dr. gibberman's dental impressions

Cycling season

2010-05-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Spring - almost summer- is here and I'm back to riding the Loveland Trail. 20-26 miles is fun and great exercise. Send me note on facebook . I ride a road bike and travel at about a 12-14 MPH rate. Having comapny makes the time go much faster. I ride the streets on Sunday morning when there isn't much traffic. See you out there!!

cincinnati top dentistq

2010-04-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

For the 2nd year in a row I managed to be named as one of Cincinnati's Top Dentists in Cincinnati magazine. I even had Nancy's (my wife) and my picture in the magazine. It was taken at a reception at the Cincinnati Mini store (at the BMW store). It's always nice to be recognized by your peers for a job well done. Thanks to everyone who voted for me!-- Barry

what happens when your e-mail account gets hacked

2010-03-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Here is some advice for those of you who do not back up your e-mail address list. Back it up!!!! My email account was hacked and google had to shut my account down. I lost all of my e-mail addresses and had to rebuild them from scratch. A simple way to back up is to export your contact list as a .csv file to excel and save the file or print it. If you back your computer up daily or weekly, you will have saved the file. You can also back up to outlook if you have it, although I don't know how to do this myself. But- as Nike says- Just Do It!!!

Seeing Hair in New York

2010-03-10T05:16:00.000-08:00

I visited New york City last weekend and had tickets to see Hair- the Musical which is a revival of the original show I saw 40 years ago on Broadway and again in Cincinnati. The show was high energy and the cast was pretty talented but not fantastic. Certainly , some of the meaning and excitement of an out of the box show has been lost over the years. It is still worth seeing.

Treating My Own Sleep Apnea

2010-03-03T04:24:00.000-08:00

I have moderate sleep apnea. It started with snoring and my wife elbowing me several times a night to wake me up. She was not a happy camper although it didn't bother me a bit. (or so I thought). Then I started a series of courses about treating sleep apnea and I learned that snoring generally progresses to sleep hypopnea and eventually to sleep apnea. Hypopnea is a partial obstuction to the airway decreasing the amount of oxygen getting to your lungs and brain. Apnea is a complete blockage of the airway that lasts more than 10 seconds. I learned that over 25% of Americans have sleep apnea- a breathing disorder in which cessation of breathing for over 10 seconds (sometimes for as long as 1 minute ) occurs between 5 and 30 or more times per hour!!. Just for fun- hold your breath for 30 seconds. How does that feel? Imagine doing that 30 times an hour!! Do you think you might feel tired during the day? Might you fall asleep while driving? Might your blood pressure increase?

I wasn't falling asleep during driving but I was tired at the end of the day, I would almost doze off at red lights driving home, and I was waking up several times a night with involuntary leg kicks.-- I thought it was from not stretching enough after exercising. I was wrong.

So I took an "at home sleep test" which measures the number of sleep apnea episodes per hour, snoring intensity, etc. Lo and behold I was diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea. One of the accepted treatments for mild to moderate sleep apnea is an oral appliance similar to an upper and lower bite guard called a somnomed appliance. I made one for myself and the results were amazing. My leg kicking quit, my snoring stopped completely (making my wife very happy) and I was much more wide awake in the afternoon. After a few adjustments to the appliance, if found it to be very comfortable. In the next few weeks I will retake the sleep test to see if the appliance is helping the sleep apnea episodes as well. Stay tuned for more info.

Dental tip for the day

2010-02-17T14:05:00.001-08:00

Probably the most important aspect of tooth brushing is -----How long you brush your teeth. Recent published research indicates that brushing 1 1/2 to 2 minutes is significantly more effective at removing plaque than brushing 30 seconds to 1 minute. This is regardless of whether you use a manual toothbrush or an electric - my favorite. Sometimes 2 minutes seems like a long time- try singing your favorite song or listen to the radio while you brush- Time will fly- stay tuned for the next tip.

vacation in Zihuatenejo

2010-02-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

Heaven on earth exists and it is in Mexico. Just got back from zihuatenejo, mexico - or Zihua- as I call it. 7 days of 86 degrees and sunshine. Zihua is 120 miles from Acapulco. It is between Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta on the West Coast of Mexico. Imagine a beautiful bay bordered by sandy beach giving way to mountainous bluffs housing beautiful condos, boutique hotels and fabulous restaurants. Each one has a spectacular view and costs way less than comparable restaurants and hotels in the states. This was my third time there and my wife and I will be sure to go again.

dentists have dental problems too!

