By Ivy Guingab: Impacted wisdom teeth, or the third molars that fail to break the gum line or do so only partially, have the potential to cause a host of problems. In general, this specific case arises when the third molars don’t have enough space left behind the second molars (crowding), and so they often become impacted.
Other cases of impacted teeth are due to misalignment, which happens when the tooth is rotated out of position. Conflicting position is another reason wherein another tooth breaks over the position of the third molar.
As complicated as it sounds, impacted wisdom teeth can cause several problems and therefore needs careful attention. To help you become more aware, read on and help yourself understand the risks or the dangers of impacted wisdom teeth:
Tooth decay is one of the most troublesome results of impacted wisdom tooth. Since they are by and large not easy to clean and because food and bacteria are often trapped between the gum and the partially grown tooth, they appear to be more susceptible to tooth decay.
Along with tooth decay comes gum disease, where the gum tissue become a favourable host for bacteria and happens to be infected and inflamed. The so-called “pericoronitis” is the more technical term for the condition, wherein the gum tissue surrounding the partially erupted tooth becomes infected, which results in a swollen, inflamed tissue mass. In misalignment cases, the impacted wisdom tooth has the tendency to push against the second molar, which can cause damage and yet another chain of vulnerability to infection.
In worst yet rare cases, cysts and tumors develop around impacted third molars. This happens when the surrounding follicular sac becomes infected and can lead to destruction of the surrounding jawbone and even to neighboring teeth. This complication may require more intricate and extensive treatment.
Many dentists recommend removal of impacted wisdom teeth to do away with these dangers and to improve overall oral health. But take note that removal of wisdom teeth may not be necessary if the teeth are fully grown, positioned correctly, and are healthy in general.
Depending on the condition, impacted wisdom tooth may require surgical removal. Surgical treatment options depend on several factors like the severity of the impacted tooth, the position of the impacted tooth, and your age. Most dentists also recommend removal of the wisdom teeth before they grow too large and cause future complications. It is better to consult your dentist and have a careful examination of your teeth in order to settle on the right treatment for you.
For a reliable dentist in the Sydney and Waterloo area in Australia, visit this link.
Dental Reflections
Articles, thoughts, and other content that help you conquer dental apprehension.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Dental Fear – A Self Fulfilling Prophecy
According to studies, it is estimated that 21% of adults in Australia have dental fear to some extent. Some experience a mild apprehension whenever faced with the prospect of sitting in the dentist’s chair. Meanwhile, 16.1% of the adults referred to above are extremely phobic of any sort of dental procedure. In fact, they fear the dentist so much that they would rather endure tooth pain for years instead of going to a clinic.
Dental fear can be misleading for many people. For phobic patients, the negative images of danger associated with practitioners wearing white coats can cause severe panic that translates to unwillingness to undergo any sort of treatment. However, in most cases, this fear is often ungrounded and even exaggerated. There is usually no sufficient basis in believing that dental procedures will result in unendurable pain. The truth is, even the most basic oral health procedures (such as tooth extraction or dental cleaning) can be performed with no pain or with minimum discomfort for the patient. But despite the many developments in the field of dentistry, a lot of people still hesitate to trust their dentists because they let their fear talk to them instead of sound reasoning.
The problem with dental phobia is that it serves as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Although typical oral health procedures can be done safely by a qualified practitioner, the patient can put himself in danger by reacting with too much fear. For example, being too nervous can cause some patients to have high blood pressure levels, a situation in which any dentist won’t be able to go any further with tooth surgery. In this situation, there was no real danger present except the physical effects of fear that the patient has brought upon himself.
When dealing with extremely fearful patients, dentists often need to worry more about making the patient cooperate than the dental surgery itself. This could potentially cause the dentist to have divided attention because he or she is having a hard time calming the patient. As a general rule, people who have a divided attention increase their likelihood to commit mistakes, and the same is true even for professional teeth doctors. If only the patient cooperated more by trusting the dentist, danger could have been warded off completely.
In the arguments presented above, it is clear that those who are severely apprehensive about dental treatments are very much in danger compared to those who are calm and confident about the situation. Under any circumstances, fear should never be allowed to become a self fulfilling prophecy that eventually leads to untoward clinical incidents. For more information about safe and painless dental treatments, visit http://www.drwalker.com.au
Dental fear can be misleading for many people. For phobic patients, the negative images of danger associated with practitioners wearing white coats can cause severe panic that translates to unwillingness to undergo any sort of treatment. However, in most cases, this fear is often ungrounded and even exaggerated. There is usually no sufficient basis in believing that dental procedures will result in unendurable pain. The truth is, even the most basic oral health procedures (such as tooth extraction or dental cleaning) can be performed with no pain or with minimum discomfort for the patient. But despite the many developments in the field of dentistry, a lot of people still hesitate to trust their dentists because they let their fear talk to them instead of sound reasoning.
