Posts for: October, 2017
As a new permanent tooth develops, the roots undergo a process of breakdown and growth. As older cells dissolve (a process called resorption), they’re replaced by newer cells laid down (deposition) as the jaw develops. Once the jaw development ends in early adulthood, root resorption normally stops. It’s a concern, then, if it continues.
Abnormal root resorption most often begins outside of the tooth and works its way in, beginning usually around the neck-like (or cervical) region of the tooth. Also known as external cervical resorption (ECR), the condition usually shows first as pink spots where the enamel is being undermined. As these spots continue to erode, they develop into cavity-like areas.
While its causes haven’t been fully confirmed, ECR has been linked to excessive pressure on teeth during orthodontic treatment, periodontal ligament trauma, teeth-grinding or other excessive force habits, and bleaching techniques performed inside a tooth. Fortunately, ECR is a rare occurrence, and most people who’ve had these problems won’t experience it.
When it does occur, though, it must be treated as quickly as possible because the damage can progress swiftly. Treatment depends on the size and location of the resorption: a small site can often be treated by surgically accessing the tooth through the gum tissue and removing the offending tissue cells. This is often followed with tooth-colored dental material that’s bonded to the tooth to replace lost structure.
A root canal treatment may be necessary if the damage has extended to the pulp, the tooth’s interior. However, there’s a point where the resorption becomes too extensive to save the tooth. In these cases, it may be necessary to remove the tooth and replace it with a dental implant or similar tooth restoration.
In its early stages, ECR may be difficult to detect, and even in cases where it’s been diagnosed more advanced diagnostics like a CBCT scanner may be needed to gauge the extent of damage. In any case, it’s important that you have your teeth examined on a regular basis, at least twice a year. In the rare chance you’ve developed ECR, the quicker it’s found and treatment begun, the better your chances of preserving the tooth.
Restoring your tired, broken, or incomplete smile is easy with help from your cosmetic dentist and a dental crown or bridge. In fact, these two common and powerful dental restorations can even work together to give your smile the overhaul it needs. Find out more about dental crowns and bridges and what they can do for you with 1st Choice Dental Care with locations in Kennesaw, Woodstock, and Marietta, GA.
What are the benefits of a porcelain dental restoration?
The most visually obvious benefit of a porcelain dental restoration is their natural, tooth-like appearance. A dental laboratory custom makes the restoration to fit seamlessly into your smile. The restoration is made from porcelain, a durable material which can stand up to normal daily use for many years. Aside from being long-lasting and effective, dental restorations like crowns can actually help stabilize a tooth enough to save its structure and prevent it from requiring extraction.
Do I need a crown or a bridge?
If you have a missing or damaged tooth, you might benefit from dental veneers. Your dentist may recommend crowns if you have a tooth damaged by injury or decay or a tooth with a large filling. A crown also becomes necessary to hold a dental bridge, which replaces a missing tooth, in place. A dental crown can also improve the appearance of a tooth which is misshapen or discolored.
Crowns and Bridges in Kennesaw, Woodstock, and Marietta, GA
If you think you can benefit from crowns or bridges, you should consult with your dentist to ensure that a porcelain dental restoration is the best dental procedure for you. In some cases, other restorations like dental implants or other treatments like a root canal may be better suited to your situation.
For more information on crowns and bridges, please contact your dentists at 1st Choice Dental Care with locations in Kennesaw, Woodstock, and Marietta, GA. Call (678) 293-8773 to schedule your appointment today!
Are you suffering from jaw pain? While many people of all ages have painful or tender jaw joints from arthritis, auto accidents or even sinus issues, the biggest cause is TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. These noisy, grating, irritated ball and socket joints at the sides of the head afflict 15 million Americans, says the American Dental Association. Your Woodstock, GA, dentists at 1st Choice Dental Care take a special interest in TMD and offer sensible solutions for this often debilitating problem.
It's something of a mystery
If you present with symptoms of TMD, your dentist in Woodstock, GA, will perform an oral exam and take digital X-rays. Sometimes poor dental bite, repeated tooth grinding (bruxism) or even missing teeth and extensive tooth decay causes the jaw joints to throb, tighten, become stuck open or closed or make odd clicking or popping noises.
Other times, TMD is more nebulous, stemming from problems that really are "all in your head":
- Chronic stress, anxiety and resulting muscle tension
- Erosion of the disc-like condyle in the joint
- Connective tissue disease
Whatever the reason behind your jaw pain, you need relief, and 1st Choice Dental Care can help. Your Woodstock, GA, dentist will sort through your symptoms and possible factors contributing to them.
Helps for TMD
Oral appliance therapy frequently helps people with TMD. Customized according to oral impressions, these thin acrylic mouth guards provide cushioning against the substantial physical stresses which often are placed on top and bottom teeth. Worn at night, oral appliances reduce the effects of bruxism and uneven dental occlusion (how teeth close together).
Additionally, your dentist may recommend dental crowns or other ways to alter the chewing surfaces of teeth so bite improves. More severe cases may require orthodontics. 1st Choice Dental Care offers selected patients clear acrylic aligners from Invisalign.
Finally, your dentist may suggest stress-reducing techniques, physical therapy and exercises which allow the jaws to operate properly. Massage and chiropractic care proves useful for some individuals as well.
If your jaw hurts, please don't suffer. At 1st Choice Dental Care, we can help. Why not contact us today for a consultation on your joint pain? We have three convenient offices: Woodstock, Kennesaw and Marrietta, GA. Call (678) 293-8773.
Your diet can play as important a role in your dental health as brushing and flossing. What you eat (particularly sugar) could increase your risk of tooth decay despite your hygiene habits. And vice-versa: a nutritious diet may help boost your preventive efforts even more.
Let’s look at two very different approaches to diet and see how your dental health is likely to fare under each.
A High Sugar/Low Fiber Diet. Modern western diets heavy with processed foods are inundated with two particular types of refined sugars. The first is sucrose, which comes mainly from either beets or sugar cane. Foods (and beverages) may also contain a refined sugar from corn known as high fructose corn syrup. Refined sugars are added for taste to thousands of products like cake, candy, soft drinks or even condiments like catsup. These “free” sugars are easily processed by bacteria into acid. Combine that with fewer fibrous vegetables in the diet and you have a recipe not only for obesity and other health issues, but tooth decay as well.
A High Fiber/Low Sugar Diet. Fruits and vegetables make up a large part of this kind of diet, while added free sugars much less so. That doesn’t make this diet sugar-free: all plant products contain simple sugars produced by photosynthesis. The difference, though, is that these sugars — glucose, fructose and sucrose (natural, not the refined versions) — are more slowly absorbed into the bloodstream during digestion because of the fiber content of fruits and vegetables. You’ll also receive other nutrients like vitamins and minerals necessary for good health. Eating this kind of diet will help decrease the risk of tooth decay.
So there you have it: eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and restrict your intake of processed foods and sweets. You may also want to fine-tune a few items to maximize decay prevention: for example, eat starches in their natural form (whole grains, beans or certain fruits) as much as possible rather than refined or in combination with added sugar (cakes, cookies, etc.). And while fresh fruits with their naturally occurring sugars aren’t a significant factor in tooth decay, dried fruits (especially with added sugar) might.
If you would like more information on proper diets for better oral health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Nutrition & Oral Health.”