Press Releases

Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/27/2012 -- Dr. K Michael Hood is proud to announce that he has just been notified by Align Technology, the developers of the Invisalign System of invisible braces,that he has again been designated, an Invisalign Preferred Provider for 2012.

This is the third year in a row that Dr K Michael Hood and his Arizona Center for Invisalign have received this coveted award. Dr Hood stated that to celebrate his Invisalign Preferred Provider status, his Arizona Center for Invisalign will be offering special discounted pricing for Invisalign braces.

"A Healthy Beautiful Smile...It Happens in a Flash...The Memory of it Will Last Forever..."

Dr K Michael Hood is located at 4602 North 16th Street,Suite #302 in Phoenix Arizona and can be reached at 602-234-3679.

"A Healthy Beautiful Smile...It Happens in a Flash...The Memory of it Will Last Forever..."

Dr K Michael Hood is located at 4602 North 16th Street,Suite #302 in Phoenix Arizona and can be reached at 602-234-3679.

It is New Year's, a time many people choose to focus on their health. Did you know your mouth plays an important role in the overall health of your body? Not just by what you put into it, but also how well you take care of it. 3 out of every 4 Americans have signs of periodontal disease or gingivitis with almost 30% showing signs of the more severe disease, chronic periodontitis. These can be painful problems on their own, but they also cause problems in places you might not have considered…like your brain, or your heart.

Recent studies have discovered a strong relationship between oral health, the health of your teeth and gums, and other diseases including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, fetal development, diabetes, orthopedic implant failure, kidney disease, colon cancer, prostate cancer, Alzheimer's, formation of blood clots, respiratory disease - COPD complications, osteoporosis, and heart attack. In fact, the existence of periodontal disease is now considered to be more predictive of heart attacks than high cholesterol!

There are three ways oral disease may affect your overall health. First, bacteria and other inflammatory mediators, called cytokines enter saliva from the gums. From the saliva they adhere to water droplets in the air you breathe and get into your lungs. This can cause pulmonary infection and pneumonia which is especially troublesome for the elderly or those who may suffer from weakened immunity associated with COPD.

Secondly, bacteria from periodontal disease can enter the body's circulatory system through the inflamed gums and travel to all parts of the body. As the oral bacteria travels, it may cause other infections or contribute to diseases in other tissues and organs.

Finally, inflammation associated with periodontal disease may stimulate the liver to secrete a protein, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) which may contribute to, or complicate, an existing disease like cardiovascular disease. Elevated CRP is more predictive of heart attacks than elevated LDL or "bad" cholesterol.

A new standard between dentistry and medicine is developing. As this "oral systemic connection" is more clearly understood, dentists will play a greater role in the overall health of their patients. Many times, the first signs of unhealthy systemic conditions can be found by changes in the mouth. When at risk patients are identified, a comprehensive Periodontal Risk Evaluation should be performed and the results sent to the patient's treating physicians.

Physicians will also play a more active role in the "oral systemic connection." They should screen at-risk patients for common signs of periodontal disease, including bleeding gums, swollen gums, pus, shifting teeth, chronic bad breath, and family history of periodontal disease. When appropriate, they will refer them to dentists and periodontists who will evaluate and treat the condition. According to Dr. Hood, "This new era of dental/medical cooperation, will without doubt, increase longevity, improve the overall health and quality of life for all our patients".

Dr. Mike Hood is pleased to offer an innovative outpatient treatment for periodontal disease. The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™) is an FDA-cleared procedure to gently treat the diseased tissue without any cutting or stitching of the gums. Dr. Hood is one of only two dentists in Phoenix to be certified in LANAP, and has been elected a Fellow in the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry.

"I can now treat patients in my office with a gentle, highly-effective, well-established, and scientifically-proven procedure.Laser Periodontal Treatment reduces post-operative pain, recovery time, and helps me provide the best possible care," said Dr. Hood, of The Arizona Center for Laser Periodontal Treatment in Phoenix.

It is in every patient's best interest to keep their mouth healthy. It is critical that patients and physicians understand the Oral Systemic Connection and how periodontal disease can cause or contribute to a magnitude of other diseases and conditions throughout their entire body.

Call the Arizona Center for Laser Periodontal Treatment at 602-234-3679, or visit us online at http://azsmiles4u.com/laser.htm to learn about treatment of periodontal disease.

Kim Stahl
Office Manager, Arizona Center for Laser and Cosmetic Dentistry
602-234-3679

Invisalign® Press Release

Dr K Michael Hood has been certified for the use of the patented Invisalign system for the correction of crooked and mal positioned teeth without the use of uncomfortable metal wires and brackets, like traditional braces.

The Invisalign system is a new technique for adults, ages 16 or older, to get the results of old fashioned braces without having to wear braces at all! Invisalign uses "invisible braces" (which are not really braces at all, but clear plastic aligners) This technique, which is effective for mild to moderate crowding, utilizes a series of clear aligners (computer generated and lab constructed) that are worn sequentially until the desired correction is achieved.

