Laser Advancements Improve Dental Surgery For Your Child

 

Dental technology has come a long way over the last ten to fifteen years. One of these technological advances that have your family’s best interests at heart is the use of laser’s when completing dental surgery for your baby.   Dr. Judy Strutz is now providing laser surgery for your child’s frenum or tongue-tie problems. Some dentists and doctors may suggest you wait for this critical surgery, however, with the latest advancements in technology there is no reason to wait and many reasons to proceed early after birth.

Laser frenectomy procedures are a short and easy process that will enable your child to nurse correctly. Once Dr.Judy Strutz is able to meet with you and your baby for a preliminary screening she will be able to better provide you with the information you need to help make the decision whether to move forward or not. While a hundred years ago a midwife with a long nail would cut the extra skin in the mouth.  Now a laser has the ability to do the same thing with precision control of the outcome. Using a laser for this procedure allows for minimal pain and a quick recovery. Healing will begin right after the surgery and most children may breastfeed immediately. They will only need a short follow up to make sure everything is progressing as normal. 

Schedule your baby’s exam today.

How Much Is Your Smile Worth?

Have you ever considered your inability to budget for your dental needs may be impacting your ability to move up the career ladder? Business leaders today agree your smile is one of the first factors that they, as potential employers, look at when they first meet you. If you have cracked or missing teeth they may view you through a negative lens that is difficult to contend with during the rest of the interview. “In fact, they may be so focused on your teeth they miss the important part, your resume,” suggests Dr. Judy Strutz.

While other dentists may have turned you away or made recommendations that only correct a certain tooth or problem, Dr. Strutz’s purpose is to build a long lasting smile that will give you not only better health, but also a fantastic first impression. She believes in building quality smiles with materials built to last.  With over twenty years in the dental field as a prosthodontist, she only works with labs that uphold the same standards as she does.  

When rebuilding your smile it is critical to find a person who will not cut corners. This holiday season give yourself the gift that will keep on giving to you all year long – the gift of investing in yourself and your smile

Missing and Cracked Teeth Impact More Than Your Smile:

The way our teeth sit in our mouth impact how we say certain words. For example, if you have missing, chipped or cracked teeth you may find it difficult to stay certain sounds, which can be embarrassing as an adult, and it may be holding you back.

For example, the “th” sound is produced when your tongue is pressed up against the back of your front teeth. If those teeth are damaged it may come out as a “f” sound instead. So, not only is it not ascetically pleasing to have cracked and broken teeth it can be difficult for those around you to understand you.

While one cracked or missing tooth may not seem like a big deal the unfortunate part is that it can be a chain reaction. Once one tooth is lost the bone in that area is not stimulated enough. Without stimulation, bone loss on the jaw occurs, which then causes more missing teeth. Other teeth may also shift into the place of those missing teeth, which then impacts your jaw and can create extreme jaw pain.

With increased jaw pain you are less likely to eat the nutrient rich food you need to stay healthy. While you begin to crack and chip more teeth because your bite is off and your enamel is weakened from an improper bite. 

However, Dr. Judy Strutz, can restore your smile to a beautiful, fully functional smile.

Don’t wait to get help today.

What Should I know About My Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist is more than a dentist. They spend extra time in school to become specialists of restoring smiles that have been impacted by trauma, severe periodontal disease or diseases that may have impacted the mouth. While all dental professionals may seem the same prosthodontist stand out among the rest and they are not all the same. Here are a couple of questions you should ask before spending your money and time.

1.    What is their education?  Not all education is equal. Some Universities provide a more rigorous program than others and University programs can be accredited differently. Dr. Judy Strutz recommends finding out what program your prosthodontist is certified by in order to make sure you are in the best hands possible.

2.   The number of years they have been in prosthodontist makes a difference. While everyone has to begin somewhere and being new doesn’t mean incompetence. You’ll want to know if they are newer to the profession. The customized work that creates a beautiful smile is crafted in each one of Dr. Strutz’s cases and is based off of years of experience.

3.   Prosthodontist work closely with labs to rebuild your smile. Information on the labs that they will be working with can ensure not only an amazing restored smile but also at a cost you can afford. Part of the money you pay for is the lab work that is going to be done.

4.   Different restorations allow for a variety of options. Some individuals may only work with certain substances for veneers or completing implants. New technology and a variety of substances will change the look and amount of time your appliance will last. Educating yourself on the different materials available can help you make a more educated decision on whether the prosthodontist your working with can fit your needs.

5.   Their personality, will impact your comfort level. We all pay for and spend time with the people that we feel the most comfortable with. Restoring a smile is not an over night job and the last thing you want to do is start a big job like this and not finish because you are uncomfortable with the person that is completing the work. Make sure their personality is a good fit for you.

