Dr. Chris Chamberlin Blog

It is so hard to watch the news, read Internet articles, or grab a local newspaper without being overwhelmed with what is happening with the global economy melt-down.  Watching the stock market is like watching a bouncing ball - up, down, up, down.  Reading about the bank bail-out and the obscene bonuses being paid to CEO just makes my blood boil.

As you have no doubt seen in the many articles that are flying around the various media outlets, avoiding preventative dental treatment (cleanings, exams, and x-rays) may save you money now, but will probably cost you more down the road, not just in dental treatment, but in your overall health. Poor oral hygiene is linked to higher risks of hearth disease, stroke, pancreatic cancer, and brain function.

On October 8, 2008, Dr. Stewart of the London Institute of Psychiatry analyzed health records and brain function tests of nearly 7,000 people.  Those with gum disease had poorer mental function than those with healthy gums.  They also found that older people with bad teeth were also more likely to suffer from dementia and cognitive impairment.  Dr. Stewart also noted that gum disease can cause inflammation throughout the body, leading to poor mental function. (To read an abstract of Dr Stewart’s findings, go to http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/abstract/70/8/936)

So, I have been wracking my brain to try to figure out ways to help make my dentistry affordable to my patients and families and friends.  I decided the only way to help my patients was to make less profit myself.   Now, for a limited time, I am offering a 20% discount on most treatment to all of my patients and to any new patients you refer to my office.

You can read all about my Stimulus Plan under “Special Offers” on my web site.

My goal is to make my high quality, service oriented dentistry available and affordable in my office - thereby letting you stay with my practice and avoid seeking out lower cost (and, in my opinion, lower quality) dentistry offered by dental clinics and dental franchises.  Please note that I am not saying all clinics and franchises do low quality dentistry, but (again in my opinion) you may only get what you pay for at these facilities.  Guardian Fund instructed employees when selecting a level of a dental insurance to “also be aware of the concern that an HMO may deliver a different level of service than another type of insurance or even restrict necessary care. (”http://dr.hunter.cuny.educommunicationsB.Choice%20Page%202%20and%203%20Back-to-Back1.pdf).

I hope you will take advantage of this offer and get your dentistry taken care of while this offer is still available!  I don’t know how long I can hold fees at this level, since I don’t make much profit.  But I do pledge to you that I will not lower my quality of customer service, materials, and my 30+ years of dental experience .

Christopher Chamberlin

I hope the beginning of 2009 finds you healthy, happy and stress-free!

I wanted to write this blog, however, to make a few comments concerning what financial analysts are finally conceding - we are now officially in a recession.  With all of the  financial changes occurring, you may be feeling additional stress in your everyday life. Your body may be sending you a signal that all is not well: you wake up every morning with a throbbing pain in your jaw due to bruxism - grinding your teeth at night.  If left untreated, regular grinding may start to destroy your teeth - flattening your molars and causing cracks in your teeth, aging your teeth by as much as 10 years.

As many as half of the population grind their teeth at some point in time.  But as many as half of the serious grinders don’t seek treatment - either because the don’t see a dentist or because the habit doesn’t cause them pain.  Eventually they’ll wear right through their teeth, and that will be very painful - as well as costly.

If you feel that you might be grinding your teeth at night (or your partner wakes you up because you are making a loud crunching noise), there are various treatments that I can perform to help eliminate your jaw pain and help to save your teeth.

My personal favorite is an NTI-tss - the latest state-of-the-art device used to protect your teeth.  You may read more about this device on my web site.

If you feel you are grinding your teeth and would like some help, please make an appointment at my office and we can at least help you handle your stress by eliminating your pain and saving your teeth.

And, I can commiserate, I have been a life long grinder.  Let me help you save your teeth during this crazy economical time.  Multiple visits to repair your teeth accompanied by a giant dental bill is not what anyone needs at any time!

