Tag Archives: teeth

The Best in Pain Free Dentistry

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Dr. Tom Tinney, D.D.S. – Dentist Elk Grove

Whether living in or visiting Elk Grove, Dentist Elk Grove is the answer for all your dental needs. From tots to seniors, it is important to maintain good dental health with regular checkups and care. In case you have a dental emergency, walk-in appointments are accepted. Dentist Elk Grove accepts different payment types, including credit card, cash, and insurance. Sometimes we need to have something fixed right away. Talk to Dentist Elk Grove friendly, professional staff regarding your situation.

Reasons to Visit the Dentist Elk Grove

• Dental implants are the answer to dentures. Metal anchors substitute for the roots of your teeth, which have deteriorated. Dentist Elk Grove puts them in the jawbone, and attaches small posts on top of each one. The posts are stable and will hold created teeth, which will look natural and beautiful in your mouth. While you are waiting for the anchors to become part of the jaw, Dentist Elk Grove will give you temporary false teeth so you can eat. It takes about a year to complete the process. Once it’s over and you see your beautiful smile in the mirror, you will agree it was worth the wait.
• Root canals are common dental procedures, even at Dentist Elk Grove. A root canal is done to restore good health to sick teeth, and avoid the necessity of bridges or dental implants. When the pulp in your tooth gets infected, the bad pulp needs removed. Dentist Elk Grove will then clean the root canal and seal it. Some of the things that can cause the infection are cracks in the teeth or unchecked decay.
• Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shapes that are bonded to the teeth in the front and on the top surfaces. Dentist Elk Grove is ready to help the clients who will benefit from the strong, durable covering. Your smile will be widened because of how beautiful it is, thanks to Dentist Elk Grove.

The routine visit is usually for teeth cleaning. The dental hygienist at Dentist Elk Grove is your best friend when it comes to the health of your teeth. If you aren’t flossing correctly, or missing certain spots on your teeth when brushing, a review of those two essential dental hygiene practices will be given.

Other Ways Dentist Elk Grove Can Keep You Smiling

Dentist Elk Grove is qualified to help your smile. Cosmetic fillings can be designed to match your teeth and/or bridges. No more wimpy smiles because your mouth is full of metal. Teeth whitening can be done to clear stains from your teeth and make them look brighter. If it is time for dentures, and your jawbone won’t accept implants, Dentist Elk Grove will do all the steps necessary to make certain your new dentures will fit snugly and comfortably.

Start the children on the right path of good dental care at Dentist Elk Grove. By learning the proper way to brush their teeth and floss, they will form good habits for the rest of their life. One of the best moments for kids is when they are praised by the staff for the steps they are taking towards healthy teeth and gums at Dentist Elk Grove.

Laser Gum Surgery to Treat Gingivitis

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Dr. Tom Tinney, D.D.S. – Laser Dentistry

The purpose of your gums is to give shape and form to the contours of your mouth and provide as a frame for your teeth, and laser dentistry is a great way to keep gums healthy. Sometimes teeth may appear too long or too short, which is a clear sign of gum disease or recession. Many people opt for cosmetic laser gum surgery to keep their smile looking perfect. For excessive gingival display, gum tissue is remodeled or removed to make it more proportioned with teeth. Lasers are the tool of choice for reshaping gums. If a laser isn’t enough, crown lengthening is done on the teeth as well. After the surgery, the patient is advised to gargle anti-bacterial rinse for two weeks to avoid infection.

Laser Dentistry Treatment At Dentist Elk Grove

However, gum disease treatment becomes much more complicated once gingivitis has truly taken hold and periodontal disease has set in. Traditionally, the treatment of gingivitis through surgery removes a lot of gum and can endanger and weaken teeth. That is, until the development of a new technique called Laser Assisted New Attachment Program, where the diseased gum tissue is removed without having to cut or stitch the gums. Today, this is the only laser therapy approved by the FDA for surgery to treat periodontal disease (laser dentistry).

