Dental Radiography May Help In The Prevention Of Stroke
April 27, 2009
Dental radiographs or x-rays are used to identify problems within the mouth which may lead to further complications later on. Without the use of these pictures it’s not possible to locate hidden structures such as wisdom teeth and cavities which are in the process of formation. Dental radiographs are also required after giving a treatment such as implant or bridgework to see if everything is working properly. Problems such as tooth decay and changes in the bone density can be identified through a radiographic image of the mouth. Recently it has been discovered that dental radiography can also help to prevent stroke, which is a third leading cause of death, as it assists in recognizing plaque formations which can lead to stroke if not treated on time.
Doctors believe that atherosclerotic plaque lesions in the carotid artery are the most common cause of stroke. If these lesions are identified and treated early the chances of having stroke are decreased greatly. Panoramic dental radiographs and duplex ultrasonography are used to diagnose and confirm this problem. If at the time of dental check-up these plaques go undetected, the patient will have to undergo much complex and expensive procedures later on to diagnose the cause of blockade. Consequently the treatment will also be quite costly and the chances of survival are reduced.
It is therefore the duty of dentists to review the panoramic radiographs of all their patients, especially those who are at high risk of stroke. Advanced age factor and presence of other illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease puts a patient into the high-risk zone. Atherosclerosis may occur as a side effect of high cholesterol but it is asymptomatic which means it cannot be detected through routine check-ups. It not only causes stroke but is also connected with cardiovascular disease, heart attack and many other heart problems.
The disease becomes symptomatic when the plaque blocks the supply of blood to the brain. However, at this stage much of the damage would already have been done and there is very little chance of reversal particularly if the plaques have ruptured. When the disease is finally identified various treatment options are available including surgery, prophylaxis, use of dietary supplements to counter the effects of high cholesterol, and medication. If, however, atherosclerosis is detected early by the use of radiographs the treatment becomes straight forward and the risk of having stroke is greatly reduced.
Atherosclerotic lesions are confirmed by identifying calcification of the carotid artery on antero-posterior radiographs. Panoramic radiographs are not only obtained during routine dental check-up but also during maxillofacial surgery. If the radiographic image shows a problem the patient should be referred to a specialist who will then start treatment. Panoramic radiographs are also known as extraoral radiographic views which are taken from outside the patient’s mouth. Patients with evidence of atherosclerotic lesions are further tested through the use of ultrasound examination to confirm this condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment help to reduce the risk of many serious illnesses including stroke.
An Introduction To Nanodentistry And Its Applications
April 20, 2009
Nanodentistry is the future of dentistry in which every procedure will be performed using equipment and devices based on nanotechnology. Using a combination of nanomedicine and biotechnology, it will become possible to replace teeth in a single procedure with ultimate precision and correctness. All diagnoses and treatments will be given using nanoscale-structured materials and nanorobots. These materials and devices will have the ability to correctly diagnose a problem and provide solution in the shortest possible time. Likelihood of providing almost perfect oral health will become evident which will be further promoted by using tissue engineering and biotechnology. Dentists collectively believe that 10 to 20 years are still required to make this happen.
Nanodentistry will have an effect on the way local anesthesia is induced in patients undergoing painful surgery or treatment. Micrometer sized particles will be used to reach down to the exact location of surgery where they will induce local anesthesia. All this will be controlled with the help of the nanocomputer operated by the dentist. Tooth straightening and procedures involving restorative dentistry such as crown placement and bridgework will also be performed using appropriate nanorobots. People who wish to improve their smile will have a chance to change the appearance of their teeth with the help of covalently bonded artificial materials which will serve as tooth enamel.
Nanotechnology will make it possible to construct materials which are long-lasting and very close to nature. Nanoproducts made for various dental procedures will have more hardness, elasticity and strength than the ones which are in practice today. Furthermore, they will have better appearance in terms of color, texture and aesthetic appeal. And most important of all they will perform much better than today’s dental appliances and materials and last for many years to come.
Nanodentistry is sometimes referred to as robotic dentistry pertaining to the use of nanorobots. Dentirobots will be constructed which will have the ability of destroying harmful bacteria. Such a treatment would be provided on a daily basis which will greatly decrease the chances of tooth decay, formation of cavities and gum disease. The various treatment options which will be available in nanodentistry include orthodontics, tooth repair, treatment for sensitivity to temperature, cosmetic procedures, and tooth renaturalization. Tooth durability may also be improved using biocompatible materials such as sapphire and diamond.
It will also become possible to prevent periodontal disease and other oral complications with nanodentistry. The devices will make it easier to diagnose the smallest of problems at the earliest and the dentists will be able to devise a treatment to counter the effects of a particular disease or condition. The fact that nanodevices cannot be seen make them even more powerful. However, some scientists believe that other than providing unlimited benefits, these devices can also bring dangers due to mishandling or misuse. But again everything has its pros and cons and if we look at nanodentistry we find that its pros far outweigh the cons and therefore we should be looking forward to its emergence and popularity.
What Procedures Are Involved In A Full Mouth Reconstruction?
April 6, 2009
Full mouth reconstruction is used in cosmetic dentistry to improve a person’s smile and overall aesthetics of the mouth. It may include minor procedures like porcelain veneers and bonding as well as some complex ones including orthodontic treatment to correct the alignment of teeth and dental implants to replace severely damaged or broken teeth. In addition to these, inlays, onlays, bridgework and crowns are also required in some cases to provide restorative benefit. Nowadays latest medical equipment is used to identify problems within the mouth and accordingly required procedures are applied for a full mouth reconstruction. 3D preview and computer aided smile design are some of the programs dentists use these days for providing a perfect and flawless treatment.
Cosmetic dentistry is also employed in cases where functional problems are required to be corrected. This includes painful or inflamed gums and improperly aligned upper and lower jaws. Moreover, problems related to TMJ or temporomandibular joint are also addressed by a full mouth reconstruction. People opt for this cosmetic dentistry procedure to improve the shape and appearance of their face. In addition to this, stained teeth are made brighter and more natural looking with the help of laser teeth whitening. As a result the entire appearance of a person improves.
The services of general or restorative dentists, oral surgeons and orthodontists are normally required in a full mouth reconstruction. In some cases periodontists are also required to handle the problems related to the gums. Damaged nerves and pulps are addressed by a root canal treatment and for that purpose an endodontist might be required. Because of the involvement of a number of specialized dentists in full mouth reconstruction, this cosmetic dentistry procedure can be quite expensive. However, if you only require one or two simple procedures like veneers, tooth whitening or fillings, then a general dentist will be sufficient.
Since a full mouth reconstruction also addresses functional problems in addition to improving a person’s smile, it is different from a smile makeover. A smile makeover is a purely cosmetic treatment; however, full mouth reconstruction can be seen as a combination of cosmetic and restorative dentistry. It is recommended when there are multiple missing and severely broken teeth, misaligned jaw and problems related to improper bite including frequent headaches and trouble achieving proper oral hygiene. Newly reconstructed teeth require special care in order to prevent bleeding gums and periodontal disease and therefore the services of a periodontist are also required in a full mouth reconstruction.
In cosmetic dentistry you have quite a number of options available to correct multiple problems related to the mouth to improve your smile and appearance. However, when several problems exist that need overlapping dental treatments, a non-surgical procedure known as full mouth reconstruction is recommended by the dentists. This procedure covers several treatments ranging from simple teeth cleaning and crown lengthening to complicated orthodontic surgery and implant placement. Bone and tissue grafting is also needed in some cases to protect newly restored teeth and to improve their life.