Dr. Apsey: Hi Mrs. Stolen, so what happened today what did we do for you today?

Patient: I got my braces off my teeth are beautiful! See!

Dr. Apsey: Oh that’s wonderful so how was the experience for you I know it was I know it was a long haul right?

Patient: It was difficult there were times where I couldn’t chew food I had to pure everything for quite a few months but if I had to do it all over again I certainly would do it and I’d have Dr. Apsey do it for me.
Dr. Apsey: So how was it to wear braces I mean you’re an adult patient how was it just to have braces on your teeth. Was it an inconvenience to you?
Patient: It was an inconvenience. We get older. Some things, it’s hard to adjust to things like that.
Dr. Apsey: Right.

Patient: But I, I knew it’s something I had to do no matter what.

Dr. Apsey: Right. You had a pretty difficult situation to start. And so I’m happy with the result.

Patient: I’m very happy with my results.

Dr. Apsey: Good. I’m so glad. Well we knew where we wanted to go with your teeth and I knew that it was going to take a lot of work, but we just kept pushing and we finally got there.

Patient: Yeah, you sure did. Yeah. It’s teamwork and it’s paid off.

Dr. Apsey: Yeah. Well thank you so much.

Patient: You’re welcome. Thank you.

Dr. Apsey: You’re welcome.

Hi, I’m Dr. Gregory Apsey here in Warren, Michigan. And the address here is 11270, 13 Mile Road, Suite 1A. I’m here today to discuss and to interview one of my patients who just recently had four crowns and the new precision attachment partial made, and I’m here to just let him speak and let you know how things went.

Dr. Apsey: What do you think about your new teeth? I know we’ve been, this is a bit of a long haul we’ve been on here, but how’s it going?

Patient: Well, I love them they’re great.

Dr. Apsey: How’s that smile looking?

Patient: Oh that smile is just beautiful.

Dr. Apsey: Okay, thank you. And your wife what does she think of it?

Patient: Oh she loves it too.

Dr. Apsey: Yeah?

Patient: Yup.

Dr. Apsey: Alright, let’s see. Let me get a close-up. Hey, looking good. Okay.

Patient: I smile more now too.

Dr. Apsey: Good. And how was it going through the different visits? You had several visits to get where we are right now and how were those visits for you? Would you say they were challenging or how was it for you?

Patient: They weren’t too challenging. You know, they weren’t bad. They were kind of easy.

Dr. Apsey: Okay

Patient: Not hard at all.

Dr. Apsey: And does this change your life in any way when you have this change that you’ve made for yourself with your teeth? Would you say it’s going to make a difference?

Patient: Oh, yeah. You know, I feel a lot better because of my smile, you know. That’s the most important thing.

Dr. Apsey: Right, and that you can chew too.

Patient: Well yeah, I can chew too.

Dr. Apsey: That’s important too. Alright, well thank you very much, and it’s been a pleasure working with you. Alright.

Today I would like to talk a bit more about Preventive Dentistry, I really believe in it.  And here are a couple more reasons why I think it’s critically important.  Preventive Dentistry is preemptive, it’s regular.  Basically we believe, I believe in detecting problems early, before they become much more serious.  For instance, gum disease- bleeding gums.  It’s a very common problem and it is in fact about 75% of adults have periodontal disease, or gum disease.  And if it were only a problem with the teeth and eventually it led to tooth loss that’s bad enough for that reason.  But the problem is gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease and along with gum disease, along with inflammation, chronic inflammation there’s a build-up of certain chemicals in the bloodstream.  See reactive proteins which are associates with hardening of the arteries or Atherosclerosis and over time that has some very serious issues for much of our population.  Heart Attack and Stroke- gum disease is actually related to these processes.  So treating your mouth early, finding, detecting the problem early and treating it early could be key in keeping you healthier for your lifetime.

The bacteria that cause gum disease are also known to be causative in pneumonia.  If there’s a high level of bacteria in the mouth and the bacteria are aspirated which can happen, these bacteria are seen in the lungs of people with pneumonia.  So it can cause serious disease.

