Perhaps there is no other healthcare profession like dentistry that has the unfortunate (and false) reputation of wanting to cause pain rather than prevent it. For all the good that dentists do to improve our well being, there are many patients with fears about sitting in the dentist’s chair.

Perhaps it has something to do with a previous bad experience or a distaste for fluoride, no matter how strongly the hygienist insists it is “cherry flavored”. But whatever the reason, there are many people (young an old), who have dental anxiety.

For your teeth’s sake, there are ways to combat dental anxiety, a condition sure to cause cavities. If positive reinforcement, learning to control fear and other behavior management techniques don’t do the trick, dental sedation could ease your mind and allow you to get your mouth healthy.

Sedation can occur through inhalation (nitrous oxide aka laughing gas), intravenously or orally through a pill or liquid. All of these are safe and can address most forms of dental anxiety by allowing you to get dental work done and simultaneously relieving the anxiety you feel inside. Usually these forms of sedation do not relieve pain, so a local anesthetic is still needed. They do however relieve stress and allow you to have a healthy smile without all of the worry.

I am pleased to now offer all three forms of conscious sedation in our office: nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV conscious sedation. Call my office today and find out how I can make the smile of your dreams a reality.

The holiday season is upon us and my team and I are on a mission to make brighter and whiter smiles this year. We are supporting the Toys for Tots program which has been bringing bright smiles to children nation wide for over 61 years.

Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. We feel grateful to be a part of this community and welcome this opportunity to give back.

We will be collecting toys from now until December 19. For the entire month of December, we are offering $50 off on our Zoom Whitening with a donation in our office to Toys for Tots. Creating smiles is our passion and we invite our community to join us in creating smiles for those in need!

Your teeth were designed to last a lifetime, but sometimes they don’t! Replacing missing teeth is important to your general health and to the health of your other teeth. Not only do you lose chewing ability when a tooth is lost, but unreplaced teeth can cause other teeth

to be lost, tipped or crowded and create subsequent problems. Also, there are the obvious problems of poor appearance and loss of self-esteem caused by one or more missing teeth.

Dental implants should always be considered as an option to replace a failing or missing tooth. Replacement of lost teeth with dental implants has been used for treating missing teeth for more than 50 years and is recognized as an effective treatment choice. Treatment is Considered more predictable than bridgework, resin bonded bridges and endodontic treatment.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth. They act as an anchor for a replacement tooth or “crown” or a set of replacement teeth.

Am I a candidate for a dental implant?

Implant patients are of all ages and implants may be the right choice for anyone missing one or more or even all of their teeth due to injury, disease or decay. They are especially practical for patients who can no longer wear removable dentures. Your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and medical history.

Are there different kinds of implants?

There are many shapes, sizes and brands of implants available. Your trained implant dentist will know which implant is the right one for you.

Do I have enough bone?

It is important for a patient to have enough bone to support the implant. If you do not have enough bone, there are many safe and effective ways to correct bone deficiency. Your dentist will assess this and advise you if additional bone material is needed.

Will this take a long time?

Treatment time can vary greatly depending on your needs. Each situation needs a separate evaluation; your dentist will be able to give you an approximate timetable.

Article Courtesy of American Academy of Implant Dentistry

Please call to see if an implant may be right for you.

Halloween ushers in the beginning of the candy buying season here in America. Last Halloween consumers were estimated to buy more than 1.9 billion dollars in candy making it one of the four largest candy buying seasons of the year. October is also National Dental Hygiene Month and we want to celebrate healthy smiles!

Every October, Dr. Thompson joins dental professionals across the country to promote the importance of dental hygiene and the connection between a healthy, balanced diet, and good oral health. There are several preventative measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of tooth decay or damage. While the candy alone is not necessarily harmful to teeth, sugar consumption, types of treats, and your dental hygiene routine can protect your sweet tooth.

