Dr. Wolfert discusses dental implants

Need a tooth replaced? Dr. Wolfert, AKA "The Toothboss" explains the differences between bridges and dental implants.

Smiles by the Toothboss is a proud supporter of Donated Dental Services

Dr.Wolfert and David Masci, both smiling.

As a dentist, I see enough plaque. Yet the other day, I saw plaque that made us all smile. It was a plaque/award from Donated Dental Services (DDS).

DDS is a national non-profit organization comprised of nearly 20,000 dental professionals who donate dental services for people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically at-risk. Smiles by the Toothboss is one of those providers.

Smiles by the Toothboss has donated dental services to several vulnerable and elderly patients over the years. Those patients have needed everything from a full set of dentures to major dental work like root canals and crowns. While this dental treatment doesn’t cure their main affliction, it does make these patients healthier and makes them feel better about themselves, which can be even more important when you’re dealing with serious medical issues.

One of those patients we’ve been treating is David Masci of Lexington, Mass. David is awaiting transplants for both his pancreas and kidney and undergoes dialysis treatments three times a week, three to four hours per visit. So while some might consider sitting in a dentist’s chair for several hours for major dental work to be a nightmare, for David it’s a blessing.


“It’s a pleasure to be able to smile again,” said David.

DDS provides an invaluable resource to so many who need dental care. In fact, since 1985, when DDS launched, 109,843 vulnerable people have received more than $215 million worth of dental services for seriously neglected dental diseases. Smiles by the Toothboss is the sole provider of DDS services on the South Shore.

If you or somebody you know is a vulnerable person in need of dental care, please visit DDS's Dental Lifeline at http://www.dentallifeline.org or by calling 888.471.6334.

Do you know what your dental insurance covers?

Dental benefits first became available in 1974. Back then, the average benefit coverage was $1,000. Does that sound familiar? If you have dental coverage it probably does because the average dental benefit in 2012 is about $1,000.

To put that into perspective, in 1974, a brand new Mustang cost about $2500. Today, a 2013 Mustang starts at $22,200!

What this means for patients is you need to know what your dental insurance covers and up to how much. Then, when you visit the dentist for more than a cleaning or check-up, ask him or her if your dental plan covers the procedure. Or, how much will it cost out of pocket.

For example, some people prefer composite fillings, which are white, compared to the traditional amalgam fillings. There is a price differential between the two filling types, composite are more expensive. Most insurance plans will not cover the difference. Consequently, many people who want composite fillings end up paying $50 or more out of pocket.

That’s not to be completely critical of dental insurance plans. Many of the most severe problems patients come to me could have been avoided with better daily care on their part and regular trips to the dentist for check-ups. And dental insurance, if nothing else, does make it easier for people to get to the dentist regularly. But if you need more than a check up, a call to your dental insurance provider about what’s covered is a great start.

Random oral hygiene and dental health facts

I was recently perusing the American Dental Hygienists Association website and came across some rather interesting facts. In no particular order, here they are:

• Snacking on celery, carrots, or apples helps clear away loose food and debris.
• Toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months and after illnesses like a cold or flu.
• Oral cancer occurs twice as frequently in men as women
• Dental hygienists screen for serious health problems, such as HIV infection, oral cancer, eating disorders, substance abuse and diabetes.
• Chewing gum can help eliminate food particles caught between teeth after a meal and also helps prevent plaque build up by stimulating saliva production.
• The biggest oral health problem for infants is early tooth decay, known as baby-bottle tooth decay. This results when babies routinely fall asleep with bottles filled with sugary liquids such as milk, formula, and juice—anything other than plain water.

Win a gift card to Stockholders for new patient referral

Don't let the subject line fool you. Smiles by the Toothboss is not putting out any IPOs or looking for investors. We are looking for new patient referrals and the reward for each new patient referral is a $50 gift card to Stockholders Steakhouse Chophouse and Seafood, located at 1073 Main Street (Route 18) in South Weymouth.

