Talking With Your Dentist

Talking With Your Dentist

Because of the wide variety of potential dental

procedures any patient may need, it is important

to talk openly with your dentist. Therefore, during

your appointment, let your dentist know of any

changes to your health since your last visit. This

information will help your dentist to recommend

the best treatment options for you. Examples of the

type of information you should tell your dentist

include:

• Are you pregnant or nursing?

• Do you have any allergies?

• Do you plan to have braces soon?

• What medications are you taking? For what

conditions? Any over-the-counter medications

or supplements?

• Do you have any other health conditions or

specific health concerns?

By knowing facts like these your dentist will be

better able to help you make the best treatment

choice.

If you need to have a tooth restored (filled), your

options may include several different materials.

Your dentist will discuss with you which material

is best for you and the tooth that needs to be filled.

Each material has advantages and disadvantages

and you should know what these are so you can

make an informed choice that is best for you.

If you have any questions or concerns about

the types of fillings you already have, read this

brochure and talk with your dentist about those

questions or concerns.

What choice you make will depend on your needs

and the best way to repair the cavity in your tooth.

Many factors may affect your choice of filling

material and the recommendations made by your

dentist. These factors include: your oral and general

health; esthetics; the location of the filling; the

biting force in the affected area of the mouth; the

length and number of visits needed to place the

filling; the durability required and the cost.

For many years the only available choices were

metals. These are 1) gold alloy or 2) a mixture or

"amalgam" of mercury, silver and other metals.

In the past few decades, other materials have

been developed for restoring teeth. They are

"tooth colored" rather than silver-colored or gold.

They include composite resin, glass ionomer and

porcelain materials.

Dental fillings fall into two categories based on

the method used to place them: They are: direct

restorations and indirect restorations.

Direct restorations are fillings placed immediately

into a prepared cavity in a single visit. They include

dental amalgam, glass ionomers, resin ionomers and

most composite (resin) fillings. The dentist prepares

the tooth, places the filling and adjusts it during one

appointment.

Indirect restorations may require two or more

visits. They include inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns

and bridges fabricated with gold, ceramics or

composites. During the first visit, the dentist

prepares the tooth and makes an impression of the

area to be treated. The impression is sent to a dental

laboratory, which creates the dental restoration

(filling). At the next appointment, the dentist

cements the restoration to the prepared tooth and

adjusts it as needed.

This fact sheet outlines the alternatives available

and will help you decide on the right choice for you.

The final choice is between you and your dentist.

Preventing Fillings - What You Can Do

Preventing Fillings – What You Can Do

You can avoid the need for fillings by preventing

tooth decay in the first place. Brushing, flossing,

eating a balanced diet and seeing your dentist

regularly are important factors in staying healthy.

Because of improvement in disease prevention and

the availability of new materials, most people need

far fewer fillings than they did in the past and many

filling materials are more esthetically pleasing.

Knowing what dental filling materials are available

and the benefits and drawbacks of each of those is

important. This brochure is designed to help you

understand your filling choices and provide you

with information on how to prevent tooth decay and

avoid the need for any fillings.

About Cavities and Dental Decay

A cavity (caused by a disease called caries) happens

when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that

attack your teeth. In time, this acid can dissolve

away the enamel on your teeth and cause a hole,

which is known as a cavity. Unlike some other

diseases or injuries, a cavity will not heal by itself,

but if the early signs of dental decay are promptly

treated before a cavity forms, it can be stopped and

even reversed by your dentist.

Without treatment by your dentist, dental decay

may continue to advance. Extreme decay can result

in the loss of the affected tooth or teeth, potentially

preceded by great discomfort, infection and other

health problems.

Preventing Dental Decay

Over the past 60 years many successful preventive

measures have helped to reduce dental disease.

Preventing decay is the best way to protect your

oral health. If you keep decay from starting, you

won't need fillings and you'll save money.

Follow these basic steps to prevent dental disease:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste;

• Floss or use an interdental cleaner once a day;

• Eat a balanced diet;

• Limit eating and drinking between meals. Give

preference to nutritious foods for snacks;

 

• Visit your dentist regularly;

• Ask your dentist whether supplemental fluoride

would be appropriate to strengthen tooth enamel

and prevent decay;

• Ask your dentist about dental sealants.

KARL STORZ Image 1® HD Video Platform

KARL STORZ Image 1® HD Video Platform Named Innovation of the Year by Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons

Innovative HD Imaging Platform Offers Endoscopic Surgeons the Best Viewing Experience

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc., a global leader in endoscopy technologies and video imaging systems for more than 60 years, is pleased to announce that its Image 1[R] HD Video Platform has been recognized by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) as a 2007 Innovation of the Year. Recipients of this year's Innovations of the Year were announced September 5, 2007, during the SLS 16th International Congress and Endo Expo in San Francisco.

With the addition of high-definition (HD) technology to its Image 1[R] family of products, KARL STORZ has given laparoscopic surgeons the best viewing experience available, as well as a range of enhanced capabilities. Image 1[R] offers FULL HD, with 1920 x 1080 resolution. It also acquires and displays surgical images in a 16:9 aspect ratio to provide the widest, most natural endoscopic views possible. Progressive scanning at 60 frames per second enables surgeons to capture fast-moving objects and produce sharper still images with less distortion, especially during rapid instrument movement.

"New functionality in the Image 1 HD platform gives surgeons the unequalled capability to control device functions such as light sources directly from the HD camera head," says Jeffrey Yates, Group Marketing Manager, Video Imaging. "With Image 1 HD, surgeons have all of the video tower functions and device controls placed in their hands, rather than waiting for assistance in starting, stopping or changing device settings." The higher resolution of Image 1[R] FULL HD provides optimum clarity, color contrast and depth perception, giving laparoscopic surgeons superior visualization that enables them to better distinguish between anatomical planes. "This enhances landmark recognition and identification of suspect tissue," Yates adds.

Because Image 1[R] HD is a video "platform" rather than a stand-alone product, it is both forward and backward compatible. This means that it can be upgraded rather than replaced to accommodate changes in technology. And the transition to HD is simplified because existing standard-definition camera heads and video scopes can still be used with the new Image 1[R] HD CCUs. This means that Image 1[R] HD can provide savings year after year for a lower cost of ownership.

About the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons

The SLS was established as an educational, nonprofit organization to help ensure the highest standards for the practice of laparoscopic, endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. With a membership of more than 6,000 surgeons, the society serves surgeons from various specialties and other health professionals interested in advancing their expertise. Each year, the organization recognizes the most innovative products of the previous 12 months that have multidisciplinary applications in minimally invasive surgery. The SLS notes that products recognized as Innovations of the Year are selected for informational purposes only. The society does not endorse or approve any products, and surgeons should investigate any new equipment for safety and suitability for their particular practice and needs.

About KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America

KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc., is an affiliate of KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, an international leader for more than 60 years in reusable endoscope technology, encompassing all endoscopic specialties. Based in Tuttlingen, Germany, KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned company that designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all its products with an emphasis on visionary design, precision craftsmanship and clinical effectiveness. For more information, call 800-421-0837 or visit the company's Web sites at www.karlstorz-hd-endoscopy.com or www.karlstorz.com.