According to the Institute for Advanced Dental Technologies, the purpose of this adjunctive laser procedure is to remove diseased or inflamed soft tissue in the periodontal pocket and to improve clinical indices, including gingival index, gingival bleeding index, probe depth, attachment loss and tooth mobility.

The laser procedure is intended to be an adjunctive treatment to conventional scaling and root planning. The Indy pulse master does not remove calculus on the tooth, but removes inflamed soft tissue in the periodontal pocket. That is why we need to use ultrasonic scaling or hand scaling to remove it from the tooth. Lasers work by producing light energy and heat. Lasers work great! They only attack infected cells, leaving healthy tissue untouched. The laser only removes the inflamed, diseased epithelium leaving healthy gum and tooth structure intact.

The advantage of dental lasers over traditional scaling and root planning is that it can remove bacteria at a significantly higher level, therefore, allowing the body to heal better and faster. After using the laser, I have noticed wonderful results and substantial reduction in gingival inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Also, it is a gain in clinical attachment. The results make patients look and feel great. The laser is a new and an exciting technology and it is now available for our patients at 7 Day Dental!

Christian Mazilu, RDH

Unfortunately, for a majority of people, wisdom teeth create problems because they become misaligned when they grow. This condition is more serious than it may at first sound. When the wisdom teeth become misaligned during growth, they can angle toward or away from the second molars, or even inward or outward from the centerline of the jaws, and this condition poses a problem much more serious than a cosmetic one. Poor alignment can cause crowding of the other molars, affect bite and chewing, and because of the resultant uneven areas between teeth, create spaces where plaque (bacterial deposits) and food particles accumulate. These conditions, in conjunction with the fact that third molars are hard to reach with a toothbrush and dental floss, accelerate tooth decay and gum disease. Another problem common enough to mention here is that for many people one or more wisdom teeth may become entrapped within the soft tissue of the gum, or even the jawbone itself, and never erupt, or grow. When this happens, these wisdom teeth are termed “impacted.” In cases where a wisdom tooth only partially erupts, it provides an opening in the gum for bacterial infection, which can lead to other health risks and be very painful.

However, not all problems related to wisdom teeth are painful or noticeable to the patient, especially in terms of complications. For instance, over time as wisdom teeth develop and grow, their roots also grow larger and deeper, even if impacted; problems with wisdom teeth occur significantly as patients age; and, later in life with third molars’ roots fully grown and established in the jaws, extraction becomes that much more difficult, both for the patient and for the dentist. That is why it is advisable to have wisdom teeth removed before problems develop, such as infection and pain, and before the teeth are badly enough misaligned and the roots developed extensively enough that extraction can become more costly, difficult, and even painful. Also, the recovery time after extraction is less for younger than for older patients.

What is the best time to remove wisdom teeth? As a general rule, extraction is advisable by the time the patient is a young adult, say, in the early twenties, and definitely before pain or discomfort occur. This will promote better healing and less possibility of future problems. Further, researchers have found that older patients are at a greater risk of oral disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, occurring in the soft tissues surrounding wisdom teeth. It should be noted that periodontitis, which means “inflammation around the tooth,” is very serious and has been proven to pose a significant risk to the cardiovascular system and to and overall health.

Of course, these are general guidelines, and are meant to be informative only. The most reliable and, quite frankly, best course of action is to see your dentist for a consultation. In addition to an examination, your dentist may order x-rays to check root development, impaction, or other factors that will determine the best possible recommendation. If it is determined that your wisdom teeth should be removed, your dentist will discuss the procedures with you, including your options for anesthesia, as well as post-operative care. In some cases, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon.

What is important to remember is that if you have wisdom teeth that are misaligned or are becoming unhealthy, it is better to have them removed earlier rather than later, and your dentist can best advise you. Making an informed decision can save you possibly years of discomfort, longer recovery time, and unnecessary health risks.

