At the office of Drs. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates we know
that oral cancer claims one life every hour in the United States – and
the survival rate has hardly changed in the last 40 years. This
disease is of great concern to our practice because oral cancer is
very curable if discovered early.
Our practice has incorporated ViziLite Plus and VELscope, both
technologically advanced oral screening tools, to identify things
that could lead to cancer at their earliest stages.
ViziLite Plus and VELscope screen for oral lesions that may lead to
cancer just as mammograms screen for breast cancer, PAP smears
screen for cervical cancer, and PSA tests screen for prostrate cancer.
The procedure is simple, painless, non-invasive and takes only one
or two minutes. Our practice will be performing these screenings at
the annual check-up for an affordable cost of $65.00.

The truth about amalgam
Amalgam or “silver fillings” have been getting a great deal of negative
press lately. From its alleged effects on the body to the fact that they
are not tooth colored amalgam seems like a pretty lousy restorative
material.
However the truth is that amalgam when used properly is one of the longest
lasting restorations in the mouth. The average amalgam placed in the mouth
has a life-span of around 15-20 years. A composite or tooth colored
restoration has a life-span of only 8-10 years. Amalgams also have a
superior wear resistance as well as compressive strength to composite and in
many cases are more appropriate to place in posterior teeth. Furthermore
amalgam is in many cases much more affordable than composite restorations.
The ADA has been studying the effects of amalgam on the body for decades and
currently there is no data to support the claim that amalgam has deleterious
health effects despite what many may claim.
At Dr Leff Weiss and Waldee we believe that amalgam has been and still is a
very good restorative material when placed properly. Although it has it’s
limitations in cosmetically sensitive areas, amalgam is a long-lasting,
strong, and affordable alternative to composite.

We all have them. Some of us have more than others. So what are they and
how do they form?
Basically a cavity is a bacterial infection in your tooth. The native
bacteria living in each of our mouths feed off the simple sugars that we eat
throughout the day. As a by-product of digesting this sugar these bacteria
excrete a strong acid called lactic acid. It is this lactic acid that
erodes away the surfaces of our teeth and eventually causes decay.
Fortunately the solution has remained very simple and unchanged for decades.
Brushing your teeth regularly is the single best way to prevent decay.
Tooth brushing physically removes the bacteria from the teeth. If they are
not on your teeth when they produce the acid the cavities don’t form!
Another way to limit the bacterial activity in your mouth is to deny them
their food source. Limiting the amount of simple sugars you ingest, things
like candy, sodas, and some starches, keeps the lactic acid level in your
mouth below the cavity forming threshold.
Of course once cavities form it is the dentist’s job to fix it with a
restoration or filling. However prevention of further decay begins with
good oral hygiene and diet practices. Although it is very important to have
all of your existing cavities restored the most important aspect of your
dental health is the daily discipline you cultivate. Remember the power of
a winning smile and healthy teeth lies within YOU.

Periodontal or “gum” disease affects a large portion of the population.
Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria living in our mouths and can
result in bad breath, gum recession, tooth sensitivity or tooth loss.
Periodontal disease is a chronic disease. Like diabetes or high blood
pressure a regular maintenance routine is the best way to control the
disease over time. At Dr Leff, Weiss, and Waldee we have a periodontist on
staff who is specially trained to manage periodontal disease and help you
maintain healthy gums and teeth for a lifetime.

In an effort to continue providing quality dentistry in a safe and
comfortable environment, we a Dr Leff, Weiss, and Waldee are finishing up a
major remodeling project in our office. Stop by today to see all the great
changes we have made.