October 2022 - Carolina Complete Dental Blog

October 27, 2022

Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams, talk about advanced technology at Carolina Complete Dental Care and how we can create precision treatment plans with exceptional results. Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams, your trusted Goose Creek dentists, are passionate about finding ways to improve the patient experience and achieve lasting results when it comes to the health and appearance of your smile. This requires continuous learning and investing in the types of advanced technologies that will stand the test of time—because keeping up with trends can be exciting, but optimal oral wellness and the overall health it contributes to will always be in style.

So, without further ado, we’d love to introduce you to one of Carolina Complete Dental Care’s favorites—the Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scan, Cone Beam CT for short (and CBCT for shortest). What the heck is the CBCT? Oh, just a piece of equipment that has revolutionized dental treatment!

Does this Machine Possess Magical Powers?

While CBCT scans do provide superb detail to a point that could make it seem we have the gift of prescience, a great deal of thanks is owed to scientific progress. We think our patients will appreciate the many benefits of CBCT scans. Wondering what those benefits are? Carolina Complete Dental Care is glad you asked!

Cone beam CT scans are non-invasive, painless, and eliminate the need for messy impressions
In about 15 seconds, Carolina Complete Dental Care will obtain a panoramic view of your head, neck, and jaw
Reduced radiation exposure compared to traditional x-rays
Higher resolution 3D images allow for precise treatment planning

The speed and ease with which scanned images are obtained might lead you to believe we’re not getting a full picture, but Carolina Complete Dental Care will be able to show you everything they see with great clarity.

Do I Need a Cone Beam Scan?

If Carolina Complete Dental Care were only interested in what we could see with traditional x-rays and our own eyesight, the answer would be no. However, when we can’t see what Cone Beam CT scans can, diagnostics may be delayed. In some cases, this means not catching something until it’s visible to the naked eye, which may also mean you’re experiencing symptoms that worry you. Even traditional x-rays might not show us tumors in the bone that can be seen on cone-beam CT scans.

What else do CBCT scans help with?

Treatment planning – dental implant placement, tooth extractions, reconstructive and even cosmetic procedures can be precisely planned with the 3D, panoramic images CBCT scans provide
Differentiation between types of tissue – bone, nerves, soft tissue, and teeth are seen more clearly in CBCT scans
TMJ diagnosis – we can more accurately determine the severity of temporomandibular joint disorders
Jaw, sinus, nerve canal, and nasal cavity evaluation – these evaluations can help us diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and customize an oral appliance that gets you back to sleeping restfully
Locating pain at its source – we can eliminate the guesswork of what’s causing tooth, mouth, and/or jaw pain, then get to work solving the problem

Elevating Standards & Improving Experiences

When we discuss the advantages of CBCT scanning, the fact that oral health extends beyond the mouth is much easier to see instead of remaining an abstract concept—and the visual proof helps drive this point home, too!

At Carolina Complete Dental Care, we believe in treating people, not just their teeth. We take great pride in making the dentist’s office a warm, comfortable place to be, and find fulfillment in increasing your oral wellness and smile confidence.

The implementation of CBCT scans help us accomplish these goals, and we’d love to help you accomplish yours—contact us today to schedule an appointment!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

October 13, 2022

Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care discuss oral health and its potential negative effects on school performance and development in children. Going to school and getting an education are essential components of a child’s development, and they take the things they learn with them for the rest of their lives. No matter what type of school children attend, their support system at home has a great deal to do with not only their feelings about school, but how well they perform there.

You may be surprised to learn that children with favorable oral health are more likely to achieve success in school. School attendance is integral to academic achievement, but dental conditions are to blame for 51 million lost school hours among children every year—and dental pain is linked to poorer performance when kids do make it to class. Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams, share more about this topic below.

Research Finds…

A 2008 study conducted by the North Carolina Child Health Assessment and Monitoring Program examined risk factors for poor performance among school-aged children. Risk factors included school absences and performance, oral health status, parental education level, health insurance coverage, race, and gender.

Children in poor oral health were three times as likely to miss school due to dental pain; school absences from dental pain were linked to poor school performance, while school absences from routine dental care showed no correlation between poor school performance and missing class.

The study ultimately classified children in poor oral health as being up to 40 percent more likely to have trouble in school, further citing low levels of parental education, low socioeconomic status, and below-average overall health to poor academic performance. The study concluded that the improvement of children’s oral health status could be a vehicle to enhance their school experience and progress.

The American Journal of Public Health expanded on the North Carolina study in a 2011 article, acknowledging that former U.S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, had officially acknowledged the relationship between oral health and overall health as far back as the early 1980s and that subsequent health officials had reinforced that acknowledgment. The 2011 article indicated that dental caries (cavities) in children are the most prevalent childhood disease, occurring 5 to 8 times more often than asthma, the second most common childhood illness. Chronic illness affects the quality of life—and for most children, life includes school.

School-Based Oral Health Programs

Some schools have taken steps to promote better oral hygiene among students. School-based programs like these may include oral health education, fluoride rinses, dental screenings, and even dental sealants to prevent tooth decay. The advantage of programs like these is that they reach children who may not have access to pediatric dentistry, but they are only available in regions with the financial resources to sustain them.

Good Oral Health Habits Start at Home

Good oral hygiene is the foundation of oral health and wellness. Brushing at least twice each day and flossing once each day is a great place to start. Drinking and rinsing with water after meals and snacks also can also make the mouth a little cleaner between brushing.

If you have any questions about oral health and your child’s school performance, your Goose Creek dentist at Carolina Complete Dental Care can help you find answers. Give us a call or schedule an appointment with us today!