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THE GLO WHITENING SYSTEM ALSO INCLUDES A "WHITENING PEN" FOR TOUCH-UPS! CONTACT OUR OFFICE TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR GLO CONSULTATION!
(480) 889-1800

Welcome Dr. Jessica Villalobos to our Practice

Dr. Jessica Villalobos is a native of Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, Magna Cum Laude. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado and was awarded membership into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a National Dental Honor Society honoring exceptional students that are Top 10 in their class. Following graduation, Dr. Villalobos completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program through Lutheran Medical Center. In this residency, she was able to work side-by-side with specialists to advance her training in all aspects of dentistry including cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, and removable prosthodontics.

Dr. Villalobos is dedicated to perfecting her skills as a dentist and providing excellent care for her patients. She embraces comprehensive oral care and will ensure your visit is pain and anxiety free. She never takes for granted the opportunity to improve and restore a patient’s oral health and of course, provide them with a beautiful smile.

Dr. Villalobos and her husband Sam enjoy spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, and backpacking throughout the Southwest. Their newest addition is a Pomeranian puppy named Scout. 

Parents Need to be Careful with their Children's Pacifiers

 

Parents need to be careful with their children’s pacifiers. If not, dental decay could be the result.

Numerous studies show that dental decay can be transmitted to a child when an adult sucks on the pacifier to clean it.

A recent study in the journal Pediatrics goes into detail about this issue. There are few, if any, immunizing effects from adult saliva. Therefore, licking or sucking something to clean it off does nothing to get rid of germs.

It’s also important that parents don’t drip pacifiers in honey, juice, sweetened drinks or any kind of sugar. When exposed to those substances or anything with sugar, the result is often cavities or tooth decay.

The best way to clean a pacifier is to use something that is proven to be a disinfectant.

dentistrytoday.com

Peri-implant Diseases

Peri-implant diseases are inflammatory conditions affecting the soft and hard gum tissues around dental implants. Similar to a natural tooth, bacteria can build up on the base of the implant, below the gum line. Over time, the bacteria irritate the gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed, damaging the tissue and if not caught early, causing the bone structure below the implant to deteriorate. Peri-implant diseases are classified into two categories.
In peri-implant mucositis, gum inflammation is found only around the soft tissues of the dental implant, with no signs of bone loss. Generally peri-implant mucositis is a precursor to peri-implantitis. Evidence suggests that peri-implant mucositis may be successfully treated and is reversible if caught early
In peri-implantitis, gum inflammation is found around the soft tissue and there is deterioration in the bone supporting the dental implant. Peri-implantitis usually requires surgical treatment.	Peri-implant mucositis
	Peri-implantitis
Signs of peri-implant diseases are similar to symptoms of gum disease: red or tender gums around the implants, or bleeding when brushing. And just like your natural teeth, implants require regular tooth brushing and flossing and regular check-ups from a dental professional. Other risks factors for developing peri-implant disease include previous periodontal disease diagnosis, poor plaque control, smoking, and diabetes. It is essential to routinely monitor dental implants as part of a comprehensive periodontal evaluation.  The up side to dental implants is they function just like your natural tooth. The down side is, they are capable of becoming diseased just like a natural tooth. With a proper oral health routine, your dental implant can last a lifetime. perio.org

NEW RESEARCH SUPPORTS ASSESSING RISK, PREVENTIVE TREATMENT FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASE

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) supports new research published online in the Journal of Dental Research confirming the need for careful risk assessment to determine which patients may benefit from additional treatment to prevent periodontal disease. Periodontal disease impacts over half of the U.S. adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The AAP recommends that all patients receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation once a year to effectively screen and assess risk for disease, and to guide preventive care.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Common risk factors for periodontal disease include the presence of other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, poor oral hygiene, smoking, age, and genetics.