The other issue I would like to touch on is Oral Cancer.  Unfortunately Oral Cancer is still on the rise.  We’re finding links between the Human Papillomavirus and Oral Cancer. Human Papillomavirus is a common STD and its being passed from person to person.  We are now unfortunately seeing this in the mouths of younger people.  If it’s the right strain of the Human Papillomavirus it can cause Oral Cancer.  So Oral Cancer screenings are part of every examination done in my dental office.  Every time you come in to have your teeth cleaned I’m going to take a very close look at all of your tissues.  My dental hygienist is also going to take a look at your tissues.  Were looking for changes, were looking for problems that are just starting (or hopefully just starting).  And when we see a problem we refer you immediately to the Oral Surgeon for biopsy.  We want to know early if there’s any evidence of oral cancer beginning.

So please think prevention when it comes to dental problems.  Please get in regularly for dental examinations.  By the way you might want to check out our discount dental program, it might make it more affordable for you as well.  Thank you.

Gum disease treated early and often will save you money as well as your health.  If treated in the early stages, gum disease has not yet destroyed valuable supportive bone around your teeth, and may only require more frequent cleanings for a while, and a step up in your oral hygiene techniques at home.  What you protect yourself from is expensive deep cleaning, surgical intervention, loss of teeth, and chronic inflammation which has a detrimental effect to your overall health.  Treating gum disease early and often can save your life, as patients with chronic, untreated gum disease are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, pneumonia, or uncontrolled blood sugar.  The savings to you of early care are huge.

Oral cancer is on the rise, and can even strike young people. Though it was once thought to be related mainly to alcohol and smoking habits, we now think it is also being transmitted from person to person via the Human Papilloma Virus which is passed through casual sexual contact.  When you visit the dentist, you will have an oral cancer screening exam at each dental appointment to help detect this life threatening disease in its early stages.  Again, the savings are huge.

We all are experiencing these hard times together.  It is important to make smart choices for your family.  Dr. Gregory Apsey a dentist in Warren, Michigan has created for you a modern, friendly, gentle place to come to for all your dental needs.  He offers all phases of dentistry including:

• Cosmetic Dentistry
• braces
• root canal
• tooth extractions
• non-surgical gum treatment
• crowns and bridges
• partial and full dentures
• implant restoration.

Dr. Gregory Apsey offers a discount dental plan if you, your friends or relatives have lost their dental insurance.  Call today to find out more about saving money and your health with Dr. Gregory Apsey, dentist of Warren, Michigan.  You will be happy you did!

I’d like to talk to you about a common dental problem that many of my dental patients are faced with through the years.  It is cracked tooth syndrome.  It’s often seen in dental patients who either have just bitten on something very hard, inadvertently they fracture their tooth, or they on a regular basis are clenching their teeth.  Clenching of the teeth is a biting together and a squeezing, and it’s often happening during the day.  If you find yourself doing that during the day, its something that you can avoid, prevent, or stop yourself from doing it.  But in general,  people who are doing it during the day are doing it during the night, and generally at about 10 times the force at night time.

So what can happen over time is a tooth can split. As this process begins, in the beginning there may be a visible fracture on the tooth.  I would be able to detect that in my chair in a routine dental examination.  But you may also find it on your own.  That all of sudden you are not able to chew on this side of your mouth, something is bothering you-something is hurting and you would really rather stay off of it.  Meaning every time you chew, or every time you let off pressure you’re feeling pain.  This is a very good reason to get in to see the dentist because if the tooth is fractured there’s a potential  that the fracture will continue.  Usually that once it started it will continue working its way down into the structure of the tooth.  If it goes too deeply it can get into the nerve of the tooth, causing a need for root canal and crown if it’s even beyond that the tooth can sometimes be lost due to the fracture right down the root.

There is a pretty simple diagnosis that’s done in the dental office.  Usually there is an x-ray taken.  And I’ll do a test with a bite stick — we call it the tooth sleuth.  This tooth sleuth helps us to diagnose where the  tooth fracture is or if indeed there is a fracture.  And then we can talk about whether the tooth can be saved or not.  It really depends on how advanced or how deep the tooth fracture is.  So if you find yourself with a toothache when you’re chewing food, don’t put it off.  It should be looked at, at least to rule out a fractured tooth.  Thank you.

