For general and cosmetic dentists, complex dental restorations can be a tedious, intensive, but worthwhile process, as these treatments are vitally important for protecting your oral health from further damage and decay. When faced with multiple dental problems, complex restorations are a multi-tiered treatment mode that helps patients address all of those problems. These problems can include malocclusion, dental decay, periodontal disease, and missing teeth all within one sitting, and for dentists tackling these issues, it’s important to educate patients on their ability to provide them with the treatments they need to have a healthier, aesthetically pleasing smile.
Complex restorations, as stated in the title, are complex. It involves the cooperation of dentists from multiple specialties to complete, including endodontists, cosmetic dentists, and even periodontists, to provide patients with the treatments they need. This is because patients can have dental problems that compound and build upon one another, leading to cases of severe deterioration and tooth loss that requires significant amounts of care.
However, most of the causes for needing this type of treatment tend to result from other health conditions, which can include:
Because of these causes, severe deterioration and the complexity of the patient’s health problems determines what treatments and outcomes they will receive. It’s in these cases that treatments such as tooth extractions, dentures, gum disease treatment, implants, and other forms of restoration are used to provide care. By combining these treatments and heavy cooperation with dentists, we can restore your mouth back to health and provide you with a new, beautiful smile.
Dentists and orthodontists often help patients straighten their teeth using a variety of devices, with one of those devices being temporary anchorage devices. These devices are screw-like implants that are typically composed of titanium and are placed inside the mouth to provide a stable, fixed point to aid tooth movement. Anchorages are vital for tooth movement, and for patients wishing to learn more about how tooth movement works, it’s important to understand how these devices use force to correct a malocclusion.
Our tooth movement is our body’s natural response to sources of outside pressure placed on our teeth over a period of time. When pressure is applied, the bones and connective tissues respond by adapting to that new position. In traditional treatment, brackets, wires, and elastics are placed onto the teeth, and as time passes, the wires apply pressure onto your teeth towards an ideal bite.
However, in more complex cases of tooth misalignment, the brackets and wires used in traditional braces may not be enough to complete treatment. Temporary anchorage devices provide a form of anchorage that doesn’t necessarily rely on the teeth for pressure and movement. These devices are a form of bone anchorage that provides a faster form of tooth movement by replacing certain teeth with temporary mini-implants, which offer an alternative anchorage point for tooth movement.
Because TADS operate differently from traditional braces, they come with multiple benefits, especially for those who face more complex tooth problems. These benefits include:
TADs in their design are similar to any dental implant but don’t need to osseointegration process, meaning they can be used and then extracted with ease to prepare for other procedures, including crowns, veneers, and bridges. These devices require minimal effort to install and are pain-free for the patient. For more information about TADs, the best place to go to is your primary dentist for a consultation.
When people talk about digital technology, most people start thinking of AI-based devices, robotics, and maybe the latest smartphone. But digital technology applies to more than just business infrastructure or the devices found in your home. In the field of dentistry, digital technology has been making cosmetic and restorative treatments more accessible than ever before. Dental practices these days rely on technology to keep up with the latest treatment methods, but more importantly, these forms of technology have become so crucial that it’s ultimately revolutionized the way patients experience dental care now.
Digital technology shines at the dentist in ways you’d least expect it. The computers we use today help document patient information and medical history, allowing us to scan documents and submit them to the appropriate channels for insurance approval and treatment planning. Teledentistry, which relies on digital technology, helps communicate with patients about their appointments, initial patient forms, and other treatments available to them when scheduling dental checkups. Alongside that, devices like smartphones have made it easier than ever for people to communicate with their medical providers about their treatments, insurance coverage, and other facets of their medical care.
In the office, the amount of technology used in today’s practices is even more involved. For instance, dental imaging produces images through the use of intraoral scanners. These scanners create 3D images that can view tooth structures at any angle and can be easily transferred to other healthcare professionals. Alongside this, the dentist can clearly point out problem areas and discuss treatment approaches by providing more digital means of explanation. Digital technology in these cases truly shines when attempting to set expectations for treatment outcomes and expands on concepts related to mock-ups, demonstrations, and outcome previews for restorations.
Intraoral scanners are just one instance of how digital technology has influenced dentistry. Among these devices, 3D printers, irrigation systems, cone beam computerization, and other means all essentially improve when introduced to digital technology, and for patients, digital technology helps:
Innovation is the primary area of interest when it comes to dental technology, and through the constant introduction of newer systems and methods of treatment, dentists can better predict what patient results will ultimately look like and help patients make decisions with more confidence. For the latest in dental treatment, please speak with your dentist during your appointment to learn more about how they’re working on designing and improving your treatment plan.
One growing approach to dentistry is known as conservative dentistry. This new approach focuses on using minimally invasive treatment methods. These procedures ensure that you retain as much healthy tissue as possible throughout your treatment. General dentistry covers a broad range of treatments, including restoration and cosmetic care. Throughout the years, there have been innovations in these procedures that were fairly invasive. The tools used were unable to reduce the collateral damage inflicted on healthy tissue. Modern approaches have provided a greater range of options, including minimally invasive treatments.
