CAVITY DETECTORS

In the past tooth decay predominated in between teeth. With the widespread use of fluoride, the very nature of tooth decay has changed. The outer surfaces of teeth are strengthened and more resistant. Today the pit and valley cavities are more prevalent than cavities in between teeth.

Pit and valley cavities are traditionally the most difficult to detect using x-rays due to the direction the images are taken from. Images are taken from the side of the tooth, which essentially hides the cavity from the dentists view.  These Cavity Detectors help us to find these types of cavities.  

X-ray imaging is still an indispensable diagnostic tool for dentistry.  X-rays and Cavity Detectors complement each other. X-rays are good at finding cavities in between teeth and on the roots.  Cavity Detectors are good at finding cavities on the tooth’s biting surface.

Our office currently uses two types of Cavity Detectors:  SOPROLIFE and DIAGNOdent

SOPROLIFE is a new imaging fluorescence device aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of caries.  The auto fluorescence technology in SOPROLIFE allows us to detect decay, even in its earliest stages, which can often be missed by the eyes or by x-rays.  It also allows us to differentiate healthy from infected tissue in order to remove only the tissue which is diseased.   SOPROLIFE  is free from ultraviolet or ionizing rays.

DIAGNOdent uses a laser beam to aide in the detection of caries. DIAGNOdent is first calibrated to your unique tooth structure by scanning a cleaned tooth surface with a harmless laser beam. After calibration we will gently scan your teeth. A small counter top unit emits an audio signal and registers a digital read-out, which identifies cavities developing below the surface.  The higher the amount of fluorescence detected by the machine, the greater the degree of decay within the tooth.

Better Dental Care Equals Better Health

The Journal of the American Dental Association recently reported that patients with diabetes who received regular dental care were roughly 33% less likely to visit an emergency room or be hospitalized because of that disease.

The study appeared in the January 2012 issue is the latest among several that have associated dental care with better systemic health. Similar findings have emerged for cardiovascular disease, preterm birth, and other disorders.

GOOD TO KNOW

52% is the increase, over just four years, in the number of people treated at hospitals for illnesses and injuries caused by medications. The causes: side effects, incorrect dosage, or taking the wrong Rx. 

PLEASE be careful and fully understand ALL medications you are taking, along with their side effect. Ask your pharmacist should you have any questions or concerns. 

We are participating in the "Have a Heart Food Drive" for our local food pantry this month. You may stop by our office to drop off any items. For a list of most needed items, you can visit our website (DrOsmanski.com) and click on the "Have a Heart Food Drive" tab.

All of us here at Dr. Osmanski's Dental Office want you wish you a VERY HAPPY 

VALENTINE'S DAY!

NIGHTGUARDS FOR TOOTH GRINDING

Using Nightguards for Tooth Grinding (Bruxism)   Bruxism, commonly know as tooth grinding, is the clenching together of the bottom and upper jaw accompanied by the grinding of the bottom and upper jaw and followed by the grinding of the lower set of teeth with the upper set. This behavior will remove critical portions of healthy enamel from the chewing surfaces of your teeth and may cause facial pain. People who grind and clench their teeth are called bruxers. They unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as when you sleep, especially in the early part of the night. During sleep, the biting force--the force at which the jaws clench together can be up to six times greater than the pressure during waking hours. Bruxing is like clinching your two fists and holding them tightly against each other for eight hours. This behavior would cause you to end up with sore hands, arms and shoulders. Well, this same thing happens to your jaw muscles. Bruxism is a force that is far more destructive to teeth than cavities because your teeth are worn down so much that their enamel is rubbed off, exposing the inside of the tooth called dentin. This exposed dentin will become sensitive. About one in four people suffer from at least one of the following: Pain or discomfort often around the ears and when yawning or chewing Tenderness of the jaw muscles Clicking, locking or popping in the jaw Jaw muscle contraction, spasms or cramping Jaw clenching or teeth grinding, severe or very loud Headaches and neck aches Ringing in the ears Tooth indentations on the tongue Fractures of teeth and fillings, especially on the front teeth, due to the high pressure Teeth sensitive to cold, pressure and other stimuli As bruxism can be a subconscious behavior that you do not realize is happening, symptoms might not be present. Complications Damage to teeth May awaken sleep partner Worsening of TMJ dysfunction Worsening of dental disorders Limitation or difficulty in jaw movement, jaw locks when opened or closed The tips of the teeth wear flat Tooth sensitivity Tooth mobility (loose tooth) Causes Emotional stress Personalities characterized by aggression, controlling, precise, nervous, competitive or people who have time urgency and achievement compulsion Malocclusion: teeth that are not aligned properly Jaw, head or neck injury Diseases such as arthritis or missing teeth Treatment The goal is to change behaviors in order to relieve symptoms. Night Guard Learning how to rest the tongue, teeth and lips properly. The tongue should rest upward with teeth apart and lips shut to help relieve the discomfort. Learn to control bad habits, such as chewing on ice or chewing fingernails or pens. Chewing gum much of the day increases the wear and tear on the joint, giving little opportunity for your jaw to recover between meals. If you chew habitually only on one side of your mouth, you concentrate all the pressure on one side rather than equally on both sides of your mouth. You need to learn to chew evenly -- left vs. right. Clenching and grinding can be consciously suppressed. Treat symptoms first with cold packs and as pain and spasms resolve, try hot packs for a half hour at least twice daily. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (ibuprofen, Naprosyn®, Tylenol®, Alleve®) even aspirin are very effective for reducing inflammation in joints, and are recommended before bed and upon waking. Most importantly, the joint should be placed at rest by eating a soft diet, avoiding hard, chewy or sticky foods. Mouth exercises to improve mouth opening, e.g., slow opening and closing, stretching the muscles to their extent then relaxing them. Relaxation or stress management techniques. A night guard which takes the punishment that your teeth would normally endure during bruxism minimizes the damage from grinding your teeth. A night guard is a thin transparent horseshoe shaped retainer like appliance made of hard plastic that has shallow borders for good tooth alignment and ideal bite relationship. This splint is worn between the top and bottom teeth and does not allow the teeth to interlock, which absorbs the force of the clenching and grinding to reduce joint irritation and inflammation. It takes two simple appointments. At the first appointment, an accurate impression of your upper and lower teeth will be made. These impressions are used to create models of your teeth. A bite record may be taken. These items are used to form a customized heat-processed hard plastic night guard. At the second appointment, the night guard will be fitted and adjustments made. The lifespan of a night guard is 3-10 years. It can protect you from the symptoms of teeth grinding if you wear it regularly, which can even lead to a better night's sleep for you and your partner!

