October 12, 2010

Tooth Bonding

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 2:51 am

Bonding is a composite resin filling placed in the back teeth as well as the front teeth. Composites are the solution for restoring decayed teeth, making cosmetic improvements and even changing the color of your teeth or the reshaping of teeth. Bonding will lighten any stains you may have, close up minor gaps and can be used to correct crooked teeth. Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws applying a thin coating of a plastic material on the front surface of your teeth. After this, your cosmetic dentist will apply a bonding material and sculpt, color and shape it to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light then hardens the plastic, and the surface is finely polished. While the traditional silver fillings last about seven years, these composites should last about seven to eleven years.

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October 2, 2010

Invisalign

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 10:45 am

The use of a series of removable aligners for the adjustment of occlusion (bite) is not new. The Invisalign method is based on a concept first introduced in the 1940s and revisited in the 1970s that required a series of dental impressions to determine the optimal position of the teeth. The Invisalign method is simpler than its predecessors, requiring only one set of impressions and photographs of the teeth, taken during an initial consultation.

These impressions are used to create a three-dimensional computer projection of how the teeth could be moved incrementally, forming the basis for developing a series of custom-made aligners designed to accomplish this movement.

Although the aligners are removable (for eating, drinking certain beverages and brushing/flossing), they must be worn at least 20 hours a day in order to reposition the teeth successfully.

A typical Invisalign treatment requires 20 to 30 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth. Most adults complete their treatment in less than one year. However, treatment time depends on the specific alignment problem.

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September 28, 2010

Dental Crowns

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 2:40 am

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic crowns). However, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this crown type compared with metal or resin crowns. The crown’s porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like normal teeth. However, sometimes the metal underlying the crown’s porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line and even more so if your gums recede. These crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.

Preparing a tooth for a crown usually requires two visits to the dentist — the first step involves examining and preparing the tooth, the second visit involves placement of the permanent crown.

After reshaping the tooth, your dentist will use impression paste or putty to make an impression of the tooth to receive the crown. Impressions of the teeth above and below the tooth to receive the dental crown will also be made to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite.

The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the crown will be manufactured. The crown is usually returned to your dentist’s office in 2 to 3 weeks. If your crown is made of porcelain, your dentist will also select the shade that most closely matches the color of the neighboring teeth. During this first office visit your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made. Temporary crowns usually are made of acrylic and are held in place using a temporary cement.

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September 22, 2010

Scaling and Root Planing

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 8:34 am

Scaling and root planing is the most common and conservative form of treatment for periodontal disease.

Scaling is the removal of calculus, or tartar, and plaque that attach to the tooth surfaces. The process especially targets the area below the gum line, along the root.

Plaque is a sticky substance, full of bacteria, that forms on teeth. When plaque hardens over time, it is called calculus.

Plaque is more likely to stick to rough surfaces. For this reason, the root surface is made smooth in a process called root planing. Root planing removes any remaining calculus and smoothes irregular areas of the root surface.

Scaling and root planing are done with a combination of ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments. Ultrasonic instruments are electric or air-powered. They have two components:

A relatively dull metal tip that vibrates at a very high frequency and “knocks” plaque and calculus off the tooth
A water irrigation system that cools the tip and helps to flush out debris from around the teeth

Hand instruments are not powered. They have cutting edges that your dentist or hygienist uses to chip away plaque and calculus.

For two to three days after the treatment, you may have some soreness and be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help.

You may be asked to use an antiseptic mouth rinse after scaling and root

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September 16, 2010

Sealants

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 12:32 pm

Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Getting sealants put on in a dental office is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.

Sealants are clear or tinted. Tinted sealants are easier to see.

Sealants are not new. They have been around for a long time! But many people still do not know what sealants are. In fact, fewer than 20 percent of children in the United States have sealants!

Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material.

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September 14, 2010

Dental Care and Pregnancy

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 10:00 am

It’s important for you to take good care of your teeth and gums while you are pregnant. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your risk of developing gum disease, which in turn, can affect the health of your developing baby.

Below are some tips to help you maintain good oral health before, during, and after your pregnancy.

Before You Get Pregnant

Try to make a dental appointment before getting pregnant. That way, your teeth can be professionally cleaned, your gum tissue can be carefully examined, and any oral health problems can be treated in advance of your pregnancy.

