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X-Rays - Safe? |
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The
benefits of dental x-rays easily
outweigh the slight risks. Lead
aprons and thyroid collars can
reduce any risks by protecting
vulnerable body parts. X-rays
are avoided if the patient is
pregnant. |
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Why are x-rays necessary? |
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Studies
have shown that without x-rays,
dentists would miss 50% of decay
between the teeth. X-rays also
aid in diagnosing and treating
other dental problems such as
abscesses, cysts, tumors, and
impacted teeth. X-rays are
invaluable for proper diagnosis.
Without aid of x-rays, the best
possible dental treatment could
not be rendered. X-rays are
required in all medical
professions for proper
diagnosis. Why would less be
done in connection with a
patient's health? |
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Wisdom teeth |
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Wisdom
teeth are also called the third
molars. The last teeth to come
in. The 1st molar usually erupts
at age 6-7 years. The 2nd molar
erupts at age 12-13 years. The
3rd molar usually erupts in the
late teens, early twenties. In
some cases they are impacted and
can't erupt. |
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Impacted wisdom teeth |
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This
usually occurs when there is not
sufficient room in the mouth for
the 3rd molars to erupt.
Sometimes they grow in sideways
because they are blocked by the
jawbone or by another tooth. |
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Impacted teeth/reasons to remove |
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They:
Damage other teeth. Become
infected, inflamed, or painful.
Because the opposing tooth to
grow excessively long if it has
no tooth to meet against.
Becomes decayed (if partially
impacted). Creates problems
later for denture wearers. Some
people can keep their wisdom
teeth; your dentist must decide
this by whether your jaw is
large enough. |
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Best age to have wisdom teeth
removed |
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Removal is
simplest between the ages of 17
and 20 years when the roots are
usually partially formed.
Orthodontic treatment may
require earlier removal. |
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Warning Signs of Gum Disease |
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Gums
that bleed when you brush or
floss
Swollen, red, tender or
painful gums
Gums that have separated from
teeth
Pus that appears when gums are
pressed
Loose teeth or teeth that have
changed position or tip out
towards the lip
Teeth that look long due to
receding gums
Changes in the way teeth fit
together or the way removable
bridges fit |
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Periodontal disease |
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Types of periodontal disease |
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The
mildest form of this disease is
gingivitis, an inflammation of
the gums due to plaque build-up.
It is reversible, if treated at
an early stage. The most
destructive form of periodontal
disease and the major cause of
tooth loss in adults is
periodontitis, which causes
irreversible changes in the
supporting tissues and even
destruction of the bone that
holds the teeth in place. |
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cause of periodontal disease |
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Plaque: A
sticky, colorless bacteria film
that forms on the teeth. It is
the primary cause of periodontal
disease. Each individual has
many different types of bacteria
in the mouth. After eating,
sleeping, etc., and improper
brushing, many bacteria may
still remain in the mouth and
within the hour multiply and
form more plaque, especially at
the gum line. These bacteria
sometimes cause gum
inflammation, which is actually
an infection. Later a
cement-like substance called
tartar forms on the teeth,
trapping more bacteria. Over
time the inflamed gums pull away
from the teeth, leaving pockets
filled with bacteria and pus.
Eventually, the supporting bone
is destroyed and the teeth
become so loose that they have
to be removed or actually fall
out. |
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Stages of gum disease: |
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1.
Healthy: gum is firm and
resilient and does not bleed on
probing.
2. Gingivitis: gum tissue is
inflamed, swollen and bleeds on
probing.
3. Moderate periodontitis:
inflammation persists with loss
of gum attachment and bone
support.
4. Severe periodontitis:
supporting gum and bone tissue
have deteriorated and tooth
loosens.
5. Advanced periodontitis:
tissue and bone are destroyed,
causing tooth loss. |
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Areas which make a person prone
to periodontitis or increase its
severity: |
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1.
Genetic make-up
2. Medications a) which restrict
salivation b) drugs which reduce
the immune systems ability to
fight infection.
