Princeton's Ask The Doctor September/October 2019

K I D S ’ H E A L T H & C A M P

...continued from page 12

the criteria for autism, you may want to get a goal-standard evaluation, such as an Autism Diagnostic Inventory or Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule, as the next step in the assessment process. These are assessments that are used to deter- mine if someone meets diagnostic criteria for ASD. You also can request a child study team evaluation from your child’s school. If the child study team agrees to do an assessment for individualized education program (IEP) services as part of their comprehensive evaluation, an autism evaluation could be included. In addition to getting the right diagnosis and the right treatment services in place, talk with your provider about your fears and concerns and identify key members of your support system. Some helpful interventions include looking for support groups in your area or tapping into the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network for help.

Resources for children with autism are expanding and access is improving. You can improve your child’s overall prognosis by getting services in place as early as possible. With the right interventions, children with autism can enjoy a great quality of life and develop the tools they need to achieve their goals. Looking Back—And Ahead My perspective on autism has changed dramatically over the past two decades. My understanding of autism spectrum disorder is far deeper, and I’m optimistic that patients on the spectrum will live positive, productive lives. In my practice, I have seen patients with autism successfully graduate high school and go on to earn college degrees. I’ve seen patients secure jobs through educational and vocational training programs, and I look forward to seeing these patients get married and start families of their own. In fact, the tenacity and intensity that’s inherent in many individuals with autism is one of the most positive aspects of the disorder. With increasing awareness and ongoing development of behavioral health programs for children with autism, there are more options for these individuals to learn, earn, build relationships, and become positive, admirable role models. Ankur Desai, MD, is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist on staff at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, N.J. He also maintains a private where he provides outpatient medication management and psychotherapy services for children and adults. Dr. Desai can be reached by calling 866-CENTRA7.

QUESTION: Many of my teeth are not in good condition for various reasons. What are some of my options to allow me to smile and eat with no difficulty?

In my practice I place a minimum of six implants for better stability. After the implants are in their prescribed position, the prosthesis is retro-fitted onto the implants and verification of alignment is made. Most patients are both pleased and amazed with the results they see.

It is important to keep in mind that teeth can become non- restorable for various reasons. Initially, one thinks of decay and periodontal (gum disease) issues as the cause. In many cases, these two issues can effect teeth that are natural, with or without fillings / crowns on them. Trauma or grinding of teeth can also cause potential loss of teeth. Regardless of the reason, loosing teeth can create many esthetic and functional problems for most people. For the purpose of this article, I will focus on complete loss of teeth in either the entire upper or lower arch. When someone looses all the teeth in an arch, several treatment options are now available. Many people think that dentures are the necessary treatment, but today that is not the case. Dental implants can be utilized in many combinations. The most discussed treatment option for complete arch restorations involve immediate implant placement and insertion of teeth in one day. This technique requires the placement of four to six implants followed by a single unit set of teeth.

David P. Young, DMD, DICOI

It is important to keep in mind, the clinical treatment can take place in one visit, but there needs to be a few appointments prior to the surgical day to take the necessary impressions and gather all the necessary clinical date. Each patient’s pre-treament condition will determine the number of presurgical appointments. For the next few months a modified diet is followed since the implants can not be placed under heavy chewing function. The details of the diet will be discussed prior to treatment. After about 4-5 months the final prosthesis is fabricated to give you your new beautiful smile and wonderful chewing ability. If you have any questions regarding full arch dental treatment, feel free to contact my office for a complementary consultation and CT scan.

4432 Route 27, CN-201, Kingston, NJ 08528 Phone: 609.497.0808 www.David YoungDMD.com

www.GuntherPublications.com

Publishing Enterprises, Inc. GUNTHER