Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Archives for September 2015

Tooth enamel evolved from fish scales.

Enamel is the hardest tissue produced in the bodies of people and other vertebrates, including fish. But until now, scientists were unclear about whether enamel originated in teeth or evolved from a tissue resembling enamel called ganoine. Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden noted that certain fish such as sharks have enamel on their teeth and dermal denticles, or little tooth-like scales, on the outer surfaces of their bodies.When they examined prehistoric fish fossils they found an enamel coating on their scales, but no enamel on their teeth. Only millions of years later through evolutionary processes did fish exploit the enamel to make teeth harder and stronger. “This is important because it is unexpected. In us, enamel is only found on teeth, and it is very important for their function, so it is natural to assume that it evolved there,” said palaeontologist Professor Per Erik Ahlberg of Sweden’s University of Uppsala.

To read more about this surprising finding published in the journal Nature click here.

Is it Plaque or Dental Biofilm?

When I describe to my patients the bacteria that thrive in our mouth and cause gum disease I use the word, plaque. It is that “furry coat” that one feels when we run our tongue on our teeth. In the past we were studying bacteria in a free-floating state and we have learned that certain pathologic pathogens were the primary reason for the oral breakdown. Then it became clear that bacteria living in a free-floating state, usually cause acute diseases. While gum disease, is a chronic disease, which led to the understanding that its cause is different and the term plaque was established. A research into this complex society that is developed by a diverse community of bacteria in an organised manner has led to the revelation that plaque was a kind of oral biofilm.
A biofilm is an accumulation of mixed bacteria (typically an oral biofilm has more than 500 bacterial species) but it can also accommodate fungi, or protozoa, all of which is covered and protected by large amounts of slime or matrix material produced by the community. Through the work of Bill Costerton, referred to as the “father of biofilms,” we know that the complex makeup of the biofilm community and its ability for self-preservation is amazing. This is why when we use a mouth rinse, it’s effects are very limited and it can’t replace proper oral hygiene.

The words biofilm and plaque can be used interchangeably, since plaque is a form of biofilm.

Why does my dead tooth hurt?

Many times patient come and ask why a “dead tooth” that has had a root canal treatment hurts? The common reason is that the root canal treatment has been unsuccessful in stopping the bacteria from reaching the bone and creating an abscess there .

The function of the root canal treatment is to seal the way that allows bacteria from inside the tooth to spread to the bone. If the bacteria manage to reach the bone through the root canals they create an infection. That infection creates pressure inside the bone or when the tooth is being pushed on the pressure pushes on the abscess, which leads to pain. We can discover this process with a periapical X-ray. Since healthy teeth, with or without root canal treatment both have intact periodontal ligaments and bone surrounding the root in the radiograph. While teeth with failing root canal treatment often have some derangement in the bone which will be either, a limited widening of the ligamental space  or a dark area, a periapical radiolucency, on the side or apex of the root. This is the reason I take a radiographs periodically of teeth which have had a root canal treatment to preempt a painful episode and see if there are any teeth who can be saved, by treating the failing root canal treatment.

Other reasons for pain in teeth with a root canal treatment are cracks and fractures or periodontal disease.

If you would like to get your tooth examined after a root canal treatment that did not settle or is causing pain, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

Why do my teeth feel different when I remove the occlusal splint?

This is a common observation that patients have when they wake up in the morning or when they insert the splint at night.  In my practice, I make night guards and occlusal splints out of hard acrylic and cover all the teeth in the upper jaw. Since the teeth can move while in function during the day, once the guard is inserted it restores them to their original position or if the teeth move very slightly during the night, once the guard is removed, they will return to their original postition.

On the other hand, patients wearing smaller night guards that don’t cover an entire arch can have permanent changes in their bite. Since when the teeth are separated by the night guard those without support move and will come out of the bone, trying to meet their matching teeth in the other jaw. Once the partial guard is removed, the front teeth usually remain separated.

If you are experiencing more than a temporary shifting of your bite, please come and see us for an examination, since you may need a different type of night guard.

A tooth brush that make brushing fun.

