Our practice knows that image can be everything. May happens to be National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

We know one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a visit to our office. Has your child visited our office in the past six months for his or her regular check-up? We invite you to give us a call to book your appointment!

See you soon!

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Last Sunday marked Earth Day, so today we thought we would discuss some of the things we do to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Our office is digitalized, which means we can operate without the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials. The information in our office can be sent and processed digitally, which is also more efficient. We take all of the steps possible to be a 'green' office, making us better for the planet and more convenient for our patients.

We would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or post on our Facebook page!

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Have a great day!

With spring here, many children, teens and adults will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, we urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your or your child’s mouth’s safety this spring:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office. Stay safe and have fun!

When there are times you are simply too tired during the day and there just aren't any good reasons for it you may be dealing with some type of sleep disorder. Over the next several entries I will be writing about Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the complications and what other things may ail you, some different treatment choices and what we can do together as a team to help our patients manage the disease with Oral Appliance Therapy.

Please visit the Today's Dental Website to see if some of the information on the Sleep Apnea page interests or pertains to you!

OSA is considered a medical problem so the initial diagnosis needs to be made by a licensed Medical Provider, usually a Physician with a specialty of sleep medicine. The process is similar to an orthopedic patient who may need a special brace to stabilize a limb or joint during healing, often the provider of the device is not the physician diagnosing the condition. Dentists help patients manage Sleep Apnea and if properly trained and conscientious during routine visits with patients, they can often recognize patients at risk and initiate the process of medical evaluation and diagnosis. Most medical providers can’t do Oral Appliances, sometimes they have specially trained dental personnel in their office but generally physicians need to refer patients to a Dentist trained in the fabrication and use of oral devices if that is the best therapy choice.

Patients at Today’s Dental; whether initially a patient of the practice or referred in specifically for Obstructive Sleep Apnea therapy, are treated with Oral Appliance Therapy for medically diagnosed OSA.

The process is as complete as any other procedure done in our office but the method is specific for the Sleep Apnea patient. First we have a full patient evaluation visit and compile all the information needed to decide that we may be dealing with OSA and not just annoying snoring. Often our patients have completed the Secure Patient Registration form prior to the initial visit. Normally, we would discuss the disease process and the complications patients experience when dealing with OSA. We discuss the diagnostic evaluation process what can happen if no treatment is done. A discussion is often entered into at this point in the consultation of the different options available for treatment. Only then do we discuss the options available for management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy. For the sake of today’s posting, all the topics above will be discussed in future blogs. For patients without a diagnosis an overnight sleep study needs to be ordered. Usually our office will help the patient decide the best way to get a sleep study done or we can refer the patient to his or her medical team for their advice.

So we started with the STOP questions, filled out an Epworth questionnaire, decided if the need to look into Sleep Apnea solutions is warranted and discussed different options. This is the beginning; next up let's talk about the diagnostic options, some of the co-morbidities (other diseases that patients with OSA are also managing) and consequences of not treating this serious medical problem.

By the way, don't wait for a blog to get you started. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of OSA and would like to know more right away call the office now!

Dr. Michael Glass

michael@todaysdental.com

You water the garden three times a week, you change your car's oil every three months, and you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year. Your teeth need to see your dentist on a regular schedule, too.

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure your teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. We recommend for most of our patients to have a checkup at least every six months. In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months. Factors at play in these diseases include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions (such as diabetes, dry mouth, or HIV infection), along with how well you take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve – If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, check with our office to schedule an appointment!

We’ve rolled out our new Facebook Timeline page and would love for you to check it out! You’ll find all the useful information that was there before, but now in a fun, new layout. When you connect with us on Facebook, you’ll be able to check out photos of our office, find out about new events and contests, or you can even leave a note about how much you enjoyed your visit at our office. We love hearing your feedback to make our practice serve you and your family even better. To make life even easier, if you “Like” us on Facebook, you’ll automatically receive updates from our office right on your own news feed!

See you on Facebook!

A Really Cool Case!

Today’s Dental has developed a reputation for innovative and cutting edge technology and treatment. One of the niftiest things we do; now pretty regularly, are one visit crowns. Today’s Dental uses CEREC® Technology to fabricate all porcelain crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers. This week I would like to demonstrate a specific case.

No farfetched story; no fancy delivery; not a lot of esoteric web site links…

Just a routine grass roots useful application of an amazing treatment tool!

Our patient, who we can call Mr. Hippa, had some chipped upper front teeth. The chipping was starting to become decayed and sensitive. Mr. Hippa decided it was time to do something about his chipped teeth.

Well, since everything else was OK and Mr. Hippa was only interested in strengthening these two teeth we elected to do Porcelain Veneers.

The short story about Veneers is they are thin porcelain facings that permanently bond to the face of the teeth to; among other things: repair, reshape, mask stain and close gaps. Veneers can cover one tooth as an immediate response to an emergent situation (a tooth unexpectedly breaks) or all the teeth as a permanent, beautiful cosmetic smile make over.