Although only a portion of dentists are versed in laser dentistry treatment for gingivitis, it is becoming increasingly popular and may one day completely take over conventional surgery in the treatment of gingivitis. Laser gum surgery for the treatment of gingivitis has only been truly perfected more recently to where it’s been deemed acceptable for patient use.
There are significant advantages to laser gum surgery opposed to the conventional method. If you are a candidate for laser gum surgery, the surgery itself is usually less painful for the patient even though it is more complicated for the surgeon, with less healing time, less inflammation, and less pain overall. At present, surgery results are not fully realized for a year, which can make it difficult to give completely accurate diagnosis of the laser method. The difference is that the laser gum surgery promotes regeneration to reduce the periodontal pocket depths while traditional gum surgery amputates the gums to attain a healthy periodontal pocket depth.

While both laser gum surgery and traditional gum treatments will produce healthier gums, there are some major differences. Since Traditional surgery removes gum tissue to produce shallower periodontal pockets, this exposes the roots of the teeth to the oral environment. As a result, the teeth look longer as more of the teeth are exposed. This often produces teeth that are sensitive to cold and hot temperatures. Also, by exposing the roots it increases the risk of getting cavities on these root surfaces.

Laser Dentistry Is Noninvasive

Despite laser gum surgery’s relatively noninvasive nature in the treatment of gingivitis, experts stress that prevention of periodontal disease is still far preferable to having surgery to treat gingivitis once it’s taken hold. One of the most important things people have to do for good gum health is to floss. Experts conclude that while brushing can remove about one third of plaque and debris from the teeth, only flossing can remove the other hidden two thirds. Even though laser gum surgery is promising in the treatment of gingivitis, gum disease treatment is less preferable than taking care of the problem before it ever takes hold for good.

Dr. Tom Tinney, DDS (916) 236-4551 – Dentist Elk Grove

Laser Dentistry

Yeast Infection in the Mouth

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Yeast infection in the mouth is commonly known as thrush. The infection known as thrush affects people of all ages, and it is a fairly common infection in babies. The infection known as thrush is caused by yeast, which multiplies within the mouth and it leaves a trail of infection, which tends to be very painful. These types of yeast are found naturally just like any other organisms such as bacteria within the body. Everyone has a small amount of the candida fungus in our mouth, digestive tract and on our skin. Usually these are kept under control by other bacteria or microorganisms in the body. The infection appears when a certain illness or medication destroys this balance and allows the candida to go out of control and thus causing thrush. It is when the yeast grows and expands it is likely to create problems. This infection has the ability to affect a vast number of different areas within the body, including yeast infection in the mouth.

Yeast infection in the mouth and oral thrush are pretty common within a specific group of people and this group includes babies, people with diabetes, denture users, people that are undergoing chemotherapy or taking a course of antibiotics. People that have a weak immune system or eat a poor diet will also be more at risk of suffering from yeast infections including infection in the mouth. There are a number of infections that cause a yeast infection in your mouth. Babies are prone to these infections mainly because their immune systems have not fully developed. When the baby does not have any good bacteria in their mouth the yeast has the perfect grounds to develop and grow, and this will cause a rapid growth of infection.

Yeast infection in the mouth can cause various symptoms. The most common symptom is a whitish patch, and these tend to bleed very easily when they are touched. It is very important not to touch the patches as this can make the wounds worse and can lead to more infection. A lot of the areas that are affected by yeast infections tend to experience a level of mass discomfort and burning sensations within the area. As soon as you think you have a yeast infection in your mouth it is important to visit the doctor immediately, as you will need to get some tests carried out on it. The tests that you need to get will determine whether or not you have the infection. Clinical pictures will allow the doctor to determine whether or not a baby is suffering from the condition. It is very important that adults get these tests carried out because the symptoms can also be applied to other conditions such as cancer.

There is a range of different treatments available for yeast infection in the mouth. It is very important that the causes are considered so that the infection does not reoccur. If you normally wear dentures make sure that they fit properly. If you suffer from yeast infection due to diabetes it is very important that you seek medical advice on how best to treat it. If you suffer from thrush infections due to bad diet or bad feeding habits then seek advice on how to change these routines.

