Dental crowns are caps placed over damaged or diseased teeth. They are often made from porcelain fused to metal. They offer a natural appearance and are durable. However, they depend on the strength of anchor teeth to hold them in place and may cause sweet sensitivity.
Dentistry includes a wide range of disciplines and areas of concentration including: orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and forensic odontology. Contact Boca Dental and Braces now!
Preventive care aims to avoid common oral health concerns such as gum disease, tooth decay and enamel wear. It includes daily brushing, flossing and the use of mouthwash as well as regular visits to the dentist. These habits help keep the teeth and the mouth healthy, reducing the risk of more serious issues such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Practicing preventive dental care can also save patients money. Dental problems like cavities and gum disease are much more expensive to treat than preventing them. Regular visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene habits can reduce the need for expensive treatments such as fillings, root canals or dental implants.
Most oral health problems are caused by an invisible film of bacteria called plaque that sticks to teeth and gums. Bacteria in the plaque feed on sugar from food and drink, producing acid that erodes tooth enamel and can lead to gum disease. Brushing twice a day, ideally with fluoride toothpaste, can remove most of the plaque before it becomes tartar. Daily flossing and the use of American Dental Association-approved mouthwash can get to areas that a toothbrush can’t reach and help eliminate bacteria. A diet of calcium-rich foods and the avoidance of acidic or sugary drinks can further reduce tooth decay.
Dental x-rays and panoramic images are preventive services that can help identify hidden problems such as cavities, gum disease or the location of wisdom teeth. They can also determine the status of unerupted teeth and spot bone loss. In some cases, the dental hygienist will recommend treatment for the patient to address a specific concern such as a crack or weak tooth that may cause it to break.
Typically, dental insurance plans categorize preventive work as basic or major services. The former stops potential dental problems and teaches patients healthy habits to help them avoid future oral health concerns; the latter addresses existing dental work that could have been avoided with preventive care. This is why many insurance companies cover preventive procedures in full or partially.
Detection
As the dental profession embraces technology to improve care, there is an increasing focus on early detection of tooth decay. This is important because identifying caries at an early stage allows the dentist to prevent future damage and minimize treatment costs. There are a number of new technologies that can aid in caries detection, but they must be used as adjuncts to visual examination and radiography.
One of the most popular methods for detecting tooth decay is the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). This classification system provides a standardized approach to diagnosis, which can enhance communication among dental professionals. Another method for identifying caries is to use fluorescence. This technique uses a light to illuminate the tooth surface and detect bacterial fluorescence, which is diminished in areas of demineralized enamel.
Several companies offer handheld devices that claim to detect caries at an earlier stage than radiographs or visual inspection. These devices utilize a laser-based intraoral camera to measure the crystalline structure of a tooth’s surface. The resulting data can identify cracks and fissures, which are the earliest signs of tooth decay. The data also shows the difference in luminosity of healthy and eroded teeth. These devices can be used on all types of tooth surfaces, including smooth surfaces; around amalgams, resins and crowns; pits and fissures; and under sealants.
The sensitivity and specificity of these devices are still below the level required by the dental profession, but they offer an exciting potential for improving patient outcomes. However, they must be carefully evaluated for regulatory, ethical and security considerations.
AI-based analysis of digital oral images can be a powerful tool for diagnosing dental caries. These systems are based on machine learning algorithms that can recognize and interpret a variety of dental conditions, including tooth decay and periodontal bone loss. They can act as a second set of eyes for the dentist, ensuring that no detail is missed.
To train the machine learning algorithm, a large image dataset of dental radiographs is collected and divided into training sets and test sets. The training set contains images of molars with and without caries, while the test set contains only those with caries. The trained model can then classify the caries-containing images into the appropriate categories based on their depth and type.
Treatment
Depending on the type of problem, some dental treatment may involve fillings or repairs to teeth. Several different materials can be used for these treatments and the dentist will advise the client on the best option, taking into consideration the location and size of the affected tooth. Some materials are more durable than others and will last longer. Repairs to a cracked or chipped tooth are usually carried out using composite resin. These are a tooth-coloured material that can restore the appearance of a discoloured or misshapen tooth and can also repair minor chips and cracks.
Root canal treatment is a common procedure for a badly infected tooth. The ‘pulp’ of the tooth consists of blood vessels and nerve fibres that supply feeling to the tooth, so when this is damaged it causes pain and swelling. The tooth pulp can be damaged by injury, advanced decay or excessive chewing. It can also be infected by bacteria from the mouth, which can spread to other parts of the body and cause life-threatening infections.
Other common dental procedures include crowns, veneers and bonding. These can restore a damaged or missing tooth, making it possible to eat normally again and improve your smile. Various types of crown are available, including porcelain, ceramic and resin composite.
Some of these treatments require local anaesthesia, which is usually given by a qualified nurse or doctor. This helps to keep the patient calm and comfortable during the procedure. Other dental procedures can be undertaken without anaesthesia, though this is not as common.
The field of dentistry is broad and encompasses many different sub-fields, such as geriatric dentistry (the diagnosis and prevention of diseases associated with normal aging) and endodontics (root canal therapy). The practice of dentistry is also governed by legislation in some countries.
People who are less well-off tend to have poorer oral health and are more likely to need dental treatment than those with a higher income. Many of the factors that contribute to this include smoking, drinking alcohol, eating sugary foods and having little or no access to affordable dental care. Community water fluoridation, school sealant programs and other public health strategies can help to reduce the number of dental problems.
Maintenance
In addition to ensuring that all tools are functional, maintenance also includes cleaning and disinfection. It is important to disinfect high touch areas in a dental office on a regular basis, especially between patients. Disinfection not only makes the area clean and hygienic but can help reduce bacteria and viruses that could make patients sick.
A dentist’s chair is a piece of essential equipment for their practice, so it must be maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure the best results for their patients. A well-functioning chair can help keep patients safe, comfortable, and relaxed. It can also boost patient retention, and a clean and tidy dental office makes patients feel safer, welcome, and at ease, increasing their overall experience.
Dental units need a water supply for rinsing, cleaning and cooling functions. But water may cause several problems in dental units including limescale, sand, sludge and rust. Additionally, bacterial biofilms can quickly appear on the inner surfaces of pipes. Therefore, it is vital to have an easily accessible, efficient and clean general water shut-off device in the dental office.
Inspect and lubricate all handpieces, air/water syringes, delivery systems, power scalers, ultrasonic cleaners, film processors, vacuum and air compressor system and master water switch. Clean the operative head rest and saliva ejector tubings, and clean or replace the delivery unit traps.