Shoulder Replacement Surgery

It is important to realize that shoulder replacement surgery actually refers to the replacement of the shoulder joint and not the entire shoulder. It is a common procedure done to repair the damaged shoulder joint for various reasons.

Why would someone require shoulder replacement surgery?

The main reason for a shoulder replacement surgery is the pain, particularly intense pain that negatively affects an individual’s life. This prevents a person even from performing daily everyday tasks. The most common reason for the surgery is arthritis, which can either be in the form of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the cartilage within the shoulder joint.

Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is caused by an overuse of the shoulder joint, which usually develops with age. Osteoarthritis is also common in people who tend to use their shoulder very often as well. Regardless of the form of arthritis, it presents with pain because moving the shoulder begins to press against the nerves. There are medications that help to relieve the pain and inflammation. Shoulder replacement surgery can be done if the pain is severe.

If the pain can’t be controlled with over the counter painkillers, prescribed painkillers or other conservative treatment methods. The other major cause of shoulder pain that may require the surgery is trauma, such as in cases of a car accident where the parts of the shoulder joint are damaged. In these cases, surgery is perhaps the only treatment available for the damage to the shoulder joint may be extensive.

Shoulder replacement surgery is a fairly common surgery, and it has been performed since the 1950s. However, it’s still not as common as knee and hip replacement surgeries.

How is the surgery done?

To understand how the surgery is performed, it’s important to know the structure of the shoulder joint. It is a ball and socket joint – the end of the humerus of the upper arm is ball-shaped and it fits into the glenoid. This is a socket-shaped and found at the end of the shoulder blade (scapula). For smooth motion, both the humerus and the scapula are lined with cartilage which allows the bones to glide and move once the shoulder joint is moved.

Tying everything together are tendons and muscles. If any of these parts are damaged, there mild, moderate or severe pain is experienced, accompanied by difficulties moving the joint, etc. In these cases, surgical treatment is required, especially when conservative treatment has failed to relieve the signs and symptoms of shoulder joint problem. For the surgery, the end of the humerus and the glenoid are replaced with artificial substances – plastic and metal.

For binding, a kind of cement is used or alternative materials can be placed that allow the bone to grow naturally. The end of the humerus is usually drilled with a piece of metal to strengthen the bone, especially if the damage is severe. In less serious cases, it can just be lined with plastic. As for the glenoid, it can be smoothed using plastic only or a combination of plastic and metal.

It is a serious surgery that usually requires general anesthesia, although sometimes local anesthesia alone can be used. After the surgery, you will need to rest the joint so that the damaged muscles and tendons around the joint can heal and fully recover. When this process is done, physical therapy can then begin to allow you to learn to use your shoulder again and provide you with the best range of motion possible.

Just like any other surgical procedure, shoulder replacement surgery has its own risks and possible complications. The possible risks and complications of this kind of surgery include:

•    Infection at the surgical site – In general, infections at the surgical site are rare if the procedure is performed correctly by the medical team and if the patient takes a good care of his shoulder after the surgery. People suffering from diabetes, chronic liver diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., have an increased risk of an infection following a shoulder replacement surgery.

Once an infection is diagnosed, antibiotic treatment is required. In certain cases, when there is a severe infection at the surgical site, even a complete removal of the artificial shoulder joint is required.

•    Blood clots – Patients tend to develop blood clots following a shoulder replacement surgery only if they are inactive after the surgery. These are a dangerous complication, even life – threatening as they can lead to pulmonary embolism. Blood clots as a complication of shoulder replacement surgery are more common in overweight and obese patients.

As well as those who have a history of blood clots in the past, patients suffering from cancer, etc.

•    Nerve injury – is a rare complication of shoulder replacement surgery. If a nerve is injured during a surgery, a numbness and tingling sensation, as well as, difficulties moving the muscles can develop. In general, nerve injuries tend to get better in time, often resolving completely.

•    Lack of motion range – in certain cases even after a surgical replacement of the shoulder joint, patients are not able to move their shoulder far enough. They will not even be able to perform regular daily tasks and lead a normal life. How far you will be able to move your shoulder after the surgery greatly depends on how far you were able to move your shoulder even before the surgery.

