Picture Perfect Smile With Veneers

Fixing your four front teeth with porcelain veneers to make them whiter, straighter and get rid of the spaces, wear facets and acid ridges can make your smile picture perfect!

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Single Tooth Prosthodontics

Restoring a single front tooth can be one of the most difficult tasks in dentistry.  In our prosthodontic office, with our in-house master technician, we have the ability to tackle esthetically demanding situations.

Robert G. Tupac,
DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Conservative Porcelain Veneers For Fractured Teeth

A simple slip and fall can result in fractured teeth.  Sometimes the most conservative method for restoring the result of this kind of trauma is porcelain veneers, made in our in-house laboratory.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

How To Take Charge Of Your Health Care

The more you play an active role in your health care, the better quality of care you will receive.
Most people depend upon different doctors, nurses, pharmacists and insurance programs for their health care.  It's a team effort, and you (the consumer--patient) are the most important member of the team. To take charge, follow these steps:

1. Keep track of important health information, kept in one place.  Include name, birth date, blood type, emergency names and phone numbers, list of medical providers, dates of checkups and tests, list of shots received, health conditions, allergies and current medications.
2. Know your family health history.
3. Keep regular checkups, because early detection means easier treatment.
4. Make the most of your doctor visits:  take a list of questions to ask, take notes on your doctor's answers, talk about changes since your last visit, and possibly bring a relative or friend with you to remind you of questions or help you remember information.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

If You Are A New Patient, You Deserve...

...the best prosthodontic care we can give in Bakersfield, California!

Each dental office you may visit has its own character.  That character is often defined in the office's mission statement, which reflects the doctor's and team's attitudes towards patients, their dental health, and the manner in which they will be cared for.  In ours, our goal is to be empathetic regarding your dental wishes.

Time:  we strive to be well rested and have the patience to listen to all you have to say.

Objective:  we can't change your dental past and we won't make judgments about it.  We will use our energy in a positive direction for you.

Choices:  we offer the balance of current knowledge and techniques, up to date technology, and long term clinical experience.  Our specialty training offers you options to choose from.  We consider examination, diagnosis and treatment planning to be the foundation of our relationship with new patients and a key to successful treatment.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Harvard's Tips For Coping With Prostate Enlargement

After the age of 25, the male prostate gland begins to enlarge.  This natural process is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.  The enlargement, in itself, does not lead to cancer.  50-60% of men may never develop any symptoms, but the most common are: hesitant or weak urination, urgency or leaking, incomplete emptying, or more frequent urination.

Harvard Health Publications reports on the treatment of the condition, from various medications to surgery, and also offers lifestyle changing tips to reduce symptoms:

• stress reduction through regular exercise and relaxation techniques
• taking the necessary time to void completely when urinating
• adjust medication intake in consultation with your physician
• reduce evening fluid intake, especially caffeine and alcohol

Source: Harvard Medical School 2014 Annual Report on Prostate Diseases

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

New Cancer Study: Gene Sequencing of Infected Mice Mapped

Mice Genetic Mutations Also Found in Human Head and Neck Cancers

I have previously written about how gene research has become one of the major thrusts in the medical treatment of disease entities.

Now, there is a report from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  The gene sequencing of mice infected with carcinogen-induced Murine oral squamous cell carcinoma was mapped.  Then the mutations observed and their metastasis signatures were compared with human data sets from 324 patients with the disease.

They found that the genetic mutations present in mouse tumors were also found in human head and neck cancers.  Furthermore, they were able to identify more aggressive tumors with 93% accuracy.

Source:  JADA 8/1/2014, vol, 145, no. 8,  802

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Sunburn Prevention

At the end of the summer and with Labor Day coming soon, there is that one last trip to take advantage of outdoor activities and to get that last bit of a tan from the summer sun.

There are ways of protecting your skin from UV rays and reduce your risk of melanoma:

• wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• use waterproof sunscreen
• reapply sunscreen often, usually every two hours
• cover all exposed areas
• "broad spectrum" protects against both UV_A and UV_B rays
• wear wrap around sunglasses to protect your eyes
• apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside

Source: CANCERCARE

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

What's The Number One Bacteria Source On Your Body?

Your mouth is full of bacteria--more than any other part of your body--because the digestive process starts there.  Brushing and flossing lowers the bacterial count from tooth surfaces, but harmful bacteria can still cause gum inflammation.  Gum disease starts with surface inflammation, then spreads deeper, until it can even destroy the bone around your teeth.
What are the signs of gum disease?

