Medical Vision Dental

The goal of the procedures of a periodontist aims for the treatment of gum diseases. There are now several procedures used by periodontists to diagnose periodontal diseases. Periodontists are also dentists who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases.

The following are some of the procedures being performed by periodontists:

• Non-surgical treatments

Procedures such as scaling and planing are often done through non-surgical periodontal treatments followed by adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antimicrobials and host modulation, needed in a case-to-case basis. However, non-surgical therapy has its limitations, where if it does not achieve periodontal health, surgery may be suggested to remedy the dental problem caused by periodontal diseases and likewise, to facilitate oral hygiene practices.

• Periodontal Surgery

This procedure is recommended if your periodontist diagnosed you with  periodontal disease. This is necessary when your periodontist determines that the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired by non-surgical treatment. The common surgical treatments most periodontists use are: Pocket Reduction Procedures, Regenerative Procedures, Crown Lengthening, and Soft Tissue Grafts.

• Dental Implants

A dental implant is actually an artificial tooth root periodontists use to place into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Without affecting the bordering teeth, the implants can replace one or more teeth, support a bridge, eliminate the need for removable partial denture, and provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

• Cosmetic Procedures

Periodontal plastic surgery provides cosmetic-related surgery to help making smiles last a lifetime, which is similar to cosmetic surgery. Most periodontal scenarios that call for periodontal cosmetic surgery are uneven gum line, long/exposed roots, missing teeth, and indentions in the gums and jawbone.

These periodontal procedures were created or generated with the goal of maintaining excellent dental and oral health. It addresses dental issues that would need treatment for gum conditions and even the prevention of gum diseases. Ft. Lauderdale dentists also have a team of fully equipped periodontists that can provide relevant information you may need in regards to periodontal procedures. You may also visit www.sleepdentists.com for your inquiries.

Parents are always observant with their children’s health. From the common colds, fever, wound infections and a whole lot more. They even monitor how many teeth are already coming out. When the child reaches toddler stage, parents employ a set of dental care procedures because even young children are prone to tooth decay and other oral health diseases.

We are all aware that children start with their temporary teeth. Actually, we all do.Just because it’s temporary, it holds less importance. Aside from helping them chew their food better and allowing them to pronounce words properly, temporary teeth have a big reason why they stay there.They save the space for the permanent teeth to occupy.

Once the baby tooth is lost at an earlier stage – either to decay or accident – there is a tendency for the teeth beside it to drift to one side and create an empty space. If this happens, there is a possibility that there may not be adequate space for the permanent teeth to occupy when they come out. This condition may eventually result to crooked or crowded teeth which has to be re-aligned using braces. Not everyone is overly enthused to wear braces – it’s uncomfortable aside from the fact that it’s expensive.

With children’s tooth decay, sometimes infection occurs from decayed baby teeth that may harm the permanent teeth developing underneath. Cavities may not result to immediate pain but sometimes your kids might be hurting at some point without you knowing it. You need to pay attention on how your kids are feeling whenever they say something related to their teeth.  Take note that untreated tooth decay has a tendency to aggravate and become more severe and before you know it, root canal or tooth extraction is inevitable.

The above dental scenarios are quite common to parents, which is why there are preventive measures designed by dental specialists to address these issues.  Parents just need to implement it properly or better yet, monitor the children’s dental habits and hygiene.

For more information about dental care and general dentistry, contact our Ft Lauderdale dentists at sleepdentists.com.

One of the most common human anxieties of all times is dental anxiety.  I may say that almost everyone had undergone this stage way back since childhood. Pain is actually always the first thing that comes to our mind whenever we hear the terms dentists or dental. It’s always the experienced memorable pain that leaves a mark.  We even tell our painful stories to our children or to any kids younger than us. I actually do this, however I do not put emphasis on the real pain.  I told my kids how every tooth was extracted by different dentists and I shared how I exited each dental session with every dentist that I have encountered.

So being a parent who wants to help his or her kids overcome this dental anxiety during their dental visits, you can start with moral support, where you accompany them in their dental visits, just making them feel secure by being visible inside the clinic until the session is over. For them to feel comfortable, any motivating gestures will do. Having your own family dentist really helps a lot. With an existing family relationship, dental anxiety actually reduces once the kids know that the dentist is a family friend. Relationship plays a significant role in minimizing dental anxiety. With regard to their fears, relationship alone breaks the ice and entices the kiids to open up. In this manner, the treating dentist is informed of the child's fear even before starting the treatment.  If there is no family dentist available, you can get recommendations from your friends or relatives who can refer a supportive dentist for your kids that will help you overcome the dental anxiety problem. Having a shortlist of dentists to serve as a stand by until your kids feel comfortable in their sessions is also a better idea.  Good relationship also leads to good communication and at the same time, reduces the apprehension to the extent of eliminating dental anxiety of kids.

