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Do's And Don'ts After Tooth Extraction

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:36:53 GMT

Tooth extraction refers to painless removal of tooth or tooth roots with minimum trauma to the surrounding tissues so that the extraction socket wound heals uneventfully without any post-operative complications. Whenever any surgery or Tooth extraction takes place the first thing we want is to let it heal properly ,quickly and smoothly. As a common practice, most of the dental surgeons have standard post surgery instructions printed which are handed over to the patient. One must follow these instructions given by the dentist. Apart from those instructions there are few things which need to be taken care post tooth extraction. Following all the post-operative instructions after tooth extraction reduces the incidence of infection and chances of dry socket after tooth extraction. If aftercare instructions are not followed after tooth extraction, then it can cause dry socket which can further lead to delayed healing of the tooth extraction socket. So patient is advised to follow certain do's and don'ts after tooth extarction procedure.

Try to take some rest after Tooth Extraction. You may feel great but don’t exercise at least for a day after tooth extraction.When taking rest,keep your head lifted on a pillow.

Let the clot be formed on the tooth extraction site , which covers it and allow it to heal. Bite on the gauze piece after tooth extraction, which the dentist has put on the extraction socket, minimum for an hour. Don’t chew on that gauze piece but put a steady pressure. This will help in stopping the bleeding and formation of clot which acts like a cork on the bottle. Change gauze after every half an hour depending on the amount of bleeding. If clot is dislodged,the nerve endings are exposed,nerves and capillaries spasm and constrict,limiting essential blood supply which causes delay in healing. If the bleeding doesn't stop one should try putting a wet tea bag in the site, as tannic acid present in black tea helps stop bleeding.

Don’t spit minimum for 24 hours after tooth extraction because it can dislodge the clot. If the clot is dislodged you can have very painful condition known as dry socket. In case of dry socket, physiologic clot is lose both in quantity and quality. Afterwards one should spit 3-4 times in a day so that no food is lodged near the area where the tooth is removed. Dentist may advice CHLOROHEXIDINE mouth rinses as they kill bacteria.

Don’t smoke for 48 hours.after tooth extraction as the chemicals in the smoke can effect the clot and hence the chances of developing dry socket 3-4 days after tooth extraction increases.

Don’t take solids immediately after Tooth Extraction till the numbness is there. When you start feeling your jaws you can start taking solids. After tooth extraction, take soft and liquid foods like soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc.

Take your medicines as prescribed by your dentist. Don’t skip the medicines. If antibiotics are given they should be taken regularly. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs are to be taken after tooth extraction. It help in reducing the pain and swelling. If the pain continues even after two days of tooth extraction and bleeding starts then you should call your dentist.

Avoid Sucking of any type - SMOKING, SIPPING, EATING HARD VEGETABLES are to be avoided after tooth extraction. Try taking soft and liquid food options such as soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc. after tooth extraction. Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, sodas, etc.

If you are daring enough to avoid these instructions, you may be a strong contender for some complications.

WHAT COMPLICATIONS CAN BE THERE AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION?

Bleeding
Infection
Dry socket
Jaw fracture
Sinus perforation
Broken Bone Fragments (Sequestrii)
Part of the Tooth Left (Retained Roots)
Osteonecrosis

Bleeding After Tooth Extraction: If one follows the instructions of the dentist after Tooth extraction to take rest and to keep the gauze piece for 1 to 2 hours after extraction then the problem of bleeding is not there. The patients who are taking anticoagulants like Heparin or Coumadin or the patients who have bleeding disorders like hemophilia should give the history to the dentist. The patients who are taking aspirin or nonsteroidal analgesics have increased bleeding time.

Infection after Tooth Extraction: Infection is the most common complication after tooth extraction. Our mouth Is full of bacteria. One cannot sterilize it. Dentist decides whether to give antibiotics after the tooth extraction or not. Normally for the simple tooth extractions antibiotics are not required but if patient has pain and swelling or pus then it is better to go for preventive antibiotics. Bleeding continuing after 48 hours after tooth extraction, acute pain and swelling are very common signs of infection after the tooth extraction and the patient must visit the dentist in such circumstances to avoid further complications after tooth extraction.

Dry Socket: It is the most dreaded and painful condition which can happen after tooth extraction. For a day or two after dental extraction the patient is fine, and then he has acute pain and becomes very restless. Patient complains of bad taste in the mouth. It is more common after the dental extraction of lower teeth than the upper teeth. It can happen even after the simplest tooth extraction.

Healing of Extraction socket after Tooth Extraction

Jaw Fracture during Tooth Extraction: It can happen but very rarely and that too in lower jaw. The dentist who is doing the tooth extractions knows that how much pressure has to be put to pull out the tooth. But sometimes dentist before doing the extraction see the x-ray and tell the patient that the bone structure around the tooth has become fragile and chances of fracture are there. In such cases patient and the dentist are prepared beforehand to manage the situation.

Sinus Perforation during Tooth Extraction: The back teeth are in close proximation with the sinus. Sometimes if you see the x-ray it looks as if the roots of the back teeth are virtually in the sinus. It never happens. There is always a thin bone separating the sinus from the roots of the teeth. But sometimes during tooth extraction the piece of the bone comes along with the sinus. This normally happens when the tooth is close to the bone because of infection. In that case perforation occurs. If perforation occurs you cannot suck because in that case the air will rush from the nose to the sinus and through perforation to the mouth. If the perforation is small the patient complains of bleeding from nose. If the perforation occurs then the patient should follow certain instruction like:

Do not suck anything till the tooth extraction socket heals.
Do not do anything which will dislodge the clot. If the clot is not disturbed then no complication arises.
Do not smoke at least for a week after tooth extraction because the chemicals in the smoke either dissolve the clot or dislodge it.
Do not blow up the balloons or anything else, it will disturb the clot..
Avoid aerated drinks instead you can take fruit juices.
Don’t sneeze, it sneezing will surely dislodge the clot.

If the perforation is big and it does not heal by itself then another surgical procedure is carried out in which tissue graft is put to close the perforation.

Osteonecrosis: It is a rare dental condition which mostly occurs after dental extraction, implant surgery or other invasive dental procedure.

There is no sign of healing even after 8 weeks of dental treatment in case of osteonecrosis of jaw. The gums are worn away and the underlying bone is visible in this condition. It is mostly seen in cancer patients.

Dark Gums Can They Be Made Natural Pink

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:20:46 GMT

Smile expresses happiness, success, affection, sensuality. Smile is influenced not only by the position, shape and color of teeth but also the appearance of gums. Appearance of gums is an essential part of beautiful smile.

How Dark Gums can be made Natural Pink

Having natural pink color gums is very important for good smile. Smile looks beautiful if one has beautiful teeth with natural looking pink gums. But that is not always possible. Generally the gums color is same as the skin color. The people from the west are fair and their gum color is also pink mostly. Dark gums are mostly seen in dark skinned people. The gum discoloration may be present in patches. The extent of gum discoloration and the intensity is different for different individuals. Dark pigmented gums don’t mean that they are unhealthy and are not an indication of a disease.

What are the causes of Dark Gums:

Racial or physiological gingival pigmentation: It is seen as the genetic trait. The main culprit behind this is the black pigment known as Melanin.

The production of melanin increases manifolds in the presence of sunlight. At the same time it is more in the persons having complexion towards darker side. The individuals who are involved in outdoor activity tend to have darker gums. Even the children who are more active outdoor and at the same time have gummy smile are more prone to have dark gums. Once the gums become dark during the childhood they tend to stay that way. The gums around the teeth tend to become dark but the part of the gums which is hidden under the lips has natural pink color.

In certain diseases like Addison’s disease, peutz jeghers syndrome, von recklinghausen’s disease, there is an increase in melanin pigmentation. In case of Addison’s disease, adrenal dysfunction produces isolated patches of discoloration varying from bluish black to brown.

Poor oral hygiene: Gum diseases can occur because of poor oral hygiene which may cause gums pigmentation. There is inflammation, redness and bleeding in case of gum diseases which may cause darkening of the gums.

Smoking: Smoking also causes dark gums. Tobacco consumers also have darker gums in comparison to non-tobacco consumers.

Medications: Some medication like minocycline, antimalarial agents, tricyclic antidepressants can also cause dark gums.

Metallic fillings: The metallic fillings which get corroded can also cause dark gums.

Treatment of dark gums:

Treatment of the dark gums is possible. The blackness of the dark gums is merely superficial. When the outer dark colored layer is removed, the pink aesthetic looking gums appear.

Surgical method for making dark gums as natural pink:

The most popular effective and simple method of removing the darkness of the gums is the surgical removal of the outer layer of the gums which gives the dark color to the gums.
The procedure though surgical is a painless outdoor procedure carried out under local anesthesia.
In this procedure the outer layer of gum epithelium is removed with a layer of underlying connective tissue. After the removal the connective tissue which is left to heal by secondary intention. The new epithelium which is formed is devoid of dark pigmentation.
The positive results can be seen within one to two days.
After this procedure 20 to 30% of the pigmentation returns after 5 to 6 months and then stays as such.
If few precautions like not exposing oneself for long hours to sunlight are observed then the gums stay pink and there is marked improvement in aesthetics.
This surgical procedure can be repeated if the gums again become dark and looks bad.

Patient with Dark Gums Pigment Layer Removed in Maxillary
Anterior Gingiva

1 week post-operative picture 6 months post-operative picture

Gum Bleaching for making Dark Gums as Natural Pink

1. Another treatment to treat the dark pigmentation of gums is the gum bleaching which is done using the lasers known as the water lease system. Erbium:YAG is a safe and efficient treatment. It causes alteration of melanin pigment in gingival tissues and produces esthetic pink gums.

2. It is quick, painless and gives good results.

3. The dark gums can be made pink and healthy in a single one hour visit.

4. The results are permanent. The melanin pigment which is the cause of the dark gums does not comeback.

5. Before going for the treatment the cause of the discoloration should be known. If the gums are unhealthy and they have the signs and symptoms of gum disease like bleeding swelling or inflammation then first of all before going for the gum bleaching the underlying infection has to be treated.

6. When the gums are healthy only then the gum bleaching should be carried out. If the person is a smoker, then he has to quit smoking before going for the gum bleaching.

7.   Benefits of Gum Bleaching:
There are many benefits of gum bleaching:
a.   In a single visit the dark spots or the dark looking gums can be given esthetically pleasant looking appearance
b.   It boosts the confidence of the patient. Now the patient can smile without looking embarrassed.
c.   It is quick, less time consuming and gives good results

8. Procedure for Gum Bleaching:

a)   Procedure depends upon the extent, depth and type of discoloration.
b)   It is done under local anesthesia and is painless procedure.
c)   Depending upon the depth and extent of discoloration the gum bleaching is done with lasers.
d)   In some cases where the discoloration is not very deep no surgery is required but in some minor surgery is required.
e)   Healing is very quick and patient does not feel any discomfort afterwards.

Before Lasers Treatment Dark Pigmentation Eliminated by using
Lasers

Complications and Recovery after going for Gum Surgery:

There are absolutely no complications after the gum surgery and there is no discomfort. The patient can talk and eat normally after the gum beaching procedure. In some cases where the gums are very sensitive the patient can feel minor discomfort but that to goes with healing which is very quick.

Post Operative Care after Gum Surgery:

There is no special post operative care after the gum bleaching. The good oral hygiene has to be maintained like proper brushing and flossing. Those who smoke has to quit smoking at least till the time the proper healing takes place.

Now with the treatment options like laser surgery for gum bleaching having pink gums is not a distant dream. One can easily have beautiful smile but maintaining them is essential.

Average Cost of Braces for Teeth

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:34:49 GMT

Once you feel that you need braces to get your teeth aligned you must ask your regular dentist or ask your friends to recommend one to you. It is better to start the treatment as soon as possible. The longer you take to decide to opt for the treatment, the more Dental braces cost you are going to pay and further it will increase the duration of the treatment. It is easier to work on children’s teeth then those of adults and hence less expensive too.

Teeth Braces or Dental Braces Cost

Do not jump at the first thing that your dentist tells you. Before getting dental braces, you can consult two or more orthodontists. It will let you know whether you are getting the best and most affordable of dental braces. Both the dentist must give you a similar answer. Keep in mind that first consultations are usually free and no obligation.

How much do Teeth Braces Cost the Patient?

It costs them anywhere up to around $5000 for both the upper and lower teeth and entails two years of treatment. This will vary slightly depending on the specific service that you might require. There are private orthodontists who charge on a higher scale when compared to the dental schools. In dental schools, treatment is done by budding dentists under the watchful eye of their professor.

If you are looking for affordable dental braces, then you have several options, you just need to search them out. Some dental chains offer lower prices for orthodontic work done by a certain group of dentists. Some dental plans offer discounts on dental braces. Check with your insurance plan as usually orthodontic treatment is not covered especially a treatment that is in progress.

Think of the teeth braces that will be best suited for you taking your lifestyle and other expectations into consideration. Dental braces will certainly make you feel and look beautiful. They will do wonders for your smile remaining intact and your teeth healthy.

Average cost that you will have to pay for dental braces will vary depending on several factors. They are:

Severity of the problem
Time needed for the overall treatment
Cost of dental braces treatment also varies from place to place and varies from one orthodontist to other.

Normally, Dental braces come within the range of $5000 but it is worth every cent the way you will look long after braces treatment. Your teeth will be aligned and straight using the latest technology.

However, finally what you end up paying is determined by what condition your teeth are in and how badly their position affects chewing and speaking. You will come out of this procedure with a beautiful and perfect smile for certain.

Affordable dental braces can be yours depending on various factors. Let us look at those factors:

1. A dentist will charge up to $5000 where as an orthodontist will charge about $5600. This is based of course on the level of expertise and experience that the doctor has under their belt. If they have had extensive training in this particular field then you will end up paying more.

2. The cost differs from person to person too. Adults braces are priced higher than for children. The reason behind this is that the materials used are less and they need to be worn for a short period of time.

3. The cost of braces is determined by which area you have the treatment done at. The greater the number of people wanting this service less will be the price for them.

4. Dental Braces cost lesser in some countries than in others. So if you are looking for lower range braces look for dentists on the Northeast, Midwest and South territories as they are less expensive than those on the Canadian and Pacific side. In places such as South America, some parts of Europe and Asia you will certainly be able to get affordable braces.

5. Look for regions that are not very pricey. For instance in Arizona you can get braces for as little as $3700 whereas the same in Cleveland can be got for $2500 and in Chicago for $5500. So, if you find out about the kind of braces offered and the cost in different regions you will end up with a pair of affordable braces for sure.

6. Prices of dental braces in urban areas are about $200 higher than those in the suburbs. If you were to have the treatment for braces done in rural areas than the cost will fall further by $500 to 700. The quality of equipment could be one of the reasons or just the plain factor of real estate prices. Hence, check before you opt for the treatment and the equipment used.

7. Braces come in different types and kinds. Metal braces are less costly than the ceramic ones. Metal braces will cost you about $400 less than the ceramic ones. The ceramic braces look natural and hence are more aesthetic to look at. Invisalign braces can cost you about $6200 because of the features that it offers you.

Previously, patients only had metallic braces but now they have clear and ceramic to choose from too. Hence the price will certainly differ. Metal braces are generally the most economical option in braces. Whereas the tooth colored ceramic braces blend in with your teeth and are not conspicuous. Clear braces made of mono-crystalline sapphire are see-through and as natural as they can get. These will cost you approximately $200 more than the metallic ones.

Visit a good orthodontist or a good dentist for treatment. With braces treatment, you can get the smile which you always wanted.

To conclude, the price of braces vary greatly and can start of with as little as $2700 and can go up to even $10,000.

Ensure that you check for details, ask as many questions as possible and then finally decide on the right kind of affordable braces for you. You will be left smiling beautifully forever.

