Dr. Morey Furman has always been involved in organized dentistry, striving to be the best he could be. As a charter member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry, he achieved Mastership Status in 1993, and published articles on lasers in cosmetic dentistry long before other dentists. Another technology he is involved with is drill-less air abrasion systems. With a strong ethical and moral background, and 25 years of cosmetic and high tech dental experience, he now runs The Dental Office of Dr. Morey Furman in Garden City, New York offering personalized quality care with an emphasis on cosmetics and the latest in materials, techniques and innovations. Here, he shares his expertise on such diverse topics as eating disorders, dry sockets, and nitrous oxide.
What Are Dental Lasers?
Dental lasers are now being used more and more often to get rid of dental decay in easily and painlessly, and also to work on the gums. They are not great for large procedures, but work well in many other cases.
Is Nitrous Oxide Safe?
Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is often used to help nervous dental patients acclimate better, and to make it easier for them to take other types of anesthetics. The good news is that new safety systems mean it is safer now than ever before.
What is a TENS Machine?
This great machine actually blocks the traditional pain pathways, making it possible to have painful dental work without actually feeling any of it. While this type of portable hand-held unit does not work for everybody, when it does work, it’s amazing.
Is Bottled Water Bad for Teeth?
Parents often worry whether or not they are doing enough for their children’s teeth. If the bottled water your children are drinking does not contain fluoride, you might want to give them a fluoride supplement.
What is Dental Calculus?
This is a hardened layer that builds up on the teeth, and is impossible to get off without the help of a dentist. Everyone gets it, although people with good oral hygiene get far less. But dental calculus is yet one more reason why everyone can benefit from regular dental check-ups.
Heart Murmurs and Dentistry
We used to think that people with heart murmurs always needed to take antibiotics before having dental treatment in case bacteria from their mouth could cause a potentially dangerous infection. Now that thinking has changed, as this article points out.
What Are Papoose Boards?
Not all dentists like the idea of tying up a small child, or one with special needs, to perform their dental services on them. Some like the idea of sedation, or simply referring their little charges to a pedodontist.
Is Dental Tourism a Good Idea?
If you want to have dental work carried out abroad because it is cheaper, think again. You will no doubt need many follow-up appointments, and unless you want to keep traveling back and forth, it’s not really a good idea. Also, you may not trust the quality of the materials they use, with good reason.
What to Know About Dental Implants
It’s now easier than it used to be to replace a missing tooth with a false one. You can have traditional dentures, a bridge or an implant, which can be virtually indistinguishable from your regular teeth, as this article points out.
What Are Dental Sealants?
More and more parents are relying on dental sealants to protect the surfaces of their children’s teeth. They form a protective shield that fights tooth decay. They can only be put on virgin teeth, however.
What is Trench Mouth?
This is a nasty infection of the gums, which causes pain, an unpleasant taste and smell in the mouth. It can be so painful that most people who develop it see their dentist immediately. Luckily, there is a cure.
HIV and Dental Care
If you are HIV positive, your dental treatment will no doubt not differ from anyone else’s. But if your T-cell count is very low, you may need to have antibiotics to prevent a potentially dangerous infection, and you may even need to be treated in hospital if invasive dental work needs to be done that could put your health at risk.
What is Dry Socket?
Sometimes a blood clot does not form properly following a tooth extraction, causing a nasty infection in the mouth. If this happens, you may need to make a speedy visit to your dentist for treatment to make it go away. In some cases, a new blood clot may have to form, which could mean minor surgical intervention.
What Are Dental Grills?
More and more people are deciding that they want a little bit of bling on their teeth. If you fall into this category, see your dentist – not a jeweler. And learn how to take care of those dental grills properly, so they do not harm your teeth.
What is Bisphenol A?
This is a type of chemical that became famous when it was found in the plastic used in baby bottles. Not many people are aware of the fact that it is also used in dental sealants. But the amount found is negligible, and common knowledge is that it is completely safe.
Dentists and Detection of Eating Disorders
Did you know that a good dentist can tell if someone has an eating disorder, just by looking at the state of their teeth? Dentists care about your overall health, not just your dental health. So a good dentist will also try to broach the subject with their patient.
Dental Care During Pregnancy
Old thinking said that pregnant women should avoid dental treatment until the baby is born. Modern thinking says the opposite. Good dental health is important when you are expecting, both for you and for your unborn child. So get thee to a dentist!
How to Save On Your Dental Bill
There are numerous ways to save on your dental bill, but one of them should not be avoiding treatment. Instead, get insurance, split your treatment over time, and see if you can you spread the cost as well, without interest.
When Is It Time to Switch Dentists?
If you do not have a good rapport with your dentist or if he tries to intimidate you into having treatment you do not want or maybe do not need, it might be time to look elsewhere.
What is Tongue Splitting?
Fancy speaking with a forked tongue? If so, this may be the cosmetic treatment for you. But beware: Tongues bleed easily, and you can cause permanent damage when you decide to split this vascular muscle.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
