Dr. Alice StutzD1an~s

(JOord Of Mouth Produced for the Patients of Dr. Alice Stutzman Summer 2009

fromthedentist

Easing The Pain Flexible financing

Advances in modern dentistry have all but banished pain from the opera tory, yet many dental practices neglect an important pain-reducing step: they fail to offer flexible pain­free payment options for their patients. At our practice, we offer our Healthcare Line of Credit that will have you showing off your smile.

With CareCreditCf), an affordable payment program that has a unique no-interest payment plan we can offer flexible payment options to cover many costs that many insurance plans currently don't. You tan pay for treatment over time and there are no up-front costs, or annual fees, no prepayment penalty, and the application process is quick and easy. CareCredit offers monthly payment plans to meet almost every need so that you can focus on what's most important - ensuring good dental care.

We'll even assist you with your applications. How's that for "pain­free" dentistry?

Yours in good dentallzealth,

Dr. Alice Stutzman

turnthepage Live 14 years longerl

Gum disease ... me?

Let's talk toothpaste!

10& e;t:OI/& c?WW11e0! Balance your schedule & your life

Don't you find that the slower pace of summer is very welcome? Like you, we find our schedules are very full and pretty structured from autumn right through spring. We've been busy with continuing education, volunteering, and let's not forget chauffeuring family to holiday, sport, and school events. Thankfully, summer provides some much-needed balance and way more flexibility both at home and here at the practice.

Now, with so many people h'aveling and pursuing summer pastimes, we can be more available to accommodate your family's schedule. This is a great time to book appointments you've been feeling too pressured to keep...

Has it been more than six months since you've seen us? \tVe'll clean and check your teeth for cavities, chips, cracked or worn fillings, and gum and bite issues.

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Could your smile use brightening? We'll book you in plenty of time to look great at the beach or for that special wedding or other photo-filled event that's coming up.

Do you have a partial or other restoration that's getting worn or loose? We'll do an assessment to ensure your ability to speak or eat isn't affected.

Planning to participate in summer sports? The more active you are, the greater the chance of mouth injuries, so we highly recommend a custom-fitted ­for energetic kids of all ages.

Out doors are open to you nmv and all summet long. See you soon!

Thank you for all your referrals. We appreciate them!

Everybody wants to put their best

smile forward.. According to a national

study, teeth are the number-one facial

feature that people would change...

three out of four adults think that a

nice smile is important to landing

their dream job ... 84% think that Share your smile with the an attractive smile is important for one you love! meeting Mr. or Ms. Right. It seems that we associate a pleasing smile with

many of life's passages. Celebrating these milestones means family, friends,

and ... photographs. Are you ready to get ready?

Sometimes even subtle changes can tum a nice smile into a sensational

smile - often in only one or two visits ...

Create an even 111 ore dramatic impact. We can match your natural tooth

enamel, tooth size, and shape, whiLe cosmetically enhancing your smile ...

FAQtually Speaking

About toothpaste Q. What does fluoride toothpaste do?

A. Fluoride fights tooth decay and strengthens tooth enamel.

Q. Will tartar-fighting toothpastes prevent gum disease?

A. No. They only help reduce additional tartar buildup above the gumline, so regular flossing and hygiene visits are essential.

Q. Are whitening toothpastes okay for sensitive teeth?

A. No. Most contain a higher level of abrasives. Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth instead.

Q. Does The American Dental Association test toothpastes?

A. Yes. The ADA Seal ofAcceptance means they meet specific criteria for safety and effectiveness.

Q. Do children's toothpastes need to taste good? A. Yes. This encourages brushing, but use a pea­sized amount and don't let them swallow.

Q. How often should I use toothpaste?

A. You should brush at least twice daily with toothpaste for 2-3 minutes and floss daily.

Whether you want your best milestone smile for a graduation, wedding,

or The Big 4-0 - give us a call as soon as you can. You'll have your great new

look in no time!

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Are You Symptom Free? Are you ready for biology's next revolution? The Human Oral Microbiome Database has been created to provide scientists with comprehensive information on oral microbes. That's good news for you because gum disease is no minor infection. It can change your appearance, your ability to eat, your social life, and your general health. It has been called the silent disease because you can have it and be symptom-free. Being young is no protection.

Here are some more facts you need to know ...

• up to 30% of people may be genetically susceptible to gum disease and six times more likely to develop periodontitis, its most serious form.

• Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. It can destroy jawbone and supporting tissues as well as your appearance.

• Unnatural-looking indentations left by missing teeth and bone loss can compromise the esthetics of replacement teeth.

• Research has linked gum disease to other health problems including heart disease and stroke, respiratory diseases, cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes, and complications during pregnancy.

Surveyed U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-l margin.

De-Escalate! Reclaim your world

It's a wonderful world we live in. Yet the excitement and challenges of even the best things in life can create tension. Teeth clenching and grinding are common symptoms of stress which over time can escalate into Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), a painful problem of the jaw joints. Of course, dentistry can provide relief with oral appliance therapy, but a strategy for self-care will help keep you at ease for the long term.

Martial arts for relaxation? Absolutely. Aikido, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong combine meditation and movement to improve posture, balance, coordination, endurance, and flexibility.

Yoga is popular, very do­able, and doesn't require special equipment.

Proper breathing, exercise, relaxation, diet, positive thinking, and meditation are tried and true. TMD is all about taking the pressme off.

Millions of people don't know they have gUll1 disease.

Could you be one of them? Stay as healthy as you feel by keeping up with your home care routines and maintaining your regular appointments. It could give you a revolutionary advantage.

Can't Tolerate CPAP? Consider oral appliance therapy

Have you ever seen a teeth whitening tray or a sports mouthguard? Well, if you suffer from sleep apnea, an equally small, comfortable, custom-fitted device could be just the solution you're looking for. While in the past Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) has been considered the gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, not everyone can tolerate the cumbersome device and simply won't use it. That's hazardous to their health.

Therapy with a portable custom-fitted oral appliance can be extremely helpful for a variety of apnea problems ranging from mild to severe - without surgery. Snoring noise is caused by vibrations of air moving through a narrow airway. In apnea, the tongue and soft tissues relax and completely collapse the airway during sleep until breathing stops. The brain partially awakens them to restore breathing.

The key to successful treatment with your oral appliance is custom fitting so that it meets your unique needs and will maintain an open, unobstructed airway while you sleep by repositioning your lower jaw, tongue, and soft palate. It is an excellent alternative for many apnea patients and also for snorers whose problem has not improved in spite of weight loss, avoidance of alcohol, quitting smoking or shifting their sleep position.

officeinformation ASE Dental Group, p.c.A Dr. Alice Stutzman ~j~;.e:'r!;'lo-~rmr)' 10301 Georgia Avenue, Suite 207 Silver Spring, MD 20902-5020

Office Hours Mon-Thu 7:40 am - 5:00 pm * One Saturday per month open Bam - lpm

* Open one evening a week until 6:30pm

Contact Information Office (301) 593-5500 Fax (301) 593-3771

OffiCe Staff Leolora Patient Relations Beverly Receptionist Sandy, Harryette Dental Assistants Bunnie Dental Hygienist Daisy Greeter

Communication is important . to 11S.- don't be

afraid to ask questions!

VISA CA$H

We Welcome New Patients

Our practice wants you to refer us to your family, friends and colleagues.

Did you know that the highest compliment you can give us is referring our practice to people you care about? Yes, your trust means the world to us, and fuels our commitment to raise the bar even higher on providing you and yours with excellent dental care. Trust in those who have earned your trust and earn their trust in return. We live by this motto and have enclosed our new referral card ...asking you to spread the word!

Cerec 3™ Rapid restorations!

The Cerec 3T." computer restoration

system allows us to restore smiles to perfection by creating exceptionally accurate and natural-looking restorations in just one visit. For example, to replace a metal filling with a beautiful inlay, the prepared tooth is scanned by a special electronic camera and its precise image appears immediately on a computer monitor right in the operatory. You can view the progress of the Cerec 3 machine as it mills an extremely accurate three­dimensional restoration from the scan. The precise restoration is then fitted and bonded to your prepared tooth ... all in less than an hour!

A beautiful, perfectly natural looking Cerec 3 restoration is almost as strong and long-lasting as natural tooth enamel. Talk about an amazing technology for your amazing smile!

Information included is not dental or Jnl!dicnl <1dvice. For your Contents may not be reproduced without permission from the publisher. Mixed Sourcesspecific information be sure toconsult our office. If you do not wish © PATIENT NEWS PUBLISHING (800) 667-0268 JJ Cert no. SW-COe-002303 to receive this newsletter, please contact us directly. 26560-48093 ML09-2FSC @1996FSC