Veneers-Are They Worth The Money?

Our smile is the first tool we have to make a great lasting impression. If some of your teeth are stained, cracked or smaller than your other teeth a permanent solution is available. At first glance this solution may seem too expensive for you. However, you may be missing out on that valuable promotion or your dream job because your smile may be sending a less than positive message. Unfortunately, employers today will evaluate your worth and hire-ability based on the look of your smile.

“Employers have reported they will often not hire someone who has an unhealthy looking smile," says Dr. Strutz. The assumption is that if you do not take care of yourself you also may not pay attention to the details it takes to complete the job. If you are working in retail or with customers there is an even greater importance placed on having a beautiful smile. So while you may think that Veneers are expensive the alternative may be costing you happiness and a life you deserve.

With the right prosthodontist completing the work, your veneers can actually save you money over the long term. Veneers are a less expensive option then having your teeth extracted and getting implants.  Your veneers should look natural and beautiful and when done correctly can last up to ten-fifteen years or more. Do not settle for less than the best when you are considering what a smile upgrade can do for you.

While your insurance may not cover cosmetic dentistry, with a little planning and prep work you can be on your way to a gorgeous smile you can be proud.

No One Else Can Help Me!

It’s the season of smiles, pictures and happiness, however you may not be feeling it. Embarrassed by your smile? Have you been to other dentists that have turned you away? Is jaw pain keeping you from enjoying some of your favorite holiday treats? Prosthodontist, Dr. Judy Strutz, may be able to restore your smile to a beautiful and healthy state that fixes the deep-rooted problem impacting your smile. 

So, what sets her apart from the others? She doesn’t’t spend fifteen minutes with you on your first visit to her office. An assistant doesn’t relay your information to her.  She’s different because on your first visit Dr. Strutz is going to spend over an hour listening to you talk about your dental history and your smile. She’ll ask you the tough questions and evaluate your entire health history. It doesn’t stop with a question or two about your teeth, or the one thing that is impacting your smile. She understands the importance of fixing all of the problems that negatively impact your teeth, your jaw, your bite and your smile.

For example, did you know that one cracked tooth could be a sign of more than just weak enamel? Dr. Judy Strutz does, she understands the importance of having an extensive oral exam that evaluates your entire mouth, because fixing one cracked tooth does nothing for you if your jaw is misaligned.  Placing a partial denture may work for some but not for others. Dr. Strutz takes the time to find out what is gong to provide the best dental work for you.

Restoring Your Smile Should Be Exciting

Are your lips pulled tight on family photos? Or are you embarrassed by what you see when you look in the mirror? No more. Dr. JudyStrutz and her team are ready to take on the challenge of restoring your smile to a natural beautiful smile that you want to show off everywhere you go. A smile is the universal sign for hello and it sets the tone for a first impression. If you’re uncomfortable when you smile it will show to everyone around you.

However, restoring your smile can be expensive and nerve-racking. Well Dr. Strutz and her team will work to help ensure that you’re expectations are full filled. From the first consultation to the last appointment they work to bring you back what you’ve been missing, a smile you can be proud of.

When you first enter the office you’ll notice comfortable furniture and a warm and inviting staff.  When Dr. Strutz meets with you for your initial consultation she’ll listen to your needs. It isn’t about her needs or what she wants, it’s about your dreams.

While, it can be expensive to rebuild your smile, Dr. JudithStrutz provides you upfront cost analysis as well as support with your insurance to allow you to know what your portion is going to be before you even get started. Begin your future today with a team that care’s about you.

Dr. Strutz Is Not Just Another Prosthodontist

            Years of dental experience in a specialized field, puts Dr. Strutz in a league of her own. Not only is she an assistant professor at Loma Linda School of Dentistry, and board certified in prosthodontics, she works with patients daily to provide fantastic smiles that show off their personality.

Dr.Judy Strutz and her staff will work closely with you to help you see what can be accomplished through corrective dentistry. You may have heard ‘no’ before, or been told you have to suffer with poor or ill-fitting dentures because there is nothing that your general dentist can do. With Dr. Strutz that’s just not the case. As a highly regarded professional, she understands the importance of a smile that is natural, with dentures that fit great and restored self-confidence.  Thousands of Americans do not like their smile. These people may shy away of photos, not look other people in the eye, turn down dinner invitations and may avoid leadership and other social opportunities. 

You can take your life back by stepping into the office of Dr. Judith Strutz.  You don’t have to sit back and watch others live the life you want. Dr. Strutz and her team can be trusted to restore your smile and teeth to optimal health.

