentist at least twice a year
b) brush with fluoride toothpaste twice daily
c) floss teeth daily
d) all of the above

5. Match the dental term with the correct definition
a) gingivitis _____
b) periodontal disease _____
c) plaque _____

1) chronic bacterial infection that causes gum tissue to pull away from the teeth forming pockets and
resulting in damage to the bone supporting the teeth and ultimately the loss of teeth
2) sticky film with bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and gums
3) mild inflammation of the gums often characterized by red, swollen and bleeding gums which can
be prevented by regularly brushing and flossing teeth

Contest Rules
1) Must be a Facebook Fan of www.Facebook.com/McCarlDental (Just click “LIKE”)
2) Submit quiz answers to McCarl Dental Group via email to mccarldentalgroup@gmail.com
3) The winner will be selected randomly from Facebook Fans with correct answers.
4) Employees are not eligible for prize money but their families are!
5) Winner must pick up the check from our Millersville or Greenbelt Dental Office.
6) Drawing will be held on July 1, 2010.

Answers are in our Taste of the Bay Cover Story!

Cheryl Pruitt was surprised when the surgeon replacing her knee required a complete dental work up prior to surgery. “It was a real wake up call,” she says. “I had no idea I would need to go to the dentist before getting knee surgery.” Pruitt, a corporate human resources specialist from Millersville, needed her dentist to verify that she didn’t have any bacterial infections, such as nerve abscesses, gum disease or plaque build up on her teeth….

…click here to download full article PDF

Retired dentist and Heritage Harbour Annapolis resident Dr. Walter Smith summarized the recent dental presentation by McCarl Dentists by saying there has never been a better time for dentistry. The newest technological changes have made dentistry more comfortable for dental patients than ever. When Dr. Smith retired in the 1980s, dental implants were in their infancy. Dentists could not have imagined a digital scanner taking pictures of teeth prepared for dental restorations with images sent via high speed internet for fabrication of perfect dental crowns and bridges. Neither could dentists imagine computer morphology that would allow clear aligner trays to straighten teeth. Today’s dentistry is remarkable!

Dr. James McCarl interviewing retired dentist Dr. Walter Smith.

Drs. Clayton and Jay McCarl discussed four of the newest procedures and technologies in dentistry at Heritage Harbour in Annapolis Maryland last week. The four topics they presented were dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics, digital scanning for dental impressions and healthy mouth – healthy body: the relationship between oral and overall health.

Door prizes are always fun! Dr. Walter Smith won a professional custom in-home teeth whitening, Lillian Gill won a dental exam, cleaning and necessary x-rays. Sheri Reagor won a Sonicare Electric toothbrush.

Dental Implants
Dental implants can improve your quality of life if you are missing teeth! Dental implants have improved dramatically since the 1980s and have continued to improve during the last few years. They are small titanium posts that are inserted into the jaw bone and function like the root of a tooth. Implants are an effective and reliable anchor for dental crowns, removable bridges and dentures. The jaw bone fuses to the titanium implant and withstands forces from chewing food. Mini dental implants, known as minimally invasive implants, are thinner in diameter and the procedure for placing them is less invasive than traditional dental implants. Case selection is instrumental in a successful dental implant case. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are certified in traditional and mini dental implants and understand what is best for each individual patient.

Invisalign Orthodontics
Crooked teeth contribute to gum disease. Invisalign orthodontics are less expensive, more esthetic and can also be faster than metal braces. Adults of all ages are straightening their teeth in record numbers. These dental patients improve the health and appearance of their smiles. McCarl dentists are preferred providers of Invisalign orthodontics.

Digital Scanning for Dental Impressions
Digital scanning for dental impressions is the future! McCarl Dentists and LVI Dentists use the Cadent iTero 3D Intraoral Scanner. The iTero has a camera on a wand that takes digital pictures of teeth that have been prepared for a dental crown or bridge. These pictures are sent over high speed internet to fabricate dental restorations. This method provides the most accurate impression of teeth available today. The crowns and bridges fabricated using digital scanning for impressions require very little or no adjustment – they fit perfectly! Digital imaging will replace conventional dental impressions in our lifetime.