• red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• gums that are receding, making the teeth look longer
• loose or separating teeth
• pus around the gumline
• sores in your mouth
• persistent bad breath
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Left untreated, gum disease leads to tooth loss. If you have any of the problems listed above, and they persist, then it's time for a dental checkup!

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

What Is A Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has completed an additional three or four year American Dental Association accredited residency program after dental school.  It includes lectures and seminars, and intensive laboratory and clinical experience.

Prosthodontists are experts in diagnosis, treatment planning and restorative procedures.  They restore oral function and improve the esthetic appearance of smiles through:

• replacement of broken, worn, or decayed teeth with crowns, veneers or inlays
• placement of dental implants and implant crowns and prostheses
• replacement of missing teeth with bridges
• fabricating removable partial or complete dentures
• restoration of occlusion
• management of TMJ disorders and bruxism

Dr. Tupac is the only full time Board Certified Prosthodontist in Bakersfield.

Source:  American Board of Prosthodontics

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder which affects 18 million Americans.  It results in loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

• obstructive--the most common--occurs when soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and obstructs the airway, causing breathing to stop
• central--when the brain doesn't signal the muscles to breathe
• mixed--a combination of the two

During normal sleep, muscles that stiffen the airway behind the tongue and soft palate relax..With a normal size airway, there is no problem.  However, if the airway is small (anatomically or because of excess weight) it can close.  Breathing continues against the closed airway and becomes increasingly strong (in response to diminished oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels) until the greater effort causes awakening, which activates the muscles to reopen the airway.  The arousals are brief (and mostly unnoticed) but if they occur frequently enough during the night, sleep becomes fragmented and non-restorative, and daytime fatigue and sleepiness results.

With proper diagnosis of sleep apnea, some dentists make appliances for patients to wear that are designed to keep the airway open.  www.prevention.com has a listing of research studies regarding the health effects of untreated sleep apnea.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Burning Mouth Syndrome

As a prosthodontic office, we often see patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

BMS is classified as either primary, a burning sensation of the tissues of the mouthy or around the mouth, usually on both sides and distributed symmetrically, or secondary, occurring as a result of clinical abnormalities such as oral lesions, systemic disease, certain psychological conditions, or side effects of medication.

Diagnosis is challenging, but the condition has boundaries.  BMS is most common in women, with symptoms beginning during the period between three years before menopause and twelve years after menopause.  The most frequent location is the surface or side of the front two-thirds of the tongue.  Symptoms can develop spontaneously, or have been reported to follow respiratory infections, dental work, prescribed medications, or traumatic life events.  The symptoms can last months or years, and be worse at different times of the day or exacerbated by certain foods.

Treatment involves behavioral strategies, topical therapies and systemic approaches.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Guidelines for Treatment Planning Implant Therapy

Dr. Lyndon Cooper's popular dental implant guidelines for treatment planning therapy in the edentulous mandible are designed to improve the success of both the implants and the prosthesis.  The "rules" govern the biology and amount of bone necessary for the size of implants sufficient to support chewing forces.  The "rules" also specify the distribution of the implants to control the forces they must withstand and the amount of space necessary to fabricate a prosthesis with enough structural integrity to withstand these forces.

Implant tissue bar/overdenture and implant supported/fixed (hybrid) prostheses:

The first rule is that the lower jaw must allow for implants at least 10mm in length--that the mandible's inferior/superior dimension be at least 10mm.  Evidence in the literature supports the conclusion that 10mm implants in the anterior mandible have an equally high survival rate than longer implants.

The second rule is that the vertical (restorative) dimension must be at least 10mm from ridge crest to the occlusal plane.  Using a "top down" approach (the teeth are designed first), the average height of the mandibular anterior teeth is 10mm, and there must be room for acrylic attachment, a rigid framework, abutment height and biologic width.  This allows for a prosthesis with structural integrity and permits establishment of proper contours in support of comfort, mastication and speech.

The third rule is that the anterior/posterior distribution of implants be at least 10mm for the hybrid.  This allows the lever arm from the anterior implants to the posterior implants to be sufficient for the counter leverage necessary to support 15mm of cantilevered teeth back to the first molar.

Cone-Beam technology required

Applying these rules requires using cone-beam computed technology for a volumetric assessment of the mandible.  It means determining final anterior and posterior tooth position prior to planning and execution implant placement and presurgical correlation of the anatomy of the mandible with the location of the planned prosthetic teeth.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309