Sincerely - Chris

A study was recently published in the Journal of Periodontology that found yogurt can neutralize the bacteria that can lead to receding gums and tooth loss.  Researchers examined the diets of almost 1,000 people and found that those who ate less than half a 6 oz. carton of yogurt a day were less likely to suffer gum disease than those who  “weren’t regular consumers”.  Apparently, researchers are finding a connection between lactic acid intake and prevention of gum disease.

Of course, all dentists will recommend brushing and flossing to keep gum disease away, but maybe, if you like yogurt, it certainly sounds like consuming some every day may help keep gum disease away!

Approximately 20 years ago, I started providing professional tooth whitening to my patients when manufacturers perfected a user friendly delivery system and a peroxide formulation that was safe and easy to use.  At that time, there was only one kind of whitening system available – dentist supervised tray delivery.  After taking a mould of the patient’s teeth, we fabricate a soft plastic, custom fitted tray that adapts intimately to the patient’s teeth and does NOT cover the gums.  The patient is then provided with the tray and a 15% - 30% carbamide peroxide gel syringe.

To use this whitening system, the patient places the peroxide gel into the custom tray, inserts the tray into their mouth, and leaves the tray in for 30 minutes.  This procedure is used twice a day.  The key to getting good results with this method is for the patient to remain motivated.  A motivated patient will usually see results in one to two weeks.  To get the best results possible, sometimes it may take as long as six weeks.

Since the above method was introduced, slick marketers have tried to introduce techniques that are “faster” or perceived to be less expensive.  This includes a one appointment technique where a gel is applied to the teeth (in the dental office), and a specialized light or laser is applied – supposedly enhancing the results and only requiring one to two hours in the dental office.  I have used several brands of this technique, and have found the results disappointing compared to tray bleaching.  Not only were the results disappointing, the procedure was very expensive due to the amount of time spent in the dental chair.  In fact, independent research has shown that the use of special lights or lasers has no effect on the results.    The teeth are whitened only because the patient sits still in a chair with a strong bleach on their teeth for 2 hours.  Don’t be fooled by slick technology claims for this type of whitening.

Manufacturers have also come out with something that appears similar to the custom tray technique discussed above that can be purchased over the counter.  The “custom” trays are made by the patients by heating up the tray, and placing the tray in the patient’s mouth while soft – creating a “mould” of the mouth.  The problem with this technique is that the mould allows the bleach to cover the gums – which can create burns and damage to the gums.  Since the bleach comes in contact with the gum tissue, the manufacturers can only use very low strength bleach.

Another whitening technique developed is the use of whitening strips that can be purchased over the counter at drug stores.  If a patient is highly motivated, these strips can produce decent results.  However, they are very awkward to use – they whiten only the front teeth, not the back teeth – and are very slow to produce results.  Once again, since these strips must come in contact with the gums tissue, the manufacturers can only use very low strength bleach.   Therefore, the patient must use these strips for a long time – continually needing to purchase more strips to get good results.  To get results anywhere near the custom tray method provided by a dentist, the cost is almost equal.  Plus, remember you are only bleaching the teeth that can be reached by the strips.

Since patients are always looking for inexpensive way to get white teeth, I am constantly being asked about the “whitening” toothpastes that are now on the market.  To quote Consumer Reports Magazine, “None of the 41 ‘whitening’ toothpastes we tested did any better to actually whiten teeth than any other toothpaste.  We say don’t put the extra money where the mouth is.”  And, I concur.  I have never seen a patient get any results using a whitening toothpaste.

In summation, after 20 years of trying to improve on the original custom tray technique, I still find this technique to be the most cost effective and predictable way to whiten your teeth.  I have had patients use all of the other techniques, and have found that the original dental office fabricated custom tray technique still works the best and is the most cost effective.  Anyone can get whiter teeth if they consistently use this technique.

Somewhere in my past, some ancestor decided to drop the “a” out of Chamberlain (he must have been tired of signing such a long name)…  Anyway, just to let you all know, I really don’t care how anyone spells my last name, but with search engines, they do seem to care.  So, I am adding this message to my blog to see if it can help the search engines find me using either spelling of my last name!