Types And Techniques Of Frenectomy

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:49:56 GMT

Before we get into understanding the types and techniques of frenectomy, it is very important to know what is frenectomy. Frenectomy is a surgical procedure wherein a thin layer of tissue called frenulum or frenum observed on various parts of the body is removed. So far as the dental area is concerned, frenectomy is either performed inside the middle of upper lip , which is called labial frenectomy, or under the tongue, called lingual frenectomy. Frenectomy as it is a very common dental procedure in dental world and is performed both on children and adults.

Labial frenectomy is very common with patients undergoing denture treatment in order to get the proper fit of dentures or patients who have tissues attached to centre of upper lip and causing recession of gums or gap between the upper front teeth called central incisors.

In the case of lingual frenectomy, the dentist removes the tissues / lingual frenum developed too close to the tip of the tongue which is either causing speech problems or hindering the development of teeth. Lingual Frenectomy is quite common in the case of children diagnosed with tongue tie or clipping of tongue problem.

Here is some more details of labial and lingual frenectomy. In case the readers have some more questions, dedicated dentists on our panel will be more than happy to offer free dental advice online.

Standard Frenectomy - An incision is made across the base of the frenum at its attachment to the incisive papilla.The dissection is carried down to the periosteum,and the incision is then extended along both sides of the frenum to its attachment on the labial mucosa. The specimen is placed on traction and excised from the lip. This results in a bell shaped defect. Relaxing incisions are made at the mucogingival line. The labial flaps are advanced. The diamond shaped defect is allowed to heal.

Laser Frenectomy - The lip is streached to delineate the frenum using a carbon dioxide laser,the frenum is outlined. Then the band is excised to the periosteum. Relaxing incisions are made at the mucogingival line. Hemostsis is achieved by defocusing the beam.

Mandibular Labial Frenum - The midline mandibular labial frenum is normal. But when it attaches on the interdental papilla ,between the lower incisors, it creates an adverse periodontal environment. This leads to food and plaque accumulation. The patient may develop chronic inflammation, a periodontal pocket and a recession of the attached gingival. Failure to eliminate this abnormal frenum pull may lead to bone loss and mobility of the lower central incisors.

Techniques

Excision -The frenum is excised. The wound edges are undermined, relaxing incisions are made and wounds closed. (As shown in the diagram)

Excision and Z-Plasty Closure - The band is excised and the wound closed using a “Z” Plasty rotational flaps

Lingual Frenum or TongueTie - A prominent lingual frenum, attached high on the lingual alvelor ridge, is seen commonly in infants. This causes decreased tongue mobility and the fear of future speech impairment. The lingual frenum becomes less prominent during the first 2-5 years of life. Children in mixed dentition may complain of difficulty moving their tongue. A lingual frenum with high attachment on the alveolus may contribute to gingival inflammation and recession in relation to the central incisors. Lingual frenectomy is performed more commonly for one of the above reasons than for speech articulation problems.

Techniques

Excision and V-Y Closure - The frenum is cut from the attach menton the alveolar ridge. Then a traction is applied with forceps. Parallel incisions extending along the floor of the mouth and ventral surface of the tongue are made and the band of tissues is removed. Relaxing incisions are then made at a junction of the floor of the mouth and the ventral surface of the tongue converting a straight line defect to a ‘V’. The defect is then closed as ‘Y’ with 4-5 chromic catgut sutures. This process accomplishes excision of the frenum and simultaneous lengthening of the lingual sulcus.

Excision and Z-plasty Closure - An alternative is frenectomy with single or multiple Z-plasties to lengthen the ventral surface of the tongue.Two large triangular flaps are created on the ventral surface of the tongue. The flaps are transposed as ‘Z’ plasty. This improves the tongue’s mobility without endangering the submandibular ducts.

Laser Excision - Tongue Tie may also be corrected using Carbon dioxide laser. Traction is applied to the tongue to identify the frenum. With the laser set at 7watts in the pulsating mode, the frenum is outlined. Then, using a continuous mode, the frenum is excised. Relaxing incisions are made at the junction of the floor of the mouth and the ventral surface of the tongue. Hemostasis is achieved by defocusing the beam and lasering the bed.

Choosing Right Type Of Braces

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:34:49 GMT

Dental Braces also called Teeth Braces is no more an orthodontic treatment but a fashion statement nowdays for kids as well as teens. Dentists (Orthodontists) normally recommend dental braces kids, teens and also adults for problems like crooked teeth, Overbites/ Underbites, crowded teeth, Malocclusion or misaligned jaw or any other functional problems after evaluating your teeth and gives the patient the choice of braces they want to wear and the choice of color of dental braces. The cost of these dental braces also depends upon the kind of braces they choose.

Once a diagnosis is made, the orthodontist then decides on the right kind of treatment. He can suggest you different kinds of braces for treatment depending whether the braces are for kids or braces for for teens or adults. These days there are many kinds of braces available but there are some difference in these and sometimes, one type of baces cannot be put in two cases like braces suitable for kids may not be suitable as compared to braces for teens. Apart from traditional metal braces, there are other kinds. When the patient hears different choices from orthodontist, he may become confused and is not able to decide which way to go and some patients which are of old age have inihibition to get the braces even if they really want to have beautifully aligned teeth, which can enhance their beauty and confidence. Apart from wearing braces, people these days, also demand fashion in braces. Some of these braces are cosmetic in nature and hence cost more. In some cases, a removable retainer will be all that's necessary. So it is very important to chose right kind of braces for your kids or teens or yourself for the success of braces treatment. For making the decision on choosing right type of braces, one must know all types of braces available along with their cost and pros and cons.

Braces normally is normally non surgical procedure in which brackets are glued to teeth in which the wires are put but in rare cases (especially when there is an extreme overbite or underbite along with skeletal discrepency), surgery becomes necessary along with braces treatment. But in most cases, the answer is dental braces. Braces simply do the work of alignment.

Teeth are straightened by Dental braces by:

Staying there for a long period of time
By exerting steady pressure onto the teeth

These allow braces to change the alignment of teeth successfully. The wires need to be adjusted by orthodontist periodically.

A number of factors determine the type of braces a person gets. The various factors are:

How severe is the bite or how crooked teeth are?
Whether extractions is required or not?
Whether jaw surgery is necessary or not?
Whether any special appliance or headgear is required or not?
Time duration for which braces are to be worn?
Dentist or orthodontist preference
How much a person can pay for the treatment?
For how long duration braces treatment is required to correct the malalignment?
What a person actually wants? If the person doesn’t want to opt for metal braces, then he can also opt for invisalign or ceramic braces to straighten the teeth.

TYPES OF BRACES:

Metallic Braces system which includes Self-Ligating Braces and Viazis Braces
Ceramic or tooth colored braces system
Sapphire Braces
Invisalign Braces
Lingual (behind-the-teeth) Braces
Titanium Braces

The most practical and widely used braces are the metal ones but for cosmetic purposes people use the other ones.

METAL BRACES

Stainless (Metal) Braces are the most popular type of braces due mainly to its rugged functionality and manageable cost. These are suitable braces for kids, teens and adults alike. Most kids and teen patients request COLORED ties. At each appointment you may have your colors changed. You can look forward to making a fashion statement after each visit. The patients allergic to this kind of material are in good times of many other options available today.

Traditional Silver Braces:

These are the most common and most popular style of braces. The brackets are state of the art and provide the most efficient & precise movement of the teeth and can be decorated to reflect each person's sense of style and personality! You can try new color combinations and patterns as per your preferences and computer color planner results.

Gold Braces:

Discover a new element in orthodontics...GOLD! These are similar to stainless steel braces with the exception of being gold-plated. The classic beauty and elegance of gold is now available in orthodontic braces. Adults choose to use gold braces because their beauty is more than skin deep. Gold turns the everyday appearance of regular braces into an exciting fashion statement. There are also gold wires available for this type of orthodontic appliance.

Wild Smiles Designer Braces:

These orthodontic brackets come in attractive shapes like that of flowers, stars, hearts, diamonds, baseballs which the teens may find very fascinating. Favorite shape can be chosen with these types of braces. Along with these brackets, colored elastic bands can be used to give an individualistic look to the patient.

Viazi Braces:

In these, the brackets are triangular in shape and use a lesser force square wire. The treatment is faster with viazi brackets as compared to traditional braces and there is lesser of pain and sensitivity present. They are also sometimes called as fast braces.

With a square wire, the crown and the root of the tooth are moved at the same time in one stage from the start of the treatment. The conventional braces during the first year of treatment will move the crown portion with the help of round wires and during the second year of treatment will move the root portion of the tooth with the help of the square or rectangular wires.

Self-ligating braces:

They are called so because no elastic or metal ties are required with these kinds of braces. The bracket can itself tie to the arch wire. Trap door is used in these braces which can be slid or flipped closed to hold the wire. The most popular type of self-ligating braces system are Damon braces and In-ovation braces.

Self-ligating Braces

These braces are preferred by orthodontist as they are less time consuming to tie in wires during appointment. Lesser of adjustments and appointments are required by self ligating braces system. Chances of lesser food accumulation are there with these brackets as they are smaller than the traditional metallic braces. They can be used in certain cases only. Metal self-ligating braces and clear self-ligating braces are available. The treatment techniques of traditional metallic braces and self ligating braces vary so both types of brackets may not be offered by an orthodontist in their practice.

Clear (tooth-colored) Self-ligating Braces

Metal self-ligating Braces

Clear self-ligating Braces

Damon brackets-

In terms of popularity these are next to metal braces. It is an invention of dentist DAMON DWIGHT .These braces are popular as they work on sliding door technology called self litigation. The braces have wire which by its back and forth motion are more comfortable due to less friction. these braces take less time and number of adjustments.

Traditional Braces Damon Braces

Damon 3 brackets-

It is a part ceramic and part metal type of braces. They are smaller on the teeth and are more comfortable for the patient.

In-ovation braces system-

In-ovation brackets are twin bracket which are made of metal entirely. It has clip built-in clip. The clip is activated by the arch wires which delivers specific torque to the tooth causing desired results.

Smart chips-

They are self ligating passive brackets and they don’t have a separate chip or sliding door. With a designed chip built into the bracket, the arch wire is held in position.

Pros and cons of metallic braces system:

Pros:

They are cheaper than other type of braces.
They take lesser amount of time than the cosmetic braces.
They have high strength and don’t break easily.
Darker ligatures used along with the metallic braces don’t stain easily and there is no staining in self-ligature brackets as they don’t have ligatures.
Treatment is of lesser duration and causes lesser pain in Self ligating and Viazis Brackets.

Cons:

They are not as esthetic as cosmetic braces.
Initially they are less comfortable.
They irritate the gums more than the ceramic brackets in case of canker sores.

CERAMIC BRACES

Ceramic brackets are made of a high tech glass-like composite material developed as a spinoff material by the NASA space program. These type of braces generally don’t stain and have high strength. Many celebrities wear these kind of braces. These braces are chosen by the adults as they "blend in" with the teeth. They are less noticeable than metal braces and don’t make a person’s smile look metallic. In case of ceramic braces, a clear or tooth colored tie is used. Most family and friends will not even notice your braces. Ceramic braces are guaranteed not to stain by the manufacturer, barring some foods, coffee, coke, curry, smoking etc and are expensive. These type of braces are mostly used by adults or teens.

Pros and cons of ceramic braces:

Pros:

They are more esthetic and less noticeable as compared to metallic braces.
They are more comfortable as compared to metallic braces.
They are strong and don’t come off from teeth if bonded with plasma light.

Cons:

The ligatures which are clear when stained look bad. Though they are changed after every 1 month.
The duration of treatment might increase in case of ceramic braces system.
They are more expensive than traditional metal braces.
They are a quite a bit larger than the metal brackets.
In case of severe malocclusion, these brackets can’t be used. They may not be strong enough to withstand the forces of some type of treatments.

Comparison of Traditional Metal & New Clear Braces

SAPPHIRE INSPIRE BRAND BRACES

Inspire are made of pure monocrystalline sapphire and are very translucent. They are very strong and do not stain. It will more or less disappear if your teeth are already very white. The advantages and disadvantages of Sapphire Inspire Brand Braces are similar to that of ceramic braces.

INVISALIGN BRACES

Invisalign Braces are great for people who do not have severe problems. The treatment trays are computer-fabricated by Align Technologies, the company that makes Invisalign. The "braces" consist of strong plastic trays that are custom fabricated especially for you, as everybody has a unique jaw structure. But the patients with severe malocclusions, the better option would be to wear traditional metal braces. Your orthodontist only has some control over your Invisalign treatment. It is best to get Invisalign done by a trained orthodontist

So, if your orthodontist says that you are not a candidate for Invisalign, you should probably believe it! If he or she says that Invisalign will work for you, then go for it! The cases are replete with people who have had very successful Invisalign treatment and who have been very happy with the results. These braces are indeed invisible; this appeals to adults; no irritation to gums; they do not stain.

Pros and cons of Invisalign Braces:

Pros:

They are esthetic and almost invisible.
As compared to traditional braces, they are simpler to clean. They should be removed during eating, drinking and while cleaning the teeth.
They don’t cause irritation to the gums as the traditional braces do. Less force and less pain are given by the aligners as compared to the fixed braces.
They don’t get stained.
They are more comfortable than the traditional braces.
Computerized treatment planning is done in case of invisaligns. The patient can review projected smile design by this, learn about the treatment and compare different plans.

Cons:

Due to removable nature of aligners, they are not continuously straightening the teeth.
Unlike the conventional fixed braces, the success of treatment depends on the patient's habits and how consistently the patient wears the aligners. Invisaligns are to be worn 20-22hours per day and are to be removed only during eating, drinking or brushing.
They are somewhat more expensive than the traditional braces.
InvisalignS can’t be used in case of severe malocclusion. To move the teeth in vertical dimension, they can’t be used. It is difficult to treat severe skeletal problems with them. In some cases, after invisalign treatment, traditional braces are required to correct the problems.
They are to be removed during eating and the teeth and aligners are to be cleaned before reinserting afterwards which may cause some trouble to frequent snackers.
The aligners can get damaged if the patient is in the habit of clenching his teeth.
Invisaligns are made up of implantable grade polyurethane. Some people might be allergic to this. Allergy and toxic sensitivity might occurs because of Invisaligns.

LINGUALBRACES

Lingual braces are placed behind your teeth. These are also called invisible braces, as they are virtually invisible to other people. Usually, lingual brackets are made of metal. The Orthodontist is specially trained in this kind of appliances.

Some of the points taken note of are that the adaptation period is 3-7 days; patient may hurt or feel irritation of tongue; chewing adjustments/difficulty towards hard food; mild speech disorder with brackets in the upper arch. As compared to the traditional braces, they are comparatively costlier. The main advantage of lingual braces is that no one knows that a person is putting the braces.

Pros and cons of lingual braces:

Pros:

The braces can’t be seen unless someone looks inside your mouth.
In case of crowded teeth and deep overbite, they are very effective.

Cons:

They are more expensive than the traditional braces system. Treatment is specialized in case of lingual braces.
There is difficulty in speech initially and the tongue may be sore for 2-3 weeks.
The duration of treatment is more than the traditional braces.
They can’t be used in short front lower teeth.
They can’t be used in severe problems.
Only specially trained orthodontist in lingual braces can do lingual treatment.

TITANIUM BRACES

Some people are allergic to nickel in the steel. Titanium braces are given in such patients. Titanium is a very strong and light weight metal. Most of the dental implants are also made of titanium. They look similar to the metallic braces but are more expensive as compared to stainless steel braces.

Various Stages of Cold Sore blister

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:16:34 GMT

There are 5 stages of cold sore. These are tingle stage, blister stage, ulcer stage/weeping stage, crusting stage/ scabbing stage and healing stage. Cold sore lasts for 8-10 days but in some cases, it may last for 2weeks. Ulcer stage which is also known as weeping stage is the most painful and contagious of all the stages.

