Of all the reasons people visit their dentists, only preventative care beats cosmetic treatments. As the access to low-cost cosmetic treatments become available, more patients are opting to take advantage of them each year. In addition to being more affordable, more effective approaches to cosmetic dentistry are available. Even more important is the fact that more conservative treatments are coming onto the market. These treatments don’t involve complicated methods or the removal of any healthy tissue. This means that the appearance of your teeth is improved without impacting the lasting health of your smile.
So what, exactly, is conservative care? Conservative dental treatments improve the overall appearance of our teeth without damaging tissue. This is an important distinction in this approach to cosmetic care. Previous popular methods of addressing aesthetic concerns included various types of veneer. These veneers required various amounts of enamel to be removed from the surface of the teeth. Once your dentist removes this tissue, the veneers will be applied to the newly created space. While incredibly effective, these veneers were invasive, temporary, and had the possibility of causing harm or sensitivity to the treated teeth. There are three common kinds of conservative cosmetic dentistry, none of which require tissue removal.
These three cosmetic dental treatments stand as the most popular approaches to improving the appearance of our smile.
Your dentist is the best resource for determining which conservative treatments can address your aesthetic dental needs. Schedule a dental appointment with them today to get a consultation.
When it comes to restoring and preserving teeth, root canals have been a standard of care for decades. Over the years there have been numerous improvements in the overall process to make it faster and more effective than ever. Unfortunately root canals have a reputation as a painful, almost torturous experience that they don’t deserve. Modern techniques have made this a straightforward process that is relatively painless. They provide important benefits to the patient in the form of reduced pain and preservation of healthy tissue overall. New technologies have played an important role in the shifting nature of endodontic care. We’re going to explore how in the following article.
One essential development that has utterly changed how endodontic treatment plans are developed is Cone-Beam Computer Tomography, or CBCT. For decades X-ray technology remained largely unchanged aside from improvements in clarity and reduced radiation used. CBCT has been the first major revolution in dental imaging in many years. The difference between the old techniques and modern technology is notable. Rather than taking multiple images one at a time using uncomfortable bite trays, hundreds of images are taken in a matter of moments. These images are then compiled into a composite 3D image that can be viewed with special software. There are many benefits to CBCT technology, including:
The improved quality of CBCT images ensure that your dentist is able to develop a treatment plan quickly and efficiently. The 3D models provide an unprecedented ability view the pathologies within the oral cavity and create treatment plans that can properly address them.
High Tech Magnification is an important tool in modern root canals. This process makes it possible to identify minute features in the tooth being treated. Certain forms of damage, such as hairline fractures, and previously hidden areas of the tooth can now be seen. This allows the dentist to ensure that all oral health concerns within the tooth are addressed.
Another important tool is the intraoral camera. This camera makes it possible to produce a high-quality 3D image of the soft tissues within the oral cavity. Using these images your dentist can identify problems with the oral mucosa, the tongue, palate, and other structures.
Any dentist can perform endodontic care and make use of these technologies. They’re becoming a standard part of many offices selection of processes. It’s important to understand what technologies your dentist has available and how they’re utilized in your procedures. There’s nothing more important you can do as part of your oral health care than to be an active patient. Educating yourself on the procedures, the techniques they use, and the tools and equipment they utilize are all part of that. Call and schedule an appointment with them to learn more today.
There are aspects of orthodontic treatment that some patients have found intimidating. As time has passed, new orthodontic methods and treatments have been introduced to address these aspects. These advances have made orthodontic care more accessible to patients everywhere. Even those with dental anxiety tend to find these approaches more palatable. With modern processes, discomfort following orthodontic care is remarkably rare. If discomfort does appear after treatment, it generally lasts no more than 14 days. It was remarkably easy to manage during that time using the following methods.
The mild discomfort after orthodontic care is mostly caused by inflammation and soreness. In most cases, no treatment needs to be done due to the mild nature of this discomfort. However, some patients may desire a method of addressing this experience. Below are some of the most common methods used to help these patients.
These are all ways of managing minor orthodontic pain.
One Final Comment on Orthodontic Pain
You need to be certain that you inform your dentist if you experience significant discomfort after your treatment. While most discomfort you’ll experience will be mild, it can still indicate greater problems. Don’t take chances with your care; check-in with your dentist frequently throughout the treatment period.
Over 400 million people have been infected with the Covid-19 virus within the last few years. According to chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, while we are no longer in a pandemic, Covid-19 continues to remain a global threat. It’s essential during this time to continue to be mindful of the disease and its symptoms, including keeping track of symptoms not commonly reported with cases of infection. For people recovering from the effects of Covid-19, some studies have reported additional oral health side effects. As dentists, we’re here to explain the potential oral health side effects of Covid-19 and provide you with the information you need to keep yourself healthy.
One of the most commonly associated symptoms with Covid-19 is the loss of taste and smell. Most people know that the loss of smell and taste are critical symptoms of infection. However, there are other signs of infections that should also be considered while recovering. While it is currently not clear why some people develop oral troubles, even mild degrees of infection can cause some degree of oral problems that need to be treated later on. With that in mind, we’re here to go over some of the latest, not as common symptoms to be associated with Covid-19:
Even though the pandemic is considered officially over, some people continue to experience the long-term side effects of Covid-19. If you have any lingering oral health side effects after recovering, then don’t hesitate to contact your local dentist to schedule an appointment for treatment.
