Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Updated Monday, March 23rd, 2020

Hello everyone hope you all are staying safe and spending this time with things that you would have always wanted to do.

We have been closely watching and abiding the state and ADA recommendations for everyone’s safety and to contribute our support to the community during this challenging time.

The latest proclamation from our Governor is

“I hereby prohibit all hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, dental, orthodontic and endodontic offices in Washington State from providing health care services, procedures, and surgeries that, if delayed, are not anticipated to cause harm to the patient within the next three months, with exceptions and as provided below.”

This will be in effect for the coming few weeks.

On the same note if you have pain, infection, deep decay which could lead to root canal or broken tooth, please reach out to us and we will be providing care for that.

Our front office would be reaching out to reschedule your appointments further out.

Stay safe and this shall pass too.

Thursday, March 5th, 2020

With the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the sickness associated with it here are some updates from your office.
If you have an appointment and have Flu like symptoms with fever, cough or any shortness of breath, please call us to reschedule your appointment.

Otherwise come for your appointment and rest assured. We are following all the recommended precautions to keep you and your family safe. We are compulsively wiping all the surfaces in the waiting areas and entire office couple of times a day. We are practicing superb hand hygiene with the best disinfection and sterilization measures. The waiting room has a hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes which we will ask you to use when you come in. Sick employees are not allowed to work. We are wearing our protective wears including masks all the time. Just some examples here to mention.

CDC and ADA guidelines on the topic
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
2. https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2020-archive/february/ada-releases-coronavirus-handout-for-dentists-based-on-cdc-guidelines

Dental Allergies: Awareness is Key

Allergies Encountered in Dentistry

If you have allergies to specific items used in dental treatment, there are ways your dentist can provide alternative methods of care. To be certain you have true allergies to specific things, it is best you are tested by a medical doctor. Let us look at some allergies seen in dental practise. It is also good to know what it will mean to your dental management should you have true allergies.

Allergies to penicillin affect a small percentage of the population. With allergies to this drug, it means you cannot be given penicillin or any in the family of this class. Your dentist may give you an antibiotic that is stronger for you, in which case both of you will have to be watchful for side effects. A much lesser strength alternative might be too slow, weak in battling your infection which might lead to a lengthier dose regimen.

Allergic Reactions to Metal

You might be allergic to certain metals which are commonly used in implants, bridges and dentures. Your dentist may have to fabricate crowns for you that are entirely devoid of metals which can make your appliance more expensive, weaker and prone to stresses. You will have to be more cautious in using your crowns. Allergies to methacrylates or resins used in many dental materials, from restorative composites to fissure sealants, bonding agents and orthodontic and crown and bridge resins, have low occurrence but can nevertheless induce a Type IV (delayed) allergic hypersensitivity reaction.

Other dental materials that warrant particular awareness include nickel, eugenol and polyether impression materials. Although rare, allergy to other metal alloys such as mercury, gold, platinum, palladium, silver and cobalt are also possible.

Allergic Reactions to Latex

Allergic reaction towards latex gloves used by dentists and hygienists can manifest in patients. Though it affects only 1-5% of the population, it is as high as 17% among healthcare workers. Glove protection is generally used against blood-borne pathogens. Though most reactions are immediate, it can be handled safely in the dental office. As a result, latex-free gloves are now available.

Yet another is anaphylaxis which may result from dental anesthesia, such as lidocaine, though rare, or a drug-to-drug interaction with a medication the patient is currently taking.

Watching Out for Allergies in Issaquah

Our team practices safe dentistry. It is standard procedure to take all patients’ thorough medical and dental history. For your safety and well-being, our staff are highly trained and equipped in all manner of dental emergencies, including allergies.

Sleep Apnea Treatment at Issaquah Dental

End Snoring and be Safe

When snoring during sleep occurs too frequently or last longer than it used to, it’s one of the signs of sleep apnea. It is a condition where the upper muscles of the throat relax or collapse and block the passage of air through the esophagus. Sometimes it can be obstructive where totally no air gets through and causes the sleeper to gasp, waking him with a start. The more episodes you have during a sleeping hour, the more severe is the condition.