Physical therapy is very important in such cases. Helping a patient learn how to use the new shoulder joint again gradually and gaining as much motion range as possible after the surgery.

•    Humerus dislocation – usually occurs in cases when the shoulder is stretched more than it should and too soon after the surgery. For this reason, a patient should not move its elbow past the body and toward the back immediately and a couple of weeks after the surgery. With the help of a physical therapy, a patient is taught how to use his new shoulder again gradually.

•    Humerus fracture – even though it is a rare complication of a shoulder replacement surgery, it can occur during and even after the surgery.

•    Joint instability – occurs if the parts of the joints loosen up after the surgery. It also occurs if the soft tissue of the shoulder joint gets stretched out more than it should too soon after the surgery.

Reasons Why Curtain Wall Installations Need to Be Done

Curtain wall structures are exterior walls made from aluminum and glass. They offer many benefits and are non-load-bearing to any multistory building. It’s designed in such a way to span over 2 or even more floors. Some of them commonly span over the complete side of a building. 

Curtain walls are used on the outer walls of any building structure to protect it. During the medieval periods, these walls were used mainly as a defense structure to protect castles. In today’s time and age, it serves more as a basic protection purpose to keep all the elements out, like wind and rain while it also helps in stabilizing the structures. Most of the time, it will be used for designs of commercial buildings where it serves a purpose that is important.

Look at the following benefits it can provide.

In friendly work suites as natural lighting

Natural lighting is the biggest benefit and most of the time the best selling point for an estate management firm when they lease the units out. It lets in enough amazing natural light because you don’t have to deal with ordinary walls. This will also benefit all workers because natural light will be easier on their eyes and also show truer colors.

Another benefit of these curtain walls is that it offers a wonderful panoramic view and every office in the building will feel like that corner office space. When estate managers lease out these units, they concentrate on the benefit of the view.

Energy efficiency will be boosted

Due to the manner of these glass blocks and how they fit into the aluminum frames, it will provide a fit that is air tight. It will help in sealing-in a building’s hot air during winter times, as well as keeping the cooler air in during months that is hotter.

Additionally, if energy efficient glass is used, it will reflect the UV radiations and prevent the building from becoming like an oven in summer. With these energy efficient walls, it will also keep the building’s operational costs very low.

It’s also a waterproof installation

The sealant that is used with installation provides a barrier that is moisture proof. That will mean that no moisture and rain will be able to enter this building when the sealant stays intact.

Periodic inspections should be done to ensure that the sealant remains in a good condition. It will offer a protective and durable option to prevent any water damage, and the materials that are used will be resistant to any corrosion. This will lower the maintenance cost and tenants won’t be disturbed frequently.

Other advantages

One of the main advantages today with curtain walls is that it’s a lighter construction material such as glass compared to the concrete and steel structures that were used before to support the complete structure of a building.

Except for the benefit of natural light filtration and the prevention of moisture to enter a building, it also can act to prevent, slow down or stop a fire from spreading between the floors of the building.

About normal system designed curtain walls with extruded aluminum

Except for the fact that aluminum is a cheaper product as what steel is, it’s just as robust. Aluminum falls under your green products which make it easier to recycle, without a noticeable loss of quality. It can also be maintained and cleaned easily, and it won’t tear, rust or rot, as well as its shape, won’t twist or deform.

Glass aluminum curtain walls are also ideal to use for refurbishing or in new-build developments, which will be a cost-effective and quick way to incorporate large glass areas into the building. It also offers energy performance of high-value, and will advance security and thermal functions.

Some installation benefits and specifics of curtain walls

Systems of curtain walls come in a lot of different types and they can differentiate be the way these systems are constructed. Usually, these systems of curtain walls integrate in different mullion sizes, which are the metal poles used to make up the panels’ framing.

Glazing will then be installed onsite to its mullions, although prefabricated panels are also available which will be anchored to the buildings slabs. 

The types of these curtain walls that are very common will include the following:

The stick system

The stick system for curtain walls will require mullions that need to be vertical installed which is anchored to slabs of the floor. Normally glazing will be done on site, and other components such as horizontal mullions, as well as spandrel panels will be attached only if these vertical mullions are set.

