Post Wisdom Tooth Removal
Posted by: drkam on: May 17, 2012
The removal of impacted teeth is a surgical procedure and post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.
Our In- office Cone Beam CT Scan enable our surgeons to view the jaw bone in 3 dimensional slices as small as 0.1 mm.
Immediately Following Surgery
- The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a half hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded.
- Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged.
- Take the prescribed pain medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort. This will usually coincide with the local anesthetic becoming diminished.
- Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
- Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.
Bleeding
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, do not sit upright become excited or agitated. Please be sure to avoid exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.
Swelling
The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the surgery involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not become apparent until the day following surgery and will not reach its maximum until 2-3 days post-operatively. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Two baggies filled with ice, or ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed. The ice packs should be left on continuously while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has little beneficial effect and can be replaced with the application of moist heat to the sides of the face. This is generally beneficial in reducing the swelling and increasing the range of motion of your jaws.
Pain
For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours or Ibuprofen, (Motrin or Advil) three 200 mg tablets may be taken every 6 hours.
For severe pain, take the tablets prescribed as directed. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.
Diet
After general anesthetic or I.V. anesthesia, liquids should be initially taken. Drink from a glass. You may eat anything soft by chewing away form the surgical sites. High calorie, high protein intake is very important. Refer to the section on suggested diet instructions at the end of the brochure. Nourishment should be taken regularly. You should prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. Your food intake will be limited for the first few days. You should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. At least 5-6 glasses of liquid should be taken daily. Try not to miss a single meal. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat. Caution: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy. If you are lying down following surgery, make sure you sit for one minute before standing.
Keep the mouth clean
No rinsing should be performed until the day following surgery. You can brush your teeth the night of surgery but rinse gently. The day after surgery you should begin rinsing at least 5-6 times a day especially after eating with a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt.
Discoloration
In some cases, discoloration of the skin follows surgery. The development of black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is due to blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence, which may occur 2-3 days post-operatively. Moist heat applied to the area may speed up the removal of the discoloration.
Antibiotics
If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the tablets or liquid as directed. Antibiotics will be given to help treat or prevent infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction. Call the office if you have any questions.
Nausea and Vomiting
In the event of nausea and/or vomiting following surgery, do not take anything by mouth for at least an hour including the prescribed medicine. You should then sip on coke, tea or ginger ale. You should sip slowly over a fifteen-minute period. When the nausea subsides you can begin taking solid foods and the prescribed medicine.
Other Complications
- If numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue occurs there is no cause for alarm. As stated before surgery, this is usually temporary in nature. You should be aware that if your lip or tongue is numb, you could bite it and not feel the sensation. So be careful. Call us if you have any questions.
- Slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, notify the office. Tylenol or ibuprofen should be taken to reduce the fever.
- You should be careful going from the lying down position to standing. You were not able to eat or drink prior to surgery. It was also difficult to take fluids. Taking pain medications can make you dizzy. You could get light headed when you stand up suddenly. Before standing up, you should sit for one minute then get up.
- Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots, they are the bony walls which supported the tooth or teeth. These projections usually smooth out spontaneously. If not, they can be removed by the doctor.
- If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment such as vaseline.
- Sore throats and pain when swallowing are not uncommon. The muscles get swollen. The normal act of swallowing can then become painful. This will subside in 2-3 days.
- Stiffness (Trismus) of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days following surgery. This is a normal post-operative event which will resolve in time.
Finally
- Sutures are placed the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged; this is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. Most sutures will dissolve on their own and do not require removal. If necessary, the removal of sutures takes just a moment and requires no anesthesia or needles. There is no discomfort associated with this procedure.
- The pain and swelling should subside more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens or unusual symptoms occur please call our office for instructions.
- There will be a socket or a cavity where the tooth was removed. The area will gradually fill in with the new tissue over the next month. In the mean time, the area should be kept clean especially after meals with salt water rinses or a toothbrush.
- Your case is individual, no two mouths are alike. Do not accept well intended advice from friends. Discuss your problem with the persons best able to effectively help you: your dentist.
- Brushing your teeth is okay – just be gentle or avoid the surgical sites.