Take note as well that dentistry alone has advanced really far in terms of alleviating pain in every session.  Their sedation techniques now are provided by bundles of choices where the patients are now free to choose what sedation technique they would like to be conducted in their session. Having sedation procedures more adaptable to kids’ ages, the innovative techniques are now more appropriate and less afflictive.

On top of the scientific advancement of dentistry, psychotherapeutic techniques were also added to further reduce dental anxiety. Since children see the instruments that the dentists use on them, dental clinics now have audio music available to distract children’s focus on the instruments that would indicate pain when used. moreover, scheduling regular meetings with their family dentists is a behavioral psychotherapy that parents are now using in helping their children lessen their dental anxiety. This pychological intervention includes frequency and fmiliarity as basic variables.

Dental anxiety is just now of the most common anxieties we have our lives but you can actually witness how science moves in to help us out face these kinds of fears.  Our team of Ft. Lauderdale dentists provide a fine selection of information with regard to dental anxiety and how it is appropriately dealt with.  You can visit sleepdentists.com for details.

Getting anxious during a dental visit may seem silly to some. But there are people whose anxiety levels increase tremendously at the thought of dental appointments, let alone an upcoming dental procedure. These patients may have gone through a traumatic experience in the past or they simply have a low tolerance for pain. Further, hard to restrain children who are obviously anxious about going through the dental treatment are unable to stay put in the dental chair for a long period. There is a solution to reduce the anxiety and calm the patient during dental visits and treatments: sedation and sleep dentistry.

Administering these dental techniques depends on the patient’s needs and the type of procedure he’ll go through. Local anesthetics are typically used to numb the area so that you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the treatment. There are two kinds of anesthetics utilized in dentistry today: topical and injectable. Topical anesthetics are applied on the gum using a swab or an adhesive patch. Usually, this lessens the pricking sensation the patients experience when an injectable anesthesia is used. On the other hand, injectable anesthesia is employed to alleviate pain in the area where the procedure will take place. It blocks the nerve endings and temporarily numb the tissues around the mouth. Injectables are administered during root canals, tooth extraction and other tooth restoration procedures.

Despite the introduction of anesthetics to reduce the pain and discomfort, some patients need to deal with anxiety which local and injectable anesthetics don’t provide. In such cases, the dentist will use anti-anxiety medication or sedatives to provide relief for anxious patients. Conscious sedation can be administered through pills, gas or intravenous injection. Two of the most common sedatives are nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation.

Nitrous oxide or commonly known as laughing gas or happy gas is administered by mixing it with oxygen and inhaled through a breathing mask. The sedative properties wears off once the mask is taken off. Intravenous sedation is generally administered in the vein on the arm. After a few minutes, the patient will be put in a relaxed state; breathing on his own and is able to respond to verbal commands.

As a patient, you need to openly discuss your dental anxiety concerns with your dentist. There are options available to you such as conscious sedation that can help alleviate the discomfort and anxiety levels during dental treatment and procedure.

Leff, Weiss and Walde DDS are a team of Ft Lauderdale dentists specializing in sedation dentistry. To know the dental solutions available for anxious patients, visit sleepdentists.com.

Dental phobia is not a myth. There are patients who are unable to undergo any dental procedure without the assistance of sedation medication. The degree of phobia varies in each patient. One patient may experience mild symptoms such as profuse sweating, butterflies and nausea while others may display extreme anxiety that include increased heartbeat and panic spells. Dental phobics needing immediate dental care are the best candidates for sleep dentistry.

With sleep dentistry procedure, the dentist utilizes anesthetic drugs to put the patient in a deep level of complete sleep. With this method, the patient does not feel any pain nor has any memory of the treatment.

Anesthesia is administered by using anesthetic drugs. In addition, inhalation agents such as nitrous oxide or happy gas may be administered to assist the patient in going through different levels of relaxation and until he reaches the state of complete sleep. With general anesthesia, the patient will not hear, smell or feel any pain during the procedure. The state of deep, complete sleep blocks all memories and inhibits normal body reflexes to pain making the procedure easy for the dentist to perform.  

In the past, sleep dentistry procedures are done in a hospital setting where it is more equipped to handle sleep dentistry procedures. Today, innovation in dental care technology allow the patient to have the dental work procedure at the dentist’s clinic. The effects of anesthesia can last for hours after the treatment. The patient will be allowed to leave the dental clinics once he is fully awake.

If you want to learn more about sleep dentistry options, visit our Ft Lauderdale dentists at sleepdentists.com. Our team of dentists and oral surgeons has general anesthesia permits from the state of Florida and our office facilities meet the state requirements for the administration of general anesthesia.

Do you know that gum disease and not tooth decay is the major cause of tooth loss among adults? Periodontal or gum disease is caused by bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, an estimated 80 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. Often painless, people who have gum disease are not even aware that they already have it.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should visit your periodontist for a periodontal evaluation.

• Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
• Swollen and tender gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between the teeth and gums
• Mouth sores that don’t heal after two weeks
• Change in the way your teeth fit together

There are different forms of periodontal diseases. It could be a mild case like gingivitis wherein the gums become red, swollen and bleeds easily. Gingivitis is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. Further, untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. In this case, the plaque spreads below the gum line and the bacteria from the plaque irritate the gums. As the disease progresses, the gums separate from the teeth forming pockets (spaces between the gums and teeth). The more gum tissue is destroyed, the deeper the pocket becomes. The unfortunate end result of the diseased gum is tooth loss.

How can we prevent periodontal disease?

Proper brushing and flossing everyday helps remove the plaque from your teeth. Regular dental appointments are also important. You should have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at least twice a year to remove the calculus from the spaces in between your teeth and gum lines your toothbrush and floss may have missed.

Using the right kind of dental care products is as important as regular brushing and flossing. Here are some general guidelines that work for most patients:

• Choose a soft bristled toothbrush that allows you to reach every surface of your tooth. Change brush as needed.
• Massage the gums using the rubber tip found on the end of the handle of the toothbrush.
• You may also use interproximal toothbrush and interdental cleaners to clean the plaque between the teeth.  Consult with your periodontist before using these dental aids because these can injure the gums when used improperly.

To learn more about periodontal disease and treatment, visit our Ft. Lauderdale dentists at sleepdentists.com.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge not only restores your smile, it also balances the normal bite, prevents the other teeth from moving/tilting, prevents the onset of decay and prevents undue stress to the dental ridge. Dental bridges literally mean bridging the gap between missing teeth. It’s made up of two crowns anchored on the teeth on either side or both sides of the gap. The false tooth called pontic is attached between the two crowns to fill the area of the missing tooth.

There are three kinds of dental bridges:

1. Traditional bridges
This type of bridge creates a crown on opposing sides of the missing tooth with the pontic in between. Traditional bridges are the most common bridges. They are usually made from porcelain attached to metal or ceramic.

2. Cantilever bridges
Cantilever bridges are used when the adjacent teeth is only one side of the missing tooth.

3. Maryland bonded bridges
This bridge is composed of plastic teeth and gums supprted by a metal framework. The metal wings on each side of the bridge are fused to the existing teeth.

Dental bridges usually require two visits to your dentist. The first visit involves the preparation of the abutment teeth, re-contouring of the teeth where the crown will be placed and making an impression of the teeth which will serve as the model for the pontic, crown and bridge. The dentist will prepare a temporary bridge for you to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made. On the next visit, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge and replace it with the permanent bridge.

Make sure to practice good oral hygiene and have regular check-ups with the dentist to ensure that your fixed bridge will last for years.Bridges need extra care because the build up of bacteria on the treated area will cause infection such as gingivitis.

If you want to learn more about dental bridges, consult with our Ft Lauderdale dentists for treatment options.

Dental caries when left untreated progress into the tooth’s soft core (dental pulp) causing the bacteria to develop abscess or pus pocket at the root tip. When the infected pulp is not removed, this will cause pain and swelling. Also, certain byproducts of the infection can damage your jawbones and without immediate treatment, this could also result to extraction. Endodontics or root canal procedure can save the diseased tooth. Nowadays, having a root canal is a better option than losing your tooth permanently to extraction. 

In the past, root canals are associated with pain and a lot of trips to the dentist. If the tooth demands complex procedure, the root canal can take hours. Imagine sitting for an extended period of time on the patient dental chair plus the enervating thought of the excruciating pain that comes along with the procedure. Some patients really cringe at the thought of the procedure. The good news is developments in dental technology has made root canal procedures faster and more comfortable on the patient. You can have a pain-free root canal with fewer visits to the dentist through sleep and sedation dentistry.

During the treatment, the dentist will put you in a complete relaxed state by administering sedation medication. The gravity of the diseased tooth plus the amount of dental work required to carry out the procedure will determine the levels of sedation and anesthesia that will be utilized. In addition, the profile of the patient is a factor on the type of sedation to be administered on the patient. Case in point: when a patient experiences high levels of anxiety or is dental phobic, the dentist will utilize sleep dentistry therapy. With this treatment, general anesthesia is administered through intravenous medication and/or inhalation agents, if necessary. This will put the patient in a complete unconscious state. 

On the one hand, in the case of adult patients who want to finish the root canal with fewer visits, the dentist may recommend conscious sedation technique. This treatment employs the use of intravenous agents and if necessary, laughing gas to help relax the patient. Unlike general anesthesia therapy that puts the patient in deep sleep with no recall of the procedure, patients treated with conscious sedation usually have little memory of the procedure being performed.

In sum, root canals do not have to be painful as it used to be. There are alternatives available to alleviate the anxiety and the pain associated with the procedure. If you find yourself needing a root canal work soon, talk to your dentist about the best option to make the procedure more comfortable and of course, painless as much as possible. 

For more information on sedation dentistry visit the Ft Lauderdale Dentists at sleepdentists.com.