It is much more beneficial to do what you can to avoid a yeast infection in the mouth beforehand. Most importantly — have good oral hygiene and brush your teeth at least two times a day in order to keep your mouth clean. Try and avoid mouth sprays and mouthwashes that can destroy the balance of bacteria in your mouth and thus leading you to getting thrush. Quitting smoking will also lower your chances of thrush. The odds of getting a mouth yeast infection because you are smoking is higher, because the smoke destroys the balance of bacteria in your mouth.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

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Cosmetic dentistry is a term that covers a diverse range of dental procedures. The aim is to restore teeth to their natural beauty. Cosmetic dentistry can also be restored to correct dental problems such as an overbite or missing teeth. If you have bad teeth, this type of dentistry can enhance the way your smile looks and also enhance your confidence. One of the most positive aspects of cosmetic dentistry is the difference it can have on a person’s attitude towards life. An enhanced smile means the person will smile more, seem friendlier and ultimately be a happier person. The psychological and emotional changes are said to be amazing. If you feel that you smile is letting you down, then cosmetic dentistry may be the answer to your problems.

Discoloration of teeth is one of the main problems faced by people today. Discoloration can take place due to a lot of factors like excessive cigarettes, coffee or alcohol. Teeth whitening are many times referred as teeth bleaching. With the use of some chemical bleaching agents, your teeth are washed clean. This approach is used to effectively whiten your teeth from discoloration. This therapy may be performed in a dental clinic or in the comfort of the patient’s house. It is substantial to understand that everyone’s teeth are not right for bleaching. It is thus noteworthy for patients seek consultation from their dentist earlier opting for this therapy.

Installation of porcelain veneer is one of the most standard cosmetic dentistry procedures. Porcelain veneers are joined to the teeth that are chipped, broken, or discolored. If proper quality porcelain is used for manufacturing veneers, it makes them last for numerous years all together. Some patients are afraid of installing veneers because it needs the elimination of outer layer of the tooth enamel. There is nothing to be afraid of because with the right sedation there is no pain. The proper kind of technology makes this cosmetic dentistry procedure a painless but effective therapy.

Dental implants are metal devices made with a specific purpose that are created to replace the missing teeth. These implants are mostly made from titanium and are surgically implanted on the jawbone, in the spot where the tooth is absent. Unlike other cosmetic dentistry procedures, like the dental bridges, these implants are a stable solution. They are designed to act like a tooth root and they effectively hold on to crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Crowns are custom made fitted caps that are designed to command the whole tooth, post preparation. The crowns are typically made from porcelain or acrylic. These crowns are fused to a metal that ensures their bite pressure sustainability. These dental caps are used as an alternative to treat decayed, chipped, inadequately shaped, or broken teeth.

Teeth shaping is also called enamel shaping. Shaping is a method in which the dentist is able to redesign the shapes of your teeth by removing or filling much of the enamel. This therapy is commonly trouble-free, and shows instant results.

Many people think of cosmetic dentistry is a sophisticated process but the truth is that the process requires minimal effort. Treatments used in cosmetic dentistry are easy, safe, and causes no side effects, as long as it is handled by a professional dentist. However, the results have the ability to change the whole perspective of a person.

Diseases of the Mouth

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There are a number of common mouth diseases that can affect people at various points in their lives. It’s important to look after your oral health by brushing and flossing regularly and by visiting your Elk Grove dentist on a regular basis. Diseases like hand-foot-mouth disease, thrush, and gingivitis all need to be treated promptly.

Hand-foot-mouth disease is usually seen in babies and children. Symptoms include blistering in the mouth, sore throat, fever, and lack of appetite. This common mouth disease also presents as a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The virus is spread from person to person and frequent hand washing is a good strategy to keep the risk of spreading it down. Since hand-foot-mouth disease is a virus, there is no specific treatment ordered to treat this example of common mouth diseases. Specific symptoms can be treated, though. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to reduce fever and treat the pain caused by the mouth sores.

Another example of disease of the mouth is thrush. This is an oral yeast infection that affects children and adults. Yeast is normally present in a person’s mouth and if the levels are at a normal level, this is not a cause for concern. However, when the individual’s resistance to infection is low, the level of yeast can get out of balance, and cause an infection. Thrush looks like white lesions on the tongue and in the mouth. The tissue underneath the lesions will appear red in color and my bleed. Your doctor or dentist can diagnose a case of thrush and recommend treatment options. When babies have thrush, most of the time no specific treatment is needed and the infection will clear up on its own. In adults, a special mouthwash or lozenges with anti-fungal properties may be ordered.

