Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month? The death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. For patients over the age of 14, the single most important thing that you can do to protect yourself is be sure to have your comprehensive oral cancer screening yearly. This is not a postponable, elective procedure to have done. Annual opportunistic oral cancer exams are a must.
Please call to schedule your complementary exam for your family and friends, new patients are welcome!
Offer expires 4/30/2011
Some restrictions apply
Physicians were able to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by over 70% in one decade by giving annual Pap smears to American women. You have the chance to help reduce the occurrence of oral cancer please join us during the month of April as we are trying to make a difference.
We hope to see you soon and call to receive a complimentary oral cancer screening in the month of April.
Visit our website to request an appointment or call today. www.guymangiadds.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
Introducing Digital X-Rays!
Dexis Platinum
Our office continually strives to provide important enhancements in oral health care for our patients. This is why we now offer digital x-rays using the first intra-oral digital radiography system to be accepted by the American Dental Association into the highly prestigious ADA Seal Program, Dexis Platinum!
Unlike conventional radiographs (x-rays) on film, we do not have to wait for the dental assistant to develop a digital radiographic image like in the past. Now we can view an enhanced dental x-ray on a computer screen instantly. Dr. Mangia can now magnify the x-ray, allowing him to better see problem areas and making it possible for him to diagnose treatment sooner and faster, before it becomes a bigger problem and more expensive.
What Does This Mean For You?
Digital images remain crisp when enlarged which allow for clinically meaningful images that are extremely clear and highly detailed. This means Dr. Mangia will not only see areas of concern more clearly, he will also see them sooner. This will help prevent extensive work on your teeth.
Digital x-rays are more comfortable for the patient and also allow for shorter appointments because we do not need to wait for the films to develop. That means less time in the chair and less time out of your busy schedule.
Worried About Radiation Exposure?
Recently, there have been several warnings regarding radiation. Here at Dr. Mangia’s office we take every precaution to minimize the exposure to radiation when taking x-rays. When using film x-rays in the past, our office used the fastest capturing film in order to give the patient the least amount of radiation exposure. We also provide the patient with an x-ray shield made of lead to protect you when radiographs are necessary.
By switching to digital x-rays, we reduced the already minimal radiation exposure by 50%! The new advancements in digital radiographs allow us to reduce the number of retakes due to under-and over-exposure and have lower radiation dosages. It is important to weigh the costs and benefits of radiographs. The benefits of taking them are vast when it comes to your health because x-rays are an essential tool in diagnosing infection, decay and many other problems. The cost of not taking x-rays may be extensive and expensive treatment that could have either been minimized or even prevented.
More Benefits
In addition to reducing radiation exposure and decreasing chair time, digital radiographs are a green technology! They do not require film and therefore, there is no developer or fixer to dispose. They provide a more accurate tool for Dr. Mangia overall, and are faster, of a better quality and a more comfortable experience for our patients. And no, there is no increase in cost.
Still Worried about Radiation?
Advances in radiograph technology have overwhelmingly reduced exposure to radiation. As stated previously, digital x-rays have reduced exposure by 50%! But just how much radiation do you get from a dental x-ray and how harmful is it? The answer may please you.
Dental x-rays are expressed in millirems (mrem). 1 mrem is equivalent to .001 rem. A rem is a unit used to measure radiation. The typical dental x-ray exposes you to 2 or 3 millirems, a fraction of one unit of radiation. But what does this even mean?
To put this into perspective, here are a few facts on radiation exposure that occur in your everyday life from a peer
reviewed journal entitled “Radiation Exposure: The Facts vs. Fiction” by the University of Iowa Radiation Protection
Office:
Smoke detectors give off less than 1 mrem per year
Living in a brick house versus a wood one gives off about 10mrem per year
Cooking with natural gas produces about 9 mrem annually
Smoking may give you up to 16,000 mrems
Reading a book for 3 hours per day gives off about 1mrem due to the materials in the wood/paper
Watching T.V. will expose you to 30mrems per year
Taking a flight from Los Angeles to New York will put you into contact with 5 mrem
Sleeping next to someone for eight hours will give you 2mrem
Obviously, you probably would not refuse to fly on an airplane, live in a brick house, read books, live without smoke detectors, or sleep with your spouse because of the small amount of radiation. If you would not refuse these activities, why would you refuse x-rays if the exposure to radiation is either about the same or less than the activities listed above?
The benefits of x-rays definitely outweigh any risks. Here at Dr. Mangia’s office we take every precaution to protect you from radiation exposure. We would never recommend radiographs if we did not deem them necessary or benefit you.
We used Steven D. Rima’s article entitled “How Much Do You Get From Dental X-Rays” as a reference. Steven D. Rima is a Board Certified Health Physicist with over 20 years of experience in radiation safety, including teaching medical and dental professionals for state licensure to take medical and dental x-rays.
Rima, Steve D. "Dental X-Rays." Welcome to the Physics Department at ISU. Web. 12 Jan. 2011..
If you have any questions feel free to call us anytime at (818)785-0750 or email us at
optimumdentistry@sbcglobal.net.
