Houston Dentist Saving More than Teeth--Saving Lives!

HOUSTON - When you go to the dentist, you probably think the worst news you could get is a cavity. That's not necessarily true anymore. A dentist in Houston is going far beyond that.

Dr. Spiker Davis with Houston Cosmetic Dentistry is detecting everything from bone cancer to heart disease, TMJ, clogged sinuses and deviated septums. Some of his patients say he saved their lives!

Besides a head and neck exam, Dr. Davis is one of the first doctors in Houston to get this digital technology. It looks similar to other x-ray machines, but it's much different.

"We get better quality, so I'm seeing things that as a dentist, I've never seen before - the quality is unbelievable," says Dr. Davis. No more radiation, which is often a big concern for patients.

Dr. Davis says many of his patients would refuse x-rays, in fear they could be getting more harm than good from radiation.

"You get more radiation off your cell phone, than you get off the x-ray", Dr. Davis says.

Temple Smith has been going to Dr. Davis for 25-years and sure is appreciative of the new technology.

"No telling what could've happened, I could've been walking down the street one day and just killed over," says Smith. Dr. Davis informed him he has 2-blocked carotid arteries.

You can see the blockages on the x-rays, because in areas where it's usually black, you can see white clumps.

"I go to a cardiologist on a regular basis and took them (the x-rays) to him. He did some testing on me and found out I did have blocked arteries," says Smith.

Now he's on a new medication to help control the problem and will probably have to have surgery to clear out the arteries. He had a 55 percent blockage in one artery and 40 percent in another.

Doctors say he can wait a little longer, before he'll need to "clean them out," but his cardiologist is glad to know, so that they can keep a close eye on him.

James Eubank got the same diagnosis... plaque in one of his carotid arteries. He's been going to Dr. Davis for about 20 years and was used to only getting dental updates.

Once Dr. Davis spent $100,000 for the new technology, Eubank got the digital x-rays.

"He shocked me! I couldn't believe he had that capability with his equipment, but I think it's great!" says Eubank. He is now on medication and trying to work on eating healthier.

Dr. Davis detected bone cancer in the jawline of another patient. Doctors say it often goes undiagnosed for a long time... at least, until now.

Dr. Davis found a suspicious dark area, surrounded by a white line on the digital x-ray. He was right-- a medical doctor confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent surgery to have the tumor removed and is doing well because of the early diagnosis.

One more positive about this digital technology - it's environmentally "green."

"No development chemicals to pour down the drain or out in the yard," says Dr. Davis. Patients are thrilled that it's not only "green," but that they're getting diagnosed at their dentist's office with life-saving information.

For more information, you can check out http://www.houstoncosmeticdentistry.com or call 713-781-2800.