Dr. D lands his first Steelhead ! YeeHaw!

What a day on the Lower D! Can't wait to get out again. Thanks John.

NeighborImpact & Dr. Derenzy - Partnering to make a difference

From now until December 18, our office will give you $25 towards your bill for 5 or more items of non-perishable food you bring to our office. NeighborImpact will be picking these items up from our office and distributing them to those in need. As you all know, organizations like NeigborImpact are kept extremely busy in these challenging economic times. Every year at this time, we try to find a way to make an impact on people's lives. This is our effort this year, so please help us make this a huge success.

Simply drop off 5 non-perishable food items at our office and we'll give you a credit of $25 on your account. It's that easy. Thanks for your continued support and helping us make a difference in our great community.

• Last year NeighborImpact reported that each month over 12,500 families accessed the food bank to help meet their needs.
• In 2007 NeighborImpact's Food Bank distributed over 1.4 Million pounds of food to its network of local agencies.
• Each month in Central Oregon over 7,800 people rely upon emergency food boxes for some of their food needs
• 40% of the people who depend upon emergency food boxes are children under the age of 18
  

Sugar Bugs Poop

I was thinking that I should publish a children's book, taking the idea from the bestselling book, "Everyone Poops!" My book will be called "Sugar Bugs Poop," and I will have funny illustrations of Sugar Bugs on teeth, and how kids and parents can get rid of them. Might be a best-seller for parents and dentist reception rooms. What do you think?

Dental Implant Surgery Date Rescheduled to Dec 3 & 4

ATTENTION: The dates for the In-office Dental Implant Day have moved to Dec 3 & 4. Since I need to identify a total of 24 implants to be completed over two days in my office, I need time to find good candidates.

I am providing these implants at very reasonable fees (savings of around $1,000 per implant and crown). I'm also offering FREE Oral Conscious Sedation (normally $99) for these two dates. Think sleepy pill.

This is a win-win situation - great for patients that need implants to replace missing teeth or to tighten up their loose dentures AND great for me, as I can place implants again. I'll be sure to update the blog when we are approaching our goal of 24. Call Heidi at 923-2880 or email at info@DerenzyDental.com to set up a free consultation appointment.

We are asking for a minimum deposit of $500 to reserve a spot on Dec 3 or 4. For my fellow engineers, learn more about implants at http://www.biohorizons.com/documents/ML0131_Patient_Guide.pdf

Still need Dental Implant cases

We are fast approaching October 22 & 23 - the two days that I have set aside for strictly placing dental implants. Currently, we have identified a solid 10 cases, and need to ramp up to a total of 24. We are offering the implants at a HUGE discount right now, which will make anyone that needs them quite happy. I estimate we'll save you about $1,000 per implant and crown when it is all completed. Please tell anyone that you know to contact Heidi at 923-2880 if they are interested in a free consultation.

Flossing - Yes you need to floss!

Here's a tip on flossing from me: It takes 21 Days to make a habit, so..... need I say more. Do you shower once a day? Or at least 3-4 times a week? Get a suction-cup mirror and stick it in the shower. Leave your floss in the shower on the shampoo rack and floss in the shower as part of your daily hygiene regimen. Give it a try and see if you can make it a routine. Overall health will improve, and you'll have more energy by reducing inflammation in your body.


AGD:FACTSHEET Compiled for you by the Academy of General Dentistry


FLOSSING

Do I really need to floss?

Yes! Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Flossing is the single most important weapon gainset plaque and, in some ways, more important than the toothbrush. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum disease. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing and many never have been taught the proper way to fl oss. Floss at least once a day and spend at least two or three minutes.

Which type of floss is the best?

Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. They all clean and remove plaque. Wide floss, also known as dental tape, may be helpful for people with a lot of bridgework and is usually recommended when the spaces between teeth are wide. Waxed floss might be easier to slide between tight teeth with very little space between. The unwaxed floss, however, makes a squeaking sound to let you know your teeth are clean. Bonded unwaxed floss does not fray as easily as regular unwaxed floss, but does tear more than waxed floss.

How should I floss?

The spool method: Take an 18-inch piece of floss and wind the bulk of the floss lightly around the middle finger. (Don’t cut off your finger’s circulation!) Wind the rest of the floss similarly around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger takes up the fl oss as it becomes unusable. Maneuver the floss between teeth with your index fingers and thumbs. Bring the floss up and down several times forming a “C” shape around the tooth being sure to go below the gum line.

The loop method: This method is suited for children or adults with less nimble hands, poor muscular coordination or arthritis. Take an 18-inch piece of floss and make it into a circle. Tie it securely with three knots. Place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Use your index fingers to guide the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth, going below the gum line forming a “C” on the side of the tooth.

Do I need a waterpick?

Waterpicks should not be used as a substitute for brushing and flossing. They are effective, however, around orthodontic braces that retain food in areas a toothbrush cannot reach. Unlike
flossing, waterpicks do not remove plaque. Dentists frequently recommend waterpicks for people with gum disease.