In the study titled “Patient Stratification for Preventive Care in Dentistry,”researchers assessed a patient’s risk for periodontal disease to determine if visiting the dentist once or twice a year helped prevent long-term consequences of periodontal disease. Patients were classified as high-risk for periodontal disease if they had one or more of three commonly observed risk factors: smoking, diabetes or the interleukin-1 genotype. Patients were considered low-risk if they did not possess any of the three risk factors. Loss of teeth was assessed as the consequence of moderate to severe periodontal disease. Over 5,100 patients were evaluated over 16 years.

The findings indicate that individuals at a low risk for periodontal disease experience no significant difference in tooth loss rates whether they received one preventive dental visit or two. However, high-risk individuals saw better periodontal health outcomes when they visited the dentist twice a year, and the data suggest that those high risk individuals with more than a single risk factor may need more than twice yearly preventive visits. 

According to Nancy L. Newhouse, DDS, MS, President of the American Academy of Periodontology and a practicing periodontist in Independence, Missouri, the results underscore the importance of regular, preventive care. “An annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation includes a thorough assessment of periodontal health, including a detailed inventory of any risk factors for disease. A dental professional should examine your mouth once a year to identify existing periodontal disease as well as assess risk for future disease. For some patients, this once-a-year visit is sufficient. However, according to the study patients with increased risk for periodontal disease warrant additional preventive visits.” 

Dr. Newhouse believes that these findings may also help dental professionals provide smarter, more efficient care. “Given the prevalence of periodontal disease in this country, the findings support patients receiving personalized periodontal care catered to their specific risk profile or diagnosis.”

perio.org

What is Snoring?

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping.  In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be loud and unpleasant. Snoring during sleep may be a sign, or first alarm, of obstructive sleep apnea.

Generally speaking the structures involved are the uvula and soft palate.  
The irregular airflow is caused by a passageway blockage and is usually due to one of the following:

• Throat weakness, causing the throat to close during sleep.
• Mispositioned jaw, often caused by tension in the muscles.
• Fat gathering in and around the throat.
• Obstruction in the nasal passageway.
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• The tissues at the top of airways touching each other, causing vibrations.
• Relaxants such as alcohol or drugs relaxing throat muscles.
• Sleeping on one's back, which may result in the tongue dropping to the back of the mouth

Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring

Oral Appliances are placed in the mouth and are worn much like an orthodontic appliance or sports mouth protector. They are worn during sleep to prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat so that the airway stays open during sleep. The appliances promote adequate air intake and help to provide normal sleep in people who snore and have sleep apnea. Oral appliances can be used alone or in conjunction with other means of therapy such as continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Determination of proper therapy can only be made by joint consultation of your sleep apnea dentist and sleep physician.

Types of Sleep Apnea Dental Appliances

Currently, over 80 different types of sleep apnea dental devices for snoring and sleep apnea are available to specially trained dentists to treat sleep disordered breathing. At first glance, this number appears overwhelming but on close examination each of the appliances falls basically into one of two categories and the diverse variety is simply a variation of a few major themes. Oral appliances can be classified by mode of action or design variation.

          Tongue Retaining Appliances

There are very few tongue retaining devices available, but they have been well studied and shown to be effective in many patients. Tongue retainers function by directly holding the tongue in a forward position by means of a suction bulb that holds the tongue. When the tongue is in a forward position, the back of the tongue does not collapse during sleep and obstruct the airway in the throat. The tongue is held in the suction bulb that protrudes from between the teeth in the above model.

Mandibular Repositioning Dental Appliances

 

Mandibular repositioning appliances are by far the most numerous type on the market. They all function to reposition and maintain the lower jaw (mandible) in a protruded position during sleep. It is felt that this serves to open the airway by indirectly pulling the tongue forward since the tongue is attached to the lower jaw, by stimulating activity of the muscles in the tongue and making it more rigid, and by holding the lower jaw and other structures in a stable position to prevent opening of the mouth.  Thin shells are placed over the upper and lower teeth and a device is incorporated that will pull the lower jaw forward as necessary to open the airway.