Periodontal disease is often a result of poor oral care and hygiene, though not always. In some cases, weakened immune systems or genetic disorders can result in chronic periodontal disease. A far more common cause of periodontal disease is the long-term neglect of the teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria build up in the mouth, on the surface of teeth, and between the teeth and gums to forms plaque. If plaque remains on the surface of the teeth and between the teeth and gums, it becomes a much harder substance called tartar. Gingivitis is yet another example of common mouth diseases. This condition causes the gums to swell. Bleeding after brushing may be a sign of gingivitis, but there are other factors that my increase your risk of developing the disorder. Tobacco use, poor nutrition, substance abuse, and the hormonal changes present during pregnancy have been linked to gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, which is a more serious mouth disease. It’s a good idea to look after your oral health by practicing good oral hygiene. Seek medical attention if you notice something that doesn’t appear normal, and be on the lookout for symptoms of these common mouth diseases.

In healthy mouths, the buildup of plaque occurs naturally, but is easily controlled by regular brushing and flossing and routine professional teeth cleanings. However, if the bacteria begin to increase either due to neglect or to a medical condition, the tartar eventually destroys the gums and supporting structures. Periodontal disease occurs more frequently in people with diabetes, osteoporosis, herpes, and diseases that weaken the immune system. Other risk factors for developing periodontal disease are preventable and include smoking and vitamin C deficiency. Short of poor oral hygiene, smoking is the leading preventable cause of periodontal disease.

Preventative Dentistry to Avoid Gum Disease

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Preventative dentistry relies on good oral hygiene and regular dental care that is essential throughout your life, whatever your age. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting the doctor regularly, you will help prevent dental problems and aid in early detection of problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. In the process, you can save your teeth and gums. You should visit your dentist every 6 months for routine cleanings and check ups. A complete program of preventive dental begins with regular cleanings to control plaque and calculus, which cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. It is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that will damage gums. At each regular checkup the dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice between your tooth and gums to identify whether you have gum disease.

Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged they develop into a pocket; generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket. With gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing. In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.

Tooth decay or cavities can develop on all surfaces of any tooth. A decaying tooth may not cause you pain, so you may have a cavity and not realize it. The dentist checks for tooth decay at your regular check-ups and will periodically use x-rays to check for decay between teeth. The dentist treats tooth decay by cleaning out the cavity and placing a restoration or filling in the tooth.

By fighting plaque you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. You can start fighting plaque and keeping your gums and teeth healthy at any age by following some simple guidelines:

  • Schedule regular check-ups. Visit the doctor regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
  • Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces.
  • Clean between your teeth daily with floss. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
  • Eat a balanced diet with limited snacks. Nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit should be chosen for snacks.
  • Ask the doctor about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.

Mouth Infection Sources

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A mouth infection can have several causes ranging from a minor problem to something very serious. It can involve the teeth, gums, cheeks, lips and tonsils. It’s rare that the tongue or the floor of the mouth becomes infected. When they do it’s usually from trauma. There can be pain, bad breath, difficulty chewing which can aggravate a TMJ problem or systemic disease.

Periodontitis is a common chronic bacterial infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. The host response to this infection is an important factor in determining the extent and severity of the disease. Systemic conditions may modify the extent of periodontitis principally through their effects on normal immune and inflammatory mechanisms.

An ulcer is a hole that forms in the lining of the mouth when the top layer of cells breaks down and the underlying tissue shows through. An ulcer appears white because of the dead cells and food debris inside the hole. Because the normal flow of saliva helps protect the lining of the mouth, any condition that decreases saliva production makes mouth sores more likely. Any sore that lasts for 10 days or more must be examined by a dentist or doctor to ensure that it is not cancerous.

An infection of the cheek or lip is often of viral origin and difficult to treat. Two very common problems involving the cheeks, lips and the gums are apthous ulcers, canker sores and herpes. Fortunately, they normally run their course and disappear 7 to 10 days later. Herpes stomatitis is caused by the herpes virus which also causes cold sores. The first herpes incident that a child has can be severe. It is most common in children 1-2 years old and causes many small, sore, open blisters inside the mouth and on the gums and tongue along with a fever.

