Dental Info

Hearing that you need dental surgery can feel overwhelming at first. With all the types and treatments available for oral & maxillofacial surgery, it’s normal to have questions. You’re likely wondering about average costs , available options , preparation , and how to shorten your recovery time . In this article, we’ll tackle all 12 types of dental surgery, the reasons and costs behind them, and the best ways to set yourself up for success both before and after surgery. I’ll even guide you through the common questions I hear as a dentist and how to choose the best surgeon. Take a deep breath — you’re about go from overwhelmed to informed. Reasons for Oral/Dental Surgery The reasons for oral surgery are as numerous and individual as the patients getting them. For some, it’s needed to repair damage caused by gum disease or tooth decay. In other cases, facial trauma or wisdom teeth may have impacted their oral health in unexpected ways. We’ll discuss the reasons for each surge...

I often help students at NYU College of Dentistry with their crown and bridge impressions. They usually are interested in my opinions about cord. "Do you use a double cord technique?" "Do you take out one or both cords before taking an impression?". It seems that some  students are unclear about how to properly use cord to help take a final impression and I believe this post should be of help. My answer about whether to use a double or single cord technique usually doesn't completely satisfy, since I am not particularly dogmatic. I explain that the sole purposes of retraction cord is to retract and to help stop bleeding by applying a slight pressure on the capillaries. I pack enough cord that the gum is slightly retracted. I usually place a small cord first, either 00 or 0. If my entire margin is then visible, I don't need a second slightly larger cord. If I can take an impression with the cord in, I do. If I can't,  I take it out. If there is any bl...

Oral hygiene is the foundation of good dental health. Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your smile healthy and clean. Consider this your personal cleaning tutorial on the art of dental hygiene, instructed by Salt Lake City dentists Dr. Thomas Brickey and Dr. Laura Provine and the skillful hygienists at Natural Smiles Dentistry . Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash Before we talk technique, we need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. You’re going to need a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and floss. Pick whatever floss is most comfortable for you and any toothpaste that you like, provided it has fluoride. Mouthwash is not required, but some people really like the extra health boost you get from a good swish and gargle. How do you pick a good toothbrush? Always go with soft bristles. Medium or hard bristles can damage enamel. Choose a brush that fits your mouth. The head of the brush should be small enough to reach all the way beh...

What is the Oral-Systemic Link? You’ve always heard that it’s important to take care of your teeth. Brush and floss every day, and see the dentist for good oral health. But did you know that your oral health could directly affect your overall health? And the road goes both ways—problems with your overall health show signs in your mouth, too. Did you know that gum disease increases your risk of heart attack by 50%? Did you know that plaque buildup in your mouth can be an indicator of and contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries? These mouth-body connections are called the “ oral-systemic link ”. Portland dentist Dr. David Case explains the important ways your body systems work together for better or worse. Gum Disease Infection in your gums can significantly increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, low birth weight babies, bacterial pneumonia and more. In fact, gum disease is directly linked to at least 52 other systemic diseases. If you get gum di...

Malocclusion is the dental term for misaligned teeth, a common condition affecting about 200,000 people in the United States every year. Many seek cosmetic solutions to feel better about their smiles, but there are also negative health consequences including pain and discomfort that result from improperly aligned teeth. The most severe cases may require surgical treatment beyond orthodontics, such as orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery. San Luis Obispo dentist Michael Colleran, DDS would like to share some information about malocclusion, the effects it can have on oral health, and potential treatment solutions . Occlusion & Bite Occlusion refers to the alignment of your teeth, specifically the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. The way your upper and lower dental arches fit together is called your bite . If your upper teeth fit slightly over your lower teeth with the points of molars fitting the grooves of the molars directly opposite, you’ve got a healthy occlusio...

There are so many things to be concerned about when you find out you’re expecting. Eating right, taking enough vitamins, getting enough rest, telling your husband there is absolutely no way you are naming your firstborn son Bud Light… but what about your teeth? There’s an old saying—“you lose a tooth for every baby”—but those beliefs are outdated, thank goodness! Still, the Las Vegas dentists of Wagner Dental have some important information to share about pregnancy and oral health . Taking Care of Yourself is Taking Care of Your Baby Moms-to-be can become so focused on preparation for the new bundle of joy that they neglect their own health—but try to remember that taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby. If you are pregnant, remain proactive about your oral hygiene routine and don’t skip your regular dental visits. Your teeth and gums need special attention during this time, so be on the alert for symptoms like bleeding gums and dry mouth. Gingivitis & Gum Dis...