 

GUM DISEASE AND HEART DISEASE

HEART DISEASE

Several studies have shown that periodontal disease is associated with heart disease. While a cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been proven, research has indicated that periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease.

Scientists believe that inflammation caused by periodontal disease may be responsible for the association.

Periodontal disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions. Patients at risk for infective endocarditis may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Your periodontist and cardiologist will be able to determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics prior to dental procedures.

STROKE

Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. In one study that looked at the causal relationship of oral infection as a risk factor for stroke, people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group.   perio.org

Our Dental Practice

Our dental practice is uniquely different from any dental practice you have ever experienced. Not simply because of the pleasant surroundings or the highly skilled professional staff, or even the high-quality technical work we do. Our practice is different because our mission is different. In today's world you are offered many choices for how dental health care will be delivered to you, the patient. You can choose a health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), or a capitation system. In all of these health delivery systems, you the patient do not have a choice with regard to your treatment plan—you are not able to choose the dentist who attends to you, and normally you do not develop a significant relationship with either the dentist or the staff. Our practice represents a small percentage of dentists in the United States who have made a commitment to practice in an independent environment. In this environment, we are able to choose the best treatment plan that is consistent with your needs, wants, and values. We also focus on empowering and educating patients to make sound, intelligent decisions regarding their long-term dental health. This is important because it is our mission to have our patients participate in the prevention and curative phases of their treatment. Prevention: We have centered our practice on prevention and health as opposed to one that simply emphasizes emergency and repair care. The supporting gum tissue and bone are just as vital as the teeth themselves. Unfortunately only lip service is paid to these important areas and prevention is often misunderstood and inadequately stressed. The best way to protect and maintain the crucial supporting structures of your mouth for life is to have a qualified hygienist clean your teeth regularly, at which time preventive procedures can be implemented to protect your dental health. While the responsibility for returning for periodic preventive treatment lies with you, we will provide an ongoing program of health maintenance with you.

Our Philosophy of Practice

For patients to choose a dental office appropriate to their needs there must exist a match between the services sought by the patient and the services provided by the office. If the value you posses for your teeth and health coincides with our beliefs in fine dentistry and prevention, a mutually rewarding relationship will evolve for both parties. As a form of welcoming you and sharing our belief about how we serve patients, the following information is provided. Briefly stated, our philosophy of practice is this: "Our goal is to provide you with quality dentistry to help you keep all of your teeth for the rest of your life in maximum health, comfort, function, and appearance at a minimum of stress, discomfort, and expense." A dental office is a small health-oriented team of professionals dedicated to serving patients. Our office maintains certain standards of skill and concern and we want an aura about us that unquestionably makes a statement of our quality care. To make this evident, we have committed to a particular kind of practice. In a philosophical sense, basically one is devoted to either quantity—do a little for a lot of people, or to quality—optimal care on a long-term basis for regular patients. We want to attract and keep people who share our values and beliefs in excellence or who can grow to this level of appreciation through education and motivation. We seek a patient population with high expectations of good health and happiness. Examination Process: Excellence in dentistry begins with a careful diagnosis and treatment plan to move us toward the goals we will establish together. We will perform an extensive and comprehensive examination of the teeth, gums, bite, joints, and soft tissues. When needed, and with your permission, we will utilize all appropriate x-rays, intra-oral photographs, and study models of your teeth and jaw to identify areas of concern. We believe this in-depth examination to be the cornerstone of quality dentistry. Maintenance of Traditional Values: With the government becoming more involved in health care; insurance companies trying to dictate treatment and fees; and some dental practices competing through advertising, extended hours, and pricing; the very foundation of dentistry is being tested. We believe there has never been a time when a practice dedicated to prevention, service, and excellence has been more highly rewarding to both our patients and to us in providing quality, long-term health care. We hope you agree and will join our practice.

