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Effective Treatments for Dental Erosion

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teeth erosion
Your teeth may feel indestructible, but the fact is that the hard outer layer of your teeth – known as the enamel layer – can very easily be worn down and eroded over time. Foods and drinks like citrus fruit, wine, and soda contain acid. After consuming these over a period of years, it can damage your enamel. The bad news is that once your enamel is gone, there’s no way to replace it. There are, however, some effective ways to treat enamel erosion and its less-than-desirable results. Let’s begin by taking a look at a few symptoms of eroded enamel:

  • Translucent teeth: One of the outcomes of eroded enamel is that your teeth become translucent, rather than the opaque appearance that healthy teeth have.
  • Discolored teeth: When enamel is eroded, your teeth will begin to take on a yellowish hue. Unfortunately, whitening products won’t work to restore your teeth to a whiter color.
  • Sensitive teeth: People with eroded enamel notice much more sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks than people with healthy enamel.
  • Rounded teeth: If you have eroded enamel, you might notice that your teeth change in shape and take on a more rounded appearance.

Effective Treatment Options

As we mentioned earlier, once enamel is gone, you can’t replace it. But there are some cosmetic procedures that can improve the appearance of your teeth, as well as a few methods to prevent enamel from eroding any further.

  • Remineralizing toothpaste: If you’re in the early stages of eroded enamel, your dentist may recommend that you use a remineralizing toothpaste, which will help to prevent the erosion from getting any worse.
  • Dental bonding: Bonding involves your dentist applying a tooth-colored resin material over the top of your natural teeth. Bonding not only protects your natural teeth; it also gives you a whiter smile and returns rounded teeth to their original shape. Bonding material is quite strong and typically lasts between 4 and 7 years before it needs to be replaced.
  • Crowns: If your enamel is severely eroded, the best treatment may be crowns. Typically made from a tooth-colored porcelain material, crowns are extremely durable restorations that will look like natural, healthy teeth.

The enamel layer of your teeth can’t be replaced once it’s gone, but there are several methods that will help you to live with eroded enamel. If you believe that you might have damaged enamel, talk to your dentist. He or she can provide you with more information about effective treatments for this condition.

How People Benefit from the Services of a Maxillofacial Surgeon

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Maxillofacial-Surgeon

If you or someone you know ever suffers a traumatic injury to the mouth or jaw, it will most likely be a maxillofacial surgeon who performs the procedure(s) which will restore the damage done by this type of serious injury. These highly skilled surgeons specialize in the mouth, head, neck and jaw. But you don’t need to suffer from a traumatic injury to require the services of a maxillofacial surgeon. Here are some other circumstances that might call for the services of one of these trained professionals:

  • People who want to replace missing molars with implants, but don’t have sufficient bone tissue available to accommodate the implants, will most likely be referred to a maxillofacial surgeon who can perform a bone graft procedure to resolve the issue.
  • People who suffer from some type of disease in or around the mouth might also benefit from the services of these surgeons, who are trained in reconstructive jaw surgery, for example.
  • Patients who suffer from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder may need surgery to repair the jaw joint.
  • People who need to have impacted wisdom teeth removed might be referred to a maxillofacial surgeon.
  • Patients with cleft palates are often operated on by a maxillofacial surgeon.

As you can imagine, these professionals require an immense amount of education, training and experience to perform their jobs. A maxillofacial surgeon is required to have a full understanding of dentistry, as well as general medicine as it relates to the mouth, head, jawbone and neck. The first step is typically finishing dental school, after which the aspiring surgeon usually needs a minimum of another four years of medical school (but six years is not uncommon). A maxillofacial surgeon is also required to have training in anesthesiology since theirs is the only field in which a surgeon may be required to administer all types of sedation.

From a patient’s point of view, all this required training should be good news. After all, many oral surgeries take place as a result of an emergency situation. If you find yourself or a loved one in such a circumstance, you should find some comfort in the fact that the surgeon performing whatever procedure is necessary will most likely have gone through nearly 10 years of dental school and specialized training programs. In fact, maxillofacial surgeons are some of the most highly skilled dental/medical specialists working today. So, while we sincerely hope you don’t find yourself in any type of emergency situation, if you do you’ll most definitely want the services of one of these exceptional surgeons.

How Braces Benefit Oral Health

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benefits of braces
When you think of the advantages of orthodontic treatments, you may simply think of how straighter teeth would improve the appearance of your smile. But what you may not know is that orthodontic treatments go far beyond just improving your smile. In fact, orthodontic treatments provide a variety of advantages and can greatly benefit your overall oral health.

