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Our Services, Your Care
Cottage Lake Family Dentistry is staffed with knowledgeable and accredited professionals to perform the dental services you require. We are proud of the care we provide and offer the following complete suite of services.
Our Services Include:
Dental care for your children
- We provide children's dental care, age 3 and up – Learn more…
Dental care for your teeth and gums
- General dentistry – Learn more…
- Tooth cleaning – Learn more…
- Root canal therapy – Learn more…
- Tooth colored fillings – Learn more…
- Crowns (restoring broken teeth) – Learn more…
- Extractions of teeth – Learn more…
- Periodontal disease therapy – Learn more…
Dental care for your bite and smile
- Orthodontics – Learn more…
- TMJ evaluation – Learn more…
- Teeth grinding – Learn more…
- Cosmetic procedures – Learn more…
- Veneers – Learn more…
- Tooth whitening (bleaching) – Learn more…
Dental care for replacement of missing teeth
- Dentures – Learn more…
- Partial Dentures – Learn more…
- Implants – Learn more…
- Bridges – Learn more…
Dental care for other related conditions
- Non-Surgical Anti-Snoring Treatment- Learn more…
About Children's Dental Care
Your Child's Teeth
Good dental health begins at an early age when the first baby teeth come in. With proper dental care at home and regular visits to the dentist, your child can grow up cavity free.
Food particles and bacteria form a sticky substance called plaque on the teeth. Bacteria are present in the plaque which make acid from sugar that eats away the enamel coating on your child's teeth. This is the cause of tooth decay. Brushing removes the plaque from the teeth as it forms, stopping tooth decay. Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first teeth appear. You may first use a piece of wet cotton gauze and then a small toothbrush as more teeth come in.
Use a small amount of good tasting fluoride toothpaste. Once your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, let them do so. However, you must monitor how effectively they brush. Your dentist can provide plaque disclosing tablets which show where your child is missing brushing away the plaque.
Flossing removes the bacterial plaque in between the teeth that the toothbrush can't reach. Floss your child's teeth daily to avoid decay between the teeth. Encourage your child to floss their own teeth as they get early. A floss holder may help their flossing effectiveness.
Fluoride strengthens the tooth's enamel coating which helps prevent cavities. Concentrated fluoride treatments given by the dentist at regular checkups are suggested. This toughens the enamel on teeth that have already come in. Find out if your community water supply is fluoridated. If not, daily fluoride supplements can be given to your child. This strengthens forming enamel on the permanent teeth that will come in later.
Sealants are a safe, painless, cost effective way to protect your child's back teeth from tooth decay. A thin plastic resin coating is bonded to the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. This forms a barrier which prevents food and bacteria from entering the tiny grooves on the tops of the back teeth. These grooves are so tiny that the toothbrush bristles cannot reach into them to remove bacteria. Sealants placed early upon eruption of the teeth greatly prevent biting surface tooth decay. It usually takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. Sealants can last for many years before reapplication is required. The dentist checks the condition of each sealant at each examination.
Avoiding tooth decay
Reduce daily sugar intake. Avoid pop and carbonated beverages. Never let your child sleep with a bottle since bottle liquids including milk can cause rapid and severe tooth decay. Make sure your child always brushes after meals and snacks. Use dental floss daily.
Thumb sucking and pacifiers
Sucking on a thumb or pacifier is normal and common for a baby. It is suggested that this habit be discouraged after the age of 4 or 5 to avoid jaw problems requiring orthodontic correction. Ask your dentist for help if necessary.
Teething refers to the time that the baby teeth are coming in. Your baby may be unhappy due to sore gums around the newly erupting teeth. Excessive drooling and chewing on objects is common. Numbing creams and cold teething rings are sometimes helpful.
Your child's first checkup
Your child's first checkup should be around the age of 3 unless specific problems are noticed or emergencies arise. Depending on the cooperation of the child, the first visit may be as simple as a ride in the chair, a quick check of the teeth, and a visit to the treasure chest OR a complete examination, cleaning, x-rays, and fluoride. Every child is different and they should not be forced into treatment until they are ready. Childhood experiences at the dentist follow into adulthood. A great experience at the dentist is the goal. 2 checkups per year is suggested.
Problems requiring a dentist visit
Call your dentist if an adult tooth is loose or if you notice black or brown spots on the top surfaces or in between the teeth. See the dentist immediately if an adult tooth is knocked out. Don't wash the tooth. Put it in milk wetted cotton gauze and see the dentist within 30 minutes if possible.
About General Dentistry
General dentistry practice includes all aspects of dental services including many specialty services depending on the training and skill of the general dentist. Common general dental services include: Treatment of adults and children, placement of all types of fillings, placement of crowns to restore teeth, replacement of missing teeth with bridges, implants or full or partial dentures, cosmetic procedures such as bleaching, bonding, or veneering of teeth, extraction an removal of teeth including 3rd molars, teeth cleaning and gum disease control procedures to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and root canal therapy to save infected teeth.
About Tooth Cleaning
Patients with healthy teeth and gums should generally have their teeth cleaned twice per year. This removes tartar buildup which can contribute to gum disease and allows the dental hygienist to access current gum health. Polishing away stains enhances the smile.
About Root Canal Therapy
Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Even if one of your teeth becomes injured or diseased, it can often be saved through root canal (endodontic) treatment.
Root canal treatment involves the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue that was important for tooth development. Once removed, it is replaced with materials that seal off the root canal from the bone supporting the tooth's root. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment enables dentists to save many teeth that otherwise would be lost.
The pulp is the soft tissue that contains the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue of a tooth. It lies within the tooth and extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the root in the bone of the jaws.
When the pulp is diseased or injured and can't repair itself, it dies. The most common causes of pulp death are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or an injury to a tooth. These problems can let the bacteria in saliva enter the pulp. The bacteria can then cause an infection inside the tooth. Left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip, in the jawbone, forming a "pus pocket" called an abscess. An abscess can damage or destroy the bone surrounding the teeth.
When the diseased or injured pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result. Certain substances released by bacteria can injure the bone that anchors your tooth in the jaw. Without treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.
Treatment usually involves from one to three dental visits. During treatment, your general dentist or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in problems of the tooth pulp) removes the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned, enlarged, and sealed. An antibiotic may be prescribed if infection has spread to the adjacent bone. Pain relievers are often provided to reduce discomfort.
As long as the root(s) of a treated tooth are nourished by the tissues around it, your tooth can remain healthy. Your treated and restored tooth could last a lifetime. A crown is usually placed as soon as possible to restore the tooth (especially a back tooth which has chewing pressure on it).
About Tooth Colored Fillings
Many years ago the only options in filling materials were silver (amalgam) or gold. Today the dentist
can restore your teeth with natural appearing tooth like materials such as composite resins or porcelain ceramics. These filling materials are designed to bond to the internal of the tooth. This can strengthen the tooth and seal out access for bacteria at the marginal interface between the tooth and the filling material. Ask the dentist if these new materials are a good choice for you.
About Crowns
A crown (also called a cap) is a manmade cover that protects the top of a tooth. It may be used to restore and preserve a decayed, broken, or cracked tooth. Crowns can also correct some cosmetic tooth problems, giving you a better smile.
Your dentist may advise you to get a crown if you have:
- A decayed or damaged tooth that needs to be restored to its normal shape and size.
- A cracked or broken tooth with large cavities or worn fillings.
- A poor fitting crown.
- A tooth that has a large opening on its top surface after root canal therapy.
- A cosmetic problem.
- A bite problem.
