The world of dental X-rays has just gone to a new level:  3D!  New “Cone Beam” technology (CT scanning) has now reached the dental market allowing dentists do render 3D X-ray images of patients.  The digital scanner allows dentists to see significantly more information using less radiation than traditional methods.  Compared to hospital grade CT scanners, the dental version uses approximately 1% of the radiation.  The machine takes 200 images in 14 seconds and is able to render multiple views of patients’ heads with a single scan.  The 3D images allow “virtual treatment planning” to occur allowing patients to see what their smile could look like before it is ever created.  In some cases it is making traditional dental impressions (the goop that goes in your mouth) obsolete. 

 The benefits of this advanced technology are many.  Considering that all X-rays up until now were flat (2D), being able to see our patients in 3D opens an entirely new world of what we can see.  It is as if dentistry has gone from “the world is flat” paradigm to “the world is round” paradigm!

Because we offer only the highest level of service at Blodgett Dental Care, we want to make sure you are aware of this incredible new technology in our practices.   It is quick, painless and easy to understand.  We look forward to introducing you to “Cone Beam” technology.

If you have not yet heard of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, you soon will.   At Blodgett Dental Care it is our core belief that, if given the choice, most people would prefer to have less surgical care than more.   Yet historically in dentistry we have been a very reactionary profession.   Generally speaking, we would wait for cavities to develop, we would ”drill and fill” then wait for it to crack 10-20 years later and grind it down for a crown.  Occasionally this would then lead to the need for a root canal which further destroys the tooth.  This was not a recipe for success! Thankfully, due in great part to many advanced technologies, the days of waiting for decay to occur are over.   Now through the process of “bioluminescence” we can help you understand your risk for decay long before cavities ever form.  And if you are found to be at high risk for decay we can treat your mouth with neutralizing rinses that not only freshen your breath, but kill off the bacteria that cause decay!

Minimally Invasive Dentistry is not just about stopping decay, however.   Technology is now allowing us to understand your risk for gum disease before you have bone loss or inflammation.  Preventing gum disease not only improves the chances that you’ll keep your teeth, but it helps decrease your risk for other health-related issues such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Minimally Invasive Dentistry is a concept that follows a general common-sense belief that understanding risk for disease is far more effective than monitoring for symptoms of disease.  Or more commonly stated:  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

If your goal is to have and maintain great oral health, then Blodgett Dental Care is the dental home for you.  By understanding your risks for oral diseases we can help you avoid the common symptoms from which people have suffered in the past (i.e. decay, bone loss, bad breath, unsightly teeth).   And if you’re not a patient already, please contact us today to join the Minimally Invasive dental movement! 

Is it too much to ask for that a person would be able to get a crown, that looks like a tooth, in a Single Visit.

HECK NO!  At Blodgett Dental Care we use CEREC 3D, which is a CAD/CAM system for making crowns in a single visit.  Better yet these crowns look just like teeth!

If you’ve been disappointed with crowns that you’ve had in the past, having to wear a temporary crown for a week or two, and then still the possibility of it not fitting and not really looking like a tooth, then you would greatly benefit from this system.

With CEREC 3D we can offer single visit porcelain fillings, crowns and even veneers!

Call Blodgett Dental Care today to see how we can help you have the smile you deserve.

Cosmetic dentistry is a hot topic!  And most people would agree that having a beautiful smile not only makes you more attractive and look younger, but helps your chances of career success, as well.  Unfortunately, because of certain past TV shows that highlighted more aggressive ways of improving a smile such as “Extreme Makeover” and “The Swan”, many people believe that often the cost to having a beautiful smile would mean sacrificing healthy teeth in order to cover them in bulky veneers.  The great news is this:  none of this aggressive destruction is necessary to have a winning smile!

If you want a more attractive smile and want conservative options to obtain it, here are some options to consider:

• Whitening – from over the counter products to in-office procedures, whitening is a great way to bring new life to your smile.  The lightened look will make you appear younger and you’ll feel more confident.
• Tooth reshaping – If you have had your teeth for more than a couple decades chances are that you’ve ground off some of the original tooth structure.  When this occurs the wear can create sharp angles at the corners of the front teeth which gives your teeth a more “mature” and “masculine” appearance.  Subtle rounding of these teeth at the corners and literally shave years off of the look of your smile
• Lumineers – If you haven’t yet heard about Lumineers then you may be one of the few left who hasn’t.  Lumineers are ultra-thin veneers that are made to fit over the top of the existing tooth structure you already have.  Because they are so thin it is rare that tooth structure needs to be ground away and since the teeth don’t need to be ground down it is extremely uncommon for patients to need any shots.  Lumineers are made out of long-lasting porcelain and despite their thin stature rarely break because of their incredible strength.  Studies on the longevity of Lumineers have consistently shown that they will last with a high degree of predictability for over twenty years.  They are THE standard in minimally-invasive cosmetic smile improvement.

We hope that these ideas have helped illustrate that there are many conservative, minimally-invasive methods for improving your smile.  To find out which option would be best for you, please feel free to contact us at http://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/contact-local-dentist.html.  Feel free to call or email.  We welcome both!

Have you ever wondered if there was a way to transform your smile, with no pain, and could be done in one appointment.

Dental Bonding might be the answer for you.  For people who don’t want to commit to orthodontic treatment or a full mouth of veneers, Dental Bonding can permenantly whiten and straighten teeth in a single appointment.

