Here at McAdams Dental, we aren’t just tooth mechanics. The mouth is the gateway to the body, and when you receive a dental exam in our office, we make sure we evaluate how the oral cavity and head and neck area can affect your systemic health, including checking for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer is a potentially deadly disease that affects thousands of people every year. Unfortunately, many patients are unaware of its existence until it has progressed to a more serious stage. As dental professionals, it is crucial for us to help educate our patients about the importance of oral cancer screenings and why they should be an essential part of their dental checkup routine.
 
The American Cancer Society’s estimated number of new oral cancer and pharynx cancer cases in the U.S. in 2022 is 54,000!
 
What is Oral Cancer?
 
Oral cancer includes cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, and floor/roof of the mouth. The disease can spread quickly and affect neighboring tissues, which is why early detection is so critical. In some cases, oral cancer can spread to other parts of the body, making it even more dangerous.
 
Who is at Risk?
 
Anyone can develop oral cancer, but certain factors can increase the likelihood of getting it.

These include:
- Smoking or using tobacco products. 
**About 85% of patients with oral cancer use tobacco products in one of its forms.**
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Exposure to the HPV virus
- Poor nutrition
- Family history of cancer
- UV radiation exposure to the lips
 
Why are Oral Cancer Screenings Important?
 
Oral cancer screenings are crucial in detecting any signs of oral cancer early, when treatment is most successful. During a screening, a dentist looks for irregularities on the mouth, lips, throat, and surrounding tissues. Common symptoms associated with oral cancer include:
 
- Red or white patches on the gums or tongue
- A lump or bump on the tongue, gums, or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- A persistent sore throat
- Unexplained bleeding
 
What to Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening
 
A typical oral cancer screening starts with a visual examination of the mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues. The dentist will then feel the neck and jaw area for any lumps or enlarged lymph nodes as well as palpate the jaw joint for any pops, clicks or discomfort while opening or closing your mouth. During this time, you may be asked questions about your medical history to help assess your risk factors.
 
If any suspicious areas are discovered during the exam, we will document any findings and set up another appointment to reevaluate the area after a few weeks. Most oral lesions will resolve on their own in that time frame. If a lesion does not resolve, you may need to undergo other diagnostic tests or a tissue biopsy to further assess the area. However, it is essential to remember that most oral cancer screenings will reveal no suspicious areas, and there is no need for concern.
 
Oral cancer can be a devastating and life-threatening condition. However, early detection through regular oral cancer screenings can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment. Dr. McAdams experienced this situation first hand when he discovered a lesion in a patient’s mouth during a routine dental examination that concerned him enough to order a biopsy.  Pathology reports indicated that a small white bump in the area where a molar had been extracted recently was an uncommon form of carcinoma.  When caught early (like this was), oral cancers can be removed entirely and without complication.  When allowed to progress unchecked, oral cancers can lead to complete removal of the tongue, lower jaw or in severe cases can be fatal.
 
How often are the oral screenings done in the office?
 
At McAdams Dental, we conduct a head and neck exam every time you have a dental check up and cleaning. If it has been a while since your last checkup, make an appointment with us today to schedule your next oral cancer screening.

Why Do I Need X-rays?
Did you know that dentists, even with our high powered headlight and magnifying glasses, can only see about 1/3 of your tooth? Dental x-rays help our dentists to find, diagnose and treat dental problems that may not be visible through visual examination alone.
 
Dental x-rays are used to:
●Find cavities between the teeth (dental caries)
●Determine the number, size and position of teeth in the mouth
●Check for bone loss caused by periodontal disease (gum disease)
●Check for tooth infections and see tumors or cysts in their early stages.
●Check for any other tooth or bone abnormalities
 
Without the use of dental x-rays, dentists are not able to diagnose problems in the mouth until they become very large. This leads to more infections, broken teeth, patient discomfort and possible tooth loss. X-rays allow for early diagnosis and treatment of dental problems, which in turn helps patient to avoid larger dental procedures like root canals, crowns and extractions.
 
Early diagnosis and treatment is critical in situations involving tumors. We check for tumors during your routine dental examination and have a history of finding cancerous lesions in patients that were able to receive potentially lifesaving treatment due to timely x-rays and examination.
 
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Dental x-rays are considered very safe. Here at McAdams Dental we practice a radiology safety technique called ALARA, which stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable. This means that we will only expose a patient to the minimum amount of radiation necessary to help diagnose and treat them properly. In order to achieve this, we now use an all digital x-ray system.  This upgraded technology allows us to limit your radiation exposure to the lowest possible limits...in fact, our digital x-rays produce 90% less radiation than traditional film x-rays.
 