Dr Hood stated that in many cases, not only are the Invisalign aligners more comfortable to wear, but that the desired results can be achieved faster than with standard braces.

Dr Hood has completed his Advanced Certification II with Invisalign at the recent Townie Dental Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Because of the number of cases that Dr Hood has done in the past year, Invisalign now has him rated as one of their Advantage Providers.

LANAP Press Release

Phoenix, Arizona
September 12, 2008

DR K MICHAEL HOOD OFFERS MINIMALLY-INVASIVE LASER TREATMENT FOR GUM DISEASE

Dr Hood is on of only 2 Dentists in the City of Phoenix to be certified for this Safe and Effective Treatment for the Most Common Medical Condition in the U.S.

Phoenix, Arizona - September 12, 2008 - Dr Mike Hood is excited and privileged to announce the offering of a simple, quick and safe outpatient treatment for gum disease (clinical term: periodontal disease). The American Dental Association (ADA) defines gum disease as an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the condition affects 85 percent of American adults aged 18 and older and moderate to severe forms of gum disease affect 74 percent of the adult population. The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™) is an FDA-cleared treatment developed by Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. to clear away diseased tissue without cutting or stitching of the gums.

"With the availability of LANAP, I now have the option to treat patients suffering from gum disease instead of having to refer them out of my practice," said Dr Hood, of The Arizona Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry located in Phoenix. "I can now treat patients in my office with a highly effective, well established and scientifically proven procedure. By reducing post-operative pain, the number of sessions required and the recovery time, LANAP eliminates many of the reasons that so many patients hesitate to seek treatment for periodontal disease and helps me ensure that my patients get the best possible dental care."

Experts agree that gum disease is one of the most common medical infections in the United States. 50 out of 100 adult Americans have moderate to severe gum disease, 40 out of the 50 do not know it, and fewer than two of them will get treated before it is too late. In the initial stages of the disease, gums can become red, swollen and bleed easily. However, some patients have no symptoms at all. If the condition worsens, gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously damaged and the teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be removed.

Before LANAP, patients diagnosed with moderate to severe gum disease were typically referred to periodontists to undergo scalpel and suture periodontal surgery, an invasive, tissue removing and often uncomfortable procedure in which gums are actually cut in order to scrape tartar off the roots. Drills are then used to reshape bone and the gums are repositioned to the tooth with stitches, sometimes along with placement of bone grafts to fill in defects. The process can be lengthy, involving as many as eight appointments versus two treatment appointments for LANAP, and is irreversible. Surgery is followed by a lengthy recovery period where gum and exposed roots can be sensitive, painful and subject to cavities.

LANAP is a less painful and less invasive treatment and has fewer complications than surgery. LANAP is performed in a dentist's office under local anesthesia. Prior to the procedure, the dentist does a periodontal charting and takes X-rays to make a paper diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease syndrome. A tiny laser fiber (about the thickness of three human hairs) is inserted between the tooth and the gum and the infection and disease are cleared away without cutting the gums. The tooth roots are then thoroughly cleaned of tartar and plaque, and the laser is used again with a different setting to create a stable firm fibrin blood clot to seal the pocket. The dentist treats one half of the patient's mouth at each session and patients are able to drive themselves back to work or home following the procedure. Dentists typically recommend a soft diet for several days.

A current peer-reviewed study published in the esteemed International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry demonstrates positive, consistent results of new root coating (cementum) and new connective tissue attachment (collagen) suggesting that the best possible type of healing can be obtained with LANAP for the treatment of moderate to severe gum disease.

All dentists who perform LANAP are required to complete Laser BootCamp®, a comprehensive three-day, clinical, hands-on, dentist-to-dentist training at the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD). An additional one-day advanced session at six months introduces dentists to further uses of laser technology and a final, one-day training at 12 months helps dentists hone and refine their techniques. The IALD is the only active laser training institute in the United States recognized by the American Dental Association's Continuing Education Program (ADA CERP).

ABOUT THE ARIZONA CENTER FOR COSMETIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
CONTACT KIM @
4602 North 16th Street, Suite #302
Phoenix, Az 85016
(602)234-3679
AzSmiles4U.com

DR. K MICHAEL HOOD COMPLETES EVOLUTION 5 LANAP PROFICIENCY TRAINING

Dr Mike Hood Joins an Elite Group of Clinicians with the Completion of Evolution 5 and has been Elected a Fellow in the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry

Phoenix, AZ––August, 10 2009 Dr K Michael Hood is proud to announce the completion of Evolution 5, the highest level of procedure-specific proficiency instruction in the comprehensive Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™) Training Continuum offered by the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD).

