Monday - Wednesday 7am-4pm | Thursday 7am-12pm   18323 98th Ave NE #2, Bothell, WA 98011
   425​-​354​-​3138

All Posts Tagged: Dental

Celebrating Earth Day Every Day – Our Practice’s Focus on Sustainability

Earth day is April 22 and marks the anniversary of the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Each year this day represents the opportunity to reflect on how we can better serve our environment and reduce our impact. For our practice, environmental stewardship and sustainability is something we consider as part of our daily operations. There are several ways we strive to reduce our eco-footprint and in many cases this improves efficiency for patients as well.

Paperless Practice 

Do you remember the shelves of colorful, alphabetized files in your dentist’s office? Our practice utilizes a dental software that allows us to electronically store all patient files and perform paperless charting. All information is securely stored on our servers and protected in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines. This not only eliminates paper waste, but it also makes it easy to send over records to specialists when needed via email. We also offer text message reminders for patients providing a quick and easy alternative to reminder postcards that create additional paper waste.

Focus on Natural Light

When designing our space, Dr. McCauley worked with our contractor to remove low ceilings to let in natural light from the windows that span the front of our office. This allows us to minimize the need for additional lighting and helps us to reduce our electricity use. Additionally, each treatment room features one wall of windows allowing patients to enjoy natural light (and hopefully sunshine) during their appointment.

CEREC Same-Day Crowns 

We are proud to offer our patients same-day crowns through the technology of our CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) machine. The CEREC machine works like a 3D printer and allows us to mill the crown in-office while you wait. The milled porcelain used by the CEREC machine, in addition to being more accurate, is actually far less energy-intensive than conventional lab work. It is also earth-friendly as it prevents lab material from ending up in landfills. Additionally, this technology eliminates the need for multiple appointments and saves our patients time which in turn reduces carbon emissions.

Digital Images

Our x-rays and intraoral camera capture digital images that provide superior imaging with less radiation exposure. These files are also stored electronically in our patient files saving time and reducing waste materials from traditional x-ray development. Digital x-rays also allow us to adjust the contrast of images to detect bone loss and cavities.

 Recycling and Compost Program

We also work to reduce our landfill contributions by participating in both a recycling and compost program. Many dental products need to be shipped and we strive to combine shipments and recycle to cut down on cardboard waste.

We hope these small changes add up to a large benefit for our planet. Let us know what changes you’ve made to reduce your impact or how you are celebrating Earth Day this year!

Dr. Amanda McCauley, DDS

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Everything You Need to Know About Dental Sealants

Today we’re focusing on one the most important ways you can prevent cavities in your children’s teeth. Despite modern technology and the number of dental care products on the market, cavities are the most common chronic disease for children ages 6-19 according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The good news is that cavities are almost completely preventable with the proper care.  While the first step is instilling healthy brushing and flossing habits early on, parents can also give their children an advantage by talking to your dentist about sealants. Let’s walk through everything you need to know about sealants and provide answer to some of the most common questions we receive.

What is a Sealant?

While flossing and brushing can help control plaque, our molar teeth have deep grooves that help us grind our food.  While this is great for enjoying our favorite foods, debris can get stuck in these areas making teeth vulnerable to decay and cavities.   Dental sealants are a coating that is applied to the surface or occlusal of the teeth to provide a barrier to protect teeth from food and future decay.

Do Sealants Really Make a Difference?

Yes, they do! According to recent research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, sealants on permanent molars are shown to reduce the risk of cavities by 80%. Since kids don’t always brush as thoroughly as we would like them to, sealants are a great first line of defense to protect your children from cavities.

How are Sealants Applied?

Since most sealants are applied to children, the process is designed to be quick and painless.  To achieve the greatest benefit from sealants, they should be applied shortly after permanent teeth arrive. For most children, this occurs around age 6.  The dentist or hygienist begins by polishing each tooth to prepare it for the sealant application. Once it is free of any plaque or debris, they apply a liquid material that fills into the valleys of the tooth.  After a few minutes, the material has set and after final inspection, your child will be able to eat immediately after their appointment.

Glass Ionomer Sealants and their Benefits

There has been recent concern regarding the potential health impacts of Bis-Phenol A (BPA) found in resin sealants.  Research has shown that only trace amounts of BPA are found in resin sealants – including less than in the air we breathe.   The ADA’s infographic below illustrates exactly low the risk is.

Our practice uses glass ionomer sealants that do not contain Bis-Phenol A (BPA) or Bis-GMA.  The sealants are part of the GC America’s family of products that met strict ISO quality standards.  Additionally, GC America’s products have the CE mark in Europe, are registered with Health Canada, and have received FDA Pre-Market Notification clearance for sale in the United States under section 510(k) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Glass ionomer sealants have several advantages including:

  • The ability to be placed on a partially erupted tooth for earlier protection than a resin sealant
  • Moisture-tolerant which allows for easy placement
  • High release of fluoride – which provides additional protection against decay
  • Quick setting – the glass ionomer sealants only take a few minutes to set making for a shorter appointment to get you and your child on your way

We hope this information answers any questions you had about sealants. If you have additional questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at (425) 354-3138 and we’d be happy to chat more about them!

Dr. Amanda McCauley, DDS

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18323 98th Ave NE #2, Bothell, WA