David J. Martin, DDS Blog

All sporting activities have an associated risk of facial injuries due to falls, collisions with players, devices, and hard surfaces. Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth during sports. The risk of an facial injury was 1.6-1.9 times higher when a mouth guard was not worn.

We have added state of the art vacuum equipment to allow us to process two layer custom mouth guards. I am so excited to be able to provided this added level of protection of our sports orientated patients.
There are three types of mouth guards:
1. Stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting goods and department stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and they provide little or no protection. Dentists do not recommend their use.
2. Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. The “boil and bite” mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure. Studies show there is no difference in protection whether a boil and bite guard is worn or not.
3. Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work involved, this custom-made mouth guard is more expensive than the other types, but it provides the most comfort and protection.
Generally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth only, but in some instances (such as if you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw), your dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Your dentist can suggest the best mouth guard for you. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or speech.
Who Needs a Mouth Guard?
Mouth guards should be used by anyone — both children and adults — who play contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in non-contact sports (for example, gymnastics) and any recreational activity (for example, skateboarding, mountain biking) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.
Why Use a Mouth Guard When Playing Sports?
Because accidents can happen during any physical activity, the advantage of using a mouth guard during sports is that it can help limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue, and soft tissues of your mouth. Mouth guards also help you avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth, or even tooth loss.
Can I Wear a Mouth Guard if I Wear Braces?
Yes. Since an injury to the face could damage braces or other fixed appliances, a properly fitted mouth guard may be particularly important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. Your dentist or orthodontist can determine the mouth guard that will provide the best protection for your unique mouth work. An important reminder: do not hgduring any recreational activities that put your mouth at risk for injury.
There are studies that show there is a strong possibility that wearing custom made mouth guards reduce the chance of a concussion if there is a head injury during a sporting activity. The most recent studies draw conclusions that there is a significant advantage to a custom made guard over the boil and bite guards. The amount of protection to both the teeth and the head is far greater. Some studies go as far as drawing a conclusion that the boil and bite guards are as effective as having no guard at all. We strongly believe there is no substitute for offering the athletes the maximum protection to concussions and oral facial injuries. All it takes is one blow to cause an avoidable injury. Now have a simple way to minimize that possibility.

Diabetes is a disease that can affect the whole body, including your mouth. Dental care is particularly important for people with diabetes because they face a higher than normal risk of oral health problems due to poorly controlled blood sugars. The less well controlled the blood sugar, the more likely oral health problems will arise. This is because uncontrolled diabetes impairs white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against bacterial infections that can occur in the mouth.
What Dental Problems Are People With Diabetes at Higher Risk For?

People with diabetes face a higher risk of:

* Dry mouth . Uncontrolled diabetes can decrease saliva flow, resulting in dry mouth. Dry mouth can further lead to soreness, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay.
* Gum inflammation (gingivitis and periodontitis). Besides impairing white blood cells, another complication of diabetes is that it causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients to and waste products from body tissues, including the mouth. When this combination of events happens, the body’s ability to fight infections is reduced. Since periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, diabetics with uncontrolled disease may experience more frequent and more severe gum disease.
* Poor healing of oral tissues. People with uncontrolled diabetes do not heal quickly after oral surgery or other dental procedures because blood flow to the treatment site can be impaired.
* Thrush . People with diabetes who frequently take antibiotics to fight various infections are especially prone to developing a fungal infection of the mouth and tongue. The fungus thrives on the high levels of sugar in the saliva of people with uncontrolled diabetes.
* Burning mouth and/or tongue. This condition is caused by the presence of thrush.

People with diabetes who smoke are at even a higher risk — up to 20 times more likely than nonsmokers — for the development of thrush and periodontal disease. Smoking also seems to impair blood flow to the gums — which may affect wound healing in this tissue area.

Looking for a unique bachelorette party idea? If you’re tired of the usual cheesy party games, over-indulgence in alcohol, and dealing with inappropriate pictures the next day, think about hosting an at-home Juvederm party!

What’s Juvederm? Juvederm is one of the newest dermal-filling products on the market and so far, we’re extremely impressed! Juvederm is an injectable substance used to plump minor folds around your smile, vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, and add volume to thin or aging lips. And the results are incredible!

With immediate results, little-or-no downtime, and no need for anesthesia, Juvederm is one of the fastest, non-surgical aesthetic procedures in the United States. More and more brides are turning to Juvederm to give the gift of confidence to others.

Say “thank you” to your bridesmaids, friends, and family with an opportunity to enhance their looks in an easy and relatively painless way! Dr. Martin will travel to your home to perform the Juvederm system for the ultimate level of comfort and confidentiality. Serve cocktails, appetizers, and host an elegant bachelorette party your guests are sure to enjoy.

For more information about Juvederm, and to learn other ways Dr. Martin can help prepare you for your big day, make an appointment today!

It’s official–wedding season is here! If you’re the bride-to-be, you’ve been busy planning the seating chart, picking out a dress, coordinating wedding decorations, and registering for fine china. But have you planned any pampering services for you?