Steens Mountain Camping

We made it to see the Wallowas in July, and then over Labor Day, made it to the Steens. Phenomenal scenery - caught some fish from the float tube in Fish Lake. Other than the washboard gravel road that rattled my teeth and a few screws loose on the tent trailer, it was a great trip.

I Need Your Help! In-office Dental Implant Training Candidates needed!

I have finally decided to begin placing dental implants in my office. I waited until we had enough patients in our practice to start offering this service, and we have reached that benchmark. I diagnose quite a few implants, because of their extremely high success rate over the long term.

WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT? Well, the picture to the left is what an implant looks like typically. If you are missing a tooth, the implant is placed gently where the root of your tooth was and is allowed to heal for a period of time before a crown is placed on top of it. A simple, beautiful solution because the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are not damaged. Implants would be my first choice WAY before a bridge for this reason. Implants do not get cavities, and success rates are near 99% at the 10 year mark, making it the most successful process in dentistry for the long term. They also are used to support dentures and can help them "click" or "snap" into place. This is a life changing process for denture wearers (or sufferers). Did you know that implants for denture wearers actually stops the bone loss and associated facial shrinkage that occurs after tooth loss?!

I need your help to get the ball rolling. I must identify 24 implant cases amongst our patients. The beauty of this process is that the implants are actually placed here in my office, AND I will be doing them at a HUGE DISCOUNT. The savings will be roughly $500-$1000 compared to the typical cost.

If you have any friends or relatives that are missing one or more teeth, or have loose dentures they hate wearing, I want to see them! I can do a free consultation which will take approximately 40 minutes to see if they're a candidate for dental implants. Thanks for your help! I am so excited to start offering this amazing service - I've been feeling like a little kid in a candy store since making the decision! :)

Back from Wallowa Lake Vacation

Other than 9 hours to get there with a fairly cooperative baby girl that cried off & on, our first visit to Northeastern Oregon was phenomenal. We stayed for 5 nights in Wallowa Lake Campground, complete with playground, water bumper cars, arcades, restaurants, and the town of Joseph only 6 miles away. Breathtaking views from every vantage point, and I woke early each morning and caught one fish each day out of the South Wallowa River. Perfect weather - their warmest week of the year and we didn't see a single cloud. Reminded me of when we have visitors to Bend on the nicest days and they think it's like that all the time. The locals of Joseph were very friendly and we liked this camping trip better than last year's to Yosemite. Enjoy your July 4th weekend & be safe!

Mountain Biking from Swampy to Home

Here's a short video of my Monday biking excursion: Swampy Snow Park to Swede Ridge Shelter to Shooting Star Shelter to Upper & Lower Whoops to Kent's to Ben's to Phil's TH and then 2 miles home. Great day today.

June - Recognizing National Men's Health Month

For the entire month of June, we are recognizing National Men's Health Month. Mainly, we are focusing on our typical routine blood pressure screenings, making sure our patients have had a check up with a family doctor, and evaluating our male patients for snoring problems. I personally sleep with a TAP3 appliance in my mouth at night, which brings my chin forward and prevents my tongue from falling back. This opens up my airway when I'm sleeping, and eliminates my awful snoring (at least my wife says it's awful, and I'm inclined to believe her).

We now know that many of the sudden Heart Attacks that occurs in relatively healthy middle-aged men occur in the middle of the night, oftentimes when they get up to go to the bathroom. These Heart Attacks can many times be traced to Obstrutive Sleep Apnea (OSA) because of the multiple times these folks wake up gasping for air due to lack of oxygen to the brain. The heart works harder in OSA patients, and this can lead to heart failure. Scary stuff, but a simple Sleep Study can often determine if OSA can be treated with simple TAP3 mandibular repositioner. Ask me about this, or tell anyone you care about that snores!!! At least you'll sleep better at night!

Pics from Memorial Camping Trip

Here are some pictures of my daughters during our weekend excursion to the Metolius. Can you guess which one is mine amongst the pics of the three? All of my friends have girls too, so plenty of playmates are around to keep them occupied. I'm surrounded by girls - ALL OF MY WAKING MOMENTS! Jeez! They sure are cute though!

Memorial Weekend - Camping Time!

The Derenzy's are heading out to the Metolius this weekend for some much-needed outdoor time! Olivia, my four month old, got kicked out of our bedroom last night, b/c the Pediatrician said we can officially let her "cry it out" now. I'm game, as is my wife Lamar - so she's in the spare bedroom now. We'll see how she behaves for two days of camping. Green Drake hatch should be coming off on the Metolius, so maybe can actually catch some fish as well. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, as the weather should be pristine. Until next week. . .

