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other over the Internet. Software from a company
called OrthoSesame facilitates dental communication
by allowing dentists involved in treating a case
to access their patients records on-line.
“Dentists, oral surgeons, periodontist, and other
orthodontists can now go to my website,” Dr.
Gorczyca said, “and with appropriate login names,
codes, and passwords, they can view a patient’s
records.”
The ability to digitally transfer records is a
wonderful benefit for doctors, for patients
receiving inter-disciplinary dental treatment,
and even for the dental office from which the
files are being requested. The technology saves
time and money by eliminating the need for
locating files, duplicating them, getting them
into the mailbox, etcetera.
The former snail mail method was expensive,
cumbersome, and slow. It might take a couple of
weeks for a specialist to finally get the files
needed before taking care of a particular patient.
And that’s assuming the right file was selected,
the address was put on correctly, the file was actually
placed in the mailbox, and that it didn’t get
lost in the mail.
Dr. Gorczyca said that OrthoSesame also
provides patients with on-line access to the record
of their appointments and account history, which
eliminates patient time and phone calls.
The technology underlying all this new functionality
is digital radiography, which is the process by
which images of the tooth and mouth are placed
into digital format. It was a great advance over the
photos and x-rays of the previous generation.
Computers can manipulate a set of radiographic
images for any purpose the specialist might need.
EATING AND DRINKING
YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHY SMILE
Dr. Gorczyca’s office provides a pleasing environment
for her youngest patients, with movies and
games in a multimedia entertainment center.
Dr. Gorczyca reminds us of the things required
for the healthiest and quickest route to an excellent
orthodontic result:
Keep your teeth spotless.
Brush and floss carefully five times per day.
Keep sugary foods and drinks to a minimum.
Stay away from chewy, sticky hard foods and
candy.
See your dentist for a cleaning and checkup at
least every 6 months.
Take care of your braces.
Remember the principle that it isn’t necessary
for you to brush and floss all your teeth — just those
that you want to save.
Send an email to editors@110mag.com with questions
or comments.
°
HYGIENE I BLOOM
DETAILS OF DENTAL HEALTH
Diet plays a big role in promoting dental
hygiene. The same foods that help you grow
healthy bones and muscles will also help you
grow healthy teeth and gums.
“Got Milk” is more than an advertising
slogan, because dairy products provide a
source of vitamin D, which strengthens teeth.
Milk and cheese have the additional advantage
of possibly raising pH values in a person’s
mouth, which reduces the acids that otherwise
might lead to decay. Dairy products are
also sources of calcium and phosphate that
can keep teeth strong.
Bread and cereal are sources for vitamin B,
which plays an important role in developing
healthy gum tissue. The fiber found in these
foods stimulate the flow of saliva that helps
cleanse teeth and keeps the mouth healthy.
Fruit and vegetables are high in vitamin C,
which also tends to keep gum tissue healthy.
Meat, fish, and poultry are sources of magnesium
and zinc that healthy teeth require.
The worst problem comes from how often
sugar is consumed. People who drink multiple
cans or bottles of sweetened colas or have
a bowl of candy nearby and graze from it
throughout a morning greatly raise the risk
of getting cavities.
January/February 2008 www.110mag.com 67