Category Archives: Dental Health
The Purpose of Dental X-Rays
During most routine trips to a dentist in Coral Springs, you’ll probably have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist. But on ocassion, the dentist will tell you that it’s time to have your teeth x-rayed. So what is this x-raying business all about? Is it just a way for the dentist to suck a few more dollars out of your wallet or is there real purpose.
Well, as you’d probably guess, there are a number of legitimate reasons for getting your teeth x-rayed periodically. As you well know, your teeth aren’t completely solid.
The outer white part that’s visible to the eye is called the enamel, which is the hardest thing in your body. The layer just below the enamel is called the dentine. And further in are nerves.
So there’s a lot that can be going on inside and around your teeth that a dentist can’t see with the naked eye. And keep in mind that your teeth go deep into your mouth which makes a dentist’s job even tougher.
This is where x-rays can help the dentist is several ways:
1. Tooth decay – if you experience decay or cavities on the top surface of a tooth, the dentist can easily spot it. But what if that decay is between your teeth all way in the back where your molars are entrenched? Your dentist may not see it, but it will show up on x-ray.
2. Bone loss – your teeth are firmly attached to your jaw bone structure. But severe gum disease can actually result in a loss of bone. This loss means that your teeth can loosen, thus making it necessary to undergo a procedure to stabilize the tooth or have it pulled and replaced with dental implants. An x-ray will help determine how much bone loss you’re experiencing.
3. Check under fillings – when you have a cavity, the dentist will cover it over with a filling of some sort. But just because the filling is in place, that doesn’t mean decay can’t or won’t continue. You’ll only know what’s going on by having an x-ray done.
4. Root infections – you’ve heard the term root canal which is an area inside your tooth where nerves exist. Whether through gum disease or other means, it’s possible for the root area or the bottom of the tooth to become infected. It’ll take an x-ray to get to the bottom of any root issues. If left untreated, you may have to have to seek dental implants in Coral Springs.
5. Pre-treatment check – before a dentist performs any sort of significant treatment or surgical procedure related to your teeth, he or she will generally want to get a picture of your teeth as a precaution to confirm their diagnosis and to make sure nothing is missed. So x-rays may be taken prior to procedures such as dental implants, braces, tooth removal, etc.
So there you have 5 reason why dentists need to take x-rays of your teeth. The reasons include checking for tooth decay, bone loss, decay under fillings, root infections, and any issues prior to major procedures.
Here at the Coral Springs Dental Pros , our mission is to help you maintain a beautiful smile for a life time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
The Perils of Gum Disease
Gum disease (or periodontal disease) happens in 2 stages that include gingivitis and then advanced periodontitis. As plaque gradually increases on your teeth and beneath the gum line, gingivitis is initiated. At this stage, no irreversible harm will have resulted. Nonetheless, plaque beneath the gum line does begin to impact the gum tissue, teeth, and bone.
Then, if not treated, the gums will recede from the teeth, thus exposing open pockets that invite bacteria and infection. The bone structure that supports your teeth will become weakened. With weakened bone and gum, the teeth are far more prone to loosening and falling out. This is the call advanced periodontitis which is the final phase of gum disease.
Gum disease is the top reason for tooth loss in this country. Men and women lose teeth daily merely because they are not effectively informed about stopping gum disease or how to recognize it in the early phase. By being informed, you’ll significantly boost the chances of maintaining a healthier mouth for your entire life.
Preventing gingivitis is aided by brushing, flossing, and good genes. Nevertheless, 30% to 40% of U.S. adults are nonetheless impacted by this condition. In 10% of the instances, individuals will endure damage to their ligaments and bone that support the teeth. Aside from becoming a little uncomfortable, there are only a handful of symptoms of gingivitis. For instance, there could be a tiny bit of gum bleeding following brushing in the early stage.
You are going to know when the situation is becoming dire when your gums commence to ache. They will hurt due to the dual forces of infection and inflammation in the mouth that ultimate will start to seep into your bloodstream and travel to other organs of your body. The results of periodontal disease ranges from minor to significant health issues. Some of its minor discomforts are halitosis or terrible breath. If not dealt with in its initial stage, gum disease can then lead to genuine internal troubles, that will cause strokes and heart disease.
Further, periodontal disease has been identified as having a considerable impact on the potential to manage blood sugar levels. When the bacteria from the gum illness originating in the mouth reaches the rest of the body through the veins and arteries, it puts significant anxiety on the body and hinders its capacity to moderate blood sugar levels in response to the bacterial invasion. Antibiotics have had constructive results for diabetics who are attempting to manage their blood sugar levels while simultaneously treating the bacterial infections that are triggered by the gum disease.
Combating periodontal disease is crucial since it’s not only a significant threat to the wellness of your teeth and the look of your smile, it has also been identified as a potential contributing element to more severe illnesses such as diabetes and heart difficulties.
Studies have shown that individuals suffering from gum disease, regardless of whether in the early form of gingivitis or the much more severe periodontitis – carry nearly double the danger of contributing to heart disease. While the symptoms of each condition is very clear, the connection between the two require further research.
The symptoms of periodontal disease consist of swollen, sore gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, horrible breath and a bad taste in the mouth. The symptoms of possible heart illness as a result of gum disease, on the other hand, are also apparent and considerably more severe. Normally, the best therapy for gum disease is an excellent cleaning. Teeth cleaning, which is also referred to as scaling and root planing, is performed by a dentist or dental hygienist who will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar.
