Dentist Purcellville VA: June 2012

Monday, June 4, 2012

Oral Health Care - Gum Disease Treatment

Gingival Recession

Gums may recede for any of several reasons, including thin tissue, abnormal position of teeth in the dental arch; malocclusion; inappropriate expansion orthodontics; heavy bite stress; and periodontal disease.

Video and article created by: ToothIQ.com

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental Timothy A. Smith, DDS
609-T East Main Street
Purcellville, VA 20132

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Dental Implant Dentistry

Bone Resportion

Bone resorption is a common complication of tooth removal—one which makes it challenging to replace the teeth esthetically. Fortunately, dentistry has been at the forefront of development in bone science, and offers several common techniques to avoid bone resorption and reconstruct resorption defects. This animation illustrates removal of a lower molar tooth, and the subsequent bone resorption which takes place. Pressure resorption of an edentulous area is shown under a removable partial denture. Compromised placement of a dental implant into an atrophic area of the mandible is animated, and compared with a fixed bridge as a restorative option. Bone resorption in the esthetic zone is then illustrated, showing the cosmetic compromises which must be made if bone grafting is not undertaken prior to restoring the edentulous area. Compromises in implant placement are shown. Sinus pneumatization is animated, and sinus elevation is briefly mentioned as an option. A block cortical graft is quickly shown, followed by placement of a dental implant and restoration with a crown. The animation closes by showing a socket graft to preserve alveolar bone following an extraction.

Video and article created by: ToothIQ.com

Dentist Purcellville VA
Purcellville Dental Timothy A. Smith, DDS
609-T East Main Street
Purcellville, VA 20132

Friday, June 1, 2012

Preventive Dental Care

Dental Sealants and Fissurotomy

By some accounts, 80% of tooth decay begins in the pits and fissures of teeth. Toothbrush bristles may not be able to completely remove food from those areas. Dental sealants and fissurotomy techniques may help protect against these types of cavities. This animation opens by describing the epidemic nature of pit & fissure cavities, and the impetus for their prevention. Pits and fissures are shown in cross-section, and dissolution of tooth enamel in the inaccessible fissures is illustrated- ultimately progressing to caries in dentin. Prophylactic odontotomy (fissurotomy) is described as a potentially viable means of eliminating deep fissures, along with use of microabrasion handpieces to debride the grooves. Sealants are applied, stressing the importance of good moisture control. Microleakage is discussed as a possible consequence of maintaining poor moisture control during placement, followed by caries progression which may be difficult to observe clinically. Finally, a failing sealant is shown, which illustrates the most common problems associated with sealants.