Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Archives for June 2017

When does a tooth need Pulp Capping?

What is the Pulp?

The pulp is the soft matter that exists in the center of our teeth, it contains connective tissue and cells that are responsible for the health of the tooth and repair of injury to it. Among the connective tissue cells, there are special cells called odontoblasts that form the dentin around the pulp and are also responsible for providing nutrients and  sensation of heat, cold, pressure and pain to our teeth.

What is Pulp Capping?

The survival of the pulp is important for the health and function of teeth, and it should be maintained and protected as best as possible. If a tooth has broken down or the pulp has been exposed by decay, it is important to protect the pulp from bacterial invasion and mechanical forces. Failure to protect the pulp will result in its death, and lead to a need to perform a root canal treatment or the removal of the tooth.

Given the right conditions the an inflamed pulp can repair itself and the surrounding dentin. To allow the recovery Dr. Kaufman will clean all the bacteria and decay. To protect the healing pulp a bandage is placed over the pulp and then the tooth shape is restored with a composite restoration. This method, called Pulp Capping, protects the pulp and possibly can help in avoiding the need for a root canal treatment.

The extent of damage to the pulp and bacterial penetration will determine if a more conservative approach called “indirect capping” will be used or a more extensive approach called “direct capping” is used. In the indirect pulp capping, a thin layer of dentin is present over the pulp tissue, which provides a barrier between the pulp and the restoration, while in the direct capping, the layer of protective material is placed directly on the exposed pulp. In both cases the final seal and tooth restorations are made of resin to provide good thermal isolation.

If you have a broken tooth, sensitivity to cold or need more information about pulp capping, please contact us at Tooronga Family Dentistry for further information or scheduling an appointment.

 

Are Dentures Right for You?

You may have heard or seen dentures and have a general idea of how they look. But not all denture are the same, there are many designs and features with advantages and disadvantages to every solution. Here is a brief description,

Full dentures

Are the kind that first come in mind along with a vision of two pink pieces of plastic and teeth attached to them. These dentures are an option for those who had lost or need to have all their teeth removed. When in use for many years, these dentures wear and require replacement. Full dentures can be a good solution for those missing their teeth in the upper jaw. Once made for the first time these dentures require several months of adjusting and learning, of how to hold them in place, to function with them comfortably. For the lower jaw full dentures are difficult to function with, since there is little anchorage for them. Full dentures in the lower jaw frequently require the application of denture glue or joining them to the jaw with implants which makes them much more stable. Dr. Kaufman has much experience in denture design and implants to help one achieve a good outcome.

Partial dentures

Are an option for those who had lost several teeth, but the remaining ones are healthy.  A partial denture will be anchored by the remaining teeth and replace the missing ones. The  size and design of the partial denture depends on how many teeth are remaining, where they are located in the mouth, and the overall oral health of the gum tissue. When Dr. Kaufman will offer a partial denture as an option for you, he will go into the different possible designs their advantages and disadvantages. One of the major concerns with partial dentures is the heavy load they transfer to the remaining teeth, which can lead to their loss.

Since many consider missing teeth as a sign of poor hygiene or old age, which can lead to low self esteem, social and behavioral problems. Dentures are an aesthetic replacement for the missing teeth that allow one to chew, eat, and speak properly. They allow for the replacement of multiple teeth or all of them at a relatively low cost.

Dentures require the same oral care as natural teeth. The gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth should be brushed twice daily. The dentures themselves need to be brushed with a non-abrasive cleanser, and they must be carefully stored in water when not being worn. If dentures don’t fit properly, they can cause mouth irritation, or even fall out at inopportune moments. That’s why it is so important to schedule periodical examination to see if the dentures are in a good shape.
Please contact us at Tooronga Family Dentistry for further information or scheduling an appointment for dentures.

Bad Breath Prevention

Chronic bad breath is also known as halitosis or malodor. It is a common condition caused by bacterial buildup in the mouth leading to inflammation and the production of noxious odors. Or it can be related to medical conditions that include liver disease, diabetes, chronic lung infections, acid reflux, dry mouth or xerostomia, and postnasal drip.

Where do bacteria deposit themselves?

The common bacterial deposits are inside tooth Cavities and around inflamed swollen gums  where there are ideal conditions for them to grow.  Other locations can be around the tonsils, where food particles can become trapped or in dirty dentures.

Cures for Chronic Bad Breath

  1. Good Oral Hygiene: Tooth cleaning with brushing and flossing after every meal goes a long way in the reduction of  odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. It has been found that electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes and flossing is mandatory. If you find that your brushing does not remove the food trapped between the teeth, please come and see us at Tooronga Family Dentistry, so we can instruct you on the right technique and appliances to use.
  2.  Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps in the secretion of saliva that can break down and rinse away the food particles from your mouth and reduce bacterial growth. Drinking milk is also known to reduce the strength of noxious breath odors.
  3. Stop smoking: Cigarettes, pipes and snuff can give you bad breath due to the nicotine in them.
  4. Reduce Coffee and Alcohol ingestion: Coffee has a strong smell that remains on the back of your tongue. Alcohol can be released thorough your lungs for as long as eight to ten hours after you stop drinking. Both alcohol and caffeine can lead to a dry mouth which eventually leads to bad breath.
  5. Chew Sugarless Gum: Chewing gum after a meal can increases the saliva flow in your mouth to fight bad breath and helps reduce cavities.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our team if you have more questions about bad breath or to make an appointment to have the condition of your mouth examined.