In order to fully appreciate the benefits of orthodontic treatments, you need to first understand how crooked teeth and a misaligned bite can damage your oral health. If your bite is off, chances are you’ll know it. A misaligned bite can not only impact the way you chew food and speak; it can also lead to chronic pain.

Crooked teeth – particularly crowded teeth – can make it difficult to brush and floss properly. That can result in an increased risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease can eventually lead to tooth decay, and that has been linked to even more serious health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes, to name just two.

People with misaligned bites often suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. If you grind your teeth at night, it can disrupt your sleep, which can have an impact on your overall health and quality of life. But more specifically in terms of oral health, bruxism can wear down teeth, even causing them to fracture, chip or become loose. Grinding your teeth can also lead to chronic pain in your jaw, teeth sensitivity and headaches.

Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can resolve many – if not all – of these issues. When considering orthodontics for you or someone in your family, keep in mind that this type of treatment is not only for young people. While it’s true that adolescence is a great time to address the problem of crooked teeth, orthodontic treatments can benefit people of any age. In fact, you’re never too old to enjoy the benefits of orthodontics.

Believe it or not, you may be a good candidate for orthodontic treatment and not even realize it. If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above – whether it be teeth grinding, chronic headaches or jaw pain, difficulty chewing, sensitive teeth, or worn down teeth, ask your dentist if you might benefit from orthodontic treatment. When it comes to good oral health, remember that you’re never too old to enjoy and advantages of high quality orthodontic treatments provided by a trained and experienced dental professional.

What Is the No Bone Solution of Dental Implant Treatment?

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no bone
When seeking dental implants, some are discouraged when they find out that they possess an inadequate amount of bone, meaning they are not ideal candidates for the procedure. Alternative options, like dentures or bone grafting, are anything but appealing. But what else is one to do when they lack the necessary amount of bone required to ensure success? Despite these pitfalls, there’s no need to fear. Thanks to modern technology and advances in dental surgery, there are a few options, the most successful and widespread of which is known as the No Bones Treatment. For those curious to learn more about this procedure, here is a brief description.

What It Is

The No Bones Treatment makes use of longer titanium implants that allow them to bypass inadequate bone for implantation on the denser bone beneath. This enables the screws to dig into the bone, subsequently promoting more resilient osseointegration. Even better, this procedure is adapted to the specifics of each patient’s mouth, making it both effective and comfortable.

The Mechanics of No Bones Treatment

Every No Bones Treatment begins with a CT scan. This provides the dentist with a 3D image of the patient’s jaw that is then used to design a form-fitted implant. While the CT scan is primarily a digital operation, the implants themselves are typically fitted manually. Should this route be unsuccessful, the dentist can set them in the cheekbone instead. Consequently, the most important aspects of the procedure are the modeling and designing processes, which allow the dentist time to identify any problems and ensure that the replacement teeth are comfortable.

Session Breakdown

The No Bones Treatment only takes around four sessions to complete, though this amount can vary depending on the severity of the bone loss. The initial session is where the dentist will inspect the patient’s mouth and provide a diagnosis. Here, the dentist is checking the patient’s mouth and subsequently making a decision as to whether a normal or No Bones procedure will be more beneficial. Next, implants are inserted into the patient’s cheekbone or gums, whichever is determined to have a higher success rate. After the screws are implanted, the dentist installs temporary teeth. Thirteen weeks after the surgery, the dentist will take final impressions and send them to a laboratory. From there, a permanent set of teeth are manufactured and sent back to the dentist for the final stage, where she installs them on top of the titanium screws.

Dental Implants for Bone Loss Prevention

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Jaws
It’s not entirely unusual for people to lose their teeth. Naturally, we all lose our baby teeth to make way for permanent, adult teeth. Later in life, we may lose teeth to trauma from sporting injuries or other accidents, or to conditions like decay and gum disease often brought on by poor oral hygiene.

What do you do when you lose a tooth? There are several options. Some people choose removable dentures or more permanent bridgework to replace a lost tooth and preserve a beautiful smile. The best course of treatment, however, is probably a dental implant.

This false tooth sits atop a titanium screw in your jaw, making it extremely durable, not to mention practical. With a dental implant in place you can eat, drink, smile, and continue your oral hygiene regimen with confidence.

