Psychologist and Dentists Marry Ideas and End Fear

Are you Fearful About Dental Implants or Dental Visits?

I think it is safe to say there is a common and overwhelming fear of the dental office. It can be a common cause of anxiety as people visualize a drill-wielding man in a white coat just waiting to cause pain and remove teeth. Although this could not be further from the truth with Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman here at Periodontal Associates, it is pleasing to know there are some steps being taken to disprove this nightmare and increase the frequency of dental appointments to help with dental maintenance and prevent the need for dental implants.

Researchers at Sydney University claim that psychologists have helped to reverse decay in many patients.  Professor Wendell Evans, researcher on reversing tooth decay, created this relationship with psychologists to promote preventive dental care. The dean of Sydney University's Faculty of Dentistry, Professor Chris Peck, said patients in the new caries management program would undergo behavioral interviewing. "We use psychologists to change an individual's behavior to get them to modify diet and to use the best preventive approaches. It is not one appointment, but multiple appointments to reinforce those changes."

Although this study is going on in Australia, Dr. Versman, Heller, and Beckman have great ways to eliminate fears for good in the Denver – Aurora, CO area. Here are a couple of ways:

1.       Talk to the dentist – The dentist is not a mind reader. Though it can be hard to talk about irrational fears with a stranger, Dr. Versman, Heller, and Beckman take extra precautions during visits if fears and anxiety are communicated - just ask our patients!

2.       Bring a portable music player – Music acts as a relaxant and also drowns out any fear-producing noises. Listening to calming music throughout the appointment will help to reduce anxiety. (Periodontal Associates usually has great jams playing in every room!)

3.       Agree on a signal – Many people are afraid that the dentist will not know they are in significant pain during the appointment, and will carry on the procedure regardless. The best way to solve this is to agree on a “stop” hand signal with the dentist. Both parties can easily understand signals like raising the hand or tapping on the chair.

4.       Spray the throat – Throat sprays (for example, Vicks^® Chloraseptic^® Throat Spray) can actually control the gag reflex. Two or three sprays will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.

5.       Take a mirror – Not being able to see what is happening can increase anxiety and make the imagination run wild. Although Dr. Versman, Heller, and Beckman are great at walking you through the procedure before it even begins.

6.       Sedation – If there is no other way to cope, sedation offers an excellent option for many people. There are several types of sedation, but the general premise behind them is the same: the patient regains their faculties after dental implant or treatment is complete.

7.       Ask about alternatives – Advances in technology mean that dental microsurgery is now an option. Lasers can be used to prepare teeth for fillings, whiten teeth and remove staining. Discuss all the options with the dentist and decide on one that is effective and produces minimal anxiety.

 See what you can learn already about making the dental visit more relaxing? Just imagine how at ease and excited you will feel about defeating your gum recession and gaining a beautiful smile with your dental implants after you meet with our doctors: Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman.  They will walk you through the process in ways you can understand and know what to expect.  Our entire dental implant team here at Periodontal Associates will make you feel at home and carefree, you won’t even need a psychologist!

Go ahead, give us a call at (303) 755-4500. We are located in the Denver metro area, specifically Aurora. We cannot wait to end your apprehensions about dentures, implants, gum grafting, oral reconstruction, or even teeth cleaning!

FEAR NO MORE!

Celebs sport the timeless fad of a beautiful smile.

Most all celebrities are accessorizing with beautiful smiles.  Although some have had these signature looks naturally, more and more are running to doctors to enhance their smile with cosmetic surgery, dental implants, and veneers or to treat and prevent gingivitis.  Check out some before and after pictures to see the benefits of regular maintenance visits to your dentist like Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman.  Feel free to also come stop by our office in the Denver -Aurora, CO area and ask us how Periodontal Associates can give you your smile back!

 

 

 

 

 

YIKES!

Look at all of these perfect, new smiles.  Are you interested in changing yours? Call Periodontal Associates at (303) 755-4500 or click here for an appointment.  We are located in the Denver metro area and have 3 FABULOUS doctors (Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr.Beckman) who are ready to change your life! Not convinced? Check out what our patients have to say by clicking here or check our more on what we have to say on our facebook page here.

Olympic Dental Health

Dental Thrills and Olympic Grills!

