General dentistry is a branch of medicine concerned with the overall health mouth, especially of the teeth and gums. Most people consider visits to the dentist an important factor in their overall health. Check ups, hygienic cleaning and annual inspections are usually a typical part of most people’s lives. Cosmetic dentists are fully capable of practicing general dentistry and provide the added benefit of providing care with aesthetic appearances in mind.

Cosmetic procedures cannot be performed until necessary general dentistry procedures are complete and your mouth gets a clean bill of health. Instead of going to a traditional dentist for basic dental care and then finding a qualified cosmetic dentist, you can get all your care at one place. Cosmetic dentists are dental specialists that have up to four additional years of training for cosmetic procedures. Since their overarching goal is to provide you with a brilliant new smile, all the care you receive is aimed at achieving that objective.

Taking Care of Basic Oral Hygiene

Cosmetic dentists are fully capable of helping you maintain and treat basic dental problems including:

• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Cleaning

After annual check-ups, the most common general dentistry procedures are concerned with treating dental caries, or cavities. Cavities develop when enamel becomes compromised due to inconsistent brushing and oral hygiene practices. Many traditional dentists still fill cavities with metal fillings, but cosmetic dentists usually have the resources to provide non-metal fillings that are just as effective and can be matched to the color of your teeth to maintain a brighter and whiter smile.

Improper brushing and poor dental hygiene also lead to gum disease, or gingivitis and eventually periodontitis. Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue that supports your teeth. Gum disease first grows in the sulcus, the v-shaped crevice between the teeth and the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which actually infects the bone of the tooth. Treatment of gum disease is another general dentistry practice performed by cosmetic dentists.

Other General Dentistry Procedures

Missing teeth, whether due to trauma or untreated disease, can be replaced with a variety of dental implants. Traditional dentists frequently have to send out the tooth impressions to outside laboratories to be fabricated. Cosmetic dentists, especially those trained at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute have their appliances made at LVI approved labs, providing the best quality available and improving the turn around time for dental implants, crowns, and other dental appliances.

Sedation Dentistry

Fear of pain or of dentists offices in general often keep people who need general dentistry care from the office. Few people like to wait in a busy dentist’s office and wait patiently for their turn to sit in an uncomfortable chair for generally unpleasant cleanings and tooth repair. Sedation dentistry is a new technique employed by many cosmetic dentists to help alleviate the pain and therefore the fear of going to the dentist for necessary care.

One of the added benefits of finding a cosmetic dentist is the fact that he or she can create an overall plan for your oral treatment. All of your dental care takes your appearance into consideration.  A cosmetic dentist can see to all your general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry needs.

Please visit www.drpaulmathew.com for cosmetic and general dentistry in Salem.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/general-dentistry-in-new-hampshire-1156999.html

We all know just how important it is to keep our teeth nice and clean. Daily brushing is second nature to the majority of people, and it’s a great way to keep clear of nasty oral problems and diseases.  However, there are times when our teeth can become subject to problems that just cannot be dealt with via brushing alone. Whether those pesky bacteria have worked their way into a hidden nook of your mouth, or you’ve noticed signs of gum disease, a professional dental cleaning is a great way to be sure your teeth and mouth are in tip-top condition.

What is Dental Cleaning?

A professional dental cleaning is effectively a highly thorough and vigorous cleansing of the entire mouth and teeth; while brushing, flossing and using mouthwash can clean the majority of the mouth, a professional dental cleaning will reach every last spot within your mouth. Dental cleaning generally comes paired with a dental checkup, meaning that should you have any concerns regarding your oral health, they can be addressed by a professional dentist right there and then.

During a dental cleaning, your dentist will generally remove any plaque buildup – which is often not visible to the naked eye. Excess plaque on the teeth is often a sign of improper oral hygiene. Once the plaque has been removed, your dentist should give you some pointers on how to avoid plaque building up in the future.

Dental cleaning is like a tune-up for your mouth, effectively lowering your chances of contracting any nasty oral diseases such as gingivitis (gum disease) or oral cancer.

Who Will Benefit Most from Dental Cleaning?

There’s a simple answer to this one – everybody!

Whether you think you have the most perfect set of pearly whites in the world, there’s always a chance that bacteria could be lurking somewhere in your mouth – posing a threat to that winning smile of yours. A dental cleaning can safeguard your mouth from future problems, and also alert you to any oral issues that you may not already be aware of.

A dental cleaning can often be paid for by a dental plan, usually every six months or so. If you’re already paying into a dental plan, why not use it a little? Dental cleanings are an inexpensive and effective way of ensuring your dental and oral hygiene is as good as it can be.

What are the Benefits of Dental Cleaning?

As already mentioned, there are a whole host of oral problems that can befall anyone, even those who think their teeth are in mint condition. The risks range from gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease (which stems from untreated gingivitis) to (in the very worst case scenarios) oral cancer. It’s not just diseases, either. The simple build up of plaque on the teeth can exacerbate the development of these issues. Even if you think your teeth are clean, there may well be some nasty bacteria lurking in an area you just can’t reach. The benefits of dental cleaning truly outweigh any of the potential pitfalls (of which there are practically zero). You will have a healthier set of teeth, fresher breath and a far lower risk of disease than those who choose not to have a dental cleaning. As the name suggests, you’ll also find yourself with much whiter teeth!

What are the Risks of Dental Cleaning?

To be perfectly honest, there are no real risks associated with dental cleaning. Any potential risk would be the same as that which could occur during a regular trip to your dentist. There are no recorded problems with the dental cleaning procedure. It really is a win/win course of action for those looking for a brighter smile and healthier mouth.

