Periodontal Disease in Pets

If you’re a regular visitor of our blog, you know that we love talking to Lebanon folks about the importance of good home dental hygiene and regular visits to Dr. Cox. Preventive dental medicine adds years of good oral health and beautiful smiles to your family’s lives. But did you know that your pets can also benefit from oral hygiene care?

Here are a few fun facts about our furry friends: Read more ›

If you are looking for a dentist in Lebanon, you may have picked up on the fact that there are two types of dental degrees – DDS and DMD. Perhaps you’ve noticed that there are far more of one than the other, or maybe they are split 50/50. Either way, you’re probably wondering what the difference is, and how this will affect your dental care. At Advanced Dental, we love to spread the word about all things dental, so here are the facts, straight from Dr. Jerry Cox.

The Difference Between DDS and DMD

You have the right to know what training your health care professionals have received so that you can choose the best fit for your needs. Most Lebanon folks know there are specialties in dental medicine, such as orthodontics (braces), periodontics (gums), and cosmetics, but what about the degrees? Don’t worry, Dr. Jerry Cox has even known dentists that are still confused about this.

So what is the difference between the two degrees, anyway? The short answer is…exactly one letter. Both DMD and DDS indicate that an individual is a certified doctor of dental medicine. Although there are subtle differences in curriculum within and between the two degrees, the American Dental Association considers them identical. Anyone with a DDS or DMD is qualified to practice general dentistry.

Why Are There DMDs and DDSs?

Now that you know the shocking truth about degrees in dental medicine, you might be asking –  why the distinction if they’re exactly the same? Another short answer…Harvard. Before 1867, the DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) was the only dental degree available. However, Harvard only offers degrees in Latin, so they came up with Dentariae Medicinae Doctor (Doctor of Dental Medicine, or DMD) when they opened a dental school that same year.

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Traditionally, dentists have used what’s known as amalgam, or special metal alloys, to fill cavities. However, modern dental medicine has advanced to the point that Dr. Cox can offer Lebanon patients a much better option for filling holes caused by tooth decay: composite fillings. At Advanced Dental, we would like to educate you on the benefits of tooth-colored, composite fillings, so please let this article serve as your personal fillings fact sheet.

The History of Fillings Read more ›

Keep Your Mouth Healthy with These Foods

Hello Lebanon residents! As you know, Dr. Cox and Advanced Dental are committed to helping you maintain the best oral health and we’ve got some tips for you. It is common to hear about what not to eat, but today we are going to tell you about a few foods that will keep your mouth in top shape and how they do it.

Fruits and Vegetables are Your Teeth’s Best Friends

We’ve all heard about the dangers of plaque, bacteria, cavities, and stains, but did you know that some of our favorite fruit and veggie friends can help fight them off? Read more ›

Sometimes we forget how much peril everyday life puts our teeth in. Taking a bite out of a fresh apple, playing pretty much any sport, chewing ice, or just a healthy dose of clumsiness can result in a chipped, broken, knocked out, or loose tooth.  Dr. Cox is a trained emergency dentist and we at Advanced Dental have treated numerous tooth injuries in Lebanon. We know that it can be very scary and there are plenty of myths flying around, so we wrote this article as a guide for you to use in times of tooth injury and general tooth crisis. As always, feel free to call us at Advanced Dental and we will walk you through the steps or answer any questions you may have.

Life is full of colorful opportunities to injure your teeth. The important thing is not how your tooth has been broken, chipped, fractured, or knocked loose, but what steps you take to ensure Dr. Cox has the best chance of restoring your smile to its natural, happy state. Use this guide to prepare yourself for any situation. Read more ›

We know that our patients are smart and you all lather yourself and your loved ones in sunscreen anytime you go outside in the Lebanon sun. You wear your sunglasses, and maybe even a wide-brimmed hat. But do you protect your lips?

Your lips are very sensitive parts of your skin, and you can get skin cancer there just like any other exposed part of your body. At Advanced Dental, we want to make sure everyone is taking proper care of their health and has all the knowledge they need to do so. As always, call us if you have any questions or concerns!

Why You Should Protect Your Lips

The outer layer of your lips is much thinner than that of the rest of your skin. They also have almost no melanin, the pigment in skin that naturally helps screen out the harmful rays of the sun. This is why lips rarely tan, but easily burn.

Lips get a lot of sun exposure, being on your face and all, and are rarely covered. Prolonged sun damage on and around your lips leads to those fine lines and wrinkles that no one wants, as well as some more serious conditions.

The Big Deal with Sun Damage Read more ›

It’s no secret that Lebanon residents are careful about how they choose medical professionals for their family, but sometimes it’s not easy to find everything you want in a dentist. We at Advanced Dental understand that choosing a dentist is no small feat, so we’ve put together this guide to picking a dentist for individuals and families. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us! Even if you decide on a different dentist, Dr. Cox is always happy to help!

How to Choose the Right Dentist

There are a lot of factors to consider when looking at dentists in your area. For some Lebanon folks the most important thing is proximity, so it’s easy to narrow their search by location. For others, the key ingredient is affordable prices. Still others may be looking for just the right service mix and supreme comfort. The easiest way to start your search is by setting your top three priorities. These may be location, cost, and comfort, or good reviews, service mix, and same-day appointments. Whatever is most important to you should be at the top of your list. Once you have an idea of what you need and what you want, the process becomes much easier.

Dentists and Insurance Read more ›