What causes periodontal disease? The mouth is full of bacteria. Unless good oral hygiene is practiced constantly, the bacteria will build up around the base of the teeth, eventually causing gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, accompanied by halitosis, or bad breath. Gingivitis is treatable with daily brushing, flossing, and professional cleaning by the dentist or oral hygienist.

However, if left untreated, gingivitis will worsen into periodontitis, which literally means “inflammation around the tooth.” At this stage, the gums recede from the teeth and develop deep pockets of infection as the plaque, which consists of built-up deposits of bacteria, spreads and grows below the gum line. If not treated, periodontitis eventually destroys the bone of the jaw, the gums, and the connective tissues that hold the teeth in place, resulting in lost teeth. Periodontitis is treatable with advanced dental procedures, but the damage to the bone tissues and teeth is irreversible.

In addition to the physiological damage to the oral cavity, it has been found that the bacterium associated with the inflammation caused by periodontitis is the same microorganism responsible for arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Further, the infection caused by periodontitis circulates throughout the bloodstream, causing a threat to overall good health.

There are four significant factors you should keep in mind about periodontal disease. Firstly, periodontal disease is the greatest single cause for oral bone structure loss and tooth loss in the United States. It can be prevented by good oral hygiene and professional check-ups, and if discovered in its earliest stages, periodontal disease is fully reversible.

Secondly, periodontal disease, particularly periodontitis, has been proven to pose a threat to overall health. If you are diagnosed as having periodontal disease, treatment should be initiated immediately to preclude bone and tooth loss, and overall health risks.

Thirdly, the care and good health of the periodontium, that is, the tissues and structures that support the teeth, will affect you later in life, as well as today. Growing old with a full complement of health teeth will allow you to thoroughly chew food, which helps with better digestion. This will be especially important to you when you grow older, and your digestive tract is not as efficient as it was when you were younger.

And finally, the benefits of healthy gums, firm teeth, fresh breath, and a wonderful smile are the natural consequence of maintaining good oral health through practicing oral hygiene and having regular check-ups.

If you have sensitive or bleeding gums, have it checked out by a dentist, and do not procrastinate. If you are diagnosed as having any form of periodontic disease, start treatment immediately. Always bear in mind the benefits of having healthy teeth and gums, and remember that if caught in time, periodontal disease is curable.

Dr. Sumner Sollitt

7 Day Dental

What can cause a toothache? Actually, toothaches and pain can result from many causes, which can include:

• Abscessed tooth
• Angina (heart pain)
• Cavity
• Chipped tooth
• Chronic periodontitis (inflammation)
• Clenching teeth together constantly
• Cracked tooth

• Food stuck between teeth and gums
• Grinding teeth together constantly
• Gum disease
• Jaw disorder – temporomandibular disorder or joint (TMD/TMJ)
• Migraine headache
• Sinus infection

Just by looking at the short list above you can see that some tooth pain may not be directly related to the teeth, such as a sinus infection; but often people do not know why they are experiencing tooth pain. That is one of the many reasons that having your regular visits to your dentist is so very important. In most cases toothaches do result from tooth problems with which only your dentist can help you. However, he or she can also help you make an informed decision if the tooth pain is caused by a non-dental condition. And as we mentioned earlier, ignoring — even enduring — pain will only make matters worse, and not just in terms of cost but also in terms of your overall health. It can even be fatal.

How can a toothache be fatal, you ask? Consider an abscessed tooth. The following list shows a few of the most common symptoms:

• Constant, throbbing pain in the tooth
• Sharp, shooting pain in the tooth
• Chewing, hot & cold temperatures worsen  pain
• Running a fever
• Bitter taste in the mouth

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Red, swollen gums
• Swollen upper or lower jaw, or neck
• Swollen glands in neck (lymph nodes)
• Sore on the side of gum, draining blood or yellow pus

An abscess is a pocket of liquefied tissue, dead bacteria, and white blood cells, known as pus that builds up in a region of the body as a result of an infection. This causes the inflammation of the surrounding tissue, and pressure builds up because the pus has nowhere to go, which causes additional pain. With an abscessed tooth, the infection is a result of bacteria that has invaded the soft tissues surrounding the tooth, or the root of the tooth itself.

