Dr. Allan Acton of Cary Family Dental Named 2010 Triangle Impact Health Care Leader

Distinction recognizes individuals who have helped shape the Triangle medical community

CARY, NC – June 16, 2010 – Dr. Allan Acton of Cary Family Dental was recently honored by Business Leader magazine as one of the publication’s 2010 Triangle Impact Health Care Leaders. Dr. Acton opened Cary Family Dental in 2003 with the philosophy that education was going to play a fundamental role in how his practice was managed. Since that time, he has become one of the Triangle’s most accomplished and trusted dentists.

Dr. Acton was one of twenty-two physicians and/or industry executives to be recognized this year by Business Leader. Dr. Acton says that it is an honor to be alongside so many trusted and respected names in the health care industry and he attributes his success to his fellow team members.

“It truly is a privilege to work with so many talented individuals who truly care about our patients as individuals,” says Dr. Acton. “Our patients truly respond to this kind of personal and interactive treatment and realize that we’re all equally committed to ensuring their comfort and optimal dental health. I’m proud of this distinction and look forward to continuing to serve the Triangle community.”

Dr. Acton is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia and completed his advanced dental education residency at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Acton is currently one of only six dentists in North Carolina certified to provide DuraTHIN veneers and graduated with honors from The Hornbrook Group’s distinguished national training program.

In 2009, Dr. Acton received a Fellowship Award from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and most recently completed a one-week, 50-hour training course provided by The Kois Center in Seattle, which taught attendees how to better and more comprehensively diagnose and treat complex dental needs including periodontal disease, cavities, and jaw and bite problems. Dr. Acton has also been voted Best Cosmetic Dentist by readers of Cary Magazine for three consecutive years (2008–2010).

Dr. Acton and Cary Family Dental are also committed to their community. Together, they have raised over $60,000 for the Smiles for Life campaign, an annual four-month long campaign sponsored by the Crown Council that raises money to help children facing serious health and educational problems. The practice also provides free dental health presentations to local preschools and elementary schools in order to teach children on the basics of proper dental care.

About Cary Family Dental
Cary Family Dental is located at 102 Fountain Brook Circle, Suite A in Cary, NC and provides a trusted tradition of personalized, comfortable, and affordable care. Dr. Allan Acton has trained extensively and offers comprehensive cosmetic and family dental care in Invisalign, veneers, implants, dentures, emergency care, fillings, crowns, root canals and periodontal therapy. Cary Family Dental serves families in Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Morrisville, and the surrounding areas. For more information, call (919) 460-6884 or visit www.carydental.com.

About Business Leader Magazine
Business Leader Magazine’s Triangle, NC Edition provides critical local market intelligence to CEOs and other business leaders. Published monthly since 1989, the magazine covers the companies, leaders and business happenings in the Triangle region of North Carolina. The magazine features editorial on the legal, financial, technology, management, marketing, and business services industries and highlights top women in business, up-and-coming leaders, top 100 small businessess and top entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://triangle.businessleader.com/.

Smile wider, live longer, from Cary Family Dental

Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Cary Family Dental on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Cary Family Dental Supporting the National Smile Month

Now that we’re in June, our staff at Cary family Dental thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to see us!

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
* Visit us regularly (every 6 months)!

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, or visit our web site!

Additional Invisalign Questions....Answered!

Last week, we posted a few frequently asked questions and answers about Invisalign here at Cary Family Dental. Check out the next set of questions below. Did we miss your question? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook page, or better yet, give us a call!

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I shouldn’t eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How do I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. We will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.