“Beatles Experience Concert,” 7 p.m., Carriage Manor RV Resort, 7750 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, $18, (480) 354-5620. Tai Chi and Qigong, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesdays, SCAN Health Education Center, 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. Jan. 9 Thursday Pain Support Group, 6 to 8 p.m., Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital, 13460 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, free, (623) 334-5437, www.healthsouth.com. Yoga for Every Body, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, SCAN Health Education Center, 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. Zumba Plus, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., Thursdays, SCAN Health Education Center, 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 9017226, ext. 3420. Jan. 10 Friday George Hamilton IV, 7 p.m., repeats Jan. 11, Arizona Traditions Ballroom, 17221 N. Citrus Rd., Surprise, $13 residents, $15 nonresidents, www.azthoa.net. Dubbed “The International Ambassador of Country Music,” Hamilton brings a solo evening of acoustic music and stories of the music and its legends. Arthritis/Neuropathy Treatment Discussion, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Fridays in January, Helen Foundation, 105 S. Delaware Dr., Suite 8, Apache Junction, free and reservations required, (480) 389-5431, ernestogallegos01@gmail.com. Sun City Christian Women’s Club Brunch, 9 a.m., Sun City Country Club, 9433 N. 107th Ave., Sun City, $15, (623) 933-0217, (623) 594-2107, mwholick@gmail. com. Event includes guest speaker and live music. SLAMM: Sit Less and Move More, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sun Health Corporate Headquarters Community Room, 14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633. Practical ideas for increasing activity throughout your day, whether at home or at work. Jan. 11 Saturday Hillcrest Dance and Social Club of Sun City West’s Black and White Ball, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., RH Johnson Social Hall, 19803 RH Johnson Blvd., Sun City West, $26 members, $31 guests in advance, (623) 5440574. Join the group for this semi-formal dinner/dance. Family Resources Seminar, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Red Mountain Multi-Generational Center, 7550 E. Adobe, Mesa, free but reservations required, (480) 833-8347, elaine@visitingangelsaz.com. Seminar scheduled for those needing help with aging loved ones.
Pancake Breakfast, 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Sunland Village Auditorium, 4601 E. Dolphin Ave., Mesa, $3.50 at the door, includes full breakfast, (480) 832-9003.
3611 E. Baseline Rd. #104 Gilbert, AZ 85234
Jan. 12 Sunday
480-497-2000 www.drzamani.com
Dryheat, 3 p.m., Willowbrook United Methodist Church, 19390 N. 99th Ave., Sun City, $5, (623) 9745637. Dryheat, presented by Willowbrook Performing Arts, will play traditional bluegrass, gospel, western and folk music. West Valley Symphony: The Three Bs: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, 3 p.m., Valley Vista Performing Arts Center, 15550 N. Parkview Pl., Surprise, $25, (623) 236-6781, www.westvalleysymphony.org. Jan. 13 Monday Huron/Beadle County, South Dakota Snowbird Dinner, 3 p.m., Golden Corral, 1868 N. Power Rd., Mesa, cost of meal, (480) 807-7748, lwalter@isd.net. Better Breathers Club, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Colonnade, 19116 Colonnade Way, Surprise, free but registration required, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth. org. Monthly education and support group for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Solera’s balroom, 6360 S. Mountain Blvd., Chandler, free but reservations required, (480) 802-6996, ext. 221. Homemade goodies and chili burgers will be served. Donors must bring a photo ID on the day of donation. Jan. 14 Tuesday Amputee Support Group, 6 to 7 p.m., Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital, 13460 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, free, (623) 334-5358, www.healthsouth.com. Parkinson’s Support Group, 1 to 2 p.m., Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital, 13460 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, free, (623) 878-8800, www.healthsouth.com. “Wrap It Up Brunch,” 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Superstition Springs Golf Club, 6542 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, $13, (480) 357-7538. Jan Hart—an expert in the field of “scarf folding—will teach the group new and unique ways to fold scarves. Bites and Stings of Desert Critters, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., SCAN Health Education Center, 1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 735, Tempe, free but registration required, (855) 901-7226, ext. 3420. A look at the critters that live in the desert, including a discussion about which are poisonous and what to do after a bite or a sting. AARP Smart Driver Course, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The Colonnade, 19116 Colonnade Way, Surprise, $15 members, $20 nonmembers, (623) 455-5633, www.sunhealth.org. AARP Smart Driver is intended to help drivers live more independently as they age and remain safe on today’s roads. ...continues on page 14
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Are Your Silver Fillings Making You Sick?
n the 1800s, amalgam became the dental restorative material of choice due to its low cost, ease of application, strength and durability. Dental amalgam is an alloy of mercury with various metals for dental fillings. It commonly consists of mercury (50%), Silver (~22-32%), tin (~14%), copper (~8%), and other trace metals! Amalgam is a very durable and strong material for dental fillings, however as it gets older it undergoes contraction and expansion, and could ultimately lead to stress on the tooth itself. These stresses caused by the amalgam can lead to fractures or breakage of a portion of the tooth structure, causing the need for more extensive care to the tooth. For many years the mercury itself has raised questions: should we be aware of health concerns with the mercury in the amalgam? There are environment concerns as well, leading to pollution, as well as global health concerns. It has been shown in certain studies to be a neurotoxin and highly toxic to the central nervous system which can lead to auto immune disorders, memory loss, mood swings and has been shown to cause tremors. The mercury that is in the amalgam fillings have also been shown to be released as a form of vapor during chewing and grinding. Recent findings from amalgam fillings have also shown that during normal tooth brushing some of the vapors of the mercury can be released as well. This can pose significant risk to most individuals that have numerous mercury fillings. Several European countries have banned the dental amalgam fillings all together in recent years. These movements have created a lot of controversy in the United States as well. There has been a recent movement in several U.S. dental schools to stop the use of dental amalgam fillings. Just over a year ago Costa Mesa, California became the first U.S. city and banned the use of dental amalgams. The American Dental Association maintains that silver fillings are safe and should remain an option for patient as a filling material of choice. Patients having dental amalgam fillings should consult with their dentist on how to best evaluate the condition of their amalgam fillings. Generally if the fillings are very old, or have decay, or leaking margins, corrosion, it is best to have the fillings removed and replaced. A thorough examination by a well trained dentist can evaluate the condition of the amalgam and propose a safe effective means of removal for the patient if necessary. There are a number of alternative restorations that can be used instead of dental amalgam. Some include composite resins, or porcelain fillings, which are tooth colored restorations. These restorations use adhesive techniques to bond the tooth together, which gives the tooth more support and is more esthetically pleasing as well. Research shows that people who have their mercury fillings removed have shown improvement in their symptoms.
Contact Dr. Navid Zamani, D.M.D. for a consultation by calling his office at 480-497-2000. Dr. Zamani is among the top 20% of Dentists in the world. January 2014 : : Lovin’ Life After 50 : : page 13