WISDOM TOOTH (PART 1)

Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth may become a problem for you as they grow and develop. Development can span several years and can cause sudden and severe pain. Understanding why such things can happen may help you to deal with such problems, or better still, to encourage you to take preventive measures before they occur. The primary preventive measure for wisdom teeth is removal, preferably at an early stage.

There’s Not Enough Room!

Even though the jawbone grows close to its adult size by your late teens, that size is often too small to hold developing wisdom teeth. When there is not enough room for your wisdom teeth they may become partially trapped in the jawbone and gums.

LASER DENTISTRY (Part 3)

What are Laser Periodontal Procedures?

One of the most popular laser procedures for treatment of gum disease involves using specific lasers as a following initial scaling (cleaning) of the teeth and roots. The laser light is delivered to the area below the gum line using a flexible fiber optic, designed to focus energy and selectively eliminate diseased tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact. The laser also provides elimination of bacterial tissue toxins and in some cases has proven to delay the re-population of certain bacteria.

This bacterial reduction often results in significant pocket reduction and a decrease of bleeding on probing, hence assisting in the treatment of periodontal disease. The benefits of this procedure attributed to the use of the laser are many. The small size and flexibility of the fiber optic delivery system provides for easy access to the tissues below the gum line. The laser-assisted procedure is considerably faster than traditional methods and also results in less bleeding, less post-op discomfort and less trauma than traditional hygiene appointments using metal instrumentation.

Other Laser Dentistry Applications

There are many other applications for Laser Dentistry such as viewing tooth and gum tissue, painless and suture-free removal of benign tumors, nerve regeneration, teeth whitening, etc.

Laser Dentistry is an innovative and more precise technology for specific hard and soft tissue applications. Our highly trained team uses the most up-to-date technology to provide your patients the best care possible and we are constantly evaluating new developments to remain at the forefront in out field.

We strive to make each patient feel comfortable in a relaxed environment.

LASER DENTISTRY (Part 2)

Soft Tissue (Gum) Laser Dentistry Procedures

• Gummy Smile: Dental lasers can reshape gum tissue to expose healthy tooth structure and improve the appearance of a gummy smile
• Soft Tissue Folds: Dental lasers may be used for the painless and suture-free removal of soft tissue folds often caused by ill-fitting dentures
• Crown Lengthening: Dental lasers can reshape gum tissue (soft tissue laser) and bone (hard tissue laser) to expose healthier tooth structure. Referred to as crown lengthening, such reshaping provides a stronger foundation for the placement of restorations.
• Muscle Attachment (Frenula): A laser frenectomy is an ideal treatment option for children who are tongue tied (restricted or tight frenulum) and babies unable to breast feed adequately due to limited tongue movement. A laser frenectomy may also help to eliminate speech impediments.  

LASER DENTISTRY (Part 1)

Enhancing Dental Treatment Using Lasers

The use of Lasers in Dentistry can be very effective and precise to carry out many dental procedures. The main advantage lies in the control of the duration of exposure and power output, which allows the treatment to a highly specific area without damaging the surrounding tissues. Laser treatment also minimize pain and recovery time. These advantages of laser dentistry have resulted in an increased use of this technology by general dentists. We have also incorporated the state-of-the-art laser dentistry techniques into our practice and treatments.

If you consider yourself an anxious patient, laser dentistry will give you a greater degree of comfort.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

There are many benefits of Laser Dentistry and some of them are as follows:
- Certain laser dentistry procedures do not require local anesthesia
- Less invasive and precision reduces overall time for the procedure

- Procedures performed using soft tissue dental lasers may not require stitches
- Laser dentistry minimizes bleeding because the high-energy light beam aids in the clotting (coagulation) of exposed blood vessels, thus inhibiting blood loss

- Bacterial infections are reduced as the high-energy beam sterilizes the area being worked on and thereby significant pocket reduction

- Damage to surrounding tissue is minimized

- Wounds heal fast and tissues can be regenerated

WHAT TO DO WHEN A TOOTH IS KNOCKED OUT…

If the tooth can be replanted within 15-30 minutes after the accident, there is a greater than 90% chance the tooth will be retained for life. However, practical life experience shows us that may be unrealistic.

The critical determining factors for success of replantation are the condition of the alveolar socket (bone) which should be free from periodontal (gum) disease and be reasonably intact, the time the tooth is out of the bone socket, the storage and transport medium used to deliver the tooth to the dentist, and how the tooth is handled between the accident and arrival at the dentist.

After the accident, the tooth should be located and picked up by the crown or enamel portion and NOT the root. If the tooth is dirty or contaminated, it should gently be placed in a transport solution of Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution. If HBSS is not available, the next best alternatives are whole cold milk, saline, or saliva. However, it should be noted that milk, saline, and saliva have their limitations.

Saline solution may be damaging if it is allowed to soak in it for more than one or two hours. Saliva may be damaging as the tooth ligament cells may become infected. Cold whole milk is acceptable for short periods of time however it sours quickly, and milk is usually not available at a sporting event. Never transport the tooth to the dentist in tissue or gauze. If none of the above are readily available, use water. The HBSS is biocompatible with the tooth periodontal ligament cells and can keep these cells viable for 24 hours because of its ideal pH and osmolality. Research has shown that this fluid can rejuvenate degenerated ligament cells and maintain a success rate of over 90% if an avulsed tooth is soaked in it for 30 minutes prior to replantation. This solution does not need refrigeration and it preserved in a break resistant, sterilized container.

It is now obvious that a proper transport medium for tooth avulsion should be part of the first aid kit at schools and most definitely be part of the sports medicine medical kit of the athletic trainers and coaches available at all sporting events. It would be beneficial for parents to keep a container of HBSS in the home medicine cabinet. Once the dentist receives the tooth preserved in this system he/she may precede to implant the tooth and do the proper splinting procedures with a favorable prognosis. It should be noted that if a primary (baby) tooth is knocked out, it should NOT be replanted as it could damage the permanent tooth is knocked out, it should NOT be replanted as it could damage the permanent tooth bud in formation. Parents should NOT try to place the baby tooth back into the socket, and should immediately seek the advice and treatment of their dentist.

It is advised that if the accident victim shows any signs of head injury, unconsciousness, nausea, or persistent headaches, they should be first evaluated for their head injury by proper medical personnel. Once a head injury is ruled out, they may precede to the dentist for treatment of the avulsed (knocked out) tooth. This is another reason why a proper storage medium for the tooth is critical.

HOLIDAY SWEETS

 

The American Dental Association reports that it is not the amount of sweets consumed that creates the dental problems but the type of candies or sweets. Candy that stick to your teeth like gummy bears tends to be more harmful than a chocolate bar that will be washed away.

The minute we take a bite of something containing lots of sugar, the plaque begins to produce acids. This process robs the tooth of minerals and thus causes decay. The other foods we eat provide the tooth with phosphates and calcium needed to heal the teeth.

The report suggests that you eat all your sweets at one sitting or after meals to have the least effect.

Remember, whether you eat your sweets as dessert or choose to eat them at some other time of the day, remember to brush your teeth afterwards. If you cant brush your teeth, chew sugarless gum for a few minutes to stimulate the saliva that will help wash away the decay-causing acids from the teeth.

The ADA recommends brushing teeth with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste twice a day, cleaning between teeth once a day and visiting the dentist regularly.