What is the difference between DDS and DMD

The medical field uses dozens of acronyms and abbreviations that stand for the various titles and certifications a medical professional has earned or achieved. Some are very familiar —like MD for medical doctor and RN for registered nurse, while others are not as recognizable to the general public. In the dental industry, you will most often see DDS or DMD following a dentist’s name. The only difference between a DMD vs DDS title is where the dentist attended school and earned their degree in dentistry.

The training of DMD and DDS dentist are essentially the same. DMD stands for “Dentariae Medicinae Doctorae,” meaning Doctor of Dental Medicine in Latin. Harvard University was the first to offer a DMD degree. A Doctor of Dental Surgery or DDS has to pass the same licensing examinations as a DMD and vice versa. 

Both Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari earned a DDS degree from their respective universities. Dr. Dougherty attended Creighton University for his graduate degree in dentistry, while Dr. Adhikari graduated from New York University College of Dentistry. In addition, they are both dedicated to continuing education to stay abreast of the latest treatments and provide the best care options to Artistic Dental patients. 

In 2012, Dr. Dougherty earned his Master Academy of General Dentistry or MAGD, which only 3 percent of dentist in the U.S. have achieved. Dr. Adhikari is in the process of earning her MAGD and has currently earned a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), meaning she has completed at least 500 hours of additional dental education credits. An MAGD requires 1000 hours of additional education. 

Given their extensive training, Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari are able to offer patients comprehensive list of services treatments including:

• Restorative dentistry (Oral surgery, root canal therapy, tooth filling)

• Cosmetic dentistry (veneers, teeth whitening, orthodontics, dental implants and more)

• Preventative care (Dental check-ups, x-rays, oral cancer screenings)

You may wonder after reading this, why do the two different titles exist, if they mean the same thing? The simple answer is that the titles hold significance to the universities that have used them for years. In other words, the universities don’t have a reason to change it. There has been some debate about establishing one general dentist title, but for now DDS and DMD will remain the official designations. 

A couple of other titles that you may see include Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). The education and certification for a hygienist is more extensive, but both individuals will work with the dentists in the overall care of patients.

 If you would like to learn more about the services and treatments we provide at Artistic Dental you can call (602)840-5400 to book a complimentary consultation or visit our website.

Everything you need to know about getting a root canal

Many patients ask us, “What is a root canal?”, concerned that it is a complicated and dangerous procedure that they may need. Getting a root canal can be daunting, however, it could save your tooth and prevent a lot of pain in the long run. A root canal is basically the process of taking out infected pulp inside the root of a tooth and cleaning the canals to prevent further infection. This infected pulp can be painful and may be caused by gum disease or something as simple as a chipped tooth or a cavity.

Root canal process

The first step of a root canal is getting an x-ray from your dentist. This will help determine whether or not the tooth is infected and where the infection is located. Local anesthetics will be applied after examining the x-ray and an opening is made in the crown of the tooth all the way down to the roots. Small tools are used to remove the infected pulp, clean the roots and reshape them. After the roots are given shape, the space is filled with a rubbery-like material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed off with a cement adhesive and typically will be capped with a temporary filling. You will then come in for a second visit with the dentist in order to have a permanent crown put on and to check the tooth and gums after the procedure.

Misconceptions

A common misconception about root canal treatment is that it’s a painful process. Rest easy, the dentist will manage any pain and make sure patients are comfortable throughout the procedure. Also remember, a root canal relieves pain from a toothache. Many patients will say that they feel no pain from the procedure and that it feels similar to getting a filling. Another misconception is that root canals can make you sick or cause infection. It has been proven that a root canal is the best option to save a tooth from possible extraction and there is no evidence that a root canal will cause illness.

Additional Information

Over 40 million root canal treatments in the U.S. are performed a year, making it a fairly common procedure. Root canals are almost always successful in saving the tooth from extraction and most last a lifetime after undergoing a root canal procedure.

To prevent ever having to get a root canal it’s important to keep up with dental hygiene. This means brushing and flossing three times a day and regular visits to the dentist. It’s also important to get cavities filled, otherwise they could become abscessed and require a root canal.

The staff at Artistic Dental are experts in root canal procedures and will make sure to treat patients as they would their own family members. If you’re suffering from tooth pain, call and make an appointment for a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists at 602.840.5400.

5 fun alternatives to Halloween Candy

Going trick-or-treating is a highlight of the year for most kids and, let’s be serious, many adults too. After it’s the one night of the year where you get to wear a cool creative costume and fill up on Halloween candy to your hearts content (or until Mom says, “No more.”)

Unfortunately, eating too much candy can build up plaque, which leads to cavities and other health problems. The American Heart Association recommends that children eat or drink less than 25 grams of added sugar a day. On Halloween, the average trick-or-treater takes home candy that contains more than 600 grams of sugar! That’s nearly three cups of sugar being consumed in a very short amount of time.

