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Dental specialists and implant treatments in Germany

You should be aware of the number of dental plans available to you; you may have Blue Cross, John Kerry has Blue Shield. No matter what route you take, it is important to know what the options are.

You might be already be covered by your provincial government or employer. It is also important to know what options you have and how dental coverage works.
Dental plan coverage for individuals is not commonly offered because dental needs are highly predictable. For example, you would not pay premiums for your dental coverage if the premiums were more expensive than the cost of the dental treatment you need. Since this is the case, insurance companies would stand to lose money (spend more on benefits than they receive in premiums) on every individual dental plan they write.
There are, however, a few companies that offer a form of dental benefits for individuals.  Under these types of plans, an individual pays a monthly fee to a third party in return for access to a list of dentists who have agreed to a reduced fee schedule. Payment for treatment is made from the patient directly to the dentist. The third party acts only in the capacity of matching the individual to the dentist. The dentist receives no payment from the third party other than in the form of referral of patients.
Employers and other plan sponsors offer dental benefits for a variety of reasons, including promotion of oral health and attraction and retention of high-quality employees.Regardless of why the plan is offered, its intent is the same: to help individuals by paying for a portion of the cost of their dental care.Almost all dental benefit plans are the result of a contract between the plan sponsor (usually an employer or a union) and the third party (usually an insurance company). For this reason, concerns about your dental plan should first be directed to your plan sponsor.

The thing about mouth pain from a dental emergency is that you can’t go to a doctor to get it fixed.  Sure a doctor in the emergency room can prescribe painkillers but they can’t do anything to fix the problem.
What you need is an emergency dentist who can make the pain go away permanently so you can get some sleep and get back to work.  An emergency dentist can take care of everything from tooth ache, swollen face, excessive bleeding due to having a tooth removed.
One of the harshest realities of extreme dental pain is that it usually occurs, or climaxes in the middle of the night, exactly when your dentist does not have hours.
The sad fact is that if you live in small town, the chances of find an all night emergency dentist is slim. Of course, if your city is small enough you might even know your dentist personally and you might be able to squeeze a favor out of him or her.
If you live in a large city, your chances of finding an all-night emergency dentist is far better, but that still means that you have to track one down.
Don’t be under any illusions that having an emergency dental procedure is going to be cheap.  Most dentists didn’t get into the profession to work all night for a pittance.  You’ll pay a premium for the right to have your problems solved.  Often this extra expense comes in the form of an after hours fee that is tacked on top of your usual fee.
Worst of all, this is rarely covered by your health insurance, but if you really are having a dental emergency then you are probably in so much pain that you couldn’t care less how much the procedure actually costs.
The other main reason that people need emergency dental surgery can be observed at any decent hockey game. Sports injuries are the major instance when emergency dental surgery is required. Due to the severe nature of many sports related dental emergencies the patient often needs work done right away.
Many sports injuries lead to heavy bleeding and damage to the over-all mouth area that may require work by both a dentist and a doctor.  This is unfortunate but there is a slim chance that a fatality can occur if there is severe damage to the mouth.  Often this occurs if the patient swallows too much of their own blood.
If you do have a dental emergency from an athletic injury, consult a doctor first to make sure that you contact a doctor first to make sure there is no chance that you could die from the injury.

The dentist is both your best friend and archenemy; you can’t live with him, but you can’t live without him either. We all the need a good dentist - some more than others. But no matter how gleaming or rotten your chomps might be, your dentist is there to examine your mouth, talk to you about the going-ons in your life and give you a good 45 second fluoride job. You can always rely on your dentist when you need some oral loving!
Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat problems with teeth or mouth tissue. They remove decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
Dentists use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines, drills, and instruments such as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels. They wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
Most dentists are general practitioners, handling a variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in any of nine specialty areas. Orthodontists, the largest group of specialists, straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces or retainers. The next largest group, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, operates on the mouth and jaws. The remainder may specialize as pediatric dentists (focusing on dentistry for children); periodontists (treating gums and bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontists (replacing missing teeth with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures); endodontists (performing root canal therapy); public-health dentists (promoting good dental health and preventing dental diseases within the community); oral pathologists (studying oral diseases); or oral and maxillofacial radiologists (diagnosing diseases in the head and neck through the use of imaging technologies).
Demand for dental care should grow substantially through 2012. As members of the baby-boom generation advance into middle age, a large number will need maintenance on complicated dental work, such as bridges. In addition, elderly people are more likely to retain their teeth than were their predecessors, so they will require much more care than in the past. The younger generation will continue to need preventive checkups despite treatments such as fluoridation of the water supply, which decreases the incidence of tooth decay. However, employment of dentists is not expected to grow as rapidly as the demand for dental services, because, as their practices expand, dentists are likely to hire more dental hygienists and dental assistants to handle routine services.