Potentially one of the most important introductions to the field of dentistry is the dental laser. The dental laser has proven capable of improving the care provided by a significant margin. It provides a level of precision that’s unprecedented in previous tools of its type. Further, it’s incredibly versatile and able to replace many standard dental tools that were previously a treatment standard. Below we’re going to cover a few approaches that the dental laser has changed in general dentistry to provide more conservative options:
These are just an introduction to how the laser dental drill has vastly improved conservative approaches in general dentistry. However, other conservative approaches don’t include the use of the dental laser. Clear aligners are an orthodontic appliance that doesn’t require brackets or wires. Instead, the treatment is accomplished with a removal orthodontic tray that slowly adjusts your teeth.
An increasing number of dental offices are providing a growing range of conservative dental treatments. When possible, they will defer to these treatments to ensure the preservation of healthy dental tissue. The purpose of general dentistry is to maintain your teeth and improve your overall oral health. Conservative dental approaches go a long way to accomplishing this goal. Reach out for a consultation with your dentist today!
For general, family, and pediatric dentists, finding effective means for managing dental pain in children is a high priority to help provide a safe and even enjoyable experience. To alleviate feelings of anxiety and pain in children, many dentists choose a mixture of nitrous oxide as a form of dental anesthesia. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, sweet-smelling gas that’s inhaled and is then used as a sedation option. But is nitrous oxide safe for children? We’re here to explain what nitrous oxide does and how it is still used today to alleviate fears during dental treatment:
Nitrous oxide, also referred to by dentists as a conscious sedative, is considered one of the most used gaseous anesthetics in the world. At least 70% of dental practices use nitrous oxide as a sedative during procedures. This is because when the gas mixture is inhaled, it is absorbed into the lungs and eventually into the brain, where the blood transports it as free gas. Because of how easy it is transported by the blood, it can also be easily removed from the body due to its low solubility. For children in need of dental checkups, nitrous oxide provides a safe delivery method for sedation options, especially for children who have deep phobias of dentists or other conditions affecting their ability to receive treatment.
When under the influence of nitrous oxide, children receiving dental care are often more calm and relaxed throughout the procedure and can help assist with creating a more positive experience during their visit. In addition to this, nitrous oxide provides the following benefits:
Nitrous oxide has been in use since the late 1800s and has a long history of being safe and effective for dental treatments. It is considered the perfect antidote for those suffering from nervousness or anxiety. If you have any further questions about nitrous oxide or other sedative methods for treating dental anxiety, then the best resource you can go to is your local dentist for more information. By calling your dental provider, they can answer all your questions regarding sedation options for your children and other information about treatment options and costs.
Achieving a natural, attractive smile can take work, especially if you are self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth. Most dentists recommend restorative dentistry as a solution to provide that aesthetic appeal. However, this goal can present a real challenge for patients with multiple dental problems, especially if you have misaligned teeth alongside poor enamel strength, heavy discoloration, and excessive plaque buildup. Patients in this scenario may have difficulty choosing what problem to treat first. For dentists, this means deciding on whether or not a restorative treatment or orthodontic treatment will work best.
If your dentists recommend restorative dentistry, then know you’re in great hands, as restorative dentistry can provide numerous benefits to your oral health and can be an excellent way to prep your mouth for orthodontic treatment. Below, we’ll list some of those benefits and give you some ideas on how to best cooperate with your dental team for the smile you want.
For many people, orthodontic treatment prior to restorative treatment is necessary for some patients. Patients who often require orthodontics first tend to experience severely misaligned teeth that prevent dentists from performing restorative procedures. But some cases, restorative treatment can provide better benefits beforehand. Those faced with mild issues such as slightly crooked teeth, discoloration, and poor enamel strength can be corrected more directly with restoration. These benefits include:
Many advancements have been made to help combine certain specialties to increase treatment opportunities for patients. Restorative and orthodontic dentistry can go hand in hand to provide patients with a multi-faceted experience that treats both alignment and aesthetics. By visiting either your restorative or orthodontic dentist, you can expand your care and find ways to get the smile you desire most from your life. Through these efforts, patients can gain better care by cooperating with their dental team for the most optimal results.
Our gums play an important role in preserving the health of our teeth. More than just serving as a source of nourishment, they also protect our teeth against damage. A healthy set of gums also contributes to the aesthetic appeal of our smiles. When our gums are less than healthy or receding, dark triangles are not uncommon to form. These triangles are located where our teeth join closest to the gum. When the gums recede, a gap may form near the base of the tooth, detracting from the beauty of your smile. We’re going to talk about what causes these gaps and what options are available for addressing them.
Black triangles are one of those oral health concerns that don’t get talked about a lot. Some individuals are under the impression that these are natural parts of some individual smiles. Others are simply unaware that they can do something to treat them. Contributing to these misperceptions is the fact that 60% of Americans over the age of 20 have them to some degree. They’re often indicating some underlying oral health concerns, such as poor oral hygiene. However, they can also be the result of something as innocuous as genetic heritage. The most common reasons an individual will develop black dental triangles include:
The vast majority of all cases of dental triangles are the result of poor oral hygiene. When they are brought to a dentist, it’s often due to complaints of cosmetic concerns. The appropriate treatment involves addressing oral hygiene practices and overall oral health. This is why you should consult a dentist if you start seeing the appearance of dental triangles.