EARLY STAGE/ TINGLE STAGE/PRODROME STAGE: This stage lasts for few hours or 1-2days. It is hardly even noticed. In this stage, a person feels a tingling or a burning sensation. That is why it is also known as tingle stage. Before it becomes visible, the skin starts getting tightened in the area where the cold sore is about to be formed. Due to the infection, inflammation occurs and that area becomes red and swollen. The infection can spread even at this stage so the patient should avoid any kind of physical contact. This marks the first stage of the cold sores as the virus is heading towards the outer surface layer of the neural tissue cells.

BLISTER STAGE:The cold sore blister appears in the region within twelve to thirty six hours. The first sign which is seen is a fluid filled blister which is very small in size and they usually form in a cluster. Individual blisters may coalesce with others to form a single larger blister.

The patient will see the swelling at the fever blister site along with the development of little, hard and pimple-like protuberances that are highly painful. Fever, headaches and a general feeling of tiredness is common to notice at this stage. Lymph glands present under the jaw also begin to swell. White blood cells which fights the infections of the body travel to the blister. These cold sore blister contains millions of virus particles. This stage lasts from 2nd to 4th day.

ULCER STAGE/ WEEPING STAGE:

The tiny hard elevations now swell, burst open and coalesce to make up a huge open up ulcer. Its surface becomes gray. A ring of inflammation which is red in color can be seen around the area which is affected. Fever, running nose and head pains are other common symptoms associated with this point of the stage. This part is the most painful time of this stage. This is the most contagious stage. The lymphatic nodules are quite well edematous as felt under the surface of the lower jaw which might be quite painful. This stage is seen on day 4.

CRUSTING / SCABBING STAGE:

In this stage, the ulcer becomes dry and will scab in the areas where the lesion is not kept moist by the saliva from the oral cavity. It will scab over with a brownish crush and is accompanied by itching or burning sensation. The scab may crack which further causes bleeding. This stage can be seen from day 5 to day 8.

HEALING STAGE:

In the healing stage, a number of scabs are formed on the lesion which subsequently flakes off. Every new scab will be shorter than the earlier one. And finally the cold sore will resolve completely. Frequently no scar formation occurs. The skin may remain slightly pink or red.The symptoms like headaches, fever and edematous lymph glands start healing by now. Itching and irritation of the cold sore are still experienced even though the healing process continues. This stage can be seen from day 9-day12. Healing continues underneath the new skin which is a constant source of tingling and redness present in the area for another week or more. This stage of the cold sore is still infectious and can cause them to re-occur very fast. The body temperature and the head pains are nearly gone by this time. The swollen lymphatic nodules are greatly decreased by this time.

While still in the final stage of their life cycle the fever blister can tend to come back. This time is perfect to use your best cold sore treatment at this stage. The fever blisters can easily spread from one person to another or from one part of the body of the infected person to another site in the same patient.

Pay attention and be careful as the cold sore virus is very infectious from the first irritation the complete absence of the fever blister signs and symptoms.
Cold sores are not just restricted to the mouth and lips but can also occur on nose, eyes and even hands.

Picture of Cold Sore on the nose

How Do Braces Work

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:34:49 GMT

The facts about working of the braces have always been on the minds of the persons, thinking about undergoing correction of the deformities of their teeth by the use of the orthodontics branch of dentistry. Let me tell you that even though our teeth are one among the strongest things in the world, force applied over a planned duration of time can move them easily. The orthodontic braces work by applying particular value of force which is sufficient to apply the force on the teeth to align them properly in shape and to correct the deformities which act as a hindrance to a beautiful smile. The arch wires placed in the slots of the brackets a part of braces which are bonded securely to the teeth with the use fluoride releasing glue in place of the earlier used wire bands. The fluoride glue is very useful in reducing the amount of caries. The arch wires adapted on to the braces help in the application of forces, which lead to mainly five kind of tooth movement.

First being rotation which is one of the toughest types of tooth movement when force is applied on the mid-point of the root of the tooth.
Translation which is also called as the bodily movement of the tooth.
A combination of bodily and the spinning or rotational movement of the tooth is one of the most simple and common movements of the teeth.
Intrusion or the movement of the teeth towards the bone is a part of orthodontics.
Extrusion known to be the simplest movement of the teeth is movement of the teeth out of the bone.

Braces which are used in the field of orthodontics consist of the following parts

Brackets which are made up of metal or ceramic and they are attached to each tooth.

A glue (especially fluoride containing glue) or metal band is involved which helps in the attachment of the bracket to the tooth.

An arch wire which is the main component of application of the force on the teeth is places in the bracket.

One of the latest advances today is the nickel titanium wires activated by heat which react to body’s natural temperature. The temperature of the body causes the causes the wires to produce a gentle but constant force. These new advances reduce the frequencies of adjustments and orthodontist visits. The nickel titanium wires activated by heat are more efficient than the stainless steel wires and are quite popular among the young orthodontic patients and also the pain associated with them is less as compared to stainless steel wires. Arch wires have a very efficient property of elasticity and then there are nickel titanium wires with the property of shape memory that is they tend to get back to the same shape as they were before bending also so they want to retain their normal straight shape. The wires commonly used these days are the twist wires having resemblance to a small cable. The wants to remain straight even after it is put into your mouth to keep the braces in place in your mouth. The mouth temperature is 20-25 degrees more than the room temperature, this enhances the tendency of the wire to be stiff and in the process provides the forces necessary for bringing about the biomechanical process of bone remodeling and make the orthodontic tooth movement possible.

Ligature wires or elastic rings (o-rings) are used for binding the arch wire with the bracket firmly. The ligatures are adjusted and if needed are changed at each follow up visit. But recently used self binding brackets don’t need adjustments.

The movement of the teeth is caused by the pressure applied on the brackets and the teeth. Springs and rubber bands are also used to exert force in required amount and direction in some cases. Braces are the components exerting constant force over a period of time leading to the movement of the teeth in the required particular directions. The use of extra oral appliances like the head gear may also be needed in some cases especially the adults to complete the treatment in said form and time.

The teeth are surrounded by the gum tissue all around and the periodontal membrane is present around the root portion of the teeth and alveolar bone surrounds the root portion of the teeth and periodontal membrane joins the cementum of the tooth with the alveolar bone.

The pressure applied by the braces on the teeth causes the stretch of periodontal membrane on one side and compression on the other side of the periodontal membrane. The process scientifically called as bone remodeling leads to growth of bone in the new position.

Movement of the Teeth via the Process of Bone Remodeling

Bone is a tissue made up of cells called as the osteoblasts or the bone forming cells and the osteoclasts or the bone eating cells, both of which are involved in the process of bone remodeling i.e. a biomechanical process which makes bone stronger by bone deposition in stress bearing areas and bone is made weaker in areas of no load by bone resorption. The osteoclasts or the bone dissolving cells are responsible for bone resorption and osteoblasts or the bone forming cells are responsible for the bone deposition process and both combined together lead to bone re-modeling. The bone density is increased by this process.

The teeth are placed in the bone and are the roots are connected to the bone is periodontal membrane and the force applied by the arch wires pushes the tooth in the desired direction and creates stress in this periodontal membrane. The stress produced in this ligament leads to compromised blood supply in it and the biological response leads to bone remodeling which causes bone resorption by osteoclasts on one side and bone deposition by osteoblasts on the other side. The bone resorption is possible in two different ways known as the direct resorption from the cells lining the alveolar bone and indirect resorption or the retrograde resorption from the activity of osteoclasts in the surrounding bone marrow. The retrograde resorption takes place in case of excessive stress for a longer time which causes diminished blood supply of the periodontal ligament and necrosis after that. This necrosis or hyalinization leads to resorption of a larger area then deposition which is also referred as negative balance by the orthodontists occur whenever there is the application of the force to produce indirect resorption. The acellular periodontal ligament undergoes retrograde resorption under the effect of the desired stress on the enamel of the teeth for the desired amount of the teeth. Deposition of bone is also very important as without it tooth movement is not possible. If bone deposition does not occurs on the side opposite to that of tooth movement there would occur gaps on that side and teeth will become loose. These gaps make the tooth movement difficult and hamper proper treatment. A patient should understand the concept of the bone deposition and bone resorption. All these movements occur due to the compression and biological changes in the periodontal ligament all due to the forces applied.

The periodontal ligament acts as a joining b/w teeth and surrounding alveolar bone. Pressure created b/w the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone leads to the production of osteoclasts and one lysis occurs and normal gap is created b/w the teeth and the alveolar bone. The tension created in the ligament on the distal side of the teeth causes the osteoblasts to make new bone in the direction opposite to that of the tooth movement and re- establish the normal gap b/w the teeth and the bone. The force required is only a part of the maximum. Then there are the brackets and the arch wire are the creators of the artificial force which sustains the pressure. The process of force transmission is complete with the placement of the arch wires in the braces placed on the teeth. This transmission leads to the transfer of force from the braces to the teeth and cause bone remodeling to take place and move the teeth in new functionally and aesthetically desired orthodontic positions.

The process of bone resorption caused by the osteoblasts takes about 72 days to get completely going and bone deposition process by the osteoblasts takes about 90 days to start the action in full swing. The stabilization of the result achieved takes about 10 months which makes it necessary to wear the retainer to avoid relapse to the old uncorrected or some in b/w undesirable position after the completion of treatment.

The movement seen in the tooth is about a millimeter in a month which is accounted by the orthodontists but it can vary from individual to individual, depending upon the type of treatment, the type of movement and correction needed and also the type of appliance and technique used. An understanding is required.

Now after this knowledge on the working of braces one can easily go ahead with procedure of wearing braces to have a wonderful smile.

The Average Cost Of Dental Implants

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:36:12 GMT

The older we get we are bound to lose our teeth because of disease, accidents or the wear and tear of life. After we lost our teeth we realize the crucial role that teeth play in our lives. They affect the way we look and in turn it enhances or lowers our self esteem and confidence. Missing teeth will make you look older than what you are and do nothing for the way you eat or chew. It can be extremely embarrassing to smile and bare gaps and missing teeth rather than a pearly row of straight white teeth. All these factors gave birth to the dental implant procedures.

Dental implants are the need in the patient to replace and restore their missing teeth with something as close to natural teeth as possible. The latest dental implants not only look good, but also feel and perform just like normal teeth you are born with. They are the epitome of aesthetics, usability and functionality all mixed into one. Dental implants are far better than traditional dentures. They are stable and fixed permanently hence no shifting. They are user-friendly and help your jaws, gums and bones remain healthy.

Now, you might wonder that dental implants certainly sound like the top of the shelf procedure then what is the cost involved. How much will I have to shell out in order to get all of these benefits? The cost of dental implants varies depending on the number of missing teeth, the dentist who is attending to you and the area of town or country or the world that you undergo this treatment. There are several factors and variables involved in this which can determine the cost of the dental implants.

However, if you were to look at the median range then dental implants will set you back by $2000 to $4000 and can even go up to $14000 in some cases. Moreover, the exact cost is hard to pin point as it will differ from patient to patient based on their individual needs and the materials used.

Before, you begin the treatment that is the time for you to determine the cost of the dental implant that you will incur. Talk about this with the dentist or the dental associates. Discuss the various dental implant options and the cost that are involved. What are the payment options that you have? Financing companies do take into consideration any advanced dental treatment that you might have to undergo. Third party finance companies offer credit and dental offices also offer installment plans for dental implant treatments.

There are places where the dental implant will approximately cost you about $1500 per tooth. There might be additional costs involved too such as preparing the jaw bone to accept the implant. This can increase the cost. Many dentists go on to offer you a discount if you go in for more than one dental implant at a time.

The factors that determine and affect the cost of the dental implant are the number of times you will have to visit the dentist. This will include the fees and the services offered for every sitting and stage of the treatment.

The first visit is for the dentist to estimate about the treatment, the appropriate dental implant and the time scale that it will take. This first visit is either free or considered to be a consultation or could be covered by insurance. Some patients might require bone grafts which can go on to cost you a further $750.

If you were to consider the break-up of costs for dental implants then:

Bone grafts - $750
Implanting the titanium post into the jaw - $1000- 2000
Attaching the implant - $600 – 800
The crown or the false tooth - $800 – 1000

The cost of the implant will rise or fall based on the location of the tooth. Whether, it is at the back of the lower jaw which is difficult to reach, nerves in the area that need expertise. Implants which have unusual sizes or special coatings are several dollars more than the normal ones. Mini implants used to fill up narrow spaces in between teeth cost about a third of the full dental implants for several missing teeth.

Unfortunately, dental implants are not covered by any insurance company as it comes under the purview of cosmetic surgery. However, there are several financing and payment plans to help patients pay for the cost of dental implants. There are some companies that offer you payment plans with no interest if you were to pay up the principal amount within 3 to 18 months. There are credit companies that charge a 12 percent interest for repayment of principal amount of over a period of 2 to 5 years. There are flexible accounts which may allow patients to keep aside money to cover dental implants cost.

If you look at dentures and bridges these are covered by insurance companies. Now, before you rejoice, these are the kind that requires more maintenance and repairs in the long run. Whereas dental implants are permanent no hassle once they are fixed.

There are several different kinds of specialists to work on restoring your missing teeth and dental implants. There will be dentists who provide you with cosmetic dentistry and have receive only a few days of training in implants whereas on the other hand you will have prosthodontists who specialize in this field and have received over three years of training. The amount of training, experience and expertise that the dentist has will affect the cost greatly. The quality of the procedure, materials used, the dental clinic, the dental team and the centralized location will all add on to the cost. The patient must be clear about the stages of the treatment and how much could be the additional cost beyond the particular figure quoted and for what. This way there will be no unpleasant surprises for the patient later on.

The factors that determine the cost of the dental implants are:

Materials Used – the dental implant prosthesis is determined by the companies that manufacture them. There is not much price variation here.
Imaging – the X-rays and CTs add to the cost. Although this makes the procedure modern and accurate, it even makes it expensive.
Laboratory – the work done to make the final preparations for the crown
Patient’s Condition – this takes into account the age, oral hygiene and the jaw bone as this will determine if any further treatment is needed before or after the dental implant.
Expertise/Service Charges – the time that the dentists spends in treating you and how much value would s/he place on the time spent. Expertise and knowledge comes at a certain cost.

Understanding Wisdom Teeth

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:26:58 GMT

Wisdom tooth is known as Mandibular Third Molar. Wisdom tooth is located distally away from second molar. In permanent dentition, no other tooth is located posterior to Wisdom Tooth i.e. it is the last tooth. One gets 4 wisdom teeth and every quadrant has one wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth usually fully grow in the mouth between the ages of 16-25 years with 17-21 years band being most common. Wisdom Tooth drives the name of wisdom tooth by relating it with this age as it is generally believed that one gets wisdom by this age and therefore it became the saying that when these third mandibular molars grow in, one gets the wisdom thereby leading these teeth to be called as wisdom teeth. As stated above, commonly we have 4 wisdom teeth but sometimes one or two wisdom teeth don’t grow in. This is called as Hypodontia. Also in some cases, there is extra tooth i.e. the number is more than 4, in that case it is called supernumerary tooth.

Wisdom teeth (Third Mandibular Molars) straightway grow in as permanent teeth and in baby teeth there are no third mandibular molars. The wisdom teeth act the same way as other molars, with principal functionality of grinding during mastication of food i.e. chewing of food. In current times the growing in of wisdom teeth creates many problems for a person because over the centuries, the eating habits of man have changed from raw food to well cooked food, which requires much less effort to chew and due to this fact of evolution of man, the jaw size has decreased. This decreased jaw size creates problem for the wisdom teeth to grow in because of reduced space for their eruption and due to this they put pressure on the front molars by pushing them. This pushing adversely affects the other teeth which lead to pain and swelling. This condition is called impaction of wisdom teeth and to get rid of these problems, the dentist’s advice the patients to get them extracted.

