MAKE YOUR SMILE FANTASTIC
WITH PORCELAIN VENEERS!

There is no better way to express yourself than with a fantastic smile and you would be surprised just how often you do smile. You smile when you greet someone, when you're happy and at times to cover embarrassment, sadness or anger. We communicate with our smiles.

Improving your smile with porcelain veneers can help you look your best and feel good about yourself. Just think what that could do for your smile!

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Give us a call for your complimentary consultation!

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(925) 757-0757

We're off and running ...

Welcome to our second issue of The Smile Wizard Quarterly, a newsletter designed to keep you informed of dental news, your dental health and new ideas and concepts in the field of dentistry.

Over the year we will bring you information on areas such as cosmetic dentistry, oral cancer screening, periodontal disease, tooth whitening and other topics where dentistry has made big advances over the past few years. We will also address issues mentioned in the news which may cause you concern.

You will find information pertinent to our office in our newsletter and we hope you participate in our 'Smile Corner', 'Recipe Box' and 'Ask Dr. Slotnick'.

This newsletter relies on your input to be successful, so please let us know any topics that you would like to be included in future issues.

We would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!

This year marks our country's 231st birthday. We would like to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Military who make our freedom possible. It is their sacrifices, all too often the ultimate sacrifice, that won us our freedom over 200 years ago, and protects our freedom today.

To our brave men and women fightening the war on terror, we wish you a happy 4th of July, and thank you for all that you've done.

A tooth colored filling material which is cured with an intense light. It is used to replace tooth structure lost by decay or to replace silver (amalgam) fillings abcdefghij abcdefghij

Covers broken, malformed, decayed or teeth weakened from root canal treatment. There are a number of materials used for crowns, most often made of porcelain abcdefghij

Wafer-thin shells that cover the front of a tooth which allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size & color, requiring a minimal amount of tooth reduction abcdefghij

Replaces one or more missing teeth by surgically attaching an appliance to the bone. A crown is then placed and the tooth functions identically to a natural tooth

Replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching an artificial tooth to the two adjoining teeth on either side of the space and filling the gap abcdefghij abcdefghij

Brightens and lightened teeth that have darkened due to age, coffee, soda, medication or root canal ther-apy. Options available include home kits, tooth paste and in-office treatment

A removable replacement for missing teeth traditionally resting on the gums. Custom implant dentures attach to the bone to help improve their fit and increase chewing ability

.

SMILE MAKEOVERS INCREASE LIFE'S ENJOYMENT

Members of the Boomer generation have benefited from numerous medical advances throughout their lives. They were the first to benefit from the many vaccines that reduced serious illnesses and new medical developments have reduced deaths from cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many other serious health conditions.

However, recent research suggest that though 78% of baby boomers consider dental care to be a part of their preventative healthcare regime, almost 1/3 never visit a dental professional, or do so only in an emergency.

As we age, subtle changes occur in the mouth such as receding gums, darkening of our teeth, re-occurring cavities, teeth shifting and sometimes tooth loss. In the aging face, the smile is reversed - showing less of the upper teeth and more of the lower. This is because both lips lose muscle tone. At the same time we tend to wear away the enamel of the teeth along the biting edges resulting in all the front teeth becoming the same length.

Since any of these things can make us look older, a Smile Makeover can help us to feel and look younger. In this modern era of advanced cosmetic dentistry and materials, a more youthful, healthy smile is an option for everyone. The upper teeth can be lengthened with bonding or veneers, giving the lip greater support and filling out the lip lines and cheeks and lower teeth can be contoured or covered with veneers. And of course tooth whitening will brighten your teeth that age, food, brushing and natural wear and tear caused to discolor. Another thing to consider is the replacement of those old silver (amalgam) fillings. Though the safety of amalgam filling material is still up in the air, these unsightly fillings not only look un-natural, but can be hiding a host of problems. (you can read more about this on page 4 of this newsletter).

If you are missing teeth, replacement of them is critical for chewing, maintaining vertical dimension, eliminating tooth movement, and overall health. Whether you need one tooth replaced with a bridge or all of them with a cosmetic denture, a well maintained smile is a necessary part of a better, younger look. Your smile has a big impact on your self-esteem, self-confidence and your quality of life.