Dental Care While Pregnant

Tell your dentist (and doctor) if you are pregnant. As a precautionary measure, dental treatments during the first trimester and second half of the third trimester should be avoided as much as possible. These are critical times in the baby’s growth and development and it’s simply wise to avoid exposing the mother to procedures that could in any way influence the baby’s growth and development. However, routine dental care can be received during the second trimester. All elective dental procedures should be postponed until after the delivery.
Tell your dentist the names and dosages of all medications you are taking – including medications and prenatal vitamins prescribed by your doctor – as well as any specific medical advice your doctor has given you. Your dentist may need to alter your dental treatment plan based on this information. Certain drugs — for example, such as tetracycline — can affect the development of your child’s teeth and should not be given during the pregnancy.
Avoid x-rays during pregnancy. If X-rays are essential (such as in a dental emergency), your dentist will use extreme caution to safeguard you and your baby. Advances in technology have made X-rays much safer today than in past decades.
Don’t skip your dental checkup appointment simply because you are pregnant. Now more than any other time, regular periodontal (gum) examinations are very important because pregnancy causes hormonal changes that put you at increased risk for periodontal disease and for tender gums that bleed easily – a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Pay particular attention to any changes in your gums during pregnancy. If tenderness, bleeding or gum swelling occurs at any time during your pregnancy, talk with your dentist or periodontist as soon as possible.
Follow good oral hygiene practices to prevent and/or reduce oral health problems.

Coping With Morning Sickness

If morning sickness is keeping you from brushing your teeth, change to a bland-tasting toothpaste during your pregnancy. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend brands.
Rinse your mouth out with water or a mouth rinse if you suffer from morning sickness and have bouts of frequent vomiting.

Eating Right for Your Teeth and Baby

Avoid sugary snacks. Sweet cravings are common during pregnancy. However, keep in mind that the more frequently you snack, the greater the chance of developing tooth decay. Additionally, some studies have shown that the bacteria responsible for tooth decay are passed from the mother to the child. So be careful of what you eat.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your baby’s first teeth begin to develop about three months into your pregnancy. Healthy diets containing dairy products, cheese and yogurt are a good source of these essential minerals and are good for your baby’s developing teeth, gums, and bones.

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September 9, 2010

Avocados and Oral Cancer

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 12:46 pm

One of the great things in life is the work being done in research and medical science in the war against cancer. Obviously new drugs and better surgery techniques are always welcome but so too is a scientific approach to cancer using natural material. Fruit is a prime example of this process. Recent studies have shown that the humble avocado contains chemicals which can inhibit the growth of pre-malignant and malignant cells found in the mouth. This is a wonderful result and doubly so because it uses easy to obtain and cheap materials – the avocado.

One important aspect in the fight against cancer is the lack of collateral damage. In some orthodox treatments, the bad cancer cells are eliminated but good cells also come under attack. We want to be able to destroy the bad but leave the good untouched. That’s exactly what’s happened in recent studies with oral cancer and the avocado. Malignant cells have been killed or the growth of cancerous cells has been hindered but no harm was done to good cells in the mouth. If true, this is wonderful news.

It’s long been known that the plant compounds such as phytochemicals found in dark colored fruit have powerful anti-cancer qualities. Apples are a good example as are avocados. These phytochemicals are believed to have properties which significantly reduce the risk of cancer and while recent studies have concentrated on avocadoes and oral cancer, the benefits may well apply to other cancers too.

One sobering statistic regarding oral cancer is that it has a high mortality rate, higher than many other cancers including breast, cervical and skin cancer. Oral cancer diagnoses can mean a mortality rate as high as 50%. This is usually put down to late detection. This makes any discovery about the prevention of oral cancer or the slowing of growth of oral cancer cells so important; doubly so when the ingredient being used in the successful trials is fresh fruit in the form of an avocado.

The studies to date concentrate on extracting the phytochemicals from the avocado and using them to attack cancerous and pre-cancerous cells found in the mouth. The fruit compounds actually killed some cancerous cells and prevented some pre-cancerous cells from further development.

What may not be so well known is that the avocado has many ingredients which are beneficial to our health. The fruit has Vitamins C and E, folate, fiber and unsaturated fats. An avocado is naturally sodium-free. On top of all the benefits this fruit offers, there are almost 500 varieties giving the customer the opportunity to choose the type and price which best suits their budget and palate.

We need antioxidants to work against the damage to our cells through oxidation. Avocadoes provide us with hard-working antioxidants. This is a natural; and highly cost-effective way of helping reduce our risk of oral cancer and of improving our overall health and fitness.

When the avocado is so easy to obtain and when the evidence is strong supporting the health and cancer prevention benefits, it’s time our fruit menu including plenty of the delicious avocado.

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August 17, 2010

Flossing

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 10:22 am

Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach — under the gumline and between your teeth. Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is highly recommended.

To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:

Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with

Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth

Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue

Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth

To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth

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August 12, 2010

Thumbsucking & Pacifiers

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 11:38 am

Many parents are worried about their children’s thumb sucking or pacifier use. Since they are concerned about the effect on the bite, parents will often attempt to stop their children from sucking their thumb or using the pacifier. Thumb sucking and pacifier use are normal, and most children will stop these sucking habits before much damage can be done to protrude the upper teeth and affect the bite permanently. Many children in utero actually suck thumbs, fingers or knuckles while in the mother’s womb.