Healthy Mouth-Healthy Body
Diseases in the mouth affect your entire body. Prior to joint replacement surgery it is essential to have a dental exam to check for infection in your mouth. Oral infections range from gum disease or periodontal disease to tooth abscesses. Germs in your mouth can get into your bloodstream and affect other parts of your body. Are you planning a knee or hip replacement? See your dentist first! Are you about to start chemotherapy? Have your dentist check your gums and teeth for potential sources of infection before taking immunosuppressant drugs including chemotherapy. When teeth are healthy it enhances nutrition. McCarl Dentists help our patients enjoy smiling and eating. A healthy smile contributes to your overall health and well being. Visit our YouTube Channel to see videos of the presentation. McCarl Dentists discuss Healthy Mouth Healthy Body

No Prep Veneers can be a conservative, esthetic, and affordable veneer solution for chipped teeth, spaces between teeth and dark or stained teeth. McCarl dental patients have been delighted with their smile makeovers that have been accomplished in two quick dental visits. We can brighten smiles, change shapes of teeth, eliminate spaces between teeth and create natural beautiful smiles without Novocain or drilling!

Minimal and No Prep Veneers aren’t the best solution for every patient who would like to enhance their smile. A dentist with experience in all types of veneers will create an individual dental treatment plan for each dental patient to create the best possible results. McCarl dentists in Greenbelt Maryland and Millersville Maryland have been enhancing smiles with veneers for more than 20 years and continuously study the technologies, products and procedures available for our dental patients. Because we stay current with the latest dental techniques and technologies in dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics, porcelain veneers and crowns and teeth whitening, we can offer our dental patients a wide range of options for comprehensive custom smile makeovers.

Please watch our videos to hear McCarl dental patients tell about their great experiences with no prep veneers and smile makeovers.

Explanation of No Prep Veneers before Dental Procedure

McCarl Dental Patient After No Prep Veneers>

Minimal prep veneers and no prep veneers give dental patients a beautiful smile makeover without the discomfort of Novocain or drilling.

Rick Jones sells high quality new and restored pianos and wanted a winning smile to complement his successful business. Dr. McCarl took impressions of Rick’s teeth and the lab fabricated thin veneers similar in thickness to a contact lens. The ultra thin porcelain veneers were bonded into place on top of his natural teeth to brighten Rick’s smile, eliminate spaces between his teeth and create an even smile line without chipped and broken edges. His smile makeover with thin veneers was completed in two visits to Greenbelt dentists at McCarl Dental Group.

Rick is extremely happy with his new smile. The technology of thin veneers has improved so that they are much more durable than just a few years ago. Veneers do not retain permanent stains. If Rick ever notices slight discoloration from coffee, tea or red wine he will be able to restore his sparkling smile with a quick application of whitening gel in take-home teeth whitening trays.

Rick Jone’s recommendation of McCarl Dental Group No Prep Veneers .

Your oral health is connected to many other health conditions beyond your mouth. Sometimes the first sign of a disease shows up in your mouth. In other cases, infections in your mouth, such as gum disease, can cause problems in other areas of your body. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums, and the byproducts of oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream. When oral bacteria escapes into the bloodstream it increases inflammation throughout the body and can injure major organs. Chronic inflammation is recognized as a significant factor in aging and disease. Research links inflammatory periodontal diseases to systemic conditions.

Over 75 percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gingivitis or gum disease.

Inflammation from periodontal disease is associated with a number of serious health problems including:
•    Heart disease
•    Diabetes
•    Dementia
•    Rheumatoid arthritis
•    Premature birth

Do you notice any of these signs of gum disease – bleeding gums (even when you brush); red, swollen or tender gums; loose teeth; persistent bad breath; or receding gums? Sometimes there are NO obvious signs of gum disease.