- A crown is made of gold, or other metals, or porcelain. It can also be made of resin, or porcelain and metal. When choosing a crown, think about how it will look and how long it will last. Talk with your dentist about the type of crown that may be best for you.
- A metal crown is made of gold or other metals. It is very strong and won't break. It is softer sometimes that opposing tooth structure or porcelain crowns and may wear with time. Because this type of crown isn't tooth colored, it is not suggested in the front of the mouth.
- A tooth colored crown is made of porcelain (pigmented glass) or reinforced resin. It comes in a wide range of shades to blend with your other teeth. This type of crown may be susceptible to chipping unlike metal crowns. Suggested for front teeth only.
- A porcelain fused to metal crown is tooth colored but has a metal internal for enhanced strength and resistance to fracture. It can be used in both front and back teeth. It also comes in a wide range of shades to blend with your other teeth.
Restoring your tooth with a crown may take 2 to 3 dental visits. Expect to wait 2 weeks between appointments for the dental laboratory to fabricate the new crown.
Your dentist will usually numb the tooth with a local anesthetic before preparing your tooth for a crown. The tooth is then reduced and shaped. All decay is removed. The tooth may need rebuilding if larger parts are missing or if old failing fillings are present. An impression is taken of the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth. A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth between visits.
Do the following to care for your temporary crown:
- Avoid eating hard or sticky foods which might dislodge your temporary crown.
- Brush gently at the gum line around the temporary crown to heal the gum tissue.
- Carefully floss between your teeth, pulling the floss out from the side of the tooth and not from the top.
Once the new crown is ready, the tooth is numbed and the temporary crown is removed. The dentist fits the new crown to the tooth making sure that all the crown margins fit well, the contacts between the adjacent teeth are snug, the color and shape are in harmony with the other teeth, and that the bite is even and correct. Once both you and the dentist agree that the crown fits right, it is cemented solidly in place with permanent cement.
Call your dentist if:
- Your temporary or permanent crown becomes loose or comes off.
- You have abnormal and increasing hot or cold sensitivity.
- You have a toothache which is increasing in intensity.
New crowns must be brushed around the gum line and flossed to prevent tooth decay just like your other natural teeth. Avoid biting on non food items or bones to decrease the chance of porcelain chipping or fracture. Normal good home care will help your new crown last for many years.
About Extractions
Teeth which cannot be restored properly or predictably may need to be removed. Sometimes the procedure is uncomplicated in nature and is referred to as a simple extraction.
On occasions the shape and curvature of the tooth's roots create a situation where the tooth needs to be removed in sections. This procedure is referred to as a surgical extraction. Wisdom teeth (or 3rd molars) usually require some type of surgical extraction to remove.
Sutures are usually placed to speed up the healing process.
Antibiotics are prescribed in cases of bone infections. Pain medications are also prescribed.
The dentist and their staff will provide specific post operative instructions to avoid bleeding, discomfort, and speed the healing process. Follow these instructions carefully.
About Periodontal Disease Therapy
Periodontal, or gum, disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Your teeth are supported by gum tissue (or gingival), connective fibers called the periodontal ligament that anchor the tooth root into its socket, and bone. With proper gum care, these tissues can help keep your smile for a lifetime. Many adults, though, develop some type of periodontal disease. Left untreated, periodontal disease can be a major cause of tooth loss.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth as high as it may seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice called a sulcus between the tooth and gums. Periodontal diseases attach just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket. Generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
The sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth is called plaque, and is made mostly of bacteria. Some of these bacteria produce byproducts (called toxins or enzymes) that can irritate the tissues that support your teeth. These byproducts can damage the attachment of the gums, periodontal ligament, and bone to your teeth. You can remove plaque with good oral hygiene such as brushing your teeth twice a day and cleaning between them once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner. When plaque is not removed through good oral hygiene, it builds up along the gum line and increases your risk of developing periodontal disease. Plaque that is not removed regularly can harden into a rough porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Tartar itself does not seem to cause disease, but it may make it more difficult for you to remove plaque so it should be removed regularly. Tartar can only be removed when your teeth are professionally cleaned in the dental office.
Some factors can increase the risk of developing periodontal diseases. If one or more of the following apply to you, it is especially important that you practice good oral hygiene and follow your dentist's and hygienist's advice to maintain health teeth and gums:
People who smoke or chew tobacco are more likely to have periodontal disease. And it is more likely to be more severe than in those who do not use any tobacco products.
Some systemic diseases such as diabetes can lower your body's resistance to infection, making periodontal diseases more severe.
Many medications, such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives can affect the gums. In Addition, medications that reduce your salivary flow can result in a chronically dry mouth, which can irritate your oral soft tissues. Let your dentist know about your medications and update your medical history files at the dental office when any changes occur.
Bridges that no longer fit properly, crooked teeth or fillings that are defective can contribute to plaque retention and increase your risk of developing periodontal disease.
Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives increases hormone levels that can cause gum tissue to be more sensitive to the toxins and enzymes produced by plaque and can accelerate growth of some bacteria. The gums are more likely to become red, tender and swollen, and bleed easily.
It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental dheckups and periodontal examinations are very important. However, several warning signs can signal that you have a problem with periodontal disease. If you notice any of the following, see your dentist:
- Gums that bleed easily.
- Red, swollen, or tender gums.
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
- Pus between the teeth when the gums are pressed.
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste.
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures.
Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages of the disease are gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. It develops as toxins in plaque irritate gums, making them red, tender, swollen, and likely to bleed easily. It can usually be eliminated by daily brushing, cleaning between your teeth, and regular dental cleanings.
Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease, called periodontitis. There are several forms of periodontitis, with the most common being chronic adult periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when toxins, enzymes, and other plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor teeth in the bone. The gum line recedes, which can expose the tooth's root. Exposed roots can become susceptible to decay and sensitive to cold and touch. The sulcus deepens into a pocket in the early stage of periodontal disease. Plaque that collects in these pockets can be difficult to remove during regular brushing and interdental cleaning. Byproducts from the plaque that collect in these pockets can continue to damage the gums, periodontal ligament, and bone. In some cases, so much ligament and bone are destroyed that the tooth becomes loose. Usually, your dentist can still treat the disease at this point. In the worst of cases, a loose tooth may need to be extracted or may fall out on its own.
Prevention and reducing the risk developing periodontal disease begins with daily good oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth twice a day. With proper brushing, you can remove plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you a proper brushing technique. Using fluoride containing toothpaste also will help protect your teeth against cavities.
Carefully clean between your teeth once a day with dental floss or another interdental cleaner to remove plaque form areas your toothbrush can't reach. It only takes a few minutes each day and is just as important in maintaining oral health as brushing your teeth.
If you need extra help controlling gingivitis and plaque that forms above the gum line, your dentist may recommend using an antimicrobial mouth rinse as an effective addition to your daily oral hygiene program.
Eat a balanced diet for good general health.
Visit your dentist regularly.
During your checkup, the dentist will examine your gums. This is called a periodontal examination. An instrument called a periodontal probe is used to gently measure the depth of the sulcus surrounding each tooth. The healthy sulcus depth is usually three millimeters or less. Periodontal diseases cause the sulcus to deepen into a pocket. A periodontal probe can determine where you have developed any pockets and the depth of these pockets. Generally, the more severe the disease, the deeper the pocket. Dental x-rays may be taken to evaluate the amount of bone supporting the teeth and to detect other problems not visible during the clinical examination. If periodontal disease is diagnosed, the dentist may provide treatment or may refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in the treatment of periodontal disease.