The problem with dental phobia is that it serves as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Although typical oral health procedures can be done safely by a qualified practitioner, the patient can put himself in danger by reacting with too much fear. For example, being too nervous can cause some patients to have high blood pressure levels, a situation in which any dentist won’t be able to go any further with tooth surgery. In this situation, there was no real danger present except the physical effects of fear that the patient has brought upon himself.
When dealing with extremely fearful patients, dentists often need to worry more about making the patient cooperate than the dental surgery itself. This could potentially cause the dentist to have divided attention because he or she is having a hard time calming the patient. As a general rule, people who have a divided attention increase their likelihood to commit mistakes, and the same is true even for professional teeth doctors. If only the patient cooperated more by trusting the dentist, danger could have been warded off completely.
In the arguments presented above, it is clear that those who are severely apprehensive about dental treatments are very much in danger compared to those who are calm and confident about the situation. Under any circumstances, fear should never be allowed to become a self fulfilling prophecy that eventually leads to untoward clinical incidents. For more information about safe and painless dental treatments, visit http://www.drwalker.com.au
Monday, April 15, 2013
Dental Surgery: The Different Types
At some point in your life, it might be necessary for you to undergo dental surgery. Before undergoing such kind of surgery, it is best to know the different kinds of procedures that are performed by a dental practitioner on your teeth. This will help you gain a thorough idea of what to expect before you actually get to the clinic.
Endodontic Surgery
This type of surgery involves any type of surgical procedure
performed on the pulp (or root) of a person’s tooth. For example, in root canal
therapy, the dentist opens up the pulp chamber of the tooth to drain pus,
liquids, acidic formations from food particles, and other agents that cause
tooth decay. Another endodontic process involves the removal of the pulp from
the pulp chamber to ease pain for a temporary period of time.
Prosthodontic Surgery
This involves the creation, fitting and wearing of artificial
dental pieces to correct a person’s teeth problems. Some examples of
prosthodontics include crowns, bridges, dentures and veneers. Prosthodontic
surgery is usually done on people who have taken considerable dental damage
that cannot be corrected anymore by conventional surgery.
In many cases, a dental implant such as titanium is inserted
surgically in the dental bone (also called the mandible or maxilla). After a successful
operation, the tooth is allowed to heal for a considerable length of time.
Sometimes it takes up to six months for a tooth to fully heal from a titanium
implant.
Orthodontic Surgery
Some of the procedures that fall under the orthodontic
category are tooth extraction and wisdom teeth removal using sedatives. Other
processes include apiectomy and fiberotomy.
Depending on the type of dental problem you have or the extent
of the damage and decay on your tooth, a professional dental care practitioner
may recommend various alternatives for tooth surgery. It is important that you
listen carefully to what your dentist is recommending and trust his or her
professional judgment. Try to overcome your fear and think of the dental
process in an objective manner.
If you are looking for sleep sedation dentistry clinics in Sydney, visit MPW Dentistry, Sydney's leading dental surgery clinic: http://www.drwalker.com.au
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Undergoing Wisdom Teeth Removal In Sydney
Sydney, Australia is known as one of the most expensive
cities to live in all over the world. This is because of its high cost of
living, including towering prices related real estate and other professional
services. However, when it comes to dental services, it is beneficial for an
individual to undergo such within Sydney. Not only is this city full of highly
skilled dental practitioners, the choices are relatively affordable as well.
For example, the typical range to remove wisdom tooth cost
around $249 to $482 in professional dental clinics in Sydney (which by the way,
are relatively few). In a country like Australia where dental costs are included
in the medical coverage for individuals, the amount stated above is truly a
steal! And besides, if a patient chooses a private hospital for dental surgery,
it could probably cost around $1,000 Australian dollars. Thus, clinics are much
more preferable that private hospitals.
When looking for a Sydney dentist to perform dental procedures on your teeth, it is important that you choose someone who has
specialised knowledge in his field. In dentistry, there are various
specialisations. Some oral health practitioners specialise in sedation and
intravenous dentistry, while others focus more on dental surgery. A select few
others, however, have specialisations in majority of processes involved in
dentistry.
For removing wisdom teeth, there are some dentists who
specialise in treating special cases, such as impacted teeth and sleep
dentistry. These processes typically require some certification or approval
from the Dental Board before a practitioner can execute those processes in real
life patient situations. Thus, if you find a dentist who has the right kind of
qualifications (i.e, approved by dental board and community in general, don;t
be afraid to part with your money to try his or her services because you are
guaranteed to receive a professional treatment.
For more information about wisdom tooth removal in Sydney, visit
http://www.drwalker.com.au/wisdom-teeth.html
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sydney Dentist Explains Inner Workings Of Sedation Dentistry
If you've never heard of sedation dentistry before, here's a quick Youtube video that will show you everything about it. Dr. Michael Walker is an Australian dentist who specialises in that field, and there is no better explanation I've found than this:
Dr. Walker, a sedation dental expert in Sydney, explains the common reasons why people choose to avoid the dentist despite their need for oral health treatments. He also expounds on the best solution that can be offered to those phobic patients.