We're Raising Awareness in May about the Number One Killer of Women - Cardiovascular Disease

Even though Mother's Day is already behind us, we are celebrating the women in our lives through the month of May at Aesthetic General Dentistry of Redmond. Believe me, I'm surrounded by amazing women at both home & work every day. Help me raise awareness that Heart Disease is the number one health threat to women. Double Click the brochure to the right, print it and hand it to those you care about for $100 off their first visit to our office. We would be proud to welcome them into our family of patients. Did you know that most of our new patients come by way of referral?

We provide excellent dental care at Aesthetic General Dentistry - but also excellent Comprehensive Care. Oftentimes, I am the first health care provider that a person has seen in years. This is why routine blood pressure readings, oral cancer screenings and a thorough medical history are the norm at my dental practice. This is just another reason that I believe firmly that Dentistry Changes Lives! Thank you for your support of our growing business.

Dr.D's Girls

Olivia's first camping trip.

Here's a recent pic of Sophia (3) and Olivia (3 months). They keep me busy at home, but such fun.

Consumer's Guide to Dentistry Top 6 Trends

Here are the top six dental trends for 2009 that Consumer Guide to Dentistry is bringing to the attention of consumers (you'll be happy to know that we offer all of the first 5 items already!) The anesthetic reversal agent isn't available yet (see #6, but we'll be looking into that once long-term studies are favorable):

1. More convenient appointments. The economy may cause some people to cancel or postpone regular appointments with their dentist, making it easier for you to find a convenient time slot for your own dental appointments. Whether it's to see the dentist for a routine check-up or for an overdue dental cleaning, you’ll probably be able to get in when you want without much fuss.

2. Phased treatment Many dentists will likely offer people who need major dental work the option of having it completed over a longer period of time (called phased treatment). This helps you to make that all-important commitment to get the dental care you need. And it can make the visits more manageable financially for you. So if your dental exam reveals the need for not one but multiple restorations (crowns, inlays, fillings), don't panic! Dentists can provide permanent treatment in a ‘phased’ approach and still keep your teeth healthy.

3. New options for denture wearers. Dentures will continue to replace missing teeth. But look for modern materials to make denture teeth look more natural than ever. Also look for more affordable, less invasive implant procedures, such as mini-implants that can be placed in an hour and used immediately with dentures. Both will bring greater confidence and comfort to many denture wearers.

4. Faster, more convenient crowns and other restorations. Chairside CAD/CAM technology that lets dentists make crowns and other restorations at the same time as your regular office visit will eliminate the need for repeat appointments and wearing unpredictable temporaries. Your treatment will take less time, look great and last as long as many conventional treatments. And because this technology doesn’t require traditional ooey-gooey impression materials, you won't have that uncomfortable gag reflex that typically occurs during the impression process.

5. High-tech disease prevention and detection. With people living longer and keeping more of their natural teeth for a longer period of time, dentists are focusing on prevention and early detection of oral disease — and they’ll be using high-tech devices and pharmaceuticals to do it. Increasingly lasers, instead of traditional X-rays, will be used to detect cavities, and fluoride varnishes will help prevent decay. Also, risk assessment tools will help determine your likelihood of developing cavities, based on the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

6. Ditch the drool sooner. A new anesthetic reversal agent may launch in mid-2009 that is expected to eliminate the long-lasting side effects of injected dental anesthetic, such as numbness, drooling and difficulty speaking. So you'll be back to your normal self and normal routine in no time!

Check out Aesthetic General Dentistry of Redmond, Oregon at www.RedmondTeeth.com for more details.

National Youth Sports Safety Month

Click above to go to the other AGD's (Academy of General Dentistry, not our own Aesthetic General Dentistry) SmileLine Newsletter (make sure to scroll down to find it) Their theme this month is National Youth Sports Safety Month. Pretty cool, b/c I initiated the "Grin & Wear It Mouthguard Program" at RHS last year. We are still doing these custom protective mouthguards in Clear or Maroon & Gold for the ridiculously low-price of $37! These are normally around $300! Ever since my front teeth were destroyed by a line-drive baseball in High School, I have personally endorsed mouthguards. Would've saved me some severe emotional trauma - BUT probably wouldn't have become the cool dentist that I am today if it hadn't happened. :)

Free Oral Cancer Screenings through April

We are recognizing April as Cancer Control Month in our office. We routinely perform Oral Cancer Screenings (OCS) for all of our patients at their Check-up Exams, for the month of April we have been stressing the importance of this to our patients. We'll give you a Lavendar Awareness Ribbon, as recognition of all Cancers. Tell your friends and family that we are doing OCS at no charge with no further obligation, and it will only take about 15 minutes of their time provide them with this service

AGD's First Blog

Here's my first blog in an attempt to let you get to know the guy behind the scenes of Aesthetic General Dentistry. My goal is to update the goings-on at our dental practice in Redmond. As it is a blog, it will be informal, so my hope is that our patient family can actually get to know me as a person, family-man, outdoorsman, etc. This will be fun! Until next time... Now, I'm going to check in with my Facebook account, then MySpace and then start Tweeting on Twitter. (that's sarcasm)