www.GumsNTeeth.com :: Dr. Claudia Courchesne Family Dentistry

Courses \|Antibiotics \| Implants Cavities and Decay \| Dental Injuries
Courses Dr. Courchesne has attended an extensive and impressive list of courses during 2008, including: · Jan 12—21: Dental mission in Brazil · Feb 15: Digital and Panoramic Course (ODA) · Feb 25: Lab Tips with ODSC · Feb 26: Part of Woman Dental Study Club · Mar 6—9: Pacific Dental Conference in Vancouver · Mar 17: Sleep Apnea (ODSC) · Mar 20—22: Study Club in Detroit · Apr 4: Mary Osborne Course on Dental Health (ODA) · Apr 5—9: Level C2E at Pankey Institute · Apr 17: Pankey Institute Study Club in Ottawa · Apr 21: Radiologie Diagnosis (ODSC) · Apr 29: Soft Tissue Grafting at Gums Doc; Finished Implant Study Club at Argyle Clinic (Oct 2007—Apr 2008) · May 7: The Temporary S/N (Clinical Research) · May 8: No fear Veneers (Clinical Research) · May 26: Surgical Curratage (Gums Doc) · May 30—31: Strauman Implants Restoratives Course · Sep 19—20: Dr. Frank Spear Toronto Academy of Dentistry: Mastering the Art of Cosmetic Dentistry · Oct 23—25: Study Club in Detroit · Oct 28: Aesthetic and Functional Crown Lengthening (Gums Doc) · Nov 16—21: Pankey Institute Essentials 3 Dr. Pariseau will be attending the following continuing education courses in 2009: Oct 9-10: Rachel Remen Leadership workshop "Revitalizing the Heart of your Work" Oct 16: Endodontic Therapies with Dr. Cliff Ruddle Nov 20: Posterior Bonded Restorations with Dr. Pascal Magne Dec 4: Restorative Approach for Perfecting the Soft-Tissue Restorative Interface: Simple and Predictable Steps for Clinical Success Dr. Pariseau has also co-founded a Female Dentists' Study Club in Ottawa. All staff enjoyed a course by Mary Osborne on April 4 regarding Dental Health. Our staff also completed its annual CPR renewl in Fall 2008. :: back to top ::
Antibiotics The American Heart Association recently updated its guidelines regarding which patients should take a precautionary antibiotic to prevent infective endocarditis (IE) before a trip to the dentist. The guidelines, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, are based on a growing body of scientific evidence that shows that, for most people, the risks of taking prophylaxis antibiotics for certain procedures outweigh the benefits. These guidelines represent a major change in philosophy. The new guidelines show taking preventive antibiotics is not necessary for most people and, in fact, might create more harm than good. Unnecessary use of antibiotics could cause allergic reactions and dangerous antibiotic resistance. Only the people at greatest risk of bad outcomes from infective endocarditis — an infection of the heart's inner lining or the heart valves — should receive short-term preventive antibiotics before common, routine dental and medical procedures. Patients at the greatest danger of bad outcomes from IE and for whom preventive antibiotics are worth the risks include those with: · artificial heart valves · a history of having had IE · certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions, including: - un-repaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits - a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter interventions, during the first six months after the procedure - any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device · a cardiac transplant which develops a problem in a heart valve. If you are one of our patients who has required pre-medication for dental visits, you may want to contact your family physician to check whether or not you still need to take antibiotics before dental appointments. If you are one of our patients who has required pre-medication for dental visits, you may want to contact your family physician to check whether or not you still need to take antibiotics before dental appointments. :: back to top ::
Implants Implants are now considered standard of care when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Also considered standard of care, are implant supported complete lower dentures. Implants are made of bio-compatible Titanium. Placed in the jaw bone, they become a solid platform to support a single tooth, a bridge or a denture. We are pleased to announce that we now offer this treatment modality to our patients. :: back to top ::
Cavities and Decay Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose cavities, especially in the pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of your back teeth. The Diagnodent is a diagnostic tool that helps locate even the smallest amount of decay. The Diagnodent is a laser technology that scans your teeth with harmless pulses of light. When a cavity is present, fluorescent light of a different wave length bounces back to the sensor, which is translated to a digital read-out. The widespread use of fluoride has made finding and restoring cavities early in their development more difficult. Fluoride hardens the outer enamel layer of your teeth which means decay has a difficult time gaining a foothold. As a result, cavities are typically smaller and can be much harder to diagnose. Before, a dental explorer would catch on the decay, or the decay would show up on a routine x-ray. Now, however, a small cavity can easily go undetected. By diagnosing decay early in its development, we can prevent more extensive damage. Your restorations will be smaller and less costly, and you’ll be able to retain more of your own natural, healthy tooth. :: back to top ::
Dental Injuries Accidents do happen and it is important to be prepared. Should you or someone close to you suffer a facial trauma strong enough to cause tooth avulsion (tooth completely knocked out of its socket), do the following to improve the odds of saving it— Directions for when a person knocks a tooth out: · Immediately attempt to find the tooth(it could be in the lungs, stomach or gum tissue). · Handle the tooth by the crown only, do not touch the root. · Rinse with water but do not rub to clean it. · Replace the tooth back in the socket, if possible, but do not try to force it in. · If this is not possible, place the tooth in milk or owners own saliva (best). · Immediately contact your dentist for an emergency appointment. The sooner you receive treatment the better. Successful re-implantation of permanent (adult) teeth depends on proper handling and rapid intervention (ideally the tooth should be replaced in the socket within 5 minutes for best results). This procedure only applies to permanant adult teeth as primary (baby) teeth cannot be re-implanted. For additonal information, go to www.SickKids.ca/dentistry. Click on Resources then click on Parents/Caregivers Information. :: back to top ::