In a previous blog we discussed how to limit Halloween candy and other preventative measures to help maintain oral hygiene during the sweets-filled holiday season. It’s especially important to begin educating children at an early age about how much sugar is in food and the damage it can do to their teeth. Offering healthy alternatives can keep your family from reaching into the candy jar or bag, and increasing the chances for those dreaded post-Halloween cavities. To help prepare for the holiday here are five alternatives to Halloween candy:

Make fruit and veggies fun

Halloween candy doesn’t have to be the only Halloween treat that’s fun! Get creative with fruits and vegetables and watch people line up for your spooky creations. Make a veggie skeleton with carrots, celery, bell peppers and broccoli. Use the curve of the chopped bell pepper for ribs, celery for legs, broccoli for feet and a cup of ranch dip for the skeleton’s face. Try apple slices with peanut butter and mini marshmallows. Place the marshmallows in-between two apple slices to create a tasty grin. This treat can also serve as a reminder to brush your teeth after eating sweets!

Give away toys

Buying a big bag of Halloween candy for trick-or-treaters often becomes a temptation that has you sneaking several pieces for yourself. To keep the sneaking of sweets to a minimum consider giving out something other than candy this Halloween. Inexpensive options include temporary tattoos, fake bugs and glow sticks.

Host a pumpkin decorating contest

Decorating pumpkins is a fun activity for all ages and it can be a great alternative to trick-or-treating. Make it into a competition and see who can paint or carve the most creative jack-o-lantern. Offer prizes and serve your fun fruit and veggie creations for hors d'oeuvres.

Build a homemade piñata

Making a homemade piñata may sound like a lot of work but with some paper mache skills and a little paint, anyone can do it! Blow up a balloon and use it as your base of the piñata. Use paper mache mix and newspaper to cover the balloon, wait for it to dry and then pop the balloon from the bottom. You can then paint it to make a ghost, a pumpkin or anything else you can imagine. Fill the piñata with Halloween toys or confetti and get the blindfold and stick ready.!

Visit a pumpkin patch

There are pumpkin patches with a variety of outdoor activities and plenty of healthy food alternatives, like apple stands. Spend time walking through a maze or feeding animals at the petting zoo. Being outdoors in the fresh air is a great distraction from sugary Halloween temptations.

Seeking out alternatives can save your teeth from decay, while creating new family traditions. And if you do decide to indulge from time to time, don’t forget to brush your teeth after eating and visit your dentist regularly.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is a unique orthodontic treatment option that corrects overcrowded, crooked teeth with clear plastic aligners. Although this technology has been around for almost 17 years, it’s often considered a newer and modern alternative to metal braces. Invisalign has many advantages over traditional braces, yet many people don’t think of it as a “go-to” option for straighter teeth. Why is that?

John P. Dougherty, D.D.S., MAGD, and Prabidhi Adhikari, D.D.S., FAGD, of Artistic Dental may have an idea: change can be scary, and many of their patients are comfortable with the cost and outcome of traditional braces. Still, Invisalign is becoming a much more cost-effective solution for those wanting straighter teeth without the restrictions of traditional braces. In this blog, we explain how Invisalign works.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign uses a series of custom-made aligners to correct overcrowded and crooked teeth for a straighter, more radiant smile. These aligners are made out of clear plastic, so they are virtually undetectable. The treatment process for Invisalign is relatively quick and easy, so patients can achieve a confident smile, faster.

The first step requires talking to an Invisalign provider, like John P. Dougherty, D.D.S., MAGD, and Prabidhi Adhikari, D.D.S., FAGD, at Artistic Dental. They will determine whether or not you’re a candidate for this orthodontic procedure. If you are a candidate, they will develop a customized treatment plan for your specific needs.

Contrary to popular belief, Invisalign isn’t right for everyone, and patients may be turned away if they have teeth or a bite that cannot be corrected with Invisalign. This system cannot support all tooth movements, so it’s important that patients talk to their dentist at Artistic Dental about their cosmetic dentistry options.

Once your questions about Invisalign, its cost, and any other concerns are answered, your dentist will take x-rays, pictures, and impressions of your teeth to create a customized treatment plan. Your dentist will use 3-D imaging software and other technologies to create the aligners. Once these have been made, you’ll be given your first few aligners to begin the treatment regimen.

You may be asked to follow a series of sequential steps when wearing the aligners. Patients are usually told to wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, seven days a week, for approximately two weeks. John P. Dougherty, D.D.S., MAGD, and Prabidhi Adhikari, D.D.S., FAGD, may ask you to schedule check-ups every six to eight weeks to review your progress.

Invisalign provides many benefits over traditional, metal braces, which is why they shouldn’t be overlooked as a treatment option for crooked teeth. For example, these removable aligners can help either maintain or improve a patient’s oral hygiene. Food particles and other debris can get stuck in between the metal brackets of traditional braces, making routine brushing and flossing difficult. Invisalign prevents these mishaps by allowing patients to remove their aligners after eating and drinking for a thorough cleaning.

Despite some of the benefits, patients will need to commit to the process and remain disciplined throughout. It can be very easy to stop wearing the aligners for more than a few hours a day, and doing so will prevent you from having the smile you want.

If you are interested in learning if you are a good candidate for Invisalign, you can schedule a consultation with John P. Dougherty, D.D.S., MAGD, and Prabidhi Adhikari, D.D.S., FAGD, today and find out whether or not this treatment option is right for you!