Panel systems

These systems will be less cost-effective than your stick systems. Typically, these large panels are manufactured off-site, which will then be attached within the structured building to its anchors.

Mullion and unit systems

It’s a hybrid system, thus, some curtain walls need mullions that is already anchored to a building structure, after which this pre-fabricated unit will be attached to its mullions.

What If You Could Prevent Childhood Dental Problems?

If you have ever had to explain to a young child that they need a tooth removed or dental fillings, then you will already know it isn’t a pleasant task. So, what if you could prevent dental problems and were able to keep your kid’s teeth strong and healthy? You’d almost certainly jump at the chance, but, there is nothing complicated in preventing dental disease in kids.

With the right preventative dental care from a good pediatric dentist, your child will have a healthy smile. With some dedication from you, there is little reason why your child cannot grow up with healthy and cavity-free teeth. Even if they already have some dental problems, it is never too late to begin a new regime of dental care and this could help to save their adult teeth.

Why Great Dental Care is About More than Just a Healthy Smile

Taking action now could set your child on the right path to enjoy great dental health for life. This not only increases their chances of having a healthy smile and all the benefits that can bring but will help to protect their overall health. One of the most common dental diseases is gum disease, a condition that causes tooth loss.

Gum disease in its advanced stages can increase the risk of general health problems. Advanced gum disease or periodontal disease can increase the risk of developing or of worsening many common health problems. These include rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Making Sure Your Kid Gets the Right Dental Care

Children have very different needs to adults which are why it is always better to take them to a pediatric dental office. A pediatric dentist is the very best person to treat a child. This is because they have spent years completing specialized training enabling them to address the very specific needs of their small patients.

Additionally, a pediatric dental office is equipped in a way that is quite different from a general dental office. It has smaller chairs and child-sized tools to help make the experience more comfortable and much more non-threatening. You’ll also notice that a pediatric dentist relates incredibly well to children.

If your child does need any treatment or when they need any help or tuition about their dental care, a pediatric dentist can provide it in a way that is easy. It will be easy for them to understand and it will be much more enjoyable. The idea is to make learning fun.

Preventative Dental Treatments That Will Help Your Kid

Good preventative dental care begins with a checkup. During a checkup, your kid’s mouth will be carefully but gently examined for any signs of disease. The dentist is also looking at the way your child’s teeth and jaws are developing. These problems can be caused if your kid has any oral habits such as a finger or thumb sucking or if they are a mouth breather.

These habits can affect the development of their teeth and jaws and sometimes early orthodontic treatment can be useful. Based on the results of your child’s very first checkup, your dentist will provide a customized prevention plan. This shows how frequently your child should visit their dental office.

It also shows details of any other treatments they think will help keep their teeth and gums healthy and strong. Most children will need six monthly checkups but if your kid has any ongoing dental problems then they may benefit from more frequent visits. At every checkup, it’s worth getting your child’s teeth professionally cleaned.

Prophylaxis and Why It Will Help Your Kid

If you regularly visit a dentist, then it’s likely you have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. This is to remove any hardened plaque or tartar from teeth which help keep your teeth and gums in great shape. Prophylaxis reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay and your kid needs regular professional dental cleanings for exactly the same reasons as you.

During this appointment, it’s also possible for the hygienist to identify any areas your child might be missing whenever they brush or floss their teeth. This will allow your dentist to provide personalized oral hygiene instructions to help your child brush in the most effective way possible. If they do need any tuition on how to brush and floss then you can be sure it will be done in a way that is entertaining and fun.

Treatments to Protect Their Teeth

Regular brushing and flossing will do a lot to keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong. There are treatments that can help provide a little more protection.

Fluoride Varnish

Fluoride is a great way to protect young teeth as it helps to harden tooth enamel, reducing the risk of cavities. Your pediatric dentist can apply fluoride topically to tooth surfaces in the form of a varnish. 

This is a quick and painless treatment as the varnish is simply painted onto newly cleaned teeth.

It must be left in place for several hours or even overnight before your child can brush it off. During this time, they will still be able to eat and drink normally.

