Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical treatment for early to moderate periodontal disease. The dentist or hygienist will use mechanical or electric instruments to scrape tartar deposits from the surface of tooth roots where the attachment fibers used to connect, and smooth the root surface to help make it harder for bacteria to form.
Sealants are resin coatings generally applied to the chewing surfaces of permanent back teeth. Sealants help to prevent food, plaque and acids from starting tooth decay. When properly placed, sealants are barely visible, and there is evidence that they are safe and effective at preventing tooth decay for many years.
If you have fear or anxiety about dental treatment, sedation is an option that can help make you more comfortable. Sedation is the process of administering a drug to produce a state of calm or sleep. Different types of sedation can be used to cause a controllable, temporary loss of sensation, awareness, and memory. Each type of sedation has different effects and risks. The goal is to use the option that provides the minimal amount of sedation to produce the necessary comfort and safety to successfully complete your dental procedure.
Dental offices must have certifications, emergency protocols, medications, and monitoring equipment in place in order to administer sedation. These are all fundamental safety precautions.
It is absolutely appropriate for you to ask your dentist to provide you with a detailed explanation of their emergency readiness before beginning the procedure.
When there is a change in the way things taste, a loss of taste, or a continual metallic, bitter, or salty taste in your mouth, it is called dysgeusia. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause dysgeusia. This occurs because they affect how taste buds send and receive nerve signals or because they create changes in your saliva.
Sialography is a procedure in which your dentist injects a dye into the salivary gland. The dye is visible on X-ray images. Your dentist can use these images to identify and locate obstructions in the gland or ducts leading from the gland. Your dentist can also use them to diagnose improperly functioning salivary glands, such as may be present in Sjögren's Syndrome or other disorders.
The upper jaw bone (maxilla) contains a hollow air space called the maxillary sinus. The floor of the sinus is lined by a thin membrane. The roots of your upper back teeth commonly extend near or into the sinus. If those teeth are removed, the sinus floor often heals downward toward the mouth. This may cause insufficient remaining bone to place a dental implant.
A sinus lift is a surgical procedure to graft new bone into the sinus so there is enough bone to stabilize a dental implant. The procedure is called a sinus lift because the sinus floor is lifted to make room for the implant. Without this procedure, it is unlikely the implant will be successful.
Your dentist will most likely use one of two methods to perform a sinus lift.
If only a thin layer of bone exists between your mouth and the maxillary sinus:
If a thicker layer of bone exists between your mouth and the maxillary sinus:
A dental implant is much more likely to be stable when it is placed in the floor of the sinus that has more bone. In these cases, it may not be necessary to remove a thin shell of bone from the sinus wall to gain access to the sinus. Instead, access is made through the implant placement site.
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to fight the normal cells that produce moisture, such as the salivary glands and tear ducts. This can lead to dry mouth and eyes, tooth decay, difficulty swallowing, and changes in taste. About half of people with Sjogren's syndrome have it in conjunction with another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. The condition affects about 4 million people in the US, with the vast majority being women. It typically begins to occur between the ages of 40 - 50. Sjogren's syndrome often goes undiagnosed. Your dentist or eye doctor may play an important role in early identification and diagnosis.
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts. It has been associated with TMJ disorders, bruxism, and enlarged tonsils and throat tissues.
Powdered bone graft material placed into a fresh tooth extraction site is known as a socket graft. This procedure helps prevent bone resorption. Socket grafting is also known as ridge preservation.
A space maintainer is a common term for various dental appliances placed in either the upper or lower dental arch. These appliances preserve and maintain space for your child's teeth. They may be recommended by both general dentists and orthodontists. The type of space maintainer used often depends on the tooth's location and your child's specific needs.
Sports and recreational activities, especially those that involve physical contact, increase oral health risks. It is important to protect your face and mouth from impact when participating in sports or other potentially hazardous activities.