Remember that this can lead to low oxygen levels in the blood, and can be harmful to the heart and the brain. It needs to be professionally examined.

The use of mouth guards is a dental sleep solution for mild to moderate sleep apnea. They come in many brands and styles as fits-all types or multiple sizes. The customized oral appliance, that fits a patient’s oral measurements, is another type and is designed to enlarge the airway and prevent those upper muscles and tissues from collapsing. On the other hand, for the severer types of apnea, a device called a continuous positive airway pressure (or CPAP), is intended to deliver continuous supply of compressed air via a mask.

Seek the Experts Only

Since any misdiagnosis of sleep apnea and of the patient’s suitability for the appliance can lead to potential problems, only personnel who are trained and qualified and have extensive knowledge of sleep disorders should employ and fit such devices. When you visit Meadow Creek Dental, you will consult only with the best qualified practitioners in this regard.

Our Issaquah dentist will determine the cause of your sleep apnea, such as an anatomical condition like large tongue, excess throat tissues, or enlarged uvula and tonsils. Dr. Dipti may encourage some lifestyle changes, like smoking cessation, stricter alcohol intake and dieting that can aggravate your condition. Our clinic makes available to you these choices and a simple consultation can determine your suitability.

Going for Tooth-Colored Fillings in Issaquah

Natural-looking and Other Benefits

Composite resins are those fillings that are identical to the natural color of teeth. The tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture is used to restore decayed teeth, change the color of the teeth or reshape disfigured teeth. Composites are incredibly strong and durable and are able to withstand daily stresses. Dentists using them find that they are easy to manipulate. Best of all, they mimic the color of your teeth and no one will guess that you’ve had a restoration.

These tooth-colored fillings have been compared to silver-mercury amalgam, still being used though sparingly, but whose strength and durability are well-established. As far as aesthetics go, the stark contrast between the silver coloring and the rest of the teeth are often noticed. Composites are far superior to amalgam, coming in various shade models to match existing teeth color.

Dental preparation on composites, unlike amalgam, spares the tooth from further drilling and removal of normal tooth structure. Composites bond excellently with tooth material, helping to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes. On top of all these, composites do not contain mercury at all, an added safety value.

How durable are tooth-colored fillings? Do they last as long as amalgam fillings? Composite restoration’s longevity is comparable to amalgam’s depending on dentist’s skills and techniques, type and location of tooth concerned and certain patient characteristics. Composites may be costlier than silver fillings, though, because of the time requirement and technique in preparation and application.

Improving Smiles Naturally in Issaquah

Issaquah dentistry goes for natural, same-colored tooth fillings, as more and more patients opt for that natural look. While we offer a range of options for restoring damaged teeth, If you prefer that seamless look in your front or back teeth, composites are the way to go.

Protecting your Child with Sealants in Issaquah

Benefits of Sealants

Are your kids fond of snacks, juices and shakes? Did you know that frequent exposure to starchy and sugary foods make kids prone to early cavity formations and tooth decay? Sealants applied to their teeth give needed protection. School-age children who do not have sealants applied to their teeth have three times more cavities than children with sealants? That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which said in 2016 that only 43% of children 6 to 11 years of age have sealants.

Brushing and flossing are still the best ways to prevent cavities, but often their benefits do not reach the back teeth as often and as properly as they should. Your child’s molars and premolars are not always easy to clean. These teeth’s uneven top surfaces provide attractive places for food debris to lodge and get colonized by bacteria. You might even be applying fluoridated toothpaste and have your child drink fluoridated water; both ways give added protection. But are they accomplished regularly and faithfully?

A convenient and consistent safety net can be provided by sealants. They are painted as liquid on the surfaces of molars. the thin and translucent coating made from plastic sticks to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and then quickly hardens via light curing. In effect, you have provided a physical barrier against food debris and bacterial attack.

Sealants are long-lasting and save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth. Children from ages 6 to 12 and adults can benefit from sealants. Both primary and permanent molars benefit. Adult teeth can have sealants too, provided their back teeth are still carries-free and without fillings
Are sealants safe for children? Yes, of course. Unless your child has an allergic reaction to it, sealants have no known other ill-effects.