Treatment methods for periodontal disease depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. The first step usually is a thorough cleaning that includes scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits. The tooth roots also may be planed to smooth the root surface, allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth. In some cases, the occlusion, or bite, may require adjustment. Your dentist also may recommend medications to help control infection, pain, or to encourage healing. These medications can be given in various forms: a pill that you would swallow, a liquid mouth rinse, or in a form that the dentist could place directly in the periodontal pocket after scaling and root planning.
When deep pockets between teeth and gums (4 to 6 millimeters or deeper) are present, it is difficult for the dentist to thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar. Likewise, you may have trouble keeping these pockets clean and free of plaque. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, periodontal surgery may be needed. One of the goals of periodontal surgery is to reduce the depth of the periodontal pockets to make them easier to keep them clean. With surgery, the dentist can access hard to reach areas that require the removal of tartar and plaque. The tooth root is cleaned and smoothed. Sometimes the bone around the tooth also is smoothed to help remove these pockets. The gums then are sutured back into place or into a new position that will be easier to keep clean at home. Bone surgery may be used to rebuild or reshape bone that has been destroyed. Grafts of the patient's bone or artificial bone may be used, as well as special membranes. The dentist may use splints, bite guards or other appliances to stabilize loose teeth and to aid the regeneration of tissue during healing. If excessive gum tissue has been lost from the tooth root (gum recession), a gum graft may be performed. After surgery, the dentist may apply a protective dressing over teeth and gums. An antibiotic and mild pain reliever may be prescribed.
Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. Your dentist may need to see you at more frequent intervals that in the past to control periodontal disease.
About Orthodontics
Orthodontics (straightening of the teeth) can make a profound improvement in both the appearance and function of the teeth. The position of the teeth is very important in creating harmony in the smile. The position of the teeth and how they relate to one another in both jaws affects how well we can chew our food and even how well we can speak. Crooked and rotated teeth are also more prone to tooth decay and gum disease.
Children with mal occlusions (poor bite relations) and crooked teeth are usually referred to the orthodontist for an initial evaluation at age 8 or 9. Sometimes the orthodontist will begin treatment with functional appliances while some of the primary (baby) teeth are still present. The idea is to take advantage of the child's growth spurt to control the growth of the jaws in certain directions. This type of orthodontic treatment can sometimes greatly reduce the need for conventional orthodontics later requiring removal of permanent teeth for adequate space. Conventional orthodontics usually begins at age 10 when all the primary teeth have been lost.
Orthodontics requires that the patient be dedicated to the orthodontic treatment process. There are many short appointments over a 2 to 4 year period. Some cases are much more difficult than others.
Surgical orthodontics may be required when the upper and lower jaws don't relate very well. In this case, the orthodontist works closely with a skilled oral surgeon who specializes in repositioning the jaws surgically to create favorable upper and lower jaw relations. The orthodontist aligns the teeth well in each arch and then the oral surgeon aligns the jaws.
About TMJ Evaluation
TMJ/TMD is a complex set of symptoms usually involving pain about the jaw joints. The most common symptoms are:
- locking of jaw
- grinding of teeth
- neck/shoulder aches
- soreness around the ear (s)
- restricted range of jaw movement
- a mouth or tongue burning sensation
- clicking/popping noises opening and closing jaws
- toothache with no evidence of decay, infection or trauma
There can be multiple reasons for the pain and the problems:
- INTERNAL DERANGEMENT within the jaw joint. Approximately 1/3 of studied populations have this condition with no significant symptoms. There may be popping/ clicking or locking of the jaw with realignment of the jaw-joint structures during jaw use or not.
- MUSCLE SPASM is probably the most common cause for TMJ and is sometime difficult to treat because of the effects that it can have, especially over a prolonged period of time. Muscle spasm may be from the neck and/ or jaw muscles. This may cause a problem remote to the jaw joints and refer pain to the jaw joints.
- CHRONIC STRESS is often a precipitator of the problem. Patients sometimes have symptoms after a rear-end car wreck. Often this is upper back-neck mediated.
The most accurate method to treat TMJ is to establish the most likely cause and then to treat it. Treatment may include just helping a patient to understand his/her problem; physical therapy; neurology referral; bite splint therapy or rarely (1% or 2%) involving surgery.
Treatment of TMJ is often a team effort.
Information may be found on a Web search under TMJ or go to the TMJ Association.
A thorough dental exam may reveal the problems.
About Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry has come a long ways in the last few years. Vast improvements in resin bonding and tooth colored filling materials have occurred.
Back teeth can now be filled with 3 different tooth colored materials:
Direct composite resin fillings are most commonly placed in back teeth where a natural appearance is desired. They are relatively easy to place in one visit and the cost factor is only little higher (25 to 35%) than traditional silver fillings. The length of service can be as long as a silver filling.
Indirect composite resin inlays are tooth colored restorations that are fabricated in a dental laboratory. They take 2 appointments to complete and are very esthetic and durable. The cost factor is about twice that of a direct composite resin filling. They are well suited for larger restorations where correct placement of direct composite resins would be more difficult.
Indirect porcelain inlays and onlays are indicated for larger restorations on back teeth where a porcelain crown is not desired. They take 2 appointments to complete and are fabricated in a dental laboratory. The esthetics of these restorations can be very close to natural teeth if well placed. The cost factor is about 3 times that of a direct composite resin filling.
Back teeth can also be restored with all porcelain crowns or with porcelain fused to metal crowns. All porcelain crowns are more beautiful than porcelain fused to metal crowns but are also more fracture prone and have a higher cost.
Front teeth can be restored with many effective tooth colored materials and techniques:
Direct composite resin
is commonly used on front teeth. The entire front of the tooth or a portion of the tooth can be bonded with composite resin in one appointment. The shape of the front teeth can be changed with composite resin bonding. Composite resin bonding is half the cost of porcelain laminate veneering or porcelain crowning. Discoloration is possible over time and well as chipping and wear.
Indirect porcelain veneers or thin sections of porcelain bonded to the front surfaces of the front teeth are the most esthetic cosmetic procedure of all. They are durable and very wear resistant. The teeth can be widened and lengthened with this technique. They are fabricated in a dental laboratory and are placed in 2 appointments. The cost is similar to an all porcelain crown.
All porcelain or porcelain fused to gold (metal internal) crowns can be extremely attractive. They are used when the front teeth have been previously filled to a great degree or where drastic tooth shape changes are required for a proper smile.
Bleaching of the teeth can greatly whiten the color of the teeth. The best indication for bleaching is when all the teeth have a similar but darkened color. Old tooth colored fillings must be replaced after bleaching since they will not lighten in color. Bleaching techniques vary from chairside 1 visit bleaching to at home techniques involving bleaching trays or bleach strips.
Cosmetic contouring is a technique where the contours of the front teeth are shaped to create optimum harmony of all the teeth in the smile. This technique if needed is suggested before bleaching or any extensive cosmetic procedure on the front teeth.
About Veneers
Veneers are thin, translucent coatings or porcelain that are bonded to the front teeth to improve their color, size, or shape. Veneers can help you achieve the smile you want. They are extremely lifelike and beautiful in appearance.
Veneers can correct many dental problems such as:
- Teeth discolored from medication or age.
- Front teeth that are worn or chipped.
- Gaps and other spaces between teeth.
- Crooked teeth.
Veneers may require 2 to 3 office visits from start to finish. Your dentist will first examine and evaluate your teeth to determine the best cosmetic plan for you. The proper color is selected. Many times the teeth are bleached before the veneering process begins.
