WHY DO I NEED DENTAL X-RAYS

                    

                       DENTAL X-RAYS

During your first dental visit, you would have been asked to take a dental x-ray. This question may cross your mind before, “I only want to get my teeth cleaned, why do I need to take an x-ray?”

There are two main reasons why dental x-rays are required during your regular dental check-ups:

Firstly, they facilitate accurate diagnosis. In order to give you a thorough and detailed update of your dental condition, dentists require more than just a visual examination. An x-ray offers approximately 60% more information. With the help of a dental x-rays, dentists can accurately diagnose and treat any detected issues early, before the condition worsens. This helps to save patients from having to go through complex and costly procedures.

Secondly, dental x-rays allows dentists to see the unseen. We use it to examine what is happening in between the teeth, underneath the gums, teeth roots and supporting bone. This process reveals the extent of tooth decay, bone loss, presence of cysts/tumors, buried wisdom teeth/extra teeth and so on. These issues cannot be seen with the naked eye and hence a dental x-ray is essential.

What are the types of dental x-rays?

We mainly use the following types of dental x-rays:

1.    Panoramic – full mouth

2.    Periapical – zoomed in to show entire single tooth (crown to root) for

3.    Bitewing – a few upper and lower teeth (exposed surface of teeth)

4.    Cephalometric projections – side view of entire head for orthodontic and jaw related treatments

5.    Cone beam computed tomography – 3-dimensional images of dental structures, soft tissue, nerves, and bone for dental surgery related cases like cysts and dental implants.

FULL MOUTH X-RAY

PERIAPICAL RADIOGRAPH

BITEWING RADIOGRAPH

LATERAL CEPHALOMETRIC PROJECTION

How often do I need to take dental x-rays?

Depending on the dental needs of patients, this differs for different individuals.

It is essential for every patient’s first visit to our dental clinic. If you have already taken an x-ray in the last six months, you may send it to us via email so that you do not have to take it again.

After which, if your oral hygiene and routine care is good and no dental issues are presented in the following dental check-ups, there is no need to take another x-ray at least for another two years.

However, if any dental issues are presented such as toothache or swelling, then there will be a need to take a new dental x-ray for examination.

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,
Chennai - 600 097,
Phone :- 9786688755 

Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Web:- www.rootzdentalcare.in 

SENSITIVE TEETH

                  TOOTH SENSITIVITY

      Tooth sensitivity also known as dentin hypersensitivity - affects the tooth or exposed root surfaces. This occurs when the enamel that protects our teeth gets thinner, or when gum recession occurs, exposing the underlying surface, the dentin, thus, reducing the protection of  enamel and gums provide to the tooth and root. Tooth sensitivity affects up to 57% of the population.

Signs & Symptoms

                 If hot, cold, sweet or very acidic foods and drinks, or breathing in cold air, makes your teeth or a tooth sensitive or painful then you may have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity can come and go over time.

Causes

There are many causes of tooth sensitivity, including:

1) Worn tooth enamel from using a hard toothbrush or brushing too aggressively.

   2) Tooth erosion due to highly acidic foods and beverages.
  3) Tooth erosion due to bulimia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  4) Gum recession that leaves your root surface exposed.

  5) Tooth attrition due to bruxism and malocclusions.
  6) Broken tooth where dentin gets exposed.
  7) Dental caries involving the dentin.

BROKEN TOOTH

TOOTH ATTRITION

DENTAL CARIES

TOOTH ABRASION

TOOTH EROSION

GUM RECESSION

Diagnosis 

        Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding and causing sensitive-tooth pain. If you brush your teeth incorrectly, or over-brush, your gums may become sensitive. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine.

Prevention

Brushing properly twice daily for 2 minutes with toothpaste that does not have high levels of abrasives, and flossing once a day, can help reduce the chance of tooth sensitivity. A diet low in acidic foods and drinks also helps prevent tooth sensitivity.

Treatment

In addition to recommending toothpaste without high levels of abrasives, your dentist may prescribe an at-home, brush-on fluoride gel or a fluoride rinse, or high fluoride level toothpaste specially formulated to make your teeth less sensitive and provide extra protection against decay. Other treatments — such as fluoride varnishes — can be painted onto the teeth to provide added protection.

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,
Chennai - 600 097,
Phone :- 9786688755 

Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Web:- www.rootzdentalcare.in 

KNOW ABOUT STAGES OF DECAY

               STAGES OF DENTAL CARIES

                 From when we are very young, we are told to brush our teeth twice a day, control our sugar intake and floss regularly  otherwise, we will get cavities. But what is a cavity? And is the drill-and-fill method the only way of treating dental caries?