Veneers are traditionally made in the Dental Laboratory; however they can also be made in the Dental Office using CEREC® Technology. This Blog entry is about the CEREC® veneers we did in the office this week.

We were discussing a second visit with the patient, initially scheduled for laboratory fabricated veneers on his middle two front teeth, when he expressed surprise that there would be another visit. He said he thought the treatment would be finished on the same day.

Time to change gears!

Without hesitation, after discussing the normal protocol issues about treatment we grabbed “Rosie” (that’s what we call the CEREC® computer and design center).

After routine veneer preps we were able to scan the teeth electronically.

The final design was sent to the in office milling machine.

And the final, thin, polished, permanent veneers were ready for placement on the teeth.

And voilà we have two esthetic, conservative, permanent, strong and comfortable Porcelain Veneers in one visit.

When I spoke to the patient the next day he said he couldn’t believe how comfortable and easy the appointment was and how much he loves his new CEREC® chairside fabricated Porcelain Veneers!

Dr. Michael Glass
michael@todaysdental.com

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. Every March, Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark and thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and this year is no different. This March, our team wants you to think diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthful eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

Small changes really can make a big difference, and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables: Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

• Think fresh, think local: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in Ahwatukee, Phoenix, and Chandler.

• Make each and every calorie count: When you are choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options.

• It’s tempting, but…: If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert. If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons: Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give us a call!

Seems like a weird question coming from your Dental Office Team, but we are deadly serious!!

As Dental Practitioners we are in a unique position to both ask the questions and understand the implications of the answers.

This office proudly offers treatment to assist patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea to manage the disease by providing Dental Sleep Medicine Services.

According to PubMed Health and A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition in which the flow of air pauses or decreases during breathing while you are asleep because the airway has become narrowed blocked, or floppy.

A pause in breathing is called an apnea episode. A decrease in airflow during breathing is called a hypopnea episode. Almost everyone has brief apnea episodes while they sleep. It gets messy when the episodes are frequent and last longer.

Dr. Michael Glass has spent considerable time studying treatment options for patients dealing with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a medical problem not a dental problem so the treatment is a dental appliance used for managing a medical disorder. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says an oral appliance is the primary approach for treatment of patients with mild to moderate OSA and is to be employed when patients with severe and very severe OSA have tried and are non-compliant with traditional CPAP therapy.

It has become my opinion that every dental patient should be screened for signs of OSA. A simple screening, consisting of four questions, starts the process. They are the easy questions of the STOP screening method: 1) Do you Snore? 2) Are you frequently Tired during the day? 3) Has anyone ever Observed that you stop breathing during sleep? 4) Is your blood Pressure elevated? Listen for the questions and try to answer accurately.

The screening process is not a test. There are lots of ways you can answer the questions. This is a tool that we can use to determine if further evaluation may be indicated.

So what?

Having and not treating OSA can be a life altering situation.

If you or someone you know is dealing with OSA or if you have any general questions, just ask us! You are also welcome to leave a comment below and I will get back to you.

Meanwhile stay tuned to this blog. Over the next several entries I will provide more information about OSA, the complications and co-morbidities, treatment modalities and what we can do together as a team to help our patients manage the disease. And by the way stay alert...the STOP screening is coming!

- Dr. Michael Glass

A visit to the Dentist is a chore that everyone knows they have to do. I can’t say we always like it but we know we have to do it. What about when you mix the visit with a good dose of guilt?

Now, throw in those American traditions that send our Dental Guilt Meter through the roof…Valentine’s Day and Halloween!

OMG talk about falling off the healthy snack bandwagon by forgetting to avoid excess refined sugar in our diets!

Well, it is Valentine’s Day 2012; time to think about cupid’s arrow and loving each other and chocolate! Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. I have often heard people say that Valentine’s Day is a product of the greeting card and candy manufacturers marketing department. Well I guess it works because Americans send around a billion (yes that’s the 9 - 0’s billion) greeting cards annually. OK, that’s less than half the amount of cards sent around Christmas (2.6 billion says the Greeting Card Association), but it’s still a whole bunch of cards! It isn’t all the manufacturers fault, according to History.com. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. It wasn’t until the 1840s that Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures.

So let’s get back to the Dental Guilt stuff – here’s the good news: sugar does not cause cavities. There is a whole lot of other bad stuff refined sugar can be blamed for but not directly for decay on teeth. Dental caries (decay leading to breakdown of teeth) is actually caused by the bi-product of bacterial metabolism – acid. If we can get rid of the bacteria before it sits on the teeth long enough to cause decay then we can help to prevent cavities. Sugar helps the bacteria stick to the tooth and is among the list of different food products that provide nutrition to the bacteria. So throw out the dental guilt and grab a toothbrush and some floss and get rid of the bacteria!