Dental Sealants

Back teeth are often prone to developing cavities and if you look at them you will see why. The chewing surfaces have lots of grooves and fissures that are quite tricky to keep clean and which can easily trap food and bacteria. Dental sealants are a fantastic way to protect these surfaces and are generally applied to a child’s adult back teeth soon after they emerge.

This includes the molars and premolars. It’s essential to do this treatment at this stage because dental sealants can only be applied to teeth that do not have cavities or fillings or any signs of decay. Treatment is every bit as painless as fluoride varnish. Firstly, the tooth surface is lightly etched before the etching liquid is washed off in the tooth is dried.

The dental sealant is then painted onto the tooth surface where it soon hardens or it can be hardened with an ultraviolet light. This creates a thin, durable yet nearly invisible smooth film over the tooth surface. Treatment makes it easier to keep teeth clean and it doesn’t interfere with their bite.

All these treatments will help keep your kid’s teeth in great shape. You will also find your pediatric dentist can offer lots of advice and information about children’s dental care. They can even talk to you about their dietary needs and how particular diet choices can influence their dental health.

With the right kind of dental care, there is no reason why your child shouldn’t enjoy great dental health for life.

Learn How a Nanocoating Could Help Reduce Dental Implant Failures

Dental implants are becoming an increasingly common way of replacing missing teeth. It’s estimated that around 3 million Americans already have dental implants, with this figure rising by 500,000 each year. With this much interest in dental implants, it’s hardly surprising that research and development into this technology are ongoing.

Companies search for ever more innovative ways of improving dental implant success rates. 

Currently, the success rate for a properly planned and placed dental implants is around 95%. Some dentists have rates that are typically higher than this. However, this does mean there is a small risk of implant failure.

Sometimes problems can develop with dental implants many years after placement and when everything seemed just fine.

Why Implants Can Fail

There are several reasons why dental implants can fail. Sometimes it can be a mechanical failure, where the implant fails to bond with the surrounding bone or is rejected for some reason. But, one of the most common reasons for implant failure is a condition called peri-implantitis. This is an inflammatory condition caused when harmful bacteria in the mouth develops into biofilm which attaches to dental implants.

Now, new research carried out in the UK has investigated the effectiveness of a nano-coating to the dental implants which would reduce the risk of infection.

What Was Discovered during This Research?

For this study, the team created a nano-coating consisting of hydroxyapatite and titanium oxide. This was applied to the surface of titanium alloy implants. This was found to successfully reduce bacterial infection, inhibiting the growth of bacterial biofilm on the surface of implants by 97.5%.

The application of this coating had two effects.

Firstly, they helped to eradicate bacterial infection while creating a surface that had anti-biofilm properties to support Osseointegration. This is a process where the dental implant gradually integrates with the surrounding bone. This helped to accelerate bone healing. At the moment, there aren’t any guidelines in place for using this type of nano-technology in a medical or dental application.

The next step is to demonstrate the effectiveness of this type of coating in animals or eventually in humans.

What This Could Mean for Implants in the Future

So, what would this mean for patients considering dental implants to replace missing teeth? It should be very good news because this type of coating on dental implants could help increase patient satisfaction and comfort. Currently, strategies to help prevent infection in dental implants are focused on using antimicrobial coatings of chlorhexidine or antibiotics.

While these approaches can work, they are only effective in the shorter term and there are concerns about using chlorhexidine. The use of a nano-coating of silver hydroxyapatite could prove to be a more effective approach in the longer term.

What to Do in the Meantime to Keep Your Dental Implants Healthy

This type of technology is obviously still in the research stage, so what can you do if you need dental implants right now? There are simple strategies that you can follow to make sure your dental implant treatment has the greatest chance of success.

You’ll find a few simple steps outlined below.

Choose the Right Dental Implant Dentist

Your treatment will not be successful unless you choose the right dental implant dentist to place your implants. These days an increasing number of general dentists are offering implant treatment but many may have limited experience in placing dental implants. While treatment may be perfectly adequate it might not be the best available.