3. Hormones a) Pregnancy- change
in hormone levels, which
encourages bacteria growth. b)
Some birth control pills- which
do the same as above.
4. Diseases- such as diabetes
that cause disorders which lower
your resistance to fight
infections.
5. Tobacco- produces a higher
level of bacteria.
6. Mouth irritants- faulty bite,
defective fillings, poorly
fitting appliances, etc., which
can cause food traps, which
cause plaque to form, irritating
the gums.
7. Diet- snacking on
starchy-sugary foods which cause
an excess amount of plaque
build-up.
8. Emotions- anxiety, stress,
depression can worsen gum
disease by reducing saliva flow
or by causing grinding or
clenching of the teeth which
irritates the gums.
9. Age- chances of developing
gum disease increase as you get
older. The best approach to gum
disease is through good oral
hygiene. This means regular
visits to your dentist for a
professional cleaning, good
brushing and flossing habits at
home between visits. Periodontal
disease is progressive- the
earlier it is detected and
treated, the less expensive and
uncomfortable it will be. |
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Prophylaxis - cleaning |
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Routine
cleaning done by our hygienist
involving fine scaling to remove
plaque and light tartar build-up
and polishing of the teeth with
a pumice solution. Oral hygiene
instructions and application of
fluoride when requested by the
doctor. |
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Perio scale - root planning |
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Treatment
of the gums performed by the
hygienist to remove gross
deposits of plaque and tartar in
the beginning stages of
periodontal disease. Root
planning is often done at this
time to smooth the root surface
of the teeth involved, this is
done by deep scaling. This often
occurs when patients have not
had teeth cleaned professionally
on a regular basis or lack good
oral hygiene instructions. |
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Curettage |
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Similar to
perio scale and root planning
with the exception that this
procedure is performed by the
dentist and usually requires
anesthesia, as a far more
extensive scaling is done. The
dentist using special
instruments goes along the root
curvature of the teeth involved
removing excess granulation and
diseased tissue lining the gum
pocket as well as the tartar and
deposits. |
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Surgery |
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This is
done when severe periodontitis
is involved and/or the gum
tissue has failed to respond to
the above treatment. Surgery is
performed by making and incision
around the teeth involved and
then laying a flap to the gums.
This allows the fibrous tissue
and deposits to be accessible
for easy removal of the infected
area allowing healthy gum to
heal around the teeth. The gums
are recontoured after the
fibrous tissue and deposits have
been removed. After the healing
process, this allows easy access
to have the patient cleaned
properly. Sutures and a perio
pack are placed. |
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Remember: |
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Gum
disease will not go away by
itself. Left untreated, the
disease can get worse and may
even cause you to lose your
teeth. If treated early, it will
not have the chance to destroy
your smile. |
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Crowns |
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The
definition for a crown is a
cover or cap for a damaged tooth
that restores it to its normal
shape and size. The crown
actually encases the damaged
tooth and acts as a seal and
cover for future protection. |
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Three kinds of crowns and the
difference between them:
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1.
Porcelain crown: a type of glass
which can be stained to match
the tooth color perfectly. It is
harder than enamel and is
usually fused to a metal. A
porcelain crown is attractive
and durable but can fracture
under intense biting pressure.
Like a natural tooth, it can be
broken. Because it is harder
than enamel and durable, the
disadvantage is that it may
eventually wear down the tooth
it bites against. This is a very
long-term occurrence unless the
patient has extreme bite
conditions.
2. Gold alloy: mixture of gold
and other metals (pure gold is
too soft). A gold crown costs
more, is softer and will wear
down more easily against the
biting pressures of the opposite
teeth. The advantage is no wear
of the opposing natural tooth
due to the crown.
3. Non-precious metal: it is an
all metal crown usually made
from nickel alloy or a
semi-precious metal. The
non-precious metal came into
being when the cost of gold
became high. It is a good
durable material harder than
gold. Its disadvantages are the
same as a porcelain crown. |
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