The Dental Center At Easton Town Center

Having your wisdom teeth removed takes some recovery time and complications are unfortunately common. You are trying to heal an area of the body that stays moist and is bombarded with foreign substances like food particles and bacteria. Unlike a surgical incision elsewhere on the body, the incisions made in the mouth cannot be easily bandaged and protected during the healing process. Your emergency dentist in Columbus, Ohio or your oral surgeon can give you specific instructions.

Immediately after the surgery, you have to let the affects of the anesthetic wear off. That means rest. Avoid physical exertion for the rest of the day and maybe for several days after. There are great variations in the amount of rest you will need until you heal depending on your age, the amount of bone that was removed, and your own individuality.

Watch for bleeding. You will have blood-tinged saliva for the first 48 hours or so. This is normal. But if there are dark red clots of blood in your mouth, that isn’t normal. If you have gauze, bite on it while you lie still for about forty-five minutes or so. If you don’t have gauze, use a folded up paper towel—anything to put pressure on the surgical site. If the bleeding persists, call your emergency dentist in Columbus, Ohio.

If you have been prescribed pain medication, take only as needed to control the pain. If you find the pain medication inadequate to control the pain in the dosage prescribed, call your dentist.

Eat soft foods and drink plenty of liquids the day of the surgery and for a few days after. Don’t rush getting back to solid foods. Continue to eat soft foods until you can chew without pain. Make sure your diet includes protein and vitamin C. Ice cream and milk are good sources of nutrients for healing.

Keep the surgical site clean as much as you can. Start by rinsing with salt water several times a day. A teaspoon of salt in a cup of water is about the right mixture. Brush your teeth, but use a soft brush. After a couple of days, begin to brush the teeth furthest back, being sure not to disturb any loose tissue that has been sutured into place.

A common healing complication is dry socket. This occurs in 10% to 15% of patients, and is much more prevalent in the lower jaw. With dry socket, healing progresses normally for about three days, and then there is a dramatic increase in pain coming from the socket and radiating to the ear. If this happens to you, call your emergency dentist.

The roots of lower wisdom teeth may lie near the main nerve to the lower jaw, and their crowns may be near the nerve to the tongue. During the surgery, these nerves could be damaged. This happens in 1% to 2% of cases. The result is numbness in the lips, chin, and teeth on the side affected, or in the side of the tongue. This is rarely permanent, but it is annoying for several weeks up to several months. Movement would not be affected—only sensation. If this happens to you, your emergency dentist in Columbus, Ohio will be able to determine the actual cause. It may be that the nerves were not touched during the surgery, but there is swelling pressing on the nerve, causing it to go numb. In this case, a prescription of anti-inflammatory medication can ease the swelling and make recovery quicker.

If the roots of your upper wisdom teeth lie close enough to the wall of one of your nasal sinuses, your sinus wall could be perforated during the operation. If that happens, you would notice bleeding through your nose after the surgery. Call your dentist, who can advise you on how to care for it until it heals. Your dentist may want to perform a minor post-operative surgical procedure to close the hole. In rare cases, the wall between the tooth and the sinus can be so delicate that attempts at extraction cause the tooth or a piece of the tooth to be displaced into the sinus. If this happens, the piece or tooth should be surgically removed to prevent later sinus infections.

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are a source of dental problems for many people. As an emergency dentist in Columbus Ohio, we see our fair share of patients in pain because of their wisdom teeth.

The wisdom teeth are the last four teeth to erupt in the mouth, usually in the teenage years. The biggest problem with wisdom teeth is that many people do not have enough room on the tooth arches for the wisdom teeth to erupt normally. Because they are cramped for room, many wisdom teeth will try to come up at an angle or sideways. When this occurs, it is known as impacted wisdom teeth.

Most dentists recommend that the wisdom teeth be removed as soon as it is evident that they will not come in straight on their own. Because of expense or fear of pain, many people will choose to leave them alone if they are not hurting. This is not always wise. For one, the risk for complications from wisdom tooth extraction surgery greatly increases as the patient ages, especially if the older patient is on medications for other ailments. Secondly, when a wisdom tooth starts to hurt, it usually means that an infection has set in, making the surgery that much more dangerous. And finally, people in their late teens or early twenties heal much, much faster than older patients. The recovery time is much longer in older patients, which can lead to more opportunity for infections and complications.