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions. In other words, it is the study of keeping your gums and mouth clean.
Endodontics is most concerned with keeping your natural teeth. Sometimes people will have teeth pulled or removed due to an unhealthy gum line. Endodontists specialize in root canals to keep your teeth in your mouth.
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is probably the most maligned of all dental procedures, but the reputation of pain typically associated with "having a root canal" is really not deserved. The majority of people who have undergone root canal treatment typically report that the process itself is no more involved than having a filling placed.
There are many misconceptions surrounding root canal (endodontic) treatment. The American Association of Endodontists wants you to have accurate information. As always, when considering any medical procedure, you should get as much information as you can about all of your options. Your dentist or endodontist can answer many of your questions, and if you still have concerns, it is often wise to seek a second opinion.
Most patients see their dentist or endodontist when they have a severe toothache. The toothache can be caused by damaged tissues in the tooth. Root canal treatment removes this damaged tissue from the tooth, thereby relieving the pain you feel. The perception of root canals being painful began decades ago when root canal treatment was painful. But with the latest technologies and anesthetics, root canal treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed.
Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet. Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate.  Many root canal treated teeth last a lifetime.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
The irregular position of teeth has been a problem for some individuals since the beginning of time. Attempts to correct this disorder go back to at least 1000 BC.
1850  - The first texts which systematically described orthodontics appeared. Dr. Norman Kingsley was among the first to use extraoral force to correct protruding teeth. The emphasis of this era was to correct facial proportions via extraction of teeth. Very few people of this time had a complete set of teeth. Little attention was given to how teeth bite together (occlude).
1890's  - Advancements were being made in the replacement of teeth with artificial ones and the development of how these teeth should bite together. Dr. Edward Angle, "The Father of Modern Orthodontics," was one of the first to emphasize occlusion in the natural dentition. His interest in creating proper occlusion in natural teeth created the specialty of Orthodontics. The publication of Angle's Classification of Malocclusion not only subdivided major types of malocclusion, it also included the first clear concept of normal occlusion in the natural dentition. (highlighted area will take you to 1C)
1900's  - With a concept of normal occlusion established by Angle, Orthodontics began to evolve into the treatment of malocclusion and not just the straightening of teeth.
1930's ; - Esthetics associated with malocclusion were reemphasized and extractions to improved facial proportions were reintroduced into Orthodontics. This improvement in esthetic proportions allowed for a more stable occlusal relationship.
1940's  - Cephalometric radiographs were developed which allowed the orthodontist to see how the bones of the face contributed to malocclusion. With this technology, it was discovered that one could alter the growth of bones in growing individuals and prevent malocclusion by redirecting growth.
1970's  - Surgical techniques developed which allowed oral surgeons to perform surgery on patients who did not have the ability to grow any longer. Now bony causes of malocclusion in adults could be treated.
Today, orthodontics uses a combination of extraoral forces to align teeth as well as growth modification, surgery and extractions to accomplish three goals:

