October - Wingspan

October 12, 2009lccc.wy.edu/wingspan18 WingspanBy AlyxBenintendeAdvertising ManagerVampire movies,TV shows and booksare all the rage thisHalloween, enticing agrowing vampire cultureacross the UnitedStates spurring newtrends in fashion andculture that represent“Vampirophiles.”Perhaps the moststriking body modificationprocedurein the undergroundvampire culture is thecreation of “fangs.”Vampire fangs canbe created in a varietyof ways, ranging fromtemporary to permanent,with varyingoral health implications.Permanentmethods includesharpening some, orall, of one’s teeth orelongating the canineteeth using a crownto create the desired“fang”aesthetic.But teeth sharpeningis certainlynot new or uniquearound the world.Teethsharpeningnot aSharpprocedureThe growing fad of teeth filing causesconcern among the dental communityand may lead to future health problems.Women of theMentawai tribe inIndonesia use a smallknife and a pieceof wood to create apoint on all teeth;this is considered theultimate beauty statement.However, LaramieCounty CommunityCollege dental hygienestudent ChristineLeising stressedthe consequencesof such a DIY filingprocedure.First, extreme painwould result fromcontinuous heat andcold shock caused bythe reduced thicknessof tooth surface thatwould have ordinarilyprotected thenerve from trauma.“The more the toothsurface is reduced,the greater the likelihoodof tooth decayoccurring,” Leisingsaid. If the nerve diesas a result of nerveexposure, a root canalmust be performed,leaving the remainingstructure brittle, Leisingadded.Theoretically, adentist could reducea tooth to a stumpand then have aceramist create the“fang” as a crown.But Leising was quickto point out thatelongation of thecanine tooth in thisway can also causedamage. The caninetooth must first bedestroyed to place thecrown, endangeringthe tooth enamel andincreasing the risk ofcavities and bacterialproblems becausethe protective enamelcannot re-generate.“When peoplechoose to have theirteeth permanentlylengthened, theyaffect the occlusion,or bite,” Leising said.This can lead tochronic headachesand jaw problems.Roxanne Powers,LCCC clinical coordinatorfor the dentalhygiene program,expressed concernabout these permanentproceduresbeing performedin tattoo shops, notunder a dentist’ssupervision.Powers explainedthe ethical dilemmaa dentist wouldconfront if askedto alter the canineteeth to create permanentfangs. Theprimary responsibilityof both dentistand hygienist is topromote oral health.The creation of anypermanent “fang”modification wouldrequire the destructionof a toothstructure and wouldcreate an “ethicalissue that endangersthe license of anyprofessional dentist,”Powers said.Semipermanentoptions include abond that can becreated with resinand molded intofangs.This optiondoesn’t destroy thetooth structure;however, the occlusionwould still beaffected.Powers and Leisingboth agreed thebest solution forthose who desirevampire fangs is atemporary retainerlikeoption thatcan be created by adentist and removedat will.First-time Home BuyerTax CreditAsk about the $8000 Tax Creditfor New Home Buyers!· Home must be purchased and closed no later thanNovember 30, 2009.Call soon...time isrunningout!· You qualify if you have not owned a principle residenceduring the 3-year period prior to the purchase.· The Tax Credit is equal to 10% of the home’s purchase priceup to a maximum of $8000.· Income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000for married taxpayers filing a joint return.· Homes that qualify for the tax credit include single-familydetached homes, townhomes, condominiums andmanufactured homes.· This tax credit does not have to be repaid. Home Buyers mustuse the residence as their principle residence for at least 3years or face recapture of the tax credit amount.