Monday, June 24, 2013

Gum Grafts: Stick It to Receding Gums

Take a look at your gums. Do they look like they're receding or do they feel extra sensitive lately? If yes, it’s time to come in for a visit. Receding gums are a sign of two things: gum disease or overly aggressive brushing. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and even heart disease. For early stages of gum disease, we can use a non-surgical scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment to get your gums healthy again. Excessive gum recession, however, sometimes requires a surgical treatment called a gum graft.

Once your gums start to recede, brushing with a lighter hand will only be effective if there is still adequate gum tissue left to act as a barrier from disease and bone loss. But if your gums have receded to the extent that your tooth roots are exposed, you may need a gum graft. Exposed tooth roots can cause varying degrees of tooth sensitivity or make your teeth appear longer than normal. But more importantly, exposed tooth roots can leave your teeth vulnerable to bacteria and periodontal disease.

Gum grafts may also be used to correct a high frenum attachment. The frenum is the muscle between the upper or lower front teeth; if it pulls on the gum margin, recession could result. Orthodontic therapies can also stretch the gum line and cause the gums to recede. In all cases, gum grafts are an excellent way to protect the underlying bone and prevent the gums from receding further.
Photo courtesy of Daniela Vladimirova.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Loose Denture?

After dental extractions, the jawbone will resorb or shrink, leaving little to no bone available for a denture to rest upon. This causes a denture to be loose or ill-fitting making it difficult to chew food. Implant retained dentures will help alleviate this problem. Implants can be placed in strategic areas and a denture placed to snap onto the implants. This treatment significantly increases the retention of the denture. Your old denture may even be modified to snap into your new implants. Call today to see if you are a candidate for Dental Implants.

Dental Anxiety

Many people delay going to the dentist and having dental work done due to fear. This procrastination can lead to serious and costly complications. We have many tools and techniques to help you have a comfortable dental appointment. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), conscious sedation and Coming soon: I.V. sedation will help you overcome your Dental Anxiety. But you don’t have to take our word for it; here are a few testimonials to help put you at ease! “They make going to the dentist a pleasant experience!!! I often cringe at the thought of having to visit the dentist’s office but Dr. Burden, Rose and the other staff members always make it a pleasant experience.” – Talisha "The staff put me at ease, which is pretty key when someone is putting their hands into your mouth, wielding sharp instruments. My experience was great and my teeth look clean and healthy. I've been seeing Dr. Burden since I was nine years old and I don't trust my teeth to anyone else." - Kerry B Call today to see how we can help you!

Monday, June 10, 2013

More Root Canals for Smokers?



Looking for another reason to quit? Recent studies at Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine reveal that your gender, how much you smoke and how long you’ve been smoking can significantly multiply your need for root canal treatment. To sum up the findings, men and women are distinctly different when it comes to dental health.

Men, it turns out, have the odds stacked against them when it comes to cavities, gum disease and oral cancer. Smoking puts men at twice the risk for developing these dental problems than women. Men who smoke also need more root canals.

"Our study has shown that men have almost twice the risk of having root canal treatments if they smoke cigarettes, compared to men who never smoke," said Elizabeth Krall Kaye, author of the Boston University study and professor in the department of health policy and health services.

So does that mean women are in the clear? Not really, says Kaye. Historically, women haven't smoked as long or as much per day as men but Kaye believes that the risk associated with smoking and root canals still applies.

Although it might seem obvious, why smoking makes men and women more susceptible to dental problems is still somewhat of a mystery. Kaye and her associates think the answers lie in what smoking does to your overall health: It affects your ability to ward off infection, increases inflammation and damages your circulation system.

The good news is you can greatly reduce your need for root canals by quitting cigarette smoking and staying smoke-free. In fact, if you stay smoke-free for at least nine years, your chances of needing a root canal treatment can drop as low as a non-smoker's.