He also reveals why with the cost of dental implants in Sydney, that sedation is the best practical approach to getting teeth fixed at minimum costs.
Feel free to watch the video and get your own dental appointment today! Just go ahead and visit http://www.drwalker.com.au
Dr. Walker, a sedation dental expert in Sydney, explains the common reasons why people choose to avoid the dentist despite their need for oral health treatments. He also expounds on the best solution that can be offered to those phobic patients.
He also reveals why with the cost of dental implants in Sydney, that sedation is the best practical approach to getting teeth fixed at minimum costs.
Feel free to watch the video and get your own dental appointment today! Just go ahead and visit http://www.drwalker.com.au
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Dental Fears: Why I’m Terrified With Tooth Extractions
Fear of the dentist is something that hundreds of thousands
of people in the world share. The reason for this is obvious – people are
afraid to experience pain. They are willing to experience pain because of their
decayed teeth, but at least it is the kind of pain that is familiar to them.
With a dentist, though, the possible pain comes from an unknown source and
inflicted by an outside entity – the dentist.
Thus, for both physical and
psychological purposes, people are extremely afraid of trips to the dental
clinic.
For me though, my fear of the dentist dates back to the
first time I had a tooth extraction session. There I was on the dental chair,
confident that I won’t feel any pain after being reassured by my parents and
the dentist herself. I had multiple decayed teeth to be extracted, so it would
take like 1 or 2 shots of anaesthetics to numb the nerves that give sensation
to the decayed teeth.
The injections went on fine. After that, the dentist
proceeded to the pulling of the first tooth. The decayed tooth was extracted successfully!
However, when the dentist started to pull the second tooth, I felt a sharp
tingling pain on my gums! It hurt like hell, as if the nerves are being pulled
without being numbed at all! When the dentist tried to find out what’s wrong,
he soon discovered that underneath the gums, there is still a hidden pocket of
abscess left and some minor swelling. This is the reason why the anaesthetics
didn’t work fully on that particular tooth. I was asked to come back after
several days until the abscess and swelling has completely subsided.
Experiences like these are the reason why many people will
refuse to visit a dentist despite the fact that they have to. In my case, I had
to muster enough courage to go back to the clinic after several days. And if I
was able to have that tooth extracted when I came back, it took me years to
visit an oral health practitioner again.
These are fears that all of us need to overcome. The high cost of surgical tooth extraction is not the issue here, but rather the fear experienced by dentists.
Eventually though, I soon find
out that cases like mine are rare. It is rare for patients to feel pain while
under the influence of local anaesthesia. Come to think of it. Just because a
plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, you shouldn’t avoid riding planes
altogether. The same thing applies with going to the dentist.
By the way, if you are looking for options regarding dental sedation in Sydney, visit Dr. Walker's clinic located in Australia.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Various Ways To Experience A Painless Dental Session
For most people, going to the dentist is an absolute
nightmare. It can take them weeks and months just to gather courage to go to an
oral health clinic. However, this shouldn’t be the case. There are now myriad ways
by which an individual can enjoy painless dental treatment. The wonderful thing
is that, for cities like Sydney or Paris with high costs of living, dental
treatment rates can be relatively lower.
Now, if you are one of those people who are extremely phobic
about the idea of seeing an oral health professional, here are some of the
options available to you:
Use Plasma Toothbrush
Plasma brush is used to apply dental fillings with
absolutely no pain and excruciating friction noises. Plasma brushes make the
filling process as short as possible, and some sessions only last minutes with
this option. If you feel an absolute scare each time you are faced with the
prospect of having your teeth filled, try this option. It’s more economical and
less time consuming as welll.
Sedation Dentistry
This alternative involves the process of putting a patient
to an extremely calm state or in an actual sleeping state. Sedatives used in
this procedure range from light to extremely potent, and it is up to the
dentist to decide on what kind of sedative is suited for the situation. The
advantage of this is you will feel fully relaxed (and asleep) during the entire
process that you don’t have time to experience pain and fear at all.
Laser Teeth Whitening
This option is perfect for those who want to have glowing
white teeth, without experiencing the pain that goes along with traditional
cleaning and whitening sessions with an oral health practitioner. Laser can
dramatically shorten the amount of time spent on tooth whitening. In fact, a
lot of traditional dental sessions take two or three appointments before a the
process of tooth whitening can be completed. With the use of laser, however,
the entire procedure can last for only an hour or for a just a few extra hours.
For Australian residents: While it is relatively easier to
find a certified oral health practitioner in Sydney, it is also wise to seek a
painless dentist in the Sydney area to gain more information about the various
options available for you. One such clinic is the Dr. Walker Clinic located in
Sydney and information about their sleep sedation dentistry services can be
found at http://www.drwalker.com.au/sleep-dentistry-sydney.html
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