Ask Dr. Slotnick

Before we start an esthetic procedure patients often ask me what their smile will look like when we are finished. I am very happy to say that we can now show you a simulated "after" photo before we even start treatment! With digital photos and new dental editing software, I can quickly produce a photo of you that will closely simulate your actual results. I can show you different tooth shapes, colors and arrangements so you can decide how you want your smile to look. This not only gives you a sneak preview, it also serves as a guide for our lab technician helping to ensure the desired result. I offer this service at no charge, so if you are interested in improving your smile, just ask me to show you what can be done for you.

silver (amalgam) fillings

non-symptomatic problems found
under the center silver filling

teeth filled with composite
resin filling material and results
are virtually invisible!

What Lurks Beneath?

If you have some old silver fillings you may be wondering why you would want to replace them with composite resin (tooth colored) fillings. Aside from the fact that they will look natural, there are some compelling reasons to replace silver fillings.

If you look at the top photo on the left, you'll see three silver fillings that were placed several years ago. The patient had no pain, only some very slight discomfort when chewing something hard. The fillings are not broken, and could even be said to look like they are in good repair. However, some minor changes in the edges of the fillings, and some minor discoloration of the surrounding enamel gives us a hint of what is lurking beneath.

In the middle photo at the left, the old silver filling material has been removed. The damage that has happened over the years is obvious--deep re-decay and fracturing of the tooth structure that was under the old filling (remember the slight discomfort when chewing something very hard?).

If the old silver filling had been left in for much longer, this patient would have been in need of a crown and possibly a root canal due to the progression of decay and fracturing. Instead, she was able to receive a composite resin filling that not only looks very natural, but also strengthens the remaining tooth. This is due to the fact that composite bonds and integrates into the tooth structure, rather than just filling a hole like a silver filling does.

Certainly if you have defective silver fillings or you are experiencing any discomfort, the fillings should be replaced, but if they are just esthetically unpleasing to you, let us know. New dental materials make these fillings virtually invisible and restore your teeth better!

Smile Savers

The purpose of brushing and flossing is to remove the soft, sticky plaque from your teeth before it hardens into calculus. It' not necessary to brush hard or floss vigorously because doing this can damage your tooth enamel and gum tissue. Follow these guidelines to keep your smile looking great!

• Use a soft toothbrush and hold at a 45 degree angle
• Make sure you brush all the surfaces of each tooth, gently brush gums, tongue and inside of mouth
• Use about 18" of floss and gently insert it between two teeth and bring it to the gumline
• Gently floss using a back & forth motion. Continue doing this until you have flossed between every tooth.

You should brush and floss at least twice a day. It only takes about three minutes, but it will help your smile will last a lifetime!

This time of year can be hard on kids teeth. Outdoor activities such as sports and skateboarding or just the increased rough and tumble play can put kids at risk of dental accidents.

If your child plans to play any type of contact sport such as soccer or baseball, be sure to visit us so we can fit a protective mouthguard.

If cycling, skateboarding or scootering are on their agenda, be sure to get them a good helmet and protective gear.

If your child is due for a check-up and cleaning before fall, give us a call to schedule their appointment before the busy back-to-school days sneak up on you.

925 757.0757

Communication is important to us . . .

be sure to ask us any questions you might have!

The Dog Days of Summer

"Dog Days" or "The Dog Days of Summer" are typically the hottest and most humid times of the year. They are a phenomenon of the northern hemisphere where they usually fall between early July and early September. But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “The Dog Days” ?

The Dog Days get their name because they occur during the time the star Sirus, known as the Dog Star, rises before the Sun after being lost in the sun's glare during the spring and early summer. Sirus is the brightest star seen from earth except for the sun.

The term "Dog Days" originated from ancient Romans who called these days caniculares dies (days of the dogs) after the constellation of Canis Major, (bigger dog) within which Sirius is found. As the hottest and most humid days of summer generally coincided with the period where Sirius rose and set with the sun, they believed that heat from Sirius was increasing the heat of the sun.