Thumb sucking and pacifier use help children become comfortable with their environment, and give the children a method for self-relaxation. Parents should not be overly upset over their infants and toddlers need to suck their thumb or use a pacifier. Here are some things that parents should be aware of when allowing their children to use pacifiers: To reduce the possibility of choking, purchase pacifiers that are made of a solid molded piece, and not one which has been fabricated with a number of separate pieces attached together; periodically check the pacifier, especially the nipple end, to make sure that it has not become brittle (brittle rubber nipples can break and choke your child); and never tie a pacifier around your child’s neck as this can create a potential for strangulation.

Most children should grow out of thumb sucking and pacifier use between the ages of 3 to 4. As long as the habit is discontinued well before their permanent teeth come in, your child should be fine. If, however, they continue this habit as their permanent teeth come in, more damage can occur, and it is important to help your child discontinue their habit.

The most effective way to accomplish this is to simply explain to your child that they must do so in order for their teeth to come in straight. You would be surprised at how effective simply explaining this to your child can be. When they do suck their thumb or use a pacifier give them a gentle verbal reminder.

Under no circumstances should you give negative reinforcement or punish a child for this behavior as this often causes the child to further continue the habit. Many professionals urge parents to tape their children’s fingers or apply bitter tasting solutions to the fingers to prevent thumb sucking. We don’t recommend this method. It is not as effective as providing positive reinforcement when children are trying to stop sucking their thumb.

A gradual slowing down of the use is recommended. Take small segments — either during a TV program one hour before dinner — and have them stop sucking their thumb or using the pacifier. Then extend the time to other times of the day. Gradually increasing the number of hours during which they don’t use the pacifier or suck their thumb will be an easier transition until they only need it to go to bed, which will be the last time period to eliminate.

A reward system is helpful when they comply. Also, when kids have colds, are congested and can’t breathe, this is a good time for them to understand that thumb or pacifier usage is uncomfortable and there is a reason to stop. The habit then can be transferred to the security of a stuffed animal or doll. This can be very helpful. Remember, sucking fingers and pacifiers are a security system for the child, and touching, hugging and spending time building a child’s self-esteem by parents will go a long way in growing a well-adjusted and fun child.

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July 26, 2010

Plaque

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — admin @ 1:51 pm

Sticky bacterial plaque that builds up on your teeth. Inflamed, bleeding gums. They don’t just threaten your dental health.

A growing body of research finds that bacteria and inflammation in your mouth are also associated with other problems, including heart attack and dementia, and may well jeopardize your overall health.

Scientists have identified several associations between poor oral health and other health problems — although they can’t yet establish cause and effect. This list of health problems has been growing as research continues.

Plaque and Its Effects on Your Dental Health

Sticky plaque is a kind of biofilm. A thin grouping of bacteria, plaque biofilm lives on gum tissue, teeth, and crowns.

Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods or beverages with sugars or starches, the bacteria release acids that attack your tooth enamel.

The plaque is so sticky that it keeps the acids in contact with your teeth, in time breaking down the enamel so that tooth decay occurs.

Plaque buildup can also lead to gum disease — first gingivitis, the tender and swollen gums that sometimes bleed. If it progresses, severe periodontal (gum) disease can develop. Gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, allowing the bacteria to destroy the underlying bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal and Other Diseases

To date, scientists have found associations between periodontal disease and a number of other problems, including:

Heart disease
Diabetes
Dementia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Premature birth

What’s behind the links? Experts can’t say for certain, but they believe that oral bacteria can escape into the bloodstream and injure major organs.

Inflammation is probably a common denominator, experts say. Periodontal disease, marked by inflammation, may increase inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation, in turn, is an underlying problem in diseases including heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Gum Disease and Heart Disease

Over the years, many studies have found an association between periodontal disease and heart disease, with patients who have gum disease more likely also to have poor heart health, including heart attacks.

In 2009, a consensus paper on the relationship between heart disease and gum disease was developed by the American Academy of Periodontology and The American Journal of Cardiology. It was published in the Journal of Periodontology and The American Journal of Cardiology.

The joint recommendations encourage cardiologists to ask their patients about any gum disease problems, and the periodontists to ask their patients about any family history of heart disease and their heart health.

So don’t be surprised if your periodontist or your internist or cardiologist asks you some new questions on your next visit.

Gum Disease and Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you are more likely than people who don’t have diabetes to have gum disease. Why? Again, inflammation may be partly to blame. And, those with diabetes are more likely to contract any infections, including gum disease.

If your diabetes is not under control, you are at even higher risk of gum disease.

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