February 2019 - Outer Loop Education Study Club

This month, for the OLE Study Club, we were lucky enough to have Dr. Colin Richman come and talk to us about Minimizing Esthetic and Functional Risk through Pre-Orthodontic Periodontal Augmentation (POPA and PREPA).

These innovative dental procedures, combining regenerative periodontal therapy with orthodontic treatment, enable the dentist to minimize potential iatrogenic risk factors associated with orthodontic therapy (see below). Favorably positioned teeth, plus an enhanced muco-gingival complex, facilitates ideal and predictable esthetics and function.

Dr. Richman walked us through the following topics:

• Treatment of existing recession and periodontists lesions, as well as enhancement of thin bio-types. This minimizes the risk of iatrogenic gingival recession associated with orthodontic treatment

• Greater post treatment orthodontic stability

• Less apical root resorption

• Predictable and definitive periodontal and muco-gingival treatment.

• Accelerated orthodontic treatment, usually completed in 6-9 months

• More stable and ideal tooth alignment

• Less need for orthognathic treatment or extractions

Each doctor was invited to bring their hygiene team - that way each office involved could grow together and strengthen their knowledge on these topics.

We cannot wait until our next program on March 12, 2019!

Why Sharma Oral Surgery?

Maybe you’ve wondered, who is Dr. Sharma? What is it he does exactly? Why should I go to Sharma Oral Surgery?

Well, let me, Dr. Priveer Sharma, tell you a bit about ourselves.

Meet the Doctor
I have been a practicing oral surgeon for 22 years now, 15 of those years being right here in Charlotte. My wife and I are the proud parents of our daughter Divya, who is playing tennis this year at Washington University, and our son Daiven, who is still in high school also playing tennis. We are proud to be a part of the South Charlotte community and call this neighborhood home.

I am a graduate of the University of Florida for both my undergraduate degree as well as my dental school education. After that, I completed surgical training at the Washington Hospital Center and Children's Medical Center in Washington DC.

I pride myself on being a board certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and a diplomat of the Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.  I am also a member of the Charlotte Dental Society and the North Carolina Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Additionally, I am an advocate for continuous learning. I am the director of the Outer Loop Education Study Club, an affiliate of the Seattle Study Club, which actively provides national, regional, and local continuing education to the dental community of Charlotte.

What is an Oral Surgeon

An oral surgeon is a dental specialist – meaning they took an added four to six years of training after dental school. An oral surgeon focuses on performing dental surgical procedures.  These procedures include simple and complicated teeth extractions (including wisdom teeth), dental implant placement, repair of broken bones in the jaws and face, removal of cysts and tumors of the jaws, soft tissue biopsies, jaw realignment surgery to correct bite discrepancies, and cosmetic and TMJ surgeries.

Oral surgeons routinely perform procedures like those listed above. They are also trained and exposed to a variety of complications that may arise from performing these dental surgical procedures. Typically, your family dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon when they see one of these conditions arise. However, it is important you see a surgeon you feel like you can trust.

Why Sharma Oral Surgery

At Sharma Oral Surgery, we are committed to a singular promise of caring for you by supporting an outstanding facility with highly trained individuals. Every member of our team is dedicated to you understanding every step of your care while seamlessly coordinating your treatment.

You will see the motto “Caring is Our Reputation” on some of our advertisements as well as our website – but it is so much more than a motto. We are committed to caring for patients in the safest possible manner with the highest surgical standards. 

We are so happy to be a part of this community and strive every day to continue to not only provide the care you deserve, but to be an exceptional neighbor.

World Cancer Day 2019

What is World Cancer Day

Today, February 4th, is World Cancer Day. World Cancer Day was born on the 4 February 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. The Paris Charter aims to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness, and mobilize the global community to make progress against cancer, and includes the adoption of World Cancer Day.

World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control, the largest and oldest international cancer organization dedicated to taking the lead in convening, capacity building and advocacy initiatives that unite the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda.

On this day, individuals, organizations, and companies around the world come together to bring more awareness to cancer related issues, new finds in research, and general awareness.

Oral Cavity Cancers – What Is It and Risk Factors

One type of cancer we see the most of in our office, and have helped patients treat, are Oral Cavity Cancers. In our office, when a suspicious oral lesion is found, a biopsy is often used to detect or rule out oral cancer — a disease that is treatable if caught early. A biopsy involves removing a very small tissue sample for laboratory analysis.