Dental Cleaning: A Makeover for Your Mouth

In conclusion, dental cleaning is a highly recommended form of ensuring a great set of teeth and an all-round healthy mouth.
If oral hygiene is one of your concerns (and even if it isn’t), get your dental cleaning booked now and experience the benefits of giving your mouth a well deserved makeover.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

Rob Taylor is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dental care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Dental Cleaning: A Makeover for Your Mouth

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/dental-cleaning-a-makeover-for-your-mouth-1154341.html

Editor-in-Chief, Judy J. Johnson, DDS                                                                                  

Aesthetic Considerations in Periodontics

Periodontics, also referred to as Periodontology, is the study of the structure of the teeth along with the diseases and conditions that affect them. Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, can be caused by a series of events within the mouth, all of which lead to periodontal disease. 

The Problem is Gum Disease

Gum disease is typically caused by bacterial infection of the soft tissues and bone which support the teeth. Eventually, the disease will cause the bone and teeth to be destroyed. When destruction occurs, the individual will experience tooth loss.

No matter which stage of periodontal disease the patient is in, treatment will improve the individual’s gums and making them healthier. The type of treatment an individual receives varies according to the stage of gum disease they are in.

Treatment to Conquer Gum Disease

Typically, the goal of periodontal treatment is to eliminate any bacterial infections that the patient may be experiencing, which may be causing gum disease. Treatment also controls the inflammatory process destroying the tissues that anchor the teeth to the jawbone. It also creates a healthy periodontal environment, making it easy for the patient and the dentist to maintain.

Damage Done

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and if interrupted, it can be stopped without permanent damage to the tissue or bone. A dentist with no special or additional training should be able to effectively treat gingivitis in the office. If gingivitis develops into a more advanced stage of gum disease, damage can occur. The patient’s structures, which anchor the teeth into the jawbone, are in jeopardy of becoming damaged. A very advanced stage is referred to as periodontitis. This stage requires very aggressive treatment and the patient will likely be referred to a periodontist, who is a specially trained gum specialist.

Esthetics Affected

In periodontic treatment, there are many different aesthetics to be considered. Even if there is no bacterial infection, gums may recede or shrink. Improper brushing is probably the main cause of gum recession. Individuals who use a hard or medium bristled brush may be wearing away their gums.  Using too much force during brushing may also wear the gums away with time. 

Receding Gums

When an individual’s gums recede, the roots of the teeth will eventually be exposed.  When this happens, the outcome is that the individual’s teeth will become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.  Individuals who experience significant amounts of gum recession are at a higher risk for developing root cavities. 

Gummy Smile

For patients who have what is referred to as a “gummy smile”, their teeth may look very small in comparison to their gums, which will have the appearance of being too big for their mouth.  Some medicines may cause overgrowth of gum tissues (such as phenytoin, cyclosporine and nifedipine).  A periodontist can remove excess gum tissue with a procedure that’s called gingivectomy. 

Crown Lengthening

When bone tissue or gum is removed, the procedure is referred to as crown lengthening.  This procedure is necessary when a tooth needs to be fixed.  Sometimes, not enough of the tooth will stick out above the gum to support a filling or a crown.  This procedure is necessary when a tooth breaks off at the gum line or when a crown or filling falls out.

Grafts

Soft-tissue grafts can also be very beneficial to the aesthetic look of an individual.  Periodontal disease, physical mouth trauma, such as brushing too hard or too often with a firm bristled brush. The position of the tooth or gum tissue that is too thin may benefit from a soft-tissue graft. 

Some of the tooth will be exposed when gums recess severely.  Again, this will cause the tooth to become extremely sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and these teeth are more prone to tooth decay.  Often times, people do not like the way their mouths look when this happens.

A soft-tissue graft is used to add more tissue and can help to prevent further recession, to cover the exposed root, stop the tooth sensitivity and to improve the overall look of the teeth.  For individuals who have naturally thin gums, they are more likely to have a problem with gum recession at some point in their life and may need a soft-tissue graft to remedy the situation. 

There are three different types of soft-tissue grafts:  free gingival grafts, connective-tissue grafts and pedicle grafts.  A free gingival graft is typically used for people who naturally have too little gum tissue around their teeth and need to have their gums enlarged. 

A connective-tissue graft is most commonly used for treating root exposure.  A pedicle graft can be done in certain cases, but not all cases.  There must be a tooth next to the tooth which is being treated, which has enough gum tissue to “share”.  A pedicle graft uses the flap of tissue from the gum of one tooth to fix a tooth next to it that is experiencing recession.

 

 

Read More About Dental Health from Esthetic Considerations in Periodontics Reference Links:

• Inflammation:  Connection the Mouth and Body
  •  via http://www.perio.org/consumer/inflammation.htm
    • (American Academy of Periodontology)
• Periodontal Procedures
  • via http://www.perio.org/consumer/procedures.htm
    • (American Academy of Periodontology)
• Periodontal Gum Diseases
  • via http://www.ada.org/public/topics/periodontal_diseases.asp
    • (American Dental Association)

 

Editor-in-Chief, Judy Johnson D.D.S. oversees all articles produced by Smile MD. She is a member of The New York Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Patients reference versions of dental articles and instantly schedule comprehensive online appointments with this New York Cosmetic Dentist at her Midtown Manhattan dental practice on http://www.smilemd.com.

Neville Coward is CEO of Smile MD.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/aesthetic-considerations-in-periodontics-987301.html