Meanwhile this is Valentine’s Day and we should express our affection some way. Here at Today’s Dental we love to make people's teeth bright and white. Our Valentine’s Day promotion is the gift of Whiter Teeth. For the rest of the month of February 2012 the first patient (new or existing) that mentions this blog and one of our doctor’s: Dr. Michael Glass, Dr. Bradley DeMark or Dr. Howard Farran can receive a FREE GIFT CERTIFICATE for an in office Whitening Treatment after your teeth are checked and cleaned. The next five patients mentioning our blog (after the first patient) will get $50.00 off any of our whitening treatment systems they choose.

So get right back on to the healthy tooth bandwagon; call Today’s Dental for an appointment; let us know you saw this blog, take advantage of our offers and enjoy Valentine’s Day.

Lose the guilt & share the love!

-Dr. Michael Glass

A few months ago, on one of the few quiet Sundays at our house we spent some time straightening up and preparing for the winter. My family and I live in Phoenix, Arizona; in the cul-de-sac called “Ahwatukee.” We see all kinds of desert creatures at different times. Ahwatukee is a geographically established community named for its local interpretation of the Native American phrase for “paradise.” It is nestled in the area between the southern side of South Mountain Park and Interstate 10 the 4th longest Interstate Highway in the country that stretches from the Pacific Ocean to Jacksonville, Florida (of course Route I-10 runs due north-south as it borders Ahwatukee, making Ahwatukee’s borders even more confusing). At over 16000 acres, South Mountain Park is the largest municipal park in the country so there are lots of critters running around all year (check out this link, it’s really interesting). It is not uncommon to see a coyote walking in the foothills of South Mountain behind my house. We have seen Javelina, quail, all sizes of lizards, really skinny desert rabbits, owls, hawks and a variety of other wildlife right in our back yard!

Well, preparing for the winter in Phoenix means putting the bathing suits in a drawer and pulling out the long sleeve tee shirts and sweaters for those really cold days below 60 degrees. On this particular Sunday we had all the doors open around the house, including the garage. While we were busy arranging some outdoor furniture a cry for help came from the kitchen. Standing, frightened, in the middle of the kitchen, was my wife, yelling at a coyote that wandered into the house from the open garage. We all came running with sticks and bats and even a leash!

How Scary!

Thank goodness for our highly skilled and overly protective, fierce guard dogs. OK, truth be told our house pets run under the bed and hide if someone in the house drops a spoon and it makes a clattering sound on the floor. Well, they really saved the day when they approached the beast threatening my wife. Our loving mutts proceeded to sniff the coyote in places left only to the imagination (why dogs insist on sniffing other dogs' hind quarters is beyond me). Apparently the animals had all met in the neighborhood. How nice to know we have a neighborhood coyote. No sooner did the menagerie in our kitchen begin their mutual salutations when the guy who owns the house up the block was out in the street calling "Nicky..Nicky". It seems the "threat" was his skinny golden retriever. When we all settled down, realizing what was happening we told our neighbor that his dog looks an awful lot like a coyote! He responded: that's what everybody tells me!

This saga of our little house in the desert has a pretty quiet ending; Nicky went home with his owner, we closed all the doors to the house and our canine attack team hid under the bed...someone dropped another spoon.

Want more great family stories or just great Family Practice Dentistry? Come and visit us at Today’s Dental.

Dr. Michael Glass

Call (480) 893-2273 or email (michael@todaysdental.com)

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride – fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.

• Antiseptic – an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.

• Combination – a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.

• Prescription – for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:

• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)

If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask us at your next appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

–Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark, and our team

We all know that after the holiday shopping craze is over, life settles down just enough to throw out the boxes and recycle the gift wrap and then the commercials start to barrage us with JANUARY WHITE SALES!!

What does that mean anyway? How did “White Sales” start? I did a little “research” on Google, Wikipedia and About.com and learned that the white sale was invented by John Wannamaker a Philadelphia department store entrepreneur and owner in 1878, to increase sales of linen (which was predominately white). Although a white sale can happen any time of the year, initially they were in January at a time of the year when retail sales were traditionally weak. Later on in the 1950’s bed sheets in all different colors became popular and nowadays there are even companies promoting healthy lifestyles as a white sale effort- but the marketing technique remains the same: “White Sales”. (By the way, a little digression; recently, when reading a novel, I read a line in the text that sums up a lot about today’s pop culture; a Harvard professor is the lead character in the book and he tells his students that “Google” is not synonymous with “research”!! (The Lost Symbol; Dan Brown; Doubleday; 2009). Oh well, I hope you don’t mind that I will continue to do my “research” on Google at least for this blog).

Anyway, back to business, I thought about White Sales and realized what is one of the first things people associate with “White”?… Well, WHITE TEETH of course!! Naturally the best place to have a White Sale is in the Dental Office!