Philips Sonicare recently released a device that combines brushing and fun, it made an app that teaches children oral hygiene. Brush Busters is a fun & free educational game that teaches children how to brush their teeth properly. In the game the kids earn points for brushing each of the four quadants of their mouth for two-minutes a pop. There’s a cute little character, called a Sparkly, on the screen that encourages the kids to keep brushing. After they earn their points, kids can use the points to upgrade or feed their Sparkly.

We have can help you get the Philips Sonicare  tooth brushes. Please contact us.

Options for tooth replacement

When a tooth is lost, the balance in your mouth is offset. It can lead to changes in your bite and the shape of your face. To prevent the impact of the loss of one tooth on the dentition as a whole, we need to fill the gap. There are 3 possible replacement options, a bridge, an implant or a denture. Since the replacement tooth or teeth should last for many years, it is important to choose the treatment that’s right for you.

1. A bridge (shown in the image) uses the teeth 2 adjacent teeth or more for support and it is commonly used to replace one or more misPARTBRIDGESIDEsing teeth. The supporting teeth are called abutments and they serve as anchors for the bridge. The abutments need to be filed down in order to have a the bridge fit over them. This is one of the major drawbacks of the bridge since the reduction weakens the supporting teeth. The replacement tooth is called a pontic and it is attached to the abutments as part of the bridge. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges, these can be the color of your teeth or made of metal. Many times you can choose which type of metal or porcelain will be used.

2. Implants are artificial tooth roots that are submerged into the jawbone. Teeth that we sIMPLANTSee in the mouth, such as a crown, a fixed bridge or a full set of dentures are added to the implant. These implants are made of Titanium or similar materials that biocompatible. After an initial healing period, during which the implant is buried in bone and left undisturbed under gum tissue, it is uncovered and the process of making the artificial teeth commences. For single missing teeth a crown is attached.

 

The big advantage of an implant is that adjacent teeth are not damaged or cut in any way. It helps to prevent bone loss that happens once the tooth is removed.  If more teeth need to be replaced two implants or more can be used to secure a bridge. Since a dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth many times it is the best replacement.

3.  Dentures are removable appliances that replace teeth and the bone structure that have been lost after the extraction. Dentures (plates) allow the wearer to remove and replace them at will. They can replace one tooth, all PARTDENTUREyour natural teeth, or any number of missing teeth in between.  Dentures that replace all the teeth are called full dentures, while those who replace part of the teeth are called partial dentures (shown in the image). The major difference between a denture and a implant or a bridge is that they are not fixed to the mouth while crowns and implant are fixed. This is their major drawback as well.

Since the denture use weak adhesion to stay in place it can come out if you laugh or sneeze and move while you eat or speak. You may need to learn how to function with dentures, for example you will need to avoid biting in an apple with a denture that replaces the front teeth, or remember to clean them after every meal to remove the food trapped under them.

The dentures are supported by the jaw bone and the remaining teeth, if present, while in function they load and press them, which leads to further loss of bone and loosening of the remaining teeth. Usually the only advantages dentures have is that they are less expensive than fixed bridges or implants.

If you would like to replace your tooth with one of the options or know more about tooth replacement, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

How to tell if you have gum inflammation.

If your gums feel itchy or uncomfortable, hurt when you eat and frequently bleed, you may have a gum disease also called periodontal disease. These chronic diseases are common but usually go unnoticed, since they cause little or no pain. Many tend to disregard the odd painful feeling in the mouth or the bleeding when brushing or chewing on hard food, but these are the warning signs for two types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis . Gingivitis reflects mild to moderate inflammation of your gums which without proper dental care, can progress into the more serious condition, periodontitis, which can result in tooth loss and destruction of the jaw bone.

You may have gingivitis if:

  • Your gums bleed easily when brushing, flossing, chewing on hard food or without any reason.
  • Your gums are tender to the touch
  • Your gums are red, swollen and separate from your teeth.
  • You have persistently bad breath
  • It hurts when you chew or when food gets caught between your teeth.
  • Your teeth are starting to get loose or move.

As part of my comprehensive examination I dedicate much time to examine the condition of the gums and  measure the areas in your mouth around the teeth using a small, ruler-like tool called a probe. If your measurements reveal larger-than-normal measurements or gaps between your teeth, you probably have gingivitis or periodontitis. I may need to take a dental X-rays to evaluate any loss of bone tissue. With the results of the examination I can make a plan for your recovery.

If you are suffering from bleeding gums, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.