2010-01-10T13:57:00.003-08:00

Well I had a tooth pulled 3 days ago. It was my lower left 2nd molar and the root was fractured. I called my friend who is an excellent oral surgeon, Dr. Lubitz, who looked at my x-ray and agreed- my tooth was "a goner"- hopeless- kaput! He placed some topical anesthetic near the tooth, got it totally numb and in less time than it takes to say " extraction", the tooth was painlessly out. Since I may have an implant placed in the future, Dr. Lubitz placed bone graft material , a couple of sutures, and I was on my way. Just to be safe, I took some pain medication and antibiotic. So far everything is going well. I think it helps to address issues before they become super pain problems.

dentists have dental problems too!

2010-01-10T13:57:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays!!

2009-12-24T18:36:00.000-08:00

Here's hoping everyone has a healthy, happy and prosperous 2010. We'll be in Cincinnati for the first time in 28 years. This is way too cold for me-- time to think about vacationing somewhere warm. Like cruising the Caribbean or Mexico. Happy New Year!!

Oral cancer screening with Velscope

2009-12-20T12:52:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am a little slow in deciding to make an important purchase, but once I do it - I move ahead with it full blast. We finally received our velscope- a non invasive very effective adjunct to our oral cancer screening exam. The scope helps us visualize potentialy cancerous lesions in the mouth using flouresence technology.-- There are no liquids to swish and nothing except the high intensity light from the light source enters your mouth. We can detect lesions that are imperceptible by traditional visual examination. Oral cancer is deadly if not detected early . One of the causes of oral cancer is the HPV virus which women already know as the virus that can cause cervical cancer. In fact, the incidence of oral cancer is now greater than cervical cancer. This tool is very effective at detecting oral lesions and we are recommending that patient get this exam one time per year.

Happy Holidays!!

2009-12-20T12:46:00.001-08:00

Sometimes you have good weeks all the way around. We celebrated Hannukah with my daughter , son- in- law and grandson, Elliott. Grandchildren are the best! Lots of smiles as he received his gifts. In the same week, my son Alex was accepted to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He was so excited- This was the best gift he could have received. And my wife really liked the gift I got her- and I picked it out without her guidance- Sometimes you just get lucky. Anyway-- Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Lumineers in Las Vegas

2009-12-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

My staff and I went to Vegas to take a 2 day lumineers course- we saw the latest and greatest in innovations from Denmat corporation. We have had terrific success with their newest innovation- the Lumitray.- It is a technique that allows us to utilize ultra-thin strong veneers that are cemented in place using a tray to position the the veneers and seat up to 8 of them at one time - in minutes!! The results have been excellent and our patients love them. Visit our fan page on facebook and see testimonials about our office. Better yet- visit our newly redesigned website at drgibberman.com.

Sleep apnea and snoring appliances

2009-10-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

An estimated 12 million Americans have sleep apnea, making it nearly as prevalent as asthma and diabetes, and patients with mild to moderate cases can be treated with oral appliance therapy. Sleep apnea is a potentially life threatening medical condition and claims for coverage can be submitted to your medical plan.

More on snoring!

2009-10-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

Within a month, we will be able to test and treat patients for sleep apnea- a key cause of cardiac related health problems. We treat with Oral Appliances that can reposition your lower jaw forward when you sleep, opening the airway, tightening the throat tissues and preventing snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. Stay tuned for more info.

Sleep disorder dentistry

2009-09-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Next Friday I will be taking a course about sleep disorder dentistry. What is it?-- Sleep disorders that dentists can treat vary from snoring (an annoyance to spouses, partners, roommates, significant others) to sleep apnea- a potentially life threatening cessation of breathing during sleep. The treatments can range from referral to surgeons and sleep clinincs to oral devices (similar to bleach trays) that reposition your lower jaw to keep the airway open. These sleep appliances can be very effective for snoring and can often be useful as replacements for CPAP machines for patients with sleep apnea who cannot tolerate the machine. Stay tuned for more information.

Invisalign Day

2009-09-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

Coming up November 4th, we are having a special promotion for invisalign. $1000 off ou usual fee for full upper and lower tooth straightening by invisalign!! Call for a free consultation.

Invisalign can straighten your teeth with clear plastic sligners that are hardly visible- unlike traditional wired orthodontics. Typical treatment for minor corrections are 6-9 months!! It's very cool- give us a call at 513-793-2611

New tooth whitening ideas

2009-07-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

Whitening for Life!!!! My Center for Esthetic Dentistry now offers 2 life long whitening maintenance programs--- Here is how it works. If you have already whitened your teeth and you have bleach trays, for $99.00 you will get 2 whitening syringes immediately and twice a year when you come in for tooth cleanings--forever!!. If you do not have bleach trays, the program fee is $199.00. If you have never whitened your teeth, you can do zoom whitening in the office or tray bleaching . The two syringes per year at your cleaning appointments will be given to you free of charge. Ask about this offer by calling 513- 984-9826- or check us out on-line at 513-793-2611.