Impaction of Wisdom Teeth

A wisdom tooth is treated as Impacted in condition when it does not have enough space to grow in and remains buried in the gums due to decreased jaw size. The impaction of Wisdom Teeth is of different types. These are stated as under:

Mesioangular Impaction – This type of impaction is most common. This condition occurs when the wisdom tooth is angulated towards the midline.

Vertical Impaction – Wisdom tooth is called as vertically impacted when it is straight but does not have sufficient space to erupt. This is second most common type of impaction for wisdom teeth.

Distoangular Impaction - This condition occurs when the wisdom tooth is angulated towards the back of the teeth. Distoangular wisdom tooth is easy to extract in maxilla but difficult in the mandible.

Horizontal Impaction – When the wisdom tooth is lying horizontally at 90 degrees towards the root of second molars, it is called to horizontally impacted. This type of impaction of wisdom teeth is least common.

Bony Impaction - If the wisdom tooth has insufficient space to erupt and is completely inside the bone it is called as bony impaction of wisdom tooth.

Soft Tissue Impaction – When the wisdom tooth grows out of bone but has not come out of soft tissue then it is called Soft Tissue Impaction of Wisdom Tooth.

Pericoronitis

This is another condition related with wisdom tooth is Pericoronitis. It happens when wisdom tooth is not fully erupted and the gum tissue is covering the occlusal surface (chewing surface). This soft tissue flap is called as Operculum. It is very difficult to clean the tooth with the operculum as the food gets impacted in it causing the infection in the gum around the crown of the tooth. This infection of gums is called as pericoronitis. This is a common problem which gets exaggerated by biting from the opposite tooth as it causes the trauma to the operculum. In the event of persistence of this condition, the dentist recommends the extraction of the wisdom tooth. The most common symptoms of pericoronitis are the swelling, redness of the area, difficulty in opening the mouth, bad taste, smell and pain that can go till neck. If left untreated it can cause severe infection.

Average cost of Dentures

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:14:40 GMT

If you need dentures then you will realize that they cost from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. The amount that you pay for the denture will depend on certain variables such as the quality and the functionality along with the longevity of the dentures. Along with this will be the added costs added onto the dentures such as the dentist’s fees and administration expenditure.

If you were to notice you will realize that most dentists offer you several different kinds of dentures based on the budget and your personalized needs. You could opt for a high-end one to a low-end one too. With the higher-end dentures you will get more warranties and guarantees added on which will assure you of the quality and give you peace of mind too.

The prices that we have mentioned in this article are for the price of dentures for the upper and lower jaw. In case you want them for only one jaw at a time then you need to divide the cost by two. The high end models of dentures will cost you anywhere between $1000 to 5000. You might wonder that this is quite a bit of money; however, what you get in return is worth the investment. When you opt to invest this kind of money in a denture what you get in return is dentures that look like real. Even you wouldn’t be able to make out the difference when you look at yourself in the mirror. The gum portion which is the most difficult part in the denture to look realistic will be so in these dentures. The materials used in these are the best that money can get you. The teeth that are affixed to these dentures are long lasting, durable and made of acrylic resins which will enable you to have a good bite, with no chipping and cracking. You can comfortably use these dentures for years to come.

The lower you move in the chain of dentures based on their pricing then you will notice that they will have a warranty period that is declining from years to months. If you opt for the most basic of dentures which does not offer you a lot in terms of functionality or aesthetics then $300 will be all that you will need to invest in them. But, the flip side of these dentures is that they look far from natural, and are not long lasting too. The person wearing the dentures will not feel extremely comfortable in them and will be able to find out the difference immediately based on the quality.

A mid-range denture is good for all as it offers one great comfort with a fairly natural look to them. They come to one at a range of about $1000 which is good enough for a warranty that lasts anywhere from 1 to 2 years. Lots of patients select midrange dentures and are quite happy with that. Although you might be tempted to buy the cheapest one however, it will not be worthwhile in the long run.

Average cost of Dental Veneers

Mon, 04 May 2009 23:59:54 GMT

Veneers are a must have for people whose teeth are damaged or stained. Instead of feeling embarrassed or self conscious to bear your teeth and smile, veneers will help you do that effortlessly. Veneers approximately cost one up to $500 per tooth. Before the veneer is placed on the tooth, the tooth needs to be evened out and reduced. Although like all other treatments this base cost can vary on various factors such as the place you live in, the experience and training that the dentist has had, the experience and training of the staff manning the dental clinic, cost of the materials, the laboratory fees and the overall cost of the veneer. The cost will increase if you go in for a digital photo, smile design, want any alterations and remakes before the veneer has been fixed and the post operative care that you might require. In that case it could go all the way up to $1070 too.

If you want veneers that look just like natural teeth and leave you with teeth that have no stains, aren’t chipped or crooked then veneers is a very good option. Who doesn’t want teeth that are in a straight row of pearly whites?

Cost of Porcelain Veneers

The cost of porcelain veneers depend on the number of teeth that you want treated. The cost will be anywhere from $700 to $2000 per tooth. However, these veneers are long lasting and look attractive. They will change the way you look forever and give you the added confidence of knowing that you look good. There are other treatments too that cost much less however their outcome is not the same. They are not long lasting like the veneers and need to be repaired more often. They lose their attractiveness and cosmetic appeal over a period of time. Which is certainly not so when you opt for veneers. Hence, you might find them a little on the expensive side but they are worth the money spent on them. Therefore, the average cost of a veneer will be about $1500 a piece. This will differ based on the state that you have it done too. If you go to Iowa then you will find veneers at a low cost sometimes lower than $800 a piece, on the other hand if you go to Chicago or Los Angeles the veneer can cost you as much as $2000 a piece as these are considered to be high fee areas.

There are a few veneers that might be offered to you at a very low range price. However, beware of these as they are to low for quality veneers. A veneer in order to be able to do everything that it promises you must be fixed correctly by the dentist or else they will not serve the purpose. A dentist who has artistic sensibility and the right kind of training will be able to do so for sure. Therefore, look beyond the cost of the porcelain veneer and you will see the plethora of benefits that it has to offer you.

What are Dental Cysts

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:23:52 GMT

A cyst is a pathological cavity filled with fluid, semifluid or gaseous contents. It is frequently lined by epithelium but not always. Dental cysts are of different types and can be classified as under.

CLASSIFICATION OF CYSTS

1.    Epithelial Cysts

a.    Developmental Cysts
•    Odontogenic Cysts
•    Non Odontogenic Cysts

b.    Inflammatory Cysts
•    Ridiculer cyst, lateral and apical
•    Residual cyst
•    Paradental cyst and mandibular infected buccal cyst
•    Inflammatory collateral cyst

2.    Non Epithelial Cysts

DENTIGEROUS CYST
•    Also called follicular cyst.
•    Separation of the follicle from around the crown of an interrupted tooth leads to its origin.
•    It covers the crown of the tooth and is attached at its came to enamel junction.
•    Developmental cyst and its tissue of origin is reduced enamel epithelium.
•    Fluid accumulation between the reduced enamel epithelium and crown of an interrupted tooth leads to the formation of the dentigerous cysts.

CLINICAL FEATURES
•    mostly in the age range of 10 -30 yrs
•    More common in males
•    More common in mandible.
•    It mostly involves interrupted mandibular third molars, though other sites such as maxillary canines, maxillary third molars and mandibular second premolars are also involved.
•    On examining clinically it reveals a missing tooth or teeth and mostly a hard swelling which results in facial asymmetry
•    It is asymptomatic, occasionally patient presents with pain or swelling

CENTRAL TYPE DENTIGEROUS CYST :
Most common and it surround the crown of the tooth and the crown projects into the cyst

THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL DENTIGEROUS CYST :
Surrounds the entire crown but does not involves the occlusal surface, so the tooth may erupt through the cyst

THE LATERAL DENTIGEROUS CYST:
Usually associated with mesioangular impacted mandibular 3rd molars where cyst grows laterally along the root surface and only partially surrounds the crown

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES:
It presents a well circumscribed unilocular radiolucency around crown of tooth
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
•    odontogenic kerotocyst
•    unicystic ameloblastoma
•    CEOT (Pindborg tumor)
•    Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour
•    Eruption cyst

MANAGEMENT
•    Treated by surgical removal, which usually involves the tooth as well.
•    Large cysts may be treated by marsupialization.
•    The cyst lining should be sent for histologic examination because ameloblastomas have been reported to occur in the cyst lining.

ERUPTION CYST
•    Also called as eruption hematoma.
•    Develops as a result of separation of dental follicle from around the crown of an erupting tooth
•    It is a developmental cyst.
•    Tissue of origin is reduced enamel epithelium
.
CLINICAL FEATURES
•    Mostly in children less than 10 yrs age.
•    Seen as soft translucent swelling in the gingival mucosa overlying the crown of an erupting deciduous or permanent teeth
•    any erupting tooth, 1st permanent molars and maxillary incisors are most frequently involved.
•    Blue to dark red in colour due to presence of blood in the cystic fluid

TREATMENT:
•    No treatment is necessary as the cyst often ruptures spontaneously ,permitting the tooth to erupt
•    Surgically exposing the crown of the tooth helps in tooth eruption.

Odontogenic keratocyst (okc)
•    Derived from the remnants of the dental lamina
•    High recurrence rate.
•    It is a developmental cyst.
•    Tissue of origin is dental lamina
•    Epithelium appears to have innate growth potential.
•    Wide age range from infancy to old age
•    Mostly in males
•    70-80% cases involve the mandible / ascending ramus
•    Asymptomatic unless secondarily infected
•    Enlarges in antero-posterior direction without causing gross bony expansion hence no swelling seen.
•    Aspiration reveals a thick, yellow, cheesy material (keratin).
•    An aspirate of less than 4.0 gm of soluble protein level is indicative of OKC.

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES

•    well demarcated unilocular or multilocular radiolucency with a scalloped, radiopaque margin
•    May be associated with interrupted tooth.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
•    dentigerous cyst
•    ameloblastoma
•    odontogenic myxoma
•    adenomatoid odontogenic tumor
•    ameloblastic fibroma

TREATMENT
•    Enucleation and curettage

NON-ODONTOGENIC DEVELOPMENTAL CYSTS

NASOLABIAL CYST
•    Derived from remnants of the inferior portion of the nasolacrimal duct.
•    Exact origin is unknown. It may arise from the epithelial rests in fusion lines of the globular, lateral nasal, and maxillary processes or may be nasolacrimal duct
•    Asymptomatic. Slowly enlarging soft tissue swelling obliterates the nasolabial fold
•    Occurs in the region of the maxillary lip and base of ala, lateral to the midline
•    are less than 1.5 cm
•    Age ranges from 12 to 75 years, with a mean age of 44 years.
•    Mostly in females.

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES
•    Soft tissue lesion located adjacent to the alveolar process above the incisors apices.
•    Being a soft tissue lesion, plain radiographs may not show any changes.
•    The investigation could include computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
•    The swelling caused by an infected nasolabial cyst may cause an acute dentoalveolar abscess.
•    Nasal furuncle, if it pushes upward into the floor of the nasal cavity.
•    Mucous extravasation cyst or acystic salivary adenoma

TREATMENT
Surgical excision

NASOPALATINE DUCT CYST

•    Also called as Incisive canal Cyst, Median palatine cyst
•    Commonest of non-odontogenic cyst
•    Derived from epithelial remnants of naso-palatine duct

CLINICAL FEATURES
•    May develop at any age but most common in 4 – 6 decades
•    Slow growing swelling with occasional salty taste discharge.
•    Large cyst may cause mid palatine swelling
•    Male: female ratio. 3:1.

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES
•    Radiolucent area with well defined margins.
•    Heart shaped radiolucency
•    Symmetrical about the mid line and sometimes shifted to one side


DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
•    Peri apical granuloma
•    Radicular cyst

MANAGEMENT
•    Enucleation, preferably from the palate to avoid nasopalatine nerve.
•    If cyst is large marsupialization.

MEDIAN PALATAL CYST
•    Rare cyst develops from epithelium entrapped along the line of fusion of lateral palatal shelves of maxilla
•    Occurs in the midline of posterior palate
•    Presents as a firm or fluctuant swelling of the midline of hard palate posterior to the palatine papilla
•    Occurs in young adults
•    Asymptomatic
•    Radiographically shows well circumscribed radiolucency in the midline of the hard palate
•    A midline radiolucency without clinical evidence of expansion is probably a nasopalatine duct cyst

TREATMENT
•    surgical removal

INFLAMMATORY ODONTOGENIC CYST

RADICULAR CYST
•    Also known as apical periodontal cyst, periapical cyst or root end cyst
•    True cyst
•    Epithelial lining is derived from epithelial rests of malassez

PATHOGENESIS
•    Initially there occurs proliferation of epithelial rests in the periapical area
•    It continues with epithelial mass increasing in size by division of cells on the periphery
•    The cells in the central portion becomes separated further away from their source of nutrition which eventually degenerate become necrotic and liquefy. This forms an epithelium lined cavity filled with fluid.

CLINICAL FEATURES
•    Asymptomatic
•    Long standing cyst may undergo an acute exacerbation of the inflammatory process – cellulitis – or form a draining fistula

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES
•    lamina dura lost
•    Rounded radiolucency encircles the affected tooth apex
•    Root resorption
•    Usuallyinvolves molar teeth and appear as a radiolucent zone that surrounds the root and fills interradicular space at the bifurcation.

TREATMENT
•    Extraction of involved tooth
•    Curettage of periapical tissue

PSEUDO- OR NON-EPITHELIAL CYSTS

SOLITARY BONE CYST
•    Also known as Simple bone cyst, traumatic bone cyst, hemorrhagic bone cyst
•    May be related to trauma
•    represent hemodynamic disturbances in medullary bone

CLINICAL FEATURES
•    Most common in long bones and rare in jaws.
•    In children and adolescents
•    Involves 2-3rd decades.
•    Mostly in males.
•    premolar and molar region in the mandible.
•    Mostly asymptomatic

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES
•    Radiolucency seen.
•    Regular outline common, prominent around and between the standing teeth
•    well defined margin

MANAGEMENT
•    Curettage

ANEURYSMAL BONE CYST
•    Rare cyst of the jaws.
•    Arise as primary lesion or secondary to bone disease
•    Occurs in people less than 20 yrs
•    post ramus region of the mandible
•    Firm expansile swelling causes facial deformity

RADIOGRAPHICALLY :
•    uni or multilocular with ballooned out appearance due to cortical plate expansion

MANAGEMENT
•    Surgical curettage
•    Uncommon developmental anomaly of the mandible.
•    Appears as round or oval well demarcated radiolucency between the premolar region and the angle of the jaw beneath the inferior dental canal
•    Depression or concavity on the lingual aspect of the mandible

SOFT TISSUE DEVELOPMENTAL CYSTS

SALIVARY MUCOCELES
•    Mucous extravasations cyst
•    Mucous retention cyst

MUCOUS EXTRAVASATIONS CYST
•    In lower lip, cheek and floor of mouth.
•    Young adults
•    Presents clinically as a bluish or translucent submucosal swelling
•    Traumatic rupture of minor salivary gland duct

MUCOUS RETENTION CYST
•    Almost never found in the lower lip
•    Derived from cystic dilatation of a duct due to obstruction and lined by ductal epithelium
•    No surrounding chronic inflammatory reaction

RANULA
•    Describes a swelling in floor of mouth which resemble a frog’s belly
•    most ranula are mucous extravasation cysts
•    ranula may extend through the mylohyoid muscle and present in the submindibular area or neck (plunging ranula)

THYROGLOSSAL CYST
•    It is derived from the residues of the embryonic thyroglossal duct .
•    Glands descends from foramen caecum of the tongue
•    The residues usually get entrapped in the region of the hyoid bone where it can give rise to the cyst
•    Very rare. located in floor of the mouth and the tongue
•    Management : surgery
•    Ectopic thyroid gland (on the tonuge) may be functioning
•    Excision may affect the function of the gland

DERMOID AND EPIDERMOID CYSTS

Occurs at variable sites in the head and neck including, floor of mouth.
Present as intra-oral or submental swellings
Arise from entrappment of epithelium in the midline because of deranged fusion of mandibular & hyoid branchial arches
Asymptomatic and slow growing soft swelling in young adults.