The IALD works in association with Millennium Dental Technologies, developer of LANAP, the first and only periodontal protocol to receive FDA clearance, and manufacturer of the PerioLase® MVP-7, the first laser specifically designed for and dedicated to the treatment of moderate to severe gum disease and proudly manufactured in the U.S.A. With his completion of Evolution 5, Dr Hood receives his “LANAP Proficiency” certification and has been elected a Fellow in the IALD..

“My dental practice is dedicated to the incorporation of the most advanced treatment options for my patients that are safe, effective and minimally invasive,” said Dr Hood “No other laser company offers the same level of quality training as the IALD and Millennium. My completion of Evolution 5, the highest level of training currently offered in the LANAP Training Continuum, ensures that I am able to offer my patients consistent, predictable, reproducible clinical outcomes in treating Periodontal (Gum) disease.

The LANAP Training Continuum™ is a year-long, comprehensive, live-patient, hands-on training program that dentists undergo to ensure that they are safe and effective in the LANAP technique. The first three days of training, referred to as Laser BootCamp® (or Evolutions 1,2,3™), focus on safety and efficacy in the LANAP protocol. Upon completion of Laser BootCamp, dentists are granted a license to use LANAP. Day 4 (or Evolution 4) of the LANAP Training Continuum takes place after six months of LANAP practice and experience and emphasizes advanced techniques, methodology and laser operating parameters for optimal outcomes and clinician and operatory efficiencies. Upon completion of Evolution 4, dentists receive an Expanded Proficiency Certificate.

Evolution 5 takes place after at least 12 months of LANAP practice and experience and is an integral part of the LANAP training program, helping dentists hone and refine their techniques. Evolution 5 focuses on increasing energy density for even greater LANAP performance, versatility, adaptations and increased capabilities, as well as improved clinical outcomes and management methods for even the most difficult LANAP case types. Dentists who complete Evolution 5 have achieved one of the highest levels of clinical, live patient, hands-on training in advanced laser dentistry available today.

The IALD is the only active laser training institute in the United States recognized by the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Program (ADA CERP) and is an AGD (American Academy of General Dentistry) PACE recognized national continuing education (CE) provider. To date, more than 700 periodontists and general practitioners in the U.S. and Canada have completed this mandatory training and are treating more than 35,000 patients suffering from gum disease each year.

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines gum disease as an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the condition affects 85 percent of American adults aged 18 and older. LANAP offers patients a less painful and less invasive alternative to conventional gum surgery with fewer complications, and less pain than traditional cut and sew surgery. A current peer-reviewed study published in the esteemed International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry reports positive consistent results of new root coating (cementum) and new connective tissue attachment (collagen) suggesting that the best possible type of healing can be obtained with LANAP for the treatment of moderate to severe gum disease.

Patients interested in additional information on LANAP should visit:

<>http://azsmiles4u.com/laser.htm
<>http://azsmiles4u.com/lanap.htm

Or call Dr Hood’S Office @602-234-3679 and Request a Complimentry Periodontal Consultation.

STRAIGHT TEETH LEAD TO HEALTHY SMILES AND HEALTHY BODIES
A Healthy Beautiful Smile...It Happens in a Flash...The Memory of it Will Last Forever...

Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/08/2009 -- One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. Try to find a magazine cover showing someone with swollen gums or nasty, crooked, yellow teeth – your smile is your first impression. Straight teeth are not only more attractive, they are also healthier.

Crooked teeth are more easily worn down, and sensitivity and chipping can occur. Crowded teeth are harder to keep clean and thus more likely to have gum disease than straight teeth. Current medical research now shows that there is a strong relationship between gum disease and other systemic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fetal development, orthopedic implant failure, blood clot formation (strokes and heart attacks) to name a few. This has been termed, "The Oral Systemic Connection". It is far better to prevent major dental and medical problems, rather than having to spend many thousands of dollars for corrective procedures.

But, it is hard to imagine wearing awkward metal braces as a grown-up. That is why Dr K Michael Hood, Director of the Arizona Center for Invisalign, located in Phoenix, Arizona, uses Invisalign, a series of clear plastic aligner trays that slip over your teeth. Each aligner gently nudges the crooked teeth into position, in as few as 6 to 12 months. When you get to the final aligner, your teeth are beautifully straight – all with no metal braces!

Not only can Invisalign aligners straighten your teeth, they can also be used as whitening trays. You can whiten, brighten, and straighten your teeth all at once! As a gift to Dr Hood's Invisalign patients, The Arizona Center for Invisalign provides a complimentary supply of whitening gel to use with the trays at the completion of your Invisalign Treatment.

Make a New Year’s Resolution to straighten, whiten and improve your overall health with Invisalign. Call the Arizona Center for Invisalign at 602-234-3679, or visit online at AzSmiles4u.com/invisalign-braces-phoenix.htm.

Media Relations Contact