Dentists and hygienists hear it all the time: “It’s been . . . since my last trip to the dentist.” Often muttered with an air of embarrassment or stated outright with a sense of mild defiance, many people avoid visiting the dentist, sometimes for years. Some people avoid the dentist because they feel nervous or… Read more »
Category: Advanced Dentistry
A Brief History of Dental X-Rays
If you’ve ever been to a checkup at the dentist’s office, chances are you’ve had x-rays taken. And, if you’re old enough, you’ve probably had traditional, digital, and maybe even cone beam x-rays taken in your lifetime. X-rays give dentists a powerful imaging tool with which to locate hard tissue problems, like tooth decay and… Read more »
A Surprising New Source for Stem Cells: Your Wisdom Teeth
Third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, seem like a significant flaw in an otherwise efficient design. In the rare best case scenario, they grow in normally but serve no real function. More often, however, the wisdom teeth grow in at awkward angles or remain impacted within the gum tissue or the jaw bone, leading… Read more »
The Who, What, How of Bone Grafting
Your jaw bone is responsible for supporting the teeth, aiding in chewing and speaking, and filling out the normal proportions of your face. If the jaw loses mass or density to resorption (a phenomenon where bone cells break down and are absorbed into the body via the blood) or as the result of a traumatic… Read more »
Bad Teeth, Lost Teeth, New Teeth, False Teeth: A Look at Dental Implant Restorations
As we’ve learned in our in-depth examination of missing teeth, a number of risk factors – both within and outside of your control – can make you more susceptible to the primary causes of tooth loss. So, if gum disease, decay, or an accident claim one or more of your permanent teeth, what’s your next… Read more »
Follow These Three Steps in a Dental Emergency
Think about the last time the lights went out in your house. You may have had candles and matches at the ready, flashlights with fresh batteries in easy-to-access locations, and plenty of bottled water on hand, but the sudden darkness still takes you by surprise. In a similar manner, no matter how well you’re prepared… Read more »
What Can You Expect from IV Sedation?
Dentists usually recommend IV sedation – anti-anxiety medication delivered intravenously via a small needle – for patients undergoing dental implant placement, wisdom tooth removal, or other oral surgery procedures. However, IV sedation also helps patients with profound dental fear and anxiety, a very sensitive gag reflex, or physical/neurological impairment relax during all types of dental… Read more »
A Brief History of Nitrous Oxide
Those few moments just before a dental procedure can be a little tense, even for people who normally wouldn’t identify themselves as “afraid of the dentist.” Your dentist can take the edge off of that anxiety with nitrous oxide, a safe, reliable method that’s helped dental patients relax since the 19th century. Today, we’re taking… Read more »
Two Diseases Your Dentist Might Notice First
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 90% of all pathologies have symptoms that show in the oral cavity. Whether it’s gum inflammation, dry mouth, or bone loss, your dentist has a privileged view of your overall health via the “window” of your mouth. Today, we’re taking a look at two diseases… Read more »
Three Groups of People Who Benefit from Sedation Dentistry
Have you ever wondered who goes in for sedation dentistry? This practice, sometimes inaccurately referred to as sleep dentistry, has helped dentists manage their patients’ discomfort during a procedure since nitrous oxide was first introduced in the mid-1800s. Since that time, the field has expanded to include oral conscious (pill) sedation and intravenous (IV) sedation… Read more »