Create the best occlusal relationship

Periodontics involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gum disease by a general dentist or a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who has had additional years of specialized training in periodontics at a post-doctoral educational program and is certified as such.
Periodontal Disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, bone and ligaments that support the teeth and anchor them in the jaw. The bacteria are normal inhabitants of the mouth and form a film of dental plaque and calculus (tartar) which stick to the teeth. The bacteria produce poisonous toxins which stimulate the immune response to fight the infection. If the disease process is not stopped, the supporting structures of the teeth will continue to be destroyed. This eventually leads to tooth loss.
Periodontal disease can occur at any age. Over half of all people over the age of 18 have some form of the disease. After age 35, over 75% of all people are affected. Unfortunately, the disease process is usually asymptomatic and painless. The disease can be easily detected during regular dental examinations. The most common type of periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis.
Periodontal disease can be easily detected by a general dentist or periodontist during regular examinations. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of gum disease. A periodontal charting should be performed for all teeth.
A periodontal probe, with ruled millimeter markings, is used to measure the depth of the space between the teeth and gums. Ideally, normal measurements range between 1 and 3 millimeters. Depths greater than this may signify the presence of periodontal pockets and associated gum disease. X-rays should be taken to see if bone damage has occurred as a result of the disease process.
Healthy habits and good oral hygiene are critical in preventing gum disease. Regular and effective tooth brushing and mouth washing, however, are effective only above and slightly below the gum line. Once periodontal disease develops more intensive treatments are needed.
Periodontitis is a silent disease; individuals rarely experience pain and may not be aware of the problem. A periodontal examination by a general dentist once or twice a year should reveal any incipient or progressive problems. A full mouth series of X-rays is advised every two to three years. This will alert the dentist to early bone loss and other disorders of the oral cavity.

Treatment of periodontal disease can be effective in stopping the progression of periodontal disease including gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation or swelling of the gum tissues suffered by millions of people. When plaque, the bacterial film that grows on your teeth, builds up too much, gingivitis can result. T he plaque that causes gingivitis irritates the gums, making them bright red, tender, swollen, sensitive, and bleed readily. Treatment of periodontal disease is necessary to prevent the progression of these diseases and stop massive oral damage and eventual tooth loss.
Treatment of periodontal disease can be effectively practiced at home Rinsing the mouth with a warm saltwater solution daily can be an effective treatment of periodontal disease. There are also many products available to treat periodontal disease. If treatments of periodontal disease are not practiced, gingivitis and periodontal disease can dramatically worsen over time. However, most cases of gingivitis and periodontal disease can be prevented with proper oral hygiene.
Treatment of periodontal disease is necessity to keep periodontal disease in check. With superior oral hygiene, and treatment of periodontal disease, gingivitis and periodontal disease can be almost entirely avoided. There are some all-natural dental care products made from the essential oils of almond, spearmint, and peppermint. They can provides an effective treatment of periodontal disease by cleaning the mouth and killing the bacteria that causes plaque, thus preventing the problem before it starts.
Scaling, polishing, and sometimes curettage are used to manage periodontal disease. They are usually accomplished in a series of three to four visits spaced about a week apart. For cleaning and scaling, the dental hygienist or practitioner generally uses both ultrasonic and manual instruments to remove calculus. Curettage removes the diseased soft tissue lining the periodontal pockets. It is a manual procedure and permits a deeper and more complete cleaning than ultrasound. It does not add any significant benefits for shallow pockets. Local anesthesia is often used.
Surgery is also an option. Surgery allows access for deep cleaning of the root surface, removal of diseased tissue, and repositioning and shaping of the bones, gum, and tissues supporting the teeth. (Some studies have reported that although surgical treatment reduced pocket depth more than non-surgical therapies for at least one year after the procedure, benefits from surgery do not persist beyond five years, except in very deep pockets.) Surgical procedures vary depending on the individual diagnosis and needs of the patient.

Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.
Prosthodontics and tooth replacement constitute a specialized area in dentistry. Prosthodontic procedures include restoring and replacing teeth. Oftentimes, a person will opt for tooth replacement because overcrowding teeth have resulted in gum disease or placed extra stress on the jaw. Prosthodontists are dental specialists in the restoration and replacement of damaged or missing teeth. When searching for a qualified and experienced prosthodontist, look to see if she is trained in recent techniques and procedures for treating dental conditions like crowns, bridges, dentures, dental implants, and oral cancer reconstruction. In addition, a prosthodontist must complete dental school and three years of advanced training in an American Dental Association-accredited prosthodontic program.
Dentures are a way to replace teeth that have been lost. You can get dentures that replace all of your teeth or just a few of your teeth. Dentures allow someone to be able to talk, eat, and even smile. You will need to see a dentist because the dentures will need to be molded to your gums. Dentures are held in place by a sticky gel or an adhesive that goes between your gums and dentures.
Rehabilitation involves diagnostic procedures which must take account of psychological and social factors, and depends also on a detailed knowledge of the clinical aspects of dental prosthetics, materials and of the changes to form and function which result from the loss of teeth.

