Friday, October 21, 2011

Splint


Splint is a well known technique in the field of dentistry. It is used as a treatment for loose teeth.
In this technique the loose teeth or the weak teeth is bonded with the adjacent teeth which are fine and thus it gets the required support or sustainability.
It finds its usage in the case of patients who are suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder or bruxism so that the teeth damage which normally happens at night can be prevented.
It also finds its application in case of sleep apnea and snoring as it stops the movement of loose teeth.
Though it seems to be a simple treatment but it requires precaution to be taken while the splint is applied as if the splint gets dirty it may spread the infection.
It is strongly suggested to consult a dentist as there may be many other alternatives available for the case specific treatment.

Black hairy tongue


Black hairy tongue is the name of disease that happens due to lengthening of papillae which is present in form of bumps on tongue. It is also believed that it is due to excessive growth of fungi that normally live in the mouth. Another reason could be excessive chewing of tobacco as it gives rise to the number of bacteria present in the mouth.
Though black hairy tongue is a harmless problem but it may lead to thrush or other tongue related problems.
As a treatment it usually does not require any special attention and following proper oral care guidelines such as brushing flossing and tongue cleaning normally resolves the problem within a few days, however if the problem still persists please consult it with an oral care specialist so that the right treatment may take place timely.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Dentigerous Cyst



Dentigerous cysts are normally smooth, firm, and soft tissue growths that may get developed on any tooth or teeth that has not grown properly. They are made up of follicular sac, that is a membrane that surrounds the crown part of every tooth before it fully gets erupted in the mouth. They have slow growth rate and are usually painful when they become infected.
Dentigerous cysts may also be connected with skeletal abnormalities, or basal cell carcinomas, and other types of dental tumors.
it is most common in the area of the lower third molars i.e. near or underneath wisdom teeth or the upper cuspids. it can be caused to anyone who is older than six years of age, but mostly happens to those in their twenty's or thirty's. Usually, dentigerous cysts are found surrounding the crown of an unerupted(healthy)  tooth, however it may also grow laterally from the crown. In case if the cyst is large, it can cover up the entire tooth. Though its growth rate is slow , this sort of cyst may has the potential to grow so large that it may cause swelling to the whole face.It may also pressurize adjacent teeth so they get tilted.
It can usually be detected in a dental x-ray which is a part of periodical dental visit to ensure 100% oral health.

Cellulitis



Cellulitis is a chronic and fast-spreading infection that is caused due to uncontrolled bacterial infection in the gums, tooth pulp or gumroot(apex). It usually gets initiated close to the source of the original infection, but rapidly spreads over large areas of face and neck. It can be easily identified by swelling, redness, heat and pain near the affected gums. Normally its Symptoms includes painful, tender swelling that increases in size as the infection spreads, and a stretched, shiny appearance to skin. It may also be accompanied by fever, fatigue and muscle aches, swollen lymphs in the neck, nausea, vomiting, joint stiffness, and hair loss near the affected area.
Cellulitis is difficult to cure, and may require hospitalization. The first aim of the treatment is to stop the infection's spread, then establish the drainage, and stop its further development. It is also important to diagnose the the type of bacteria causing the infection. Once the diagnosis are completed, you can easily cure cellulitis after 7-10 days of treatment, except in those with suppressed immune systems.
It can be prevented by a periodical visit to your dentist so that it can be diagnosed and cured at an early stage.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Hyperemia



Hyperemia is the state when the blood flow is increased in a specific type of tissues. In context with dentistry it could happen with the tooth pulp as increased blood flow can cause numerous problems. The first issue could be that of increased sensitivity as the sensitivity increases it becomes difficult for the patient to have anything too hot or cold as it cause immense pain in teeth. The second could be related to periodontal diseases such as gingivitis due to the quick accumulation of bacteria and other harmful parasites that may not only cause the problem to the infected teeth but also the normal teeth can be impacted.

Normally it is caused due to habits such as smoking and high levels of liquor consumption. There could be several other reasons such as improper care of teeth or chewing.

It can be cured by mild doses of antibiotics and pain killers however if you see any of the symptoms please consult a dentist immediately to avoid more complications as it may also lead to an abscess.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Oral Irrigation



It is a very effective technique which can be used at home to clean up teeth on regular basis. In this procedure a pulsating water stream is applied near the gums using a nozzle and hence cleaning out all the plaque and tartar sticking to the gums and teeth.
Also there are a few precautions for first time users. User should not keep the pressure too high in the beginning as that may inflate the gums and cause a problem. Later on you can increase the pressure level according to your comfort.
Apart from that a regular dental check up will ensure healthy teeth.

Osseointegration


Osseointegration of Dental Implants is the process in which bone grows right up to the implant surface. There are no soft tissues connected directly between the bone and implant. It can easily be verified via a microscope. This kind of implants are time taking and may take from 4 to 6 months for complete reconstruction.
It is an important stage of implant as it ensures long and stable life of dental implant and at the same time it also ensures that bone healing will be done properly without any hindrance.