On the preparation appointment, the front teeth (usually 4 to 8 front teeth) are reduced slightly and contoured on the front surfaces and incising edges. An impression is then taken. Composite resin temporaries are then placed on the prepared front teeth. The laboratory takes about 2 weeks to fabricate the new porcelain veneers. During this waiting period:
Brush your teeth gently and avoid cold foods and liquids.
Avoid eating hard foods which may loosen your temporary veneers.
On the bonding appointment, your dentist will fit the veneers on your teeth, check the color, and check the shape to make sure that all the veneers create harmony in your new smile. Once this is completed, your teeth are cleaned thoroughly. The veneers are then bonded to your teeth with special light cured cement. Excess cement is removed and your bite is checked and adjusted. Your dentist will normally see you a few days later to evaluate the final cosmetic result and make any shape changes in the new veneers to maximize your new smile.
The following tips will help you maintain the beautiful appearance of your new veneers for many years:
- Brush your veneers with a soft toothbrush an clean around your gum line carefully. Avoid harsh abrasive toothpastes.
- Floss daily to remove plaque which can cause decay in between the teeth.
- Consider avoiding certain foods which could stain the margins of your veneers where they meet the natural tooth:
- Red wine
- Coffee
- Tea
- Berries
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
About Tooth Whitening
Bleaching of the teeth can greatly whiten the color of the teeth. The best indication for bleaching is when all the teeth have a similar but darkened color. Old tooth colored fillings must be replaced after bleaching since they will not lighten in color. Bleaching techniques vary from chairside 1 visit bleaching to at home techniques involving bleaching trays or bleach strips.
At home bleaching with soft pliable trays is the least expensive but still very effective technique. Impressions are taken to fabricate soft pliable trays which fit your teeth precisely (to avoid ingested large quantities of bleach). A mild bleaching gel is placed inside the trays. The trays are then inserted over your teeth to begin bleaching. The trays can be worn for 3 to 4 hour periods or worn overnight. 3 to 6 bleaching sessions are usually required for the desired bleaching result.
A new bleaching strip technique for the front teeth is available in professional strength for dental office use. It is much more powerful and effective than over the counter products.
See your dentist for more information on which technique is best for you.
About Dentures
If you have lost all of your natural teeth, whether it is from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, full dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit not only your appearance but also your health. You'll be able to eat and speak. These are two things that most people often take for granted until their natural teeth are prematurely lost.
A full denture, also called a complete denture, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips. Without support from the denture, facial muscles can sag, making a person appear older.
There are various types of complete dentures:
A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient's mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed. Healing may take several months.
An immediate full denture is inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. The dentures are then fabricated prior to removal of the remaining teeth. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
The framework of the full denture, called the denture base, is made of flesh colored acrylic plastic. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of the mouth) while that of the lower is shaped more like a horseshoe to accommodate room for the tongue. The gum and bone tissues of the dental ridge support the denture. The denture base, which conforms closely to the ridge, is held in place with a thin film of saliva. When the denture base of the upper denture rests over the gums and palate, a seal is created, which holds the denture in place. Cheek muscles and the tongue help hold the lower denture in place.
If you have a few sound individual teeth, the tooth roots may be used to provide support for an over denture. Root canal therapy is performed on the teeth. The dentist then reduces the teeth to just above the gum line. Special attachments can be used attach the over denture to these remaining roots. This holds the denture snugly in place. Good for lower dentures and sometimes with upper dentures where the ridge shape is unfavorable for good denture retention.
A complete denture may be attached to several implants (artificial roots that attach directly to the jaw), which allows a secure fit (especially on the lower jaw). Properly healed implants can help reduce jaw and gum shrinkage. Your dentist will determine what type of denture is right for you.
The good thing about dentures is that they can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth with little changes made or drastic improvements can be made in your new smile.
Immediate dentures normally require periodic adjustments and a permanent reline to improve the fit about 9 months after delivery.
All dentures require permanent relines every 4 to 5 years for proper fit. Complete dentures have a lifetime of about 10 years before they should be replaced.
About Partial Dentures
If you have a few sound individual teeth, they may be used to provide support for a partial denture. The partial denture is anchored to the strongest of the remaining teeth and is supported by the jaw bone ridge. It is removable. This can be an effective and more cost effective way to replace missing teeth. Saving some of the lower jaw teeth is a good idea if possible.
About Implants
This section will answer many of the questions you may have about implants. You may scroll down to read each section or click on any topic to jump to that topic.
- How long does a dental implant last?
- How many appointments are required?
- Is it painful?
- Will my insurance cover implants?
- May I finance my dental implant?
- Dental Implants: Are They Right For You?
Dental Implants Defined
An implant is an alternative to portable dentures, partials and bridges.
Just as a knee can be surgically reconstructed or a hip joint replaced, so too can missing teeth be replaced. If you are missing one or more teeth, you are probably experiencing some discomfort, either emotional or even physical and you will want replacements that are as natural as possible. A Dental Implant can offer stabilization for loose fitting dentures, support for existing bridgework, replacement for a single tooth or can be placed for a complete denture.
If dentures don't work for you, you may consider dental implants. Unlike dentures, which can be removed, implants are permanently anchored into the jaw itself. With implants you'll re-experience the ability to speak, laugh, chew and socialize with the confidence of permanent teeth.
Bioscience has fine-tuned the dental implant to allow placement of compatible materials within the bone to anchor one or more teeth. This process eliminates the need for bridges and even dentures. The procedures are ADA approved and the materials are FDA approved.
What is a dental implant?
The Dental Implant can be of many different designs. The most popular is a small metal (titanium) screw, which is surgically placed into the jawbone, much like an artificial hip or knee surgical replacement. After adequate healing time, a replacement tooth or teeth are made to fit into the implant. In selected cases, the implant can even be inserted at the time of tooth removal.
What are the advantages of a dental implant?
- Stabilize removable dentures
- Replace removable dentures
- Replace removable partial dentures
- Strengthen existing bridgework
- Single tooth replacement without crowning teeth on either side of the space to hold a crown
- Renewed confidence in your smile
- Clearer speech
- Increased ability to chew food
- Preserves bone through internal bone stress
- Increased sex appeal
- Teeth do not need to be removed at night
- Dental implants do not decay like teeth
How do I know if I am a candidate?
Many people are candidates for dental implants if they are missing teeth and are tired of full or partial dentures or do not wish to have a traditional bridge. A panorex X-ray and study models are usually all that is necessary. Sometime a CT scan is necessary to determine if adequate bone exists. In the case of inadequate bone synthetic bone substitute or a graft from your own hip will often provide the support necessary for your implants or different types of implants my be used. A referral to an oral surgeon will be required in these type of cases.
Dental Implants: Are They Right For You?
The Problem
More than 40 million Americans over the age of 55 have lost some of all of their teeth. As Americans live longer, more active lives, many of these people face up to 30 or 40 years of toothlessness, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Tooth loss results in an inevitable shrinkage of gums and jawbones which can lead to pain from ill-fitting dentures, decreased chewing function, subtle malnutrition, social withdrawal and emotional distress. Dentures place constant pressure on the jawbones, thereby acceleration shrinkage and causing dentures to fit poorly because they no longer have a solid foundation on which to rest securely and comfortably.
The Solution
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, however, are providing a more permanent solution to toothlessness with oral implants. Oral implants are permanent tooth root substitutes which are surgically placed in the jawbone and act as anchors to stabilize artificial teeth. The result is improved function, without the pain, frustration or other problems associated with conventional dentures and a restored self-confidence, which may have deteriorated as a result of tooth loss.