It is that time of the year again, where Americans sit too closely to their television, wring their hands, and visualize themselves winning a gold medal just like the Olympic athletes seen in front of them.  However, if you want to mimic them, not only do you need to start training daily, but you will also need to pay close attention to your dental health and maintain a close relationship with your doctor (Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, or Dr. Beckman).

Athletes know that in order to be at the top of their game, they need to live a healthy life, including well maintained teeth and gums.  The Olympic Village in London actually embraced a state-of-the-art dental clinic run by volunteer doctors and hygienists in order to provide care to thousands of athletes and staff throughout the 2012 summer games.  Paul Warren, Director of Global Professional and Scientific Relations for Procter & Gamble Co., states that this facility provides basic care and restoration as some athletes may come from countries in which preventive oral care is not offered.

Physical Injuries

The clinic also provides mouth guards for athletes. This is very important as dental implants for those under the age of 35 is commonly due to physical injuries while those older than 35 is more commonly occurred from periodontal disease and caries.  The clinic even offers a dentist to attend contact events where a mouth injury is more likely to ensue. Dentist Dr. Tony Clough, who was the primary force in developing the dental program for the 2012 games and also volunteered in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing  stated, "The biggest priority is going to be emergency care like broken teeth and abscesses, which are going to happen among 40,000 people."

With popularity in dental care rising among athletes, one can only hope they will become advocates for dental health. “When athletes go home with medals around their necks, they often become ambassadors for their sports, their countries, and, it is hoped for preventive oral health”, Warren said. With 14,700 athletes at the games coming from over 205 countries, we hope that is enough role models to spark more interest in dental maintenance. (and here in the Denver- Aurora, CO area, we are proud to say Missy Franklin is among those athletes.)

GRILLS?

One athlete in particular has already caught the attention of viewers with his teeth antics.  Ryan Lochte’s grill cost him $25,000, and he states, “It’s a way of showing my unique personality to everyone.” Not everyone appreciates his over the top smile like he does, but as long as his teeth are healthy and protected underneath, Periodontal Associates, Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman are supportive.

If you are trying to find your personality again, a beautiful smile is a great way to start.  At Periodontal Associates, you may not be walking out with a diamond encrusted grill; however, you WILL walk out with a perfected smile you will want to show off all the same.  Stop by our office today in the Denver- Aurora, CO area to see how we can turn your vision and turn it into a reality or contact us at (303) 755-4500 to schedule your appointment to see Dr. Versman, Heller, or Beckman.

Teach Me How to Brushy

HEY MOM AND DAD! Having a hard time getting your kids excited about brushing teeth? Try this cute and fun video...

Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman are strong advocates for early maintenance to eliminate the need for future dental implants and gingival grafting.  Let's make it a habit now to end gum recession and periodontal disease!

If you have any questions please contact us in the Denver - Aurora, CO area by calling (303) 755-4500 or click here to make an appointment and meet our dental implant team at Periodontal Associates.

Turn that Frown Upside Down About N.Y.'s Ban on Sugary Drinks

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the proposal to ban sugary drinks in New York.  (good thing we do not have to worry about this here in the Denver –Aurora, CO area.)  This can be disappointing to some as we all love a refreshing beverage now and again; however, we all may be inclined to smile more without them.  While we will leave it up the public to decide what they want, let’s take a look at what sugary drinks do to our dental health.

Let’s start with an example.  Water has a pH of 7 which is neutral and in the middle of the pH scale. Coca-Cola Classic has a pH of 2.4. This is a scary fact as the lower the pH, the more acidic. In fact, Coca-Cola is closer to battery acid, which has a pH of 1, than to water! Dr. Versman, Heller  and, Beckman, here at Periodontal Associates, sure hopes you are not feeding yourself or your kids battery acid!

Sure there are people out there who can drink small amounts of this acidic liquid while maintaining their teeth, but the likelihood of periodontal disease and the need for dental implants is increasing with the continually growing portion sizes of these loved sodas.  The danger is that tooth enamel can be softened by the acid and acidic sugars.  When soda drinking is paired with grinding teeth, improper home care, or other diseases, it can cause to tooth loss.

It is easy to think this will never happen to you, but in reality, Northwest Dentistry reported that some teenagers drink as many as 12 soft drinks a day. That is a good way to start the fight against periodontal disease at an early age and in no surprise has an outcome of 70-80% of adults suffering from periodontal disease.

