Having a proper bite is essential to good dental health and good health in general. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with a properly aligned bite. Even those who have endured braces or orthodontic headgear in their youth may develop an improper bite as the years pass.

A misaligned bite (malocclusion) can cause a number of problems including:

• Excessive tooth wear
• Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth
• Tooth loss
• Broken or loosened crowns or fillings
• Receding gums
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)

All of the above symptoms left untreated – TMD in particular – are likely to have far-reaching negative effects on general health. These may include malnutrition due to the inability to chew certain foods, to psychological/emotional effects due to being self-conscious or embarrassed by one’s own smile. Malocclusion and TMD has been linked to depression, migraine headaches, and many other maladies that one typically does not associate with dentistry.

Diagnosis of bite problems

Many signs of bite problems such as excessive tooth wear are obvious to the naked eye of the trained neuromuscular dentist. For more subtle bite problems, there are many technologies the equipped dentist can use to diagnose the precise nature of a patient’s malocclusion. MRI technology can be used to detect temporomandibular joint displacement. K6 technology can be used to measure and analyze jaw movements to an accuracy of .1 millimeters. Electromyograph (EMG) and sonograph technologies are also useful in diagnosis.

Your particular case may require all or none of these technologies. A qualified neuromuscular dentist will know which are necessary. More severe cases of TMD may require the integrated use off all of these technologies, while non-TMD-related malocclusion may require none of these.

Treatment of bite problems

Treatment methods for bite problems range from relaxation therapy, hot/cold packs, diet and lifestyle changes, to braces and other orthodontic appliances. TMD treatments can get much more involved depending on the severity of the problem.

If you suspect that you have a bite problem, it is in your best interest to seek treatment as soon as possible. What may start out as a small, tolerable nuisance can eventually lead to a very painful, debilitating and expensive condition. Only an experienced, qualified neuromuscular dentist has the tools and expertise to diagnose and treat your malocclusion. If you live in the Portland area, please contact The Art of Smile Making today to arrange a complimentary consultation.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/the-science-behind-the-bite-968591.html

Generally speaking, it is always best to save your real tooth if possible. If your tooth becomes damaged or badly decayed, in many instances it can be saved with a root canal and a dental crown.

A root canal may be necessary to save your tooth if the nerve becomes damaged. In this procedure, your tooth’s damaged nerve and pulp are removed, and your tooth is cleaned and sealed. A root canal will prevent your tooth from becoming infected and abscessed.

Dental crowns

A dental crown may then be placed on top of your damaged tooth and cemented into place to protect it. Unlike fillings that cover only a portion of your tooth, a dental crown “caps” your entire tooth, preventing it from further damage. Crowns are used when your tooth is broken or too badly decayed to hold a filling. Many cosmetic dental practices today use porcelain crowns that look and feel like your natural tooth.

Some advantages of porcelain dental crowns include:

• Preserve damaged natural teeth
• Add strength to weakened or worn teeth
• An aesthetic, natural appearance
• Resistant to stains
• Improve the strength of your bite and ability to eat your favorite foods
• Good for front teeth as well as molars

If your tooth is badly infected, it may be too late for a root canal treatment to be effective and your tooth probably won’t be able to hold a crown. If this is the case, it would be best to have the problematic tooth pulled.

If you decide to have your tooth pulled, you should not leave that space empty. If you do, your gums will begin to recede and your other teeth will begin to shift toward that void. The result will be a misaligned bite along with difficulty chewing, eating and even talking.

Dental implants

A dental implant is a small screw that acts as the root of your tooth. It is permanently fastened to your jaw to effectively hold in place dentures, partial dentures, or a permanent restoration such as a replacement tooth or bridge. This option is ideal for anyone who is in good oral health and has lost a tooth because of an accident, periodontal disease or other incident.

Dental implants are actually safer and better for your overall oral health than traditional bridgework, because implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Some advantages of dental implants include:

• Look, feel and function like your natural tooth
• Increased self confidence because you no longer have an empty space
• More secure than dentures or partials, giving you the ability to eat what you want
• Long lasting (most last a lifetime)
• Replaces one or multiple teeth without affecting your bordering teeth
• Provide support for dentures, making them stronger and more comfortable

If you are on a budget

If you are on a budget or do not have dental insurance, a crown is less expensive than a dental implant and restoration. However, if your tooth is badly decayed or too infected for a crown to stay secure, your best bet is to have the problematic tooth pulled now, and get a dental implant when you are financially able. Most cosmetic dentists offer financing options that can enable you to afford your dental work.

You can also use a temporary prosthesis, such as a “flipper” to hold the empty space while you are saving for your implant. This prosthesis will allow your gum to shape to the temporary tooth, maintaining your bite and preventing the other teeth in your mouth from shifting.

If you live in Portland, Lake Oswego or West Linn, Oregon, and you have a problematic tooth but are unsure whether to have it capped or pulled, please visit the Web site for Orgeon cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Sue Wendling today to learn more about your options.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/crown-or-implant-when-it-is-best-to-let-a-tooth-go-968786.html

How Often Should Your Teeth Be X-rayed?
Even though no X-ray can be considered routine, many people require X-rays on a regular basis so that their dental condition can be monitored. Exactly how often this happens will depend on your medical and dental history and current condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months. For others, X-rays may not be needed for as long as two years. In patients with no recent dental or gum disease and who visit the dentist regularly for check-ups, X-rays may be taken only every five years or so.

Who needs more frequent or regular radiographs? They include:

• Children - Many children need X-rays every six months to one year, depending on age, because they are highly likely to develop caries. X-rays also help monitor tooth development.
• Adults with extensive restoration work, including fillings - All the conditions that helped create the caries to begin with continue, making it necessary to check for decay beneath existing fillings or in new locations.
• Anyone who drinks sugary sodas, chocolate milk or coffee or tea with sugar - Even mildly sugary beverages create an environment in the mouth that’s perfect for decay, so anyone who drinks these beverages regularly will need to have more regular X-rays.
• People with periodontal (gum) disease - Periodontal treatments may need to be stepped up if there are significant or continuing signs of bone loss.
• People who are taking medications that lead to dry mouth, also called xerostomia - Saliva helps keep the acid levels (pH) in the mouth stable. In a dry mouth, the pH decreases, causing the minerals in the teeth to break down, leaving them prone to caries. Medications that can decrease saliva are those prescribed for hypertension, antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, narcotics, anticonvulsants and anticholinergics.
• People who have dry mouth because of disease, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, or because of medical treatments that damaged the salivary glands, such as radiation to the head and neck for cancer treatment.
• Smokers, because smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease.

More information can be found at Thornhill Dentist:  http://www.bcdentalcare.ca

Family and Cosmetic Dentist in Thornhill.
Dentist Thornhill

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/dental-xrays-946584.html