SmilesByGlerum News

Laser Treatment for Cold Sores & Canker Sores

November 16th, 2016

What is a cold sore?

A cold sore, also known as a fever blister or recurrent herpes labialis, is caused by the reactivation of a virus called HSV-1. It is typically seen as a cluster of small blisters which quickly rupture to form small ulcers. Over time, the ulcerations extend to the skin around the mouth and become covered with a crusting or scab.

Many lesions are commonly preceded by an itching, burning or tingling sensation. The lesions are often painful and can come back on a regular basis.

The lesions begin quickly, and can be triggered by exposure to sunlight, local trauma, stress, or a decreased immune system. The blister and ulcer stages of the infection are contagious and usually heal within 7-10 days.

What is a canker sore?

A canker sore, also known as an aphthous ulcer, is an autoimmune response which damages the skin inside the mouth. The ulcer appears as a white or yellow center with a red border, and can be seen on the inside of the lips or cheeks, on or underneath the tongue, and on the back of the throat.

Canker sores can vary in size, from small (less than half of a centimeter) to large. They are usually associated with physical or emotional stress, become painful, and commonly come back in multiple areas.

How does laser treatment work?

Without any injections to numb the area, the laser heats the lesion in order to kill the virus and stimulate your body’s healing potential. The laser does not touch the skin. The heat is controlled by keeping the tip of the laser several millimeters away from the tissue, taking care not to overheat the ulcer.

Treatment lasts about 15 minutes, and most patients feel better immediately after treatment! laser-treatment-dr-karen-glerum

What should I expect after treatment?

Most patients feel immediate relief after laser treatment, and do not require another treatment. The time that it takes for the ulcer to heal shortens when compared to no treatment.

Cold sores can come back, but laser treatment can lengthen the time in between break outs. Sores can be retreated, and over time, may not come back!

Can the laser treat other sores?

Laser treatment may be able to help similar sores in or around the mouth. Other sores in the mouth that are painful, white, or red may be treated similarly. Treatment may be indicated after a consultation with your dental provider.

What should I do if I have a cold or canker sore?

Early Treatment is the Best Treatment!

Cold sores and canker sores are best treated at the beginning stages. If treated early, a cold sore may not even create a blister or ulcer.

If you feel an itching, tingling, burning or numb sensation associated with the sore, this is the early sign of a cold sore.

We understand that early treatment is the best. If you feel that you have the beginnings of a cold sore, call our office at 561-374-8922 as soon as possible, and we will do our best to see you within 24 hours. In most cases, we can see you the same day!

If your cold or canker sore is ulcerated, laser treatment can still be beneficial to speed healing and decrease pain.

Once the sore has created a scab or crust, laser treatment is no longer effective.

If you would like more information on laser treatment for cold sores & canker sores, please contact us to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Improve Your Smile’s Shape Discreetly with Invisalign

October 13th, 2016

straighten teeth

Need to get a straighter smile without wearing traditional braces? Then it’s time you considered Invisalign.

There is so much about Invisalign that makes it an attractive option for many of our patients looking to get a straighter smile. Before you schedule your invisalign consultation with your Boyton Beach, FL dentists–Dr. Karen Glerum–find out all that Invisalign has to offer your smile.

It is Hidden

If you’ve ever hated the idea of wearing a mouth full of metal but always wanted to get a straighter smile, now you can with Invisalign. Invisalign doesn’t have any metal to worry about and is nearly invisible. The clear plastic aligners are designed to fit perfectly over your teeth to move them into the proper position without others noticing.

It’s Made for You

Whenever a patient comes into our Boyton Beach, FL dental office to get Invisalign, they know they will get a series of aligners that are customized to fit their teeth and to give them the smile they want. Through the use of our 3D technology and the help of an Invisalign lab we can give you aligners that are unique to the shape of your mouth so they feel comfortable.

Invisalign Fits Your Lifestyle

Been considering getting braces but hate that you have to change your diet? Does the idea of trying to floss and brush around metal brackets and wires have you nervous? That’s completely fair, and luckily with Invisalign you don’t have to worry about that. All you have to do is remove your aligners prior to mealtimes and before brushing and flossing. Make sure to rinse your aligners once you are finished and then pop them back in. It’s that simple!

Invisalign is Great for Teens

Even though Invisalign can’t be used for children, it can be a great option for both teens and adults. Even though Invisalign Teen is a bit different from the orthodontic treatment an adult will get, it is just as effective for treating a lot of the most common malocclusions that need to be fixed.

