Teeth cleanings are a very important part of oral hygiene and involve the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease. While proper home care is the first step in maintaining oral health, it is essential to have professional cleanings every six months, or more frequently depending on the need. These visits, referred to as “dental prophylaxis”, are generally performed by a certified dental hygienist whose training specializes in keeping patients maintained in optimum oral health. We regularly use the Ultrasonic SCALEX, but cleaning may be manual according to your needs.
Through the use of dental x-rays, dentists are able to diagnose many diseases of the oral cavity. This technology is an essential element of proper diagnosis, and used in very small doses, is a safe tool to provide proper dental care. The newest radiography available uses digital technology to capture a very precise image while subjecting the patient to a smaller dose of radiation.
Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CT) is a special type of x-ray equipment used when regular dental or facial x-rays are not sufficient. Your dentist may use this technology to produce three dimensional (3-D) images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan.
Panoramic radiograph is a panoramic scanning dental x-ray of the upper and lower jaw, it shows a two dimensional view of a half circle from ear to ear. Panoramic X-ray offers multiple planes of maxilla and mandible and the structures that are superficial and deep to the through are blurred.
Mouth guards are often recommended for patients with bruxism as it provides cushioning and protection of teeth. Bruxism is the unconscious grinding of the teeth. Most patients with bruxism clench their jaws and grind their teeth at night while they sleep. Bruxism is caused by a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Patients with TM often experience pain in their jaw and face and can have impaired eating and speaking in serious cases.
Millions of people today are living with undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea. Left untreated, this sleep disorder is linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other illnesses. Many people, however, dislike using a CPAP machine to treat the issue.
For patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, there are alternative options available. Custom designed mouthguards called Mandibular Advancement devices (MAD) are individually shaped to each patient's mouth and eases sleep apnea symptoms by moving the jaw forward. The realignment of the jaw opens up the airway to improve breathing and often puts a stop to snoring. Severe sleep apnea will often require the use of CPAP machines.