How much radiation will I get from dental X-Rays?
The amount of radiation absorbed by the body is measured by a unit called microsieverts (mSv). In a typical day, the average American will absorb about 10 mSv as background radiation. Absorption for a routine set of 4 bitewing x-rays, used to check for cavities, is only about 0.8 mSv.

​See the table below for some common radiation absorption amounts from our everyday lives.

​Are Dental X-Rays Safe During Pregnancy?
During your pregnancy, x-rays may be needed as part of your treatment plan for a dental disease. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, dental care, including dental x-rays, are safe during pregnancy. Use of a lead apron with a thyroid collar will protect you and your baby from radiation exposure.
 
 
How Often Do I Need Dental X-Rays?
How often dental x-rays are taken depends on
●Age of the patient and development of teeth
●Oral health and clinical findings
●Patient’s risk for dental caries and/or periodontal disease
●Presence of signs or symptoms of oral disease or infection.
X-rays may be prescribed as often as 6 months, or as long as 24 months, depending on the individual patient’s risk factors. In our office, we typically recommend most patients get diagnostic bitewing images yearly and a panoramic image every 5 years.
 
If you are interested in learning more about dental x-rays, or in having a full dental examination, please contact McAdams Dental to make an appointment today. Our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns and make sure you feel comfortable and safe throughout all your dental care.  (480) 991-4727

Same Day Dental Crowns in Scottsdale, Arizona

At McAdams Dental, we understand that your time is valuable. By using the latest technologies like CEREC Intraoral Scanning and In Office Milling of Porcelain or Zirconia crowns, we are able to provide single appointment, same day crowns for our patients in many situations. No more waiting for two weeks for the lab to make your new crown. We are able to make your custom fit, high quality crown in one single appointment.

Why might I need a same day crown?
There are many reasons why a patient might require a same day dental crown. Sometimes a tooth can be repaired with other methods like bonding or smoothing, but a same day dental crown is necessary when a tooth:

• Is broken or cracked
• Has had root canal treatment
• Has failing existing dental fillings
• As part of your cosmetic goals
• Is discolored or misshapen
• Is being used as part of a dental bridge

How is a Same Day CEREC Crown made?

At McAdams Dental, your same day crown is custom fabricated using the CEREC CAD/CAM milling system. The tooth is prepared for a crown and we use a high quality camera to take a 3D digital scan of your teeth (No more messy impression material that sits in your mouth for 5 minutes). We then use our computer assisted design tools to customize your crown to the proper shape and contour and make sure that it will be comfortable and healthy for your bite. The digital design is then sent to our milling machine that will process your same day crown in minutes. After trying in and confirming the proper fit and comfort of the crown, the same day crown is then polished, glazed and placed in our in office furnace for finalization. After cooling, your same day crown is cemented into your mouth and ready for action.


Do you still make traditional crowns at McAdams Dental?

Sure we do!  Every situation requires an exam and careful consideration of the best materials.  At times, we may recommend a crown without same day crown technology.  There are certain times when the best option is a gold crown, or times when a cosmetic crown may require a lab for custom color matching. 

Traditional crowns are processed in multiple appointments. Patients will be placed in a temporary crown for about 2 weeks while the dental lab makes their crown. It is important for patients to be careful to not eat anything hard, sticky or chewy on their temporary crown, or risk it breaking or coming loose, leading to more appointments and discomfort. Patients typically also will need to be numb for multiple visits, including when the final crown is delivered after two weeks.

If you are looking for a dentist using the latest technology to make your visits as easy as possible, give us a call to set up a consultation.  We would love to help you achieve a comfortable and beautiful smile of your dreams.

McAdams Dental Is conveniently located In Scottsdale, Arizona near the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard.  

​Our awesome front desk team is waiting for your call at 480-991-4727.

If you are looking for a dentist widely recognized as one of the best around...give our office a call.  Dr. Gibbons and Dr. McAdams would be happy to help you reach your smile goals...and we would love to meet you!