So, it’s time to make the appointment and set up (or check your calendar to see when your appointment is already set-up) for your semi-annual periodic check-up with one of the Doctors; Dr. Michael Glass, Dr. Bradley DeMark or Dr. Howard Farran and for your cleaning with our Dental Hygiene team to make your teeth as white and healthy as you can. We look forward to seeing you and your family! While you are at it why not treat yourself and get your teeth professionally whitened? Mention you saw this blog and we can make a deal:

You ready yet?

OK, the first patient (new or existing) that mentions this blog and one of our doctor’s names can receive a FREE in office Whitening Treatment after your teeth are checked and cleaned. The next five patients mentioning our blog (after the first patient) will get $50.00 off any of our whitening treatment systems they choose.

How can you go wrong? Free or discounted Whitening Treatment, clean and healthy teeth and happy patients all in celebration of the greatest “White Sale” we can imagine!

Dr. Michael Glass
Feel free to email me at michael@todaysdental.com or call the office (480) 893-CARE (2273)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day; January 16, 2012

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction…

The Chain reaction of evil—hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars – must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Strength to Love, 1963

Dr. Michael J. Glass; Today’s Dental, Phoenix, AZ

Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark and our team understand not everyone is thrilled to see the dentist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Today's Dental that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or our doctors?

Let us know by posting here, on our Facebook page, or by giving us a call!

Happy New Year!

Time for New Year’s resolutions again. What! Don’t tell me you don’t have long list of resolutions and that you swear this year is different and you are motivated to get to the whole list before the end of January. Of course the first resolution on everyone’s list is to keep to a comprehensive regimen of improved oral home care with routine twice a year visits to your dental hygienist and regular check-ups with your dentist!

Well, how about some of the more standard resolutions we all seem to be stuck on: stop smoking; start a real savings plan and keep some money in the bank; drive more carefully, keep in touch with out of town relatives, clean out the garage, lay off the junk and sugary foods and be kind to your teeth, drink a little lemonade and not so many beers (thanks, Tim!)…..

Need I keep going?

We have all had a lot of stuff to deal with the past few years and most people I talk with and the information I read and hear all point to things staying kind of tough for a bit longer. So I suggest that we take it a little easier on ourselves this year. Here is something that we can actually accomplish and maybe make another individual feel better and perhaps end up feeling better about ourselves as well:

Perform Random Acts of Kindness whenever you can.

Nothing grandiose. I asked the team here at Today’s Dental what they thought would be a random act of kindness, their response was enthusiastic and supportive and the ideas were so simple that we all can (and should) be doing them regularly: hold open a door for a stranger; help someone with their grocery bags just because you have a free hand and they don’t; buy something from a neighborhood student raising funds for their school (even if you don’t like what they are selling); give a bag of fruit from your trees to neighbors when you have an abundant harvest (it’s a Phoenix thing); pay the toll for the car behind you on the highway or buy a coffee for the car behind you in the Starbucks line; give a hug (or compliment) to a friend who is needs it; pitch in some change when the guy in front of you on the grocery line is short a few cents; pet an animal just because they deserve it or adopt a pet from a shelter; give up your seat on the bus to a tired stranger; bring a meal to the family of someone who is ill or grieving a loss; help the homeless or people less fortunate than you with food, clothing shelter or money. Random Acts of Kindness Week is the second full week of February each year.

It’s just a thought and it is up to you; Random Acts – resolutions that can last the whole year… Or we could always just finally start the diet and lose 10 pounds…

Dr. Michael Glass
michael@todaysdental.com
www.todaysdental.com

While driving, I often plug in my iPod and listen to music over the car radio. I am impressed with myself because I found a way to mix old existing technology in the car with newer technology of an MP3 player (no more 8-tracks or cassettes). I was soon to find out that my "discovery" was not rocket science; newer cars even have the capacity built in so you can control your iPod with an integrated interface in the audio system - imagine that!

Meanwhile the real point is when I am with my family and I do play "my music" in the car there is usually an outcry of "can we please listen to something from this century." That request is often heralded by Debbe, my wife, and followed by my kids. Usually by then we switch to my teenage daughter's iPod and listen to more current tunes.

Well, as we are embarking on yet another New Year's Day and Father Time hands over the reign to Baby New Year we think back to some of the memories both recent and distant. We cherish them all and build on them as we move forward. I hear, "this is the way we do it now" as frequently as “it is done this way because it has always been done this way."

In dentistry, we find we are using new materials and new techniques every day to do what we have been doing for a long time - maintaining the health and oral environment of our patient's teeth. We make full porcelain crowns in an hour but they are still restorations for teeth. We use mechanical techniques and newer materials in root canal therapy but we are still saving natural teeth. When we can't save a tooth we employ the newest implant technology but we are still replacing missing teeth. And we utilize Invisalign technology to do orthodontic treatment without traditional braces but we are still moving teeth! We advise visits to various websites for reference information but we are still educating our patients on the care of their teeth. The bottom line is the age old care and concern for patients is still the basic premise under which we operate; as I have often been heard to say, every tooth we treat is attached to a living human being and that is still what matters most!