Juice plus

2009-04-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

I recently started taking juice plus capsules. These capsules, considered a food, not a vitamin supplement, are , in fact, nutrient suppplements made out of fresh fruits, vegetables and berries. They are intended to help you achieve the the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables in the food pyramid. The research is pretty impressive and health benefits abound- but there are none of the extreme health claims made by many supplement manufacturers.. One of the intersting research findings was something simple- fewer dr. visits per year.

I have order blanks if you need one- you order and pay for the supplements directly through the manufacturer . this is very cool and safe!!- contact me if you have questions.

galapogos island vacation

2009-04-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

We recently vacationed in the Galapogos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. What an amazing trip!! I have seen enough Iguanas to last me a life time. I snorkled with penguins, sea turtles and sea lions. Even though it is on the equator, the water is freezing- due to the ocean currents - so we had to snorkle in wet suits. Even with those, I couldn't stand the temperature for more than 20 minutes. The hiking, volcanoes and giant tortoises are incredible!

Send me a post if you have questions- Dr. G

Jersey boys

2008-05-31T16:03:00.000-07:00

If you have the opportunity, see Jersey Boys at the Aronoff. The show is unbelievable!! Great music - Four Seasons music- like Sherry, Walk like a Man, etc. It is sooooo well done. The show plays until the 15th of June. See it if you can.

nordic walking poles

2008-05-31T15:57:00.000-07:00

Take a walk on the wild side- or at least the unusual side. My wife and I just started doing our exercise walks with with titanium nordic walking poles which we purchased at Benchmark in Blue Ash. They look like ski poles with rubber tips and you use them like you are cross country skiing. Pushing behind you with these poles propels you forward, gives you an upper body workout when you are walking and keeps pressure off your knees. It also generates stares from passersby. It's lots of fun !!

lumineers are cool!!!

2008-04-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

If you have been watching TV or reading magazines, you probably have seen ads for Lumineers. Lumineers are a "contact lens thin" veneer which can change your smile with no pain, little to no drilling and no shots. You don't even need temporaries. IF they are done correctly, they can look great, and be healthy to your teeth and gums. If they are not done right, they can appear bulky and feel too big. I have found that for many patients, lumineers can and do work wonderfully. If your teeth already sit too far forward or have significant overlap (dental crowding), lumineers usually don't work. They are very strong and if done properly will give you many years of use.

Having your bite evaluated and adjusted, if necessary adds significantly to the longevity of these veneers. I recently completed a 3 day seminar in Seattle by Dr. John Kois- one of the national leaders in dental education regarding occlusion- or the way the teeth hit during chewing. Even after 30 years of practice I am still learning the finer points of occlusion. You actually can teach an old dog new tricks. -- Dr. G

New patient experience

2008-03-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

For a terrific description of our New Patient experience, check out Veronica Rolfe's blog on CincyChic.com. She is writing about her experience in our office as she embarks on a smile makeover!! You will enjoy her story and you may even get involved with CincyChic.com.

Also watch our website soon for a display of our new TV ad showing on WB64.

Shaving tips from Dr. G

2008-02-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

Have you ever tried shaving with double edge razors ( like our fathers did years ago)? Well I have joined a unique subculture of guys who feel that shaving is a special ritual to be savored and enjoyed. I now hand mix exotic shave creams in a bowl with a brush to generate thick and smooth foams which make your face feel great in the morning. I have tried many creams but the best so far is one of the least expensive- It is called Slick mentholated Shave Cream and can be found at www. HeadBlade.com. I use Derby Double edge razor blades in a German made razor - Merkur Adjustable. It takes me longer to shave but my wife loves the results- an incredibly smooth shave. Try it!!

cincychic.com

2008-02-18T18:48:00.000-08:00

This is one great website for young professional women. It's so good in fact that we are advertising on it!! Cincychic has articles and blogs about everything from spa treatments to health advice, shopping tips and travel and fashion. Check it out for special offers at our practice and don't forget to check our own website out at DrGibberman.com.

Have you seen "wicked"?

2008-01-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

HAVE YOU SEEN “WICKED”

What a great show!!. I have seen this Broadway production twice here in Cincinnati. This year’s production was absolutely spectacular. Wicked is based on the book “Wicked”, by . It is the prequel to the Wizard of Oz. It takes us, musically, from that period of time when Glinda, the Good, meets Elphaba- the green “wicked witch of the west”- when they start out at as roommates in college. It is before they have become the characters in the famous wizard of Oz story. The music and dance is wonderful, the lead actresses have fabulous voices and the staging is unbelievable. I highly recommend it.—5 out of 5 molars.