Small amounts of the candida fungus are present in the mouth, digestive tract, and skin of most healthy people and are normally kept in check by other bacteria and microorganisms in the body. However, certain illnesses, stress, or medications can disturb the delicate balance, causing the fungus candida to grow out of control, causing infection. It appears as a white patch, which can easily be stripped off to leave a red, bloody area. If you’re an adult with oral thrush, you may be able to control the infection by eating unsweetened yogurt or taking acidophilus capsules or liquid. Acidophilus is available in natural food stores and many drugstores. Some brands need to be refrigerated to maintain their potency. Yogurt and acidophilus don’t destroy the fungus, but they can help restore the normal bacterial flora in your body. If this isn’t effective, your doctor or dentist may prescribe a mild antifungal medical mouth rinse.

Heredity also plays a role in mouth health. The overall strength of teeth is generally passed on from parent to child. Other risk factors such as neglect and poor nutrition are controllable factors. Long term mouth disease can lead to serious complications such as, chronic fatigue, blood infections, septic poisoning, and even death in rare cases. Complications from undiagnosed conjoining diseases are innumerable.

Laser Periodontics

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Periodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontists are also expert in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Today there are two dozen indications for use with various dental laser devices; and the clinical applications continue to increase, making the laser one of dentistry’s most exciting advances with unique patient benefits. Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP™ ) is therapy designed for the treatment of periodontitis through regeneration rather than resection. This therapy and the laser used to perform it have been in use for more than a decade. In surgery a variable dental laser is used by a trained and certified Elk Grove dentist or periodontist to treat the periodontal pocket. The laser energy selectively removes diseased or infected pocket tissue from the underlying connective tissue. Since the laser energy is quite selective for pocket epithelium, the underlying pleuropotential connective tissue is spared, thereby permitting healing and regeneration rather than formation of a pocket seal by long junctional epithelium.

Each wavelength has a somewhat unique effect on dental structures, due to the specific absorption of that laser energy in the tissue. Some lasers are only absorbed by blood and tissue pigments, while others are only absorbed by water as well as hard tissue, like enamel, dentin, and bone. More specifically, the wavelengths can be categorized into three groups. Diode and Nd:YAG wavelengths target the pigments in soft tissue and pathogens as well as inflammatory and vascularized tissue. Carbon Dioxide lasers also easily interact with free water molecules in soft tissue as well as vaporizing the intracellular water of pathogens. Erbium lasers are sometimes called all tissue instruments because of their very short temporal emission mode and absorption in the water of soft and hard tissue.

Lasers produce light energy that can be absorbed by a target tissue, and this absorption process produces a thermal reaction in that tissue. Depending on the instrument’s parameters and the optical properties of the tissue, the temperature will rise and various effects will occur. In general, most non-sporulating bacteria, including anaerobes, are readily deactivated at temperatures of 50 degrees C. The inflammatory soft tissue present in periodontal disease can be removed at 60 degrees C; moreover, hemostasis can also be reached within the same heat parameters. Soft tissue excisional or incisional surgery is accomplished at 100 degrees C, where vaporization of intra- and extra cellular water causes ablation, or removal of biological tissue. Likewise, the aqueous component of tooth structure and bone also boils at this temperature; thus cavity preparation, calculus removal, and osseous contouring can proceed.

After the procedure, most patients experience new root surface coating and new connective tissues formation  on teeth roots, preventing tooth loss. Pocket depth reduction is comparable to that achieved by conventional pocket reduction surgery, but without the gingival recession normally associated with osseous surgery. Significant post-operative reduction in gingival indices, gingival inflammation, and bleeding on probing are also common desirable results of using lasers in periodontics. Lasers use spares more healthy tissue than scaling and root planing, patients experience minimal post-operative recession and disfigurement or root sensitivity. These results reduce the future risk of root caries and dental decay of the tooth root. Minimal pain is easily controlled through the use of ibuprofen. Patients are encouraged to improve and maintain standards of oral hygiene to prevent further active periodontitis.