Our office continually strives to provide important enhancements in oral health care for our patients. This is why we now offer digital x-rays using the first intra-oral digital radiography system to be accepted by the American Dental Association into the highly prestigious ADA Seal Program, Dexis Platinum!
Unlike conventional radiographs (x-rays) on film, we do not have to wait for the dental assistant to develop a digital radiographic image like in the past. Now we can view an enhanced dental x-ray on a computer screen instantly. Dr. Mangia can now magnify the x-ray, allowing him to better see problem areas and making it possible for him to diagnose treatment sooner and faster, before it becomes a bigger problem and more expensive.
What Does This Mean For You?
Digital images remain crisp when enlarged which allow for clinically meaningful images that are extremely clear and highly detailed. This means Dr. Mangia will not only see areas of concern more clearly, he will also see them sooner. This will help prevent extensive work on your teeth.
Digital x-rays are more comfortable for the patient and also allow for shorter appointments because we do not need to wait for the films to develop. That means less time in the chair and less time out of your busy schedule.
Worried About Radiation Exposure?
Recently, there have been several warnings regarding radiation. Here at Dr. Mangia’s office we take every precaution to minimize the exposure to radiation when taking x-rays. When using film x-rays in the past, our office used the fastest capturing film in order to give the patient the least amount of radiation exposure. We also provide the patient with an x-ray shield made of lead to protect you when radiographs are necessary.
By switching to digital x-rays, we reduced the already minimal radiation exposure by 50%! The new advancements in digital radiographs allow us to reduce the number of retakes due to under-and over-exposure and have lower radiation dosages. It is important to weigh the costs and benefits of radiographs. The benefits of taking them are vast when it comes to your health because x-rays are an essential tool in diagnosing infection, decay and many other problems. The cost of not taking x-rays may be extensive and expensive treatment that could have either been minimized or even prevented.
More Benefits
In addition to reducing radiation exposure and decreasing chair time, digital radiographs are a green technology! They do not require film and therefore, there is no developer or fixer to dispose. They provide a more accurate tool for Dr. Mangia overall, and are faster, of a better quality and a more comfortable experience for our patients. And no, there is no increase in cost.
Still Worried about Radiation?
Advances in radiograph technology have overwhelmingly reduced exposure to radiation. As stated previously, digital x-rays have reduced exposure by 50%! But just how much radiation do you get from a dental x-ray and how harmful is it? The answer may please you.
Dental x-rays are expressed in millirems (mrem). 1 mrem is equivalent to .001 rem. A rem is a unit used to measure radiation. The typical dental x-ray exposes you to 2 or 3 millirems, a fraction of one unit of radiation. But what does this even mean?
To put this into perspective, here are a few facts on radiation exposure that occur in your everyday life from a peer
reviewed journal entitled “Radiation Exposure: The Facts vs. Fiction” by the University of Iowa Radiation Protection
Office:
Smoke detectors give off less than 1 mrem per year
Living in a brick house versus a wood one gives off about 10mrem per year
Cooking with natural gas produces about 9 mrem annually
Smoking may give you up to 16,000 mrems
Reading a book for 3 hours per day gives off about 1mrem due to the materials in the wood/paper
Watching T.V. will expose you to 30mrems per year
Taking a flight from Los Angeles to New York will put you into contact with 5 mrem
Sleeping next to someone for eight hours will give you 2mrem
Obviously, you probably would not refuse to fly on an airplane, live in a brick house, read books, live without smoke detectors, or sleep with your spouse because of the small amount of radiation. If you would not refuse these activities, why would you refuse x-rays if the exposure to radiation is either about the same or less than the activities listed above?
The benefits of x-rays definitely outweigh any risks. Here at Dr. Mangia’s office we take every precaution to protect you from radiation exposure. We would never recommend radiographs if we did not deem them necessary or benefit you.
We used Steven D. Rima’s article entitled “How Much Do You Get From Dental X-Rays” as a reference. Steven D. Rima is a Board Certified Health Physicist with over 20 years of experience in radiation safety, including teaching medical and dental professionals for state licensure to take medical and dental x-rays.
Rima, Steve D. "Dental X-Rays." Welcome to the Physics Department at ISU. Web. 12 Jan. 2011.
If you have any questions feel free to call us anytime at (818)785-0750 or email us at
optimumdentistry@sbcglobal.net.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Sleep Dentistry
We are sure you have seen the billboards or heard the commercials, but do you really know what sleep dentistry is? Sleep Dentistry (also known as Dental Sedation) is a semi-conscious state that leads to reduced anxiety in the chair. A Dental Anesthesiologist administers sedative medications before treatment in order to create a comfortable environment. We understand that a visit to the dentist can be uncomfortable at times. Some patients experience anxiety in the chair, have a hyper gag reflex or become tiresome during a long procedure. We strive to provide the best possible care for our patients and want to create the most comfortable atmosphere for them. This is why our office is now offering Sleep Dentistry. If you are interested or know someone who may benefit from sedation., please give us a call for more information.