Click here to contact us:

To read more about the best of the valley:
https://www.phoenixmag.com/2022/07/07/2022-best-of-the-valley/

Effective July 31, 2021, McAdams Dental will be exclusively contracted with the CAREINGTON PLATINUM Dental Insurance Network.  In the ever changing world of dental insurance, we feel that Careington has served our practice well for many years as an umbrella of dental insurance networks.  Luckily, this change will not affect many of our current insurance relationships and business will continue as usual.  If your dental insurance does not fall under this network it is important to understand the following:
​
IF YOUR PLAN DOES NOT ROLL OVER, MCADAMS DENTAL WILL BECOME OUT-OF-NETWORK AND YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:

When you have PPO dental insurance, you are free to choose any provider you wish.  Many of our patients continue to visit our office with out-of-network plans and we hope you will too.  You should look into your particular coverage when visiting an out-of-network provider to fully understand how this will affect you.    
Please note the following information related to out-of-network billing practices after 7/31/2021:

Payment for Services:  You will be required to pay for your dental treatment at the time of service.  Reimbursement for your services will be paid directly from the insurance company to the subscriber of the policy.   Claims are generally paid within a couple of weeks.  Our office will not receive payments or EOBs (Explanation of Benefits) directly from the company.  

Plan Benefit Information:  We will no longer have your frequency and plan coverage information. You may contact your insurance company directly or refer to your plan benefit information to determine when and what will be covered.  

Estimate of Copay:  As an out of network provider, we will not have the ability to estimate copay.   

Filing of Claims:  We will continue to file dental insurance claims for our out-of-network patients.  Once filed, the insurance company will coordinate directly with the plan subscriber and we will not be included in their correspondence. Please call our office if you have any questions related to our insurance billing practices, and thank you in advance for your understanding on this issue.  We are more than happy to discuss this change on the phone, or in person if you would like.  Just let us know how we can help.

On 6/18/2020, with cases of Covid-19 increasing at an accelerating rate, the Mayor of Scottsdale issued a proclamation requiring face coverings while in public spaces.  Obviously you cannot receive dental services in our office with a mask on, so we are interpreting this order as follows:

Patients in our dental office will be required to arrive wearing facial coverings and keep them on while waiting in our office, moving about our office and when making scheduling and payment arrangements.  When seated in a dental chair, the patient will be asked to remove their mask as needed by their dental providers.  

If a patient is accompanied by a guest, they will be required to wear a face covering at all times or wait in their vehicle if they prefer not to wear a mask.

For questions regarding Specifics of the order, The full order can be read here:

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/ScottsdaleAZ/News/News+Images/News+documents/scottsdale-emergency-proclamation-june-18-2020.pdf

Well here we are, in the middle of our third week back to work and it feels great to be helping people smile again!!!  We have been so pleased to fix so many of the tooth issues that popped up during the stay in place order.  Initially our office worked to schedule the most urgent issues for treatment and as of now we are working to address more "normal" dental issues for our patients.  Dr. McAdams and Dr. Gibbons are back to a normal schedule and available for any of your dental needs.  We are booking up full days and working as hard as we can to get everyone taken care of.

We are asking for some patience while we work towards getting all of your cancelled dental cleanings rescheduled.  You can imagine how challenging it is to find a new appointment for 6 weeks worth of displaced patients.  How are we doing this you might ask? 

• As always, our advanced confirmation process creates opportunities for patients to be rescheduled.  
• We are confirming appointments farther in advance than usual to help create scheduling opportunities.
• We have cancelled all of our staff vacation/holiday plans for the next few months which has made opportunities for scheduling as well.
• We are working some extra days (so far we have booked some fridays in May and June) to help accomodate your needs as well.

Our enhanced infection control procedures remain in place and our patients seem to appreciate the extra effort we are putting in to keeping our team and our patients safe during these strange times.  Click here if you would like to know more about our infection control protocols.

We can't wait to see you again soon...stay safe and stay healthy!

On April 22, Governor Ducey issued an executive order allowing a return to clinical operations for Arizona dentists.  Throughout our mandated closure, I had the opportunity to help several patients with dental emergencies and I can tell you that with each week we are closed...the frequency and severity of dental emergencies is increasing.  We have always been big believers in preventative dentistry, so we are happy for the opportunity to return to operations and help maintain the oral health of our dental family.  I have always felt it is best to "put out a fire while it is small"...and not let things progress too far before addressing any dental issues.  That is why I am excited about the opportunity to get back to helping maintain the oral health of our patients.

We will be spending the early part of next week training our staff on the most current safety guidelines, updating our safety protocols and refreshing our already high standards for infection control.  We will then prioritize outstanding treatment appointments by urgency and slowly return to our "new normal."

Please understand that we will be doing everything we can to reschedule displaced appointments while preserving the high standard of safety in our offices.  If you have any questions about our procedures, you can visit our infection control page for a summary of our current safety procedures HERE. 

Feel free to send the office team a voice or text message if you need to reach us...and we will get back to you as soon as we are able!

I look forward to seeing you all again soon, I've missed you dearly!

​Don McAdams, DDS