Dental plaque is a sticky film with bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and gums. When plaque isn’t removed by daily brushing/flossing and routine dental hygiene cleanings, it not only causes tooth decay, but also leads to gum or periodontal disease. Gum disease ranges from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to a more serious disease, called periodontitis, that causes gum tissue to pull away from the teeth and form pockets that are infected. Periodontitis can result in damage to the underlying bone supporting the teeth. The American Dental Association recommends prevention by proper diet, brushing, flossing and dental visits. If you have symptoms of gum disease, please call our Millersville Dental Office at 410-987-8800 or Greenbelt Office at 301-474-4144 to schedule an appointment!

Drs. Clayton, Jay and David McCarl of McCarl Dental Group, www.mccarldental.com, are third-generation dentists with two dental offices in Greenbelt, Maryland and Shipley’s Choice Medical Park in Millersville adjacent to Severna Park fifteen minutes from  Annapolis. They are graduates of the University of Maryland Dental School and participate regularly in continuing education programs. Drs. McCarl are listed in America’s Top Dentists selected by the Consumers Research Council of America, Top Dentists as voted by Dental Specialists and Best Dentist in the Capital Reader’s Choice 2010 Poll.

For more information on the latest news in dentistry or the McCarl Dental Group, visit www.McCarlDental.com.

Every day we hear lots of creative (and sometimes lame) excuses for not flossing.

“The cat unraveled my floss.”

“I used it to hang my pictures.”

“I couldn’t find white thread and needed it to reattach a button.”

“Went fishing and used floss as fishing line.”

“Emergency shoe lace.”

“Ponytail holder.” Yada, yada, yada…

The excuse we hear most often is, “My gums bleed when I floss – it must be bad for me.”

If this is your excuse, we have great news! Gums only bleed for a day or two when you start flossing daily. The reason for bleeding is that the gums are inflamed from food and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. Once the plaque is removed, your gums will no longer be inflamed and will stop bleeding.  To keep your gums healthy, you must maintain regular brushing, flossing and routine professional cleaning to prevent build up of bacteria-harboring plaque and tartar.

At McCarl Dental Group, we give floss to every patient after their dental hygiene visits. If you have your teeth cleaned regularly according to your dentists’ recommendations, and run out of floss between visits, please come see us. We are happy to give you more floss!

According to Dr. Steven Offenbacher, professor of periodontology at UNC’s School of Dentistry and Dental Research, “Poor dental health is so prevalent that the number of lives saved by eliminating gum disease worldwide would definitely be in the hundreds of thousands.” The first sign of gum disease or gingivitis is red or swollen gums that bleed easily. If gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the gums recede and pockets form between the gums and teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.

A substance produced in the body called high-sensitivity C-reactive-protein or hs-CRP is suspected to play a role in the link between gum disease and heart disease. Inflammation from acute gum disease increases the amount of hs-CRP. The American Heart Association says hs-CRP is linked to an increased risk for heart attacks.

Here are a few pointers – just in case you have forgotten how to floss.
•    Hold an 18-inch piece of floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers.

•    Guide the floss between the teeth, gently hugging the side of each tooth.

•    When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against the side of the tooth and slide it in between the gum and the tooth.

•    Move the floss away from the gum with up and down motions and repeat this method between all of your teeth. Don’t forget the back of your last tooth!

It is not uncommon to see a dramatic increase in dental cavities during college years. A diet high in sugar coupled with changes in personal hygiene are often to blame for the increase in tooth decay.

Tooth decay and dental cavities are caused by bacteria that are normally present in and around the teeth. These bacteria feed off the food you put in your mouth and love sugar. Today’s fast-paced college lifestyle is filled with fast food, sugar-packed coffees and sugary soft drinks. Even diet-sodas are very acidic and increase the predisposition toward cavities because bacteria thrive in an acidic environment. Byproducts of the bacteria in your mouth cause a breakdown of the adjacent enamel, starting a “cavity.”  Another risk factor for cavities are the changes in personal hygiene that often occur during college years.