Not everyone who is missing teeth, however is a good candidate for oral implants. Implants are not recommended for persons prone to infections or for people who are unable to maintain stringent oral hygiene. Additionally, implants may not be appropriate for children and teenagers whose bones have not fully matured.
How long does a dental implant last?
Longevity cannot be guaranteed, though some patients have had their implants for
more than 25 years.
How many appointments are required?
Usually there is a consultation appointment to diagnose the nature of your problem. If you have a straightforward situation, then the implants can be inserted the next appointment. Occasionally additional studies are necessary before the surgery to insert your implants. The implant trained general dentist or oral surgeon who places the implant would like to see you for a Post Operative Visit to make sure everything is OK after placement. Your general dentist can make any adjustment needed to your existing partial or full dentures after implant placement. Three to six months need to elapse after your surgical implant insertion, and then the oral surgeon will expose your submerged implants through your gum tissue. You will then need several visits to your restorative dentists to have your new teeth made to fit your new dental implants. The oral surgeon may like to see you after your new teeth are fabricated to view your new smile.
Dental implants are often done through a team approach. Sometimes dental implants are placed and restored by the implant trained general dentist. Other times dental implants may be placed be oral surgeons depending on the difficulty of the case. After placement and healing, the implant trained general dentist will restore your missing teeth.
Is it painful?
Generally the discomfort of having an implant placed is less than having a tooth removed. For your comfort most procedures may be don't in my surgical facility, wither under local anesthesia or local anesthesia and IV sedation.
Will my insurance cover implants?
In most cases, we bill your dental insurance for the implants and for the teeth. Not all insurance companies will cover the cost of implant placement and restoration of missing teeth. We can help you determine what benefits are available with your dental insurance policy. If you have a severe medical problem, such as reconstruction for an oral cancer or severe weight loss, the oral surgeon may be able to obtain medical coverage for implant placement and restoration of missing teeth for you in some cases.
May I finance my dental implant?
Generally, fees are due the date of service. We accept American Express, Master Card, Visa and Discover. Financing is available through a credit company.
About Bridges
A bridge is a way to replace one or more missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth makes it easier to chew. It can improve your appearance. It also helps keep your teeth, gums, and jaws healthy.
Spaces left by missing teeth affect the rest of your teeth. These gaps can cause chewing problems. If even one tooth is missing, other teeth may slowly drift and shift out of place. This changes the way your teeth fit together (your bite). A poor bit may make your jaw sore. Your teeth may become harder to clean, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Shifting teeth may eventually ruin your smile.
A fixed bridge is one ore more replacement teeth permanently attached to the natural teeth next to them. The bridge does not come in and out of the mouth like a partial denture. It is fixed into place. A bridge can be made of metal, tooth colored porcelain, or a combination of the two. Your dentist can suggest the best option for you.
There are two main types of bridges:
- A conventional bridge has replacement teeth that are attached to crowns. The crowns are placed over the natural teeth on either side of the space to be filled.
- A Maryland bridge has replacement teeth that are attached to the back of nearby natural teeth using a metal wing. The metal wing is bonded to tongue side surface of the teeth where it is not visible. This type of bridge may be an option when the natural teeth on each side of a space to be filled are in excellent condition.
The bridge procedure takes two or more dental visits to complete.
For a conventional bridge, the teeth on either side of the space to be filled must be reshaped. These reshaped teeth hold crowns that support the bridge. Limited reshaping is also necessary with a Maryland bridge. Impressions of your teeth are taken for either type of bridge. These impressions are used by the dental laboratory to make your bridge. The lab process takes about 2 to 3 weeks. A temporary bridge is placed over the prepared teeth during this time. See your dentist immediately if your temporary bridge comes loose.
When your new bridge is ready, your dentist places it on your teeth and adjusts the fit until feels correct. The bridge is then cemented or bonded into place. Sometimes the dentist will need to make minor adjustments to the bite after a bridge has been worn for a few days.
Good home care (daily brushing and flossing) and regular cleanings and checkups at the dentist will help your new bridge last for many years.
About Teeth Grinding
Although teeth grinding (bruxism) can happen at any time, people often grind their teeth in their sleep. You cay not even know you are doing it. The causes of teeth grinding are not clear. Stress is one possible cause, but often the reason for the habit is unknown.
Teeth grinding may cause the following damage:
- Chipped enamel
- Flattened, grooved, and worn teeth
- Loosened teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Periodontal (gum) problems
- Damage to bridges or other dental implants
If unchecked, bruxism may lead to jaw muscle or joint problems and even loss of your teeth.
Your dentist will examine your entire mouth and ask several questions. This evaluation will help confirm that you do grind your teeth. It may also help identify a possible cause of your teeth grinding habit.
Symptoms like these may be
a signal that you grind your teeth:
- A sore, tired jaw
- Sensitive teeth
- Loose teeth
- Earaches
- Dull headaches
- Neck aches
- Clicking sounds when you open your mouth
Possible treatment for teeth grinding:
- A mouth guard is a plastic device that fits over your teeth. It protects them from grinding damage. It's worn when you're most likely to grind your teeth.
- A bite adjustment helps your upper and lower teeth fit and work together better. Correcting an uneven bite can reduce the chances or grinding.
- Reducing stress may make grinding less likely by relaxing your jaw muscles. Your dentist may suggest ways to reduce stress, such as exercise.
- Medication in some cases may help relieve sore muscles or reduce stress.
- Repair of damaged teeth may require crowns or onlays depending on the amount of wear on the tops of the teeth.
A mouth guard made by the dentist can help protect your teeth from damage due to grinding. Because many people need to wear one at night, a mouth guard is sometimes called a nightguard. It is custom made out of plastic and fits either over the top of your upper or lower teeth. Wear your mouth guard exactly as your dentists instructs.
About Non-Surgical Anti-Snoring Treatment
What causes snoring?
Snoring is a condition that occurs during sleep when the airway is narrowed, restricted or collapses, causing air to move more rapidly through the airway (especially when inhaling). The faster the air moves through the restricted airway, the greater chance there is for unsupported structures to vibrate, thus causing snoring.
Who suffers more?
It has been reported by the Mayo Clinic that the bed partner actually suffers more than the actual snorer. Therefore, the treatment of snoring actually helps two people get a better night's sleep.
Why treat snoring?
Snoring may cause a disruption in your sleep and may also disrupt the sleep of your bed partner. More importantly, snoring may cause sleep fragmentation which could lead to daytime fatigue, or more importantly:
- Loss of concentration
- Increased blood pressure
- Memory loss
- Other cardiovascular problems
- Anxiety and depression
Why do dentists treat snoring?
The dentist is well versed in the uses of oral appliances, such as splints, to treat a variety of conditions. In addition, the dentist is better equipped to handle any of the side effects that may occur with the use of this device. Many dentists today have become interested in helping patients who snore get a better, more rested, peaceful night's sleep. Using a particular type of anti snoring device is a very good way to accomplish this.
Other ways to help control snoring:
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Reduce your consumption of alcohol
- Get more exercise (walking is great!)
- Try not to sleep on your back
- Do not eat late at night
Talk to your dentist for more information.


text:
Journalists are eligible for free email subscriptions: TipSheet and WatchDog TipSheet (on access issues).
Translating Science/Telling Stories
Videos of journalists and scientists who attended workshops in 2012 and 2013 on improving climate change communications, a joint venture of MSU's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, the Society of Environmental Journalists, MSU's Kellogg Biological Station, the National Science Foundation and the Great Lakes Climate Change Education Partnership.