Brian H. Williams, D.D.S., F.A.G.D., Ltd. Dentist Extraordinaire Embraces All Aspects of His Calling By Joan Holstein           Dr. Brian Williams' enthusiasm for dentistry doesn't stop at caring for patients who need preventive or reconstructive services at his new Scottsdale practice.           In fact, his zest for his chosen field includes lecturing at UCLA School of Dentistry-Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, Biomaterials and Hospital Dentistry for more than eight years, as well as conducting and publishing research. He also presents papers nationally and internationally on intra- and extra-oral implants and attachments as they relate to quality of life. Williams even creates facial prostheses for cancer and trauma survivors, plus serves as a valuable resource to fellow dentists who may need to refer a particular patient with specialized needs.           Williams, simpy put, is an expert. But far from being a typical reclusive researcher or ivory tower academician, he is a caring, personable professional driven by a deeply held philosophy. That philosophy is best summarized by three words on his business card: Function, Stability, Aesthetics.           "I believe you have to treat the whole patient, not just one component," Williams explains. "You can't just focus on making the teeth look great without addressing all aspects related to proper function and oral health. If the facial muscles are balanced, the bite is perfect, and the Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) is working properly; if all those are in harmony and functioning as one, the result is great aesthetics and a stable restoration that will last the rest of the patient's lifetime." DOING DENTISTRY RIGHT           Guided by his holistic, comprehensive care philosophy, Williams is a staunch believer in "doing things the right way." At his practice, that means taking the time to provide patients with the best possible treatment. Dr. Williams' philosophy focuses on: Function, Stability, Aesthetics.            Toward this end, initial office visits may run at least an hour as Williams conducts an extensive interview to gather information and uncover any symptoms. Naturally, digital X-rays, which reduce a patient's exposure to radiation, are taken. A thorough evaluation of the muscles of mastication and TMJ is performed using Doppler technology and mounted study models are created. In addition, facial muscles are palpated, intra- and extra-oral photos are taken, and a thorough periodontal exam is done.            "It's like creating a blueprint. We can find out what problems exist, the cause of the problems, and present several solutions to the patient. We can reconstruct things in phases, taking care of the most important things first, and ultimately reach the desired outcome of function, stability and aesthetics," William says.            Along with being thorough and taking time to educate patients, Williams is adamant that patients aren't kept waiting and that any needed injections are painless. "Those are usually the two biggest complaints about seeing the dentist," he says. Another common objection—the expense of dentistry—can be eased thanks to today's affordable financing plans.            Additionally, Williams goes above and beyond to provide patients with a positive experience. "I want them treated the same way I'd want to be treated if it was me in the chair," he says. With this in mind, staff members take time to listen to patients' needs and play a role in their care. In addition to formal industry training, Williams' staff has more than 12 years of progressive experience in public health education and health care quality improvement. Williams' staff stands behind his comprehensive care philosophy and dedication to total patient care.           Williams is equally big on educating his patients about oral health as it relates to overall health throughout their lives. That can be a challenge when a patient has no dental pain and is tempted to buy that new plasma television or other wants rather than undergoing much needed dental work. Today's state-of-the-art technology can address that obstacle by providing patients with hands-on, computer generated images of their case, thus creating more opportunity for patient education.           "Technology is a real boon to patient education. Patients can hold their study models and see photos of their mouths instantly. They can see the decay and other potential problems and understand that various solutions exist to remedy these problems, even if it doesn't hurt at the moment," Williams says.           A proven practitioner, he sold his established Mesa practice in 2001 after 22 years and continued to work part time for the new owner. Unable to resist devoting himself to the profession he loves and the satisfaction of owning his own business, Williams opened a new practice in February at the foothills of the scenic McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale. Focused on preventive and restorative dentistry, his practice is located east of the Loop 101 near Bell Road and 98th Street in Scottsdale.           "Everything is state-of-the-art," he says. As example, the new practice has digital X-ray sensors, digital photography, computerized record keeping systems, and laser diagnostic instruments. Even with all this technology, Williams still enjoys doing much of his own lab work, even creating dentures.