No matter your profession, it’s essential that you have the right materials to do your job. Without using the best options available, the outcome of your efforts could suffer. Dentistry is no different in this respect. Dentists spend a lot of time looking for the right materials and tools to do their job effectively. They don’t just want to finish the job; they want to ensure that the outcome is one they’ll be proud of and you’ll be proud to share. As a result, there has come to be a selection of dental products that are a standard in most offices. These products have gained the respect and trust of dentists all over the world.
Just as with your dental hygiene pharmacy aisle, there are a lot of products out there for dental offices to pick from. While some of these products are very similar, they all have something that makes them stand apart. Unfortunately, this ‘something’ is poor quality and has unreliable results in some cases. Dentists are very particular about what they use during the treatment of their patients. As a result, they spend a significant amount of time studying and researching the products available. They want to make sure they’ve made the right choice for their practice and for their patients. Below are three types of products that your dentist uses in the performance of dental procedures:
These three items represent a small selection of all the products your dentist has to consider when performing a procedure.
Your dentist has spent a significant amount of their career learning about the products available on the market. When you’re considering getting dental hygiene products for use at home, they make an excellent resource. Their expertise goes beyond the materials used in their office. They’re always looking at the latest offering from the dental industry to determine which ones to suggest to their patients. If you’re considering updating your dental hygiene routine at home, reach out to your dentist for advice. They’re going to make sure your dental health is protected and that you’re getting the cleaning results your family deserves.
In endodontic treatments, irrigation is a process of flushing out decay, infection, and debris in the teeth. It is an essential part of any treatment process that involves working with the inner pulp of the tooth, and there are multiple elements involved in irrigation that make it successful. In the past, rotary instruments and water picks have been the go-to irrigation system for years, but with the innovation of these techniques over time, modern solutions have helped many dentists handle complex irrigation problems and ensure a higher chance of success for patients.
The purpose of irrigation is to completely remove the bacteria and debris within the root canal as much as possible, and because of the way dentistry works today, there are multiple types of irrigation systems that can be used to disinfect the area and prepare it for treatment. However, there are many factors involved that irrigation systems need to be successful:
Through intense studies, there are chemical agents used in irrigation systems that are able to meet the majority of these requirements. These agents include:
All three of these agents are essential in the irrigation process, and all have their benefits in providing patients with the best outlook possible for their teeth. If you would like to learn more about these agents for an upcoming procedure or wish to be an engaged patient, then speak to your dentist about what else is involved in receiving a root canal and start by calling for a consultation with them today! By calling them, you can learn more about dentistry while caring for your teeth.
With the advance in medical and digital technology, there has been a strong movement to make telehealth more available. This ambition is being matched across all parts of the medical industry, including the dental industry. Telehealth has been a part of medical practice to some degree since the invention of the telephone. The pandemic set a fire under it and made it a standard part of care. The technology and the need for remote healthcare made telehealth services a standard at medical facilities everywhere. Dentistry wasn’t left behind in this movement; modern dental offices offer teledental services, including teleorthodontics. This has served to make orthodontic care more accessible than ever before.
While there continues to be a need for in-person dental visits, they no longer have to be the only way to receive care. Poor oral health is a pandemic of its own in the United States, in part driven by a lack of affordable dental insurance. However, another reason that oral health is a concern is limited access to proper dental care. This is significantly worrying in light of recent studies revealing that our oral health is tied to almost every aspect of our physical health. Higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s have all shown ties to patients with problematic oral health. Even our mental health is impacted as poor oral health can cause embarrassment and low self-esteem.
Every year countless patients of every age and gender are in need of orthodontic care. While the cosmetic benefits of orthodontic care are well-known, its lack can have further-reaching consequences than most know. Teeth that are misaligned have an impact on many areas of oral health. Malocclusion can cause additional strain on our joints, causing or aggravating temporomandibular joint issues such as TMD. It can also elevate the amount of wear and tear our teeth experience, speeding up enamel wear and leading to the appearance of cavities. Misaligned teeth also contribute to the appearance of cavities by providing hard-to-reach crevices where plaque can reside.
All of this means that providing orthodontic care to more people is essential to improving nationwide oral health. Teleorthodontics makes this more possible than ever before. Everything from special software that has been devised to at-home dental impression kits is making it possible to get more people the orthodontic care they need. Dental impressions used to have to be taken in-office; now, a simple kit can be mailed to patients to use and send back. The resulting model is used to plan out their orthodontic care.
The following benefits are available with teleorthodontics:
Over time more states have come to accept teledental services being used in their area. This has led to a greater number of dental insurance providers adding teledentistry to their covered services. This means that there is growing access to these services.
If you’re in need of teleorthodontic care, it’s time to reach out to your dental provider. They’ll inform you of the services available and how they can make getting dental care more convenient and cost-effective. Call and learn more today!