As much as we love to see our clients, our first reaction is to prevent the need for dental implants before providing them. So NEVER FEAR, the dental implant team is here! At periodontal Associates, Dr. Versman, Heller, and Beckman are determined to repair, prevent further damage, and teach proper home care for both you and your children. We would love for you to come in for a consultation to learn more, and you can schedule an appointment here in the Denver - Aurora, CO area or call us at (303) 755-4500, as it is never too late to show love to your smile. 

Most Common Form of Bone Loss Found in Gum Disease: Who knew!?

Ok, last I heard was that Osteoporosis was the leading form of bone loss; however, in a recent article in Medical Daily, they report that some studies suggest the most common bone loss is linked to periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is an infection surrounding the teeth, both the gums and bone.  There are seven danger signs of gum disease: 

1. Your gums are soft, swollen or tender. 
2. Your gums sometimes bleed when you brush your teeth.
3. You've got bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
4. Your gums are receding from your teeth, making your teeth appear longer.
5. Your teeth have changed their position slightly, making your "bite" different.
6. Any of your teeth are loose.
7. Pus seeps from your gums when you press them

As you read along with these symptoms, you may notice none of them are particularly painful.  Because of this, most people put off their visits to their dental provider as they are unaware of the changes taking place. By the time the periodontal disease is detected, most patients have already accrued sizeable amounts of bone loss, and they are in desperate need to see Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, or Dr. Beckman, our dental implant team, especially if they live in the Denver - Aurora, CO area.

This is a good lesson learned of why it is important to schedule regular cleanings and maintenance appointments with your dental provider. Periodontal Associates can even help you with your hygeine appointments.  If caught early, cleanings alone can be enough to prevent severe damage; however, if ignored, some people run the risk of needing dental implants and dentures.

Now that I have made you aware of the problem, let's reflect on the latest research revolving around this hot topic.  On July 19, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research announced it will be funding the work of three research teams investigating bone health.  These teams hope to obtain a rinse for patients to use at home or dental offices that will enable them to notice the disease at the beginning stages.  Detection is the first key! That is why you cannot wait to see our doctors: Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, or Dr. Beckman! In addition to this test, they also hope to focus on those patients who are the most resistant to most common treatments for periodontal disease.  They will try to pinpoint markers to show which patients are at higher risks for the most stubborn forms.  By pursuing this research, there is hope for earlier treatment and more aggressive treatment for those who need it most.

By now, you should have your phone in hand ready to call Periodontal Associates at (303) 755-4500, in the Denver- Aurora, CO area.  We are eager to help answer your questions to fully determine if you are unknowingly experiencing periodontal disease or in need for dental implants.  And do not worry, at Periodontal Associates, the dental implant team is committed to helping our patients achieve optimal health with minimal treatment through an individualized approach to treatment. Our doctors, Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman, all provide quality care while helping decrease any anxiety and fear. We look forward to fulfilling your periodontal and/or dental implant needs!

WELCOME -> Dr. Eric Beckman

It is with great enthususam and pleasure that we announce Dr. Eric Beckman as our new practice associate!!!

Over the last 3 years we have been carefully looking for that special person to join our group.  Finding a periodontist to join Periodontal Associates has not been a problem.  What took time and effort was finding the right person - someone who will dedicate himself to providing close working relationships and quality care to which all of our patients have become accustomed.

Last fall, we were introduced to Eric and knew immediately that he was the perfect person to join our practice.  We conferred with his graduate director at the University of Minnesota as well as his instructors, and we were extremely impressed with his references and credentials.  We became very comfortable that Eric shares our values and we quickly and enthusuastically recruited him to join us.

Eric was born and reased in Minneapolis, Minnesorta and attended the University of Minnesota dental School where he graduated with honors.  After graduation, he completed a General Practice Residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, and he had just completed his periodontal residency at the University on Minnesota.  During his residency, he received his Master of Science degree with a focus on biochemical engineering of titanium surfaces.

Eric has moved to Denver with his wife, Lauren, who has just earned her PhD in Nutrition.  Eric comes from a professional family.  His father is a pediatric dentist, and his mother is a physician.  He is anxious to get settled in the Denver community, and we are looking forward to all of our patients meeting him.

As we have added Eric to the practice, please be assured that Dr. Versman and Dr. Heller have no intention of decreasing their time in the office. 

So come stop by, as I am sure you are due for a cleaning or check-up anyways, and meet the addition to our fantastic team!