Of course you’ll have your hair and makeup done on your big day, but what about services that last longer than just a few hours? Dr. Martin and the rest of his staff have several ways to pamper you before your wedding!

First, is our ZOOM! Whitening Service. Your wedding day is one of the happiest days of your life, so we know you’ll be smiling a lot. You could spend weeks and weeks with frustrating and messy at-home whitening trays to improve your smile, or you could come in for a 1-hour office visit and see amazing results in a fraction of the time! Whitening your teeth is a quick procedure that will last for months, but you’ll be happy with your wedding photos forever.

The second way Dr. Martin can help you look your best is by offering Botox. You probably thought you had to visit a plastic surgeon’s office or your local hospital to decrease facial lines and wrinkles, but Dr. Martin can provide you with Botox services at your next dental visit! Botox injections are mostly painless and take only minutes to administer. When finished, you’ll enjoy a smoother, younger complexion without having to worry about imperfections on your wedding day–what’s better than that?

If you’re looking to enhance your overall look on your wedding day, a whiter smile and a rejuvenated face will make all the difference! Come in today for a free consultation and more information on our services.

I found this article on the fact there is a correlation between TMD and posture. The occlusal arrangement becomes the cornerstone to the rest of your body and having all the parts in sync is so important. More support for the Neuromuscular approach to TMD pain.

“If you experience frequent headaches and pain in your lower jaw, check your posture and consult your dentist about temporomandibular disorder (TMD), recommends the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.

Poor posture places the spine in a position that causes stress to the jaw joint. When people slouch or hunch over, the lower jaw shifts forward, causing the upper and lower teeth to not fit together properly, and the skull moves back on the spinal column.

This movement puts stress on muscles, joints and bones and, if left untreated, can create pain and inflammation in muscles and joints when the mouth opens and closes.”

Good posture is important, yet many people don’t realize how posture affects their oral health.

An oral appliance can help align the teeth in a position that will reduce facial pain caused by poor posture. The appliance can also prevent future damage to teeth.

Just wanted to share this with all that their is positive value to treating Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction utilizing Neuromuscular theories. This was posted on facebook today and wanted to share how positive factor on one’s life being pain free and able to absorb trauma if in the proper physiological position. I will continue to post patient responses to treatment.

“Jackie Brady David J Martin DDS MAGD/ Debra M Ferraiolo DMD FAGD: I just had to write to you all to tell you that I was in a multi-car accident on Tuesday. (I’m good, just sore) And to thank you for treating my TMD because my jaw is FINE! If this had happened before, it would have been terrible. I think my jaw’s the only thing that *doesn’t* hurt on my head/back/shoulders/neck. So thank you so much.
about an hour ago · Comment · LikeUnlike · Report”

What is Juvederm?
Juvederm is one of the newest, “next generation” substances in cosmetic surgery known as “dermal fillers” or “injectable fillers.” Because more patients want quick procedures that show almost immediate results with little, or no, downtime, Made of a natural substance known as hyaluronic acid, Juvederm is FDA approved and — like Botox — is one of the fastest growing non-surgical aesthetic procedures in the United States.
Juvederm is often used to:
• Plump up folds that run from the bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth
• Fill in the prominent vertical wrinkles, (the “11s”) between the eyebrows
• Reduce the “Marionette lines,” the downturned creases at the corner of the mouth
• Augment thin or aging lips
Hyaluronic acid is important because one of its chief functions in the human body is maintaining skin volume and hydration. In medicine, hyaluronic acid has been used to ease joint pain, treat wounds and in eye surgery. In was used for the first time in 1996 in Europe for facial tissue augmentation. We know that we lose 1% of dermal (just below the skin) collagen over age 50. The use of fillers are curative and preventative and continued maintenance is crucial. Dermal fillers are not a substitute for a face left to correct wrinkles and sagging skin.
What are the Benefits of Juvederm?
An injectable filler like Juvederm can accomplish the same facial rejuvenation, as a surgical procedure, so the patient can leave the doctor’s office immediately and fully resume his or her normal activities by the next day. Moreover, the cost is less than surgery. There is no need for anesthesia or down time.

Where Do I Begin?
With a consultation at the office of a trained individual. Using During consultations, doctors can learn more about patients and vice versa. Moreover, the consultation visit gives the doctor a chance to evaluate the current state of the patient’s skin and face while discussing options that will help the patient achieve the desired look. Consultation visits also give patients the opportunity to talk about their goals and expectations for their treatments, ask any questions they might have, and look at before and after pictures of previous patients who had the same procedure. These visits also allow doctors to tell their patients about the benefits, precautions, treatment response, adverse reactions, method of anesthetic administration, if any, and other important issues.
What Are The Risks and Side Effects To Having Juvederm?
Depending on the procedure and the amount of Juvederm injected, risks include bruising, swelling and infection, all of which are minimized by seeing a trained practitioner. In clinical testing, the most commonly reported side effects included temporary injection site reactions like redness, pain and tenderness, skin firmness and lumps and bumps under the skin known as granulomas. According to Allergan, Juvederm’s manufacturer, treated areas should not be exposed to excessive sun, or extremely cold weather until initial swelling and redness has been resolved. Laser treatments, chemical peel and other procedures on the skin should be delayed until after receiving Juvederm due to a possible risk of inflammation at the injection site. Most Juvederm providers caution patients that bruising or bleeding at the injection site can be increased by taking aspirin, ibuprofen or any other substance that thins the blood. Juvederm is not indicated for people who have allergies to bacterial proteins or patients with severe allergies marked by a history of anaphylaxis or multiple severe allergies.