When you consume sugar (a 6 carbon sweetener) from food and drinks, the bacteria in your mouth do, too. The bacteria then produce an acidic waste product, which causes demineralization of tooth enamel and an increased potential for cavities. Xylitol on the other hand is a 5 carbon sweetener that bacteria cannot process. This means that bacteria cannot produce the acidic waste product, and this creates less potential for tooth decay. Xylitol also helps to neutralize acids in the mouth after meals. So, used between meals, Xylitol contaning gums, mints or rinses help to restore a neutral ph in the mouth which helps to prevent decay. Dr. Gregory Apsey recommends that you avoid between meal snacks or beverages containing acid or sugar (fruit juices, soda pop, sweetened ice tea) and instead recommends Xylitol containing mints or gum to reduce the acidity of the mouth.

Xylitol is safe for adults and kids as well. In fact, when mothers chew xylitol-containing gums, the protective benefits actually have been shown to transfer to their children, from birth through tooth eruption. Studies show that children can tolerate the same amount of xylitol as adults (6-10 grams per day) , but it is advised that they only use 6-7 grams per day.

Xylishield products are recommended by Dr. Gregory Apsey. He recommends that adults use 6-10 grams of xylitol per day to prevent decay (a piece of Xylishield gum or two Xylishield mints contain 1 gram of Xylitol). Children should use 6-7 grams per day. Speak with Dr. Apsey to set up a plan with Xylishield rinse, toothpaste, gums and mints that will benefit you and your family.

To learn more, check out www.xylishield.com to learn more about Xylishield.

About Gregory Apsey, DDS – Warren Dentist
Dr. Gregory Apsey practices dentistry in Warren, Michigan (Macomb County). He is a General Dentist with a focus on excellence in family dental care, braces, root canal treatment, mercury-free dentistry, veneers, crowns, bridges, dentures, and implant restoration. He has been practicing in the Macomb County area for 23 years, is a graduate of The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Faculty for Orthodontic Research and Education, and the Academy of General Dentistry. You will feel at home in his friendly, welcoming dental office.

Sometimes, a tooth fracture is noticed on a routine dental examination.  You may not know your tooth is fractured, and the dentist will inform you of the condition.  If it is a minor, surface fracture, often the tooth is observed for a while to determine if treatment will be needed.  If a piece of your tooth has broken off, or if a tooth has become tender to biting pressure,  and you find yourself avoiding chewing on that side of your mouth, you should quickly visit the dentist as the fracture may worsen and cause loss of the tooth.  Your dentist will know if a dental crown will help you.  He/she will test the tooth to determine the extent of the fracture, and will give you your options.  Sometimes, a filling is all that is needed, but usually, fracture is treated with a crown or porcelain or gold onlay (a partial crown).

If you have had root canal treatment on a tooth in the back of your mouth, in most cases, a crown will be needed to prevent loss of the tooth due to fracture.  Root canal therapy removes the center of the tooth, leaving the structure weak.  It is always necessary to have a crown in this case.  Front teeth will often be restored with a filling after root canal as the forces on these teeth are greatly less than the forces placed on back teeth.

Materials for crowns are either porcelain, porcelain fused to gold, or gold.  Gold is usually reserved for the teeth at the very back of the mouth as the forces at the back of the mouth are greatest, and gold does not break.  Further forward in the mouth either porcelain or porcelain fused to gold will be recommended.  These crowns are more esthetically pleasing, especially the all porcelain option.  You should know though that the all porcelain crown is the least durable.

Ask Dr. Gregory Apsey about his dental warranty program for crowns and bridges to protect your investment.  With good regular care, your dental crown should last many years to come.

