Yearly Archives: 2012

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December 15th, 2012

In this final article looking on drugs used during dental procedures I want to look at the area of anti-anxiety medication and sedation. These drugs are not used routinely due to their serious nature, the potential risks and/ or side effects, and the potential for interaction with other prescribed medication. They should also only be used for long or complex dental surgery, not for simple cleanings or fillings.

The vast majority of my patients are happily treated with the use of a local anesthetic which is effective for even complex and lengthy surgery and if required can be ‘topped-up’ during the course of the procedure. However, some patients suffer with genuine anxiety and request help in order to be able to have treatment. This is where anti-anxiety drugs or a mild- moderate sedation might be helpful.

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December 1st, 2012

Anesthetic
Local anesthetic causes a reversible loss of sensation, or numbing feeling and is administered by the dentist. Anesthetics are used for several different treatments including fillings, extractions, implant placement and when teeth are being prepared for crowns or bridges. A topical anesthetic may be used first with children or sensitive patients in the form of a gel that is applied to the gum and gives a mild numbing sensation. When the site is mildly numb the dentist will inject a stronger anesthetic into the gum around the site where the work will be performed. This might take several injections but usually after the first one or two the anesthetic is already taking effect and you may not feel the further injections as much or at all. Once the anesthetic has taken full effect the dental procedure can be carried out painlessly.

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November 17th, 2012

It is not unusual that drugs may be required either during your dental appointment or afterwards and sometimes both. The type and amount will be dictated by the type of treatment you are having and to a lesser extent the type of patient you are and how you react to pain. I find however, that some patients are unsure about why certain drugs are used, the benefits they can provide plus the potential risks, especially if not used or administered properly.

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November 3rd, 2012

Orthodontics is a type of dental treatment that aims to improve the appearance, position and function of crooked or abnormally arranged teeth. Orthodontic treatment may be commenced for clinical (medical) reasons such as to improve how the teeth meet and therefore function, or for cosmetic purposes such as straightening teeth or closing gaps. There are several systems available to do this, one of which is Invisalign.

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October 20th, 2012

Your Diet and Your Teeth
With Halloween (and candy!) just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to think about our diet and the impact it has on the health of our teeth. We all know that candy is not the best thing for teeth because of its high sugar content but you may be surprised to find out that some of the other foods and drinks that you regularly consume can also be potentially harmful to your teeth.

The message here it not necessarily to cut out all foods which contain sugar (this would be pretty challenging) but being informed about what the food you are eating contains and making sure that you follow a good oral hygiene (tooth brushing) routine.

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October 6th, 2012

If you have suffered tooth-loss whether due to cavities, gum disease or injury, it is likely that you would like to fill the gap or gaps that remain. For many years, the only treatment options available were either bridges or dentures. However, dental implants may be the best solution to replace those missing teeth. They offer the most technologically advanced and the closest-to-nature solution available to replace missing teeth.

What are dental implants?
Dental implants are metal (titanium) screw-like fixtures that are secured into your jaw bone and replace the missing root of a natural tooth.

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September 22nd, 2012

As is true with all aspects of healthcare, prevention of dental problems is better than needing treatment: it is better for the long-term health and strength of your teeth and it is usually better for the health of your wallet!

It is no catastrophe if an adult requires the odd filling over the course of his/her lifetime. This can occur to even the most diligent of people.

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Sept 8th, 2012

A filling (or restoration) is required when there is a cavity (hole) in the tooth. The filling will replace the missing enamel and dentine which make up the hard parts of a tooth.

A hole can occur for several reasons- decay, abrasion and erosion. Decay occurs when sugars and/ or acid have been allowed to build up and attack the enamel of the teeth. Abrasion happens when an area of the tooth has been worn away, and erosion occurs when the enamel has begun to dissolve due to the direct effects of acid on the tooth. This can be seen for example if you consistently eat lots of citrus fruits, suffer with stomach acid reflux or vomit on a regular basis.

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August 11th, 2012

Tooth sensitivity is a relatively common problem and can range from mild discomfort to sharp, sudden, shooting pain. It is triggered by a range of factors including eating or drinking something hot or cold, sweet or sour or it can be as simple as just breathing in cold air.

Causes of sensitive teeth
In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth- the part above the gum line. Under the gum line a layer called cementum protects the root of the tooth. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the tooth enamel or the cementum is compromised and the dentine is exposed.

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August 11, 2012

Dentures, bridges and implants, are the three options that are available to replace missing teeth. In this article I want to focus on dentures (‘false teeth’), which are removable devices that can replace one, several or all of your teeth.

There are several factors that will determine whether dentures are the best solution for you. Your dentist will be able to advise you but in general a denture might the most suitable route for you if, i) there has been significant loss of bone, ii) the remaining teeth are failing, iii) budget is limited.