Wisdom teeth are removed in a surgical operation, usually in the office of a dental surgeon or sometimes even at a hospital. If only one wisdom tooth is being removed, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. If several or all of the wisdom teeth are being removed, a general anesthetic may be administered. This will cause the patient to sleep through the entire procedure. You will typically not eat or drink anything the night before your surgery.

To remove the wisdom teeth, the dentist will cut open the gum tissue and remove any bone surrounding the tooth. He or she will then remove the tooth from any connecting tissue. Sometimes, the tooth has to be broken into small pieces to be more easily removed, especially if it is deeply impacted.

Once the tooth is completely removed, including the roots, the dentist will stitch the area, usually with a dissolving stitch. The area is then packed with cotton gauze to stop the bleeding and the patient is moved to a recovery area. While in recovery, the patient is monitored to make sure the anesthetic is wearing off and there are no obvious complications. The patient will be sent home with instructions on diet, oral care, and medications.

Next week, we will look at the recovery process and the common complications that arise after wisdom tooth extractions.

While Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so too is wedding season. Many a bride has dreamed of this day – wearing an elaborate white gown and staring into the eyes of their beloved. However, many of those dreams have been turned into a nightmare – gaps, discolored teeth, and uneven smiles have caused many brides to panic.

Relax. The wedding of your dreams doesn’t have to be a nightmare. From new whitening techniques to restorative dental work, the smile of your dreams is within your reach come your wedding day.

A whiter smile is the top request of brides.  There are many tiers of tooth whitening available today, but know that the darker your teeth, the more help they need. Over-the-counter whitening strips are a good option if your teeth are already white. But if you have significant discoloration, or discoloration on the sides of the teeth, these strips likely will not be sufficient. The next step is usually take-home whitening trays or laser whitening, which may be a better option for significant whitening that needs to be done in a short period of time.

Restoring broken, chipped, cracked or stained teeth is another common request. Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface. This simple, non-invasive conservative procedure can also close spaces.

Veneers are another popular choice. These thin, custom-made shells cover the front side of teeth, and can be used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Crowns may be needed if porcelain veneers won’t do the trick.

Cosmetic dentists can correct minor defects in the shape and appearance of a tooth through a process referred to as tooth contouring or tooth reshaping, which is, essentially like filing your nails.

Regardless of what procedure you choose, make sure your dentist is skilled in cosmetic dentistry.

TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, involves conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint, jaw muscles, and nerves on one or both sides of the head, which can result in jaw, face, and head and neck pain. The pain may be severe, can be either intermittent or constant, and can last for many years, plus it can flare up during stressful times.

TMJ conditions include:

• Myofacial Pain. This is the most common TMJ condition that involves discomfort and pain in the muscles that control jaw movement.
• Internal Derangement. This TMJ disorder is associated with a displaced disc in the jaw joint, a dislocated jaw or a lower jaw injury.
• Arthritis. This TMJ pain involves degenerative and inflammatory joint conditions.

More than 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ, and it has been predicted that as much as 85 percent of the U.S. population will experience some type of TMJ symptom in their lifetime. TMJ affects twice as many women as men, and is most prevalent among people between the ages of 20 and 40.

Certain causes of TMJ also may affect your bite, as well as the longevity of any smile makeover restorations you may want your dentist to provide. If your dentist identifies problems such as wear, tooth mobility, or muscle pain, your bite may need to be adjusted.

Ensuring a stable bite is essential to your oral health and the long-term durability and functionality of cosmetic restorations. Also, maintaining a stable occlusion and a proper bite helps ensure that your upper and lower teeth will come into contact in the most comfortable and pain-free manner possible, without unnecessary force that could lead to headaches or fractured restorations.

Baby teeth, which are also called primary teeth, are typically off-white or ivory. As a young child’s teeth start to come in, many parents are alarmed to realize that their child’s teeth are not white. Discolored baby teeth can be caused by many reasons, including:

• Inadequate brushing. If baby teeth aren’t brushed properly, plaque may form on the teeth — which can lead to tooth discoloration.
• Medication use. Infant medications containing iron, such as supplemental vitamins, may cause dark stains on baby teeth. Taking the antibiotic tetracycline during pregnancy can cause discolored baby teeth, too.
• Tooth or gum injury. Trauma to baby teeth or gums may give baby teeth a pink or gray hue.
• Weak enamel. A genetic problem with enamel formation may lead to discolored baby teeth.
• Excessive fluoride. Excessive fluoride, or fluorosis, may cause bright white spots or streaks on the teeth.
• Newborn jaundice. A baby who develops jaundice after birth may have baby teeth with a green tint.
• Serious illness. A widespread infection during infancy may result in discolored baby teeth. Conditions such as newborn hepatitis and some types of heart disease can have the same effect.