Birdwatcher's Guide to Global Warming
Produced by the American Bird Conservancy and National Wildlife Federation, the guide offers analysis of how global climate change may affect some bird species.
Photographer Gary Braasch's website is a non-commercial archive of global warming photo-documentation and information since 2002.
Produced by Oregon Sea Grant at Oregon State University, Communicating Climate Change is a series of taped interviews with leading social scientists on the question of how to communicate about climate change to a broad public. Interviewees as of April 18, 2008, include Anthony Leiserowitz, Susanne Moser, Caron Chess, Baruch Fischhoff and Ed Maibach. While intended for an audience of meteorologists, science journalists, government agency personnel, university outreach specialists, and members of non-governmental organizations, the podcast offers thought-provoking content for lay audiences as well.
"Climate Risk Management in Africa: Learning from Practice."
The IRI also releases monthly precipitation and temperature forecasts for the globe, and its Data Library has more than 300 data sets that can be charted, mapped or downloaded for free via the Web site. Press Contacts: Clare Oh, Public Information Officer, The Earth Institute at Columbia University, 212-854-5479 (tel.), 646-415-2479 (mobile); Francesco Fiondella, Communications Officer, International Research Institute for Climate and Society, 845-680-4476 (off.).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
After nearly four decades of public service and volunteering on various boards or organizations throughout Forest Hills, Collett has dedicated nearly his entire adult life in an effort to make his neighborhood a better place. For Collett, his reasons for involvement are simple.
"This is my neighborhood," Collett said. "I don't know how else to put it. I am committed to this neighborhood."
Collett, who owns a telecommunications business, is a member of Community Board 6, where he serves as chairperson of the Beautification Committee. He is also a member of the Forest Hills Civic Association and Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Collett said that for him, seeing improvements made in neighborhood streets and parks brings the most satisfaction.
"When I'm walking down the street I see something and say 'yea, I had something to do with that.' I take pride in it," Collett said. "That's what it's about for me."
Collett first became involved in local government in the early 1970's, around the same time he opened up his first business, Hoppy's and Socks. Collett said that times were different back then as people were more interested in local politics.
"Citizens were supposed be involved," Collett said. "I remember my grandmother telling me to get involved and this was a way that I could do that."
Collett has since closed Hoppy's, but has not lost his desire to serve his community. As the third generation in his family to live in Forest Hills, Collett has established his roots in the area and he says he has no plans to leave.
"I won't be going anywhere," Collett said.


text:
Whoever succeeds Christine Day as the new chief executive of yoga wear retailer Lululemon will lead an organization with a very distinct culture.
Employees are encouraged to read motivational self-help books that have inspired company founder Chip Wilson — including The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne — and attend unique self-empowerment training workshops.
Marketing expert Douglas Atkin said whatever Lululemon does to make itself different, it has evolved to become one of about 20 North American "cult brands," along with others such as Apple, Nike, Harley-Davidson and Ben & Jerry's.
While the word "cult" terrifies people who recall images of misguided souls drinking cyanide-laced Kool-Aid, Atkin feels cult-branding techniques can create tremendous success in business by fostering fanatical customer loyalty.
Day stunned many observers last week when she announced she would leave Lululemon as soon as a successor can be found, but Atkin thinks the company can withstand the loss of any one individual.
"It should survive this CEO change as long as they get a decent (replacement)," he said in an interview. "The new person will have to understand the culture of Lululemon and the vision of the brand. Finding someone from a packaged-goods background probably wouldn't cut it, but you never know."
Atkin said cult brands such as Lululemon don't just sell quality products. They promote a vision and a lifestyle.
Wilson wants the company to "elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness", and promotes a manifesto that is a hodge-podge of about 30 maxims to live by — including "friends are more important than money" and "what you do to the earth you do to yourself."
"Lululemon does have an ideology, albeit a little bit scatterbrained, but people really do buy into it," Atkin said.
The company declined a request to speak to The Sun about workplace culture.
Financial analyst Sam Poser, managing director of brokerage firm Sterne Agee, said Lululemon will look for "a real innovative visionary" who understands the company's unique culture.
"I think getting the culture and evolving the culture is the most important thing," he said. "I hope they don't put international experience ahead of culture (as the most important attribute for a new CEO). If they do that, it will not work in my eyes."
Poser feels Lululemon stores "suck money out of your pocket" when you walk in because employees are so engaged with what they do.
The manner in which employees are trained to become so engaged has raised eyebrows in some circles as Lululemon sends it workers to three-day Landmark Forum training workshops after they have been with the company for a year.
The sessions focus on self-empowerment principles created by Werner Erhard, and encourage attendees to call family members and friends to inform them of changes they are making in their lives and to apologize to them if necessary in order to make amends.
Employees are also encouraged to share their personal goals with co-workers, which was all a little too much for former Lululemon employee Kim Venu.
"I felt the lessons (at Landmark) were really valuable, but the format didn't work for me," she said. "It veered into the realm of being a little too preachy, almost evangelical."
Venu, who worked at the Fourth Avenue store in Vancouver, said employees were expected to have gotten something valuable from Landmark, and if you didn't, you could feel "a bit isolated."
But she stressed she never felt any kind of "bullying culture" at Lululemon, and feels there's a lot of value in the company's distinctive culture and its focus on investing in yourself, being healthy and reading self-improvement books.
"Their emphasis on goal setting is amazing, and I have since gone back and utilized the tools I learned at Lululemon to set goals in my own personal life," Venu said. "All the people I know who stayed or who left and went back have done amazingly well at Lulu, so there's obviously a great hiring process."
Matt Young, founder of Vancouver-based Innovative Fitness, doesn't send his employees to Landmark training, but knows all about it and believes strongly in the concept of workers creating a "personal inventory" for themselves so they fully understand their strengths and weaknesses.
"We can't deliver our best product without our people being their best," he said. "Our investment is in our people being their best — no baggage, no drama, no bullshit."
Innovative Fitness workers attend weekly, one-on-one, one-hour training sessions for the first 24 weeks of their employment. They are taught how best to manage themselves, personally and professionally.
After that, they have the option of taking a three-month program on how to manage others, including their clients.
"Personal training is almost a lawless, unregulated industry where people often think: 'I look good, therefore I must be able to make a living showing other people how to look good'," Young said. "It's not that easy."
He said it can cost a company $10,000 to hire an employee who doesn't work out, so investing in Landmark training or a 24-week personal development program amounts to a "drop in the bucket" to help ensure you develop the right type of workers for your business.
Young estimates about one in 20 applicants for Innovative Fitness jobs actually gets hired.
"From those 20 applicants, three will make it into orientation, and one will make it onto the training floor," he said. "If people don't look us in the eye or offer a firm handshake, they don't come back because you can't teach that stuff."
Young said employees are encouraged to reveal their personal goals with co-workers, but nobody is forced to share anything.
"Most people do share, and that's great because there's no better way to get to know your teammate and build up trust," he said.
"Imagine if your girlfriend or boyfriend gave you their personal inventory at the start of the relationship. How much better would that be in terms of working with them and knowing what pisses them off and knowing what motivates them?"
Young said the training at Innovative Fitness, Lululemon and other like-minded companies amounts to a "cult of positive behaviour."
"The people who go through these programs aren't complaining," he said. "It's the people who are fearful of it that call it a cult."
Atkin said cults get a bad reputation because the destructive ones get the most media attention. But he feels they are a perfectly normal part of human society.
"Without them, culture tends to atrophy and die," he said. "They can be the new ideas which help reinvigorate and change the culture and keep it moving."