A dazzling smile can ignite a room, projecting an image of self assurance and high personal esteem. It glows with embers of delight from an explosive source of pride. That magnificent smile is no longer a fantasy. Now it can be yours! Recent advances in techniques and materials offer modern practitioners of Aesthetic Dentistry many alternatives in the creation of brilliant smiles, bursting with energy and radiating enthusiasm. We have not yet discovered the magic wand, but we are getting closer. There are many exciting options.
Since no single approach serves the needs of every patient, careful evaluation of alternative or combined approaches is essential to a pleasing and lasting result. Porcelain veneers offer the most exciting and revolutionary advancement in aesthetic dentistry. Dynamic results can usually be achieved within a week or ten days to correct somewhat misaligned, broken, discolored or misshapen teeth. Veneers are quite suitable as an alternative to minor orthodontics, but not recommended in cases of severe crowding or misalignment of teeth or malocclusions. Customarily, veneers are preferable to full crowns when there is adequate remaining tooth structure to support the restoration. The approach requires less reduction of healthy tooth structure than full crowns, without compromising the periodontal health. It is a blend of art and science that enables a skilled practitioner to achieve a sensational effect.
For many patients, unhappy with their smiles, porcelain veneers may be a dream come true! While porcelain veneers offer dazzling aesthetic results, they require adequate remaining tooth structure for their support. With a minor loss in cosmetic appeal, porcelain fused to metal crowns offer greater strength and durability than veneers. These restorations are stationary and are customarily indicated for teeth that have sustained significant loss of structure, or to replace missing teeth. Crowns and bridges may be placed on natural teeth or dental implants.
In some instances, simple reshaping of the front teeth, even without anesthesia, may produce a dramatic result to correct jagged, chipped or slightly uneven teeth. The dental sculptor becomes the maestro of art, employing sanding discs and creativity, in tandem with nature.
Have your teeth become darker and yellowed over the years? Dental researchers have discovered a simple, safe, and inexpensive technique to manage discolored teeth, when used in indicated circumstances. A customized tray is fabricated for the application of gentle bleaching agents at home. Even intrinsic blemishes may be improved with the select utilization of micro-abrasion. A professional evaluation of the causes of the discoloration is indispensable to a predictable outcome.

Everyone knows the importance of a smile. Smiles are instinctive, a universal sign of friendliness that even newborns recognize. An attractive smile goes a long way in getting you what you land a job, and find love. Yet too often, our teeth deny us the benefits of a beautiful smile. They ruin our looks through discoloration, overlapping, crowding, gaps and chips. Fortunately, through cosmetic dentistry and/or orthodontics, all of these problems can be fixed. The number-one job of cosmetic dentistry today is whitening smiles darkened by coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, or simply age. Patients can choose from two routes to whiter teeth: at-home whitening or in-office whitening. At-home patients can choose from whitening toothpastes, peroxide strips, or at-home home bleaching kits.
Whitening toothpastes deep-clean your teeth, scrubbing away heavy stains on your enamel to make your teeth appear whiter. While the polishing agents in these toothpastes help restore your teeth to their original, pre-stain shade of white, they do not actually change the fundamental colour of your teeth. One exception is the Rembrandt line of toothpastes, which contains peroxide. These toothpastes actually oxidize and bleach your teeth.Peroxide strips bleach your teeth through oxidization. Sit the strips against your teeth and for two thirty-minute intervals a day. The most popular peroxide strips are Crest Whitestrips, which whiten your teeth in fourteen days, and Crest Whitestrips Premium, which whiten your teeth in seven days.At-home bleaching kits use carbamide peroxide solutions to oxidize and bleach your teeth. Mouth trays hold this solution in place against your teeth for a specified amount of time each day. You can purchase at-home bleaching kits from either your dentist or your local drugstore. If you purchase a kit from your dentist, he or she will create custom mouth trays based on molds of your teeth, then help you determine the duration of your treatment. If you purchase an "over-the-counter" kit, you might be asked to create your own mold of your teeth with provided material, send your molds away, and receive trays based on these molds within a few weeks. Or you might receive a one-size-fits-all mouth tray within the kit. (Dentists discourage one-size-fits-all kits as they likely will not fit snugly enough into your mouth, creating the risk of peroxide ingestion or gum irritation due to leaked gel. Use these products at your own risk.) The store-bought kits will include instructions on how long to wear your trays in order to whiten your smile.
For faster results, ask your dentist about in-office bleaching procedures (also called chairside, light-activated or one-hour bleaching). Using hydrogen peroxide gels and a heat or light source, these treatments lighten your teeth by six to eight shades in up to three visits, and sometimes less (hence the name "one-hour whitening"). Choose from one of two in-office options:
Traditional Light-Activated Whitening requires that your cosmetic dentist apply the hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth, then position a lamp by your mouth such that the light shines on your teeth, quickening the work of the gel. Typically, these treatments consist of three twenty-minute gel applications. Laser Whitening also requires that a hydrogen peroxide gel sits on your teeth. Instead of a lamp, your cosmetic dentist will shine a laser light on your teeth, one tooth at a time. Laser whitening allows for greater precision, but can cause some irritation to the gums. This irritation should disappear within twenty-four hours.