One of the major causes of an abscessed tooth is an untreated cavity. When a cavity destroys the surface of a tooth, this exposes the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth, called pulp, to attack. Their destruction, combined with the buildup of pressure from the pus can cause extreme pain, and if the tooth is not treated, the infection can spread throughout the body.

As the infection begins to spread, a person will develop a fever, and the lymph nodes in the neck adjacent to the mouth will become swollen and sensitive as the body attempts to fight it. This infection can spread throughout the body, causing serious illness, and it is even more serious because it so close to the brain itself. As we mentioned above, in some cases the pain may actually go away, at least for a while. This happens when the bacteria has destroyed the tooth’s nerves by eating the root of the tooth. However, bacteria will continue to spread and, left untreated, can eventually spread to the jawbone.

In the earliest stage, an abscessed tooth can be treated with antibiotics, salt-water rinsing of the mouth, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Over a significant amount of time however, the infection may damage the tooth’s pulp, in which case it may be necessary to perform a root canal and to install a crown on the tooth. Depending on the severity, the abscess may have to be drained surgically, and the tooth may have to be extracted.

Of course, all of this can be avoided by taking some proactive steps. Practice good oral health care by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, without fail. If a tooth becomes chipped, fractured, or loosened through trauma, seek dental help immediately. Have regular, twice-yearly dental check-ups.

And, of course, if you have a toothache, do not ignore it – see your dentist!

]]> http://7daydental.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/a-toothache-is-a-serious-pain/feed/ 0 7daydental http://7daydental.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/the-importance-of-healthy-gums/ http://7daydental.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/the-importance-of-healthy-gums/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:23:58 +0000 7daydental http://7daydental.wordpress.com/?p=54 ]]> There is a popular adage that says that the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul. Using a similar aphorism, it could be reasoned that the gums are the windows to a person’s health. While bright, healthy teeth are crucial to having a wonderful smile, equally important is having firm, pink, well shaped, and healthy gums. Healthy teeth and gums work in tandem, you could say, to produce an attractive visage of well-being. But, even though having a beautiful smile is reward enough to keep your gums in good health, there are other important reasons.

Gums, or gingiva in dental terminology, are the soft tissues covered by a mucous membrane that surround the base of the teeth and envelop the alveolar arches of the jaw, which are the sockets in the jawbone where the teeth’s roots grow from. Gums are a vital component of the periodontium, the tissue in the oral cavity responsible for providing support for the teeth and keeping them healthy.

Like any tissue, however, gums can become diseased if not cared for. The cause is bacterial infection. Signs of early gum disease are redness, inflammation, and swelling. This condition is referred to as gingivitis. As gingivitis gets worse, the gums begin to suppurate, that is, discharge blood and pus, and eventually the condition becomes painful and is accompanied by halitosis, or foul breath. In extreme cases, necrotizing gingivitis can occur. This is a condition where the bacteria actually kills the cells of the gums, and is very serious. Gingivitis is treatable, and is curable if caught in time.

However, untreated gingivitis worsens into periodontal disease, the damage of which is irreversible. When the peridontium becomes infected, permanent damage occurs to the foundations of the teeth. Periodontal disease is treatable, but only through advanced procedures and technology, and specialized dentistry, incorporating the dental laser, a special antibiotic regimen, and mechanical therapy involving scaling and root planning processes.

