TriangleOMS Newsletter
David M. Lambert, DDS, PA
January 2006 Volume 1, Number 1
In This Issue
· AAOMS 3rd Molar Study
· Online Drug Information
· Computers Running Slow??
· Teeth In An Hour??
· What’s New
Important Drug Info for your Practice
Find out more about Facts and Comparisons Online Drug Information
More Information About “Teeth In An Hour”
Nobel Biocare website information on “Teeth In An Hour”
Check This Out!
Triangle OMS Referral Resource Site
A website to support our referring partners
Contact Us
919-806-2898
AAOMS 3rd Molar Study…
The evidence for prophylactic 3rd molar removal is now in. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons funded a long term study to evaluate the effects of retained third molars. Dr. Ray White from UNC, the principal investigator, recently presented new evidence which demonstrates how infected 3rd molars may contribute to a number of health concerns – including an low birth weight in children whose mothers have infection during pregnancy and cardiovascular disease.
The conclusions from the recent evidence-based research are:
· All 3rd molars should be considered for removal in young adults in order to decrease the risks for systemic inflammation and local progression of emerent periodontal disease.
· Patients who elect to retain their 3rd molars need to be monitored for the progression of periodontal disease.
· Patients with retained 3rd molars should be informed of research regarding increased risks for systemic disease.
Our position regarding elective, preventative third molars has been, and will continue to be, that all 3rd molars in young adults should be removed at a time when the benefit/risk ratio is optimal. Elective removal of 3rd molars in older individuals should be considered, however the benefit/risk should be weighed and patients must be counseled regarding potential for complications.
We are glad to finally have at hand the hard facts to support elective removal of 3rd molars. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have questions about this important study or require further information.
Online Drug Information…
We’re happy to offer to our referring doctors complimentary online access to Facts and Comparisons Drug information database. This extensive database compiles brand/generic drug information, drug-drug interactions, drug identifier, pregnancy and lactation warnings, herbal interactions facts, Review of Natural Products, and much much more. This is the most detailed drug information database available. Please call the office or send email to inquire about this helpful benefit we’re happy to offer our referring colleagues.
Computers Running Slow???
You know the old story. You buy a brand new computer. It runs like a top…but then it gradually slows down over time! Before long, it seems to run as slow as the old model you replaced.
Frustrating, eh? There are possible multiple reasons for this behavior, many of which can be corrected. First of all, if your computer interfaces with the Internet, you must be concerned for the presence of viruses. Purchasing anti-viral software in this day and age is an absolute must. There are multiple antiviral programs available, and are regulary reviewed by reputable magazines, like PCMagazine (www.pcmag.com). Norton Anti-virus and McAffee Anti-virus are two popular programs to consider. These programs are purchased on a “subscription basis”, and must be renewed yearly.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, is the possible presence of “adware”. These pesky little programs are downloaded into your computer silently during websurfing…without your ever knowing. They then run in the background, take up prescious RAM, increasing the frequency of hard drive access…slowing everything down. PC Magazine gives thumbs up to to Webroot Spy Sweeper (www.webroot.com) – also yearly renewable – for about $30.00.
Lastly, the longer your hard drive runs, the more “fragmented” it becomes. Oddly enough, the Windows “system defragmenter” does a very meager job of defragmenting. Diskeeper (www.diskeeper.com) is the answer – it’s everything the system defragmenter should be and more. Run it after running Windows system defragmenter and you’ll see the reason why. Renewable yearly also for about $30.00.
Of course, nothing will help a computer which has outlived it’s usefulness, but these three utilities run weekly will keep your computer working efficiently far longer than it would otherwise.
Teeth In An Hour?
We have received many inquiries from the public about some recent local publicity for “Teeth In An Hour” (TIAH). Basically, TIAH is a treatment option – conceived and currently being tested by Nobel Biocare - which allows edentulous patients to have implants and final, implant retained prostheses delivered all in one stage. What is not being revealed to the public is that there is much preoperative planning that goes into TIAH.
In a nutshell, TIAH is CAD/CAM technology taken to another level. A 3 dimensional CT is taken which allows precise localization of X,Y, and Z plane coordinates. Analysis of this study is done to determine the optimal location of implants in number, size, length, and orientation. Computer generated patient analogues are then fabricated allowing creation of a custom surgical stent for implant placement with guides precisely oriented in 3 dimensions. These analogues are also used to generate the prostheses in the desired occlusal scheme.
Day of surgery, any clinical denture base changes are made with the assistance of a computer generated surgical stent. The surgical implant guide stent is anchored securely into place. The implants are placed permucosally thru the guide ports in the implant stent. The prosthesis is then delivered and retained immediately by the implants. Theoretically, because of the precision between the computer generated patient analogues and the clinical patient, the prosthesis exactly fits the patient and the implants in the desired occlusal scheme.
TIAH offers patients the convenience of implant and prosthesis delivery in one setting. We believe the best characterization of this new technology is currently “experimental”. As with most new technologies, further study is necessary to determine the viability of this option. We will be closely watching for further studys to monitor viability of this treatment modality.
What’s New
We celebrate the beginning of our 8th year serving the surgical referral needs of the greater RTP professional communities. We also began our 4th year of operations in our new, spacious Southpark Professional Offices location near Southpoint Mall. We thank you for your support in years past and look forward to continuing our successful relationship with you and your patients.
Here’s what else is news at Triangle OMS…
· Dr. Lambert is now clinical attending at Wake Med Hospital in Cary
· Drs Lambert had 30 minutes of fame in a nationally televised episode of “Home Delivery” which aired in February 2005.
· Dr. Lambert attended the 2005 AAOMS Annual Meeting at Boston, MA this past October. The information presented here includes the latest updates in surgical techniques and patient management.
· Dr. Lambert gave an presentation to the Wake County Dental Society in November 2005 entitled “Contemporary Management of Anticoagulated Patients”.
· Triangle Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery continues it’s support of charitable organizations including Project Graduation and American Refugee Committee.
We hope you have had a wonderful Holiday Season. Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2006 for you both professionally and personally.