There are generally three types of tumors that can develop in the oral cavity:

• Benign Growths
  These are not cancer – they do no spread to other parts of the body or invade other tissues

• Pre-Cancerous Conditions
  Harmless growths that can turn into cancer overtime

• Cancer
  These are growths that can spread to other parts of the body and grow into other tissues

While anyone is at risk for oral cancer, there are a few factors that can put individuals at a higher risk. 80% of oral cancer is linked to tobacco use – including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff. The best way to eliminate this risk is to cut out the use of tobacco products completely.

Poor nutrition and oral hygiene practices also can put an individual at a higher risk for oral cancer. Diet wise, be sure to include an ample amount of fruits and vegetables into your everyday diet. Additionally, practicing simple oral health habits such as proper brushing, flossing, and routine cleanings will reduce your risk of oral cancer.

A few other factors are gender, age, and exposure to UV light.

How to Diagnose

Early signs of oral cancer can seem like typical problems – such as a toothache or cold. If symptoms persist for several weeks or months, it is important to see your doctor so that, if oral cancer is present, it may be diagnosed as soon as possible

Some of the most common oral cancer symptoms and signs include:

• Persistent mouth sore that does not heal 

• Persistent mouth pain

• A lump or thickening in the cheek

• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth

• A sore throat or persistent feeling that something is caught in the throat

• Difficulty swallowing or chewing

• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue

• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth

• Jaw swelling that makes dentures hurt or fit poorly

• Loosening of the teeth

• Pain in the teeth or jaw

• Voice changes

• A lump in the neck

• Weight loss

• Persistent bad breath

If any of these symptoms appear or persist for weeks, your doctor may recommend tests to check for oral cancer. Here at Sharma Oral Surgery – we examine each patient and take a biopsy, if necessary, so we can treat the problem correctly and effectively.

Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns, 704-541-6070.

#WearRedDay - The Link Between Oral Health and Heart Disease

February 1st is “Wear Red Day” – the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute established this day to raise awareness of heart disease and how many people are affected by it each year.

610,000 people die every year from heart disease.

There are a variety of causes that can lead to heart disease, but did you know your oral health can be one of those causes? While there has not been an undisputed link between the two, there is a connection between poor oral health and heart disease.

Studies have shown the following to be true:

• Gum disease has been associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease

• Improper dental care increases the chance of a bacterial infection entering the blood stream, which can affect the heart valves

The main factor linking oral health with heart disease is the spread of bacteria and its effects on your blood stream. Once these bacteria reach the heart, they will attach to any damaged area allowing them to develop into a serious disease – such as clogged arteries, endocarditis, or even a stroke.

So, who is at risk?

Anyone with chronic gum conditions, like gingivitis for example, have the highest risk for heart disease caused by poor oral health. Even if it does not seem like you have inflamed gums, poor oral hygiene and built up plaque can increase your risk of heart disease.

According to the American Association of Periodontology (AAP), you may have gum disease, even if it is in its preliminary stages, if:

• your gums are red, swollen, and sore to the touch

• your gums bleed when you eat, brush or floss

• you see pus or other signs of infection around the gums and teeth

• your gums look as if they are "pulling away" from the teeth

• you often have bad breath or notice a bad taste in your mouth

• some of your teeth are loose or feel as if they are moving away from the other teeth

What is the best way to prevent gum disease and other oral health issues?

Practice good oral hygiene – brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, not smoking, and overall taking better care of your mouth and what is inside of it.

Your Premier Board Certified Oral Surgeon - STILL!

Dr. Sharma has recently passed his American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Board (ABOMS) Certification Exam again!

Board Certification by ABOMS requires successful completion of the Qualifying Examination and Oral Certifying Examinations. Once certified by ABOMS, a candidate officially becomes an ABOMS Diplomate and must participate in Certification Maintenance.

Dr. Sharma has been certified as a Diplomate, the highest standing by the Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This achievement is completely voluntary and shows the commitment and dedication Dr. Sharma has to be current and educated in his field - and at the highest level.

Maintaining and achieving this certification just demonstrates the dedication Dr. Sharma has to providing his patients with the best care possible. To achieve this status, he spent 60 hours learning and studying the every changing needs of his specialty - before taking his certification exam.

Congratulations Dr. Sharma!!

