Patient Education Section - GotoDentistry.com
FAQ
What is "orthodontics," and why do people get braces?
Orthodontics is a special discipline of dentistry concerned with aligning
the teeth and jaws to improve one's smile and oral health. "Ortho"
means correct or straight and "Odont" means tooth. A dentist usually
recommends braces to improve the patient's physical "orofacial"
appearance. Through orthodontic treatment, problems like crooked or crowded
teeth, overbites or underbites, incorrect jaw position and disorders of
the jaw joints are corrected.
When is the right time for braces?
Patients with orthodontic problems can benefit from treatment at nearly
any age. An ideal time for placement of braces is between 10 and 14 years
of age, while the head and mouth are still growing and teeth are more accessible
to straightening. However, because any adjustments in facial appearance
can be traumatic to a child during these sensitive years, parents should
discuss the matter with their children before braces are applied. And braces
aren't just for kids. More and more adults are also wearing braces to correct
minor problems and to improve their smiles.
How long will I have to wear braces?
That depends upon your treatment plan. The more complicated your spacing
or bite problem is, and the older you are, the longer the period of treatment,
usually. Most patients can count on wearing full braces between 18 and 30
months, followed by the wearing of a retainer for at least a few months
to up to two years to set and align tissues surrounding straightened teeth.
Some patients may have to wear a permanent retainer.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
If your tooth's nerve chamber becomes infected by decay, or damaged by trauma,
root canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth. Inside the
hard outer shell of each tooth is a specialized area called the pulp or
nerve chamber. The pulp chamber contains a system of blood vessels, lymph
vessels and nerves, the pulp, which enter from the bone through the root
canals. This system provides nourishment for the cells within the tooth.
Deep tooth decay or other injury can cause damage to or infection of the
tooth pulp. In a root canal or endodontic treatment, the dentist removes
the damaged or infected pulp and replaces it with a special filler which
helps maintain the remaining tooth structure.
What is a Root Canal ?
A treatment to save a tooth by removing the dead or infected nerve in the
tooth and filling the resulting space. The treatment is about 95% successful.
What is Gum Disease ?
The degeneration of the supporting structures of the teeth, the bone and
gums. It usually progressed slowly and painlessly.
What is a Cavity ?
A hole in your tooth resulting from bacteria in your mouth metabolizing
food and creating acid that eats through your tooth.
What is Gingivitis ?
The inflammation of your gums due to the build up of plaque and calculus.
What are Implants ?
A type of metal screw or plate surgically placed in your jaw and used to
support a denture, bridge, or tooth
When should my child first see a dentist?
It's easy to remember, first visit by first birthday.
What is a Sealant ?
A plastic material that is put in the grooves of back teeth to prevent cavities.
What can I do about Bad Breath?
See your dentist, there are many mouth problems that can cause bad breath
such as gum disease, old or worn fillings, crowns, and dentures.
What is a Crown ?
A type of restoration that covers your tooth like a "cap" on your
head. It strengthens teeth that are broken or have large fillings.
Definitions of Specialties
Endodontist
is a dentist that strictly deals with the nerve of the tooth. They may perform
simple to difficult root canal treatments as well as surgical root procedures.
They may perform an apicoectomy (surgically removing the tip of the root)
or a root amputation (removing a root on a multi-rooted tooth), also. They
have usually 2 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental
school, and most limit their practice to only endodontics.
Oral Surgeon
is a dentist that performs many aspects of surgery in and about the head
area. They can perform simple to extremely difficult (Completely-Bony Impacted
Third Molars (Wisdom teeth)) extractions. They also perform biopsies and
removal of tumors in the head and neck region. Most place implants in the
jaw for future restorations and do complex jaw realignment surgeries. They
have usually 4 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental
school, and most limit their practice to only oral surgery.
Orthodontist
is a dentist that straightens teeth. They analyze a mouth and surrounding
bone structures and determine where the teeth should be. If there is enough
room they will manipulate the teeth and bone through the use of bands, wires,
elastics, headgears and other appliances to achieve a harmonius balance
between facial muscles and teeth. If there is not enough room teeth may
have to be extracted to achieve the desired results. They treat children
as well as adults, so don't be afraid you are too old to have braces. They
have usually 2 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental
school, and most limit their practice to only orthodontics.
Pedodontist
is a pediatric dentist. They focus their dentistry to treating the younger
patients. They will usually treat children from as little as 1 or 2 to early
adulthood. They can perform all aspects of dentistry on this crowd. They
can detect early on if there are problems with decayed, missing, crowded
or malpositioned teeth and correct them as well as spot signs of child abuse.
They have usually 2 or more years of continuing education after graduating
dental school, and most limit their practice to only pedodontics.
Periodontist
is a dentist that deals with the supporting structures of the teeth. They
diagnosis and treat gingivitis (Inflammation of the gum tissue) as well
as periodontitis (Gum Disease). They may perform simple cleanings to complicated
bone surgeries. They perform bone grafting where indicated and do soft tissue
grafts to treat gum recession. Most also place implants in the jaw for future
restoration. They have usually 3 or more years of continuing education after
graduating dental school, and most limit their practice to only periodontics.
Prosthodontist
is a dentist that deals with simple to complicated full mouth restorations.
They may be crowns, fixed bridges, dentures, implant cases, or mixed implant
and fixed bridge cases. They sometimes encompass the majority of the patients
remaining teeth. They also perform needed restorative procedures, such as
obturators, after removal of cancerous portions of the mouth.They have usually
3 or more years of continuing education after graduating dental school,
and most limit their practice to only prosthodontics.
These are the only official specialties in the field of dentistry. Cosmetic, aesthetic, geriatric or implantology are not recognized specialties, yet!