Call us today to see how Dental Bonding can give you a lot to smile about.

October 2006 – Blodgett Dental Care becomes Portland’s first dental practice to offer VELscope oral cancer detection, a technology which aids in finding oral cancer long before it could be detected with the naked eye.  Our belief in its importance is so strong that we offer this screening at no charge to all patients in our practice.  If avoiding oral cancer is important to you, make sure you see us so that we can a VELscope screening for you. 

Facts about oral cancer:

• Oral cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer worldwide
• A quarter of all oral cancer cases occur in men and women with no known risk behaviors.
• According to American Cancer Society data, nearly as many women will be diagnosed with oral cancer as with cervical cancer this year.
• The key to reducing the impact of this disease is early detection.

Oral cancer Risk Factors:

• age – all adults
• gender – more men than women develop oral cancer
• smoking – particularly if combined with heavy alcohol consumption
• chewing tobacco or using snuff
• heavy alcohol consumption – particularly if combined with smoking
• excessive sun exposure to the lips.

Have you ever wished that there was a magic potion to make sure that you would never get cavities again???

At Blodgett Dental Care all of our patients experience this.  Today we offer a simple 15 second painless test that determines your Risk for Tooth Decay.  The test is so simple, it just requires us to wipe a couple of teeth, then 15 seconds later we know your personal Risk for getting cavities.  This test tells us the level of cavity causing bacteria in your mouth.  Many patients brush and floss and still get cavities, Blodgett Dental Care will help you stop the caries (formation of cavities) process for good.

What if a patient is determined to be High Risk?  We offer anti-cavity rinses that will help achieve a state of oral health in which you won’t ever get cavities.

For years dentistry has waited for holes to form in teeth, then we filled them.  Why wait for the holes???

Think of our Tooth Decay Risk Test the same way you would about nails (bacteria) lying around a tire (tooth), you would be more likely to get a nail in the tire if there were 1000 nails surrounding the tire compared to 3 nails.  Don’t wait to get the nail in the tire, then it’s too late and the tire (tooth) has to be fixed. 

Contact us today to find out how you can avoid cavities forever.

Legally, we can’t say that we’re the best dentists in Portland.   And after all, being considered “the best” would be largely based on subjective opinion anyway. 

So instead we thought it would be helpful to illustrate some of the notariaty we have gained since the inception of Blodgett Dental Care.

• We are recognized by the Oregon Board of Dentistry as Portland’s leading experts in Laser and Minimally-Invasive Dentistry
• We have been featured both on TV and in written media more than any other dentists in the Portland area
• We have provided more lectures throughout the west coast on progressive, minimally-invasive dentistry and dental lasers than any other dentist in the Portland market
• In 2006, I was recognized by the World Congress of Minimally-Invasive Dentistry as their International Clinician of the Year.

But don’t take our word that we could be considered the best – listen to what our patients are saying:  http://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/testimonials.html

If you’re tired of the same old approach to oral health care we encourage you to visit us.  We can guarantee you’ve never experience anything like what we have to offer you!

We hope to see you soon.

Kelly J. Blodgett, DMD 

How many times have you wished for a painless dentist.  Don’t believe that every trip to the dentist has to be filled with shots and agony.

Today we have the option of offering pain-free dentistry through the use of Dental Lasers.  Many times we are able to use Dental Lasers to detect tooth decay at it’s very beginning, and then use different Dental Lasers to remove the decay and restore your tooth with No Shot and No Pain!

If this sounds too good to be true, I assure it is not.  Check this out on our website:  http://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/portland-beaverton-dentists/smile-solutions/shot-painless-dentistry.html

There is no need to suffer through the loud scream of the dental drill if not needed.  Make sure you choose a dentist who is well versed in the use of Dental Lasers.  Blodgett Dental Care has been recognized as the leaders in Laser and Minimally Invasive Dentistry in the Portland and Beaverton areas.

Call us today to find out how we can help you have a Pain Free dental experience.

Professional advice for avoiding cavities:   If stopping cavities is important to you then here is some information you need to know!   The latest science is now showing that although sugar intake plays a role in the process of decay, it is not the most important factor.   It turns out that the most important influencing factor is the amount of acid to which you expose your mouth.   To help minimize your risk for decay it is helpful to consider some of the ways you might be exposed to acids.   The two most common sources of acid are either from (1) substances that are acidic in nature such as lemon juice (citiric acid) and diet and regular sodas (carbonic and phosphoric acid) and (2) foods that contain fermentable carbohydrates such as sucrose, lactose or more complex carbohydrates. 

Because it is not practical to avoid these foods and beverages completely, here is some practical advice to help minimize your risk for decay: 

• When drinking acidic beverages, drink them over shorter periods of time minimizing your exporsure to the acid. 
• Drink water throughout your day.  This helps to lower the concentration of acid in your mouth during the times that your are exposed. 
• When possible, brush after breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
• Use a fluoridated toothpaste – the fluoride helps strengthen your enamel making it more resistant to acid break down. 
• Be aware that the things you eat have an impact on your oral health.  The better your day to day choices, the less likely you are to need fillings or worse!

We hope that you found this information helpful.   Our primary goal is helping you meet your oral health goals.  To learn more about the advanced care that we offer at Blodgett Dental Care, visit our website at www.blodgettdentalcare.com.