This is especially if you have more complicated dental needs or require multiple dental implants. Choosing a dentist who specializes in placing implants helps increase the odds of having a successful treatment. Ideally, your chosen dentist should routinely place dental implants.

He/she will be familiar with using several different implant systems to fully accommodate your needs. A good dental implant dentist will probably use implant components from one of the top implant companies. They will choose that instead of choosing cheaper generic dental implants. Although generic implants can be perfectly okay, they haven’t undergone anything.

Anything like the research and development carried out by the major dental implant companies so their long-term prognosis is unproven. Sometimes implant components need replacing which is fine if you can go back to your original dental implant dentist. If you have moved out of the area or are simply living in a different country or away from home, it’s much trickier to get replacements.

This is if you don’t have dental implants from one of the major companies. Many dentists will be reluctant to touch dental implants when they are unsure of the manufacturer used. Your chosen dental implant dentist should also use computer guided implant surgery as this is one of the most effective ways to place dental implants.

It not only ensures that your implants will be situated in the best possible positions but helps to ensure that your implant treatment will be smoother and more comfortable. With computer guided surgery all the implant planning is done in advance so the actual surgery time should be quicker and smoother.

Make Sure You Follow Guidelines during Healing

Once your implants are in place your implant surgeon will give you lots of detailed advice on how to look after the implant sites as they heal. It’s vital to follow these instructions as closely as possible to ensure a smoother and quicker healing process. You will be shown how to clean around the implant sites as good oral hygiene is vital.

This will help your implants to heal more quickly so there is a much better chance of successful treatment.

Be Prepared to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at All Times

Implant failure can occur many years after a dental implant was originally placed. There is a good chance you will develop peri-implantitis if you fail to keep your dental implants thoroughly clean. That bacterial biofilm that can develop over the surface of dental implants can eventually lead to implant failure.

This is because peri-implantitis is very like gum disease, a bacterial infection that may well have originally caused your tooth loss. Although nanotechnology may not yet be available for dental implants, with a bit of care you can still enjoy a successful treatment, hopefully for many years to come.

No-Prep Veneers: Are They Always the Best Solution?

Dental veneers often form a major part of any smile makeover as this treatment is extremely versatile. If you are considering a smile makeover or any sort of cosmetic improvement to the appearance of your teeth, it’s highly likely veneers will be suggested.

What Is a Veneer?

A veneer is a very thin shell that is perhaps similar to a false fingernail and which will cover up the front surface of a tooth. It is bonded to the tooth surface creating a relatively strong restoration. Veneers can be used to improve the overall appearance of your teeth. This means it covers up any that are badly stained or discolored.

It also corrects other cosmetic problems like small chips and cracks or irregularities with the way teeth are spaced. They can even be used to correct small problems with alignment, where a tooth might only just overlap another or where it is slightly protrusive. Veneers can be made from porcelain or composite resin.

If you choose composite resin veneers then the resin is applied directly to the front surface of your tooth before being hardened, shaped and polished. Composite resin veneers are cheaper than porcelain. They will not last nearly as long and they may become stained after a few years of use. It can be a better long-term solution to consider porcelain veneers, which with the proper care could last for ten years or more.

Conventional Veneers and Tooth Preparation

However, teeth do need to be prepared for conventional veneers. The amount of tooth structure removed isn’t significant. It is typically only a small amount of tooth material from the front of the tooth and may be the biting surface. The average porcelain veneer is around 0.5 mm in thickness so extensive tooth preparation isn’t necessary.

It is important to remove a minimal amount of tooth structure as otherwise, your veneers could feel bulky and they may look unnatural. Even so, once any tooth structure has been removed it does leave the tooth more vulnerable to decay. It also means that the tooth will always need to be protected as this procedure is not reversible.

A tooth that has been prepared for veneers will require some form of protection for the rest of its natural life. This goes for whether this is in the form of dental veneers or crowns.

How Do No Prep Veneers Differ from Conventional Veneers?

With no-prep veneers, any sort of extensive tooth preparation is unnecessary so your teeth will remain largely unchanged. Instead, these veneers are so thin, being typically the thickness of a contact lens. This is so that they can simply be bonded onto the front surface of a tooth without looking or feeling bulky and unnatural.