- A dry socket may be when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the walls of the tooth socket. Symptoms of severe and/or throbbing pain at the surgical site 3-4 days following surgery, that does not respond to pain medication, can indicate a dry socket. Call the office if this occurs.
- If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.
Dental Fillings That Kill Bacteria and Re-Mineralize the Tooth
Posted by: drkam on: May 10, 2012
ScienceDaily — Scientists using nanotechology at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry have created the first cavity-filling composite that kills harmful bacteria and regenerates tooth structure lost to bacterial decay.
Rather than just limiting decay with conventional fillings, the new composite is a revolutionary dental weapon to control harmful bacteria, which co-exist in the natural colony of microorganisms in the mouth, says professor Huakun (Hockin) Xu, PhD, MS.
“Tooth decay means that the mineral content in the tooth has been dissolved by the organic acids secreted by bacteria residing in biofilms or plaques on the tooth surface. These organisms convert carbohydrates to acids that decrease the minerals in the tooth structure,” says Xu, director of the Division of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering in the School’s Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry.
After a dentist drills out a decayed tooth, the cavity still contains residual bacteria. Xu says it is not possible for a dentist to remove all the damaged tissue, so it’s important to neutralize the harmful effects of the bacteria, which is just what the new nanocomposites are able to do.
The researchers also have built antibacterial agents into primer used first by dentists to prepare a drilled-out cavity and into adhesives that dentists spread into the cavity to make a filling stick tight to the tissue of the tooth. “The reason we want to get the antibacterial agents also into primers and adhesives is that these are the first things that cover the internal surfaces of the tooth cavity and flow into tiny dental tubules inside the tooth,” says Xu. The main reason for failures in tooth restorations, says Xu, is secondary caries or decay at the restoration margins. Applying the new primer and adhesive will kill the residual bacteria, he says.
Fillings made from the School of Dentistry’s new nanocomposite, with antibacterial primer and antibacterial adhesive, should last longer than the typical five to 10 years, though the scientists have not thoroughly tested longevity. Xu says a key component of the new nanocomposite and nano-structured adhesive is calcium phosphate nanoparticles that regenerate tooth minerals. The antibacterial component has a base of quaternary ammonium and silver nanoparticles along with a high pH. The alkaline pH limits acid production by tooth bacteria.
“The bottom line is we are continuing to improve these materials and making them stronger in their antibacterial and remineralizing capacities as well as increasing their longevity,” Xu says.
The new products have been laboratory tested using biofilms from saliva of volunteers. The Xu team is planning to next test its products in animal teeth and in human volunteers in collaboration with the Federal University of Ceara in Brazil.
The University of Maryland has patents pending on the nanocomposite and the primer and adhesive technologies, according to Nancy Cowger, PhD, licensing officer with the University’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT).
Top 3 Ways to Treat TMJ Pain
Posted by: drkam on: March 2, 2012
TMJ pain is no laughing matter. No really – it’s probably pretty tough for you to laugh if you’re suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder. The headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and constant throbbing in your jaw often feel as if it’s never going to go away.
Exercise only when the pain is not severe.
Thankfully, there are some fantastic and totally free TMJ treatment options you can start doing today to attain instant relief.
The reason I’m super confident these top 3 tips will help you is because not only have they already helped me, but also many of the readers on this site. Today I’m going to show you how changes in your diet, exercise routine, and everyday lifestyle will help you to finally achieve a pain-free TMJ.
Diet
Did you know that you might be eating foods and drinking liquids that are directly leading to your TMJ pain? That’s because so many of the foods typical Americans consume on a daily basis lead directly to inflammation. When inflammation strikes your TMJ, the muscles in your jaw are swollen and extremely painful.
That’s why you need to make sure you’re cutting out the foods that lead to inflammation and start consuming those that greatly reduce it. By adding the superfoods to your diet that remove TMJ pain, you’ll start feeling better today.
Exercise
Now that you’ve altered your diet, it’s important that you include TMJ jaw exercises into your daily routine. By doing so, you’ll slowly begin to loosen the tension in your jaw that’s the root cause of your TMJ pain.