To qualify, the person you refer must be a new patient, never been seen before by Smiles by the Toothboss. Your referral must mention you by name as a current patient. Better yet, forward a copy of this e-mail to them with your name and e-mail address on it. The person you refer must undergo a comprehensive exam, which will include x-rays, cleaning, for you to be eligible. After their appointment, we will mail out your gift card to Stockholders.

Some of the patients who have been with us the longest came by referral. Jeanne McCormick referred her daughter, who in turn referred her husband. Jeanne also referred her son who brought in his wife. She also told her brother about the Toothboss who then brought in his wife. And if that weren't enough, Jeanne referred two of her married friends who brought in their kids. Wow! 

So if you've been happy with the care you've received at Smiles by the Toothboss, please feel free to share that with friends and family. You don't have to refer as many people as Jeanne. Just one could make you the majority shareholder in a night out at Stockholders.

Dental health and oral cancer

When you talk about practicing good oral hygiene, that discussion includes two visits to the dentist each year. While usually those visits are maintenance-oriented, it can help with regard to early detection of oral cancer--something that would go undetected for longer if you did not see the dentist every six months.

Here are some staggering statistics related to oral cancer:

• 36,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year
• Only half the people diagnosed with oral cancer are alive in five years
• One person dies every hour from oral cancer

The good news for those of you who do go to the dentist twice a year is that when discovered in its earliest stages, the oral cancer survival rate leaps to 80 to 90 percent. But prevention/early detection starts with regular visits to the dentists, at least twice a year.

Startling facts about oral hygiene and heart disease

We all know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Did you know that forgetting to brush your teeth at least twice a day increases your risk of heart disease by 70 percent?

How about this: men and women with periodontical disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without? Or that a periodontical disease can greatly exacerbate an existing heart condition?

Perhaps that's why it's no surprise that nearly 20 million Americans who do visit their dentist each year do NOT have to see their doctor.

Smiles by the Toothboss switches to paperless records, renovates office space.

Some people just don’t like to go to the dentist’s office. As a dentist, that’s a fact you have to accept. Still, we’re doing everything n our power to make the visit to the dentist a more comfortable experience by undergoing a number of cosmetic and operational improvements.

The renovations began with a conversion to digital radiography so that all X-rays and records are now stored electronically. This makes treatments easier to diagnose and record-keeping more efficient. Also, removing large filing cabinets from the work area enabled the construction of a more spacious, ergonomically sound space for our staff, which has grown in numbers over the years.

Dentists realize the apprehensions people have about coming to the dentist are based on their own fears. Still, how an office appears and how work flows can affect how patients perceive the experience and exacerbate those feelings. These improvements have made us more efficient and ergonomically sound as we now have reception desk that can comfortably seat two staff members who aren’t reaching over each other while serving patients and that puts everyone at ease.

Being paperless is another huge benefit. Beyond the storage issues, just not having a paper record makes for a much more hygienic environment, as well as being more private.
We anticipate the renovations being completed over the next month. Thank you for your patience while we undergo these improvements.

Are you a candidate for dental implants?

During the last 20 years dental implants have become a great alternative to other methods of replacing missing teeth. Excellent success rates and a variety of available options give dentists many new ways to treat and replace lost teeth.

Your dentist will be able to evaluate your case and tell you if you are a candidate for dental implants. Basically, a dental implant is a Titanium based cylinder that replaces the missing tooth root. After a period of time and when the implant is taken other parts will be placed on the implant that enables your dentist to eventually place a crown (cap) on the implant.

Implants also can be used to support full or partial dentures. They dramatically improve the denture retention and stability.

Most patients with enough amount of bone can have implants, although individual decisions are made between you and your dentist. Usually an x-ray and a CT-scan is done to determine if you have enough bone to place the implant and also to determine the size and kind of the implant that should be placed.

If you would like to know if you're a candidate for dental implants, please give our office a call at 781-335-0604.