Starting Early with Sealants in Issaquah

Where dental health is concerned, it is better to start early. Have your child’s teeth protected from tooth decay by way of sealants. It’s safe, painless and affordable, a preventive measure in oral care by your Issaquah dentist.

How Effective are Fluoride Mouthwash?

Worldwide Systemic Review Confirms Benefits

Dental professionals have seen research supporting the evidence of the benefits of fluoride. It is known that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and increasing the rate of the remineralization process, making the enamel more resistant to acid. While dentists see the effects of fluoride in their general practice, can this be proved by statistics? Research is still ongoing and needs to be constantly systemically reviewed.

In 2016, the Cochrane Oral Health Group published its most recent review in which the objective was to determine the effectiveness and safety of fluoride mouthrinses in preventing dental caries in the child and adolescent population. This review included 37 trials involving 15,813 children and adolescents from different countries and spread over two to three years. Mostly trials based in schools and under supervision, the children were tested with sodium fluoride mouthrinses in specific concentrations.

There appear to be no significant differences regarding baseline caries severity, background exposure to fluorides, rinsing frequency or fluoride concentration. It confirmed that supervised, regular use of a fluoride mouthrinse can reduce tooth decay in both children and adolescents.

The combined results showed a 27% reduction in dental caries in subjects with decayed, missing and filled tooth surfaces when compared to another group that didn’t use fluoride mouthrinses. There was limited information on adverse effects or tolerance of children to the rinsing. The trial didn’t include children with primary teeth. Hence, there’s still room for more research.

The review has demonstrated the beneficial effects of fluoridated mouthrinses and more and more dentists trust the use of this compound in their practise.

Issaquah Dentists and Evidence-based Care

Over at Meadow Creek Dental, our professionals are in sync with trends and latest research findings in the dental field. When it comes to products and tools to advance patient care, we are always at the forefront of continuing education. Learn more about the benefits of fluoride mouthwash from your Issaquah dentist.

You Can Tell if Your Child is at Risk for Caries

Tell-Tale Signs Your Kid is High-Risk

Most 2 year olds have never been to a dental clinic and, in fact, 25% of kids in kindergarten have not seen a dentist face-to-face. If parents know what to watch out in their toddlers, including what they feed them, they’d be aware that bad or good habits are forming contributory to their oral health. As parents, you have to ask yourself.

Does your child have special health care needs including physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive or emotional impairment?

A child with such a special need have difficulties learning proper oral care; parents themselves will have to perform brushing and flossing on the children. In some cases, the child will have to be reminded all the time. And then, does he or she snack several times a day? Constant exposure to sweet or starchy foods enables the buildup of tartar on tooth surfaces and crevices, including under the gums and hard-to-reach areas. Same thing happens if your child frequently takes sodas, juices, shakes, or sports drinks in lieu of water.

And is your child currently on the bottle or nursing?

Know that it can lead to baby bottle syndrome, a condition of tooth decay that develops on the infant or a nursing child’s dentition due to long- staying bottle feeding. This can happen if the child sleeps with his bottle or if it is used as a pacifier. The liquids rich in sugar tend to stick around, especially on the upper front teeth, and are a magnet for bacterial attack.

Have you brought your child to the dentist already?

It is advisable that at the appearance of his first baby teeth, parents should already have dental consultations. The dentist will advise you properly. He will tell you to brush baby’s teeth before bedtime with a soft cloth or wet soft toothbrush, to lessen snacking and intake of sugary drinks, to drink fluoridated water, and to wean your toddler off the bottle by one year of age, at least. He will certainly also ask you to bring the patient to him regularly.

Meeting Your Toddler’s Issaquah Dentist

Know more about keeping your child away from tooth decay. Without knowing it you might be starting your toddler on certain habits affecting his oral health. We are just as concerned. Come visit us at Meadow Creek Dental for your baby’s first exam.

The Causes of TMD

A disorder in your temporomandibular joint, known as a TMD, comes in many forms.