Frequently eating chocolates, candy, and other sweets can create an ideal environment for decay causing bacteria and lead to toothaches, sensitivity, and cavities. Plaque is a sticky substance that is made of bacteria that thrive on sugars and carbohydrates that are left in the mouth and produce harmful acid that attack your teeth. “This attack by bacterial acid, lasting 20 minutes or more, can lead to a loss of tooth mineral and, eventually, to cavities,” according to the American Dental Association. Candy that is sticky or hard tends to remain in the mouth for a longer period of time and can be more harmful than softer candy such as chocolate which washes away easier with saliva. Also, sticky and hard candy can actually cause damage to teeth, dental work, braces, and retainers. Choosing treats that are sugar free or non-candy treats such as stickers and toys are a better choice for your dental health. Also certain cheese and the calcium from dairy can help to increase salivary production and help to neutralize acids and was away any remaining sugars.

Thanks to the advancements in dentistry, protecting your teeth from decay-causing bacteria and cavities has become much easier. Sealants, fluoride treatments, CariFree Appliances can all minimize bacteria and decay. Routine visits along with proper brushing and flossing can stop decay in its tracks!!!

Remember, Halloween doesn’t have to be frightening for your teeth. Have a happy and safe month!

While you may be aware of all the physical signs of aging, most people are not aware that your teeth are affected by age as well. September is Healthy Aging Month and a great time to educate and motivate people on keeping teeth vibrant, young, and healthy.

Healthy Aging month was established 15 years ago to broaden the awareness of the positive side of aging and to motivate improved health, financial, and overall wellness. The link between overall health and even financial well being can have an effect on your oral health. Factors such as taking certain medications, medical treatments, concerns about financial stability, and natural progression of age can create concerns for your oral health.

As we get older our teeth will begin to show signs of aging. Just as our hair loses pigment and turns white, the dentin or inner layers of our teeth will naturally darken or yellow with age. In addition, teeth can also become discolored due to staining from drinks, certain foods, smoking and certain medications. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that the most common response to what adults would most like to improved about their smile was a brighter, whiter smile. Professional teeth whitening can safely bring back a youthful, bright appearance to teeth. With the advancements in bleaching, stained and discolored teeth can have years restored in just one visit.

Your teeth’s healthy aging can also be affected by medical treatments and prescriptions. “32 million Americans are taking three or more medications daily,” according to the American Heart Association. Certain medications we take can dry out the mouth by reducing the amount of saliva that the mouth naturally produces creating an environment for harmful bacteria that can lead to decay or gum disease.
Saliva is essential in aiding the digestion process, healthy oral environment, and taste. A signifcant reduction in saliva can cause symptoms like burning sensations, fungal and bacterial growth, and recession of the gum tissue. Routine dental exams and keeping your dentist up-to-date on your medical prescriptions and treatments will give you a proactive approach to your dental health.

Even financial stress can affect healthy aging for your teeth. Stress from financial instability and unclear retirement options have many dentists seeing a rise of bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) and TMD symptoms. Frequent headaches, grinding, clenching, neck, jaw, head and toothaches can be indicators of bruxism or possibly temporomandibular joint disorder. The temporomandibular joint is comprised of the ligaments, muscles and tendons that are essential for jaw movement, talking and eating. A TMD evaluation can determine the best treatment and prevent unnecessary advanced wear and breakage due to stress.

Ask us how we can keep your teeth healthy, vibrant, and young.

Give them a smile: a happy, friendly, and genuine smile. Go ahead, flash it; it’s contagious, it’s infectious, it’s the universal expression of happiness. A simple smile can change someone’s day.

Here are some fun “smile” facts:

62-The number of times a day the average woman smiles.

8-The number of times a day the average man smiles.

63%-The percentage of people who say they look best in photos when they are showing their teeth.

99.7%-The percentage of adults who say an attractive smile is an important personal asset.

Some people are a little nervous about smiling. They don’t think their smile looks good, or they think that smiling makes them look unprofessional or vulnerable. No matter how professional, intelligent, or “together” you think a serious face makes you appear, people almost always respond better to a smile.

Mark Twain once wrote, “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been!” The act of smiling is a very uncomplicated and important human activity. It really isn’t important that your smile be perfect-but that you feel good about it and you give it away! If your stingy with your smile because it’s something less than what you want it to be, we can help. Smiles are what we do best.

While our first concern is keeping your teeth and mouth as healthy as possible, we have the tools and the training to make sure you have a smile that gives you confidence and a smile that you’re excited to share with others.

We’re more than happy discuss with you the many options available to help you achieve a smile worth sharing and a smile that will change someone’s day –including your own.