Friday, August 6, 2010
The ABC's of Dental Insurance...
Over the years, I have heard the same statements from so many patients. Patients are shocked to hear that they may not get the benefits promised to them. So with that in mind, I would like to provide you some basic insurance information and terminology used by the insurance companies, in hopes that these ongoing articles will help you understand your insurance benefits. Here are a few examples of some of the questions I have been asked:
Question: Why didn’t my insurance pay for my cleaning, when I get 2 free a year?
Answer: Most patients are under the impression that the insurance company will pay for two of their hygiene visits. Generally they will, as long as you have not used all of your annual maximum.
For example: You have a $1000 maximum, treatment has been completed in either our office or with a specialist, If the cost of these combined visits have met or exceeded your annual maximum, you will not have any remaining benefits to be paid out for additional treatment or cleanings; your hygiene visits are included in the annual maximum. Therefore, your hygiene visits will only be covered providing you have the benefits to cover them.
Question: My friend and I have the same insurance, why does her insurance pay more than mine?
Answer: Did you know that Dental plans are typically business arrangements between an insurance company and the employer. It is your employer who decides what type, and the amount of coverage you will receive.
For example: 2 patients work for different employers but have the same insurance carrier. One employee may have a $1000 per year maximum, the other a $3000 per year maximum. One may have a traditional plan that covers anywhere between 50 to 80% on procedures and the other plan covers 100% of procedures. Why you ask? Well, that is what the employer has decided to offer its employees.
Question: Why didn’t my insurance pay for my cleaning, when I get 2 free a year?
Answer: Most patients are under the impression that the insurance company will pay for two of their hygiene visits. Generally they will, as long as you have not used all of your annual maximum.
For example: You have a $1000 maximum, treatment has been completed in either our office or with a specialist, If the cost of these combined visits have met or exceeded your annual maximum, you will not have any remaining benefits to be paid out for additional treatment or cleanings; your hygiene visits are included in the annual maximum. Therefore, your hygiene visits will only be covered providing you have the benefits to cover them.
Question: My friend and I have the same insurance, why does her insurance pay more than mine?
Answer: Did you know that Dental plans are typically business arrangements between an insurance company and the employer. It is your employer who decides what type, and the amount of coverage you will receive.
For example: 2 patients work for different employers but have the same insurance carrier. One employee may have a $1000 per year maximum, the other a $3000 per year maximum. One may have a traditional plan that covers anywhere between 50 to 80% on procedures and the other plan covers 100% of procedures. Why you ask? Well, that is what the employer has decided to offer its employees.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Smile Evaluation
At Home Smile Analysis: There are a number of ways to analyze your smile, there is the Emotional Smile Evaluation and the Objective Evaluation. Below is simple list of questions using each approach you can do in your own home. Take a few minutes, stand in front of a mirror and answer a few
questions.
The Emotional Smile Evaluation: is based on an individual’s subjective perceptions of their own smile. Below are some questions that may help you reveal how you really feel about your smile; how it might affect your self image; how it impacts interactions with others; and how it influences the quality of relationships.
Do you love the way your teeth and smile look?
Do you ever hold your hand up in front of you mouth when laughing or smiling?
Have you ever caught yourself looking at someone’s smile and wishing you had a similar smile?
How does your smile make you feel? Confident?
Have you ever held back a smile because you were uncomfortable or embarrassed about your smile?
When taking pictures, do you tend to smile with your lips closed, instead of flashing a happy smile?
How would a beautiful new smile make you feel?
What would you like to change about your smile?
Are you embarrassed to visit the dentist due to the condition of your teeth, or the length of time since your last visit?
The Objective Smile Analysis: For the objective analysis, the best thing for you to do is stand in front of a mirror. Now smile at yourself using a normal smile. Then look at the mirror and think of a moment in your life that gave you a big laughing smile. This big smile could be much larger than you feel comfortable with most of the time if you are not happy with your teeth. When your smile is improved, your smile appears more spontaneous because you look and feel great. So let’s figure out what is holding your big smile back, and what bothers you about your teeth.
Are all of your teeth brilliant white or are they somewhat yellow, dark or stained?
Are there spaces between your teeth?
Do you grind your teeth, or are the biting edges of your teeth chipped or worn down?
Are you missing any of your teeth?
Do you have teeth that are crooked, uneven or out of line?
Do any of your teeth appear shorter, wider, larger or smaller than the others?
Do you have any grayish, black or silver fillings in your mouth?
Have your gums receded, or do they appear red or puffy?
Do you have teeth that are stained or discolored ?
Do you have old crowns that may have dark edges at the top, or don’t look natural?
Do you have a “gummy” smile— showing too much gum tissue or do your gums appear thick?
WHEN YOU IMPROVE YOUR SMILE, YOU WILL FEEL BETTER AND MORE CONIFIDENT! SO LET’S FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HOLDING YOUR SMILE BACK. WHAT IT IS THAT BOTHERS YOU ABOUT YOUR TEETH. PLEASE GIVE US A CALL, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT BIG SMILE AGAIN!
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