While we prepare for another year, unaware what the future will bring but always remembering our history we can reflect on an old saying; initially credited to a Girl Scout song book published in the 1920's and repeated often, over the years, in different genres, including when my own children were growing up with the Wee Sing Series: "Make New Friends and Keep the Old - One is Silver the Other Gold" or as we might say in dental terminology "One is Silver Amalgam the other is Composite Resin!"

Have a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year's Celebration and a prosperous New Year!

- Dr. Michael J. Glass

Visit me at www.todaysdental.com/meet-dr-michael-glass, e-mail me at: michael@todaysdental.com, or you can just come in to the office and speak face to face, imagine that. Happy New Year!

In this festive season, our entire team at Today's Dental and the majority of our patients are sending seasonal greetings to each other all the time. It is amazing how many sugar containing holiday treats our patients, specialists, co-workers, and friends send to the dental office during the winter holiday season. It is a good thing we know how to brush and floss after a sweet treat to keep our oral hygiene up to the same standards we strive to help our patients maintain! I really think we have to order more floss this time of year as we seem to need it more often than usual!!

Well, it is also becoming more challenging to keep up with all the appropriate greetings. The other day, I met with a patient during a routine periodic check up and prophy visit. I took this as an opportunity to be festive and I innocently inquired of the patient how he and his family might be celebrating the holiday season this year? Expecting the routine answers of Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanza this patient caught us off guard saying that his family has already finished their celebration of the Hindu: Diwali. Inquisitive minds need to know, so I asked if he could briefly explain what Diwali was, he said no… because it is a complex celebration and widely varies among the various Hindu cultures. Simply, it is the Indian "Festival of Lights". I thought that was interesting because Chanukah, the rededication of the Jewish Temple (long story made very short) is known as the Jewish "Festival of Lights". Christmas is filled with the glory and splendor of holiday decorations also featuring sparkling and often elaborate lights initiated by the use of candles attached to the "Christmas Tree". And Kwanza also uses the lighting of candles to help commemorate the significance of that holiday which is a celebration of the seven principles of African Heritage. I am not really trying to give an accurate analysis of the winter holidays commonly celebrated (thanks to Google for some help with understanding. There are certainly so many more holidays and cultures that I am not even touching now). I am just making the observation that this can be a season filled with joy and happiness and meaningful light as well as sugar!

Oh, don't think I forgot this blog started as a reminder to enjoy all the sweet and delicious holiday treats that you care to, but don't forget to brush and floss to get rid of all that sugar sitting on your teeth. And focus the lights of your holiday on the joy of the season and so you can see the teeth all the way in the back of your mouth!

May you and yours celebrate this Holiday time of year in Sweet Peace and Happiness; Health, Safety and Prosperity and with the Light of the Season shining upon you.

-Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark, and our team

"I haven't been to the book store because I haven't had a gift card..."

Bookstore employee: “Hi, how can I help you?”
Customer: “Well, I haven’t been to the bookstore in a long time because I didn’t have a gift card. But my employer bought me a gift card, so I’d like to buy some books! I was thinking of getting the latest Stephen King novel.”
BE: “Oh, I’m sorry. Your gift card won’t allow hardcover fiction titles. They only allow for paperback. We do have several of his older titles in paperback, though.”
C: “Hmmm. O.K. Well, maybe I could try something in nonfiction. Maybe Freakonomics or The Tipping Point?”
BE: “Again, I’m really sorry. This gift card can only be used to buy boring nonfiction. Interesting nonfiction isn’t covered by your gift card.”
C: “Jeez. O.K. So, maybe I’ll just get this magazine then.”
BE: “That’s fine. Your total is $6.95.”
C: “Wait. Um. I’d like to use my gift card. Can I do that?”
BE: “Your gift card has a deductible. You can’t use it for purchases under $50. So, is that cash or credit?”

Dental “insurance” isn’t really like insurance at all. Insurance is meant to protect you against unpredictable calamity to yourself, your family and your stuff. For the most part, dental care is something that can be planned for and isn’t “calamity based.” A lot of dental care consists of regular maintenance which is distinctly different than a heart attack, a car accident or a flood…events that normally are covered by insurance.

Dental benefits are a lot like a gift card. Your dental benefits give you a certain amount of money to be used toward dental care in a given year. Most plans don’t allow you to carry over an unused amount to the next year, so it’s “use it or lose it.” The incentive to the patient is to use their “insurance” to the fullest.

So, if the insurance companies know that they’re obliged to give each subscriber $x/year when the premiums received are less than this amount, how can they make money? They have several strategies.

The insurance company knows that a certain number of people are not going to use the benefits that their employer paid for. Many people won’t see the dentist even if they have a “gift card” that will help pick up the bill. To the insurance company, this is free money.