The first step to comfortable dentistry is Dr. Apsey’s virtually pain-free injection technique.  He states that it all started at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry where a thoughtful professor taught him the technique of painless injections.  “No matter how modern this profession of dentistry has become, we still need to anesthetize our patients,” says Dr. Apsey.  “The key however is to do it properly.” ” The first patient I anesthetized was myself,” states Dr. Apsey.  “My professor felt that if we injected ourselves, we would understand very well the proper method.”  Well his professor was right and to this day, Dr. Apsey uses this technique.   The method mainly requires time.  Dr. Apsey uses topical anesthetic liberally and keeps it isolated and in contact with the gum tissue for a good 2-3 minutes prior to the injection.  Secondly, Dr. Apsey takes great care to inject very slowly so that the pressure sensing nerves begin to numb before they even sense the increase in pressure.  The result is a very happy, and very numb patient, ready for pain-free procedures. 

Prior to beginning the dental procedure, Dr. Apsey assures his patients that if they should have any discomfort, or need a break, or if they are a bit cold, that they just need to ask.  Headphones with a variety of soothing music are available during procedures. Or a warm blanket to tuck you into if you are cold. Any discomfort during the procedure is answered with additional medication to assure the procedure remains pain-free.

For patients who are more anxious, Dr. Apsey may recommend a sedative one hour prior to the dental visit.  This medication, dosed for the particular patient’s needs, has a marvelous calming effect, helping the most anxious of patients  tolerate even the more difficult procedures.  Dr. Apsey is often able to accomplish a lot of dentistry in one visit with sedation dentistry.  The end result for his patients is success at reaching their goals with their dental health, and a feeling of calm that they were able to overcome their dental fear.

Dr. Apsey stands behind his dental treatments, making sure to call his patients after a difficult procedure and assisting his patients with any needs that they may have after their care is complete.  All in all, his patients feel well cared for from the first contact.

Ask Dr. Apsey about his warranty program for his dental procedures, and you wlll find another way that you can be more comfortable with Dr. Apsey’s dental care.  Dr. Apsey cares about his patients from the day they enter his practice and for life.  His idea is to establish a solid relationship with his patients based on trust, communication, and comfort.

Apart from tasting good, brewed tea has many health benefits. Tea is loaded with natural antioxidants, which are thought to decrease incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Mohamed A. Bassiouny, DMD, BDS, MSc, PhD, the lead author of the study, compared green and black tea to soda and orange juice in terms of their short- and long-term erosive effect on human teeth. The study found that the erosive effect of tea was similar to that of water, which has no erosive effect. And, when comparing green versus black, he discovered that there is a better option among those as well.

Dr. Bassiouny says that “when we look at tea and read about the benefits, it’s amazing—not because green tea is “the in thing” —but because there are advantages.” He adds that much research done overseas, in countries such as Japan and Europe, found that green tea was identified to being superior over black due to its natural flavonoids (plant nutrients) and antioxidants.

But, if you do drink tea, experts suggest avoiding additives such as milk, lemon, or sugar because they combine with tea’s natural flavonoids and decrease the benefits. In addition, stay away from prepackaged iced teas because they contain citric acid and high amounts of sugars. It does not matter whether the tea is warm or cold—as long as it is home brewed without additives.

Dr. Gregory S. Apsey DDS, PLLC, member of the AGD and a Warren, Michigan dentist sees patients’ erosion problems on a daily basis in his practice. “Severe cases of erosion occur monthly and are frequently associated with high rates of soft drink consumption,” he says. “This study clearly shows that brewed teas resulted in dramatically less enamel loss than soft drinks and acidic juices,” says Dr. Apsey. “I would highly recommend patients choose tea as an alternative to more erosive drinks like soda and fruit juice.”

Tips to decrease enamel erosion:

• Reduce or eliminate carbonated beverages. Instead, drink water, milk, or tea
• Skip the additives such as sugar, lemon, and milk
• Drink acidic drinks quickly and through a straw directed to the back of your mouth
• Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow in your mouth. Xylitol as a sweetener is best as it helps to reduce acid in the mouth
• Rinse with water to neutralize the acids, and wait an hour before brushing
• Talk to your dentist about your habits to help establish a preventive plan