Call today and learn what may be available to help you.

                       

             

Laser Surgery & Your School Age Student

Laser surgery can seem scary especially when performed on your infant. While some dentists may recommend you wait if your baby has a maxillary frenum, Dr. Judy Strutz believes taking care of this early on is important. An excessive maxillary frenum can decrease your baby’s ability to eat correctly now as well as in the future. Their ability to speak correctly can also be affected.

            Children that enter school with a frenum may be unable to pronounce certain sounds. If a child by the age of five is unable to say some sounds correctly it may be that they are never able to say them without difficulty. Unfortunately, other children tease or make fun of those with these challenges. It can often become quite frustrating for the child with a frenum when peers ask them to repeat what they are saying. 

“It is possible that some frenum’s will correct themselves over time, I’m just not sure it’s worth the risk to their self esteem to take the chance,” says Dr.Judy Strutz.

            Curriculum requirements mean that students are reading at earlier ages then years ago and are required to orally express their thoughts and understanding of problems. A frenum can impact a student’s ability to not only pronounce certain sounds but to also hear correct sounds when blending.  Research suggests students who are more engaged with their education have increased understanding of concepts.  A combination of increased rigor and increased competition in schools to perform at the top add an immense amount of pressure to a student.

            A child struggling to speak correctly because of this extra piece of skin between their teeth will many times experience decreased self-esteem, causing them to speak in school less and less. An inability to express their understanding of a problem has a tremendous impact on their overall educational opportunities and could impact them for years to come. When faced with these challenges against the ease of a minor laser procedure, the choice is easy.

A Prosthodontist, Not Just A Dentist

While a general dentist may advertise and provide support to you in the area of implants, dentures, jaw pain and other advanced smile techniques; a prosthodontist is a specialized dentist that takes these procedures to the next level. There is no reason for continual heartache and unhappiness with your smile, because Dr. Judy Strutz and her team can provide the smile you have been looking for.

 

Combined, the team at Dr.  Strutz’s office in San Bernardino, California have years of experience working on difficult cases. Including but not limited to full mouth restorations, dentures, and injuries of the mouth due to periodontal disease, accidents or malignancies.

Their goal from the time you enter the office to the time you leave is to provide a comprehensive plan that brings change and happiness to your life. Your overall career success can be impacted by cracked and broken teeth. Your sleep may be impacted by jaw pain. However, you do not need to spend one more minute in pain, discomfort or being embarrassed because there is a dedicated and hard-working group of individuals that want to give you back the smile you need to achieve your dreams. 

Dr. Strutz has extensive experience in working to fit dentures. She will craft and design the fit you need in order for you to have teeth that feel comfortable in your mouth. Without a proper fitting denture you maybe missing out on the nutrition you need to live a healthy lifestyle.

What Is A Prosthodontist?

Dr. JudyStrutz is not just a dentist; she’s also a prosthodontist. A prosthodontist receives an extra three years of specialized instruction that allow them to be certified in restoring beautiful smiles to create a youthful look.  If you have experienced trauma, the loss of your teeth due to periodontal disease or cancer, or you have cracked or broken teeth Dr. Strutz and her team of professionals can help create the smile you are looking for.

 Prosthodontists have specialized training to work with complex cases. Many times these cases are ones your general dentist, or even a dentist who says they specialize in cosmetics, may not have the same or possibly adequate experience to handle.  Dr. Strutz and her team will complete a comprehensive exam that assesses the health of your mouth, your current needs, and then develop a plan that will give you the smile you’re missing.

Prosthodontists have extensive training in esthetic dental work.  Millions of Americans are unhappy with their smile due to discoloration, cracked teeth, or misshapen teeth.  While some dentists take only a few courses on how to handle this situation, a prosthodontist is one of only nine American Dental Association recognized specialties and were truly the first cosmetic dentists. 

In order to provide the best possible outcome, it is important for the dental lab that a prosthodontist works with to be a high quality one. Dr. Strutz prides herself on working with labs that use the top techniques and advanced technology to correctly shape dentures to provide the best fit for you, or crowns and bridges that match existing teeth and restorations.  This lab work is critical to the fit and success of implants as well as other restorations and what helps make Dr. Strutz’s smile makeovers stand out.

Don’t delay, call today for your consultation.

Take Time For Your Smile

Dr. Strutz and her team know your smile is important and it is just as important that you take time to take care of it. Minor issues that come up with your smile can seem small and no big deal, however, it is important that you have minor cracks, and problems with your teeth taken care of before they become bigger problem.

