Solution Dental

Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontal disease. Its presence is indicated by a redness and/or swelling of the gum area. Those who have gingivitis usually have gums that bleed easily, too. Gums generally bleed when slight pressure is applied such as after brushing or flossing. A change in the color of the gums is another indication that gingivitis may be present.

What makes gingivitis tricky to self-diagnose is that typically not much pain accompanies these symptoms. What also makes the problem go unnoticed by many is the fact that millions of Americans have some degree of gingivitis, especially those who are over age 35. Most don’t realize it isn’t ‘normal’ for their gums to bleed.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor dental hygiene. When plaque is not completely removed from the teeth, it will begin to release toxins. These toxins irritate the gums. In just a few days, plaque that is not removed from the teeth will turn into calculus, more commonly referred to as tartar.

These hardened deposits of plaque cannot be removed at home. A dental hygienist must use a special tool to scrape away the tartar build-up. Because tartar cannot be easily removed, its presence will also irritate the gums. Tartar compounds the problem by giving bacteria one more location where it can grow.

Gingivitis is caused by other factors including genetics, certain medications, fluctuating hormones and certain diseases such as leukemia and diabetes. Fungal and viral infections such as oral thrush and herpes also negatively impact the gums. A weakened immune system can also trigger gingivitis because the body has a more difficult time fighting off the bacteria that develop along with plaque.

A diet lacking in Vitamins B and C and calcium contributes to the onset of periodontal disease, too. Therefore poor nutrition is also a cause.

Effective treatment of gingivitis takes effort on behalf of the dentist and the patient. If you think you have gingivitis, it’s important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will give your teeth a thorough cleaning that will include scraping the tartar off your teeth. The dentist uses a special scraping tool and the procedure might cause discomfort, but it’s absolutely necessary.

After completing the dental visit, the second step in treating and preventing future incidences of gingivitis is the development of a better at-home routine for tooth brushing and flossing. Brush at least twice daily, in the morning and in the evening, using a new toothbrush after every 3 months. If possible, brush once more after lunch. Daily flossing is important, too. And be sure to floss all teeth, not just the ones in front.

Both of these steps are equally important because when gingivitis isn’t treated by the dentist and properly addressed by the individual, the condition can become much worse. It can turn into periodontis, a more serious form of periodontal disease. At that stage, there is a real possibility that the tooth or teeth in the affected area might fall out – permanently.

If you’re missing teeth, you may want to consider getting dental implants. A dental implant is designed to look, feel and act like a real tooth, which can help boost your self-confidence, help you chew your foods more efficiently and can help avoid bone atrophy, a process whereby the jawbone begins to shrink over time. Dental implants may even improve your speech.

Dental implants are made from titanium in a dental laboratory. The bottom of an implant is shaped like a screw or nail and it is designed to mimic the root of a tooth. This part of the implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone. An incision deep enough and wide enough to support the implant is made into the jaw bone, and then it’s inserted.

Osseointegration, a process in which the bone surrounding the titanium implant grows around the implant, takes place during the following months, helping to ensure the implants remain in place.

Titanium is the preferred material for dental implants because of its durability, its non-corrosive and non-magnetic properties and because of its ability to resist among other things acid, oxygen and salt solutions. Most importantly, the body does not reject titanium. After the implants have been put into place, the next step involves placement of crowns, dentures or bridge.

The Root-Form implant is the most popular. It’s perfect for individuals with a sufficient quantity of bone remaining in the jaw. Those who have lost a considerable amount of bone in the jaw will benefit from a Ramus-Frame implant. Only two implants are imbedded into the jawbone, near the wisdom teeth. A wire bracket runs along the gum line onto which dentures are placed.

A Blade Form implant is similar to the Root Form, except two blades will protrude above the gum line. The bridge or crown is then attached to the two blades. A Transosseous implant is another option, but it’s not very popular because of the extensive amount of surgery involved.

Although dental implants initially cost considerably more than crowns, bridges or dentures, they are designed to last for life. When the costs are spread over the long-term, the price becomes much more reasonable. Patients who have chosen implants prefer them over dentures because with implants, there no longer is a thick layer of plastic covering the roof of their mouths. With the plastic out of the way, taste is greatly enhanced.

Also, with dentures certain foods like apples and popcorn must be avoided, but with implants, there are no food restrictions. Dentures must be secured into place with denture adhesive, which can be messy and sticky. There’s no need for adhesives with implants.

Those whose health is poor, or who smoke or drink alcohol excessively, or who take certain medications, or who are pregnant, or whose jawbones have not yet fully developed and others may not be good candidates for dental implants. If you’re interested in dental implants, discuss this option with your dentist.

