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The Pros and Cons of Tooth Extraction

October 17, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

The Pros and Cons of Tooth Extraction

Dentists often recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed as a precautionary measure against the possible risks that come with leaving those teeth in place. The common problems associated with wisdom teeth include dental misalignment when the wisdom teeth push the existing teeth out of their positions. Are you wondering whether you should or should not have your wisdom teeth extracted? Read on and discover the benefits and the drawbacks of asking a dentist in Sterling Heights to remove your wisdom teeth proactively.

The Advantages of Extracting Wisdom Teeth

You avoid future expenses. The preventive removal of wisdom teeth allows you to spend a modest sum now on tooth extraction so that you can avoid having to spend more later on when those teeth cause problems that make it necessary to have the wisdom teeth extracted. For example, it will cost more to realign your teeth once the wisdom teeth distort the alignment of the teeth near them.

Surgical complications are avoided. The elective removal of wisdom teeth by a dentist in Sterling Heights also has an added benefit of saving you from several complications that can arise later on. For example, some people suffer permanent nerve damage when the wisdom teeth are pulled later on when they are fully developed.

Daily dental care is easier. It can be hard to keep your wisdom teeth clean on a daily basis. This is because those teeth are located at the farthest point inside your mouth. Consequently, dental experts in Shreveport, LA say that food particles may remain trapped around those teeth resulting in the development of gum disease. The removal of the wisdom teeth can avert such a risk.

The Disadvantages of Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Loss of normal teeth. The proactive removal of wisdom teeth can make you lose a pair of perfectly normal teeth based on just a suspicion that they may cause problems years later. The avoidance of this needless tooth loss could have extended how soon you would require dentures or other dental prosthetics once the remaining teeth are lost. This is particularly likely since an extra set of molars would have reduced the wear and tear on the others as you chew.

The potential for complications to develop increases. Each dental procedure carries some risk of potential complications. For example, tooth extraction has risks of bleeding excessively, developing infections at the extraction site and suffering nerve damage during the extraction. These complications may be transient and mild or permanent. All these complications may be too high a risk for an elective procedure.

Some people react to anesthesia. Extracting wisdom teeth requires the use of anesthesia. This may be a challenge for those who have a history of developing a reaction to anesthesia. It is imperative that you alert your dentist in Sterling Heights in case you reacted to anesthesia during a previous surgical procedure.

Which Option Is Better For You?

As you can see, extracting or leaving the wisdom teeth comes with possible benefits and drawbacks. Schedule a consultation with a Sterling Heights dentist so that your unique situation can be assessed. The dentist may order periodic X-rays to monitor how your wisdom teeth are developing so that an informed decision can be made regarding whether to extract them proactively or leave them to develop and function alongside your existing teeth.

Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Erosion

October 9, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Erosion

Tooth erosion refers to the wearing away of the enamel on your teeth by the acids in the foods and drinks that you consume. The symptoms and signs of enamel erosion depend on how advanced that enamel loss is. This article discusses some of those signs and symptoms of tooth erosion that dentists in Sterling Heights frequently observe in their patients.

The Early Symptoms of Enamel Loss

Teeth Discoloration

The erosion of the enamel of your teeth brings the dentin closer to the surface. Dentin is naturally yellowish. Your teeth will, therefore, become discolored once this substance is exposed or brought nearer to the surface of the teeth. However, you should avoid making a premature conclusion that your discolored teeth are caused by enamel loss because other factors, such as poor dental hygiene and cigarette smoking, can cause teeth to become discolored.

Tooth Sensitivity

You can also suspect that you are suffering from enamel loss in case your teeth are sensitive. The sensitivity is usually caused by the exposure of dentin once the enamel is eroded. Dentin is softer and more sensitive to temperature variations. Consequently, your teeth will become increasingly sensitive as more dentin is exposed.

Rounded Teeth

Enamel loss occurs gradually and in small amounts. The sharper edges of your teeth are the first to lose their enamel coating since they are instrumental in chewing the foods responsible for causing the tooth erosion. Those sharp edges, such as the ridges on your molars, will therefore start becoming rounded. This will spread until all your teeth take on a rounded appearance.

A Sandblasted or Transparent Appearance

The tips of your teeth can also look sandblasted or transparent during the initial stages of enamel loss. The sandblasted appearance is a result of the pitting that is occurring on the surface of the teeth exposed to acidic foods and drinks on a regular basis. Those teeth start becoming transparent because the enamel is getting thinner.

The Advanced Symptoms of Enamel Loss

Cracked Teeth

As enamel loss worsens into an advanced form, the teeth will start cracking in the areas where pitting occurred. Those cracked segments will feel rough when you pass your tongue over them. The cracks will allow acids, bacteria and food particles to get into the deeper sections of your teeth. This will trigger other dental problems, such as cavities and extensive tooth decay. Dental experts in Livonia, MI agree that your dentist in Sterling Heights may then have to perform complex dental procedures like root canals or install dental crowns. Some of the affected teeth may also need to be extracted.