Biofilm is quite literally a “film” or layer of biological matter that forms on teeth, in sink pipes, on river rocks, and more. Biofilm is made of many different things. Think of it as concrete, which contains cement as well as a slew of other materials. It’s likely you’ve been aware of biofilm on your teeth when they feel slimy or fuzzy instead of smooth and clean. St. Augustine dentists Dr. Jeremy Gordon and Dr. Sarah Hutson of Gordon Dental Associates explain more below about biofilm and the role it plays in your oral wellness. My Teeth Aren’t Cold, Why Do They Need Sweaters? It’s true; the texture of biofilm can feel like fuzzy little sweaters on your teeth. Biofilm occurs when bacteria stick to a wet environment, creating a slimy layer of microorganisms and random debris. Biofilm is a diverse and highly organized group of biological matter all webbed together. Some of the microorganisms are neutral but some are pathogenic and cause a lot of problems for your oral and overall...

Saliva . Just the word can conjure an array of images in your imagination. From salivating at a delicious meal to studying Pavlov’s dogs to watching a baseball player spit, life is full of saliva! And that’s a good thing because saliva is very important for oral and overall health. Problems with saliva can lead to dry mouth, cavities , and bad breath. Read more below from Broussard dentist William S. Darr, DDS to learn more about your saliva. Composition of Saliva Saliva is 98% water. It also contains electrolytes, mucus, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. Saliva travels to all parts of your mouth via “saliva ducts.” Saliva is made in your salivary glands and the contents come from your blood. Ancient doctors believed saliva and blood were “brothers” when it comes to a person’s wellness. Because saliva is so similar to blood, research is growing on how to use saliva samples to test for diseases. Saliva samples are already used to test for HIV, but studies are finding you can also d...

Whitening strips are among the most popular health and beauty products around. Brightening up your pearly whites is a great way to give your smile a boost, and with all the over-the-counter options, there’s no reason not to pick one up and try it out. Your Brooklyn dentists at Park Slope Dental Arts want you to be informed about every aspect of dental health, so here’s a guide to which whitening options can give your teeth a bright new shine.   Teeth Whitening : The Basics Nowadays, there are three basic types of in-home whitening: toothpaste and mouthwashes, whitening strips, and gel trays. While whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes are the least expensive products on the market, they are also the least effective at creating a noticeable change in the short-term. This is because they don’t have a significant amount of the active ingredients in most whitening products, which are hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. However, they are effective at removing surface stains. On the othe...

In a world of same-day shipping and same day photo prints, your dental restorations can now be same day services too! This is thanks to CEREC® milling machines and digital imaging technology . CEREC is short for “ceramic reconstruction”. This technology has been around since the early 1980s and it’s only gotten better with time, for both dentists and patients. CEREC machines use CAD/CAM technology–computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. They allow your Gwinn dentist Dr. Gwendolyn Buck to make and install a dental crown –and other restorations–all in the same visit. This is very good news if you have a chipped tooth or a very bad cavity that needs to be treated immediately. So what exactly is CEREC? How does it work? And more importantly, what does it do for you? Northern Trail Dental Care explains more below. Benefits for Patients The main benefits of CEREC same-day dentistry include: Faster service with fewer appointments Fewer injections for numbing the area N...

If you and your child are the proud companions of a pet, there’s a good chance you’ve both thought or said something like: “Fluffy’s really living the life. Instead of having to go to school or do chores, they can relax and sleep all day, getting up only to eat or maybe chase a laser if they’re feeling feisty.” However, Fluffy also doesn’t have to floss and brush their teeth, so how do Fluffy’s teeth manage not to suffer from disease and decay? Contemplating this may lead you and your little one to wonder about all kinds of different animal mouths and how they remain clean and strong. Palm Harbor pediatric dentist Dr. Mark Dawoud happens to love talking about teeth of all types, so keep reading to go on a toothy smile safari! Myth Busting Before we start listing fun facts about animal teeth of different species, we’ll answer the question we asked first about Fluffy’s teeth seeming impervious to decay. The myth that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans has existed for some time ev...

I just finished attending the Spear Leadership Summit for three days and have just returned from Arizona on a red eye flight. I sat through some amazing lectures given by great lecturers that were both thought provoking and more than a little overwhelming. As dentists we practice and gain experience and skills over time and after a period of learning and if we are open to learning new things and incorporating them into our practices we can continue to improve and reach ever higher levels of competency. That being said watching high level presentations can make even experienced and excellent dentists feel somewhat "inadequate". Often this is a necessary step for us to be motivated and able to get better. Also some of the presentations involve "cutting edge" dentistry that provide a peek into newer modes of treatment. Some will become the next big thing, some maybe not. There are many ways to perform dental procedures and most dentists develop a comfort and compet...