Most exercises and stretches only take a few minutes to do per day. It’s critical that you’re doing them safely, however. Proper technique and knowing when to stop are key to making sure you don’t accidentally add to your discomfort.
By putting together your own personalized exercise routine, you’ll start to feel better before you know it. It’s amazing what a good stretch can do.
Lifestyle
One of the more underrated contributors to TMJ pain is stress and anxiety. Most Americans think that stress must be a way of life. From relationships to work to family, the daily grind can easily be the biggest reason your TMJ is in constant agony.
Have you recently identified things in your life that are causing you stress? You might be amazed once you take a step back and realize what’s been bothering you. Once you identify what’s causing you stress, you need to deal with it properly or else risk years and years of additional pain.
There are tons of other TMJ treatment options that will have you leading a life free of TMJ pain. Check them out today to see what works best for you!
http://www.tmjhomeremedies.com/top-3-ways-to-treat-tmj-pain/
You’ve just had a dental crown placed and now your tooth requires root canal treatment?
Posted by: drkam on: February 5, 2012
Complications with a dental crown: The tooth now hurts.
Here’s a scenario that as a dentist I’ve struggled with explaining to patients. No doubt every dentist has.
A patient comes in with a broken tooth or one that has extensive decay. The tooth clearly shows need for repair but otherwise is asymptomatic (hasn’t caused any pain). I tell the patient that their tooth needs to have a dental crown made for it. The work is scheduled and begun.
[Thanks to Animated-Teeth.com for granting me permission to use their graphics. Their website has a section on it about dental crowns, including when they should be placed and how they are made.]
During those days and weeks after the initial crowning work has been performed (or even those first few days or weeks after the whole crowning process has been completed) the situation changes. Now the patient does experience symptoms with their tooth. Possibly it throbs without rhyme or reason or else it is tender when they try to chew with it. The patient now returns to my office so I can evaluate these new events.
Sometimes there are very simple fixes for a tooth like this, if one is even required at all. But in other instances it may very well be that the only determination that can be made is that tooth needs root canal treatment. So what went wrong? How does a tooth go from being just fine to now being painful and needing root canal treatment, just because a dental crown has been placed?
[If you need more information, Animated-Teeth. com has a section on their website that describes what root canal treatment is and what takes place when you have endodontic therapy.]
Well, in these circumstances there certainly does seem to be some correlation between the time frame when the crowning procedure was begun and the tooth pain began. But is it simple cause and effect? Was there something about the crowning process that was done wrong? In most cases no. Here’s why.
A tooth’s nerve is easier to damage than you might expect.
The location of a tooth's nerve tissue. (Courtesy WMDS, Inc. / Animated-Teeth.com)
The nerve tissue found in a tooth lies in a precarious locality, it is housed inside a hard object (the tooth). When a tooth’s nerve receives insult (such as trauma from blow to the tooth, tooth fracture, the presence of a large amount of decay, or trauma from a dental procedure such as drilling out decay or trimming a tooth for a dental crown) it’s natural response is to swell (just like trauma associated with twisting an ankle will make it swell). The problem with this swelling event is as follows.
Since the nerve tissue is encapsulated inside the tooth, as it swells it has no room in which to expand. As a result the swelling action (inflammation) creates a significant amount of compressive force upon the nerve tissue. The net effect of this event is that the nerve tissue’s blood vessels become compressed, thus restricting their flow. This means that the vital duties that the circulation system serves (providing oxygen and nutrients, removal of excess fluids) are inhibited. The very items that are needed so the tooth can rebound and heal are stifled. Since the opposite of what is needed occurs, there is a significant risk that the nerve tissue will die.
Preparing a tooth for a dental crown. (Courtesy WMDS, Inc. / Animated-Teeth.com)
So, with our situation involving the new dental crown, what has caused the tooth’s nerve tissue to become compromised and symptomatic now? Well, it actually could be that events that occurred during the crowning procedure did traumatize the tooth (the production of heat, friction, vibration or the advancement of bacteria toward the nerve) to the extent that they triggered the cascade of events that resulted in nerve damage. But is this what has happened in our situation here with the dental crown? Probably not.