GINGIVAL CYST OF INFANTS
Also known as
•    Gingival Cyst of Newborn
•    Dental lamina Cyst of Newborn
•    Epstein Pearls
•    Bohn’s Nodules
CINICAL FEATURES
•    More common in new born infants
•    Small, single or multiple keratin-filled cysts on the alveolus.
•    Epstein's pearls — Along the midpalatine raphae,small keratin filled cysts/ nodules found probably derived from the entrapped epithelial remnants along the line of fusion.
•    Bohn’s Nodules -- Small keratin-filled cysts/nodules scattered over the palate, mostly along the junction of hard and soft palate and derived from the salivary gland structures.

PATHOGENESIS
•    arises from dental lamina
•    Epithelial remnants of dental lamina, rests of serres have the capacity to proliferate, keratinise and form small cysts
•    Parakeratinised stratified squamous epithelium & keratin fills the cyst cavity
•    Because of pressure from the cyst the overlying oral epithelium maybe atrophic

TREATMENT
Once there contents are expelled they atrophy and disappear

What Color Braces will Make Teeth Look White

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:34:49 GMT

There are so many questions that a person has when they sign up for a dental braces treatment. One of the questions that are asked most often is how to make teeth look pearly white. If you are a teenager then it can be a good idea to get colored braces. They not only make the treatment more exciting for you but also go about and make your teeth appear whiter. There is an entire range of Braces colors to choose from. Keep in mind that the color you choose suits your personality and your teeth as you will have to wear these colored braces for the next two years or so. If you aren’t sure which braces color will make your teeth look white then ask the dentist for a color wheel. This will give you a fair enough idea of the possible colors that you could choose from.

Choosing the Braces Colors

Keep the color of your teeth in mind. Different people have different color of teeth. If your teeth are on the yellowish tinge then there might not be all colors that might look good on them. For yellowish colored teeth the best color for braces is silver or invisible. The darker colors on the braces make the paler teeth look whiter. This is one easy rule to remember when choosing your colored braces. The most often color that gets selected for colored braces are black. Try out the black braces first before you order them. Although no doubt that black braces will make your teeth look whiter than what they are because of the contrast they create, they will also go on to ensure that the braces look larger in your mouth than they actually are. Try out other colors that are equally as good as black such as dark blue and maroon. The contrast that they create, of the dark shade versus the light teeth make your teeth look pearly white.

The color that you should certainly avoid on your braces is yellow. The yellow of the braces will go on to cast a yellow kind of shadow on your teeth. This will make teeth look yellowish rather than making them look whiter.

When you choose clear braces be careful as they can get stained easily and reflect that color on to your teeth.

Another good color that you could opt for your braces is red. Red makes the teeth appear far brighter. However, red might not suit all faces. On the other hand the color light blue not only suits all faces but is a good bet to make your teeth look whiter.

Once you have decided the color for your braces the next step is to keep the color of your braces just the way as you first put them on. Some food such as tea or coffee can actually go on to discolor your braces. This in turn will make your teeth appear discolored and yellowish. Also, too much of acidic food will make the color in your braces to fade.

Causes and Treatment of Supernumerary Teeth

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:13:36 GMT

Supernumerary teeth also known as hyperdontia, is the condition where more than normal number of teeth are present. When the extra tooth is present in deciduous dentition that is the primary dentition or in permanent dentition than these specific extra teeth are called as supernumerary teeth. By definition the supernumerary teeth are the extra teeth present in the oral cavity. These can be found in any region of the oral cavity.

Causes for Supernumerary Teeth

There is no specific cause of the supernumerary teeth. Many theories are given to explain their presence. Some says that these are there because of the abnormal division of the tooth bud but another theory says that it is because of the hyperactivity of the dental lamina. Dental lamina is the dental tissue which forms the tooth buds to form the teeth. If the dental lamina shows hyperactivity then extra teeth are formed which are known as the supernumerary teeth. Hereditary is also considered to be one of the main cause of supernumerary teeth.

What is the incidence of Supernumerary Teeth

The incidence of supernumerary teeth is more common in adult permanent teeth as compared to deciduous teeth. It is 0.8% in deciduous teeth and 2.1% in permanent teeth. These can be unilaterally present or bilaterally. It can be single or multiple. Normally it is single but multiple supernumerary teeth are present in cases of cleft lip and palate, cleidocranial dysplasia or Gardner’s syndrome. The incidence of supernumerary teeth in cleft lip and palate cases is around 22%. While in cleidocranial dysplasia cases it is 22.2% in maxillary region and 5 % in molar region. The supernumerary teeth can be present in one jaw or both the jaws. In deciduous teeth the incidence of supernumerary teeth is equal in males and females but in case of permanent teeth the incidence of supernumerary teeth is twice in males as compared to the females.

Multiple supernumerary teeth present in cleidocranial dysplasia

Classification of Supernumerary Teeth

Supernumerary teeth can be classified according to the location and the morphology. The supernumerary teeth present in the front teeth are called Mesiodens. The deciduous teeth are normally conical and straight but the permanent teeth can be differentiated into different shapes. They can be classified into four types according to the morphology. These are:

Conical Supernumerary Teeth
Tuberculate Supernumerary Teeth
Supplemental Supernumerary Teeth
Odontoma, This can be complex composite odontoma and compound composite Odontoma

Conical Supernumerary Teeth

They are normally peg shaped and are present between the front teeth and are known as the Mesiodens. They develop ahead or with the formation of root but some times they are impacted and lie inverted in the palate. Rarely do they cause hindrance in the eruption of the permanent teeth but they can cause the rotation or the displacement of the permanent teeth.

X-ray showing inverted and conical Mesiodens

Tuberculate Supernumerary Teeth

As the name implies they have more than one cusp or tubercle and are mostly present palatally to the central upper incisors. Their root formation is delayed and they are usually paired. It is very rare that they erupt and they can cause the delayed eruption of the incisors.

Supplemental Supernumerary Teeth

It is the duplication of teeth in normal series. Mostly it is found in lateral incisor, molar and premolar region. Most of the deciduous teeth are supplemental and are never impacted.

Odontoma

It can be complex composite odontoma i.e. the diffuse mass of dental tissue which is totally disorganized. Other is compound composite odontoma which has some resemblance to the normal anatomical structures.

X-ray showing complex composite odontoma

Problems Encountered by Supernumerary Teeth

There are many problems associated with supernumerary teeth. The main problems with supernumerary teeth are listed below.

1. Movement of the teeth

The presence of the supernumerary teethcauses the displacement of the adjacent teeth. When they are removed the teeth come in to alignment.

2. Hindrance in the eruption of the teeth

Some times the supernumerary teeth are so placed that it causes the hindrance in the eruption of the normal teeth. The teeth fail to erupt. In such cases, when X-ray’s are taken to find the cause, the presence of supernumerary tooth is the cause and extraction of supernumerary tooth solves the problem.

3. Failure in eruption of front teeth

Supernumerary teeth can sometime become cause for failure of eruption of front teeth.

4. Crowding of the teeth

The supernumerary teeth also cause crowding as they are the extra tooth or teeth. When extracted this takes care of the crowding.

5. Development pathology in relation to Supernumerary teeth

Few pathological conditions are found in relation to the supernumerary teeth like cyst formation. Dentigerous cyst formation is the most common pathological condition found in case of supernumerary teeth.

Dentigerous cyst in relation to the supernumerary tooth

6. Alveolar bone grafting

If alveolar bone grafting has to be done and there is supernumerary tooth present then that has to be extracted and then one has to wait for healing. It causes problems where alveolar bone grafting has to be done like in case of cleft lip and palate where as such incidence of supernumerary teeth is very high.

7. Resorption of roots of adjacent teeth

Some times the position of the supernumerary teeth is such that it causes the Resorption of the roots of the adjacent teeth. In such cases the supernumerary teeth has to be extracted as soon as possible.

8. Implant site preparation

Some times when the site is being prepared for the implant and there is a supernumerary tooth present, it has to be extracted and bone grafting has to be done.

Diagnosis of the Supernumerary Teeth

Most of the times, the supernumerary teeth are asymptomatic. They are diagnosed by chance. But if some teeth are impacted or there is displacement of the teeth then anterior occlusal X-ray and the periapical X-ray is taken to diagnose the presence of the supernumerary teeth.

Treatment and Management of the Supernumerary Teeth

Management part depends upon the location of the supernumerary tooth and its affect on the teeth. If it is asymptomatic and is not causing any problem like there is no displacement of teeth. There is no hindrance in the eruption of the teeth and no pathology is involved then the supernumerary teeth are not extracted. But there are certain conditions where the supernumerary tooth has to be extracted.

Conditions where extraction of supernumerary tooth is indicated:

When the eruption of the teeth is delayed
Displacement of the teeth is there which cannot be explained.
When major orthodontic alignment of the teeth is planned like braces treatment has to be done. In such cases if any supernumerary tooth is present which is not visible or asymptomatic even then it is extracted.
Some alveolar bone grafting procedure is planned like in case of cleft lip and cleft palate.
When implant site has to be prepared for putting the implant.

Knowing All About Wisdom Teeth

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:26:58 GMT

The wisdom teeth or the third molars are known to the last ones to come out. These new teeth can cause problems as they erupt inside your mouth. This is because it will present a change in your dental structure. These alterations can cause you severe discomfort and pain and therefore you need to have enough knowledge about how the process works in order for you to understand why you need to remove the teeth.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If you are in late teens or early twenties and feel pain and difficulty in opening your mouth and have swelling and headache then the most probable cause is that you have impacted wisdom tooth trying to grow in. The wisdom tooth comes after your last 12 year molar. Because of decreasing size of jaw due to evolution the problem of impacted tooth is more as they do not get enough space in jaw to grow in and when they try to grow in gums they cause severe pain and swelling in gums. Mainly the pain and swelling is there when the wisdom teeth get infected. When it is infected one can have following sign and symptoms

Pain in Gums – Pain in gums is due to infection when the wisdom teeth try to come in the mouth and there is lack of space in gums. Initially in early stages it can start as dull pain but within few days it can turn into acute pain. This wisdom tooth pain can even be sometimes felt as ear ache, headache, difficultly in swallowing and other adjacent teeth can be painful. There can be pain in opening the jaw. You can also feel lethargic and you may feel feverish.

Swollen and Inflamed Gums – As the wisdom tooth is trying to break in through the gums, the gums become swollen and red causing acute pain. There can be bleeding also from gums. Due to gum pain in that area, there is difficulty in swallowing.

Swelling in Jaw - The jaw swelling can also happen due to infection of gums which is basically due to either less space for eruption of wisdom tooth or due to wrong angle of growth of wisdom tooth. This swelling of jaw is very painful and patient is unable to open the mouth.

Bad Taste in Mouth – One can feel very bad taste in mouth if there is impacted wisdom tooth trying to grow in. This bad taste is due to infection in the gums and along with this as there is inability to open the mouth, the patient is not able to maintain very good oral hygiene. Brushing becomes difficult.

Bad Breath – Infected wisdom tooth causes pain, swelling and infection of gums and due to infection there is pus in the gums. This infection causes bad breath along with unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Headache – Headache is mainly a referred pain and it is due to pain and swelling in gums. Because of pain and swelling the patient is not able to open the jaw and experiences headache on that side where the impacted wisdom tooth is trying to grow in.

Crowding and Decay of Teeth – Impacted wisdom tooth can cause the decay of other teeth especially adjacent molars as it is difficult to clean that area and food impaction is there. This impacted wisdom tooth can cause crowding also as they push the other teeth to create space for themselves.

Failure of Orthodontic Braces Treatment – If you have undergone the braces treatment and the wisdom tooth are not taken into consideration then this can cause failure of your braces treatment when wisdom teeth try to break in. So normally due to this the wisdom teeth are extracted before the start of braces treatment.

It is not always that wisdom teeth causes problems but if they are impacted they can be really dreadful and if ignored they can cause several complications ranging from gum diseases, decay and damage of other teeth. So getting the treatment for wisdom teeth is very important and the treatment is extraction of wisdom teeth.

Removing the teeth is contingent upon your jaw size. Since it develops and grows in size, the jaw may not be able to accommodate another set of wisdom teeth. If there is not enough room for your wisdom teeth, and it may become trapped inside your jawbone. As a result, the roots of the teeth may grow in every direction causing damage to other parts of your mouth.

Impaction of Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth can grow in a multitude of directions inside your mouth. If this happens, their roots can also send various lengths into the side of your mouth. Therefore, it would be harder for the tooth to be removed. You must have it removed as soon as it grows. The earlier you remove it, the better.

Assessment of Impacted Wisdom Tooth

While most people may not have problems with their wisdom teeth and usually ignore it, it can cause patients severe pain it is not removed quickly. It can also be the cause other conditions that may affect your dental health such as:

Bleeding gums
Gingivitis
Bacterial infections

For the sake of practicality, it is best if you have a dental appointment to check on the health of your wisdom teeth. They will be the ones to evaluate your medical history and the condition of your wisdom teeth. If they find anomalies, they will surely recommend surgical removal to help protect you from infection. They will also recommend medication that can reduce the pain that you may feel after the operation. You do not have to worry much because the dentist will surely give you all the information that you will need for assessment.

In addition to this, you must be open with your dentist regarding any reservations that you may have about the procedure. You have to discuss the dangers as well as the advantages of doing the procedure. Furthermore, you also have to decide whether you feel that the procedure would be good for you. After the discussion, if you are still not satisfied with all the information that the doctor gave you, it is best to have a second opinion about the matter.

Simple as it is, having your wisdom teeth removed is not an easy thing to do. There are so many things to consider before undergoing such a delicate operation. This is why you have to be prepared both psychologically and physically for the challenges that the operation might bring. If you are having second thoughts, it is that you do not go through with the operation.

Why Remove the Wisdom Teeth

Having wisdom teeth can cause you so much trouble in terms of your dental health and well being. Wisdom teeth are part of the teeth that you can do without especially if that causes harm to your dentures and your overall health in the oral region of your body. There are many reasons why you should remove your wisdom teeth. Here are some of the major reasons why you need to remove your wisdom teeth immediately.

The first reason is to avoid tooth decay. If the wisdom teeth become impacted, bacteria and other food particles can accumulate within the teeth, which will be very difficult to remove and therefore may lead to infection.
Secondly, having impacted wisdom teeth can lead to gum disease and cause it to bleed because the growth of the wisdom teeth may pierce through the gums and cause pain to the patient. In addition to this, the direction of wisdom teeth can cause of accumulation of germs and bits of food under the gums. Infection may occur if this happens. Therefore, you will not be able to open your mouth fully if you are infected.
Another reason would be to maintain a balance original set of teeth. If the wisdom teeth go off within the mouth in the wrong direction, it will disrupt the balance of the dentures. The orthodontic balance will also be disrupted.
In addition to this, the eruption of the wisdom teeth can cause pain to the patient. This is because of the pressure that the internal forces of the teeth would bring. This can also cause the other set of teeth to collapse.
Wisdom teeth removal should also be done to prevent cysts from growing within the impacted tooth. This growth can also destroy the bones within the jaw line aside from being at risk for cancer and other related diseases that may harm your health. It can also cause other parts of your mouth to be damaged.
The wisdom teeth should also be removed due to physical reasons. This is because if the wisdom tooth grows underneath a denture, it will cause pain and discomfort patient for the patient and will be trickier in terms of removal. Furthermore, you will have to have another set of dentures remade because the gums will alter in shape once the wisdom teeth are out.

The wisdom teeth are something that can cause real harm if you do not remove it immediately. It may not cause any harm for you at first but eventually it will cause you more trouble because of the pain and discomfort that it will give you if it grows in the wrong way.