This procedure is reversible, although your dentist will need to remove the dental cement used to bond the veneer. Minimal prep veneers are far more common and as the name suggests these only require minimal reshaping in preparation for the veneer. By removing just a tiny amount of material, the teeth can be reshaped to ensure a more visually appealing fit and finish.

This technique might sound ideal, but really minimal prep and no-prep veneers are only suitable in certain circumstances. For example, your dentist might suggest this option if your teeth are too small. They may also be a good choice for repairing and restoring teeth that have become worn down, perhaps due to extensive teeth grinding.

Minimal prep and no-prep veneers might be a good solution for closing up gaps in between teeth. It can also be a good solution for covering up teeth that are slightly stained or misshapen. One situation where they can be particularly effective is in covering up what are called peg laterals. These are the two teeth on either side of your upper front teeth, and which in some people will be too small and underdeveloped.

Covering them up can create a more visually appealing smile in a way that is very non-invasive and quick.

What to Expect If You Have No-Prep Veneers

If your tooth enamel is in good condition, it’s frequently possible to bond no-prep or minimal prep veneers directly onto the tooth surface. With this procedure, you may not even require dental anesthetic and it’s unlikely to create any problems with tooth sensitivity. Another advantage of choosing this type of restoration is that you won’t need any temporary veneers.

This procedure is extremely non-invasive and is often reversible because the teeth will still be intact underneath the veneers. However, it is important to bear in mind that it is not always easy to remove veneers as they are bonded onto the teeth very firmly.

What to Expect with Conventional Veneers

With conventional veneers, some tooth preparation is required. Once the teeth are prepared they usually need to be covered up with temporary veneers to prevent issues with tooth sensitivity and to protect the teeth. This isn’t necessarily such a bad thing, as often temporary veneers are created to closely mimic the final restorations.

This allows patients to have a sort of trial run of their teeth before the permanent restorations of made. This means if any alterations are required, they can be made before the permanent veneers are ready to be bonded onto the teeth.

Minimal Prep or No-Prep Veneers Aren’t Always Possible

Any patient visiting their dentist will always be advised to have the most conservative treatment possible to achieve their desired outcome. If dentists feel that no-prep or minimal prep veneers are a good solution for your smile makeover, your dentist will definitely suggest considering this treatment. Unfortunately, there are often times when these types of veneers simply aren’t suitable.

Adding even the very thinnest veneers onto the front of the tooth surface without preparing it will not produce the desired results. When used in the correct situations, minimal prep or no-prep veneers can make a huge difference to a smile in a very short space of time. It’s very important to be clear about your aims and desires before work begins.

Although no-prep or minimal prep veneers are very non-invasive, they may not work well for anyone who wants to make a significant change. Especially to the appearance of their teeth or to their color.

Wisdom Teeth: Do Yours Need to Come Out?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that can often cause significant problems for their owners. Wisdom teeth typically come through during the late teens or early 20s and although some people will find their arrival is uneventful, it certainly isn’t the case for everybody.

The main issue with wisdom teeth is that they come through into a jaw where all the rest of the teeth are already firmly established. Often there is simply not enough room for these teeth to come through correctly aligned and without affecting your existing teeth. This means that wisdom teeth can become stuck or impacted underneath other teeth.

Sometimes they will partially erupt remaining partly covered by the gum tissue. Partial tooth eruption brings about its own particular set of problems as a partially covered tooth can be tricky to keep clean, trapping bacteria and food which increases the risk of infection and decay.

The situation is made worse by the position of wisdom teeth right at the back of the mouth where they are already difficult to brush and floss thoroughly. It’s also possible for wisdom teeth to try to erupt sideways through the gums.

How Can I Tell If I Have Wisdom Teeth or If They Are Going to Cause Problems?

If you visit your dentist regularly then they will have kept a close eye on the development of your wisdom teeth. All dentists periodically take dental x-rays as a way of assessing your overall dental health and to see any problems that may be occurring beneath the gums which include the positioning of your wisdom teeth.

If your dentist can see your wisdom teeth are improperly aligned, they may recommend you have them extracted before problems can develop. Alternatively, they may choose to wait and see rather than to immediately suggest their removal.