Nevertheless, if your periodontal disease has moved to the advanced phase, then much more significant measures could be required. For instance, there is laser gum illness treatment. It is a bit invasive but it eliminates the downtime and discomfort which generally accompanies periosurgery. If the gum illness is too sophisticated or the tooth has already fallen out, dental implants could be necessary.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Are you a bit hesitant to show off a full blown beaming smile because of your teeth? Maybe it’s because they are discolored, a little crooked, or too short or long. If this sounds like youm then read on because there is a solution. In this article, I’m going to discuss the benefits of dental veneers.
But before diving into the pluses of veneers, you should have an idea of what they are. Dental veneers are very thin shells that are applied to the surface of your teeth. When done correctly, the average person looking at your smile won’t be able to tell that you have them.
The most popular veneers are made from porcelain. This material is very strong and closely matches the look of natural teeth. In addition, porcelain is highly resistant to staining. But they can be pricey.
As an alternative these days, dental veneers can also be made of a composite resin material. It’s not as good as porcelain or as resistant to staining, but it’s a way to save a bit of money.
So the first dental veneers weren’t designed or meant to be permanent fixtures. After a movie scene was done, the actor could easily remove them.
But as time went on, it became clear that veneers could be used to enhance someone’s smile without removing them. However, it took some time to develop a bonding agent or glue that worked well and that was safe to be in someone’s mouth without poisoning them. It didn’t take long to get over that hurdle.
The primary reason why dental veneers weren’t widely known is because of cost. Only the rich could afford them and not all dentists were trained to apply them.
You see, before the thin veneer shells can be attached to the outer surface of your teeth, the surface has to be shaved down a millimeter or so to match the thickness of the veneers. Then, they can be permanently affixed.
Now, if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like the idea of their natural teeth surface being sanded down, you could be a candidate for a new type of veneer that allows your natural teeth to be kept intact. But this is something that you should discuss with the dentist.
Dental veneers aren’t something that the dentist keeps in a supply cabinet. They are custom made to every patient’s mouth. The dentist will exam your teeth, take measurements, and a cast mold of your mouth. The mold and measurements will be sent to an outside laboratory or specialty veneer manufacturer. The dentist will get your veneers back in a week or so.
When the dentist get you in the chair, the veneers must be applied with precision. There’s a bit of artistry involved to get the look you want. So the dentist can tweak the color or use special tools to shape them while they are in your mouth. Once you and the dentist agree that everything looks perfect, the super strong bonding cement will be used to attached them permanently. A special light will be used to active the hardening material in the glue.
There could be a final touch up or two and then the dentist will send you on your way with a stunning new smile. Just keep in mind that you’ll still have to maintain a proper dental hygiene regimen and see the dentist regularly for check ups.
Author Bio: Kelly Reese of Coral Springs Dental Pros at www.coralspringsdentalpros.com submitted this article. If you’re searching for a quality Coral Springs dentist, be sure to visit their website.
The 9 Dental Specialties
In most cases, your Coral Springs dentist will be able to handle your dental needs, whether they be routine or cosmetic. However, there may come a time when you or someone in your family find themselves in a unique or difficult dental position. That’s when your primary dentist may refer you to a specialist.
In the United States, there are nine known dental care specialities that some dental practitioners elect to pursue. To become an expert practitioner, one needs to learn one of these specialist training program. A specialist can be certified only after completion of the specialized education. The dental specialties include:
1. PERIODONTICS:
Periodontics is also one of the specializations regarding dental treatment which often features the elimination, diagnosis and cure of disorders gums and flesh and also the aesthetics of these structures along with proper oral hygiene.
2.. ORTHODONTICS AND DONTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS:
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics is a dental core specialization that also includes the diagnosis, elimination, interception, and static correction of malocclusion, along with neuro-muscular and skeletal abnormalities in the oro-facial structures.
3. PROSTHODONTICS:
Prosthodontics is a dental care specialization concerning the diagnosis, cure, rehab and upkeep of the oral health for specialized medical ailments such as missing or lacking teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial flesh, with the help of bio-compatible alternatives. You might here this referred to as a dental implant procedure.
4. DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH:
This is the most general form of specialization that a Coral Springs FL dentist can possess. It is truly a sort of practise which often serves the community. This field is concerned with the dental health education and learning using used dental care exploration and is actually the current administration regarding group dentistry applications.
5. ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY:
Oral pathology is one of the specialized dental treatment and self-control pathology which refers to the managing of disorders which affects concerned regions. It is a scientific discipline which investigates the dilemma, operations, and also results of these disorders. The training regarding oral pathology consists of exploration and diagnosis of the disorders, making use of specialized medical and infinitesimal biochemical processes
6. ENDODONTICS:
Endodontics is the part of dental treatment that is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the dental care and peri-radicular flesh. Its includes review and training principle with specialized medical sciences such as chemistry and biology with the usual studies along with the etiology, diagnosis, elimination and cure of disorders and injuries of the teeth and gums and the connected periradicular ailments.
7. ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGICAL TREATMENT:
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical procedures are the specialized dental treatment which includes the diagnosis, operation and adjunctive cure of disorders, injuries and blemishes of the aesthetic issues of the tough and smooth fleshes.
8. PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY:
Paediatric Dental treatments are an age-old specialization that delivers equally important and comprehensive deterring and beneficial oral health concerning babies and teenage youngsters for their unique medical desires.
9. ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGY:
Oral and maxillofacial radiology is a specialised dental practise and a self-controlled treatment process for the production and design of most modalities regarding radiant power which are employed to treat and manage disorders and ailments of the maxillofacial region.