Dentist Forest Acres Columbia | Diamond Dental Studio

Richland County SC Dentist | I Chipped a Tooth! What Can I Do?

March 23, 2020

It usually starts pretty innocently. You’re biting into your favorite hard candy and suddenly you realize that there’s one little hard piece in your mouth you can’t seem to dissolve. You check it out and fear overcomes you when you see it’s a little chipped piece of a tooth.

Enamel may be one of the hardest substances in the body but like most things in life, it has its limit. Whether you are chewing on ice or grinding your teeth at night, there’s always a chance of putting your teeth at risk. If you have chipped your tooth, there’s no need to panic. Here are a few things our Columbia dentist can do to restore your beautiful smile:

Tooth Bonding

Tooth bonding has many structural uses, and it can be very helpful for repairing chipped teeth. Tooth bonding is a simple procedure that doesn’t require any numbing. The bonding materials and porcelain used are natural in color and can be designed to perfectly match your teeth. Your smile will look good as new, and people will have a hard time noticing you ever chipped a tooth to begin with.

Dental Crown

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that helps protect your teeth, while at the same time improving its appearance. An AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) dentist will likely use a tooth colored crown made out of porcelain or zirconia to look identical to your teeth. Crowns will also provide the durability and strength your teeth need to withstand daily use. You may only need a partial crown if our dentist sees that the chip doesn’t affect the entire tooth.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain laminate veneers are made up of several thin layers of ceramic used to repair chipped teeth. They will be bonded to the teeth to replace the original enamel of the tooth with a special adhesive. Dental veneers are a fantastic way to get your tooth to look whole and healthy again.

If you have a chipped tooth and would like more information on these methods, or to schedule a consultation, contact Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia today.

Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia

Phone: (803) 738-1114

Url: https://columbiasc.dental/

3261 Harrison Rd.

Columbia, SC 29204

Statement on COVID-19

March 18, 2020

Dear Valued Patient,

We sincerely hope that you, your friends and family are healthy during these potentially stressful times.

In accordance with recommendations for dental offices during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have put plans in place to serve the needs of my patients. At Diamond Dental Studio, we take the safety of our community, our patients, and our team very seriously. I will only be evaluating patients who have urgent or emergency dental needs. I will keep this plan in place until restrictions are lifted.

As President of the South Carolina Dental Association, as well as your dentist, I have been fol- lowing the developments of COVID-19 as well as the guidelines and recommendations from the government health agencies and professional organizations. I must implement the plan to re- strict dental visits based on the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SC DHEC, our state dental association, American Dental Association (ADA), and the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry.

In order to continue to be available for all of my patients during this time

I will check office voicemail and office text messages at 9am and 3pm Monday -Thursday.
I am still available outside of these hours for emergencies. If you find yourself in this situation, please call me at 803-260-7125.

I will be using the CDC COVID-19 screening questions before scheduling any urgent or emergency appointments.

Have you or someone close to you had any contact with individuals that may have shown symptoms of respiratory illness, which includes but is not limited to sore throat, sneezing, coughing or fever?
Have you have traveled internationally in the last 14 days?
Have you visited or occupied any area that the government has determined is high-risk?

If you are asked to come in for an appointment, please keep in mind that I am not allowing any patients to overlap each other. No one is allowed to sit in the waiting room. We ask companions to wait in their car for the patient.

Please periodically look for updates on our website www.diamonddentalcolumbia.com or our Facebook page. Please call or text 803-738-1114 or email care@diamonddentalcolumbia.com if you have any questions. As I mentioned already, for urgent or emergency concerns after hours, please call my cell phone 803-260-7125.

I appreciate your understanding during this time to help us get through this together. Please do your best to stay healthy!

With warmest regards,
Julia Mikell

Click Here For Tips On How to Stay Safe

Staying Safe During COVID-19

I have attached a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol for the best practices for keeping you and your family safe and healthy during this time.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Most importantly are the following recommendations:Wash your hands. Bar soap works fine. I sing the Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star song to make sure I wash for the required amount of time. (When you do this you will recognize how long it really takes to have clean hands.)

