Diode Laser - Oral Magic Marker

In developing my novel Reversible Trial Lip Repositioning procedure, it was apparent that I needed a way to mark the surgical site that was reproducible.  The common method of marking oral tissue is with an indelible marker, but the marks are large, they run quickly, and they don't last long.  The predictability of Lip Repositioning rests on being able to capture the surgical site with precision and to reproduce that captured area for  up to a two day period.

My solution was to incorporate a diode laser used on a low setting to mark a "dotted line" on the oral tissues.  These marks are very superficial, and they dissolve within a couple of days without any discomfort or long-lasting evidence.

The diode laser has many practical applications for temporarily marking proposed surgical locations in the mouth.  Again, necessity is the mother of invention!

Practice Mojo

My good friend and mentor Jim Rhode told me, "you need to look at this Practice Mojo (PM) program for your office."  He couldn't have been more right.  Practice Mojo automates our appointment confirmations, reminds our patients about their need for followup appointments and tells them when they are past due for ther cleanings.  It also allows patients we have seen to complete a survey about their experience in our office.

PM also tells our office about how well we are managing our recare schedule and gives us demographic information about our patients.  It allows us to send specialized messages to our patients through email, text messages, or customized message postcards.

Our experience with this program since inception has been excellent.  The first thing we noticed was the appreciation from our patients about enhanced communication.  Almost daily, we have a patient call us and tell us that they are surprised and impressed that we have sent them a text message to remind them of their appointment.  They actually take the time to call and tell us they are impressed!

Another patient called to let us know that the postcard we sent was "a cut above the other junk you get in the mail."

The surveys we have received to date have been 100%.  Now I know that it's not possible to have that track record continually, but it has been a great team encouragement to date.  The comments patients add to their surveys have been glowing.  Remarkably, the dental TEAM has been mentioned in nearly all of the comments.

Thanks Jim Rhode for a great recommendation.  Our patients and all of us here at the Jacobs Smile Center are encouraged by this new technology!

AACD Washington DC Lip Repositioning Lecture

Program attendees at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in Washington DC can click on the following link to view the powerpoint slides for Dr. Jacobs seminar.

Gummy Smile Repair With Lip Repositioning Surgery

Dr. Jacobs speaks on Thursday, May 3, 2012 in the Member Pearls section located adjacent to the Operatory of the Future in the Exhibit Hall.

Lip Repositioning / Gummy Smile Seminar

Paula and I had an enjoyable visit with our son and daughter-in-law recently while in Chapel Hill, NC.  I spoke at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry on the subject of Lip Repositioning and management of a gummy smile.  It was enjoyable to share my novel technique of Reversible - Trial Lip Repositioning Surgery with a group of Oral Surgeons, Periodontists, and Prosthodontists. 

My next presentation on Lip Repositioning Surgery will be in Washington, DC at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Session. 

Bryan and I are excited to see the next couple of issues of The Journal Of Periodontics And Restorative Dentistry.  Our article on Lip Repositioning has been accepted for publication there, and it will present a case series of patients I treated with my technique of the Reversible - Trial Lip Repositioning Surgery.

Biofilm Shifting in Periodontal Therapy

A new focus has emerged in the treatment of periodontal diseases. It is known as Biofilm Shifting.

Previous emphasis and focus of gum therapies has been on reduction of ALL oral bacteria through professional cleaning and with the use of antimicrobial rinses and medications. The problem with eradication of all oral bacteria, is that the oral environment becomes an open void, and susceptible to reinfection. Any strong pathogenic bacteria that remain will also have a greater chance of recolonization of the mouth.

Certain rinses which contain chlorhexidine or alcohol also kill the normal oral flora, which are often what we rely on to keep the "bad" bacteria at bay.

Our current goal in gum therapy is to reduce or eliminate the "bad" bacteria which are disease causing, but still keep the healthy bacteria present. This is what the concept of Biofilm Shifting is all about. Biofilm shifting changes the bacterial profile of the subgingival biofilm toward normal using focused therapies. It involves removal, reduction, or inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, while sparing good bacteria. Oral probiotics can be incorporated to keep levels of good bacteria present. Creating a favorable environment for good bacteria, while excluding reintroduction of bad bacteria may include alteration of oral pH levels to make the mouth healthier and less acidic. This is accomplished with proper nutrition and diet, and avoidance of food and drink which will increase oral acid levels.

The emphasis of Biofilm Shifting is to guide the mouth's sensitive ecosystem toward normal, and not just indiscriminately kill all oral bacteria.

Perio 360 (TM) therapy from the Jacobs Smile Center is uniquely designed to accomplish this biofilm shifting for increased long-term health of the mouth and body.

Invest In Your Dentist - Perioeconomics

According to a Pew Center report, more Americans are turning to the emergency room for routine dental problems — a choice that often costs 10 times more than preventive care and offers far fewer treatment options than a dentist's office. Many of those emergency visits involve trouble such as toothaches. In Minnesota, nearly 20 percent of all dental-related ER visits are return trips, the analysis said.That's because emergency rooms generally are not staffed by dentists.

Simply seeing your dentist for routine checkups and preventive care could save millions of dollars to society.

Perioeconomics is about the financial impact of oral disease on society and medical care costs.

81 BILLION dollars was spent in the U.S. in 2006 as a result of oral biofilm (Flemmig et al 2011). Spread the word. Invest in your dentist.