What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease (or periodontitis or gum disease) occurs when the toxins found in plaque begin to irritate or inflame the gum tissue. It can eventually lead to the destruction of the gum tissue and underlying bone, resulting in tooth loss.
What are periodontal symptoms?
What is gingivitis?
A bacterial infection that can occur when toxins found in plaque begin to irritate or inflame the gum tissue.
What causes gum recession?
Periodontal diseases are some of the common causes as well as hormonal changes, aggressive tooth brushing, smoking, teeth grinding and having a misaligned bite. Early treatment with a thorough cleaning to remove any tar and bacteria that has accumulated on the affected area is key. For more serious cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.
What is dental prophylaxis?
Prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth in order to slow the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis. Benefits include: tartar removal, fresher breath, aesthetics, and detection of health issues such as diabetes and kidney problems.
How is a digital x-ray different from a traditional x-ray?
Digital x-ray technology uses electronic sensors (instead of x-ray film) to capture and store the digital image on a computer. These images can be viewed immediately by your dentist and can be enlarged to help detect problems easier. They are safer to use because they reduce radiation exposure by up to 90%. A full mouth series of dental x-rays is usually good for 3-5 years. Partial x-rays are recommended every year to detect new dental issues.
What is a tooth sealant?
A thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves to prevent tooth decay.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the grinding of the teeth and the clenching of the jaw that occurs mostly while sleeping.
The clenching and grinding are symptomatic of a malfunctioning chewing reflex, which is normally turned off at night. Common symptoms may include: earache, depression, headaches, eating disorders and anxiety.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign Clear Aligners are clear, removable trays that re-align teeth in as little as 18 months. They are easily removable for eating, brushing, and flossing. Invisalign treats a variety of dental conditions including: overbite, gaps, crowded teeth, underbite, crossbite and malocclusion.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth, often made of titanium, that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. They are a great solution to replace missing a single missing tooth or many teeth so that you do not need removable partial or complete dentures.
What is a crown?
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Some common reasons for crowns include broken or fractured teeth, cosmetic enhancement, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, large fillings and teeth that has had a root canal.
What are dentures?
A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used to fill in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Ongoing disrupted breathing causes an imbalance between the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the bloodstream. In some cases, a simple oral appliance can help this condition.
Periodontal disease (or periodontitis or gum disease) occurs when the toxins found in plaque begin to irritate or inflame the gum tissue. It can eventually lead to the destruction of the gum tissue and underlying bone, resulting in tooth loss.
What are periodontal symptoms?
- Unexplained bleeding – while brushing, flossing or eating
- Pain, redness or swelling – may signal an infection. Treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from being carried into the bloodstream and to other areas of the body.
- Longer-looking teeth – gum recession caused by bacteria often gives you a more “toothy” smile.
- Bad breath (halitosis) – deeper gum pockets hold debris and bacteria that cause a foul odor.
- Loose teeth or a change in your bite pattern – with the degradation of bone tissue, you may notice teeth that become loose or shift position.
- Pus – a sign that your body trying to fight a bacterial infection.
What is gingivitis?
A bacterial infection that can occur when toxins found in plaque begin to irritate or inflame the gum tissue.
What causes gum recession?
Periodontal diseases are some of the common causes as well as hormonal changes, aggressive tooth brushing, smoking, teeth grinding and having a misaligned bite. Early treatment with a thorough cleaning to remove any tar and bacteria that has accumulated on the affected area is key. For more serious cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.
What is dental prophylaxis?
Prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth in order to slow the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis. Benefits include: tartar removal, fresher breath, aesthetics, and detection of health issues such as diabetes and kidney problems.
How is a digital x-ray different from a traditional x-ray?
Digital x-ray technology uses electronic sensors (instead of x-ray film) to capture and store the digital image on a computer. These images can be viewed immediately by your dentist and can be enlarged to help detect problems easier. They are safer to use because they reduce radiation exposure by up to 90%. A full mouth series of dental x-rays is usually good for 3-5 years. Partial x-rays are recommended every year to detect new dental issues.
What is a tooth sealant?
A thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves to prevent tooth decay.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the grinding of the teeth and the clenching of the jaw that occurs mostly while sleeping.
The clenching and grinding are symptomatic of a malfunctioning chewing reflex, which is normally turned off at night. Common symptoms may include: earache, depression, headaches, eating disorders and anxiety.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign Clear Aligners are clear, removable trays that re-align teeth in as little as 18 months. They are easily removable for eating, brushing, and flossing. Invisalign treats a variety of dental conditions including: overbite, gaps, crowded teeth, underbite, crossbite and malocclusion.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth, often made of titanium, that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. They are a great solution to replace missing a single missing tooth or many teeth so that you do not need removable partial or complete dentures.
What is a crown?
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Some common reasons for crowns include broken or fractured teeth, cosmetic enhancement, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, large fillings and teeth that has had a root canal.
What are dentures?
A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used to fill in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Ongoing disrupted breathing causes an imbalance between the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the bloodstream. In some cases, a simple oral appliance can help this condition.