          Actually decay or dental caries is a consequence of bacterial activity on the surfaces of our teeth. Our mouth is home to millions of bacterial species, both “good” and “bad”. A particularly sugary diet feeds the bacteria that produce acid, and this in turn promotes dental caries.

                Cavities are common in children and adults alike and can compromise your oral health. Treatment should begin before a painful visit to your dentist is needed. 

Dental caries is caused by several factors, including but not limited to:

• Repeated intake of sweet sticky foods especially in between meal times.
• Inadequate removal of plaque – not brushing or flossing efficiently.
• Decreased defence factors such as inadequate saliva (dry mouth).
• Old fillings with leaky margins.

          All of these factors will initiate the process of dental caries, which occurs in several stages.

Stage 1: White spots

The first stage of tooth decay shows itself as yellowish or chalky white spots on the surface of your tooth. This is due to the loss of calcium. At this stage, the decay is treated with  the application of fluoride and minerals present in the saliva.

Stage 2: Enamel deterioration

             At this stage, the enamel of your tooth starts to break down. 

This happens underneath the surface layer. At this stage, early intervention with topical fluoride or specialised products can restore minerals back into the tooth structure and thus prevent the lesion from getting any further. 

This is termed remineralisation, or arresting of dental caries.

Stage 3: Dentin decay

           If the cavity is left untreated, the decay will progress beyond the enamel and starts to impact the dentin, or core of your tooth,this is where the pain begins.
The dentin layer of teeth contains a direct link to the nerve of the tooth and now the tooth may become sensitive to cold or sweetness. 

         Unfortunately, once dental caries is in the dentin zone, remineralisation is not possible and a filling will be required.

Stage 4: Pulp infection

                When the pulp, or tooth nerve, becomes infected due to the presence of bacteria caused by the decay, pus begins to form and the blood vessels and nerves in the pulp to die.

At this stage, root canal therapy is often the only treatment.

Stage 5: Abscess formation

      During this final stage, the infection reaches the root tip of the tooth and the bones surrounding the tooth can also become infected. At this stage, pain is severe, you may have visible swelling in your cheek and antibiotics may be prescribed to fight the infection. Root canal therapy or tooth removal is the treatment when infection has progressed to this stage.

Don’t let it come to this!

It is relatively easy to prevent severe tooth infection. Preventative care starts with regular brushing and flossing. Twice yearly visits to the dentist are also important as:

•     Professional cleanings will enhance the work you do at home
•     Your dentist or hygienist can often catch cavities at stage 1 or 2.

CONCLUSION:

Along with good oral hygiene and diet, it is important for us to have regular checkups and upto date X-rays. In this way we are able to catch any cavities in the early stages, where remineralisation is still possible. In this age of minimal-intervention dentistry, prevention of dental caries is a priority.

“Beautiful teeth are a benefit everyone can enjoy”

Rootz Dental Care and implant center has specialists with proven expertise in Aesthetic and Restorative dentistry.This offering from Rootz is primarily to benefit patients from OMR, Thoraipakkam, Perungudi, Neelankarai, Palavakkam, Injambakkam etc .For more information regarding treatments contact us today.

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,
Chennai - 600 097,
Phone :- 9786688755 

Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Web:- www.rootzdentalcare.in 

PREGNANCY AND ORAL CARE : WHY ?

                          ORAL CARE IN PREGNANCY

Being pregnant affects nearly every aspect of your life, including your oral health.

 There is a myth that teeth lose massive amounts of calcium during pregnancy because it’s being moved to somewhere in the body to support the growing baby but this is not true. Rather, most dental changes that happen during pregnancy are caused by hormonal changes in the body.
    The condition of your gums may affect your pregnancy and the health of your baby.And preventing tooth decay in your own mouth can help your baby have healthier teeth, too. After your little bundle of joy joins the world, their oral health is in your hands.

COMMON ORAL PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY:

Oral lesions-
           During pregnancy, the oral cavity is exposed more often to gastric acid that can erode dental enamel. Morning sickness is a common cause early in pregnancy.

TOOTH EROSIONS ON LINGUAL SIDE

Management strategies aim to reduce oral acid exposure through dietary and lifestyle changes, plus the use of anti-emetics, antacids, or both. Fluoride mouthwash can protect eroded or sensitive teeth.

Caries-

DENTAL CARIES

           Pregnant women are at higher risk of tooth decay for several reasons, including increased acidity in the oral cavity, sugary dietary cravings and limited attention to oral health. Children of mothers who have high caries levels are more likely to get caries.

Pregnant patients should decrease their risk of caries by brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and limiting sugary foods. 
   Patients with untreated caries and associated complications should be referred to a dentist for definitive treatment.