So smile and have a great day!

Peter L. Thompson

We live in a busy and fast paced world and I want to make the public aware of the advancements in dental technology that will help reduce your time in the dental office. Dental advancements in laser therapy, orthodontics, tooth restorations, and teeth whitening reduce the time you spend in the dental chair.

Today’s technology has taken even routine dental visits into the 21st century. Digital x-rays have replaced traditional radiographs virtually eliminating the processing time and protecting the patient by reducing the amount of radiation by 70%.

The advancements in dental treatment have also reduced the amount of visits and provide patients with results in accelerated time. LANAP therapy for the treatment of periodontal disease and bone loss uses laser technology to treat gum disease. It eliminates the need for traditional scalpel surgery, significantly reduces healing time, and produces dramactically healthy results. CEREC technology allows patients the convenience of having a dental onlay or crown made in one hour that I personally back with a lifetime guarantee. Plus all dental work can be done in one visit while you are comfortably sedated!

Even the traditional years of orthodontic treatment and teeth whitening have benefited from advanced technology and materials. A brighter dazzling smile is now possible with predictable, effective results even for sensitive teeth with the new Zoom WhiteSpeed. We are pleased to be able to offer this new product at a fraction of the cost and time of the old laser whitening treatments. If you are looking for staighter teeth, Invisilign makes it easy to straighten your teeth without bands, brackets, or wires and the average treatment time is less than a year!

In my office, we know that not everyone is as excited about dentistry as we are, but we want our patients to have the very best in dental technology and receive the most advanced treatment that’s available. Our patients are like family and if our treatments can reduce discomfort or allow convenience for your busy lives we want to be sure we are providing that for you.

If you are interested in seeing what the latest technology can do for you, give us a call!

Dr. Judy came to us wanting to improve her smile and update her dentistry.  After an extensive exam and discussion concerning her wants and desires, we decided to do 10 veneers on the top and 10 on the bottom including several onlays to remove the unsightly and outdated silver mercury fillings.  Her before and after pictures speak for themselves.  What a beautiful smile she has!!  This entire case was done in one visit under sedation.

Dr. Peter L. Thompson has a sincere love for his profession. He loves the incredibly positive impact he can have on a person’s life. He loves being able to recreate brilliance out of ashes. He loves the effect a beautiful smile and healthy mouth manifests in someones life…

“I have been richly blessed with a wonderful wife, two healthy, vibrant children and the ability to be able to practice a profession that I have passion about. I live by the golden rule and I have a similar philosophy about dentistry. I will put nothing in your mouth that I wouldn’t want it mine. In my mouth, I want to embrace technology, esthetics and health-promoting materials. I will do nothing but the same for you.” – Dr. T

Education

Education: Dr. Thompson grew up in Puyallup, Washington and was transplanted to Eastern New Mexico with the Military. He decided to pursue his college education at Eastern New Mexico University and graduated in ‘94 Summa Cum Laude. In 2000, he graduated from the University of Texas with his DDS degree. Several of his mentors in life told him that graduation from dental school was the beginning of his education, not the end. He has taken this to heart and has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education yearly to sharpen his skills and provide the absolute best for his patients. He has focused his education on TMJD(temporomandibular joint disorder), Smile design, Full Mouth Reconstruction, Orthodontics, CEREC, Porcelain bonding and Implants. He is a Preferred Graduate from the world renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (www.lvilive.com) where he has taken all of their basic and most of the advanced courses. Many of his friends call him an “education junkie”.

“A wise man once told me… ‘you don’t know what you don’t know, until you learn what you don’t know’. I firmly believe this. When all you have is a hammer in your toolbox…everything looks like a nail. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better you can treat someone’s mouth. This is what I would want for my family and myself…so this is what I strive to provide for my guests.” – Dr. T

Associations:

• LVI Preferred graduate
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• International Academy of Comprehensive Aesthetics
• American Orthodontic Society
• Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry
• Fellow of the Dental organization for conscious sedation
• Listed as one of “America’s Best Dentist’s”
• American Dental Association
• New Mexico Dental Associaton
• Portales Rotary Club
• Board member for the State of New Mexico Military Draft
• Eastern New Mexico University Foundation Board member