New Patient Gifts

New Year = New You -- Whiter Teeth on that resolution list? 

$50 Courtesty Towards a New Patient Exam & Cleaning or a FREE Crest Whitening Bleaching Kit (@ completion of a New Patient Exam & Cleaning) 


Also, a FREE Spinbrush for all New Children Patients
One important tip from the ADA regarding teeth cleaning is to floss first before brushing because there is more of a chance for the fluoride from the toothpaste to get between the teeth.

HAPPY 2012 FROM ALL OF US HERE AT DR. OSMANSKI'S DENTAL OFFICE!!

SPORTS INJURIES TO THE TEETH AND JAW

Basketball and baseball are the two biggest mouth-injuring sports and the most common injuries we see are broken, displaced or knocked out teeth, and broken jaws. 

Mouth guards and helmets with face protectors are the best way for kids to avoid dental injuries while playing sports. Your dentist can make custom mouth guards that will be small enough to make it easy to communicate with teammates

So what should you do if despite your best preventive efforts your child still hurts his or her teeth or jaw?

If a tooth is broken or cracked, see a dentist within 24 hours. If a tooth or teeth have been displaced or knocked out contact your dentist immediately to try to preserve the tooth because you have about a 30 minute window for the best chance of long-term survival.

Avoid touching the root because it can be damaged easily. If the tooth is dirty, hold it by the upper part and rinse it off with milk until most of the dirt is washed away. If you don't have milk, don't clean it. Wiping it off may cause more damage.

If your child is old enough not to swallow it, try to gently put the tooth back in its socket for the best chance of preservation. If you can't get it back in the socket, put it in a cup of milk and head for the dentist or emergency room.

We tell people to put the tooth in milk because the cells around the root are still alive after it is knocked out and milk can provide nutrients to the cells to help keep them alive. Do not put the tooth in water. It can cause the cells to burst and makes saving the tooth much less likely.

Jaw injuries may be much less obvious than a broken or knocked-out tooth but they are no less serious. If a child falls hard enough to cut their chin, or takes an especially hard hit, it could easily cause breaks in the jaw. In an injury such as this, a child should be seen by a doctor within 24 hours.

No matter the injury, caring properly for the mouth afterward is key to successful healing.

Following an injury a child's mouth will be sore and they will want to do everything they can to make it not hurt. But, continuing to brush their teeth and practice good oral hygiene is extremely important. It is the same as keeping any other wound clean, the cleaner the mouth is kept, the better it heals.

HOLIDAY SPECIAL!

2 for 1 Teeth Bleaching with Custom Trays.  

Enter the new year with a Brighter Smile!  Offer Expires 12/31/11.

YOUR SMILE SAYS IT ALL!!  

Our entire Dental Team would like to wish you and your family a healthy and happy holiday season!