Symptoms of cavities and tooth decay vary depending on the location and depth of the cavity. When a cavity is in its early stages, there may not be any symptoms. As tooth decay increases, it may cause tooth sensitivity or a toothache, varying degrees of pain when you bite down or when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold, visible holes or pits in your teeth, or generalized discomfort or pain in the mouth or jaw. A dental cavity will not get better on its own. If you’re experiencing one or more cavity symptoms, it’s time to see a dentist. At McCarl Dental Group we offer our new dental patients a discount of more than two hundred dollars for their initial dental cleaning , dental exam and necessary x-rays.

“Pit and fissure” cavities are the most common type of cavities. Back teeth or molars have natural grooves, fissures and “pits” on their chewing surface. Pronounced pits, grooves, or fissures retain plaque. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach inside to clean these deep pits and fissures further allowing plaque and tartar to accumulate. During college years, in young adults who do not floss their teeth regularly, we see an increase in interproximal tooth decay causing cavities in-between the teeth. Because of their location, most of the time interproximal cavities can only be seen with an x-ray.
Once a dental cavity is detected, the dentist removes bacteria and decay and fills the cavity to restore strength to the tooth.  In deep cavities, the nerve of the tooth may be affected by the bacteria, requiring additional cleaning of the infected nerve called a “root canal”.  Luckily, this occurs only in the deepest of cavities. Usually there are warning signs, such as a sensitivity to extreme temperatures or to sweet foods.

Preventing Dental Cavities
The first step in preventing cavities is to maintain good oral hygiene to minimize bacterial colonization. It is important to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. The use of a fluoride rinse also helps by strengthening tooth enamel. You can also help prevent cavities by eating well-balanced, nutritious meals and limiting snacking. Maintaining your regularly scheduled dental visits for teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment by a dental hygienist not only helps prevent tooth decay, but the dental exam improves the likelihood of early detection of cavities and treatment with a small rather than large filling.

At McCarl Dental Group we recommend college students have dental exams with teeth cleaning by a professional hygienist every six months. We also recommend that young adults use a prescription strength flouride toothpaste. McCarl dentists recommend Colgate PreviDent 5000 Plus prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste.

Oral cancer is growing at double-digit rates – and the fastest growing group is young women because of the spread of human papillomavirus (HPV).  Men are also at risk of contracting oral cancer associated with HPV.  A study in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that men and women with six or more oral-sex partners during their lifetime experienced nine times the risk of developing cancer of the tonsils or at the base of the tongue. Those infected with HPV were 32 times more likely to develop oral cancer. The risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer associated with HPV is 3 times greater than risk from smoking and 2.5 times greater than the risk from alcohol consumption.

New technologies such as OralCDx Brush Biopsy and ViziLite improve early detection when combined with the American Dental Association recommended visual and tactile examination. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than cervical and testicular cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma. The gold standard for detecting oral cancer continues to be biopsy.

Be aware of any changes in your mouth. Look for color changes from pink to white or pink to red as well as any ulcerations that do not disappear in a week or two. Visit your dentist immediately if you have type of suspicious sore, ulceration, growth, lesion or lump in your mouth. At McCarl Dental Group we have also seen a patient with an oral cancer that on visual inspection looked like a periodontal  or gum infection. We perform careful oral cancer screening during each dental exam and when indicated perform brush biopsies. McCarl dentists work very closely with oral surgeons in Annapolis, Severna Park and Greenbelt Maryland to provide comprehensive care for our dental patients.

LOWER YOUR RISK FOR ORAL CANCER

• Limit alcohol consumption and do not smoke.
• Practice safe sex — use a condom every time.
• Don’t have oral sex with multiple partners as this increases your chance for oral cancer.
• Discuss the HPV vaccine with your physician. The HPV vaccine Gardasil protects against four of about 40 strains of HPV that are seen in the mouth and genital tracts.
• Ask your dentist the results of your oral cancer screening each time you go in for your regular check-up.

The following videos show new technology screening methods for oral cancer.
Oral Cancer Diagnosis Brush Test

Vizilite Oral Cancer Screening