The most common approach for treating black triangles starts with a thorough dental cleaning. However, additional steps are often required. The most common approaches include tooth reshaping through bonding and contouring or gingival veneers. Orthodontic care can also effectively reduce the appearance of these black dental triangles. Your dentist can use surgical treatments in serious cases where gum grafts or other approaches are required. If you see dental triangles when you smile in the mirror, reach out to your dentist. They can provide treatment plan options to get your smile looking fantastic again.
Many dentists have begun seeking out specialties in other fields in recent years, with some of the most popular varieties including restorations, cosmetics, and orthodontics. These specializations allow for a greater range of services and allow patients to receive treatments at a more cost-effective rate. Many general dentists have even begun additional training programs to provide these services, and for those interested in orthodontics, it means all-around better care for everyone. We’re here to explore what that means for your care and how you can find the right dentist for your needs.
Most general dentists offer the basic format for dental treatments; dental cleaning, oral examinations, and restorations such as fillings and tooth extractions. In this line of work, general dentists tend to focus on providing basic care prerequisites that most dental insurance companies can cover and offer these treatments as part of preventative initiatives. However, with the onset of cavities and poor dental health rising, many dentists have had to step up to the plate to treat more complex problems such as misalignments, periodontal disease, and necrotic tooth decay.
To counter these issues, many general dentists have begun exploring orthodontics as a potential solution and preventative for these issues. Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that typically deals with misalignments, tooth malformations, poor jaw alignment, and problems that are more intrinsic to people’s oral health. These complex issues often mean that they have to provide long-term solutions such as braces and oral surgeries to correct these problems. But orthodontics provides many benefits for patients due to their preventative measures, hence why many general dentists are beginning to offer orthodontic treatments to patients more effectively.
Because of the introduction of specialties in practices, many practices have begun to offer a greater range of services. Because of this influx in specialization, many patients have begun experiencing more benefits from their visits, including:
Because dentists are becoming more up-to-date with the latest practices and techniques through specialization, patients can also afford to be more selective about their practitioners and expect higher quality experiences. In these cases, patients can search through their insurance providers for dentists within their area that specialize in the treatments they need, all thanks to this budding interest in fields like orthodontics.
You may be surprised to learn that there are times when restoration is necessary for the primary teeth. These teeth, also known as baby teeth, are the first to come in and set the stage for the adult teeth that will arrive later. When these teeth are in danger of falling out or extraction, your dentist may suggest the placement of a crown to save the tooth. Without the primary teeth staying until they naturally are pushed out, the appearance and alignment of adult teeth may be affected.
If you’ve just learned that your child will need a dental crown, it’s time to learn about your options. As with adult crowns, your dentist can use a variety of materials to restore a primary tooth. Which type of material to use is going to depend on a number of factors, including the location of the affected tooth. Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to start the restoration procedure.
The steps involved with restoring a tooth:
Your dentist will provide local anesthesia to ease any discomfort during the procedure. In certain instances, your dentist may offer sedation dentistry options. This is generally done when the child is suffering from dental anxiety or is otherwise unable to cooperate with the procedure.
Your child will need to refrain from eating once the permanent crown has been placed. The period they need to wait isn’t long, no more than it takes for the anesthesia to wear off. They may experience some degree of discomfort once the local sedation wears off. This discomfort may persist for up to 24 hours and is treatable with over-the-counter medication.
Restorations, such as dental crowns, are excellent for preserving important primary teeth. Once the crown is in place, you should ensure that your child continues performing the necessary hygiene practices at home. They should brush twice a day, use mouthwash, and floss at least once a day. You can also ensure that they have healthier snack options available to protect their teeth in the future.
Within the last few years, mail-in braces and aligner kits have become the biggest trend to hit dentistry, or rather, patients wanting orthodontic treatment without the associated costs. In particular, social media has helped expand this type of braces as a viable alternative, where influencers and other social media users often rave about the results they’ve seen from this form of treatment. However, these products can actually produce more harm than good. If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a braces kit, then we’re here to warn you about why you shouldn’t.
Shifting your teeth is a delicate process that takes a lot of time to perform – for many orthodontists, it takes years of training and education even to begin working with patients with signs of crooked teeth. Not only that, orthodontics have to be trained in the products they’re using to prevent the possibility of damage and injury from the devices they use. For patients that are considering mail-in orthodontics, these kits present huge risks to your oral health, presenting gigantic problems such as:
Another hidden problem with these types of treatments is the dishonest reviews, where many of the positive reviews for these kits are often favored and pushed to the forefront of the website. Any negative reviews and risks with these products often get buried and harm people overall.
Your orthodontist can provide you with the security and protection needed to keep your mouth healthy and provide ADA-standardized treatments that have been tested and clinically shown to improve your health. When it comes to your options, choosing your orthodontist is the safest and most cost-effective option you can give to yourself. For more information about your financing options, the best resource to learn more is through your orthodontist or general dentist so you can take better care of your oral health.