The more likely scenario lies with the following. When a tooth undergoes a traumatic episode such as any one of those described above, the result can be a nerve that has been seriously compromised but not damaged enough to die. This nerve tissue is compromised in the sense that it is now no longer resilient enough to rebound readily from insult. In this state the nerve tissue may go ahead and die immediately (or linger and die) or else it may take one or more traumatic events (either major or minor in nature) to finally push the health of the nerve tissue over the edge. No one could ever know or predict.
So, in the case of our new crown, yes the trauma from the process associated with making the crown has no doubt been enough to advance the deterioration of the nerve (hence the appearance of symptoms). But no, the trauma was not likely excessive and would not have created a problem for a tooth that was in good health. Most likely a significant traumatic event had happened to the tooth at a previous, even distant, time (hence the need for the dental crown in the first place). The act of placing the crown was simply that last traumatic straw that triggered what would have eventually happened anyway. (This exact same type of scenario can take place with new fillings, bridgework placement, teeth that are put under stress because a new partial denture places pressure on them, orthodontic treatment, or even just repeated teeth clenching and grinding. Trauma is trauma.)
The power of a beautiful smile
Posted by: drkam on: January 4, 2012
by: Pahlbod Tehranian
Hollywood stars know the power of a beautiful smile – Cheryl Cole and Scarlett Johansson are considered two of the most attractive women in the world and both have stunning, show-stopping smiles. Celebrities seems to have perfect teeth, But just like the rest of us, not everybody is blessed with a perfect set of teeth. Their smile has had a little help from the cosmetic dentist.
Smiling is both a tranquil and positive way to say who you are to the world. Your smile is a major expression of emotions like happiness, love and pleasure. It is also a window of communication expressing confidence and vitality. A beautiful smile is a major feature conveying warmth, contentment, health and self worth. It can enhance your personal and your personal and professional relationships and inspire other in many ways. So how do you feel about your smile? Since smiles are unique, how does yours measure up? Is it holding you back at all?
Cosmetic Dentistry can help you to achieve whatever it is you see in the mirror of your mind’s eye. If you always thought that it would take hours upon hours in the dentist’s chair to get a Celebrity Smile, latest innovations in techniques and materials will lead you to think otherwise. Faster treatments that utilize least invasive procedures have become the norm, leading to cosmetic Smile Lift that is a painless and easy way to achieve the perfect, natural-looking smile without translating into compromised result. In effect, modern technologies are enabling the cosmetic dentist to deliver dramatic results in less than an hour.
In this day and age time there is nothing wrong with a sound concern for looking good. Modern cosmetic dentistry procedures offer solutions to enhance your smile no matter how bad your teeth are. Unlike plastic surgery, Cosmetic Dentistry doesn’t need to be a major operation. Imagine coming in for a single appointment or two and emerging with the smile you’ve always wanted…no pain, no strain and no time taken out of your busy life. The results are immediate and drastic. Experienced Cosmetic Dentists can provide you with countless options for improving your smile. Here are some of the common smile beautification procedures available;
Removing unsightly White Spots (treatment time – less than 30 minutes) White spots: We all see them, and often wonder what we can do about them, these unattractive specks are early signs of demineralization under the enamel, which may or may not lead to the development of caries. Your dentist may have once suggested bleaching or ceramic veneers. But in today’s dental world, we are conscious of providing minimally invasive treatments that maintain a conservative approach to patients. New procedure known as “Resin Infiltration concept” can be more effective in treating this condition. Whereas using the conventional therapies such as veneers take several visits and can be very expensive. Teeth whitening in such cases should be avoided as bleaching can actually make the white spots appear even whiter.
Get Perfectly Shaped Teeth (treatment time – less than 30 minutes) Tooth contouring or reshaping is another simple method dentists use to correct minor imperfections. Crooked, cracked, chipped teeth can easily be straightened by simply shaving off a few millimeters of the edges and angles of your teeth, making them appear more aligned or in some cases adding a few millimeters of tooth-colored laminate. This procedure is often used to change the length, shape, or position of someone’s teeth, and is virtually painless. Dental contouring is ideal for people who have healthy teeth, and just need minor adjustments or repairs to achieve a perfect smile.