If the discoloration is caused by inadequate brushing, more thorough brushing is likely to help. Use water and a small, soft-bristled toothbrush or the fingertip variety designed for infants. A child does not need to use toothpaste until he or she learns to spit, usually about age 2 or 3.

If your child drinks from a bottle, remember that sipping milk or juice throughout the day or while falling asleep may lead to tooth decay. Don’t let your child carry a bottle during the day, and don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle, unless it contains a small amount of plain water.

In other cases, treatment options may include bleaching the discolored teeth or simply watching the teeth for signs of other problems. Discuss your concerns about your son’s baby teeth with his doctor. He or she may offer a referral to a pediatric dentist.

A26D69VHQ3GT A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form, causing further damage and extensive pain.

“Root canal” is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth’s nerve lies within the root canal.

A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to a tooth’s health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory — to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.

What Damages a Tooth’s Nerve and Pulp?

A tooth’s nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.

How do You Know if You Need a Root Canal?

Sometimes, symptoms are not apparent. However, signs you may need a root canal include:

• Severe tooth pain upon chewing or application of pressure
• Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures
• Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
• Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
• A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums

What Happens During a Root Canal?

A root canal requires one or more office visits and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist, which is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the human dental pulp or the nerve of the tooth. The choice of which type of dentist to use depends on the difficulty of the root canal procedure needed in your particular tooth and the general dentist’s comfort level in working on your tooth.

Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements used to counter tooth loss. The procedure is categorized as a form of prosthetic dentistry, though it also falls into the category of cosmetic dentistry as well.

While you have several restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as implants. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary functionality of the teeth and supporting structures.

The Dental Implants Procedure

Today’s dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from other teeth. This is aided in part by the structural and functional connection between the dental implant and the living bone. Implants are typically placed in a single sitting but require a period of osseointegration, which can take as long as six months. Once the implants have fully healed, your dentist can complete the procedure with the placement of a crown. However, if osseointegration does not occur, the implant will fail.

Preparing the Jaw for Implantation

A dental implant is commonly composed of a titanium material screw and a crown. A small-diameter hole is drilled in order to guide the titanium screw that holds a dental implant in place. To avoid damaging vital jaw and face structures like the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw, a dentist must use great skill and expertise when boring the pilot hole and sizing the jaw bone.

Placement of the Implant

After the initial pilot hole has been drilled into the appropriate jaw site, it is slowly widened to allow for placement of the implant screw. Following this placement, a protective cover screw is placed on top to allow the implant site to heal and the dental implant to anchor. After several months, the protective cover is removed and a temporary crown is placed on top of the dental implant. The temporary crown serves as a template around which the gum grows and shapes itself in a natural way.

The hot topic in the dental world these days is tooth whitening. The long and the short of it is that teeth whitening works. Virtually everyone who opts for this cosmetic treatment will see moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their smile.

Typically, age, eating habits, smoking, tooth grinding, and trauma are associated with tooth discoloration. The majority of patients say that tooth whitening not only improves their appearance, but also their outlook – they say they feel like they look younger and more polished.

Bleaching versus Whitening

According to the FDA, the term “bleaching” is used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach – typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

Meanwhile, “whitening,” restores a tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (like a toothpaste) is considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more frequently used – even when describing products that contain bleach.

Significant color change in a short period of time is the major benefit of in-office whitening. This involves the carefully controlled use of a relatively high-concentration peroxide gel, applied to the teeth by the dentist or trained technician after the gums have been protected with a paint-on rubber dam. Generally, the peroxide remains on the teeth for several 15 to 20 minute intervals that add up to an hour (at most).

Those with particularly stubborn staining may be advised to return for one or more additional bleaching sessions, or may be asked to continue with a home-use whitening system.

In-office teeth whitening cost: $650 per visit is the national average.