When tooth decay progresses deep inside the innermost layer of a tooth, the pulp can become infected. Sometimes the infection becomes so severe that an abscess forms. Other times infection doesn’t happen, but still the pulp becomes inflamed. Decay isn’t the only reason that pulp can become inflamed or infected. It can also result from a serious mouth injury or trauma. Regardless of the cause, the only way to remedy the situation, and save the tooth, is by undergoing a dental treatment called a root canal.

If a root canal is needed but not performed, it’s likely that the infection, if there is one, will spread. An even more significant consequence is that the tooth might have to be extracted. Some people decide to skip this dental treatment, thinking that a tooth that has undergone a root canal will ultimately have to be extracted anyway. But this isn’t true. It may be weaker but it will function again, either because it’ll be covered with a crown or filled with a composite material. If cared for properly, the procedure can result in lifelong success. Therefore, it’s always better to undergo the root canal procedure. No matter how much a root canal costs, if not covered by dental insurance, it will still be less expensive than a dental implant or bridge.

A root canal is a major procedure involving several steps. The first step is the most important one – delivery of a local anesthesia. If determined necessary, the patient may be sedated. Once the patient is prepared, the dentist uses a special tool to cut through the crown. The cut that is made has to extend down to the pulp chamber. The dentist will take an x-ray to help measure the canals. The dentist will next clean out the affected pulp and the infection using a tool called an endodontic file. An antiseptic is also delivered to help with the infection.

After the dentist has completed the canal cleaning stage, the canal is filled with a substance called gutta-percha. This filling will be permanent and will help ensure that the canals do not become reinfected or contaminated again. With the canals clean and filled, work to repair the hole that was cut through the tooth begins. The hole is filled temporarily and that filling remains in place while a crown is created for the affected tooth. When the crown is ready, it is fitted, adjusted and then permanently attached to the tooth.

There will be some amount of pain after the procedure, but that should go away once the infection has cleared. Pain medication will help during this time.

Unfortunately, sometimes the infection is not completely removed during a root canal. When this happens it’s necessary to repeat the procedure. Other issues can also cause reinfection. Besides repeating the treatment steps, extra time and effort is needed because all of the restorative work must first be removed. This makes the procedure more expensive and time-consuming the second time around, but it must happen or the patient risks losing the tooth permanently.

Like the name implies, a crown is designed to sit atop a tooth that is too damaged to be fixed with a filling. This type of extensive damage can be caused by tooth decay, but it can also result from a tooth that has been cracked or chipped. There are other reasons people put crowns on their teeth. For example, if a bridge is needed, a crown helps hold it into place.

Crowns can also be created for reasons that are purely cosmetic. Severely discolored teeth and/or teeth that are misshapen can be topped with crowns to create a look that is more visually pleasing. And today, some people cap perfectly healthy teeth in gold as a status symbol.

A lot of preparation is required before a crown can be properly affixed to a tooth. The tooth typically has to be made smaller to ensure a proper fit. This is accomplished by filing the tooth. Sometimes, not much of the tooth remains and it must first be built up.

When damage or decay is extensive, the patient may first need a root canal - a procedure which remedies pulp that has been infected or inflamed. If this procedure isn’t done, there’s an increased chance of losing the tooth.

After the tooth’s size and underlying root and pulp issues have been addressed, the next step is to create an impression. That’s an important step because the crown must be the correct size or it will be useless. An impression is basically a mold of the tooth from which the crown will be created. To ensure the crowned tooth won’t in any way affect the bite, impressions of surrounding teeth are also made.

After the impressions are made, they are sent to the dental laboratory where the permanent crown will be crafted. Crowns can be produced using a number of different materials including ceramic, metal or a combination of metal and porcelain. A temporary crown, which you’ll wear until your permanent crown is fitted, can be made out of stainless steel or plastic right there in the dentist’s office.

When the permanent crown is ready, you’ll return to the dentist where the crown will be fitted and adjusted as necessary. When all is perfect, the crown is permanently attached to the tooth using cement. After the crown is put into place, you may still experience some problems such as sensitivity or discomfort. If so, return to the dentist and discuss the feelings. The crown may require repositioning. And if there still is a nerve under the crown, it may be reacting to hot and cold causing sensitivity.

A crown is a very durable dental treatment and it’s not uncommon for one to last decades. But during that time you could experience problems with the crown. It might chip, especially if it is porcelain. Or the cement might begin to wash away partially or completely. If any of these problems arise, you’ll need to return to the dentist. Bacteria and acids can leak onto the tooth when crowns are loose or they fall out and this can lead to tooth decay.