While a small crack in one of your teeth can easily be fixed, a crack in your tooth can mean that your bite is off and once one tooth is cracked other teeth may be impacted which eventually may lead to high levels of pain and more significant damage.  A smile that is not as lustrous and taken care of can then begin to negatively impact opportunities in your career. Dr. Strutz, suggests, “A smile is one of the first things that is noticed about you when you interview for a job. Don’t let yours go untended.”

 Sensitivity to food or drinks can cause a nightmare in your everyday activities. While you may think that it is no big deal, many times this is the first symptom of a cracked tooth. If you have sensitivity for three to four days or the pain is consistent it may mean something is wrong. . Don’t wait.  Taking care of these types of problems can prevent you from having more expensive problems later on down the line. If you are suffering with tooth sensitivity, call today to learn how Dr. Strutz and her team can help.

Frenectomy & Your Child

You are so excited to see your new baby born, and you should be. But then you find she is fussy and can’t seem to latch on to the breast correctly. She has gas and stomach pains after feeding. What is the problem? You’ve removed certain foods from your diet that you were told might cause a problem.  Still something isn’t quite right. Finally, in despair, you consult a lactation consultant or your physician to learn your child has a thicker than normal piece of skin under the tongue or the upper lip. This is commonly called being lip-tied or tongue-tied depending upon where the excess tissue is found.

Not only does this condition impact how your baby feeds, especially if you are a nursing mom, but it can also create challenges in the future in their speech.

And it isn’t only the baby who suffers. Babies who have a maxillary frenum may be unable to move the tongue into the correct location to eat correctly. While an improper latch may not seem important at first, it can cause your child discomfort and lead you to be sore as well. Untreated, a lip or tongue-tied breastfeeding child can cause damage to the nipples and breasts that may eventually lead to an infection.

Midwives used to snip a baby’s excess tissue or frenum using their sharp fingernail however, there are much better ways to handle this condition today. Dr. Strutz and her team are able to use a specialized laser that takes this procedure and makes it simple. “The first step is to come in for an exam,” says Dr. Judith Strutz. Once the exam is completed, if appropriate, Dr. Strutz will be able to perform the procedure in a short amount of time.

After your baby’s procedure is finished you will receive some simple after-care instructions. And best of all, most babies are able to eat immediately after the procedure.

Don’t be frustrated another day. Babies as young as a day or two have had the procedure and parents have seen immediate results. Call today to learn if you and your child can be helped by Dr. Strutz and her team.

 

Frenum And Your Infant

Laser surgery can be done on a young infant if they have a maxillary frenum in order to help alleviate the problems that they cause. A frenum is a muscle that is thicker than it should be and attaches to either the upper gums or the lower tongue to the floor of the mouth. When an infant is born with tongue-tie or a frenum, surgery may be necessary.

The surgery can be completed by prosthodontist, Dr. JudithStrutz, using laser technology.  It is a relatively routine procedure and can be done upon an infant that is only a few short days old. Dr. Strutz will have you hold your baby close, she’ll numb the area and then delicately use the laser to remove the thick skin. Usually infants that are struggling to nurse before the surgery are able to eat almost directly after the surgery.

For an infant, a maxillary frenum can impact how a baby latches on when they are nursing. “A baby unable to latch on correctly can cause them to not receive the nutrition that they need. Also a breastfeeding mother can become sore from the child not latching on correctly,” says Dr.Strutz.   The area corrected by the laser procedure may be sore for a few days but should heal rather quickly. Your child may be a little drowsy, but should recover quickly.   When a laser is used the recovery time is shorter and sutures are not required. To learn more, call our office.

Laser Surgery and Frenums

Laser surgeries are more common in dentistry, and there are a number of procedures that can be completed now. Dr. Judith Strutz now performs laser surgery to correct Lip and/or Tongue-Ties.

There are two types of frenum ties and each one impacts the individual differently depending on the thickness of the skin, the location, and your age.

Tongue-tie, otherwise known as a lingual frenum, is a condition where the muscle inside the mouth and under the tongue is thicker than it is supposed to be. This extra skin may attach between the bottom lower teeth and make it difficult for you to say certain sounds because you are unable to stick or position your tongue correctly to make the right sounds. It may also be painful to eat and you may have difficulty removing food particles from your teeth with your tongue.  

A maxillary frenum is when the thicker skin on the outside of the teeth attaches to the inside of the lips.  An individual that is impacted with this type of frenum may struggle with saying particular speech sounds, eating maybe difficult and, depending on the thickness of the skin, it may push a gap between the two front teeth causing other dental concerns.