For years now, there has been scientifically proven evidence directly linking gum disease with overall physical health, particularly cardiovascular health. When an oral infection occurs, the blood vessels in the tissues of the gums and the periodontium carry the infection throughout the blood stream. Typically, the body’s natural defenses produce antibodies, enzymes, and white blood cells to attack the infection. The accumulation of the white cells commonly known as pus at the infection site is the most obvious of these natural defense mechanisms. The infected tissues become inflamed, hence the swelling and redness. To make matters worse is the fact that any oral infection occurs close to the brain and reaches it that much more quickly.

As another adage points out, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best prevention of gingivitis and periodontitis is by practicing good oral health, such as regular brushing and flossing, and having semiannual dental check-ups. At 7 Day Dental, we have a staff of dentists from all branches of dentistry, and state-of-the-art equipment. Preventing gum disease is the best possible approach, of course. However, if you experience red, swollen, or painful gums, our highly skilled hygienists, dentists, or periodontist will provide the treatment you need to regain that perfect smile and good health.

Christian Mazilu, RDH

This case study is intended to show why it is important which type of braces you choose to use for your orthodontic treatment. Twin sisters with similar problems were treated with different treatment plans.

Conventional orthodontic analysis with traditional fixed appliance therapy and protocols indicated extraction of four teeth was the correct treatment plan to align the teeth for both patients. A newer interpretation, however, suggest extractions may negatively impact facial esthetics. One patient was extracted.

Can you tell which sister was treated with extractions? Look at the lips.

Sadly, the sister on the left was extracted and the negative impact on her profile was devastating. The sister on the right was not extracted and a vastly superior result was achieved. How was the sister on the right treatment possible? She was treated with the Damon System Braces, a”passive self-ligating system”, utilizing “high-tech alloy archwires”, which in most cases allows for non-extraction treatment.

The Damon System is a “passive self-ligating system” which utilizes the newest “high tech alloy archwire”. This type of appliance is the appliance of choice for most cases because it allows most cases to be treated without extracting.

QUESTION:  Why is my doctor recommending inlays and onlays, and how do they work?

ANSWER: Many times, we encounter teeth have that either have been filled multiple times before or that have the old, large silver fillings. This causes a problem with tooth integrity, or strength. The more fillings a tooth has and the larger the filling, the weaker the tooth becomes as more of its material is removed.

For many years, we routinely replaced full-coverage, porcelain-fused metal crowns to restore and strengthen the tooth, and this is still the best option in many cases, although the process requires reducing the size of the tooth to make room for the crown.

However, in many other cases we are able to take advantage of the advances made in dentistry by using new adhesives and bonding cements to perform porcelain inlays and onlays. Rather than remove additional material from the tooth, we are able to place a bonded porcelain restoration into the area of the tooth that the old filling used to occupy. The immediate benefits and advantages are three-fold.

First, there is much less removal of tooth structure from drilling, leaving the tooth stronger. Second, bonding the restoration in place actually strengthens the tooth, as opposed to drilling for a large filling.

And, last but not least, inlays and onlays look fantastic and aesthetically enhance your smile. If you are a candidate for an inlay or onlay, seriously consider it. It’s a smart choice!

QUESTION: Why do implants help to keep bone in my mouth?

ANSWER: When a tooth is extracted, the bone in the area around the site of the former tooth typically heals leaving a little depression. Much of this initial bone loss is prevented by inserting bone graft material into the bone at the site when extraction occurs.

Over time though, the bone at the extraction site will begin to restore, or to shrink. Why? The reason is the lack of stimulation to the bone. You see, the bone in this area used to support the tooth, and the body would naturally strengthen and rebuild the bone in the area because of it. With the tooth no longer there, there is less stimulation and less rebuilding of the bone.

Dental implants solve this problem. Installing an implant with a crown or other attachment in the area of the extracted tooth basically re-creates the “loading,” or stimulation to the bone that the former tooth used to provide, causing bone strengthening. 

As a matter of fact, in many instances there is actually an improvement in the bone quality from what it had been before the failed tooth was removed. 

So, an additional benefit of choosing to have dental implants is the preservation, and in many cases the improved quality, of oral bone. 