Get astonishing white teeth (treatment time – 60 minutes) Our Society is permanently changing and so are fashion icons and trends. However, a perfect, bright smile will always benefit from positive appreciation. Moreover, it will always be in fashion. If you are looking to make over your smile, one of the easiest places to start is teeth whitening, as a bright beaming smile gives the illusion of perfection. Simply by bleaching your teeth and making an even whiter color in your smile, you are attracting all the attention to your smile rather than anything else and thereby creating the picture-perfect Look.
Professional tooth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world today. Unlike home-use whitening systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening (also known as power bleaching) takes place under carefully monitored conditions which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching agent – yielding results that are visible immediately.
Fix gappy and chipped teeth (treatment time – less than an hour) To conceal imperfections like- spacing, gaps, chips and even dark stains, your cosmetic Dentist can perform a simple technique, called dental bonding, sculpting tooth-colored resin composite over the recesses and cracks of your teeth to give the appearance of a straighter, more balanced smile. There is a lot that can be achieved with this bonding concept, for instance your cosmetic dentist can lengthen the edges of the teeth to correct a short smile, fill in the gaps between teeth and create the appearance of straightness. Although direct composite veneers typically require minimal preparations, no mold-taking and no temporaries, the artistic skill and precision of the dentist you choose will determine the exact manner in which your direct composite veneers are created.
If you are hiding your smile, please come and see us for consultation and let us custom design your Smile Makeover program with products and techniques that will suit your smile best. Start your cosmetic dentistry full mouth rejuvenation as soon as possible.
Dental Veneers: Change into Your Smile And Toughen Your Persona!
Posted by: drkam on: December 2, 2011
By UrbanoSpiller948
Embarrassed about your smile? Dental veneer is the ideal means to grin beautifully and strengthen your self confidence. On this competitive age you will need to for an individual to look presentable. A beautiful pleasant smile goes far in improving your looks. You by no means understand an easy smile would possibly do exactly the trick for you.
Any type of dental defects or issues can be very simply corrected. There are a few simple methods which can be employed to right kind dental deficiencies. All you want to do is meet your dentist to find out which method is best suited for you. There are several types of restorative and cosmetic dentistry tactics to be had for you to make a choice from.
Dental veneer is a thin covering for the outer element of your teeth. They’re used to fortify the illusion, color and form of your teeth. Dental veneer is perfect for mending chipped, weakened, discolored or misaligned teeth. Indulge yourself through going for dental veneer to your tooth and spot the way it works wonders for you.
The process of the usage of dental veneers for your tooth is reasonably simple. In this procedure the front element of the erroneous enamel is to start with quite removed by way of your dentist. After this custom made veneers are bonded and stuck to that part of your teeth. The veneer is customized made in step with the type of enamel disorder a person has. Bonding of the veneer may also be performed bodily as well as chemically.
Ideally this procedure may also be done in two sittings with your dentist. Dental veneer remains one of the quickest as well as one of the best ways for other people to reinforce the semblance of their enamel and smile better. People who find themselves constantly exposed to the media and are in the limelight usually use dental veneers for their teeth.
There are lots of advantages of the use of dental veneers for your teeth. Initially a person can get very good effects with a minimum of tooth drilling. Veneers can be used to present the very best alignment to your misaligned teeth. Then again the dentist who is the use of veneers must be very careful as veneers can build up the thickness of teeth. Only very skinny wafer like layer of veneer will have to be used on your teeth.
If you wish to keep your tooth in proper form and good working condition, following some fundamental rules of dental hygiene will let you in the long run. Brushing your enamel two times a day is vital. Make sure you include a variety of meals stuff which can be just right in your health. Additionally remember to keep the regular appointments with your dentist religiously. Following these easy approaches will help your dental well being in the end.
How to Keep a Healthy Smile for Life
Posted by: drkam on: November 14, 2011
How to Keep a Healthy Smile for Life
American Academy of Periodontology News Releases
Oral Health and Older Adults
People are living longer and healthier lives. And, older adults also are more likely to keep their teeth for a lifetime than they were a decade ago. However, studies indicate that older people have the highest rates of periodontal disease and need to do more to maintain good oral health.