You should also know that dental implants can help to prevent bone loss in your jaw that is common with tooth loss. How is this possible? Here’s what you should know.

Bone Augmentation

Bone loss is a common side effect of tooth loss, and while not every tooth loss will necessitate bone augmentation prior to an implant, it’s normal for a dentist to have to treat bone deficiency before a dental implant can be installed. Options for bone augmentation could include the use of bone grafts, growth factors, or even synthetic materials, although natural bone augmentation is best. Once the jaw bone has been fortified, the dental implant procedure can begin.

Preventing Infection

3D imaging is used not only to determine the amount of bone augmentation needed for an implant, but also to create a false tooth that best fits the open space in your mouth. A dental implant is designed to fit perfectly where your old tooth once sat, seamlessly integrating into your smile and seating perfectly along your gum line. This, paired with the fact that you can brush and floss normally, can help to prevent infections and decay that might cause further bone loss in the jaw, not to mention the loss of additional teeth.

Preserving Structure

When one of your teeth is missing, the teeth around the open gap will start to shift, leaning in toward each other. When a tooth is present in the jaw, the bone must support it. With no tooth to support, the jaw bone could atrophy, causing further damage. A dental implant replaces both the upper portion of the tooth and the roots, so to speak, which helps to prevent jaw atrophy and tooth movement, preserving the structure of the mouth and preventing further bone loss.

Should You Worry About Bleeding Gums During Pregnancy?

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prenancy
Any time your gums are bleeding, it’s cause for concern. However, most women don’t realize that this occurrence is fairly common during pregnancy. In fact, nearly half of all women will experience bleeding gums when they’re in the family way.

This is due to a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. What is pregnancy gingivitis? Should you be worried? Can it be treated, or even prevented? Here’s what you need to know.

What is Pregnancy Gingivitis?

As you probably know, pregnancy can wreak havoc on your hormones, and this can lead to a number of changes in your body. You might be surprised to learn that your hormones can affect your gums, though.

In fact, the progesterone in your body can increase the growth of bacteria in your mouth that is responsible for the formation of plaque. In addition, it can cause your gums to become more sensitive to the plaque that develops. This can result in mild to severe gingivitis.

What are the symptoms?

There are several symptoms associated with pregnancy gingivitis, ranging from mild redness and swelling to severe discomfort and bleeding. Less common is the growth of benign (non-cancerous) nodules, or pregnancy tumors, that may cause discomfort and bleed during brushing.

Your symptoms should disappear following childbirth, but naturally you’ll want to take steps to prevent symptoms if at all possible, or at least alleviate the condition should it occur. There’s a lot you can do.

How Can I Protect My Gums?

The best way to protect the health of your gums is to take good care of them by brushing, flossing, and rinsing after meals, as well as scheduling regular dental visits to receive professional assessment and care. If you have poor oral health or gingivitis prior to becoming pregnant, there’s a good chance pregnancy will make it worse.

It is therefore imperative to address oral health issues prior to pregnancy, or at least once you know you’ve conceived. What if your oral health is great before pregnancy and you’re diligent about dental care?

With proper oral care, you may never develop pregnancy gingivitis. If you do, however, it’s best to consult with your dentist about treatment options. Extra dental visits may be necessary until after childbirth.

If you develop pregnancy tumors and they impair your ability to eat, speak, or function, you can have them removed under local anesthesia, although you may want to treat the symptoms first (often plaque and bacteria) and wait for them to disappear following childbirth.

Be Prepared for Your Wisdom Teeth Removal

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“Wisdom teeth” is the term used to describe the third set of molars that usually become apparent between the ages of 17 and 25.

Although not everyone has wisdom teeth, for those people that do it’s important to have them monitored regularly to make sure that they remain decay-free. Because of the location of the teeth – at the extreme back of the mouth – keeping them as clean as the rest of your teeth can be a challenge.

That means that decay is much more likely to occur in these teeth. If there’s not enough room in your mouth for these extra molars, they can become impacted. And even if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort, your wisdom teeth may still be problematic, which is why it’s so important to keep an eye on them if you do decide to keep them.

For those people who decide to have their wisdom teeth removed, you should keep in mind that the procedure is likely to involve some recovery time. This is particularly true if you have your wisdom teeth removed after the age of 30.

Thanks to modern medicine, you probably won’t feel a lot of discomfort during the procedure itself, but afterwards may be a different story. Your Austin dentist can prescribe pain medicine to help the situation.
You can also expect to experience some amount of bleeding for a few days after the extractions, which can usually be alleviated by pressing gauze on the wounds or biting down on a moist tea bag.