QUESTION:  The ridge of bone that used to support my dentures has shrunk, and they fit much too loosely. Why is this happening, and what can I do?

ANSWER:  The reason the bone ridges are in the mouth is to support the teeth. The body uses a process called “remodeling,” in which bone material is absorbed. Once the teeth were removed, these ridges of bone no longer serve their original purpose, and the body naturally remodels the bone that used to support the teeth. This causes the ridges to become smaller.

Although there are patients who have worn dentures for years with very little remodeling occurring, they represent only a small percentage of all denture wearers. For the vast majority of patients, the progressive remodeling of the ridges and subsequent loose fit of their dentures is a substantial problem. 

Of course, it is possible to reline or to remake dentures that become too loose; but over time, this can become costly and impractical and it does not address the issue of the remodeling of the bone ridges. How can this problem be solved?

The solution is dental implants. Placing two, four, or more implants in the mouth provides permanent attachments for the dentures and eliminates the progressive looseness from remodeling. 

The benefits also include a solid, stable denture enabling the wearer to chew meat again, the preservation and often strengthening of the bone in the area of the ridge where the implant is placed, and even the increased self-confidence that comes from knowing that the dentures will stay in place firmly. 

QUESTION:  Does having dental implants hurt? What’s involved?

ANSWER:  Nobody likes to experience pain, and since many people are aware that dental implant placement is a surgical procedure, they presuppose that it must be painful.

In reality, the typical dental implant procedure causes no more discomfort than having a large filling done.

The reason for this is that the implant is placed beneath the soft tissue directly into the bone of the ridge, and bone itself has few or no nerves. In addition, the area of the implant is numbed as part of the procedure, and sedation is available also. The body naturally integrates the implant as though it were a body part, which is painless.

After integration, the doctor will place an abutment onto the implant. The abutment is a small device that sticks out of the gum like a cylindrical post, causing very little discomfort. Once the gum tissue stabilizes around the abutment, a crown is made, which the doctor installs on the abutment. Once cemented, the crown now acts as a normal, permanent tooth.

But what happens when you experience a dental emergency, such as tooth pain? True, most toothaches do not constitute emergencies and many people just take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and get in to see a dentist the next day. Tooth pain, however, should never be ignored, as it is symptomatic of a physical problem; and some tooth pain can be so severe that ignoring it, taking pain relievers, or even postponing treatment is not an option, such as with a chipped or broken tooth. Another example would be an abscessed tooth.

Tooth abscess occurs when bacteria invade the inner tissues of a tooth, typically because the tooth enamel has decayed. As the bacteria eat the tooth’s inner nerves and tissues, or pulp, the body’s natural defenses cause white blood cells to attack the bacteria at the infection site, forming pus. As the pus builds up, it causes a tremendous amount of pressure in the area which, coupled with the infection itself, can cause excruciating pain, often within a matter of hours. In addition to the agony caused by the abscessed tooth, the infection will spread throughout the body, and if not treated will eventually literally cause death. In other words, this is an emergency. If it happens after office hours or even in the middle of the night, what do you do? Go to the emergency room? Even the best hospital’s emergency room will not have dental equipment, and no matter how skilled the doctors, they are not dentists. You likely may receive antibiotics and possibly something for the pain. Equally likely, you’ll get a bill for emergency treatment, but you definitely will still have the unresolved abscess that still must be treated by a dentist. What is the solution?

We are the solution! At 7 Day Dental, we provide complete dental care, and that means we also provide emergency dental treatment. Our day doesn’t end when the office closes, and we have a staff of professionals in all branches of dentistry that can respond to any dental emergency you have, all hours of the day or night. Also, since emergencies can happen at any time, we are open seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays. So whether it is an infection, trauma, or any other dental emergency, you can rely on 7 Day Dental if you have a dental emergency. We’ll be there for you!

Dr. Chuck Le, D.D.S.