Human resources consultant Cissy Pau, a principal at Clear HR Consulting, said there is nothing wrong with employers wanting workers to take training that encourages significant personal disclosure, as long as they make that clear from the outset.
"If that's part of the company culture and that's their values and you know that up front going in, then I think it's up to the employees to say: 'This is for me, or it's not for me'," she said.
Pau said training that encourages self-development and personal growth is generally used by lifestyle-oriented companies geared toward a younger market.
"You see it in companies trying to attract Gen Y workers who are very much value-driven and looking for an alignment between their personal values and the values of the company they work for," she said.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story referred to Werner Erhard as a former Scientologist. Erhard has never been a Scientologist.


text:
Integrating Sun Java Studio Creator Into Your Development Process
This is the first of three articles about Integrating Sun's Java Studio Creator into part of a larger development process within a business environment. This first part will cover the reasoning behind wanting to integrate creator into such a process, and the preparation work within other tools to create a Session EJB layer that will be suitable for consumption in Creator. Part 2 will cover the process of deploying the EJB layer to the Sun Application Server PE 8 embedded within Creator, and also creating and importing the EJB layer into Creator. Part 3 will give more details of what you do within Creator to harness the EJBs, including using serializable beans to transfer data and bind to Creator controls, and other strategies for transferring and binding data (collections, arrays, and so forth).
Since even before getting involved in the early access program for Sun's Java Studio Creator (previously known as project Rave, and henceforth referred to as Creator for brevity) a little over a year ago, my focus has been very simple: replace Microsoft's VB6 within our organization. The reasons for wanting to do this are pretty simple, first, VB6 is now deprecated in favor of .NET; second, most of our development work is already done in Java and has been for years; third, VB6 isn't cross platform and increasingly our customers want Unix (or Linux) deployments of our software.
Originally, we sought to make the move by adopting a single tool to suit our needs. We looked at several, and eventually settled on Oracle's JDeveloper (for reasons I will not go into here). We completed several projects using JDeveloper that were largely successful; however, there were a number of shortcomings, and it quickly became apparent that by removing VB6 from our tool chain, we had also lost something in our process.
Our VB6 usage was limited to creating graphical UIs, with the business logic, persistence, and other supporting functionality being written completely in Java. While this made life harder for communication between the two languages, one big advantage was that it made us design our UI/Business Logic interface with a great deal of care.
Using the ADF framework in JDeveloper for the whole application did allow us to create Web applications extremely quickly, but also imposed a number of costs on us. The main cost was in our design, we quickly found that in order to meet the tight deadlines, some of the functionality bled across architectural boundaries. Struts actions ended up containing business logic and even database table concerns, while special view objects were constructed at the lowest levels of the ADF just to satisfy the needs of a particular screen. The more View Objects we added at the low end, and functionality we added in the struts page actions, the harder the codebase became to unit test, maintain, and even understand.
Beyond this was the problem that our UI designers faced a far larger learning curve and an unfamiliar environment when creating the Web UI for the application. JDeveloper is a remarkably flexible tool, but as with all such tools, the flexibility comes at the price of simplicity.
The more I considered the problem, the more I saw that having separate tools for the UI and business logic layers was not a problem, but an advantage. Separate tools make it a lot easier to stay on the rails of good architecture even when facing tight deadlines. Furthermore, by concentrating on the UI creation task, Creator remains simple and well bounded, and the designers have worked at making it familiar to anyone who has used VB or .NET for UI design. The learning curve for UI designers is greatly reduced; this then frees the architects to concentrate on the Business Logic, Persistence, and other functionality.
I relate this because I suspect it will sound familiar to other architects, especially those who have developed using a fully integrated J2EE development environment. The speed of development in these tools often forces a compromise of design or architecture that, in the longer term, leads to trouble.
The Approach
Given the experiences from previous projects, for this one I started to look into the possibility of using JDeveloper for its strengths (including easy persistence, easy EJB construction, and other strong J2EE support), and harnessing this work through a well-designed API that would then be consumed within Creator, and which would be used exclusively to design the API. By settling on the API at an early stage and stubbing it out with set return values, we were able to get the UI developers working on the screens even while the architects were constructing the API business logic and persistence. It also provided a perfect contact point for extensive unit and functionality testing.
As a part of the lead up to this project, I looked into a number of options for integrating the various tiers. Before I address these options, I will give a brief overview of the architecture, and in this case the technologies used for each.
Some notes on the architecture
The architecture described in the diagram is the architecture we are aiming for in future projects at NewEnergy Associates (the company I work for). You will notice the use of Stateless Session EJBs for the API rather than exposing Entity EJBs. Unlike some, I am not against the very notion of Entity EJBs, and I have seen that, with careful use, they can work well and not be the slow memory hogs so many describe them as. That said, I still find exposing an API based on Session Beans to be a better choice because it lets you expose the API you want, rather than one at least partially dictated by the underlying data storage.
Whether you choose to use Entity EJBs for the API, local references to Entity EJBs exposed to your session EJB API, or anything else you might want (Hibernate, JDO, and so on) is of course up to you, and that is the beauty of designing your own architecture. The main point here is that you should decide on an API layer that you will construct with whatever tools are currently to hand in your organization, or with new tools that you decide fit best. The API layer provides a focus for your design efforts, without getting bogged down in screen or Web page requirements, and also provides a perfect layer upon which to run extensive automated unit and functional tests.
Another option I will mention at this stage (and one that is poignant to us because we are using it on the current project I am working on) is avoiding the Session EJBs altogether. The reasons for doing this may vary, but in our case it is because the current customer is running Tomcat, and wishes to continue running Tomcat. Rather than mess with including a third-party EJB container, and because the project is not expected to scale to hundreds of users in this instance, we decided to stick to the same design principals (Persistence layer, business logic layer, API layer) but in this case the result of the API layer would be plain old jar files, which could then be included into Java Studio Creator as a library. With the exception of that one change, everything else remains the same.
For the rest of this article, however, I will proceed as if using the Session EJB layer. The use of plain old jars is pretty straightforward (hint, after creating and testing your jar files, in Creator right-click on the library references in the navigator pane and select Create New Library Reference. In the resulting dialog, add the jar(s) created to the class libraries. For extra points, add the source code directory or zipped source file under the source libraries tab; this will enable the javadoc popups when using IntelliSense).
Page 1 of 2
This article was originally published on March 14, 2005
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Lolo Homeowner Shoots Visitor in the Head
Authorities in western Montana say a Lolo man shot a visitor in the head Sunday morning when the visitor refused to leave and then walked toward the homeowner.
The Missoula County Sheriff's Office tells the Missoulian that the man who was shot has been taken to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula and is in stable condition.
Sheriff's Detective Jason Johnson says the shooting reported at about 12:15 a.m. involved a 55-year-old man and a 38-year-old man.
He says the visitor pushed the homeowner to the ground. The homeowner retrieved a .22-caliber pistol and told the other man to leave.
Johnson says the visitor challenged the homeowner to shoot and stepped forward.
The homeowner fired once, striking the visitor in the forehead.
No names have been released.
[via www.missoulian.com]


text:
Ah September.
This September is particularly important to me because it marks A) the fact that my husband and I have survived one year of marriage without killing each other and B) the fact that in a year, we haven't taken any sort of vacation. Those two facts combined was enough reason for us to pack our bags and head eastward to my husband's native Puerto Rico.