Most insurances have strict control over what they will allow patients to use their benefits for. Some policies won’t allow you to use your dental benefits for tooth colored fillings. Some policies won’t allow x-rays each year. These limitations control costs by requiring the patient to pay more “out of pocket” for them if they decide they would like to have the service done.

Some insurances cover nothing on really valuable dental services. Dental implants are the best treatment for missing teeth that dentistry has to offer. Most dental insurances will not allow you to use your benefits for the surgical placement of an implant, even when they will allow you to spend your benefits on a less conservative treatment like a bridge or a partial.

Some insurances require that the patient pays a certain amount out of pocket before being allowed to use their dental benefits. This is called a deductible and is one more way to discourage subscribers from using their benefits.

So if dental benefits are like a gift card, the gift givers are control freaks! I’m not claiming that dental benefits have no value. People with little or no dental problems will do great using their dental benefits. But like a gift card, dental benefits may not cover all of what you want or need for dental care. The mistake that many patients make is to believe their dental needs are in some way related to how much money they have on their gift card. If you’ve got a gift card for $15 in the bookstore, you’ll be able to pick up a couple magazines, but you’ll probably have to kick in a little if you’re looking to pick up the latest John Grisham hardcover.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Ahwatukee, which is the southernmost part of Phoenix, Arizona, we’re always happy to accept new patients! You can request an appointment online or call the office. And, as always, you can email me at Howard@TodaysDental.com. I always answer my own emails!

It seems like I'm always a quart low.

I really don’t know how a car works. I’m good with the fact that you need to put gas in it. I can even change a flat tire. But the part where you turn the key and it runs is just plain magic to me. I know, I should probably turn in my man card. I also know you’re supposed to change the oil every x number of miles (3000? 5000?). I spent a fair amount of time in oil change places recently. My car was quite overdue for an oil change, so I finally got over to the oil change place to have it done.

It seems like the mechanic on duty always suggests a barrage of filter and fluid changes in addition to the oil change. The suggestions are always in flashing red letters on the computer monitor helpfully placed next to the driver’s side window. A harried mechanic always manages to bring an air filter over to the window that looks as if it was recently plucked from a sandstorm. It seems like there’s always something more that I should be doing to maintain my car and there’s no such thing as a 10 minute oil change. I go in wanting an oil change and come out with a radiator flush, new wiper blades and the guilt associated with telling the mechanic that I’m not going to have him clean my brake fluid reservoir. My quick $25 maintenance almost always turns into an hour or more costing $200!

Why do I feel taken advantage of? Why do I dread going to get my oil changed? There are a couple of reasons. First, I don’t like to feel stupid. I don’t know how cars work and the oil change places know this. I don’t really know if what they’re suggesting is necessary. Even when I do everything they ask, they always suggest more the next time. It’s a knowledge problem. They know more about the how a car works than I do so I have to trust that they’re being honest and that I really need the services that they’re suggesting. Of course, they’re both diagnosing the problems with my car and selling the “solution.”

Secondly, I feel guilty when I’ve gone over my mileage. Life is hectic and sometimes I don’t get back before 3,000 miles have gone by. Of course there’s that sticker in my window that reminds me that I’m overdue every time I get in the car, too. On top of that, the oil change places say 3,000 miles, but the manufacturer says 5,000. So which is it?

All of this strikes me as a near perfect analogy to dental checkups. How are you supposed to feel when your dentist tells you that you need a filling but nothing even hurts? Why does it seem like they always want to take x-rays? And you just know that they’re going to give you a hard time about not flossing enough. It seems like every time you come in there’s something else you have to pay for and it’s awkward to constantly tell them “no!”

Dentists have more knowledge about teeth and dental problems than patients do. That’s why they’re dentists. So there can be a conflict. Dentists get paid to diagnose and fix problems, just like the oil change places. The difference is that dentists have a code of ethics that they are supposed to follow that means they always put the patient’s best interests first. Does that mean that dentists are always great at it? Not necessarily. But it’s something that most dentists I know aspire to.

Our office, Today’s Dental in Ahwatukee, wants you to make great choices about your dental care. So we do some very specific things to make your dental office experience unlike a trip to the oil change place:

We take a lot of pictures: We’ve got all kinds of cameras, intraoral and extraoral. We take photos for our records. A lot of times a photo can help a patient understand a diagnosis or a treatment better than just a spoken description.

We strive for informed consent: We try to explain (in words and pictures) our findings and suggest treatments to solve the problem. On top of that, we explain the consequences of not treating the finding. We’ll make sure you understand what the treatment entails and also what the treatment costs before you choose a treatment.

The patient can always say “no.”: This is a big deal. You’re in charge and you always have the final say. Sometimes we dentists get all wrapped up in all the cool stuff that we can do for a patient without making sure it’s what the patient wants to do!

We build relationships: Most of our patients have been with us for a long time, many of them since 1987, and we’ve built up a huge level of trust. We always try to build this same kind of trust with new patients and we understand that this doesn’t happen overnight. Patients need to understand that we’ll be here when you’re ready!

