Advantages Of Laser Teeth Bleaching
May 26, 2009
Laser teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that has recently gained in popularity. It has many advantages over ordinary teeth bleaching because it uses a special kind of light to activate a translucent gel, which is responsible for maximum teeth whitening. The procedure can be completed in a short amount of time, the result is brighter teeth, and a more beautiful and natural smile. Another advantage of this type of teeth whitening procedure over other bleaching methods is that it is also suitable for highly sensitive teeth. Since the bleaching gel is used only once, it does not cause any harmful side effects.
The latest treatments available in the category of laser teeth whitening can be completed within an hour. This is accomplished through the use of modern dental equipment and tools. Many teeth whitening products available on the market, like Britesmile, Rembrandt, and Zoom work in a similar way as in-office teeth bleaching. The manufacturers of these products claim that anyone can have visibly white teeth and a brighter smile in just 2 hours’ time. These systems include products such as intense stain toothpaste for the removal of stubborn stains, and whitening rinse for maintaining whiter teeth over time.
If you want to have professional teeth whitening performed, you should find a cosmetic dentist in your area. The costs of laser teeth bleaching vary from location to location depending on the experience of the dentist and the kind of equipment or system they use for bleaching. This procedure is used to change about eight shades of stained teeth. The light and gel work together to break up the stains and discoloration and restore the natural tooth color. The gel is applied multiple times, usually three times, or until desired results are obtained. During this time, the patient can relax as the procedure is totally painless.
Before starting the actual procedure, plaque and bacteria are removed from the surface of teeth so that thorough cleaning can be achieved. The bleaching kits used by most dentists contain about 22% carbamide peroxide, which is enough to remove all stubborn stains including tobacco, red wine, coffee and tea stains. If you want to perform teeth whitening at home and save time and money associated with visiting a dentist, look for products that contain effective ingredients and are free from additives and byproducts. If you have severely stained teeth, it is advisable to undergo a professional bleaching process performed by a cosmetic dentist.
Why people choose laser teeth whitening over other whitening procedures? Because it is one of the fastest and safest ways to get a brighter smile. Moreover, you can also buy products that work in a similar way, and get rid of stained and discolored teeth at home. Another benefit of laser teeth bleaching is that it is suitable for people of all ages. In-office professional laser teeth whitening is recommended for people who have sensitive teeth and who suffer from minor oral problems like bleeding gums and canker sores. A professional teeth whitening procedure performed by an experienced dentist will cost around $200 to $500.
What Is Oral Prophylaxis And How Does It Prevent Disease?
May 18, 2009
Oral prophylaxis has gained tremendous popularity in recent years due to the introduction of ultrasonic scaling instruments and other high-tech devices. This is a procedure in which bacterial plaque and tartar is removed from the surface of the teeth with the help of scaling and polishing. It is not the same as teeth whitening or coronal polishing because it is mainly performed to prevent decay and other oral complications rather than for aesthetic reasons; however, it does satisfy the patient greatly. Your dentist will be able to tell you whether you are a candidate for oral prophylaxis or not depending on the severity of stains on your teeth.
Because it involves the use of complex and expensive equipment, this procedure is quite costly. Furthermore, it takes about an hour to completely remove the stains from the teeth. Nowadays dentists use automatic scalers which do not cause any pain at all and are also quite easy to use. Moreover, these types of devices effectively remove all stains without any trouble. They are also known as ultrasonic scalers and are of two types: magnetostrictive system and piezoelectric system. The first system generates a lot of heat, while the second one does its job without producing any heat.
Oral prophylaxis is also sometimes prescribed to people who have crooked teeth before starting the treatment with braces. This is because with braces it becomes even more difficult to properly clean the teeth and the amount of plaque and food debris keeps on increasing until it starts causing problems. Oral prophylaxis should only be performed by a qualified and experienced dental hygienist. Proper dental hygiene is achieved by removing unsafe deposits from exposed and unexposed surfaces of the teeth thus preventing the formation of cavities and other serious oral conditions. Since specialized equipment is used to perform this procedure one should only have it done by a licensed dental practitioner.
Dental irrigators that are widely available on the market can also be used at home to achieve fairly acceptable teeth cleaning. These devices are recommended to people who have a difficult time cleaning their teeth because of braces or if they have wide gaps between their teeth. Such at-home treatments are excellent for the prevention of gum disease and gingivitis. They are mostly meant to replace traditional flossing. These portable and hand-held devices are being manufactured by many top-of-the-line companies specializing in oral hygiene and dental care.
Although one must learn to brush and floss their teeth properly, oral prophylaxis can be considered if you have severely stained teeth due to excessive use of tea, tobacco products, coffee or wine. However, dentists strongly advise that it should not be made a practice to have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist on a regular basis. Devices like oral irrigators and electric brushes can be used to achieve proper cleaning at home. It should also be noted that oral prophylaxis is not a dangerous procedure, but because of its high cost one must opt for it only when it becomes absolutely inevitable.