It can also cause inconvenient for you because of the frequency of dental visits that you should do in order to have it checked by the dentist if you do not want to have it removed. This is why it is best to remove it early on so that you can avoid complications in terms of your dental health.

Pros and Cons of Wisdom Tooth Removal

Like any other procedure, there are pros and cons to having wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom teeth are indeed part of your dental set and therefore it needs to be protected as well. However, the location of the tooth would make it very hard for you to reach and brush your wisdom teeth often. If this happens, cavities will attack. The removal of the tooth therefore is an important aspect of keeping your dental health positive.

Pros of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Here are some advantages to removing your wisdom teeth.

· Removing wisdom teeth will save the teeth from having cavities. It can also help you rearrange your teeth in such a way that it will promote proper growth and prevent the mouth from being overcrowded.

· In addition to this, if the wisdom teeth contracts cavity and you fail to clean it up because of its distance and location, the bacteria might spread into other parts of your mouth and create complications for your dental health.

· Wisdom teeth may also irritate the gums is not removed properly. The teeth remnants may cause the gums to bleed and create an infection that can compromise the patient’s health.

If you remove your wisdom teeth, your dental health will be much safer and you will be less prone to cavities and bacteria that may harm your dental health. This being said, there are still equally important factors that you should consider before doing the procedure. These are as follows.

Cons of Wisdom Tooth Removal

The effects of wisdom tooth removal may depend on the following conditions.

· The size, shape and position can determine how much pain you can feel. This will affect it in such a way that the removal can cause extreme pain and suffering for the patient if the teeth is too big or it caused so much bleeding. In this case, you have to go to the dentist to have the results checked.

· Removal of the wisdom teeth may result to unhealthy clotting. If this happens, it will result into a dry socket following an extraction. This is because a patient through no fault of his own may disturb the clotting process therefore causing it to dislodge.

· If this happens, bleeding might arise again and complications may ensue. In order to protect your teeth, you have to follow the doctor’s instructions as to recovery period activities that can help you hasten the healing of your operation.

You should never take the removal and extraction of your wisdom teeth for granted. Although it is true that the removal in itself will help improve your dental health, you should still consult your dentist before going through the operation.

Having any kind of dental procedure is something that you should prepare for. It is something that should be taken seriously and with caution. These pros and cons can help you know and weigh what your options are. In this way, you will be able to decide what is best for you to do.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery, Healing and Postoperative Care

Surgical Extraction of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Surgery is usually held in your local dental clinic rather than the hospital. Your dentist will ensure that he or she explains the procedure very carefully and with as much tact as possible. The doctor will discuss about the healing process, the operation itself and other information you might want. The use of anaesthetics will ensure that you feel no pain because dentists might have to cut lesions in your mouth to perform the operation.

Healing Process after Surgical Extraction of Wisdom Teeth

The healing process immediately begins after the operation because the blood will rush back into the socket to provide the necessary nutrients for clot formation. A gauze will provide the sufficient pressure necessary for immediate clot formation.

To further promote healing, you must follow the doctor’s prescriptions and advice regarding postoperative medication. You must also go back for follow up consultations. Furthermore, the moment you feel any pain or swelling during recovery, you must immediately go to the dentist for consultation.

Care after Surgical Extraction of Wisdom Tooth

In order for your teeth to heal properly after the removal, you must be observant as to any aberrant signs of bleeding or swelling during the period. The eight hours right after the operation are found to be the most critical but otherwise, it is manageable.

After the operation, you may feel small bone parts scattered across your tongue. Those are the remnants of the tooth, which have been removed. It will disappear as soon as the gum heals. In addition, the stitches can also give you a little discomfort. You have to come back to the dentist for thread removal. However, if dissolvable threads were utilized, it will eventually melt on its own after a few days. Here are additional advices on recovery.

Never Touch the Wound

Within the first 24 hours, be sure not to have physical contact with the wound. This may infect the spot. Make sure to use the unaffected side of your mouth for chewing.

Smoking is prohibited for a Day

Smoking immediately will cause the wound to bleed.

Bleeding Control

Be sure to have the gauzes replaced every so often if the wound had not been stitched up. It is important to apply pressure on the wound until clot formation.

No Spitting or Sucking on Straws

This is another cause for bleeding, which can affect the clot and reopen the wound.

Anti Pain Medication

Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to prevent discomfort after minor surgery. The dentist may prescribe stronger analgesics when the patient feels extreme pain.

Swelling

During the first 24 hours, it is advised to put a cold compress on to the wound when swelling occurs with 20-minute intervals. It is also advisable to rinse your mouth with warm water and a teaspoon of salt after twenty-four hours to clean it. Do not do this before the allotted time so as not to disturb the clots.

Recommended Diet

Soft
Avoidance of hot and cold drinks as well as food to prevent bleeding
Avoidance of alcohol

Schedule a visit to your dentist once a week to prevent any complication.

Procedure For Apexification

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:59:26 GMT

Frank in 1966 was one of the first to describe the clinical methods using calcium hydroxide paste & camphorated monochlorophenol (CMCP),to stimulate root closure.

The procedure for Apexification is

The tooth is isolated with rubber dam, & access is gained into the pulp chamber.

Using large reamers & files, remove the debris from the coronal half of the pulp & establish the file length radiographically.
Clean the canal, irrigate it & then dry it with a paper point. Repeated gentle use of sodium hypochlorite assists debris removal.
Seal a pellet of CMCP in the pulp chamber with a provisional restorative material.
On recall, in 1 to 3 weeks, remove the restoration & clean the canal.
Take care to avoid any instrumentation of the walls of the dentin near the apex.
Mix a paste of calcium hydroxide & CMCP on a glass slab. Carry the paste to the canal & force it into the apex with a larger plugger or cone-shaped instrument. The objective is to fill the canal completely. Obtain a radiograph to check the accuracy of the root canal filling.
On a 6 month recall, you should see radiographic evidence of an apical closure.
When you have accomplished apical closure, the root canal filling is completed.
If apexification has not been completed, repeat the cleaning & insertion of a calcium hydroxide & CMCP paste.

Apexification pre-treatment showing open apex

Calcium hydroxide placed in the pulp chamber following removal of pulp

Check X-ray-Apical constriction formed by 12-13 months.

Post-treatment obturated with gutta percha

Treatment evaluations of Apexification

The first evaluation may be done after 3 months. Radiographs may show hard tissue deposition, but such evidence is not considered reliable. It is necessary to test the quality of apical barrier with a size 35 file.

If the 3 months radiograph shows little or no apical changes, reschedule the patient for another 3 months recall. There is no need to change the calcium hydroxide if it appears to occupy the root canal space adequately, & if the coronal temporary seal appears satisfactory.

The follow-up evaluation is repeated every 3 months until successful apical bridging has occurred. This may take as little as 3 months or as long as a year or more, depending on the degree of apical destruction & the ability of the apical tissue to repair.

Obturation of the root canal

Because the root canal wall does not change during apexification, the shape of the canal will remain the same after the apical barrier has formed, namely a reverse taper. These canals are probably best suited for obturation by a thermoplasticized technique.

Enamel Hypoplasia

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:27:18 GMT

Enamel Hypoplasia is the most common abnormality of development and mineralization of human teeth. The lesion is characterized by a quantitative defect in enamel tissue resulting from an undetermined metabolic injury to the formative cells – the ameloblasts. Clinically, enamel hypoplasia is seen as a roughened surface with discreet pitting or circum- ferential band –like irregularities which posteruptively acquire a yellow brown stain. Enamel hypoplasia is endemic in many countries of the world and is commonly reported in association with disease of childhood.

Some years ago population surveys in several countries showed that 3-15% of children exhibited some degree of enamel Hypoplasia in permanent teeth. However, the incidence of this lesion is significantly higher in vitamin D deficiency, hereditary vitamin D dependency rickets, hypoparathyroidism, and a wide spectrum of prenatal disorders. Earlier repots which implicated German measles (Rubella) during pregnancy as a major factor in enamel hypoplasia have been definitely disproven.

A specific type of enamel hypoplasia of primary teeth called linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) is common in some economically underdeveloped countries. For example, its prevalence has been reported to be about 30-40% in Guatemala and in parts of the Caribbean coast. In children, who have signs of severe malnutrition, linear hypoplasia was present in up to 73%of the population. Enamel Hypoplasia resembling the linear type has been reported in association with acute diarrheal disease in preschool Apache Indian children. Although the pathophysiology of LEH is undetermined, many authors have suggested the synergistic action of malnutrition and infection as the most probable causative factors. A more probable factor is hypocalcemia induced by gastrointestinal diarrhea.

Hypocalcaemia It is a specific Cause of Enamel Hypoplasia. Recently evidence has suggested that the etiology of enamel hypoplasia is highly specific. Enamel Hypoplasia is seen in children having disorders of calcium homeostasis but it is not seen in children having phosphate homeostasis. It is not seen in children having hypophosphatemia 9X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets).this proves that serum phosphate level does not effect the enamel but in the conditions where hypocalcaemia is the major symptom like diarrhea etc the enamel Hypoplasia is coonly seen. This all proves that low Calcium level in serum is one of the major cause of enamel hypoplasia.

Enamel Hypoplasia and Caries Enamel Hypoplasia is clinically significant not only because it is disfiguring and the restorative treatment costly, but because it may affect caries susceptibility. There was a strong correlation between hypoplasia in the teeth of British schoolchildren (which she thought was caused by vitamin D deficiency) and caries susceptibility. For example, out of a collection of 1,500 extracted teeth, 74% of very hypoplastic teeth were carious, whereas 80% of the nonhypoplastic teeth were caries – free. Caries has also been associated with hypoplasia in many parts of the Third World There is no information about the chemical composition of hypoplasia enamel soothe exact reason for its greater proneness to caries is uncertain, but it is possible that its irregularity and pits may favor the development of more plaque compared with smooth well formed enamel.

In an important study of children with LEH it was found that significantly higher incidence of caries even in the posterior hypoplasia- free teeth of children whose incisors had LEH than in those who did not have this condition. Also,the incidence of caries and the enamel hypoplasia is higher in prematurely born children than in controls. Thus, evidence is strong that the factor responsible for hypoplasia of the linear type also predisposes to dental caries. Prevention of enamel hypoplasia in the Third World would portend a major reduction in caries prevalence in the affected populations.

Reasons of Tooth Ache or Pain after Dental Filling

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:34:09 GMT

There can be numerous reasons for a patient to have pain after getting dental filling. The reasons for having tooth pain after dental filling can vary from high dental filling for various other reasons. These can reasons for having pain after dental filling are discussed as under.

Tooth Pain due to High Dental Filling

The toothache could be a result of the high dental filling. The periodontal ligament is what supports the tooth by means of binding it to the bone. When the filling is too high, the tooth gets compressed downwards and is subjected to a lot more pressure. This goes on to make the ligaments tender.

When the tissues in our body are put through stress they tend to get tender. If you work in the hot sun in the garden for a long time then your hands are bound to have strained ligaments and tissues. The extra blood that gets pumped into your hand will allow it to heal the strained ligaments and this makes them appear red and swollen. This is the exact thing that is experienced by the periodontal ligament when it gets compressed much more than usual due to a high filling. The terminology used for these medical phenomena is Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis or Acute Apical Periodontitis.

When the periodontal ligament widens and gets larger it tends to become red and inflamed. That creates pain when you have a high filling.

Stopping Pain Caused by Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis

If you want to go ahead and stop the pain, then what you need to do is to remove the thing that causes pain. The moment you feel any kind of pain in your tooth the first thing that you should think of is calling the dentist. If you find that the pain persists then you need to ask your dentist to check the bite. This will allow you to be able to ensure that the filling is of the right size. If not then the filling will be ground down to the right size.

How long will the pain after filling will persist?

The first thing that the dentist needs to do is to size the filling and in order to do that they need to ground it down. Thereafter, the periodontal ligament will need some time to heal itself from the trauma that it has undergone.

The healing process usually takes about two weeks. After two weeks if the pain still persists then you do need to visit the dentist as this is a clear sign of something being wrong with your teeth. Then, the dentist needs to further ascertain and find out.

There are several folks who might have Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis because of the filling being too high. This is when they need to go back to the dentist and have it set right. Once the filling is the right size they will certainly have no pain and feel better.

There are people who hold back from calling their dentist. However, if you are not comfortable with the filling or need it to be re-sized then you need not feel embarrassed about voicing it to them.

Tooth hurts after a White filling or Composite Dental Filling

The first thing that is noticeable is that the filling should fit just right and your tooth shouldn’t hurt. If the pain persists then you need to go to the dentist and find out the reasons. The white filling can result in pain in the tooth for several reasons which are:

Polymerization Shrinkage of a Composite or White Dental Filling:

Composites or white fillings tend to shrink a wee bit when they harden. That is the reason why the dentist will place the material into the cavity in a liquid or pasty form. Then they will use a strong light like LED or Halogen which will help to immediately harden the material. Now, in case the composite material is not placed correctly in the tooth and especially in the case of a composite filling then it will shrink to result in a gap that goes on to form around the filling. It could even pull the tooth together. This will further result in the tooth becoming sensitive to hot and cold.

What if the Composite used is way too large?

The way composite fillings work is to be really good materials for small fillings. The moment the filling becomes larger, such as 1/3 the distance, between the cusps or more than 2 surfaces it is not strong enough.

Composite material is not made to be strong enough to work like tooth structure. If a composite is used for the large filling then it will result in the tooth bending, the composite will wear off or have a fracture, and finally it will result in a failure of the filling treatment. This in turn will require further treatment that is of a longer duration.

How to Increase the Life of Dental Filling

There are a few kinds of fillings that can last for a real long time. However, usually an amalgam filling has a lifespan of about 12 years and that of a composite filling is less than that.

The first visit to a dentist will entail a thorough examination of your fillings. This is usually done at every checkup visit. In case the dentist suspects a crack, leak or something amiss in the filling then you might be advised an X-ray.

When is it the right time to visit the dentist?

Sensitivity in the tooth
A crack in the tooth
The filling has fallen off

A good idea is to go to a dentist frequently for cleanings, brush with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day to ensure that you are able to increase the lifespan of your fillings.

In case of several fillings or very large fillings, your dentist may recommend that you go ahead and use a fluoride gel. The fluoride gel when used at home will enable in strengthening the teeth enamel. This will serve as a safety net for you against any future cavities. There is another way to protect your teeth and that is with the application of fluoride varnish around the edges of these teeth at your dental checkups.

Replacing a Filling

When you need to have a filling replaced the first thing is the discussion with the dentist about the possible treatment options that are available to you and their outcomes. You can go on and let the dentist evaluate the cavity and what kind of filling it will need. Also, you will be able to discuss the right material for your kind of filling.

Why do we need to BRUSH our teeth?

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:20:24 GMT

We all must have noticed a soft sticky layer forming on our teeth everyday. This layer is called PLAQUE. It is mainly formed of food debris and bacteria. Brushing teeth removes plaque and gives us clean teeth, gums and a fresh breath. For healthy teeth and gums it is mandatory to have good oral hygiene and for that brushing should be perfect.

Most dental problems are because of improper brushing technique. One may be brushing 3to4 times a day, but if brushing technique is not proper, there will be food lodgment in between the teeth resulting in oral hygiene. That is why learning proper brushing technique is very important.

HOW TO BRUSH?

There are different brushing techniques but most commonly used tech for adults is BASS and for children it is FONE’S tech.

BASS METHOD OF BRUSHING

In Bass method brush is placed at 45 degree to long axis of tooth.

In this brushing technique bristles are forced in the area between the two teeth and the junction of gums with the teeth. Then teeth are brushed with short back and forth strokes with vibratory action

The eating surface is brushed with short anterior and posterior strokes.

This brushing technique is used for routine use.

FONE’S METHOD OF BRUSHING

This brushing technique is effective for young children.

In this brush is firmly placed against teeth and gums at 90 degree on the outer surface.

