Oral HPV a leading cause of oral cancer.

Not all oral cancers are caused by alcohol and tobacco, though use of these substances and family history are three major factors.  Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is one of the main risk factors tied to oral cancel.  HPV-related oral cancer is unfortunately a growing epidemic and now accounts for around 50% of oral cancers.  Not every case of HPV will develop into cancer, but for those strains that do lead to cancerous cells, early detection of the HPV virus is critical.

The risk profile for oral HPV includes anyone older than age 12 who is sexually active or who has had more than three sexual partners.

Your dentist should perform annual screenings to identify oral HPV infection, especially HPV-16 and HPV-18, which are the variants most commonly linked to oral cancer.  At Crabapple Dental, we use the OraRisk HPV test.  It’s among the latest and best available test for detecting HPV infection.  OraRisk HPV is noninvasive, simple to use, and gives our patients the piece of mind of knowing their mouths are healthy, or in the case of a positive test result, helps us get further treatment if necessary.

Ask your dentist if he or she provides HPV screenings.  As always, if you are in the Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta or Cumming areas, and wish to make an appointment, please email or call 678-319-0123 for an appointment.

The Patient’s Role in Early Detection of Oral Cancer

While an annual screening for oral cancer is essential in prevention and early detection, you are the most important factor in early diagnosis.  You should contact your doctor or dentist immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms.

• Chronic hoarseness
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• difficulty chewing or swallowing
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal within two weeks
• A red or white patch on the gums, tonsils, tongue or lining of the mouth
• Jaw swelling that causes dentures to not fit properly
• A feeling that something is caught in the throat which does not go away

Of course, these changes may simply be symptoms of something less serious than oral cancer, but because they are potential indicators of oral cancer, you should pay attention to them.

If you are a tobacco user, pay particular attention to these or other abnormalities in your mouth.  Many cases of oral cancer stem from tobacco use, and tobacco users are at a higher risk for oral cancer than people who do not use tobacco.

If you're in the Atlanta, Cumming, Roswell, or Alpharetta areas, and wish to make an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, please feel free to email or call 678-319-0123.

Technology for Early Detection of Oral Cancers: Trimira Identafi 3000

If you’re not seeing a dentist regularly, you risk signs of oral cancer not being detected early on.  That’s because oral cancer screenings are a part of the dental examination you receive when you visit your dentist.

Dentists use varying types of technology to detect oral cancer.  At Crabapple Dental, we use highly advanced laser technology by Trimira called Identafi 3000. 

This multi-spectral technology was featured on the Dr. Oz Show as a crucial part of oral cancer screening.

The Indentafi 3000 uses three distinct color wavelengths to detect lesions or other marks not visible to the naked eye, thus catching any abnormalities at the earliest possible stage.  Not only is this technology highly effective, it also eliminates the need for bad-tasting dyes or solutions necessary for other tests, making for a more comfortable patient experience.

Where dental health is concerned, only the very best technology will do.  Particularly with oral cancer, early detection is critical.  We recommend people make regular checkups with their dentists, and we recommend those dentists use the best tools available to care for their patients.

If you're in the Atlanta, Cumming, Roswell or Alpharetta areas, and wish to make an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, please feel free to email or call 678-319-0123!

National Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month?  We will spend this month discussing what you should know about oral cancer, signs, symptions, prevention, and how to minimize your risk.

Oral cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue.  It affects the lips, tongue, cheeks, sinuses, throat, and/or other parts of the mouth.

Close to 37,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year.  The death rate of this cancer is particularly high, not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but because the cancer is usually discovered late in its development.

That’s why screenings are particularly important.

Your dentist should conduct an oral cancer screening exam as part of a routine comprehensive dental examination, to check for any lumps, irregular tissue changes, sores or discolored tissue.

If it has been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, and you live in the Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell or Cumming areas, feel free to email or call Dr. Sarah Roberts at 678–319–0123 for an appointment.

What are porcelain veneers?

A porcelain veneer is also called a laminate, and is used to improve the look of previously uneven, chipped, or discolored teeth.  It is a very thin porcelain sheet that fits over the tooth giving it a smooth, polished, beautiful finish.

Many people opt for veneers to improve their smiles for the various advantages including:

• Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
• Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
• Veneers look very natural.
• Veneers whiten smiles.
• Veneers don’t require as much in-depth pre-work to the teeth as crowns.
• Veneers can create what some call a “movie-star smile”

Some of the disadvantages include:

• Veneers can be more costly than bonding.
• Tooth sensitivity may increase, but increase is minimal if at all.
• Like teeth, veneers can chip or crack and so must be taken care of.

Learn more.

If you are interested in learning more about veneers and if they’re right for you, call 678-319-0123, or email Dr. Sarah Roberts of Alpharetta.

Choose Your Cosmetic Dentist Wisely.

For some people, choosing a dentist is an afterthought.  They all clean your teeth, right?

Wrong.  Choosing the right dentist is very important to your health, well-being, enjoyment of checkups, appearance of your smile, and finances.  According to the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, over 25% of Americans yearly cosmetic dentistry expenditures is spent correcting poor work from previous visits.

Here are a few of the consequences of choosing the wrong dentist.

1. Expensive.  Often, the cosmetic dentists who charge less initially are general dentists who have not put in the necessary years of experience and continuing education.  But even though you may pay less for a procedure at the onset, you will pay for it later as you try to correct what was not done properly to begin with.  In fact, corrections of poor cosmetic dental work are often much costlier than the original procedure! Re-dos are not uncommon; they happen every day.  In the case of cosmetic dentistry, you truly get what you pay for.

2. Time.  Cosmetic procedures typically require several appointments, and can sometimes take hours.  They require you to schedule ahead and take time off work.  The time you invest is well worth the results, if you have a good dentist.

3. Tooth Loss and Other Health Problems.  Each tooth must be completely clear of any signs of decay before inserting a crown or veneer.  Otherwise, your crowns or veneers will eventually have to be redone.  Inserting a crown of veneer over a tooth that isn’t meticulously clear can also destroy the tooth’s structure or cause you to lose the tooth altogether.  This health problem is only one of many you may experience if you chose an inexperienced dentist.

When choosing a dentist, do your research, get recommendations, and follow your intuition upon meeting your dentist for an initial appointment.  Choosing the right dentist directly affects your wallet, your health, and your smile!

If you're in the Atlanta, Cumming, Roswell or Alpharetta areas, and wish to make an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, please feel free to contact us!

How does sedation dentistry work… and is it for me?

At Crabapple Dental, we are certified in sedation dentistry.  The benefit of sedation dentistry is that there are many patients who experience anxiety upon visiting the dentist, and sedation dentistry provides relief for those patients.  Rather than avoid important checkups with their dentist, these patients can have a relaxing, anxiety-free visit.

Here’s how it works.  Sedation dentistry is available for both general and cosmetic dental procedures, from simple cleanings to root canals to complete smile makeovers.

First, upon determining your procedure, your dentist decides which prescription will work best for your particular needs and treatment.

The day of the procedure, you take your medicine before the appointment – the dentist will tell you exactly what time to take it.  A friend or family member will drive you to and from your appointment, as you will feel relaxed, and possibly drowsy.  Your appointment will go smoothly, quickly, and comfortably.

The following day, you will feel completely back to normal – only with a healthier, more beautiful smile.

If you experience anxiety upon going to the dentist to the point where you avoid checkups, you should talk to your dentist about sedation dentistry, or if you’re in the Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta or Cumming Georgia areas, feel free to contact Dr. Roberts for an appointment.