“What Is the TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint is the area just in front of your ear, where the lower jaw connects to the side of your skull. The joint comprises a complex system of muscles, ligaments, bones and cartilage discs that act together as a hinge and enable you to move your lower jaw forward, backward and side-to-side. Any situation that causes the jaw to malfunction is called a TMJ disorder, and its symptoms can carry discomfort to the ear canal.” (Source: Colgate)

They generally represent a problem with the joint of your jawbone or the muscles that are used to manipulate this bone. The root cause of many TMD’s is often hard to pin down, but some of the most common problems include the following:

  • If you are a woman, particularly a woman between the age of twenty and forty, you are statistically more likely to develop a TMD. The reason behind this is not well understood.
  • An injury suffered around the area of your jaw, neck, or head.
  • Excessive clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth, which puts a lot of stress on your jaw muscles.
  • A TMD is occasionally the symptom of a more serious disease, like gingivitis or oral cancer. These can affect the way your jaw fits into your skull.
  • Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in your jaw can come in the form of a TMD.

Meadow Creek dental can help you to overcome your TMD’s. Consult our Issaquah dentist during normal business hours to learn more.

Issaquah Dentist says: Dental Implants for All

What Makes and Doesn’t Make You an Ideal Candidate for Implants?

While fixed bridges and removable dentures used to be the norm for missing teeth, these days, many dentists and patients are going for dental implants. And why not? This mode of treatment gives a natural look and feel in the mouth, protects healthy bone and keeps your natural teeth in place. They are built to last a lifetime with their predictable outcomes.

Most people are good candidates for dental implants. As long as you have healthy gums, sufficient bone in your jaw and of good quality, and a commitment to proper oral hygiene, you are a fine candidate for implants. Some may not be ideal candidates, but that depends on your dentist’s judgment and the severity of the patient’s condition. They have to do with the health of your gums and jaw bone.

There are young people whose bones are still growing, hence, the jaw bone lacks maturity. Heavy smoking, excessive alcohol use, high-dose radiation to the head and neck, and severely depressed immune system all slow down healing significantly after implant surgery and can contribute to dental implant failure. Pregnancy also alters the state of the gums and consistency of bone. Those who grind their teeth are another less-than-ideal candidates. Then, persons with chronic diseases or systemic problems like uncontrolled diabetes, connective-tissue disease, and hemophilia have issues with bleeding gums, brittleness of bone, and frequent infections.

However, these patients may still be candidates for dental implants, depending on the dentist’s discretion and after proper evaluation. If the situation is not too far gone, meaning there is still sufficient quantity and quality of jaw bone, and the dentist finds adequately healthy gum tissue to work on, implants can still be an option. You, as the patient, should also commit to proper oral hygiene and regular follow-ups to ensure implant success.

Ensuring Dental Implant Success in Issaquah

Are you ready for implants? Know from your Issaquah dentist if you are a candidate for this popular and reliable restoration procedure everyone is talking about.

Biomimetic Dentistry has come to Issaquah

What is Biomimetic Dentistry?

Translated to BIO, meaning ‘lifelike’, and MIMETIC, meaning ‘copy’, Biomimetic dentistry simply means to copy what is lifelike. This discipline works on the premise that since nothing is as good as your natural tooth structure, and if a part of it is decayed or broken, only the damaged section is taken out and replaced by a restoration that bonds tightly and keeps bacteria and other debris out. The outcome should be as natural-looking as the original part, as strong, and as durable.

Biomimetic Dentistry is, hence, restorative and cosmetic in purpose. The dental materials used, such as composite resins and ceramic materials, mimic natural tooth structure in appearance and function as to not be obvious that a restoration was done. A hard tissue bond is the preferred material as it withstands stress better, while biomimetic applications ensure the tightness, allow no shrinkage or gaps that give access to bacterial invasion.

This practice conserves as much tooth structure as possible, doesn’t use materials (like amalgam) that require extensive tooth grinding or drilling, avoids crowns and implants because more grinding is needed to fit them, and reduces the need for root canal treatments for it preserves more tooth structure that protects the pulp.

Biomimetics in Issaquah

Dr. Dipti Srivastava is a qualified Biomimetic dentist who brings this science to Issaquah. She transfers the philosophy of conservation and return to function in indicated cases in a way only a trained and experience practitioner can. Our patients find this type of dentistry less stressful to them and not as expensive compared to traditional dental procedures.