Dents

Dents (also called cupping) will develop on the biting surfaces of your teeth. The dents are an indicator that enamel loss isn’t occurring uniformly on the affected surfaces of the teeth. The problem with such dents is that they will cause bite forces to be distributed unevenly across the teeth surfaces. This uneven distribution of bite forces accelerates the rate at which the teeth wear out since some sections will be subjected to greater stresses than others are.

Extreme Sensitivity

Extreme teeth sensitivity results when enamel loss is advanced. At this stage, you will feel a sharp or stabbing pain each time anything hot or cold touches your teeth. Many people try to avoid eating since the pain is too much to bear.

It is important for you to visit a dentist in Sterling Heights for a comprehensive examination when you notice any of the signs and symptoms discussed above. That professional will take the necessary steps to address the root cause of the symptoms you are experiencing. This may save you from losing your teeth to the advanced form of enamel loss.

The Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening Treatments

October 4, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

The Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening Treatments

Are you uncomfortable about the discoloration of your teeth and you want to select a teeth whitening treatment to improve your smile? Read on and discover the pros and cons of some of the common procedures that are available for whitening your teeth in Sterling Heights.

Teeth Whitening Strips

You can whiten your teeth by applying teeth whitening strips on your teeth for about half an hour each day. The procedure may require up to two weeks for results to show. Some brands of teeth whitening strips don’t need to be removed from the teeth since those strips can dissolve.

Teeth whitening strips have several advantages. First, they are suitable for people with sensitive gums since these strips contain a small amount of bleaching agents. Secondly, the strips are affordable and can be bought from any drugstore, pharmacy or dentist in Sterling Heights. Teeth whitening strips are also convenient because you can choose when you apply them each day.

However, teeth whitening strips also have some shortcomings. For example, the strips only whiten the teeth surfaces that they touch. Consequently, hard-to-reach segments of the teeth, such as the areas between teeth, may remain untouched by the strips. Secondly, they aren’t suitable for someone who wants quick results since the mild bleaching agent requires about two weeks for results to show.

Teeth Whitening Mouthwashes

You can also use teeth whitening mouthwashes to get a brighter smile. These mouthwashes contain a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide. The usage instructions vary from one manufacturer to another, but they generally require the user to rinse the mouth twice a day (after brushing). You simply swish the mouthwash in your mouth for about a minute.

Teeth whitening mouthwashes have the advantage of only requiring about two minutes each day. The teeth whitening mouthwashes are also mild on your enamel as they work to whiten your teeth. Furthermore, the rinses eliminate bad breath.

However, teeth whitening mouthwashes require longer (more than a month) for results to show since you only swish that product briefly in your mouth. The teeth whitening mouthwash may also irritate your gums due to the high amount of alcohol in the mouth rinse.

In-Chair Teeth Whitening

Another alternative to whitening your teeth is the in-chair whitening treatment at the office of your dentist in Sterling Heights. Your dentist will apply a teeth whitening gel and accelerate its effectiveness by shining a UV light on your teeth. You will have your brighter smile in just an hour.

In-chair teeth whitening produces instant results. Additionally, the controlled dental office environment in which the treatment is done ensures that adequate precautions will be taken to protect you from any risks associated with the whitening gel. The method is also convenient since you can have whiter teeth in just an hour.

However, in-chair teeth whitening does have its drawbacks. For example, this method is the most expensive among the teeth whitening options available in Sterling Heights. Secondly, not everyone can undergo the treatment since the dentist must first assess you for any risk factors, such as gum disease, which can make the treatment unsafe for you. The outcomes of in-chair dental whitening aren’t permanent, so you may need to repeat the treatment every two years.

At-Home Dental Whitening Kits

At-home teeth whitening kits usually contain a dental tray, a bleaching gel as well as an accelerator light. Your task is to follow the usage instructions provided and wear the dental tray for anywhere between half an hour to a full hour each day. You can see results in about a week.

Dental experts at Horizon Dental Group agree that one big advantage of at-home teeth whitening kits is that you can achieve professional-looking results from the comfort of your home. The kits can also turn your teeth several shades brighter within a week. The dental whitening kits are affordable when compared to getting the same results during an in-chair treatment.

The biggest drawback of at-home teeth whitening kits is that the outcomes will vary depending on the quality of the product that you purchase. Many people also find it inconveniencing to set aside about an hour each day to wear the tray.

As you can see, each teeth whitening treatment comes with its own unique pros and cons. It is therefore advisable for you to contact a dentist in Sterling Heights or any nearby dentist for advice on the best option to use. You will then get the smile of your dreams cost-effectively.