Dr. Kevin Chen returns to the podcast to chat about gum recession. He shares with Dr. Towfighi about the potential for tooth loss if the gum recession goes untreated. The doctors discuss donor grafts and pinhole treatment. Periodontists create donor grafts by removing tissue from the roof of the mouth and placing it in needed areas of the mouth. However, this procedure helps with tissue support, not bone support.

The doctors continue their discussion by explaining the differences between donor grafts and pinhole treatment. Donor grafts have been around for much longer than the pinhole. However, donor grafts are more invasive. Pinhole treatments are non-invasive. Pinhole does not require sutures. Additionally, the Dr. Chen explains how a pinhole treatment may be used for treating the entire mouth in one setting. 

In closing, Dr. Chen informs listeners why some patients opt for donor grafts or pinhole treatment. 

Dr. Khalid Rasheed joins Dr. Towfighi to discuss LANAP and pockets. No, not the things you put your change, keys, and hands in. A "pocket" is a term dentists use to identify bone loss. These are the numbers dental patients hear dentists give to an assistant during an exam. LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. 

The doctors discuss the difference between surgical and non-surgical therapy for treating the parts of the mouth that support teeth. Furthermore, Dr. Rasheed goes into the decision making for determining surgical and non-surgical treatment. Dr. Towfighi asks Dr. Rasheed if LANAP requires anesthesia or not. Dr. Rasheed provides information about who qualifies for which procedure. Additionally, the doctors cover the recover for surgical and non-surgical procedures involving gums. 

In closing, the doctors discuss why LANAP is the only FDA-approved procedure to regrown bone. They also share that only LANAP-certified periodontists can use the tool for helping patients.

Diabetes effects over 21,000,000 Americans. Dr. Kevin Chen joins Dr. Towfighi in this episode of the Healthy Mouth Podcast to discuss the correlation between diabetes and our mouths.

Dr. Chen shares how diabetes may prevent our bodies from fighting gum disease. Furthermore, the doctors share common complaints diabetic patients have when they visit their dentists. Dr. Towfighi asks if dental patients living with diabetes can receive treatments for gum disease. Additionally, the doctors cover dental implants and diabetes.

Finally, the doctors cover dental care for patients with controlled diabetes and uncontrolled diabetes, including scheduled dental care and coordinating care between the patient's medical doctor and family dentist.

Dr. Towfighi sits down with his colleague Dr. Mahdad Nassiri to learn more about periodontal disease, or "bone" disease. Dr. Nassiri likens periodontal disease to collateral damage in war. They also share why uncontrolled inflammation in the mouth is a concern and my lead to health issues in the rest of the body.

Dr. Nassiri next discusses how diseases of the mouth can impact the health of the heart and the arterial system of the body. Furthermore, Dr. Nassiri shares how the connection between our mouths and hearts was discovered. We also learn why your family doctor may want to review your dental records on your next visit.

Finally, the doctors give tips on how to reduce inflammation through such activities like changing your diet, scheduling routine dental cleanings, regular exercise, and reducing risk-behaviors like smoking. He concludes by saying why we should not think of our mouths and bodies as separate entities. 

Join the second part of Dr. Towfighi and Dr. Nath's discussion about chronic inflammation and how it impacts our overall health. Continuing on from Part I, Dr. Towfighi asks Dr. Nath how a dentist measures inflammation in the mouth. The doctors continue by discussing how dentists use this information to determine if a deep cleaning is needed or if a surgical procedure is the best course of action to help a patient.

Inflammation impacts our bodies in many ways. With that in mind, Dr. Towfighi sits down with Dr. Nath to discuss how inflammation contributes to diseases in this first part of a two-part episode. In part one of this discussion, the doctors explain what inflammation is and why it is a natural part of the healing process. They continue by explaining how and why inflammation becomes a problem for our bodies.

Dr. Nath continues by explaining how preventing inflammation through activities like exercise and brushing our teeth can help reduces chances of chronic inflammation and, in turn, help improve our health. Dr. Nath also gives examples of how inflammation in the mouth can impact the health in the rest of the body.

In this episode of The Healthy Mouth Podcast, Doctor Towfighi give a little background on different dental specialties. He also explains what gingivitis and periodontitis are and how they impact the health of our mouths and bodies.

Dr. Towfighi first explains how gingivitis is the mildest of dental diseases. He continues how to recognize it and how it may be reversed. One of the easiest ways to spot it is if your gums are bleeding. He further explains how our bodies respond to the disease by attacking the bones in our jaw. 

Next, Dr.Towfighi describes the different types of periodontitis. The doctor also explains how to maintain the health of your mouth. He goes on to explain what habits can increase your risks for periodontitis, like tobacco use. Additional contributing factors could be stress, medications, or even the types of food we eat. 

Last of all, Dr. Towfighi gives examples of how a mouth in poor health can impact the health of our bodies. 

In this episode of The Healthy Mouth Podcast, Doctor Towfighi explains a dental implant procedure. He makes clear the difference between a dental implant and a dental crown.

Additionally, he answers common questions related to this procedure about after-care and discomfort. Furthermore, he explains why a smoker may still be eligible for a dental implant. Occasionally dental implants fail. Dr. Towfighi gives examples of some of the common reasons dental implants may fail. Another common question asked by patients is it safe to replace a dental implant in the same spot multiple time. 

Dr. Towfighi wraps the episode by sharing the reasons a family dentist plays an important role in determining if a dental implant is an option to replace a missing tooth or teeth.

Join Dr. Paul Towfighi and Registered Dental Assistant Leah Applegate as they chat about dental implants and how they may work with partial dentures and full dentures. Next, Dr. Towfighi explains the benefits of implant bridges. He also gives some insight into the maintenance and care implant bridges need to last for several years and beyond. The doctor also answers the question, "Will my dental work set off the airport security alarm?" The episode continues by going over the success rate of dental implants and how long implants may last. The doctor explains how implants function in the mouth and why our bodies don't reject them. Dr. Towfighi concludes the episode by discussing the tools and resources available to replace bone loss in the mouth. In addition, he gives information on how safe these types of procedures are for patients.

Dr. Paul Towfighi and Registered Dental Assistant Leah Applegate are happy to present the first episode of The Healthy Mouth Podcast. Dr. Towfighi discusses the possible causes of tooth loss, from poor dental care to genetics to using your mouth as a beer bottle opener. Next, Dr. Towfighi goes over the ways a missing tooth can be replaced: dentures, partial dentures, and permanent implants. He also gives some insight about gum disease and periodontal disease, possible signs of the diseases, and the options for addressing these health issues. Last of all, Dr. Towfighi goes over the differences between a bridge and implants.