Brush is moved in rotary action while teeth are closed. This brushing technique is very easy for the children to follow.

FREQUENCY OF BRUSHING

We often ask this question that how many times do we need to brush out teeth. It should be individualized on basis of

Rate of plaque formation

Caries risk

Gum diseases

It is the quality of cleaning, not the frequency which is related to disease. But brushing twice a day, once at bed time and once in the morning is recommended.

EFFECTS OF INCORRECT BRUSHING

Lots of PROBLEMS can be there because of incorrect brushing like –

gums can be receded because of which teeth look long and root is exposed. .

gums can get irritated and start bleeding

tooth staining

bad breathe called as Halitosis

periodontal problems

abrasion(wear) of the teeth takes place

teeth become sensitive to hot and cold sensation

bone loss leading to mobility and ultimately tooth loss

HOW OFTEN BRUSH SHOULD BE CHANGED?

On an average it should be changed after 3 months, when the bristles start wearing off.

It should be changed after cold and flu

We get indicator tooth brushes in which central tuft is dyed with food colorant (blue). When blue color fades, it indicates time to change the brush.

IS BRUSHING IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN?

Many people have a belief that it is not important for small children to brush. But its not correct. It is equally necessary for children to maintain a good oral hygeine as it is for adults.

The best technique for children is FONES. Parents should encourage their children and keep a regular check about their brushing habits. Small size attractive brushes are available for children.

Average cost of Dental Filling

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:34:09 GMT

Dental fillings are of several kinds. However, if you were to opt for the best which are the composite resin fillings then the cost will be anywhere in the range of $150 to $200. Whereas, metal filling, will cost you about $75 to $ 145 per filling. Hence, on an average the dental filling costs about $50 to $300 depending on where you live and the filling material that is used by the dentist such as amalgam or composite.

Dental fillings on an average cost one about $50 per tooth. Having said that do keep in mind that so called cheap fillings are bad fillings and will not last you for a long time. Cheap fillings are as good as having no fillings as they will not last long and hence the time and effort that has been invested in it on your part goes to waste.

On the other hand when you opt for a dental filling that is slightly on the higher end you will be able to make it last for a lifetime and be doing your teeth great service in return.

If you notice dentists tend to charge different prices based on different parameters. The silver filling is of course cheaper than the white one. You must call up different dental clinics in your area to find out the cost of dental filling in that region and what is the average charged taking more or less a dollar.

The fillings also cost different based on whether they are for permanent or baby teeth, for front or rear teeth. It is also based on the surfaces that need to be filled and how deep is the cavity.

Hence, a silver amalgam filling for a primary baby tooth is in the range of $74 to $102 for first surface and $ 107 to $ 142 for the fourth surface.
For a silver amalgam filling for permanent teeth is $97 to $131 for the first surface and $128 to $183 for the fourth surface.
Whereas, composite resin filling for the front permanent teeth are between $91 to $118 for the first surface and $187 to $248 for the fourth surface.
Composite resin fillings for the rear teeth are more expensive at $ 93 to $183 for the first surface and $216 to $ 288 for the third surface.

Therefore, if you were to realize the cost that you end up paying for dental fillings depends on several factors. These factors are how big is your filling and where, which state do you live in, the dentist that you visit, the dental office and whether insurance will cover you.

In fact there are several patients who opt to go overseas for dental care and for fillings too. If you are close to Mexico then you can go there as a filling can cost you about $30 with a guarantee of a few years. These places offer you the same kind of dental care without the overheads.

Types of Tooth Pain after Dental Filling

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:34:09 GMT

The best way to save a decayed or broken tooth is by having a filling done. This is not only a great help for the functionality of the tooth but also helps in the person’s appearance. The first thing that the dentist does is to go ahead and fill the tooth. This will be when the corroded materials and the tooth decay are removed and the affected area around the tooth is taken care of.

Kinds of Toothache or Tooth Pain after a Dental Filling

The filing in the cavity is done using different kinds of substances. This will give the tooth enough protection from the cavity becoming larger. A thing to keep in mind is that it is quite common to feel a little bit of pain after a filling has been done. Your teeth and the surrounding region might be sensitive to the material that has been used for the filling and the trauma that it has undergone. Give it time to heal and the filling will settle down.

If the toothache still persists then a thing to keep in mind is that there are different kinds of toothaches and you might need to ascertain which one you feel.

Tooth pain around the new dental filling:

If you have toothache surrounding the new dental filling then you need to go to the dentist for a second time. They will check whether the filling had been done right.

Tooth ache when you bite:

There are instances when you might experience pain every time you bite. This kind of pain is noticed as soon as the anesthesia wears off. Thereafter, if you notice that you experience toothache every time that you bite, you need to check with the dentist for the right size of the filling. The reason this occurs is that every time you bite you actually put your teeth through get turmoil.

Allergies resulting from Dental Fillings:

There are different kinds of materials that are used for fillings and therefore it is a good idea to go on and check with the dentist if you are allergic to any of them.

Allergic reaction could result from the silver amalgam used in the filling. An allergic reaction could be itchiness, skin rashes, and various other general allergic reactions. If this were to occur then the filling needs to be replaced with another material.

When is right time to go to dentist with tooth pain after filling

If the toothache persists even after a few weeks of the filling then something is certainly amiss. All that you need to do is to go to the dentist for a second time and explain the pain and how you feel. The dentist will then be able to ascertain the reason for the pain after the filling and address the concerns. The dentist might advise you to use a sensitive tooth paste or put on a desensitizing agent on the tooth.

After all of this, if the pain still persists then all that you can do is to have a root canal treatment done to get rid of the pain after the filing.

Procedure Of Inlay And Onlay

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:17:18 GMT

There are two procedures to fabricate the inlays and onlays. One is direct and the other is indirect. In direct procedure the inlay and onlay is made directly in patient’s mouth in single visit only. They are composite inlays or onlays. In indirect procedure the inlays and onlays are made in the laboratory after taking the impression. Then the laboratory prepares them on the basis of impressions taken by the dentist. After the preparation on of Inlays and Onlays by the laboratory, these are checked by the dentist and fitted in the patient’s mouth. Any minor adjustments needed to make them fit in patient mouth are made by the dentist with instruments at his disposal. Inlays and Onlays is fairly simple procedure and is routinely carried out by the dentists. The fixation of Inlays and Onlays does not involve any surgical procedures and is mostly pain free.

Direct Inlay and Onlay (Composite)

Outline of clinical procedures:

1. Select shade.

2. Isolate with rubber dam

3. Pre wedge for proximal lesions.

4. Cavity preparation.

· All margins in enamel if possible.

· Break proximal contact.

· Tapered preparation (divergent wall 8-12 degree)

· Rounded internal line angles.

· Eliminate undercuts.

· Ends of enamel rods exposed for etching.

Matrix and wedge.
Apply separating medium.
Place composite in incremental fashion curing thoroughly.
Remove restoration from tooth.
clean restoration and provide additional curing
Check contour, fit and contact and adjust/add resin as necessary.
clean internal surface of restoration.(sandblast , etching gel)
apply special bond(vivadent)
protect adjacent teeth (celluloid strips, matrix)
Clean and etch enamel and apply appropriate bonding resin.
Cement inlay.

· Always use dual cure cement

· Apply cement to tooth and restoration.

Seat with gentle pressure and remove excess.
Seat firmly (and remove excess cement at all margins) and hold in place with instrument.
Apply curing light from several angles (60 seconds each angle) while maintaining pressure on restoration.

Allow cement to continue polymerization for 10 minutes with no curing light/ pressure.
Finish restoration.

Indirect Inlay and Onlay Preparation (Laboratory Procedure)

1. Isolate and select shade.

2. Apply rubber dam.

3. Pre wedge for proximal lesion.

4. Cavity preparation.

5. Take impression.

Impression should have:

· High tensile strength.

· Good surface detail.

· Low deformation.

· Able to disinfect it without distortion.

For impression addition silicones can be used.

For onlays and large inlays take impression for opposing model and bite registration.

1. Temporize

· Use appropriate material.

· Always cement temporary with a non Eugenol luting agent such as TEMP-BOND NE(kerr)

The provisional restoration should:

· Stabilize the existing occlusal relationship

· Protect the prepared teeth from any anxious stimuli.

At second appointment:

Inlay or onlay is prepared in laboratory from the impression.

2. Isolate with rubber dam.

3. Remove all temporary material.

4. Cement the inlay or onlay to the tooth.

5. Polish the restoration.

6. It is contoured and check for fit and contact.

FOLLOW UP:

Inlays and onlays require brushing and flossing. The patient should visit dentist regularly.

RISKS:

Inlays and onlays can become loose if cement washes out or combines with saliva while it is being applied. Inlays and onlays made of composite resin or porcelain can crack.

How Pulpotomy Saves Teeth

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:15:41 GMT

Many teeth are still lost prematurely even though we know the importance of the teeth and above all we have various techniques to save them. . The primary objective of pulp treatment of an affected tooth is to maintain the integrity and health of oral tissues. Primary teeth that are the baby teeth are replaced by the adult teeth so people do not take them seriously. But the baby teeth are very important. If they are lost prematurely like they are lost before their normal shedding time they can cause lot of problems. The child will have difficulty in chewing the food and it will have adverse effect on his or her general growth and development. The psychological trauma is there to the child. Child has the speech problem. The baby teeth maintain the arch integrity and maintain the space for the eruption of the permanent teeth or the adult teeth but if the baby teeth or the milk teeth are lost before the time the space will be lost and the adult teeth will not erupt in their normal position. It can also cause the development of certain abnormal tongue positions. So, maximum attempts are made to preserve primary teeth in a healthy state until normal exfoliation of teeth occurs.

Pulpotomy refers to coronal removal of the vital pulp tissue. In a tooth there is the crown part and the root part. In the crown part there is coronal pulp and in root there ia root pulp. Some times the cavity is deep but the pulp is not infected or there is pin point exposure but infection is not there. In such cases it is recommended to remove the coronal pulp and save the root pulp. In this way the vitality of the tooth is maintained.

The objective is to remove the inflamed part of the pulp which is followed by the application of calcium hydroxide to the remaining pulp tissue

Indications for Pulpotomy
1. Exposure of the teeth because of caries or by mechanical means.
2.Inflammation limited to coronal pulp
3.Absence of spontaneous pain
4.Absence of swelling or alveolar abscess formation

Contraindications for Pulpotomy
1.History of unprovoked toothache
2.Presence of fistula or swelling
3.Evidence of necrotic/irreversibly damaged pulp
4.Uncontrolled pulpal hemorrhage
5.Periapical or bifurcation radiolucency
6.Pathologic resorption of pulp
7.Dystrophic calcification
8.Primary root length less than 2/3

Buckley’s Formula Of Formocresol
Cresol – 35% Glycerol – 15%
Formaldehyde – 19% Water – 31%

Procedure of Pulpotomy
First of all three parts of glycerin added to one part of distilled water. Then four parts of this preparation to one part of Buckley’s formocresol are added and thoroughly mixed again.

Procedure of Formocresol Pulpotomy

1.Anesthetize the tooth & isolate with rubber dam.

2. Remove caries with high speed straight fissure bur without entering pulp.

3. Remove the dentinal roof with a slow speed round bur for minimal trauma to the roof the pulp.

4. Remove the coronal pulp with a spoon excavator.
5. Clean the pulp chamber with saline.

6. Achieve homeostasis with a cotton pellet.

5. With the help of sterlized cotton pellet apply formacresol to the cavity for four minutes.
8. Place dry cotton pellet over that to avoid contact with oral tissues.
9. Remove cotton pellet, check fixation and zinc oxide eugenol is placed.
10. Recall the patient after 1 week for permanent restoration.
11 Place a stainless steel crown.

Preoperative View of Pulpotomy

                                    Post Operative View of Pulpotomy


Formocresol Toxicity
Toxic properties of formocresol reported are:

It has found to be Cytotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic.
It has also been found in periodontal ligament. Bone, dentine and urine when used in the pulpotomities of animals.
Their antigenocity effects have also been reported.
Formaldehyde denatures nucleic acids by forming methylol derivatives.
It affects the biosynthesis and cell reproduction by reacting with DNA and ribonucleic acids.

Histological Evaluation
Three zones have been identified. These are:

Acidophilic zone: Fixation
Pale staining zone: Atrophy
Broad zone of inflammatory cells

Contraindications of Formocresol Pulpotomy

Spontaneous pain
Swelling
Fistula
Percussion tenderness
Mobility of the tooth which is pathological.
Any root resorption which can be internal or external
Calcification of the pulp
On X-ray if we see the radiolucency
Profuse hemorrhage
Exudates

Two Appointment Pulpotomy

Indications

Sluggish or profuse bleeding at the site.
Bleeding is difficult to control.
Slight purulence in the chamber but at the amputation site.
Thickening of the periodontal ligament.
History of spontaneous pain without other contraindications.

The two-step Pulpotomy can also be used when shorter appointments are necessary to facilitate

patient management problems.

Indication of Cvek’s Pulpotomy

When pulp is exposed by mechanical or bacterial means in young permanent teeth,the remaining radicular tissue is judged by clinical and radiographic cirteria where the root closure is not complete.

Procedure of Cvek’s Pulpotomy

It s calcium hydroxide pulpotomy and is done mostly in the young permanent tooth where it is mandatory to maintain the vitality of thee radicular pulp so that the root formation can be completed. In this the tooth is isolated with rubber dam after giving the anesthesia. By using the round bur at slow speed all the carious material is removed. After this the coronal pulp that is the pulp in the crwn part is removed with the excavater and then we put pressure to stop the bleeding. After the bleeding is stopped calcium hydroxide is applid and then above this the temporary filling material is put. Recall is done and if the tooth is asymptomatic then final filling is done. Finally permanent restoration is done.

Glutaraldehyde Pulpotomy Method

Inflamed tissue that produces toxic products must be fixed rather than be disinfected. So Glutaraldehyde has more fixing properties than formocresol and is also causes less tissue destruction and also appears to be bactericidal. So in Glutaraldehyde Pulpotomy 2% Glutaraldehyde is used instead of Formocresol.

Non Vital Pulpotomy or Mortal Pulpotomy

Ideally speaking pulpotomy is done in the vital tooth and in nonvital tooth pulpectomy is done. But in some cases t is not possible to do the pulpectomy may be because of the nonnegotiable root canals or the patient is cooperating. In such cases mortal pulpotomy is done.

Procedure of Non Vital Pulpotomy Or Mortal Pulpotomy

In the first appointment the necrotic pulp from the pulp chamber is removed and the radicular pulp is treated with the strong antiseptic solution. Then tha cavity is sealed with the temporary restorative material.

In second appointment if the tooth is asymptomatic, antiseptic paste is put in the pulp chamber and above that stainless steel crown is put.

Electro Surgical Pulpotomy Procedure

· The method of procedure in this case as under.

· Tooth is isolated and local anesthesia is given.

· Carious removal is done.

· Sterile cotton is placed to stop the bleeding. Some pressure is applied. As soon as the cotton pellet is removed an electrode s placed 1 to 2 mm above the pulp tissue. It is applied for couple of seconds which is followed by 5 min. of cooling down period. Zinc oxide eugenol paste is placed n the pulp chamber directly above the root stumps. Above this the final restoration is done.

Ferric Sulphate

It has received the most recent attention as a formocresol alternative in pulpotomy choices. Ferric sulfate when comes in contact with tissues, it forms a ferric ion-protein complex that mechanically occludes capillaries at the pulpal amputation site. The subjacent pulp tissue is then allowed to heal.

Use of Lasers in Pulpotomy

Application of laser irradiation in vital pulp therapy has been proposed as another alternative to pharmacotherapeutic techniques. Its advantages and disadvantages are the same as for electro surgery.

PULPOTOMY FOLLOW-UP TOOTH

PRE-OPERATIVE

6 MONTHS FOLLOW-UP

12 MONTH FOLLOW-UP

18 MONTH FOLLOW-UP

Factors affecting Success Rates of Pulpotomy

Accurate pre-operative diagnosis.
Un-controlled bleeding after pulpal removal.
Type and timing of final restoration.