We won’t scold you: Many new patients tell us at they’re embarrassed about their teeth and they know it’s been “too long.” We’re just glad you’re here now. Scolding you only makes you feel guilty and it doesn’t help anything. So we won’t EVER do it!!

"No cavities! We'll see you in six months!"

So, the next time I get my oil changed and they recommend that I should have my bearings packed and antifreeze tested I’m going to follow my own advice. I’m going to ask them to explain what the bearings do. I’m going to ask them to show me my antifreeze and why they think it should be tested. And I’m going to make sure I understand (at least a little) what they’re suggesting and I’m going to ask them what the consequences are of not doing it.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Ahwatukee, we’re always happy to accept new patients! You can request an appointment online or call the office. And, as always, you can email me at Howard@TodaysDental.com. I always answer all of my own emails!

-Dr. Howard Farran

A slogan; a mantra; good common sense?? Whatever you call it, for the most part “just do it” comes up in our lives every day. So at Today’s Dental we decided that a Dentist in our practice should write a regular blog and post it on the internet. OK, sounds good, I like to write and they say I’m good at it – but what the heck is a blog and how do I get started? I did a little investigation and decided, initially, my blog entries would include personal thoughts and aspirations; achievements and accomplishments (personal and professional); trials and tribulations, and maybe a photo or two, etc.

But who will care? You never know!! How do I get started?

Just Do It!

-Dr. Michael Glass

Interested? I’d love feedback. Send your comments to michael@todaysdental.com, leave a comment below this post in the "comment" section, or post a message on our Facebook page.

Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark and our team at Today's Dental want to know: what do your winter plans look like? Do you have any plans for an exciting family vacation? Are you hanging out around town? Catching up on sleep? Spending time with friends? Let us know!

Please feel free to share your exciting winter plans and experiences with us here or on our Facebook page! We would like to wish all of our patients and their families a safe and fun holiday season!

With the start of the busy holiday season right around the corner, Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark, and our team wanted to stop for a moment to say how thankful we are to have you in our dental family. We realize that our practice thrives because of great patients like you. We are the lucky ones because we not only help keep you and your smile healthy, but we also have the pleasure of knowing you and your loved ones.

As always, if you know anyone we can help, just let us know. We promise to give them the same quality care that we have given you.

We hope that this Thanksgiving and holiday season brings fond memories. Thank you for being part of our family.

At Today's Dental, our team knows the way you care for your teeth at home doesn’t just affect your oral health – it can impact your overall health as well. In recent years, researchers have found clear links between the mouth and other parts of the body, and the evidence is especially impactful for people with diabetes.

November marks Diabetes Awareness Month, and a great time to learn about how keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health, too. If you are one of the nearly 26 million Americans currently living with diabetes, there is some good news: you can protect your gums and teeth from the effects of diabetes by visiting our Phoenix dental office, also serving Ahwatukee and Chandler, for regular check-ups and cleanings. Most people should have at least two dental appointments per year, but those folks living with diabetes may require additional visits to make sure their dental health remains in top shape. Many insurance plans provide expanded benefits for diabetic patients. Dr. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, and Bradley DeMark can tell you how often you need to come in for your dental visits.

For more information on how we can help, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark, and our team hope you had a fun and safe Halloween! Here’s a great photo from this year’s Halloween at Today's Dental.

We would love to see what kind of costumes you or your children came up with. Share your Halloween 2011 photos with us by posting on our Facebook page.

It’s almost that spooky time of year again! Whether you are going door-to-door trick or treating, attending a party dressed in a clever, silly or scary costume, or simply getting together with friends and family to watch scary movies, Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DreMark and our team want you to keep in mind the following tips from our friends at the American Dental Association to help reduce tooth-decay.

•Eat treats with meals. Saliva production increases during meals washing out food particles and helping to neutralize cavity causing plaque acid.

•Consider chewing ADA-accepted sugarless gum after meals. Certain sugarless gums have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for scientifically proving that chewing the gum for 20 minutes after meals helped prevent tooth decay.

•Follow the 1-2-3s of good daily oral hygiene: Floss once a day, brush twice a day and eat three balanced meals a day.

•Visit Today's Dental for regular checkups.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from your friends at Today's Dental!

Here's a great photo of Dr. Michael Glass and his two assistants, Chris and Millie, at an advanced CEREC continuing education class at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry.

At Today's Dental, with the help of CEREC technology, we are able to offer damaged teeth restoration that can be completed in a single visit to our Phoenix office. During your appointment, you and your doctor will discuss the details of the procedure. Then your doctor will apply a thin layer of reflective powder onto your tooth and will use a special 3D imaging camera to take a photo of your tooth. Using CEREC's proprietary software, your restoration will be designed according to your tooth's appropriate form and function. Then, CEREC will use a diamond bur to create your restoration out of a piece of ceramic. Finally, the ceramic restoration is bonded to your tooth using state-of-the-art adhesive dentistry.

