Do you know what a Prosthodontist is?

One of the most common questions we get asked here at Rigby Advanced Dental is, "What is a Prosthodontist?" 

A Prosthodontist is a dentist who......

• Specializes in the esthetic restoration and replacement of teeth.
• Receives two or three years of additional training after dental school
  through a hospital or university based program accredited by the
  American Dental Association.
• Restores optimum appearance and function to your smile.
• Is certified in one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the
  American Dental Association.

A Prosthodontist is a skilled architect of complete oral rehabilitation who can restore optimum function and appearance to your smile. They are dedicated to the highest standards of care in the restoration and replacement of teeth. In addition to a Doctorate of Dental Surgery, Dr Brent Rigby complete a three year residency in prosthodontics and was awarded a Certificate of Specialty in Prosthodontics.  Dr Rigby is the only certified prosthodontic specialist in the the Lake Travis area and welcomes

To find out more information on Prosthodontics, visit the American College of Prosthodontics or watch the video produced for CNN from the ACP below.

 

How to care for dentures

Complete dentures are replacements for missing teeth that you can take out of your mouth and put back on your own. While dentures are not real teeth, it’s just as important to take care of them just as you do your natural teeth.  Here are some tips and tricks from Dr Rigby's bag of helpful hints:

A compete upper and lower customized set.

• Handle with care. Dentures are delicate, so when you’re handling them, stand over a plush towel (or at least a sink) in case you drop them. Be sure to store them out of the reach of children or pets, who may easily knock them to the floor or use them as a chew toy.
• Keep them clean. Brush and rinse your dentures daily. Just like natural teeth, food, bacteria and plaque can build up on them. Brushing also helps keep them from getting stained. Many stores sell toothbrushes specifically designed to clean dentures.  Brush your dentures with water or for a fresh taste use mouth rinse. Brushing your dentures with a toothpaste or baking soda can abrade and scratch the outer surface leaving them dull and more prone to plaque build up.  Don’t forget to clean your gums and tongue as well. Even if you don’t have any natural teeth, you want to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
• Don’t let them dry out. When you’re not wearing your dentures, keep them soaking in water or a solution.  Don’t use hot water because that can warp their shape over time. While you can certainly find many ultrasonic cleaners on the market (and they’re great tools), these are not a replacement for regular brushing. Look for products with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal.
• Avoid using denture adhesives and creams.  If used, these materials are a short-term solution for improving function and retention of a prosthesis.  It is best to have the dentures evaluated by a qualified dental professional if long-term use of these products is needed, as they may cause more harm to the body and tissues used to support the dentures than warranted. 
• Consult with a Pro when having concerns with your existing dentures.  Find a Prosthodontist in your area at the American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) website.  A Prosthodontist can help guide you towards the denture care routine that will work best for you. If you have any problems with your dentures, consult a Prosthodontist as soon as possible. Don’t attempt to repair them yourself.

It is important that you take good care of your dentures to ensure they last as long as possible. Even with excellent care, you should still have your dentures relined, rebased or even remade every five years or so.  Dr Rigby recommends that an annual exam be performed to not only check on the fit and function of the prostheses, but also for a routine head and neck cancer screening.  Dentists and other dental specialists are often the first to find and report these lesions, saving many people lives.  For more information about how you can care for your dentures, or to schedule a dental appointment, contact Rigby Advanced Dental today!!!

The Importance of Flossing

Brushing teeth properly and consistently helps to remove most dental plaque, but, brushing alone cannot remove plaque that is located in between teeth or other places that a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing not only removes plaque from your teeth, it also helps with the following:

• removing debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth
• polishes tooth surfaces
• controls bad breath

It is recommended to floss at least once a day to be most effective.

Floss Type

It doesn’t matter what kind of floss you choose to use. The oral benefits remain the same – daily flossing is the single most important way to fight against plaque, some claim its even more important than the toothbrush. The different types of dental floss include:

• waxed and unwaxed
• flavored and unflavored
• wide and regular

Different Methods of Flossing:

You can receive a demonstration of the following methods from a dentist. They include:

• spool method (also called the finger-wrap method)
  Cut off a piece of floss that is approximately 18 to 20 inches in length. Lightly wrap each side of the piece of floss several times around each middle finger. Next, carefully maneuver the floss in-between the teeth with your index fingers and thumbs in an up and down, not side-to-side motion. It is best to bring the floss up and down making sure to go below the gumline, forming a "C" on the side of each tooth.

• loop method (also called the circle method)
  Cut off a piece of floss that is approximately 18 inches long, and tie it securely in a circle. Next, place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Then, use your index fingers to guide the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth, making sure to go below the gumline, forming a "C" on the side of each tooth.

Flossing can be time consuming, but it is well worth your time. It can save you thousands of dollars in dental work for only three minutes a day of cleaning between your teeth. Always remember to floss!!

Lake Travis High School Championship Parade

Congratulations to the Lake Travis High School 4 time Football State Champions!!! 

 

Kristen braving the cold during the Lake Travis High School Championship Parade at the Hill Country Galleria.  We had two lucky winners from our Free Dental Services drawing.  One winner of $500 Free Dental Services and a Second winner of $100 Free Dental Services.  Congratulations!!

COMING SOON!

Rigby Advanced Dental, the office of Dr. Brent Rigby will be opening its doors in October 2010! We are pleased to be accepting New Patients. We are conviently located at The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, Texas (easily accessible to Austin and Lakeway).  Please call to schedule your initial visit with us (512) 992-2822.

We will be using this blog as a place to post patient education, specials and events that we have going on.  Please be sure to check back soon! 

For more information on our office, visit us at http://www.rigbyadvanceddental.com/, or check us out on facebook.