Many people believe the phrase is in reference to the conspicuous laziness of domesticated dogs during the hottest days of the summer. When speaking of "Dog Days" there seems to be an association of lying or "dogging" around, or being "dog tired" on these hot and humid days. Although these meanings have nothing to do with the original source of the phrase, they may have been attached to the phrase in recent years due to common usage or misunderstanding of the origin of the phrase.

DO MEN REALLY CARE?

Are men really serious about dental health? Several recent surveys have asked men and women questions about their oral hygiene habits and it appears that men lag behind women. According to the American Dental Association's Public Opinion Survey, men and women report the following differences:

Brushing their teeth twice a day

• 49 % of men
• 57% of women

Brushing their teeth after each meal

• 21 % of men
• 29% of women

Report having a dentist

• 75 % of men
• 89% of women

Another survey showed that 10% fewer men had dental visits than women and that 12% fewer men received preventative dental care. This information indicated that some men may be neglecting their oral health.

While women tend to take better care of their oral health than men do, women's oral health is not markedly better than men's. This is because hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many tissues, including gum tissue.

Men are less likely than women to seek preventive dental care and often neglect their oral health for years, visiting a dentist only when a problem arises. But overlooking your oral health could contribute to serious health problems because oral health is essential to general health and well being.

So if you are like some of the men in these surveys and you have been neglecting your oral health, these facts may help to motivate you to pay closer attention.

What's at stake?

• Poor oral hygiene can result in the development of tooth decay and gum disease which can lead to loss of teeth
• Periodontal disease has a direct link to heart disease
• People with diabetes are at higher risk for periodontal disease
• Oral cancers are more than twice as common in men than women, something that is screened for at regular dental visits
• If you use tobacco, you are at an increased risk of periodontal disease

For men who are neglecting their oral health, brush and floss properly twice a day - everyday, eat a healthy diet, get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily and make an appointment to visit your dentist for professional cleanings and oral health exam.

Thanks for sharing your
smile with us Ayla!

Send us a picture of your favorite smile, along with the first name and a short description. We'll choose one ( or a few) each quarter and put them up here.

We'll be watching for

your Smiles!

Pictures should be in jpg format and please email them to: THE SMILE CORNER

Recipe Box

Susan Vasquez's Potato Salad

Thank you Susan for sending us your potato salad recipe. We can't wait to try it!

• 5 lbs red potatoes
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• several chopped dill pickles
• 1 lb bacon
• green and/or black olives
• mayonnaise
• salt & pepper to taste

Wash potatoes, place in large pan, cover with water and boil until just tender. Drain and let sit while preparing other ingredients. Chop celery, red onion and pickles. Cook bacon until crisp and tear into bite size pieces. Cut potatoes into 1" squares. Gently stir all ingredients together in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.

If you have a favorite recipe, email it to us along with a picture so we can share it with everyone.

A Smile Make-Over

A NEW SMILE FOR STEFANIE!

The first step in Stefanie's case was to lengthen her teeth. We did this with a laser gingivectomy--no bleeding, no pain, just great results! The added tooth length will help visually minimize the added width when the spaces are closed. Next step--minimal prep porcelain veneers.

July 11th. Stefanie with her new smile immediately after seating veneers. More pics to come!

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Please Accept Our Gratitude ...

We would like to thank all of you for your continued trust in us. When you return each time, we understand that you are expressing your trust in our professionalism. When you refer your family, friends and co-workers, we understand that you are placing your relationships in our care. Just as these relationships are important to you, so are they to us and we look forward to meeting and caring for the people you send our way.

We appreciate the new patients you send to us and we will always provide the same kind of professional and friendly care to them as we give to you. No exceptions!

We really appreciate your referrals and we thank you for them.

Special Offer to New Patients

We'd like to extend to all new patients this very special offer:

$50.00 OFF

Any Treatment

click HERE to print a coupon

Dr. Stephen R. Slotnick

2219 Buchanan Rd., Suite 1
Antioch, CA 94509

Phone: 925.757.0757
Fax: 925.706.4186

Office Hours:
Mon. - Thurs. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• General Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• BriteSmile
• Veneers
• Crown & Bridge
• Preventative Care
• Dentures
• and much more