The surgery for tongue-tie used to be completed by a midwife that had a sharp nail and would cut the frenum when a baby was born as frenums can prohibit a breastfeeding mother to be successful. However, lucky for us technology has advanced where a special laser can be used to fix either type of frenum easily and quickly. Call Dr. Judith Strtuz today to learn more.

The Dangers Of Chewing Ice

 

After you drink that refreshing Ice Coffee on that warm day the ice clinks around in the cup. The tempting nature of the “tink, tink” sound of the ice cubes is calling your name and before you think about it, you have begun to chew on the ice. However, according to Dr. Judith Strutz, “This is a very damaging habit that can impact your smile and cause you thousands of dollars to fix.”

The medical term for individuals that chew ice is called pagophagia.  It is part of a smaller medical term called Pica. Pica is a medical condition where individuals have a compulsion to eat food items that lack nutritional value.  While you are responding to a desire to chew on ice, what you may not realize is that you have a medical condition. For example, you may have an iron deficiency.  

Iron deficiencies that are left untreated can result in fatigue. Iron carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Less oxygen in the body can reduce your ability to think clearly and solve those problems at work. While you may believe that grabbing that cup of ice can help replenish it, it is not a positive solution.

When you constantly chew on ice you are creating a hot-cold cycle in your mouth. This change in temperature can cause tiny fractures on your teeth, which can eventually lead to great damage to fillings and your overall tooth structure.

Furthermore, your gums are very sensitive and require protection. While chewing on a sharp piece of ice you can actually puncture the gums. This open hole in the mouth is then susceptible to bacteria as food particles are chewed.

One easy suggestion: if you are addicted to chewing on ice, try sugarless gum.

And of course, let your dentist or dental hygienist know so they can also help you come up with other solutions.

Bad Dental Habits

Bad dental habits may have become as routine as waking up at the same time everyday. However, over time these bad habits may be damaging your smile and you may not even realize it. While Dr. Judith Strutz can fix broken and chipped teeth, she recommends taking care of the first set in order to not need these services later on in life.  Take the short quiz below to see if you are putting your smile at risk.

1.     Do you brush and floss twice a day?

2.     Do you chew on pens?

3.     Do you use your teeth to open items?

4.     Do you chew on other items that are not food? (For example, hair, fabric, sticks)

5.     Do you chew ice?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you are putting your teeth in danger. While brushing and flossing removes bacteria from your teeth when not done on a routine basis, the enamel becomes damaged and deep pockets in the gum tissue may begin to develop. This process is the beginning stage of periodontal disease.

Chewing on pens or other non-food items can cause small fractures in your teeth. You are then more susceptible to fractures as you have weakened the tooth enamel. Chewing on an object that is hard can also cause a chip in the tooth. Once, a chip occurs it can be costly to repair the damage.

“There is a special tool that can be used to open up items,” says Dr. Judy Strutz. “While it is convenient to use your teeth as a pair of scissors, it is not worth the risk.”  You can cause a divot in your teeth from the plastic that you are opening. Any type of damage to the enamel of your teeth leaves you at risk for further damage.

After you have finished that ice cold drink you may be tempted to chew on the remaining ice cubes, especially on those warm summer days. However, this habit could cost you a crown to fix the broken tooth. There are multiple reasons why someone may choose to chew ice, but in the end, it isn’t work the risk.

If you or someone you love answered yes to any of the questions above, it’s time to visit your dentist for a complete exam. Call today to schedule your appointment.

Partial And Complete Dentures

Partial dentures are appliances placed in the mouth that attach to your other teeth. While the process may sound easy, in order to get the correct restorative function your prosthodontist will spend significant time getting the process right.  Partial removable dentures are generally recommended if you are missing one or more of your teeth on both sides of your mouth, either upper or lower. They enhance your smile and improve chewing, speech and digestion.

When you visit Dr. Judy Strutz on the first visit she will complete an exam that assesses what type of denture is needed. There are two types of partial dentures one is removable and the other is fixed. Fixed partials are usually referred to as a bridge. Partial removable dentures are recommended when you only have a few teeth in an upper or lower arch remaining.

The removable partial denture is attached to your other teeth using clasps or attachments. These attachments may take some getting used to when you first begin wearing your denture. You may also need crowns added to other teeth in order to have enough structure to clasp your partial denture on to.  This requires a good fit in order for your smile to be functional as well as esthetic. You may also require other visits to adjust the partial’s fit as it settles into place. 

Partial dentures may also need to be adjusted after you have had them for a while. While they should last for several years, dentures can crack, break and shift. It is important to take care of your appliance once it is created to keep it in the best working condition.  So it truly is important to see your dentist at least twice a year. If you haven’t seen your dentist recently – call today and schedule an appointment.