A new world of prevention

2008-01-21T19:08:00.000-08:00

Would it make sense to you if I, as your dental spiritual advisor (as if there were such a thing) , suggested that we could tailor a preventive oral health home care regimen to specifically fit your needs. It would be based on a quick evaluation of your susceptibility to dental disease. For example, if you were 30 years old, have never had a cavity, and your gums were 100% healthy, I might suggest brushing 2x per day and flossing one time per day and that is all. It might even be reasonable to have a check up twice per year and x rays every 1.5 years. However, if you were 25 years old, have had numerous fillings and have a new cavity—we might suggest xrays 2x per year, fluoride varnish 2-3 times per year, use of an electric toothbrush, daily rinsing with Crest pro – health mouthrinse, and daily flossing. Use of a high fluoride toothpaste like prevident might also be recommended.

These types of analyses and recommendations are becoming common in the dental profession. It is part of a movement toward “evidence based” dentistry and customized preventive regimens to help adults and children prevent the onset and perpetuation of dental disease – decay and periodontal disease.

Please ask me about an appropriate personalized preventive program for you , your friends and family members.

Holiday Cheer

2007-12-24T05:20:00.000-08:00

Just want to wish everyone a Happy, and Healthy New Year. A special thanks go out to all my patients who have been kind enough to allow me the privelege of caring for their dental health and their smile.

type 2 diabetes

2007-11-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I certainly didn't fit the normal profile. I am thin, eat a balanced diet, and work out regularly. But my genetics did not work in my favor. My dad had type 2 diabetes and eventually died of diabetic complications- multiple strokes. So , in my ususal, focused, type a personality style,-- I hit the glucose control problem square on. I started working out at least 5 times per week, kept my dietary carbs to less than 70 gms per meal (That is a lot more than an atkins diet and would keep me from losing weight excessively- I was already too thin), and snacked on healthy snacks 2x per day to level out the glucose load. Now, a year later, my blood sugar is in the pre-diabetic range, I am in great physical shape, and I weigh 20 lbs less( for me that is not so good). so far I do not have to take any meds at all. We'll see if I can beat my gene pool. If you have any advice, let me know.--BG

grandparenting is great!

2007-11-13T14:14:00.000-08:00

Seven months ago I became a grandparent to my first grandson- Elliot Asquith. He even has his own blog- elliotasquith.blogspot.com. Some things have obviously really changed from the days when I spent time with my grandparents, but many things are the same .

The joy of getting Elliot to smile when I sing (or try to sing to him) , carrying him around and making him laugh and , of course feeding him all that delicious baby food (see picture above). I can still change diapers like a pro although Elliot doesn't seem to appreciate my expertise. Of course, when he gets cranky toward the end of the day, I can look forward to my daughter or son-in-law picking him up and taking him home!! Then my wife and I can leave for a quiet dinner out.-- That is the real pleasure of being a grandparent!!

Lumineers

2007-11-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

One of the hottest areas in cosmetic dentistry today is improving your smile with veneers- custom made porcelain coverings which can whiten your teeth, change their shape, close spaces , create younger looking smiles , and even do instant orthodontics. Lumineers are porcelain veneers so thin they are are the thickness of a contact lens. Because they are so thin, they can be made for your teeth without removing tooth structure, leaving the whole tooth intact. No shots are needed. This type of veneer is not appropriate in every situation , but when it is appropriate, it is a great way to give yourself the smile of your dreams!! For more information , check out the Lumineers website at www.lumineers.com. Watch for future posts on tradtional veneers and invisalign orthodontics. Also- check out my website at www.drgibberman.com.

Dining out in Cincinnati

2007-11-03T05:44:00.000-07:00

If you have any great places to eat, let me know. My latest selection is the Stone Creek Dining Company, located at the corner of Cooper Road and Montgomery Rd in Montgomery. (Right by my office). The ambiance is wonderful, the menu choices range from sandwiches to steaks and seafood, the service is very good, and prices are moderate ( a good thing). If you go, the seafood broil is great as is the mustard crusted chicken and the brownie sundae is out of this world. If you like sushi grade tuna, the sesame crusted Tuna is also excellent. Give this one a try. Let me know about your favorites.

Survey

2007-10-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

Are you aware of the increasing incidence of oral cancer in the American population? When diagnosed early, the success of treatment increases greatly. I am considering purchasing equipment ( Velscope) which can quickly, safely (no radiation), accurately, and painlessly diagnose oral cancer at a vey early stage. The cancer exam should be done once per year. My survey question is : would you be willing to pay $20 for this type of exam?