However, if your dentist has told you there is no hope of your wisdom teeth coming through properly it’s worth getting them removed sooner rather than later. It is easier for dentists to remove wisdom teeth in younger people where the tooth roots are not yet fully developed and where the jawbone isn’t quite so dense or has become bonded onto the tooth.

Can My Dentist Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

If your wisdom tooth removal is likely to be very straightforward then your dentist can almost certainly carry out this oral surgery for you. However, if your wisdom tooth is firmly embedded underneath another tooth or in the jawbone, your dentist may choose to refer you to an oral surgeon for a proper evaluation.

An oral surgeon will be highly experienced in removing wisdom teeth and can do it quickly and hopefully quite comfortably.

Often a wisdom tooth that is tricky to remove will be extracted in several pieces as this minimizes the opening that needs to be made into the jawbone and in your gums so healing is quicker.

What to Expect during Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Whether your wisdom teeth are to be removed by your general dentist or by an oral surgeon, you can rest assured that your tooth will be properly numbed so you will not feel a thing. If all four wisdom teeth are to be removed at the same time, and if the procedure is likely to be at all complex your dentist or surgeon may recommend additional sedation to ensure the process is as comfortable as possible.

The actual length of this oral surgery will depend on the degree of difficulty of the extraction. Afterwards, you will be given plenty of advice on how to care for the extraction sites and how to deal with any side effects.

What to Expect during Healing?

It’s quite possible that the extraction sites may bleed for a while after surgery. It’s likely your dentist or oral surgeon will have supplied you with plenty of gauze pads that can be placed over the empty socket while you bite down firmly as the pressure will help to stop the bleeding. An alternative is to use a moist teabag as the tannins in tea help to form blood clots.

If the bleeding continues or is very heavy, you should always contact your dental practice or your oral surgeon for more advice. Ideally, a blood clot will form in the empty socket which protects it and begins the healing process. It’s important to avoid dislodging this blood clot so don’t smoke and avoid any sucking actions such as drinking through a straw.

Any facial swelling can be topically treated with an ice pack applied to the outside of your face during the first 24 hours. Place the ice pack onto your face for 20 minutes and then remove for another 20 minutes before repeating as necessary. After the first 24 hours, you may find it more comfortable to switch to a moist heat pack.

Discomfort should be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers or you can always ask your dentist to prescribe something for you. Although you will need to avoid the extraction sites as they heal, it’s important to continue brushing your teeth but avoid using commercial mouthwashes as these could irritate the empty sockets.

Is There Anything That Can Go Wrong during Wisdom Teeth Removal?

This procedure is very routine so it’s unlikely that anything will go wrong during the surgical procedure. Afterward, it is possible that a tiny percentage of people who have had their wisdom teeth removed will develop a condition called dry socket during the healing process. This is where the blood clot protecting the empty socket somehow becomes dislodged, allowing the socket to become infected.

You will soon know if you have this condition because the empty socket will begin to become uncomfortable and painful a couple of days after surgery. If you do develop a dry socket, then the empty socket will need to be cleaned and packed by your dentist to remove the infection. Dry socket isn’t serious but it can slow down healing.

Most people will find healing is completely uneventful after having their wisdom teeth removed and after the first week or two, their mouth should feel reasonably comfortable around the extraction site. You will find your dentist can answer all your questions during your initial consultation for this oral surgery and of course you can always contact your dental practice with any concerns before, during or after your treatment.

Things You Need to Know About Adult Orthodontics

In the not too distant past braces were usually seen as something worn by children and teenagers. Certainly never worn by adults but things have changed considerably over the past few years. These days it is becoming increasingly common for adults to seek orthodontic treatment. You may have seen friends or family members wearing braces to achieve a straighter smile.

There is certainly no stigma in wearing braces as an adult. Instead, it can show that you take care of yourself and like to look after your dental health and your appearance. The technologies used to make adult braces are extremely advanced and can provide excellent results more quickly than you might imagine. There are also a considerable number of braces to choose from.

Although your orthodontist is likely to recommend one or two particular choices over the others as being able to provide you with the best and most precise results. Thus, giving you the smile you desire.

