Read below to find Dental Village's answers to common dental concerns, as seen in the Sahuarita TImes newspaper.
January 2008
Why do I need a regular dental checkup?
Our mouths are a warm, moist place and a great place to grow bacteria. Some of the bacteria live in a bio-film called plaque, the white film that collects on teeth. These bacteria, when it comes in contact with sugars, will produce lactic acid and other toxins. Over a period of time these acids will eat away the hardest substance in your body, enamel. This causes a hole in teeth – cavities. The toxins also irritate the gum tissue, causing it to turn red and swell. If this continues, these toxins will eventually irritate the bone under the tissue, causing the bone to deteriorate. Once it is lost, it will not grow back.
Typically, cavities will form within six months. Plaque, if not removed, will eventually harden and form calculus. Plaque can be removed with brushing and flossing, but calculus needs to be mechanically removed. By having regular check-ups, a dentist can detect cavities while they are small, saving tooth structure and the expense of more involved procedures. Teeth can be cleaned under the gum line so that calculus does not build up, decreasing the harmful effects on teeth and gums.
Having regular check-ups and cleanings help to keep our mouths clean and healthy. If there is a problem it is detected early where it can be corrected with the least amount of damage to teeth and gums. No one likes a toothache in the middle of the night. By seeing your dental professional on a regular basis, you can help to keep emergencies to a minimum.
My dentist told me I need a crown, why?
The crown is that part of the tooth that is showing above the gum line. This portion of the tooth is reduced in size so that a crown or cap can be placed to build the tooth back to its original size and function. Crowns are usually needed when teeth are broken, or when tooth structure is lost to decay. Other reasons for crowns include protecting fractured teeth, changing the shape, size, or function of the tooth, or to change the color or esthetics. Teeth can become more brittle after root canals and need a crown protect them.
The more popular types are all gold crowns, porcelain bonded to gold crowns, or all porcelain crowns. All gold crowns have been around for a long time. They are usually used on back teeth where esthetics are not an issue. Porcelain bonded to gold, or metal, are tooth colored crowns that are probably currently used the most in dentistry. All porcelain crowns are very life-like and are used where esthetic is most important, usually on front teeth. All porcelain crowns look a great deal like natural teeth. Veneers are a type of all porcelain crowns that only covers part of the tooth. These types of crowns can improve ones looks and smile a great deal.
Crowns are an excellent way of saving teeth. They replace lost tooth structure and restore a tooth to its size, shape, and function. Teeth that were lost in years past can now be saved and used for the lifetime of a patient.
February 2008
My dentist says that I need a root canal; why?
Root canals are usually needed to save a tooth that has decayed into the pulp. The pulp is in the middle of the tooth, and is comprised of the nerve, blood supply, and lymphatic supply. When decay enters the pulp, the nerve is injured and dies (necrosis). Swelling results, and since the pulp is completely surrounded by tooth structure, the resulting pressure causes pain. An abscess develops where dead tissue comes in contact with live tissue, resulting in an infection at the apex (bottom) of the roots.
A root canal removes the infected part of the tooth, that being the pulp and nerve tissue in the canals. The canals are sterilized and sealed with a stable material called gutta percha. The body forms an infection wherever there is an abnormal space. So it is important to seal these canals so that an infection will not reoccur.
Once the root canal is completed and the apex has healed, the tooth will “feel” like any other tooth, except it will not have a nerve in the middle. It will still have nerves all around the tooth so that it feels normal when brushing or biting.
There are other reasons why root canals need to be done, such as fractures, broken cusps, trauma, and the need to rebuild a tooth. After a root canal is done, a crown will need to be placed on the tooth. A tooth that has had a root canal tends to become brittle over time and may break if a crown is not placed to protect it.
March 2008
I have heard about “Laminate Veneers.” Can you tell me more about them?
Laminates, or “porcelain veneers,” are thin porcelain facings that are placed over the front of your teeth. Veneers can close spaces, reshape, whiten, and straighten your teeth. Porcelain veneers can dramatically change the appearance of your smile. Every patient is unique and planning is done on a tooth-by-tooth basis. A consultation appointment will determine how, in as little as two visits, veneers can create your perfect smile.
I have heard about getting “white” fillings instead of the old silver fillings, what are the benefits?
Ugly silver fillings can darken the overall appearance of your smile. Now you can have natural-looking white fillings that match the color of your teeth. White fillings or “composites” can replace silver fillings, restore areas of new decay, and prevent cracking and the breakdown of your teeth.
April 2008
What is gingivitis/periodontal disease?
The kiss of DEATH – well, at least the kiss of tooth death!
Bacteria living in your mouth can cause gingivitis, gum disease, and decay, which can lead to the loss of teeth. We have all heard the term “gingivitis,” but what does it really mean? Gingivitis literally means “inflamed” or swollen gums. Over time, gingivitis spreads from gums to bone causing a severe form of the infection called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that eats away the gum and bone surrounding your teeth. If periodontal disease is not professionally treated, it will cause loss of teeth. Most people who are wearing dentures today lost their teeth as a result of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease and tooth decay are contagious. Bacteria living in your mouth are transferable through a kiss and can be passed between couples and from parents to children. Warning signs that you may have periodontal disease include bleeding gums, bad breath, bad taste, recession, movement of teeth, and tender gums. Research has also linked periodontal disease to serious health problems such as pneumonia, stroke, heart attacks and premature babies.
See your dental professional today to ensure a long lasting smile!
May 2008
I have sensitive teeth, what can I do for that?
There are several possibilities as to what you can do to help the sensitivity. At home you can try using a toothbrush with soft bristles, using a special toothpaste that makes teeth less sensitive or using a fluoride rinse or gel, since cleaning all parts of your teeth and mouth helps prevent tooth sensitivity and decay. If this doesn’t help then your dentist may advise several options; applying a fluoride gel that strengthens tooth enamel and reduces sensation, using agents (often composites/plastics) that bond to the tooth root to “seal” sensitive teeth if receding gums are causing the sensitivity; or performing a root canal if sensitivity is severe, persistent and cannot be treated by other means.
Even after treatment, your teeth can become sensitive again. Be sure to follow your treatment plan and schedule regular dental examinations, Good oral hygiene is also the key to preventing the receding gums that often cause sensitive teeth in the first place.
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