If you would like to learn more about CEREC technology, please give our office a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Howard Farran, Dr. Michael Glass, or Dr. Bradley DeMark.

Dental sealants are a plastic resin that bonds and hardens in the deep grooves on your tooth's surface. When a tooth is sealed at Today's Dental, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective.

In this video, we show you the process of applying dental sealants.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Howard Farran, Dr. Michael Glass, or Dr. Bradley DeMark, please give our Phoenix office a call!

Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, Bradley DeMark, and our team, serving Ahwatukee, Phoenix, and Chandler, deliver the highest quality dental care in a personalized environment. We make dental treatment fun and enjoyable. Just see what one of our patients had to say!

"My everlasting thanks to the great team at Today's Dental - especially Sandy, the Office Manager with a heart of gold! The temporary crown (from another dentist) came off less than 12 hours after my visit. I was at their door early the next morning to have them put it back on, only to find the door locked - they were closed! There was no note, and the outgoing voice message indicated that they should be open. This was a Thursday, and the sign on the door DID state that they were closed Friday through Sunday. In great distress (and very hungry) I went to work and appealed to my coworkers for advice. That's when I was put in touch with Today's Dental and they told me to come over just as soon as I wanted to. I did not have to wait more than 4 minutes before the Hygenist called for me and the temporary crown was cemented back on. No pain and I could finally eat! I could not have asked for a more convenient, professional or gracious experience. Thank You!!" -April L.

At Today's Dental, we are dedicated to your overall wellness and are committed to offering the very best that dentistry has to offer. Give our Phoenix office a call to schedule your appointment, today!

Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass, and Bradley DeMark, your Ahwatukee, Phoenix, and Chandler dentists, are situated around some pretty unique neighborhoods. Each is special with its own personality, created by the people and places (and our amazing patients) living within.

Today, our team thought we'd ask: What are your favorite things about our community? Is there a local event you attend every year? Do you have a favorite eatery? Perhaps a favorite getaway in Arizona?

Please feel free to share some information about your favorite local hang-outs and everything you love best about “your neck of the woods” in Arizona.

If you need to schedule your next appointment, give us a call! Have a great week!

You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and visit Dr. Farran, Dr. Glass, or Dr. DeMark every six months, but did you know that rinsing with fluoride — a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay — also helps keep your teeth healthy and strong?

At Today's Dental, our preferred method fluoride application is fluoride varnish. Below you'll find two helpful videos with our very own dental hygienist, Brandy, that explain why we use fluoride varnish and how it is applied to our patients' teeth. If you have any additional questions about fluoride treatment with Today's Dental, or if you need to schedule your next appointment, please give our Phoenix office a call!

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Today's Dental than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health.

Here’s how:

Healthy Gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Howard Farran, Dr. Michael Glass, or Dr. Bradley DeMark the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

At Today’s Dental, we know that gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal disease, can be difficult to recognize if you're not a trained dentist. Many people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums - as a precursor to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Our staff at Today’s Dental will tell you early recognition and taking action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

Our staff knows these can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our Phoenix office as soon as possible. We can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

Does the sound of a drill make you flinch or cringe? Do you worry about your twice-yearly dental checkup? Trust our team at Today's Dental when we say you’re not alone! In fact, the Journal of the American Dental Association has estimated that 30 to 40 million people have a fear of visiting the dentist.

To eliminate some of that fear, we’ve put together six steps to help you or your child overcome your dental anxiety before visiting our convenient Phoenix office.

1. What are you most afraid of? Is it the sound of the drill? Do you have needle phobia? Have you been traumatized by previous dental visits? Write down your fears, one by one.

2. Don’t wait. The more frequently you visit our office, the less work needs to be done at any one visit. Simply having your teeth cleaned professionally by Drs. Drs. Howard Farran, Michael Glass or Bradley DeMark twice a year prevents many, if not most, problems.

3. Bring a distraction to your appointment. Bringing along an iPod is a great idea. Just plug in those earphones, close your eyes, and get lost in the music. Listening to music can also be a pain killer.

4. Relax. Inhale slowly, and count of five. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then exhale slowly to the count of eight. Repeat. Concentrate on making out every word of the lyrics. It's easier if you're not totally focused on the work going on inside your mouth.

5. Ask. Before any procedure, ask one of our assistants why we’re using the tools we’re using. Ask us what we're doing, what the tool is used for, and how it will benefit you during the appointment. Also, please ask about anti-anxiety medications that we may prescribe to help you relax during your appointment

6. We are here to help you. Remember, we are health care professionals who want to improve your oral health, and will never judge you or the state of your mouth. Our team at Today's Dental will do all we can to ensure a trauma-free and pain-free experience!

We hope this helps! For more on dental anxieties, we encourage you to visit this helpful article or ask us during your next visit to our convenient Phoenix office! Or, ask us on Facebook!