When you have a growing family, you want to know that you have the best dental care available for them. Each stage in your child’s development will come with a new set of dental needs and challenges. Parents, especially new ones, may wonder if they need to change providers to get a family or pediatric specialist. This can be particularly troublesome when the difference between the two isn’t clearly understood. We’re going to provide some information about what each specialty does and prepare you to make an educated decision for your family’s dental care.
Do You Really Need A Family Or Pediatric Dentist?
It’s important to know that every dentist can provide general dental care, even specialists. However, as you might imagine, specialists are particularly skilled in their focus. Three types of dentists provide general care for families and children. General dentists, as the name implies, are true generalists. Family dentists specialize in providing care for minors and their parents alike. Pediatric dentists have a particular focus on providing dental care for those in their developmental years.
Understanding the care that these two specialists provide is essential in knowing which is right for your family. Each of them emphasizes preventative care as a core principle of their practice. They’re also dedicated to providing beautiful and healthy smiles for their patients. However, these two specialties aren’t the same.
As you can see there are reasons you may want to select either of these specialists. The generalized care for entire families can make family dentists an attractive choice. However, pediatric dentists, if your child has special dental needs of any kind, a pediatric dentist may be your best choice.
Consulting with your current dentist is an excellent way of determining if you need specialized care for your family. They’ll be best acquainted with the dental health concerns of you and your family, and whether or not a specialist is necessary. One last benefit to mention. Family dentists will become acquainted with your family oral history. Genetic heritage has been shown to play a role in what oral health concerns we’ll develop. This puts them in a perfect position to know what to expect and catch it early.
Deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment used to be a mixed experience. There was optimism regarding the final outcome and a life with a beautiful new smile. Then there was the dread of facing all the uncomfortable parts of getting ready to have them put in place. From uncomfortable bite plates that bit into your gums to unpleasant tasting goop used for taking an impression of your teeth, the first stages were a bit of a bear. If you were one of the truly unfortunate, another element made the whole thing worse. Some patients reacted poorly to both the tray used to take the impression and the goop it held. These patients would find their gag reflex triggered, making the whole process more difficult. Thankfully modern dentistry takes advantage of digital impressions, which serve to make the experience more pleasant.
The unfortunate truth used to be that there was no way to avoid these experiences. Impressions are a critical part of receiving orthodontic treatment. They provided a clear view of the internal structures of your orofacial area, as well as a clear model of your teeth and gums. These physical impressions were certainly sufficient to accomplish this goal, but they always had the drawback of being imprecise. Modern impression techniques take advantage of digital technology to generate impressions that are superior in every way.
An intraoral scanner is a vital tool in improving your experience. This device has a camera on the end of a tool that takes thousands of pictures of the interior area of your mouth. These pictures are then used to create a composite with special software to create a fully visualized 3D image of your oral cavity.
Your dentist also needs to see the physical structure of your orofacial area that is normally hidden to the naked eye. This is accomplished using a CRCT system that takes a full 3D image of this entire area. The resulting images can be viewed using imaging software and can be used to create a physical 3D representation using a 3D printer. The results are superior to those of older techniques, providing benefits such as:
These represent a selection of the benefits that are part of using digital impressions in your oral healthcare. In addition, these images are able to be transmitted digitally to other specialists without fear of losing the original. Further, you can obtain a copy for your own records.
The odds are good that your dental provider is already taking advantage of 3D imaging software in their practice. Speak to them to learn how they use these tools to diagnose oral health concerns and develop an effective treatment plan.
The most obvious answer for patients seeking out help with a tooth problem is to head on over to their dentist to get it treated. General and family dentists are often the most sought out due to their ability to treat various problems with ease. But when complex situations come up that require special attention, then what can dentists in these situations rely on to treat the issue? By tackling these complex cases, interdisciplinary dentistry helps bridge the gap between experience and treatment and has been able to help many dentists expand their practices and better treat patients. So, what is interdisciplinary dentistry?
Patients experiencing tooth problems, including tooth canal infections, traumatized/cracked teeth, and even mouth issues such as gum disease, can’t always be treated through the same methods. In dentistry, there are a variety of approaches that dentists can take to treat the issue at hand. These approaches, however, depend on the circumstances, and even the most straightforward treatment may not be the best option that the patient wants. For instance, an affected tooth with severe tooth decay may not benefit from an implant, especially if the use of the implant will cause aesthetic issues such as gum damage and teeth blackening.
A multidisciplinary approach attempts to resolve this issue by tackling the patient’s dental problem by incorporating different fields of dentistry and their techniques into practice. This includes endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and even orthodontists to tackle complex cases. Dentists working to further incorporate these methods will often get certifications in these various fields and go through a series of steps to address the problem more fully for the patient. In these scenarios, the best way to give you an idea of how it’s done is through a series of questions, such as:
An interdisciplinary approach is probably one of the best ways that patients can be treated. Not only that, it allows dentists to further expand on their field of expertise and give their new and reoccurring patients more options for treatment. Combining multiple disciplines means that dentists can now tackle more complex cases without having to refer their patients to other practices, giving their patients an all-encompassing experience that treats their problems on hand.