Pulpotomy is considered to be Successful when following criteria have been fulfilled

No pain, sensitivity, swelling or mobility, Signs of infection and inflammation.
No radiographic evidence of pathologic or external root resorption.
No evidence of calcification of canals is present.

Types of Smokeless Tobacco

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:49:45 GMT

Various types of smokeless tobacco are used in different parts of the world. These in different forms and is known by different names in different parts of world. These can be in form of chewing or snuff. The main have been identified as under:

North America

Chewing tobacco

Loose leaf

Plug - moist

Plug - chew

Twist or roll

Snuff

Dry

Iq'mik

Ariva (nicotine lozenge)

Moist

South America

Chimo

Europe

Sweden

Snus or snuff

United Kingdom

Gutkha

Dry snuff

Asia

Central Asia

Gul

Nass or Naswar, Niswar

Pan Masala or Betel quid

Zarda

East/Southeast Asia

Gutkha

Pan Masala or Betel quid

South Asia

Creamy snuff

Gul

Gutkha

Khaini

Mawa

Mishri or Masheri, Misheri

Qiwam or Kima

Red Tooth Powder

Snus or snuff

Middle East (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Arab countries)

Nass or Naswar, Niswar

Shammah

Zarda

Africa (Sudan)

Toombak

The most common ones are as follows:

Chimó

Brand name: El Dragón

location of use: Venezuela

Composition: Tobacco leaf, sodium bicarbonate, brown sugar, ashes from the Mamón tree, and vanilla and anisette flavoring.

Method of consumption: A small amount of Chimó is placed between the lip or cheek and the gum and left there for some time, usually 30 minutes. The mixture of Chimó and saliva is spit out.

Processing/manufacturing: Tobacco leaves are crushed and boiled for several

Hours, the concentrated product is placed in natural containers or wrapped in banana leaves for maturation. Packaged in small tins.

Loose Leaf Chew(common chewing tobacco or the spit tobacco)

Brand names: Red Man, Red Man Golden Blend, Red Man Select, Granger

Location of use: united states

Composition : leaf tobacco, sweetener, and/or licorice

Processing/manufacturing: Loose tobacco leavesare air-cured, stemmed and loosely packed to form strips of shredded tobacco. Most are sweetened and flavored with licorice.

Moist Plug (chewing /spit tobacco)

Brand name: Red Man Moist Plug, Totems, RJ Gold, Taylor’s Pride

Location of use: united states

Composition:enriched tobacco leaves, fine tobacco, sweetener.

Gutkha (most popular brand due to advertising)

Brand names :Manikchand, Moolchand, Tulsi, Shimla, Sikandar, Pan Parag

Location of use: India, Southeast Asia, United Kingdom

Composition :betel nut, catechu, tobacco, lime, saffron, flavoring

Dry Snuff

Brand names:Al Capone Powder, Conwood , US Tobacco

Location of use: United States, United Kingdom, India

Composition :tobacco

Method of use: Typically, a pinch is held between the lip and gum or cheek. It may also be inhaled into the nostrils.

Moist Snuff/dip (most commonly used forming U.S.)

Brand names: Copenhagen, Skoal, Kodiak, Red Man

Location of use: united states

Method of use: A pinch is placed and held between the lip and cheek.

Processing/manufacturing: The leavesare either air- or fire-cured, then processed

into fine particles (“fine cut”) or strips (“long cut”).Nicotine is released more rapidly from the fine cut form due to the greater surface area.

Smokeless tobacoo is used in different parts of world in different ways. The most common usage for of smokeless tobacco is snuff and chewing tobacco.

Snuff is available as finely ground tobacco leaves which are packaged as moist, dry or in packets (sachets). The user typically takes it through the nose by sniffing or inhaling it through the nose or places a bit of it between the cheek and gums inside the mouth.

Chewing tobacco, loose tobacco leaves plug form or twist forms, are usually placed by the user inside the mouth. It is not ground like the snuff form and thus should be chewed and crushed by the teeth to release flavor and nicotine. Smokeless tobacco, more popularly known as spit tobacco because people usually spit out the tobacco juices and saliva that gets collected in the mouth. Tobacco pastes or powders are also available and placed on the gums or teeth.

Treatment Of Thumb Sucking

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:25:12 GMT

Thumb Sucking in children usually starts at the age of 6 months, at times before birth. Children have a natural tedency to suck. This habit may involve sucking of thumb, digits or pacifiers. Children develop this habit to suck whenever they are hungry, tired, restless, bored or sleepy. 90% children stop by the age of 3-6yrs. If it continues beyond that it needs to be treated.

For the treatment to be successful, one should first make the child awared of the consequences thumb sucking might have.

The treatment plan can be broadly divided into the following:

Psychological Therapy

Screen the patient for the underlying psychological disturbances that sustain a thumb sucking habit. Once psychological dependence is suspected, the child is referred to professionals for counseling. Dont start the treatment if the child is undergoing emotional turmoil such as loss of favorite toy, of a pet etc.
Thumb sucking children between the ages of 4 and 8 years of age need only reassurance, positive reinforcement and friendly reminders. Awareness of the habit can be accomplished by emphasizing the positive aspects of habit cessation. Various aids are employed to bring the habit under the notice of the child such as study models, mirrors, etc.
Children and parents are informed about existing dentofacial deformities and the long-term risks of a sustained habit. Patients should be presented with positive mental and visual images of the dentofacial ideals expected from habit cessation and subsequent orthodontic treatment.
During the treatment adequate emotional support and concern should be provided to the child by the parents.
Destructive approaches in the form of nagging, shamming and belitting ought to be strictly avoided.
Constant reassurance and encouragement should be provided to the patient to gain his confidence.
The use of positive behavior modification techniques and even hypnosis has been effective in digit habit therapy. When the habit is discontinued, the child can be rewarded with a favorite new toy or special outing.
Engage the child in activites he/ she enjoys so that he forgets to suck.
Talk openly (if he understands) to your child about the speech and dental consequences.
Praising the child in front of others for his efforts to stop his habit and asking him to encourage others to do so.

Dunlop’s beta hypothesis:

He believed that if a subject can be forced to concentrate on the performance of the act at the time he practices it, he can learn to stop performing the act. Forced purposeful repetition of a habit eventually associates it with unpleasant reactions and the habit is abandoned. The child should be asked to sit in front of a mirror and asked to suck his thumb, observing himself as he indulges in the habit.

Reminder therapy:

This can be divided into the following

Extra oral approaches:

It employs hot tasting, bitter flavored preparations or distasteful agents that are applied to finger or thumbs. For example, Cayenne pepper, quinine, asafetida. This is effective only when the habit is not firmly entrenched.

Thermoplastic thumb post was devised by Allen in 1991 where a thermoplastic material was placed on the offending digit. A total of 6 weeks of treatment time was required for elimination of habit.A thumb post is placed over the thumb with wrist bands covering the wrist.These bands come in various colors so that the child feels great wearing them.

Intraoral Approaches

Various orthodontic appliances are employed to attenuate and eventually break the habit.

Removable appliances used may be palatal crib, rakes, palatal, arch, lingual spurs.

Hawley’s retainer with and without spurs. Fixed appliances such as upper lingual tongue screens appear to be more effective in breaking these habits. If the child has made appreciable changes in his habit by 3 months, the appliances can be safely removed for a testing period. If gross signs of anxiety are aroused e.g. bed wetting, bad dreams, etc, the appliance should be removed.

Mechanotherapy:

Fixed intra-oral anti thumb sucking appliance:

Most effective mechanical deterrent to thumb sucking is an intraoral appliance attached to the upper teeth by means of bands fitted to the primary second molars or the first permanent molar. A lingual arch forms the base of the appliances to which are added interlacing wires in the anterior portion in the area of the anterior part of the hard palate. It works by preventing the patient from putting the palmer surface of the thumb in contact with the palatal gingival, thereby robbing the pleasure of sucking.

Blue grass appliance:

Haskell (1991) introduced this appliance, for children with a continued thumb sucking habit, which is affecting the mixed or permanent dentition. It consists of a modified six sided roller machined from Teflon to permit purchase of the tongue. This is slipped over a 0.045 stainless steel wire soldered to molar orthodontic bands. This appliance is placed for 3-6 months. Instructions are given to turn the roller instead of sucking the digit. Digit sucking is often seen to stop immediately.

Quad helix:

This appliance prevents the thumb from being inserted and also corrects the malocclusion by expanding the arch.

Complications and Care After Root Canal Therapy

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:33:43 GMT

These days dentists prefer doing single sitting root canal treatment in which, after the diagnosis is made, in single visit the root canal treatment (RCT) is completed. After the root canal treatment, the patient can have few problems like pain after procedure, swelling after root canal treatment, Fracture of root canal treated tooth, discoloration of tooth after root canal. Incomplete filling, missing of a canal or breakage of instrument can also occur during root canal treatment and can cause complications later on. In case of failure of root canal treatment, root canal re-treatment, Apicoectomy or tooth extraction is done.

1. Pain after Root Canal Treatment: If root canal treatment is done when first indicated, then patient usually get immediate relief from symptoms after procedure. If there was severe infection in tooth before root canal treatment, then patient may experience some moderate pain after procedure. There can be pain after the affect of numbness is over. One can take a pain killer which is normally prescribed by the dentist. If pain is acute and there is swelling then one should consult the dentist. Mild soft tissue inflammation is there which causes irritation but it subsides within a week after the root canal treatment. Antibiotics may or may not be prescribed after root canal procedure. If patient experiences pain after few months of root canal treatment and there is difficulty in chewing then the dentist has to be consulted because some times the infection is left or the filling is not done properly and it causes the pain. In such cases some times root canal re-treatment is recommended. But the diagnosis has to be made after taking the proper history, clinical examination and with x-rays.

Medication after root canal therapy:

a. 600 mg dose of ibuprofen which is available OTC (Motrin, Advil) within 4 hours after root canal treatment is performed. Dose should not exceed 800mg. Dentist may also prescribe oxaprozin or ketorolac (Prescription only) after root canal treatment. Codeine is given in case of severe pain and has to be used for short term. Pain meds will provide relief and will reduce the swelling.

b. Amoxicillin or clindamycin antibiotic may also be given after root canal therapy.

When to consult a dentist or endodontist
If pain is acute or if pain persists for more than 2weeks, then patient should visit his dentist to get the root canal treated tooth evaluated. Pain persisting for long time can be because of root canal failure.

2. Swelling after root canal treatment: Swelling is one of the possible complications which can occur after root canal treatment. To reduce swelling after root canal treatment, anti-inflammatory meds are given. Swelling which doesn’t regress after some time can be because of faulty root canal therapy procedure, re-infection of root canals. To treat swelling after root canal treatment, cause of swelling is diagnosed and treatment is provided accordingly.If some teeth feel higher than other teeth, then patient can call his dentist or endodontist who can adjust the bite.

3. Fracture of the Tooth: It is advisable to go for crowning of the tooth after the root canal treatment as the tooth becomes brittle and is prone to fracture. The crown will save the tooth structure and gives natural feeling. Dental crown is given after root canal treatment to provide strength to the weak and brittle root canal treated tooth and to hide the discoloration which may occur at times after root canal treatment.

4. Discoloration of the Tooth: After the root canal treatment as the tooth looses its vitality, it becomes discolored. This discoloration can be taken care of either by bleaching or by giving dental crown on root canal treated tooth.

5. Breakage of instrument during cleaning and shaping of canals: The dental files or other instruments used in the cleaning and shaping of the pulp space might break down and cause complication. Broken file can be removed by an Endodontist who is specialist in root canal treatment. If the root canals are cleaned and sterilized before the endodontic file gets broken, then broken file doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. If canals are not sterilized before dental file is broken, then leaving broken file in the canal can cause problems like root canal failure and can even act as source of infection later on.

6. Incomplete filling or missing a canal: Incomplete filling or missing a canal while filling may act as a source of retained infection or new infection. All this leads to treatment failure and aggravates the complications.

Certain bacteria are not responsive to root canal treatment to a great extent enhancing the problems.

Care after Root Canal Treatment

1. Patient should avoid eating from side of root canal treated tooth.
2. To reduce swelling after root canal treatment, ice pack application over that area can be done. Ice pack application should be done for 10-15 minutes every hour.
3. Take the pain meds as directed and complete the course of antibiotics. Pain meds should be taken before the effect of local anesthesia wears off.
4. Patient should sleep with head at slightly elevated position.
5. Patient should take soft foods at least for 2 days after root canal treatment. Very hot or cold foods should be avoided after root canal treatment.
6. Avoid smoking, drinking or stressful exercises as it will affect the healing.

What to do if root canal treatment fails

In case of root canal failure, root canal re-treatment, Apicoectomy or tooth extraction is done. Root canal re-treatment and Apicoectomy is done to save the tooth and to remove the infection from the tooth. Procedure for root canal re-treatment is similar to root canal treatment and is mainly performed by endodontist. Apicoectomy is surgical removal of root apex to remove infection. If prognosis of root canal re-treatment or Apicoectomy is poor, then tooth extraction may also be required. After tooth extraction, patient can get the missing tooth replaced with either dental implants or dental bridge.

Whether all the teeth which have pain can be saved by the root canal treatment?

The answer is No, for the success of root canal treatment the careful selection of the case is very important. All the teeth can not be treated by root canal treatment. There are few conditions in which the teeth can not be treated with root canal treatment:

1. When the tooth in question does not have adequate bone support and the bone supporting the tooth shows resorption and tooth is mobile, then that tooth cannot be saved by root canal treatment.
2. When the tooth which has to be treated by root canal treatment has inadequate tooth structure and can not be restored after wards
3. When the general resistance of the patient is poor in that case root canal treatment is not indicated.
4. If the root is fractured then also the tooth cannot be saved by root canal treatment.

Free Dental Makeover

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:38:50 GMT

We all think of several different kinds of makeovers for ourselves in order to change the way we look. A dental makeover will certainly make you look your very best and give you the smile that you have always yearned for. It will make you look younger and more confident than ever before. But, alas! wish you could afford one. In that case you might want to consider going in for a free makeover.

Everyone wishes for a set of spotlessly white teeth just the kind that they were born with. When you see Hollywood actors and celebrities you sure wonder how they get this kind of teeth. Well, a makeover will certainly help you however; it costs a lot of money. It almost costs people about $5000 to have a makeover. Now, you wonder where on earth would you get this kind of money and give up the hope of smiling like a rock-star. But, do not despair you can get the help of a free dental makeover. The soaring cost of dental care need not put you off seeking a dental makeover.

There are several contests that are run which give away dental health makeovers as prizes. These contests are run by magazines, dentists themselves or else by the dental manufacturing companies. These contests are open to all and if you win them then you will be awarded a free dental makeover that will change your life forever.

These contests have huge upper limits and sometimes as much as $30,000 or even more. The magazines which sponsor these contests have several tie-ups with several companies which in turn donate the materials that will be needed for the makeover. In turn these companies get first hand publicity from the actual consumers themselves rather than only models.

In return you will need to feature in the magazine with the before and after photographs to show the readers how the treatment and makeover can really transform your life and looks for ever. Of course this is a small amount to pay for all the freebies that you receive. The competition is fierce in these competitions as who can resist a free lunch however, keep trying and you will hit the lucky makeover button someday.

Cosmetic dentistry is a big area and there is lots of publicity that is generated around it. There are dentists who do free makeovers for TV channels. These dentists need patients to work on and if you are willing to be aired on national television then you will be walking away with a free dental makeover. You can contact individual dentists to find out if they have any such schemes on them. You can even apply for these makeover shows online.

You can consider trying dental schools too. The work will be done like an expert as the students will be heavily supervised.There are experienced dentists too who need to keep up to date with the latest techniques and would like to try it out on someone first of all.