 |
|
| |
Research clearly shows that there is a strong correlation between oral (periodontal) infections and generalized (systemic) medical problems. There are over 500 different types of bacterial microorganisms that have been found in the mouth, and the mouth is connected to the entire body. Approximately 15 of these bacterial species have been implicated for playing a role in periodontal disease. Whether you get periodontal disease or not depends on a complex interplay between these bacteria, your immune system response mechanisms and environmental factors, such as smoking. Your saliva includes proteins, antibacterial and antifungal agents, which help get rid of oral bacteria. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
More than 500 species of microorganisms have been identified in the mouth. Approximately 15 of these bacterial species have been implicated for playing a role in periodontal disease. Whether or not you get periodontal disease depends on a complex interplay between these bacteria, your response mechanism and environmental factors, such as smoking. Your saliva includes pro-teins and antifungal agents, which help get rid of oral bacteria. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The bacteria in plaque cause the gums to become red and swollen and to bleed easily. Eventually, gums separate from the teeth forming pockets. The pockets fill with even more plaque and infection and eventually deepen. Over time, tissue and bone are destroyed and the teeth loosen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
If you have diabetes, you know that it’s important to regulate your blood sugar levels for the wellbeing of your body from head to toe. Diabetes affects more than 21 million individuals in the United States. Approximately 6 million of these individual have the disease but are undiagnosed. More than 171 million individuals worldwide have diabetes and it has reached epidemic status. But, you may not know that what happens to you from head to toe can affect your diabetes. Dia-betes is also recognized as an important risk factor for more severe and progressive periodontitis, infection or lesions resulting in the destruction of tissues and supporting bone that form the attachment around the tooth. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Women: Your health care needs are unique, and require special care. Taking care of your health also includes oral health because it’s an important part of your overall health. Periodontal researchers are making strides to find out how periodontal diseases may affect women’s overall health. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be at a much earlier age than most parents think and for a different reason. The first dental visit should occur in infancy, as teeth are beginning to erupt. During this visit, we will let you know how to care for your child’s teeth and what preventive measures you should be taking for your infant at this early stage. Many dental problems can be intercepted when we have the opportunity to examine your child and visit with you in the early developmental stages. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Laser dentistry is a very precise tool for delivering care to all patients but it can allow care to be
delivered to very compromised patients that with traditional dental instrumentation might not be possible. Laser dentistry allows Minimally Invasive Dentistry to be done. The laser takes the place of the drill, the scalpel and many procedures can be done without an anesthesia shot. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Although endodontic treatment has an extremely high rate of success, it is not 100% effective. Some teeth may not respond as expected to the root canal therapy. Sometimes, it is clear from the beginning that the root canal is not working as planned. Other times, it may be years later that the need for other treatment arises. The first and most desirable method of solving the problem is to re-treat the root canal at one or more roots. In other words, the root canal treatment is redone in a method similar to the original therapy. If it is possible to re-treat the root canal with this nonsurgical approach, this is best. If not, a different form of treatment, an apicoectomy, must be considered. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Endodontic treatment is one of the most successful forms of dental therapy that is available today. But approximately 10% of the teeth that are treated will never heal completely or will develop problems later on. You have a situation that falls into that 10%. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Removable partial dentures have been made by dentists and worn by patients for many years. Partial dentures are composed of three different materials. A cast metal base (we use vitallium metlal which is nickel and berillium free metal) with clasping arms holds a pink plastic (we use lucitone acrylic) gum tissue and plastic (we use bioform teeth) or porcelain teeth. The metal clasps are silver in color and, depending on the individual circumstances, may or may not be visible when you talk or smile. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
You probably remember the old song “…the knee bone’s connected to the leg bone; the leg bone’s connected to the hip bone….etc.” Your (lower) jaw bone actually is connected to your “head bone” and it is connected by muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This area is known as the temporomandibular joint or the TMJ. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Saliva is important to oral health for several reasons. The flow of saliva helps clear debris from the oral cavity. It provides minerals necessary to support the process of remineralization. Tooth enamel daily undergoes acid attack that removes inorganic minerals from teeth. This is called demineralization. Remineralization is the opposite of demineralization. It occurs when inorganic molecules flow into a region of weakened enamel and make it stronger. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Bisphosphonates are commonly used in tablet form to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Tablet form bisphosphonates are often called “oral bisphosphonates.” Other forms administered intravenously (IV) are commonly used in the management of advanced cancers that have metastasized to the bone, where the disease often causes bone pain and possibly even fractures. |
|
|
|