Each year in the United States, 500 million dental visits occur. Despite that large number, however, many U.S. children and adults do not have access to dental care and, therefore, receive none. Tooth decay is one of the most common infectious diseases among U.S. children.
This preventable health problem begins early: nearly a fifth of 2- to 4-year-olds, more than half of 8-year-olds, and more than three-fourths of 17-year-olds already have tooth decay. Among low-income children, almost half of cavities are untreated, and may cause pain, dysfunction, poor appearance, and underweight—problems that greatly reduce a child’s capacity to succeed.
Adults also have serious oral health problems. Almost three of every 10 adults older than 65 years have lost all of their teeth because of cavities or gum disease. Each year, about 30,000 cases of mouth and throat cancers are diagnosed, and more than 8,000 people die of these diseases.
Nearly $68 billion is spent on dental services each year. More than 108 million Americans do not have dental insurance. For each child without medical insurance, 2.6 are without dental insurance; for each adult without medical insurance, three are without dental insurance.
Proven preventive measures (e.g., water fluoridation, dental sealants, smoking prevention programs) can reduce oral and dental diseases. However, these measures are often unavailable to those who need them most.
Community water fluoridation prevents cavities and saves money, both for families and the health care system. In fact, for large communities of more than 20,000 people where it costs about 50¢ per person to fluoridate the water, every $1 invested in this preventive measure yields $38 savings in dental treatment costs.
One proven strategy for reaching children at high risk for dental disease is through school programs that are linked with dental care professionals in the community. In 2001, funded programs through the state education agencies in various states developed and implemented models for improving access to oral health education, prevention, and treatment services for school-aged children who are at high risk for oral disease. Oral health is making headway as an important and valued part of healthy living for children and adults.

The next time you go to your dental office for an examination and continuing care (cleaning), ask them if the person who will be performing your oral cancer screening, comprehensive exam for gum disease, cavity screening, preventive prophylaxis (cleaning), polish, fluoride treatment and oral hygiene instructions is a Registered Dental Hygienist. There is a frightening movement in this country to allow untrained, uneducated personnel to become "preceptor hygienists".

What this means is that a dentist can take anyone off the street and "train" them in the office to perform the duties of a Registered Dental Hygienist. Why is this so frightening, you might ask? It is disturbing especially in this day and age when researchers are continually finding more and more evidence that there is a definite connection between periodontal disease (gum disease) and heart disease, diabetes, and premature and low birth weight babies. It is essential that patients receive early detection and treatment of gum disease to lower their risk factors for these systemic diseases.  Most dentists do not receive the extensive training in the detection and treatment of periodontal disease, while a Registered Dental Hygienist spends most of his/her schooling studying and treating this disease. It is also scary to think that someone who will have very little knowledge of the proper position of very sharp (if you're lucky and the person knows to sharpen them) instruments will be able to put those instruments under your gums!
Schooling to become a Registered Dental Hygienist includes classes in Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Head and Neck Anatomy, Etiology and Histology, Nutrition, Radiology, Dental Materials, Periodontology, Oral Pathology, Psychology, Sociology, in addition to many other general education classes.  Registered Dental Hygienists also spend many hours in clinical settings under strictly supervised conditions so that they can learn how to do extensive and thorough examinations of the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, and learn the correct way to position and utilize sharp instruments and other cleaning devices, and to take correctly positioned x-rays. Don't allow this to happen in your state! Make sure that every time you visit your dental hygienist that he/she is a Registered Dental Hygienist, duly licensed by the state in which he/she is practicing.