Wash your hands. Bar soap works fine. I sing the Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star song to make sure I wash for the required amount of time. (When you do this you will recognize how long it really takes to have clean hands.)
Wash your children’s hands. Have them sing too-it makes it more fun!
Disinfect your phone twice a day. You can wipe it down with those Lysol wipes. Remember, your phone is ALWAYS on you. It is picking up germs everywhere you set it down and then you put it up to your face.
Be reasonable about attending public gatherings. What does this mean? Don’t have a toddler birthday party right now. Don’t go to a big meeting/ party with lots of people you don’t know. Stay home if you can. Be reasonable.
What if I work with the public? A mask is not going to help you. In fact, it will make things worse. The mask will accumulate germs on the outside and soak through to your face! Why do we wear them in dentistry? We are constantly bombarded with wet spray from the work that we do. That is why we change our masks 10-15-20 times a day. A single mask on my face all day would be a massive hazard to me. Gloves would help you. If you handle money, some disposable gloves will help you – just don’t touch your face, wipe your hair, or adjust your glasses with them on. Use them as a reminder NOT to touch your face. Finally, I would recommend that you buy some Clorox or Lysol wipes and wipe down your workspace a couple of times a day.
What if I feel sick? Don’t panic. If you feel flu-like symptoms, it is reasonable to cancel all appointments, not go to work, and you should call your physician. A mask still won’t help you, but it might help others. Again, it won’t help keep you from being sick. But if you are already sick, a mask will help you not spread your germs and any disease. Don’t wear one mask all day! If you are sick, wear the mask for short periods of time when you MUST interact with people. The mask will still accumulate germs and soak through, which could make you catch another illness and compound your current sickness.
Should I be afraid? If you are a normal and healthy person between the ages of 5 and 65- you should be fine. You might catch this at some point and it will be unpleasant, but it will pass and you will be back to your normal life. It is prudent to follow the guidelines laid out about social distancing to protect our friends with health issues.

If you have a compromised immune system (perhaps you have uncontrolled diabetes, are undergoing cancer treatment, you are elderly, or you have AIDS) then this is a big deal and should be treated as such. If you think you fall into the category of immune compromised, call your physician and talk to them about your risks and what you should do.

Richland County SC Dentist | Oral Cancer Risk Factors

March 16, 2020

During a comprehensive dental examination, our Columbia SC dentist will look for signs of oral cancer. Early detection is key with oral cancer. If caught early, most forms of oral cancer are treatable. Our dental team is trained and educated to identify oral cancer.

Everyone is susceptible to the disease, but some groups of people are at a higher risk level than others. Here are the top seven risk factors for oral cancer.

Age

Are you in your mid 40s? Your risk of developing oral cancer increases with age. A noticeable increase is evident in people in their 40s and older. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the majority of diagnosed cases occur around the age of 62, but the average age is declining. The recent increase in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related cases is causing more people to be diagnosed for oral cancers between the ages of 52 and 56. As the average age for oral cancer cases decreases, it is vital that you receive regular oral cancer screenings at any age.

Gender

Men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer compared to women. Part of this difference may be related to regular intake of alcohol and tobacco. According to the American Cancer Society, the gender difference is decreasing since more women are drinking and using tobacco today than in previous generations. There has also been a trend in recent years of younger men being diagnosed with HPV-related oral cancer. Both men and women should schedule regular oral health examinations to detect oral cancer early.

Tobacco

Smoking or chewing tobacco can greatly increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Tobacco can lead to cancer of the mouth or throat. Additionally, oral tobacco products cause cancers associated with the cheeks, gums, and inner surface of the lips. Development of these cancers depend on the duration and frequency of tobacco use. Non-smokers are not immune to oral cancer, so be sure to schedule an appointment with our team for an examination.

Alcohol

Among those that are diagnosed with oral cancer, about 70% of people are characterized as heavy drinkers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heavy drinking is defined as having an average of two or more drinks per day for men, and one or more drinks per day for women. People who drink heavily can be more than twice as likely to develop oral cancers than people who do not drink. Oral cancer can still occur in people who have never had an alcoholic drink. Contact our team to schedule an examination.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

This sexually transmitted disease is associated with at least 10,000 cases of oral cancer diagnosed each year in the United States. People who have HPV-related oral cancers tend to be younger and are unlikely to smoke or drink. Typically, those diagnosed with HPV-related oral cancers are at a much lower risk of death or reoccurrence. We suggest a proactive approach by maintaining regular visits to our dental office.

Sunlight

People who work outside or with prolonged exposure to sunlight have a higher risk of developing lip cancer. It is vital to use UV protection when under the sun. Many lip balms offer UV protection. If you work outdoors frequently, schedule an additional examination with our team.

Diet

Poor nutrition can increase your risk for developing oral cancer. According to the American Dental Association, reports have shown that a link exists between diets low in fruits and vegetables and a higher risk for oral cancers. However, oral cancer can develop in healthy individuals. No matter your diet, schedule a visit with our team for a comprehensive oral examination.

Oral cancer does not discriminate. While these seven factors have been tied to an increased risk of oral cancer, that does not diminish the importance of regular oral examinations for everyone regardless of their age, gender, or other factors. Regular dental examinations make it possible for our team to detect oral cancer early. Contact Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia to schedule a comprehensive oral examination.

Diamond Dental Studio of Columbia

Phone: (803) 738-1114

Url: https://columbiasc.dental/

3261 Harrison Rd.

Columbia, SC 29204