PREGNANCY GRANULOMA

Pregnancy granuloma-
         This is a growth on the gums that occurs in 2% to 10% of pregnant women.It is not a cancerous condition and is not dangerous, but can be uncomfortable. They are often found near the upper gum line.
        The tumors are usually left untreated because they resolve on their own after the child's birth, but if it interferes with a woman's ability to eat or care for her teeth, the dentist may elect to remove it.

Gingivitis-        Gingivitis is the most common oral disease in pregnancy. Approximately one half of women with preexisting gingivitis have significant exacerbation during pregnancy.

PREGNANCY GINGIVITIS

     Gingivitis is inflammation of the superficial gum tissue. During pregnancy, gingivitis is aggravated by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels in combination with changes in oral flora and a decreased immune response.                    Thorough oral hygiene measures, including tooth brushing and flossing, are recommended. Patients with severe gingivitis may require professional cleaning and need to use mouth rinses.

Dry mouth-
        To help dry mouth, drink plenty of water. You can use sugarless candy or gum to stimulate your saliva flow. This sugar substitute also destroys cavity causing bacteria.

DENTAL CARE DURING PREGNANCY:

Screening and prevention
           Every pregnant woman should be assessed for dental hygiene habits, access to fluoridated water, oral problems and access to dental care. Oral examination should include the teeth, gums, tongue, palate, and mucosa. Patients should be counseled to perform routine brushing and flossing, to avoid excessive amounts of sugary snacks and drinks, and to consult a dentist.

Diagnosis
        Dental radiography may be performed in pregnancy for acute diagnostic purposes. When possible, radiography should be delayed until after the first trimester. Modern fast film, avoidance of retakes, and use of lead aprons and thyroid shields all limit risk.

Routine dental treatment
           Ideally, dental procedures should be scheduled during the second trimester of pregnancy when organogenesis is complete. The third trimester presents the additional problems of positional discomfort and the risk of venacaval compression. Propping a woman on her left side, repositioning often, and keeping visits brief can reduce problems.

Medicines
          Avoid self medication for dental pain, this could affect the child during pregnancy. Your dentist will know what to prescribe or will discuss it with your obstetrician.

CONCLUSION:
               Nevertheless, pregnancy is a time when women may be more motivated to make healthy changes.Physicians can address maternal oral issues, potentially reducing the risk of preterm birth and childhood caries through oral disease prevention, diagnosis, early management, and dental referral.

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,
Chennai - 600 097,
Phone :- 9786688755 

Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Web:- www.rootzdentalcare.in 

GAPS BETWEEN FRONT TEETH

   TREATING GAPS BETWEEN FRONT TEETH

Gaps between front teeth are commonly seen in children and adults. Spacing seen  in the milk teeth in children is quite normal and good, because the space will accommodate the larger permanent teeth .In permanent teeth, however it is a defect and needs to be corrected. 

Why do they occur?

·  Teeth are small but jaw size is large, thus leading to generalized spacing.

·  A thick band of tissue (frenal attachment) from the upper lip may get attached between the upper incisors, thus causing spacing between them.

HIGH FRENAL ATTACHMENT

·  Habits like thumb sucking, lip biting etc.

·  It could be hereditary problem.

Why do gaps have to be closed?

•    Gaps between the teeth give you a very unpleasant smile.

•     Food tends to get caught between the teeth and this leads to bad smell, tartar formation, which in  turn weakens the gums and reduces the bone support.

•     Constant food accumulation can also lead to cavities between adjacent teeth.

What can be done?

•     Small gaps between the front teeth can be filled up with tooth colored filling material by increasing the width of the teeth marginally. The filling material merges perfectly with the natural tooth color.

• 

BEFORE AND AFTER COMPOSITE BUILD UP

                Slightly larger gaps can be closed by placing crowns. For this the natural teeth are reduced in size on all the sides and slightly larger crowns are placed to mask the defect.

BEFORE AND AFTER PORCELAIN VENEERING

                If you do not want to affect the size of the teeth, orthodontic treatment is preferred. This may be fixed or removable depending on the precise problem with your teeth and jaw, the duration of treatment close spaces may vary from six months to more than a year, followed by retainers.

BEFORE AND AFTER ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

    CONCLUSION:

                            Removal of the etiologic agent usually can be initiated upon diagnosis and after sufficient development of the central incisors. Tooth movement usually is deferred until eruption of the permanent canines, but can begin early in certain cases with very large diastema. Timing often is important to achieve satisfactory results.

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center, 

No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,
Chennai - 600 097,
Phone :- 9786688755 

Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Web:- www.rootzdentalcare.in