Whatever your age, it’s important to keep your mouth clean, healthy and feeling good. And it’s important to know the state of your periodontal health.
- At least half of non-institutionalized people over age 55 have periodontitis.
- Almost one out of four people age 65 and older have lost all of their teeth.
- Receding gum tissue affects the majority of older people.
- Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the leading causes of tooth loss in older adults.
What you may not realize is that oral health is not just important for maintaining a nice-looking smile and being able to eat corn on the cob. Good oral health is essential to quality of life. Consider a few of the reasons:
- Every tooth in your mouth plays an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth.
- A major cause of failure in joint replacements is infection, which can travel to the site of the replacement from the mouth in people with periodontal disease.
- People with dentures or loose and missing teeth often have restricted diets since biting into fresh fruits and vegetables is often not only difficult, but also painful. This likely means they don’t get proper nutrition.
- Most men and women age 65 and older report that a smile is very important to a person’s appearance. And, maybe most importantly, recent research has advanced the idea that periodontal disease is linked to a number of major health concerns such as heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and diabetes.
While your likelihood of developing periodontal disease increases with age, the good news is that research suggests that these higher rates may be related to risk factors other than age. So, periodontal disease is not an inevitable aspect of aging. Risk factors that may make older people more susceptible include general health status, diminished immune status, medications, depression, worsening memory, diminished salivary flow, functional impairments and change in financial status.
Medications and Oral Side Effects
Older adults are likely to take medications that can impact oral health and affect dental treatment. Hundreds of common medications – including antihistamines, diuretics, pain killers, high blood pressure medications and antidepressants – can cause side effects such as dry mouth, soft tissue changes, taste changes, and gingival overgrowth.
Be sure to tell your periodontist and other dental professionals about any medications that you are taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications.
Dry mouth leaves the mouth without enough saliva to wash away food and neutralize plaque, leaving you more susceptible to tooth decay and periodontal disease. In addition, dry mouth can cause sore throat, problems with speaking, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Your dentist or periodontist can recommend various methods to restore moisture, including sugarless gum, oral rinses or artificial saliva products.
Be sure to tell your periodontist and other dental professionals about any medications that you are taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications.
Special Concerns for Older Women
Women who are menopausal or post-menopausal may experience changes in their mouths.
Recent studies suggest that estrogen deficiency could place post-menopausal women at higher risk for severe periodontal disease and tooth loss.
In addition, hormonal changes in older women may result in discomfort in the mouth, including dry mouth, pain and burning sensations in the gum tissue and altered taste, especially salty, peppery or sour.
Bone loss is associated with both periodontal disease and osteoporosis.
In addition, menopausal gingivostomatitis affects a small percentage of women. Gums that look dry or shiny, bleed easily and range from abnormally pale to deep red mark this condition.
Most women find that estrogen supplements help to relieve these symptoms.
Bone loss is associated with both periodontal disease and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis could lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth may be decreased. More research is being done to determine if and how a relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease exists. Women considering Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help fight osteoporosis should note that this may help protect their teeth as well as other parts of the body.
Dental Implants
More and more older people are selecting dental implants over dentures as a replacement option for lost teeth. Whether you have lost one or all of your teeth, dental implants allow you to have teeth that look and feel just like your own.
Older adults have similar success rate with implants compared with younger people. As long as you’re in good health and your periodontist can restore healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant, you’re never too old to receive a dental implant.
You're never too old to receive a dental implant.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
In addition, dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Therefore, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompanies bridgework and dentures and preserve the integrity of facial features. When teeth are missing, the bone which previously supported these teeth begins to deteriorate. This can result in dramatic changes in your appearance, such as increased wrinkles around the mouth and lips that cave in and lose their natural shape.
Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Not only do periodontists have experience working with other dental professionals, they also have the special knowledge, training and facilities that you need to have teeth that look and feel just like your own.
Talk with your periodontist to find out if dental implants are an option for you.
