Welcome, Dr. Garmon!

We are pleased to introduce Thomas “Gil” Garmon, D.M.D. as the newest professional on our dental team. Dr. Garmon is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Class of 1983. Shortly after completing dental school he and his wife, Leigh, relocated to the Suncoast. Since then, Dr. Garmon has been practicing dentistry in the Tampa Bay Area. He brings a wealth of knowledge and twenty years of experience to our office.

Dr. Garmon enjoys playing golf and keeping up with professional sports.You will enjoy his gentle touch, caring attitude and Southern charm next time you visit our office.

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Less Drilling With Air Abrasion

One of the most amazing advances in modern dentistry is called air abrasion. It allows the treatment of small and medium sized cavities without using a dental drill and often without the need for needles. It is like using a mini sand blaster to spray a sterile stream of sand and air on the decayed tooth. A tooth colored filling material is then bonded to the tooth. Because no heat or vibration is created by air abrasion, this procedure often eliminates the need to be numbed. Online only feature! Check out a picture of our air abrasion machine!

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New Treatments: The War Against Gum Disease

Gum disease, or adult periodontitis (AP), affects the teeth and the supporting structures that surround the teeth. The main cause of adult periodontitis is the accumulation of harmful bacterial plaque. Plaque is the sticky substance that forms on your teeth and gums everyday. If left plaque forms into calculus (tartar) which forms under your gum line and causes infection. Regular brushing and flossing can prevent plaque build up, but only professional dental cleanings can remove calculus.

New research reveals correlations between adult periodontitis and other systemic diseases. Those with AP may have increased risk of strokes and cardiovascular diseases. Women with advanced AP are more likely to have low birth weight babies. Chronic adult periodontitis can disrupt diabetic control and alter sugar levels in the body. Smokers with diabetes increase risk of tooth loss by 20 times. Other studies have linked gum disease to osteopenia, a reduction in the body’s bone mass, and adverse effects on the respiratory system.

Traditional treatment includes scaling and root planing, or SRP, more frequent dental cleanings, increased home care, and possibly surgery. New supplemental treatments are having good results in the war against gum disease. Periostat, doxycycline hyclate,is an oral medication that primarily treats the destruction of tooth and gum tissue caused by certain enzymes in your body. Periostat is an oral medication that primarily suppresses the action of these destructive enzymes. Periostat is available by prescription only and should be taken orally as an adjunct to SRP. Another adjunct is Arestin, minocycline HCl. Arestin is a safe locally administered antibiotic that is slipped into a dental pocket after SRP. Oral rinses such as Periodex , which contains chlor-hexadine, have shown to be effective antimicrobial agents. The Periochip is a small chip that also contains chlorhexadine. It can be slipped into a dental pocket for a localized effect.

More and more studies are revealing the overall effects that adult periodontitis has on the whole body. Dr. Ettleman, Dr. Garmon and staff are committed to you in keeping your smile and health as good as it can possibly be.

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Digital X-Rays: The Future is Now

Many of you have seen your x-rays on computer in our office. This is our digital x-ray system. It enables us to get an x-ray image in seconds without the use of a darkroom or chemicals. Other advantages are image magnification from about one square inch to 250 square inches, image manipulation to correct exposure problems, labeling of problem areas, use of color for better interpretation, 1/8th to 1/4th the exposure radiation compared to traditional x-rays, and kinder treatment of the environment due to less waste and no corrosive chemical use.

The primary disadvantage is the thickness and rigidity of the sensor placed in the mouth. Conventional x-ray film can “flex” a little, and this may make it more comfortable. We have acquired the thinnest sensor that is on the market so it will be as comfortable as possible.
Wireless x-ray sensors are just appearing in the market. Unfortunately at this time they are too thick, too uncomfortable and too expensive. Continued product development should overcome these problems in a few years. Online only feature! Check out a picture of our x-ray software in action!

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Dental Insurance Dynamics

Non-doctors may have influence over the insurance that you receive. Do carriers really have your best interests in mind? We can show you how not be be caught unprepared.

Dental insurance plans seem to be constantly changing. Our office deals with over five hundred carriers and these days hardly any two plans are alike. The insurance contracts are getting more complicated, with more loopholes and waiting periods. Your employer may renegotiate a new plan for you with the same company for fewer benefits and you may not even know about it.

If you are ever offered a new option in your dental insurance plan, be sure to weigh your choices very carefully. Traditional insurance allows you to have treatment by any doctor you wish to visit. You have the option to change your provider at any time, as many times as you wish. However, you can lose this control under HMO and many PPO alternatives. In some of these plans, non-doctors may have influence or control over the healthcare that you receive. Insurance carriers call it “cost management,” but it is little more than protection for their bottom line.

Before deciding on alternative insurance options at another office, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is the dental office conveniently located?
2. Am I really reducing my cost or my personal dental care?
3. Will I have to switch often because the dentist may drop plans that are not well supported by the insurance carrier?

There are some PPO plans where our office is not listed as a provider. In nearly all of these cases it is still possible to receive dental insurance benefit for dental care done in our office by using the “Out Of Network” provider provisions that are built into your policy. This allows you continued freedom of choice. The Guardian Plan, for example, has better coverage for preventive and basic services performed by an “Out of Network” dentist.

In most cases dental insurance does not cover full costs. It is designed to reduce your cost, not eliminate it completely. Benefits are determined by a negotiated contract between your employer and the insurance carrier. The benefits have more to do with contract and less to do with care.

Our experienced staff will file claims for you free of charge, and assist you as best as possible with the management of your insurance. However, please remember that we are only a third party to the insurance agreement.

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