Dr. Sharma's Spain Trip

While Dr. Sharma has been in Spain this past week, he was able to participate in a hands-on learning course with Dr. Iñaki Gamborena. This course taught techniques & management of single tooth implants. Dr. Sharma cannot wait to get home and share what he has learned!

Dental Hygiene and Our Genetics

Our dental hygiene and the health of our gums seems like a simple part of our dental care. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as two cleanings a year. Patients will often ask, why do I need to do more? Why do I have gum disease? Why am I losing my teeth?

So many factors can affect the health of our gums. Sometimes our own genetics effect our ability to keep our mouth healthy.

Do you know your Biotype? Your Biotype is determined by your genetics. Your Biotype is the best indicator of your ability to resist gum issues. What is a biotype? Your Biotype is a measurement of the thickness and elasticity of your gums. Biotypes are measured as Thin-Medium-Thick. A thin Biotype can be thought of as wrapping a gift in tissue paper, and the gift is your teeth. A medium Biotype can be thought of wrapping with wrapping paper. A thick Biotype can be thought of as wrapping a paper in cotton sheets.

If you know your genetic Biotype, you would know how to hold your gift, which is your dental health. Do you have to care for the gift with the worry that it might tear or can you pack it with your suitcase and know it will be fine?

Next time you are at the dentist, ask your hygienist what your Biotype is and begin to understand how your genetics can dictate what you and your dentist have to do to maintain your dental health.

Breast Cancer Awareness 2018

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Sharma Oral Surgery hosted a door decorating contest among local offices to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.

We saw some great decorations!!

Thank you to all our neighboring offices who participated in our door decorating contest. Thanks to everyone - we will be donating $130 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

A Note From Dr. Priveer Sharma

Big data is a very helpful tool in healthcare. It allows patients and doctors to evaluate treatment, treatment options, and the outcomes. Big data allows everyone to look beyond themselves and their specific situation. 

From real-time results and instant access to your doctor - big data has made getting healthcare information as instant as sending out a tweet.

This has also played a role in how new findings in the health and dental field are shared with the public. With many journals now going digital, patients have instant access to hundreds of medical resources right at their fingertips.

For example, Orthodontic care has become more and more common in the United States. The continued influence of not removing teeth and creating big, broad smiles when teeth are crowded or crooked has an effect on the last teeth to grow in, the second and third molars.

A large, multi-institutional meta-analysis evaluated this situation and found that 87 percent of patients that did not have teeth removed as part of their orthodontic treatment did not have enough space for their wisdom teeth to fit in their mouth at the age of 18 years old and should be evaluated to understand what the potential impact this might have in their mouth.

Big data can make information available so that all patients can understand the impact of decisions that they make several years prior to a problem occurring - like not having enough room for your wisdom teeth.

There are several benefits to big data being implemented in the healthcare field.

1.    Patients Predictions for an Improved Staffing
It’s a question all medical professionals face – how many people do I need to staff at any given time? You do not want to be overstaffed, besides the extra labor costs, employees do not want to feel like they are not needed or wanted during their shifts. Additionally, you do not want to be understaffed and face any customer service or emergency situations. A Forbes article details how four hospitals which are part of the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris have been using data from a variety of sources to come up with daily and hourly predictions of how many patients are expected to be at each hospital. Forbes states: “The result is a web browser-based interface designed to be used by doctors, nurses and hospital administration staff – untrained in data science – to forecast visit and admission rates for the next 15 days. Extra staff can be drafted in when high numbers of visitors are expected, leading to reduced waiting times for patients and better quality of care.”

2.    Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
This is probably the most widespread use of big data in medicine. Each patient has their own record, now in many cases digitally, that allow doctors to see all their information in one place. Every record is comprised of one modifiable file, which means that doctors can implement changes over time with no paperwork and no danger of data replication. These files are also able to be shared between medical professionals for when patients need to be referred elsewhere. It makes the transition quick an easy. 

3.    Enhancing Patient Engagement
Several patients already use or have an interest in smart devices that track their movement, heart rate, sleeping habits, etc. Tracking this data can help identify potential health risks the patient may not have been aware of before. 

4.    Telemedicine
With instant access to technology right at our fingertips, medical advice and even consultations are available right from our homes. Either through video conferencing, phone calls, or even text messages – doctors are able to consult, monitor and educate their patients without a formal office visit. 

While these are just a few of the examples of how big data is being utilized in the healthcare field, we are seeing new things each and every day that will only improve the care we give to our patients.