Denture Care
Denture wearers need to avoid plaque buildup that can irritate the tissues under the dentures. Thoroughly clean dentures daily and remove dentures at night to avoid bacteria growth. If you wear dentures, you need to continue to see a dental professional regularly. Because mouths continually change, dentures need to be checked for proper fit to avoid irritation, increased bone loss and infections. A change in the fit of partial dentures could indicate periodontal disease.
Perfecting Your Smile
Cosmetic periodontal procedures are not just for people in their 20s and 30s. You can have the smile you desire at any age.
A study by the American Dental Association and Oral-B in 1998 found that nearly half of survey respondentsage 65and older selected a smile as the first thing they notice about people. Almost 80 percent in this age group also reported that a smile is very important to a person’s appearance.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
Even if you’ve managed to avoid periodontal disease until now, it is especially important to practice a meticulous oral care routine as you age. Receding gum tissue affects a large percentage of older people. This condition exposes the roots of teeth and makes them more vulnerable to decay and periodontal infection.
Once you’ve been treated for periodontal disease, periodontal maintenance procedures or supportive periodontal therapy enables you to gain control of the disease and increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth. In additional to a dental examination, a thorough periodontal evaluation is performed. Harmful bacterial plaque and calculus are then removed from above and below the gum line. If necessary, root planing may be used to smooth root surfaces that are infected. In addition, your periodontist or other dental professional will review your at-home oral hygiene routine and may suggest modifications tailored for your condition.
Chronic gum disease (periodontitis) can cause bone destruction and tooth loss; periodontitis is due to an inflammatory response to a variety of bacteria growing on the gums.
Teeth Crowded In Seniors
Posted by: drkam on: November 13, 2011
Teeth Crowded In Seniors
Nov 14, 2011
The size of our jaws decreases with age. This is shown in a unique study from the Faculty of Dentistry at Malmö University that followed a cohort of dentists throughout their adult lives.
Bone loss due to age and denture.
The unique study started in 1949. Plaster molds were made of the jaws of dental students, who were then in their twenties. Ten years later the procedure was repeated, and in 1989, forty years after the first molds, a final round was performed. On that occasion the researchers were in touch with 18 of the original 30 participants.
“We found that over these forty years there was less and less room for teeth in the jaw,” says Lars Bondemark, professor of orthodontics, who analyzed the material together with his colleague Maria Nilner, professor of clinical bite physiology at the College of Dentistry, Malmö University .
Aging teeth are usually crowded and yellow and we have numerous dental treatment options to consider
This crowdedness comes from shrinkage of the jaw, primarily the lower jaw, both in length and width. While this is only a matter of a few millimeters, but it is enough to crowd the front teeth. “We can also eliminate wisdom teeth as the cause, because even people who have no wisdom teeth have crowded front teeth.”
How much the jaw shrinks is individual, but for some patients the changes are sufficiently great for them to perceive that something is happening to their bite.
“In that case it’s good to know that this is normal,” says Lars Bondemark, who maintains that dentists need to take into consideration the continuous shrinking of the jaws when they plan to perform major bite constructions on their patients.
“We’re working against nature, and it’s hard to construct something that is completely stable.”
Why the jaws change throughout life is not known, but the magnitude of the change is probably determined by both hereditary and anatomical factors, including what the patient’s bite looks like.
Doktor gigi kaki lima
Posted by: drkam on: October 10, 2011
- In: Dental Finance | Denture
- 1 Comment
Doktor gigi kaki lima
Oleh Rabi ‘Atul ‘Adawiyah Ismail
BERBAHAYA...‘doktor’ gigi warga China tidak mengamalkan ciri-ciri keselamatan ketika menjalankan proses rawatan.
KUALA LUMPUR: Kerana yuran perkhidmatan yang murah, segelintir pengguna masih sanggup menggadaikan nyawa dengan mendapatkan rawatan pergigian daripada ‘doktor gigi’ tidak bertauliah di kaki lima Jalan Pasar Pudu, di sini.
Doktor gigi yang dipercayai berasal dari China itu memulakan perkhidmatan pergigiannya di kaki lima kawasan itu setiap hari bermula jam 9 pagi hingga 3 petang.
Mereka menawarkan perkhidmatan memasang gigi palsu dengan harga lebih murah daripada klinik swasta iaitu RM50 hingga RM80 satu gigi dan tempoh pemasangannya mengambil masa 20 minit.