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.
Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health of your gums.
If you're diagnosed with periodontal disease, your periodontist may recommend periodontal surgery. Periodontal surgery is necessary when your periodontist determines that the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment. Following are the four types of surgical treatments most commonly prescribed:

Do you have a lot in common with “Bleeding Gums” Murphy? Maybe its time to fight the evil gingivitis with the help of your dentist? Gingivitis  is the inflammation of the gums around the teeth due to improper cleaning of teeth. Although systemic factors and general health can modify the tissue reaction to local irritants, Gingivitis in all age groups is caused primarily by local irritants. It is nearly always reversible. The usual signs of gingivitis are gums which are swollen and bleed on brushing. 

Children by and large are not entirely efficient in cleaning their teeth. Oral hygiene has to be stimulated, supervised, and the end result examined for it to be efficient. Particularly sticky foods (such as chocolates and crispy foods ) in the less accessible areas are difficult to remove. Rough and vigorous scrubbing may hurt the child and discourage him form brushing well.( If disclosing rinses / tablets which stain the debris are used, the child may be motivated to brush till the unsightly stain is removed.)
There is no question that the regime of oral hygiene improves gingival health. But in the children, it is advisable for brushing to be supervised by the parent if it has to be effective. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. If your gums are puffy, dusky red and bleed easily, see your dentist. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing damage and preventing more serious problems.

Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a much more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis can cause tooth loss and may even increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. What's more, women with periodontitis are far more likely to give birth to premature babies than women with healthy gums are.
Your dentist may treat gingivitis in several ways, but the first step is to thoroughly clean your teeth, removing all traces of plaque and tartar — a procedure known as scaling. The cleaning may be uncomfortable, especially if your gums are already sensitive or you have extensive plaque and tartar buildup.
Gingivitis usually clears up after a professional cleaning as long as you continue to follow a program of good oral hygiene at home. At first your gums may bleed after brushing, but this usually lasts just a few days. If you persist, you should see pink, healthy gum tissue in a short time. You'll need to practice good oral hygiene for life, however, so your gum problems don't return. Because misaligned teeth and poorly fitting crowns and bridges make it harder to remove plaque, your dentist may recommend fixing these problems as well.

More than 90 million people suffer from chronic halitosis or bad breath. In most cases it originates from the gums and tongue. The odor is caused by bacteria from the decay of food particles, other debris in your mouth, and poor oral hygiene. The decay and debris produce a sulfur compound that causes the unpleasant odor. Bad breath is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene, but can also can be caused by retained food particles or gum disease.
Proper brushing including brushing the tongue, cheeks, and the roof of the mouth will remove bacteria and food particles. Flossing removes accumulated bacteria, plaque and food that may be trapped between teeth. Mouth rinses are effective in temporary relief of bad breath. Consult your dentist and/or physician if the condition persists.Bad breath also may occur in people who have a medical infection, gum disease, diabetes, kidney failure, or a liver malfunction. Xerostomia (dry mouth) and tobacco also contribute to this problem. Cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy may experience dry mouth.
Even stress, dieting, snoring, age and hormonal changes can have an effect on your breath. An odor that comes from the back of your tongue may indicate post-nasal drip. This is where the mucus secretion, which comes from the nose and moves down your throat, gets stuck on the tongue and causes an odor. Bad breath originating in the stomach, however, is considered to be extremely rare. Saliva is the key ingredient in your mouth that helps keep the odor under control because it helps wash away food particles and bacteria, the primary cause of bad breath. When you sleep, however, salivary glands slow down the production of saliva allowing the bacteria to grow inside the mouth.
To alleviate "morning mouth," brush your teeth and eat a morning meal. Morning mouth also is associated with hunger or fasting. Those who skip breakfast, beware because the odor may reappear even if you've brushed your teeth.
Researchers have for many years tried to develop scientific ways to quantify different degrees of halitosis. It's easy to understand how the appraisal of halitosis by smelling might vary from one individual tester to another, but researches have also had to cope with the fact that any one tester's evaluation of a person's halitosis will deviate too. This variance depends on factors such as hunger, menstrual cycle, head positioning, and the number of consecutive times the tester has been exposed to an odor.