What Are the Results of Juvederm and How Long Do They Last?
Juvederm’s results are usually natural, seen immediately and look about the same as with surgery. However, the body absorbs the hyaluronic acid over time so the injections must be repeated periodically to maintain the refreshed look; Juvederm lasts about four to six months. For longer results, the manufacturer, Allergan, also offers Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus which are said to last about a year.

What Are the Costs of Juvederm?
Costs vary according to the region of the nation in which you live. The national average for a vial of Juvederm runs between $400 and $500. One-half vial of Juvederm treats one nasolabial fold.

Just got back form a wonderful weekend seminar with on of the most prominent neuromuscular dentist Dr Clayton Chan. Learning in small group setting with a group of dentist that have over 200 years of experience raised the level of learning. We spent the entire weekend refining out techniques for finding the most optimal “bite” for each patient. The ultimate goal is to gain quicker symptom resolution and pain free life. This was mainly directed to the chronic pain patient. It will help on all levels of restorative care but will really be a benefit to the TMD patient. These constant advances in the treatment of TMD make the possibility of being fully functional and pain free one of my professional goals. I just love contuning education.

A continuation of the prior discussion.
First the surgeon will discuss your medical history and assess which areas of your face to treat. During the treatment, a A continuation of the discussion of Botox. Enjoy!!!!

What happens during Botox treatseries of small injections will then be directed straight into the facial muscles that the doctor wants to relax using an extremely tiny needle. You will not need an anesthetic as the injections cause very little pain. The whole procedure should be completed within a matter of minutes. Rarely, these Botox injections can cause the side effect of bruising.
How quickly will I recover?
As soon as the procedure is completed, you will be able to return to normal activities. Some patients report a slight headache as a side effect of the Botox treatment but this should soon pass. Sometimes you will be advised not to lie down for 3 or 4 hours after the procedure as this can encourage the Botox to spread to other areas of the face. You should not rub the treated area for the same reason. You should also make use your muscles as much as possible so the Botox will be absorbed. Botox usually takes 3 to 7 days to take full effect, after which time visible improvement in facial lines should be noticeable. Your normal facial expressions should still be present. The beneficial effects of Botox usually last for 3 to 6 months.
Are there any Botox side effects?
Side effects of Botox treatment are usually mild. Some patients experience a slight headache for the first 24 hours after injections to the forehead area, especially after their first treatment. Mild bruising of the injected area can also occur. In very rare cases, excess Botox can cause the side effect of droopy eyelids, a condition known as ptosis. This is unlikely to occur when the treatment is carried out by an experienced cosmetic surgeon and will gradually correct itself as the Botox wears off. If you do experience drooping eyelids, you should tell your consultant.
Although very unlikely, a small percentage of patients may suffer the side effect of an extreme adverse reaction to Botox. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience difficulty in swallowing and breathing or develop a rash.
Your best defense against the side effects of Botox is to find a skilled doctor to administer it.
What are the advantages of using Botox?
Since its initial introduction, Botox treatment has quickly gained in popularity and is consistently one of the most requested cosmetic procedures. It is a relatively safe treatment for most people with few documented reports of serious complications. The treatment is very simple and quick and almost painless. Because no general anesthetic is required, recovery time is rapid with little or no side effects. The results of the procedure are fully reversible over time as the muscle weakening effect of the Botox eventually wears off.
Cost of Botox
Botox costs depend on numerous factors. Individual Botox treatment cost a reasonable amount varing from $400 to over a thousand dollars based on how many areas are treated.m The results last for 3 or 4 months, and do not have to be repeated too often. Some patients find that after several sessions, the time between treatments can be increased to about 6 months.
Where should I go to get Botox treatment?
Once you have decided to have Botox treatment it is important to choose the right cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. Botox has a proven track record for safety and good results but only when carried out by a reputable practitioner. Choose a fully qualified surgeon who has already carried out many Botox procedures. Look for a clinic where the surgeon is willing to carry out an initial consultation so that you have the chance to ask any questions and thoroughly discuss the implications of the treatment. A good cosmetic surgeon should always be happy to give you lots of information and may be able to show you photographs of past clients and the results of their treatment. It’s also a good idea to ask around your friends for personal recommendations.
What else is Botox used for?
Although Botox injections are most well known as a cosmetic procedure for the reduction of facial wrinkles, it is also used in the treatment of several medical conditions. Botox can be used to reduce muscle spasms and twitching of the neck or eyelids. It has also proved successful in the treatment of excessively sweaty armpits by blocking the chemical transmitters that cause the sweating. Depending on the reasons for treatment, sometimes the cost of Botox injections can be covered by medical insurance.