Biarpun tidak tahu berbahasa Melayu, doktor terbabit mengupah jurubahasa yang bertindak sebagai pengantara untuk memaklumkan semua harga perkhidmatan.
Tinjauan Metroplus ke Jalan Pasar Pudu, baru-baru ini, mendapati empat doktor gigi warga China membuka klinik kaki lima di kawasan itu.
Berbekalkan peralatan pergigian, air, kerusi, carta dan sampel gigi palsu, mereka membuka klinik di tengah laluan itu tanpa memikirkan aspek keselamatan dan kebersihan.
Namun, masih ada segelintir pengunjung menggunakan perkhidmatan itu, biarpun tiada ciri-ciri keselamatan diamalkan.
Malah, doktor kaki lima terbabit mendakwa peralatan yang digunakan bersih dan selamat kerana semuanya sudah dicuci dengan ubat yang boleh membunuh kuman tanpa mensterilkan peralatan terlebih dulu.
Menurutnya, yuran perkhidmatan bergantung kepada jenis gigi yang digunakan, namun ia tahan sehingga tiga tahun, malah pelanggan boleh mendapat diskaun.
Katanya, pelanggan tidak perlu risau kerana doktor yang merawat sangat terlatih, berkemahiran dan pasti berpuas hati dengan perkhidmatan diterima.
“Sudah lima tahun kami menawarkan perkhidmatan pergigian di kaki lima ini dan sambutan amat menggalakkan. Pengguna tidak perlu risau kerana semuanya pasti selamat, prosedur yang dijalankan sama di klinik swasta dan lebih penting yurannya murah,” katanya.
Sementara itu, seorang lelaki yang mendapatkan khidmat doktor kaki lima terbabit yang mahu dikenali sebagai Liow, 45, berkata dia takut untuk mencuba, tetapi selepas diyakini, dia mencubanya juga kerana perkhidmatan ditawarkan murah dan cepat.
“Saya tahu mengenai doktor kaki lima ini melalui rakan yang pernah mendapat rawatan di sini dan mereka mencadangkan tempat ini kepada saya. Biarpun tidak mengamalkan ciri keselamatan dan kebersihan, kami tutup mata saja, asalkan perkhidmatannya murah dan bersesuaian dengan kami yang berpendapatan rendah,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Naib Presiden Persatuan Pergigian Malaysia (MDA), Dr Haja Badrudeen Sirajudeen, mengingatkan pengguna supaya tidak menggadaikan nyawa dengan mendapatkan perkhidmatan doktor gigi tidak bertauliah kerana ia berisiko untuk berlakunya pemindahan virus penyakit seperti Aids dan hepatitis.
Katanya, dengan penggunaan alat yang tidak disterilkan dan kebersihan lain, tidak mustahil virus akan berpindah, terutama apabila berlaku pendarahan ketika melakukan rawatan.
“Kebanyakan doktor tidak bertauliah terbabit menggunakan kaedah rawatan berbeza mengikut panduan perubatan pergigian yang dibenarkan. Jika membuat rawatan tanam gigi, mereka akan gunakan gam atau simen yang memberi kesan kepada pengguna dan selepas beberapa tahun, ia akan bernanah dan berisiko untuk mendapat barah,” katanya ketika ditemui.
Menurut Dr Haja Badrudeen, mengikut Akta Pergigian 1971, pengamal perubatan pergigian yang berdaftar dengan persatuan dan mempunyai sijil tauliah yang sah saja boleh memberikan perkhidmatan.
Bagi doktor dari luar negara, mereka perlu mempunyai sijil tauliah yang diiktiraf kerajaan Malaysia.
Katanya, doktor luar negara hanya dibenarkan bertugas di hospital kerajaan dan ia belum dilaksanakan di sektor swasta.
“Biarpun yuran perkhidmatannya lebih murah, di klinik yang diiktiraf kerajaan mereka mendapat perkhidmatan yang lebih baik dan selesa,” katanya.
Using 3D Digital Scanners: Virtual Becomes Reality
Posted by: drkam on: September 18, 2011
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