Turn to the dental experts at Smiles by Glerum in Boyton Beach, FL to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Contact us at Smiles by Glerum today and let us know you are interested in getting Invisalign.

We may Still be Able to Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Alternative

July 18th, 2016

Your tooth is in peril if its innermost layer, the pulp, becomes infected and inflamed. Deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures or fractures can all expose the pulp and ultimately the roots to infection and lead to tooth loss.

But that scenario isn’t inevitable — we can often save the tooth with a root canal treatment. By accessing the tooth’s interior through a prepared hole, we’re able to clean out the infected tissue in the pulp chamber and root canals, and fill the empty space with a special filling. We then cap the tooth with a custom crown to protect it from a re-infection.

Root canal treatments have a very high success rate — chances are good your tooth will survive for many years afterward. But there’s a slight chance the tooth may become re-infected; in that case, a second root canal treatment may be in order.

RCT

In a few cases, though, a second root canal may not be advisable, and could even accelerate damage to the tooth. For example, if past dental work resulted in an extensive crown restoration, accessing the root canals the conventional way will require disassembling that restoration. This could weaken the tooth significantly.

We can approach the problem from a different route: instead of accessing the tooth’s interior through the crown (the visible part of the tooth), we instead perform a surgical procedure called an apicoectomy, which accesses the tooth at the root end through the gums.

In this procedure we numb the area with local anesthesia and then make a small incision through the gums at the level of the affected root. After access, we remove any diseased tissue around the root and a few millimeters of the root tip itself. We then insert a small filling in its place to seal the canal and prevent further infection. In some cases we may also insert a graft to encourage bone growth and aid in healing.

Over time, the affected area will heal and return to normal function. Even if a traditional root canal treatment can’t be used, an apicoectomy could be another option for saving your tooth.

If you would like more information on your options for preserving a problem tooth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Apicoectomy.”

Gum Disease has Dangerous Side-effects!

June 9th, 2016

Gum Disease Speeds Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Patients

Alz

GUM DISEASE (PERIODONTITIS) MAY be more common in Alzheimer’s patients, and it is associated with an increase in the severity of dementia in patients with the condition, according to new British research.

For the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, medical investigators assessed the cognitive ability and dental health of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, and measured inflammatory markers in their blood.

Six months later, they repeated the tests and found the rate of mental decline in patients with gum disease was six times as rapid as those without the disease, and there was also an increase in markers for inflammation. The scientists concluded that gum disease is associated with a more rapid decline in thinking in Alzheimer’s patients, probably due to mechanisms related to the body’s inflammatory response.

GUM DISEASE LINKED TO ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Mar-9

A type of bacteria responsible for gum disease may be a cause of esophageal cancer. Researchers at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry found the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis in 61 percent of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The bacteria wasn’t detectable in healthy esophageal tissue. The discovery provides evidence that gum disease is a risk factor for esophageal cancer and may be reduced by improving oral hygiene.

Exemplary Dental Crowns In Boynton Beach Florida

February 10th, 2016

Karen Glerum, DDS is changing the way people think about themselves – in a good way. Knowing full well the value or importance of healthy looking teeth, your Dentist in Boynton Beach is specializing in the restoration of dentition. Chief among these services is the provision of dental crowns.

Karen Glerum - Dentist Boynton Beach

What exactly are dental crowns? You can consider dental crowns as very tough and durable protective sleeves worn by your teeth. You see, changes in the teeth’s structure can significantly weaken it, creating cracks and severely altering its shape. While other dental procedures can help mitigate these conditions, the natural protective capacity of dental crowns holds these elements together in order for them to serve their function.

Dental crowns are also excellent restorative dental devices to give your teeth the appearance of naturally-looking and generally health set of pearly whites. At Karen Glerum DDS, they make sure that the kind of dental crown that your teeth will be wearing best reflects the kind of personality that you have. Such unique individualized services can only be seen from one of Florida’s best cosmetic dentists and dental restorer.

Dental crowns work their magic by covering damaged tooth. So, the tooth is protected against further damage that may result from forceful bites and unnecessary chewing. Additionally, there are certain types of dental crown materials that can be manufactured to mimic the natural color of the teeth. This is an excellent way to add aesthetic appeal to your teeth. In some cases, the dental crown can also serve as an attachment to dental bridges or even cover a dental implant and cover the tooth that has been subjected to root canal treatment. In most cases however, dental implants are great for reinforcing teeth that have been identified as at-risk for developing serious dental cracks and fissures.

Call today for an appointment! (561) 374-8922

Karen Glerum DDS
2300 S Congress Ave. Ste 110
Boynton Beach, FL 33426