You’ll most likely have to stick to a diet of soft foods for a few days, and it’s a good idea to be careful not to brush too vigorously. Fortunately, you should be as good as new in just a few days.
If you’re interested in having your wisdom teeth removed, ask your dentist for more information.

Source: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/05/23/the-survival-guide-to-getting-your-wisdom-teeth-removed

What’s Involved in a Dental Implant Procedure

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If you’ve been involved in an accident or mishap and have lost a tooth, a dental implant may be the perfect solution for you. Unlike dentures, dental implants are replacement teeth that are actually implanted into the bone. As time passes, the bone grows around the implant. The result is a permanent replacement tooth.

Although there are several steps involved in getting a dental implant, and it takes some time for the whole process to be completed, many people prefer implants because they not only look like your regular teeth, but feel that way as well.

There are three steps involved in a dental implant procedure:

1. The implant post is inserted into the bone, in the same location as the missing tooth. This surgical procedure is often done by an oral surgeon. The patient is typically prescribed pain medication and asked to follow a special diet during the healing process.

2. The bone begins to grow around the implanted post. While healing times vary greatly depending on the patient, this healing stage usually takes anywhere from a few weeks to as long as a few months. In the interim, your dentist might provide you with a temporary crown or denture.

3. The artificial tooth is affixed to the implanted post. This step is relatively quick and can easily be done in your dentist’s office.

While there’s no doubt that dental implants to have their advantages, they’re not for everyone. You should talk to your dentist to determine whether you’re a good candidate for a dental implant.

Source: http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/ADA_PatientSmart_Implants.ashx

How to Know if You Need a Root Canal

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Toothache A root canal is a procedure done in an effort to save an infected tooth or one that is severely decayed. When the pulp and nerve tissue inside a tooth is damaged, bacteria begin to form inside the pulp chamber.

Bacteria can lead to decay, and decay can cause infection and result in an abscessed tooth. The gum tissue around the tooth may become infected as well.

During a root canal procedure, your dentist removes nerve and pulp from inside the tooth, then seals and cleans it. Once this is done, you can return to your normal eating habits. Your tooth will be completely functional.

Root Canal Symptoms

Although it’s entirely possible that you’ll experience no symptoms whatsoever and will still need a root canal, you may experience any or all of the following symptoms if you have a tooth that requires the procedure:

  • • You may experience a severe toothache, especially when you apply pressure on the tooth or use it to chew food

  • • The affected tooth may become discolored

  • • You may experience swelling in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth

  • • The surrounding gum tissue may be painful or tender

  • • You may notice extreme and prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks

  • • There may be a recurring pimple that appears on the gum tissue close to the affected tooth

A root canal procedure is an effective way to save a badly decayed tooth, which doesn’t need the nerve or pulp tissue to function. Usually, the procedure can be done in one or two office visits. Talk to your dentist for more information.

Source: WebMD | http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-root-canals

Photo: Toothache ¦ Flickr – Photo Sharing! : taken from – http://www.flickr.com/photos/45459399@N08/7558867436/Author: Bosc d’Anjou ¦ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

Dental Surgery Sedative Reduces Recovery Time

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If you have to go in for a dental procedure, you want to know that the sedative they give you will be strong enough to keep you comfortable throughout.

However, few want to be burdened with a long-lasting effect. In fact, most patients are hopeful that a dental procedure and the recovery from it won’t interrupt their schedule and daily responsibilities.

In order to accommodate the needs of dental patients, studies have been performed to determine whether a combination of sedatives would produce a more desirable result.

Participants in a recent study were divided into two groups, each of which were to have wisdom teeth removed. The double-blind study monitored both the effects of the sedatives during surgery and the time needed to emerge from the anesthesia afterward.

The control group received propofol-remifentanil intravenously, while the second group was dosed with propofol-ketamine.

Those in the second group were under the effects of the anesthesia much longer. On average, they required an additional six and a half minutes to emerge from those effects, as compared to the participants that received remifentanil.

They also had a difficult time regaining composure to prepare for discharge.

Those receiving ketamine required nearly three-quarters of an hour to reach that level of lucidity, whereas those in the first group needed less than half an hour on average.

While the remifentanil is a more expensive option for sedation, it has proven its worth by providing patients comfort during a procedure and a short recovery time.

For more information on this comparison, continue reading the full article.