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PERIODONTAL TREATMENT
Your gums or underlying periodontal structures are the foundation for your teeth, thus your smile. A large percentage of the population has some form of gum disease ranging from gingivitis to severe periodontal disease. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know that you have it. The culprit is the sticky plaque and tarter that adheres to the tooth underneath the gums. If not removed through good oral hygiene techniques and regular cleanings, bacteria invade the bone or underlying structures and destroy them. At this point it is irreversible. A simple cleaning is not enough to stop periodontal disease. Non-surgical gum treatment is offered at All Macomb Dentistry and we can only stabilize the tissues and prevent further loss of bone. Simple brushing and flossing techniques are taught to the patients to maintain their periodontal tissues and help them keep their teeth for life.
EXTRACTIONS
Sometimes it is necessary for a dentist to pull or extract a tooth. A tooth may have extensive decay or not enough structure for it to be restored, making it more feasible and practical to extract that tooth. Also, the tooth may be so loose due to periodontal disease that an extraction is warranted. Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require an extraction. Although we strive hard to save your natural teeth as much as possible, it is not the end of the world to have a tooth taken out. Advances in dentistry have allowed us to replace the missing teeth with a bridge, implant, or prosthesis.
TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTION
If you are missing one or a few teeth, you may notice a difference in speaking and chewing functions. If you are missing a tooth in the front, it will not look attractive. When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth take a heavier load and will be more apt to problems themselves. Adjacent teeth can collapse and tilt into the space. This can lead to bite problems. There are three ways to replace teeth. One is a bridge. A bridge is exactly what it is called – to connect or “bridge” two teeth to each other. Sometimes a bridge may not even be an option due to the span of the missing teeth or the periodontal condition of the adjacent teeth. In that case, a removable prosthesis may be indicated. They appear very natural, and people do not notice that you have lost a tooth. Finally, implants are the ‘state-of-the art’ way to replace missing teeth. The advantage of using implants instead of traditional bridges is that the adjacent teeth do not need to be crowned (to support the bridge). Adjacent teeth do not need to be tied together in one piece; with implants, each tooth can function independently. It’s like having a new tooth! Implants may not be a viable alternative in some cases; we will make that evaluation and suggest the best treatment for you.
PREVENTIVE DENTAL SERVICES/ CARING FOR YOUR SMILE
Do you know the saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” This very well applies to dentistry. Practicing good oral hygiene at home and making regular visits to the dentist will prevent your teeth and gums from disease, thus saving time and money in the long run.
During the initial visit, we perform a full comprehensive exam and take necessary x-rays. The number of x-rays taken depends on an individual’s risk for decay as well as the time from the last series of x-rays. We also have the facility to take a panoramic x-ray to check for joint disorders and bone lesions. Panoramic x-ray also provides an excellent tool to monitor the development of permanent teeth in children and make necessary referrals to an orthodontist.
One aspect of the comprehensive exam that is usually overlooked is the presence of periodontal disease. Your gums, the underlying structures holding the teeth, are very important. Think about it this way – Before you build a house, what is the most important part to consider? The foundation! The gums are the only things holding your teeth in place. Unhealthy gums result in bone loss. The periodontal structures therefore must be stabilized in order to preserve your original teeth and your natural smile. Healthy teeth and healthy gums are vital to your oral health.
Another important aspect of the comprehensive exam is the oral cancer screening. Oral cancer can appear silently in the mouth and can be life threatening. We do oral cancer screenings during initial and recall visits.
A healthy body starts with a healthy mouth. For instance, did you know that gum disease might increase the risk of heart disease? Did you know that pregnant women with gum disease have a higher risk of delivering a low-birth weight baby? These are some of the reasons why oral health is of utmost importance.
We also do regular cleanings (in the absence of periodontal/gum disease) and sealants on children in addition to our comprehensive exams. Sealants are resin coatings that are bonded to the grooves and pits of the chewing surface of the tooth. These grooves and pits can harbor the bacteria that cause cavities.
Since our practice focuses on prevention, we will give you the tools and information to keep your teeth healthy and topnotch. We want you to keep your teeth healthy for life.
Emergency Care
Emergency Dental CareMost common dental emergencies involve toothache or accidental damage. Too often, people suffer in silence hoping that the pain will go away. Knowing how to handle these emergencies can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If any of these emergencies do arise, you need to make an appointment to see a dentist immediately.
Toothache/Swelling
Is a tooth keeping you up at night? Do you have a throbbing pain? This type of toothache is usually indicative of a nerve related issue. An anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. Motrin, Ibuprofen, Advil) can help make the pain tolerable until you can see the dentist for definitive care. But do not delay seeking treatment. In the absence of it, the area can swell up and get infected.
If you have a swelling that is causing difficulty swallowing or breathing and you are not able to see your dentist immediately, proceed directly to the nearest emergency room. You may be prescribed an antibiotic to control the swelling.
Trauma
Sometimes, especially with kids, a blow to the mouth can cause a tooth to be knocked out or chipped. Such injuries can be bloody and nerve-wracking.
When a tooth is knocked out, see your dentist immediately. Timing is very critical; the tooth can be re-implanted if it is brought to the dentist within 2 hours from the time of impact. The sooner you see a dentist, the higher the probability the tooth will be saved. Carefully rinse the tooth off with water; be sure not to touch the root with your hand. The root portion is the part that is embedded in the gums. Place it in a glass of saliva or milk immediately.
If a tooth is chipped and you are experiencing pain and sensitivity, see your dentist. These symptoms indicate that the nerve may have been affected. To save the tooth, a root canal may be performed. If there is no pain or sensitivity, you should still see your dentist to make sure serious damage has not been done to the tooth. You can simply get the missing tooth structure restored with composite resin or a crown.
Most of these accidents happen when playing impact sports, such as football, soccer, basketball and hockey. Your teeth are very important and a custom-made mouth guard is recommended to protect them. These mouth guards fit securely over your teeth providing maximum protection.
Bleeding after a tooth extraction
A little oozing of blood after an extraction is normal. You need to bite heavily on the gauze given to you by your dentist. You can also place a damp tea bag over your extraction site and bite down creating pressure. Tea has a mild coagulant called tannic acid that should help stop the bleeding. If you find that your bleeding is moderate to heavy later in the day you need to call the dentist as soon as possible. Do not take aspirin as it may make you bleed more. If the bleeding is uncontrolled, go immediately to the emergency room for treatment. |