Why Even Consider Adult Orthodontics?

Having nice straight teeth can bring about numerous benefits. Firstly, straighter teeth look more attractive which in turn can help increase self-esteem and self-confidence. A straighter smile can convey a sense of youthfulness, especially as treatment is often combined with teeth whitening. Additionally, having a straight smile shows you look after your teeth and that you care about your appearance.

This may help you in your career or even in finding a life partner. Then there are the potential benefits to oral health and which often overlooked. While a straighter smile is undeniably more attractive, it can frequently be healthier and could be a great investment in your long-term dental health.

Do you struggle to comfortably fit a piece of floss in between crooked or rotated teeth, or in between teeth that are tightly packed in? Now imagine the benefits of having beautifully straight teeth that make it easy and comfortable to thoroughly floss in between each tooth. Flossing is an essential part of any oral care regime.

 It helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, so your natural teeth stay strong and healthy for that much longer and hopefully for your lifetime. If you have a bad bite or poor occlusion then your teeth will also benefit considerably from being straightened up. With a bad bite, it’s highly likely that some teeth will bite together before others leading to unusual wear patterns and increased stress on these teeth.

When teeth are properly aligned then they will bite together more evenly, reducing stress on these teeth and on your jaw joints. You may even find it more comfortable to bite and chew food!

What Are the Options for Adult Orthodontics?

The best way of finding out all possible options for orthodontic treatment is to visit a dentist with considerable experience and training in orthodontics. Visit a dentist who can offer you a wide choice of adult orthodontic braces. Alternatively, see an orthodontist who is a dentist with advanced training in the dental specialty of orthodontics.

After first examining your teeth and the relationship between your jaws, they will be able to suggest the best possible option for your needs. This will be based on the orthodontic problems requiring correction and your desires for treatment. Adult braces can be fixed or removable. Removable braces are a very popular choice.

Fixed braces can work a little better when correcting more complex orthodontic problems. Your dentist will discuss which options will be most suitable for you and why they have chosen these particular braces. There is no need to worry that your new braces will be highly visible as even fixed braces can be made so they are extremely discreet.

Another advantage to think about if you have been recommended to have a fixed brace is that they will be working all the time to move your teeth. With removable braces good compliance is vital. Usually, the braces must be worn for at least 22 hours in order for the treatment plan to be successfully completed on time.

Removable Aligners

One of the most popular removable braces is a system called Invisalign. This is where teeth are discreetly moved using a series of clear BPA-free plastic aligners. These are custom-designed to fit tightly over the teeth and each set will move the teeth a little closer to their perfect positions. You simply need to wear the aligners for two weeks before discarding that set for the next set in the series.

A lot of adults like this system because it is so discreet and because the aligners may be left out for the very occasional event. The aligners are also taken out whenever you wish to brush or floss or to eat, so there is minimal impact on your everyday life. However, fixed braces can be equally as good.

Fixed Braces

With a fixed brace, it’s usually possible to use clear or tooth-colored ceramic brackets that are attached to very thin wires. It provides optimal results in a way that is incredibly discreet. Lingual braces are fixed onto the inner surfaces of teeth so they cannot be seen. You will need to avoid some very crunchy or hard foods during treatment.

Ultimately the results should be well worthwhile and modern fixed braces such as Mystique are often designed to work very quickly.

Cosmetic Braces

If your teeth are generally in the correct bite you might be suitable for what’s called a cosmetic brace. This concentrates purely on moving the front teeth and isn’t designed to correct any major orthodontic problems. As a result, treatment is fast and extremely affordable. You might be able to complete treatment within just a few weeks or months so before you know it, you will have that beautifully straight smile you desire.

Whitening after Straightening

Once your teeth are straightened it’s usually desirable to whiten. Very few adults have naturally white teeth and this can provide that perfect finishing touch to your new smile. A professional tooth whitening treatment is very safe and effective. It will help bring your smile to life, creating that naturally white and youthful look that we all desire.

Once all treatment is completed then don’t forget to wear your retainers. They will ensure your teeth keep looking just as straight and beautiful as the day your braces were removed.