They call the island "La Isla Del Encanto" (The Island Of Enchantment) and after a visit of only a week, I can see why. Because after that one week, there are many things I miss about it already. I miss that all its buildings, no matter if in wealthy community or in a not-so-wealthy one, are painted in colors that make you think of ice cream and salt water taffy. I miss the singing of the coquí, a type of tree frog native to the island, at night. I miss the warmth and hospitality of my in-laws and everyone else that I met. And the food...
Yes, I miss the food dearly.
Until last week, my understanding of Puerto Rican food has been based on four meals: two good but very limited meals from a Puerto Rican cafe in Maui of all places and from my husband's grandmother, and two bad ones from a couple of half-assed but rare-to-come-by Puerto Rican-slash-Mexican-or-pan-Caribbean joints here in the Southland. Until last week, my knowledge of Puerto Rican food was limited pretty much to pasteles, a dish similar to tamales but made with plantains instead of corn masa and wrapped in a banana leaf instead of a corn husk, and arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas). But after my trip, my experience with Puerto Rican flavors expanded in a big way, and I was lucky enough to taste it both the home-cooked- and restaurant-cooked way.
So what is Puerto Rican food like? Well first let me show you where and what I ate...
Mami's (a.k.a. my Mother-In-Law's) meal of carne mechada, arroz y habichuelas, amarillos, and guineos en escabeche could not have been any more comforting after a long trip out from the mainland. Beef braised with potatoes, green olives, onion and tomato paired with Puerto Rico's "daily bread"--medium-grain rice with a nice hint of oil, stewed pink beans, and sweet plantains--warmed and soothed the soul despite heat and humidity that made one feel like they were breathing hot mud.
A dish that I'd never heard of was guineos en escabeche, a dish of green bananas marinated in oil, vinegar, onion and garlic. Both filling and slightly refreshing from the unripe banana flavor, this is a dish that has a definite acquired taste.
Mami's arroz con salchichas, or rice with vienna sausages, was downright ghetto, and I loved it. How many times have I thrown Spam and corn together to make fried rice? How many times did my Grandma slice hot dogs up and throw them into her fried rice? How do you think kimchi bokum-bap was created? The same way arroz con salchichas was invented, I'm sure. I gobbled this up, along with a delicious pastel filled with tender pork and a pastelillo, an empanada-like pastry filled with a tasty ground beef and cheese mixture.
pastel y arroz con salchichas
My husband and I stayed in Isla Verde, a beachy area near the airport that's densely packed with hotels and tourists. I think it's where alot of Caribbean cruise goers make their layover, hence the abundance of tourist trappy chain restaurants such as Ruth's Chris Steak House and Momoyama in the area. For us, however, it was pretty much all about roadside food, and in Puerto Rico, there is definitely no lack of it. We ate at Bebo's BBQ one night, drive-in like joint located in Carolina right alongside the highway. We were the only tourists amongst a long line of locals--a good sign if you ask me. For a little over thirteen bucks, we got ourselves three huge plates of food: a half pound of lechon asado (roast pork) roasted so that the meat stayed juicy-tender and the skin had a perfect crackly crunch, one half a pollo asado (roast chicken) also perfectly roasted, some amarillos (sauteed plantains) and a plate of morcilla (Sausage stuffed with blood and rice).
I wanted to like the morcilla--I really did--but it was the intense culantro flavor in the thing that sent me away. Culantro is an herb used frequently in Puerto Rican cooking--an herb that's like cilantro's evil-er twin brother--and those that know me well know that I'll eat pretty much anything--stomach, intestines, blood, liver, kidneys--but nothing makes me gag faster than that vile soapy weed. No offense, cilantro and culantro lovers.
One of the favorite parts of this trip was the drive along the northeastern coast of the island. As we left Isla Verde and headed east into the towns of Piñones and Loíza, there was literally food kiosk after food kiosk on the sides of the road. This had to be unreal, right? Was I dreaming that I could literally stop and get some good, down-home food and snacks, drive off, stop at the beach and play, get back in the car, drive down the road some more, stop at another food kiosk and repeat the process over and over again? If I had been dreaming, I'd never want to wake up. But it was all real. It was not a dream.
I think it was a good thing that it was still relatively early and that many of these kioskos were not open for business yet, else I would have had to stop at all of them. And then I would have gained 40 pounds solely from all the fried snacks I would have eaten. No, fortunately for me, we stopped at only a few and I perhaps gained only 10 pounds from all the delicious snacks I ate. At any one of these kioskos, you can get mofongo (a dish made of mashed fried green plantains), arroz con jueyes (rice with crab), a variety of seafood cocktails, and best of all, a variety of deep fried snacks. My favorite one was the pionono, made of sweet plantain stuffed with seasoned ground beef and deep fried--so fucking good with its crispy, caramelized exterior that gave way to a juicy interior of both sweet and salty flavors.
I also loved the popular alcapurria, a fried tube-shaped snack made of a mixture of plantains and yautia and stuffed with meat, in this case, ground beef.
I wish that the place that made my bacalaito, a salt cod fritter and another local favorite, had made it better. The one we had tasted of stale oil and we were just too stuffed to try one from another place.
For about a buck more at most of these kioskos, you can add a cup of ice cold mavi, a drink made of the bark of the Colubrina tree and sugar. Definitely an acquired taste, mavi has a sweetish-tartish taste to it and is probably what drinking liquid haw flakes would be like. Sorry, but I think I like my haw flakes better in solid form.
And as if the kioskos in Piñones and Loíza were not enough, there are even more a little further eastward in the coastal town of Luquillo. Here, there is about a three block stretch of end-on-end kioskos selling the same types of foods.
It was here that I tried mofongo for the first time and fell in love. It's a dish made with fried green plantains mashed with garlic, oil and chicharrones, served either with a side of meat or relleno (filled) with some type of meat. I chose to have mine con carne frita, with fried pork chunks. The pork was fried until the meat was a wee bit crispy and until its luscious layer of fat had a nice snap to it. Paired with the garlicky salitiness of the mofongo, I was in heaven.
Afterwards, I had some cold coconut water (coco frio) served in a whole coconut to wash it down. Good, but the place we got it from needed to serve it colder.
While in Luquillo, we also tried a place called King Seafood that Mami recommended, a place not within the slew of kioskos, but tucked away on another street. It was here that I really discovered how fresh Puerto Rican seafood can be. Though the name in Spanish escapes me, we had these fried mahi-mahi nuggets that were so damn fresh that I almost mistook them for chicken.
Asopao, a soup made with some sort of meat (in this case shrimp) and rice, was enjoyed by all except yours truly because of its heavy culantro flavor.
Ensalada de pulpo, a cocktail-like salad of octopus, peppers and onions, was refreshing after having eaten so much fried food and red meat and further showcased the island's fresh seafood.
On the side, some tostones, fried patties of green plantain, and sorullitos de maíz, fried corn fritters reminiscent of hushpuppies, were welcome additions to our meal.
So what is Puerto Rican food like, you ask? From what I know now, it's a cuisine that combines Indian, Spanish, and African influences into a flavor all its own. Fried, stewed and roasted meats are popular and are often served with rice and beans or some sort of tropical starchy fruit/root/tuber such as the plantain or yucca. Foods are generously seasoned, say, with sofrito, adobo, achiote or sazón, but are not spicy in a scotch bonnet pepper sort of way. I could go on and on with my descriptions and observations about Puerto Rican cuisine, but the most important thing I took away was that wherever I ate, whether it was at Mami's house or at some guy's pincho stand on the side of the road, there was alot of heart put into this food...the kind of passion that comes only when one reaches to the depths of one's soul to cook like it's the last time they'll ever cook. That, my friends, is Puerto Rican cuisine.