Several scientific apparatuses have been used to help to quantify the degree of a person's halitosis. These include gas chromatographs, sulfide meters (Halimeters), and chemiluminescence detectors.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons perform a wide variety of procedures. Removal of impacted teeth. Treatment of dry sockets , Temporomandibular Joint Disease, facial pain, fractured jaws, chin augmentation, tooth replacement therapy, orthognathic and reconstructive rurgery, oral pathology and biopsy, and treatment facial trauma.
There are several kinds of oral surgery, each one different depending on the problem(s) or special needs you might require. Situations that lend themselves to surgery are:
Apertognathia is a situation when the back teeth meet but the front teeth do not touch. This space causes difficulty in biting with the front teeth.
Prognathia is a situation where the lower jaw is too large and grows too far forward. Surgery can be used to slide the lower jaw back.
Retrognatia is a situation where there is a "severe" overbite. These situations are managed with surgery and orthodontics together.
Vertical Maxiallary Excess also known as the gummy smile. In this case the upper jaw has grown too far down. Surgery can move the jaw upward to create a much nicer looking smile.
If you believe you have any of these situations discuss them with your dentist who will refer to specialists qualified to carry out these procedures.
Tooth extraction is also a kind of surgery. One of the main goals of modern dentistry is the prevention of tooth loss. All possible measures should be taken to preserve and maintain your teeth because the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon your dental health and appearance.
One of the biggest obstacles regarding oral surgery is fear. Nobody likes going to the dentist, but for those who suffer dental phobias, a trip to the dentist's office is more than unpleasant: It's a descent into hell. If your primary concern is pain, find out what forms of anesthesia the dentist can offer. Local anesthesia isn't 100 percent effective in all patients. It's important to see someone who can provide options. For example, one relatively simple technique for reducing anxiety is to use a local anesthetic that does not contain epinephrine, which can make the heart race and escalate a patient's sense of panic.  Other options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or pre-medication with anxiety-reducing drugs.
A trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be a scary experience. Dental surgeons are professionals who pride themselves on making your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful.

If you are a denture wearer, you will be all too familiar with the suffering and discomfort associated with painful dentures that do not stay in place when eating and talking. This can cause mental and physical suffering and may also lead to loss of self confidence.
Dental implantology is a new branch of dentistry, and involves the reconstruction of missing teeth and their supporting structures with natural or synthetic (alloplastic, allogenic or autogenous) substitutes.
Even if they are constructed to the highest possible specifications, there are many problems associated with dentures and conventional restorations (e.g. construction of dental bridges require cutting and grinding of usually healthy adjacent teeth). Once the natural teeth are lost, the bone in which they were embedded begins to shrink. This process, known as bone atrophy (similar to muscle wasting when limbs are no longer used) can alter facial appearance and may necessitate the periodic replacement of dentures. Bone loss often leads to functional and cosmetic deterioration of the oral and dental structures.
Yet, thanks to an accidental discovery, innovation, scientific study and recent developments in biomaterials, dental and medical sciences, the suffering endured by people who wear dentures, is no longer necessary.
In 1952, Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark, a Swedish surgeon, whilst conducting research into the healing patterns of bone tissue, accidentally discovered that when pure titanium comes into direct contact with the living bone tissue, the two literally grow together to form a permanent biological adhesion. He named this phenomenon "osseointegration". Today, modern dental implants, developed from the principles of osseointegration are routinely used in hundreds of clinics and hospitals world-wide, and sought after by thousands of patients because they have been proven to provide comfortable, permanent and attractive tooth replacements as an alternative to removable dentures and conventional bridges.
Over the past 20 years, Dental Implants have undergone remarkable changes. Many clinicians designed implants to fit certain needs and properties. Some of those designs had only a short application period, whereas others survived to this very day. Dental implants vary in several aspects, such as shape, place of anchorage (within the bone or on top of the bone), composition, coatings, etc.
Endosseous Implants are implants that are surgically inserted into the jawbone.
Subperiosteal Implants are implants, which typically lie on top of the jawbone, but underneath your gum tissues. The important distinction is that they usually do not penetrate into the jawbone.
Transosseous Implants are implants, which are similar in definition to Endosseous implants in that they are surgically inserted into the jawbone. However, these implants actually penetrate the entire jaw so that they actually emerge opposite the entry site, usually at the bottom of the chin. This is also the site, where they are secured with a device similar to a nut and a pressure plate. It is very similar to a nut and bolt arrangement in ordinary wood carpentry.
Endosseous Implants are the most frequently used implants today. They could be further categorized into several sub-categories; based on their shape, function, surgical placement and surface treatment.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
Oral pathology, however, is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.
Maxilla refers to the jaws - lower maxilla or lower jaw is currently called the mandible and the term maxilla refers to the upper jaw.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a regional surgical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of congenital or aquired diseases,dysfunction or injury of the mouth, jaws, face, neck and associated regions.
Originally Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was a surgical specialty of dentistry however, with increasing scope of practice and complexity of surgery and medicine it become evident that degrees in both Medicine and Dentistry are required before progressing to advanced surgical training in the specialty. Usual pathways require a Medical Degree and a Dental Degree followed by basic medical and dental training and finally 4-5 years of specialty surgical training.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Adjunctive measures in the treatment of sleep apnea

