Tooth Tattoo (?!) in Celebration of the Royal Wedding

We stumbled across this crazy photograph (courtesy SWNS.com) and thought you might be interested too.  British plumber Barmy Baz Franks enlisted the help of a dentist to paint a temporary tattoo of William and Kate on his two front teeth.  This must be one of the strangest dental cosmetic procedures we've seen!  All in the name of royalty?

Did any of you watch the Royal Wedding this morning?

Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Wouldn't it be wonderful to never dread the dentist again? That's only one of the many benefits of sedation dentistry at Crabapple Dentist. And if it's been a while since your last dental visit, Dr. Sarah Roberts can correct any resulting damage or decay, usually in just one or two visits.

Whether you need a cavity filled, dentures fitted, treatment for sore gums - or even cosmetic procedures to whiten your teeth or fix a chipped tooth, you'll be amazed at how much dental work can be accomplished while you are calmly sedated.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about sedation dentistry.

1. Who should try sedation dentistry?

Everyone is different. Some people avoid the dentist because they suffer from paralyzing fear. Some have had a traumatic experience. Others have a low pain tolerance or resistance to the numbing injections that dentists use. Some patients can’t control a gag reflex, and still others are embarrassed about the condition of their teeth.

No matter your reason, there’s no need to feel embarrassed.  The good news is, sedation can help us accomplish complete car and restoration in a comfortable, anxiety-free visit.

2. How long will it take?

Each case is different, but typically sedation lasts from two to six hours, depending on the condition of your teeth.

3. Is sedation dentistry safe?

Dr. Sarah Roberts has completed an advanced training program that allows her to treat patients while they are safely sedated.  The Dental Advanced Life Support Certification represents the same training that doctors, nurses and paramedics receive.

4. Do I need someone with me?

Someone should accompany you to and from the dentist’s office, since you will have taken a sedation pill and don’t want to risk driving.

5. Will I be unconscious?

There are varying degrees of sedation, and you can discuss which one is right for you in a consultation with Dr. Roberts.  Either way, you’ll remain in a deeply relaxed state throughout the procedure.

Don't wait another moment to learn about sedation dentistry. Call Dr. Sarah Roberts at 678-319-0123 or email us to schedule a consultation.

Fun Crafts Project for Kids

What's the best way to teach a kid?  Make it fun!

We found this fun crafts project here, and think it's a great opportunity to get your kids' attention and while you have it, talk to them about how important it is to care for their teeth.

The irony is, marshmallows aren't exactly healthy for your teeth, but you do get points for apples and peanut butter!

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.