How Is Traumatic Occlusion Treated In Dentistry
May 11, 2009
The way our upper and lower jaw fit together is known as occlusion. Traumatic occlusion is also called a bad bite in dentistry and it is considered a disease which should be treated on time. In such a condition a person’s teeth are not aligned properly which not only affects their smile but also the normal functioning of the mouth. A crowded mouth in which there is not enough room for all the teeth to arrange in a line also sometimes lead to traumatic occlusion or malocclusion. Another important thing to consider is the right alignment of the upper and lower jaw; if it does not close properly during chewing there is a strong chance of developing many other oral complications later on in life.
If traumatic occlusion is not treated on time the chances of periodontal disease increase greatly. This is because of those teeth which are not straight or properly aligned. The biting pressure exerted by other teeth makes them become loose and eventually become diseased. Proper identification of this condition is necessary in order to treat it rightly. People who are in a habit of biting their nails or sucking their thumb are often victims of traumatic occlusion. If proper treatment is not provided, it leads to the next stage of this condition known as occlusal trauma, which can be primary or secondary.
Traumatic occlusion is mostly treated by a procedure called occlusal equilibration in which the chewing and biting surfaces of teeth are grinded to achieve balance and proper alignment. By doing so the pressure on individual teeth is lessened, thereby making them less susceptible to becoming weak or contaminated. Other than occlusal equilibration, occlusal restoration is also sometimes prescribed to correct the alignment of teeth. Crooked teeth are replaced or reconstructed through restorative procedures in order to improve the normal functioning of the mouth.
Appliances known as jaw repositioners are also used for the treatment of traumatic occlusion. These devices are worn like braces and need to be adjusted and tightened after regular intervals of time until a desired tooth position is achieved. These appliances provide a temporary solution and may require other complex treatments to permanently correct the problem. These treatments include orthodontics, occlusal adjustment and orthognathics. In some cases all of these treatments are required to correct the alignment of different teeth and completely cure traumatic occlusion.
Orthognathics is a term used to describe the correctness of upper and lower jaw alignment and the treatment is called orthognathic surgery. This type of surgery is intended to correct the bone relationship rather than straightening of the teeth. If there is a need to straighten the teeth, orthodontics (braces) are used. Occlusal or bite adjustment is similar to occlusal equilibration. How much adjustment is required is determined by using computer-based occlusal analysis. This type of adjustment is needed when there are loose or shifting teeth, severe grinding or clenching during sleep, and sensitivity to temperature. If you suffer from constant headache due to misalignment of your jaw, you should opt for one of the above-mentioned treatments to prevent further damage.
Different Types Of Glass Ionomers And Their Uses
May 4, 2009
Glass ionomers or “giomers” are resin composites used in restorative dentistry to save the teeth from decay and damage. These materials release fluoride and resemble our natural tooth color. A number of applications in the field of dentistry have been identified for which these materials can be effectively used. After their introduction in 1972, many types of glass ionomers have been produced which can be used for different purposes. Giomers are actually a combination of the original glass ionomers and composite materials. They are also known as resin-modified glass ionomers which can be used for filling and bonding.
There are five types of glass ionomers which have been classified according to their physical and chemical properties. These types are, conventional glass ionomer cements, resin-modified glass ionomers, hybrid ionomers, tri-cure glass ionomers, and metal-reinforced glass ionomer cements. Dentists prefer hybrid and resin-modified glass ionomers over traditional ionomers because they set faster and have high viscosity. A number of other factors can be considered when making a choice among different types of giomers available out there. In some types of ionomers finer glass particles are used which make them better suited to a number of applications. A high powder-to-liquid ratio is another desirable property in glass ionomers.
Resin-modified and hybrid glass ionomers are light-cured systems in which the acid-base reaction is supported by resin polymerization for faster setting. They are also known as dual-cured glass ionomer cements because of this reason. These giomers are popular for their strength and translucency. Light-activated hybrid glass ionomers are superior to the conventional ones because of their setting properties. It has also been found that hybrid materials are more radiopaque than other types of glass ionomers. Many of the resin-modified glass ionomers save time and are ideal for patients who are intolerant of treatments that take a long time to complete.
Another benefit of hybrid and resin-modified glass ionomers is that they are available in a number of esthetic shades. Furthermore, they are prepared according to the triple curing technology which includes self-curing, light curing and glass ionomer curing. Some giomers are selected based on their excellent mechanical properties, while others are chosen due to their good physical properties. Tri-cure glass ionomers are the strongest of all giomers because they are prepared by incorporating a third polymerization reaction in addition to the acid-base and photo-initiation reactions. They can be used in cases where opaque structures are involved.
Metal-reinforced glass ionomers are prepared by adding silver-amalgam alloy powder to the conventional giomers to increase radiopacity and physical strength. These materials have very low esthetic value and therefore are not widely used in dental procedures. The final color of all these types of glass ionomers depends on the polishing technique used by the dentist. Some of them tend to discolor after a period of time; however, all of them have incomparable physical strength and high retention rate. Some disadvantages of glass ionomers include abrasion, sensitivity to water during setting stage, and less esthetic appeal than traditional resin composites.