People who can benefit from orthognathic surgery include those with an improper bite or jaws that are positioned incorrectly. Jaw growth is a gradual process and, in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates. The result can be a host of problems that can affect chewing function, speech, long-term oral health, and appearance. Injury to the jaw and birth defects can also affect jaw alignment.
Orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery is needed when jaws don't meet correctly and/or teeth don't seem to fit with jaws. Teeth are straightened with orthodontics, and corrective jaw surgery repositions misaligned jaws. This not only improves facial appearance, but also ensures that teeth meet correctly and function properly.
Difficulty in the following areas should be evaluated :
Any of these can exist at birth or may be acquired after birth as a result of hereditary or environmental influences or, trauma to the face. Before any treatment begins, a consultation will be held to perform a complete examination with x-rays. During the pre-treatment consultation process, feel free to ask any questions that you have regarding your treatment. When you are fully informed about the aspects of your care, you and your dental team will make the decision to proceed with treatment together.
If you are a candidate for Corrective Jaw Surgery, your doctor will work closely with your dentist and orthodontist during your treatment. The actual surgery can move your teeth and jaws into a new position that results in a more attractive, functional and healthy dental-facial relationship.

Speech therapy is for people who have problems in pronunciation due to physical/dental problems. These people usually seek counseling form a speech therapist. A speech therapist is a specialist with training in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of speech, voice, and language disorders who works with people, unable to make speech sounds or cannot make them clearly. They also work with people who stutter, have fluency and rhythm problems, inappropriate pitch, or harsh voice and speech quality problems.
The most widespread and obvious speech disorder is stuttering, often caused by anxiety. The speech therapist sets up a program of speech exercises to reduce the disability, and if necessary, enlists the aid of a psychologist or psychiatrist. Other disorders may result from hearing loss, stroke, cerebral palsy, mental disability, or brain injury. Speech therapists keep careful records on the evaluation and progress of patients, often developing and implementing individualized treatment programs based on the input of physicians, psychiatric social workers, and psychologists. In fact, because speech disorders are usually related to neurological, psychological, and physical conditions, speech therapists must be able to work as a member of a team which may include other healthcare specialists such as a neurologist and psychiatrist.
An important part of a speech therapist's work is the counseling and support of individuals and families on speech disorders and on how to cope with the stress associated with these problems. Therapists also work with families on treatment techniques to use at home and on how to modify behavior that impedes communication. Although a speech therapist's job is not physically demanding, it does require patience and compassion, as progress may be slow and halting.
Speech therapy is a painstaking process, but it can be as rewarding as it is frustrating. Tremendous attention to detail and sharp focus are necessary in the evaluation of the patient's progress.
Overall, speech therapists must be able to understand and empathize with the emotional strains and stresses that such problems bring, both from the patient's and family member's point of view. Speech therapists, like other health care professionals, must carefully diagnose problems and if necessary call upon the advice of other health specialists. The ability to distinguish the need for the professional input of specialists is critical to the therapist's success. Therapists must also monitor the progress of patients, eliminate certain programs, and introduce others that are more effective.
The ability to make informed decisions that may define the success and failure of any individual program is a skill that can only come with years of experience.