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Dental Extraction | Tips & Guides

July 11, 2014 Afshin Golyad DDS. , , , ,

Dental Extraction | Tips & Guides

Dentists and oral surgeons (dentists with special training to perform surgery) perform tooth extractions (Dental Extraction). Before removing the tooth, your dentist (Best Dentist in Santa Monica) will place a numbing gel on the gum next to the tooth to get your gums (Healthy Gums | Healthy Teeth | A Lifetime Commitment) numb before give you an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed.  In cases where is desired by patients or if the extraction is complicated, the oral surgeon may use general anesthetic to put you to sleep for the amount of time it takes to perform the procedure.

 

Factors & Procedures of Dental Extraction

If a tooth is impacted or broken down badly, your dentist will cut away gum and bone around the tooth and then, using forceps (Forceps Wiki Page), grasp the tooth and gently rock it back and forth to loosen it from the jaw that hold it in place. Sometimes, a tooth must be removed in pieces if it breaks or as a result of cavity (Cavity Treatment and Prevention) can not be grasp by a forceps.

 

Post Op Dental Extraction Procedure 

Extraction | Tips & Guides Image

Extraction | Tips & Guides

Once a tooth has been removed, after the bleeding stops, a blood clot forms in the socket where the tooth was kept in the jaw bone. Initially the dentist will pack a gauze pad into the socket and have you bite down on it to help stop the bleeding. Sometimes the dentist will place a few stitches to close the gum edges over the extraction site. This will help with cases that bleeding is difficult to stop or as a result of cutting the gums (Healthy Gums and Teeth) around tooth, it is necessary to place the gum back in its place.

 

Dry Socket Due to Extraction

Sometimes, the blood clot in the socket breaks loose, exposing the bone in the socket. This is a painful condition called dry socket.  Smoking or using a straw may increase the chances of dry socket.  Some area in the mouth has a greater chance of developing dry socket compare to other areas.  If this happens, your dentist will place a medication over the socket for a few days to protect it as a new clot forms. A dry socket is not an infection and does not require antibiotics.


Jaw Pain | Cause & Effects

July 8, 2014 Afshin Golyad DDS. , , , ,

Jaw Pain | Cause & Effects

TMJ disorder which stands for  temporomandibular joint are the result of issues with the jaw, the joint and/or the surrounding muscles on face that controls moving the jaw and chewing actions. The technical name is temporomandibular disorders or TMD.

Anatomy of The Jaw

Jaw Pain | Cause & Effects Image

Jaw Pain | Cause & Effects

The temporomandibular joint is the joint or the hinge that attaches the lower jaw to the skull on the side of the face in front of the ears. These joints are flexible, allowing the site jaw to move up and down and side to side and enabling the individual to talk, chew, and yawn. The cause of TMD pain is not really clear, but it is believed that symptoms are the results of problems with the muscles of the jaw or with the parts of the joint itself or both.

Some possible reasons for these disorders might be:

  • Injury to the joint, and muscles from car accidents to sports or even street fights.

 

 

  • Dislocation of the disc which is a soft cushions between the ball and socket.

 

 

  • Stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth (Healthy Gums and Teeth) which could result in clenching and grinding as discussed earlier.

Floss | Flossing Benefits

May 23, 2014 Afshin Golyad DDS. , , , , , ,

Floss | Flossing Benefits

 

A 2008 survey revealed that only 49% of Americans floss daily and 10% never floss (Master Flossing Learn More).  That is very unfortunate because flossing is even more important than brushing (Master Brushing Learn More) when it comes to preventing gum disease (Gum Disease Treatment) and tooth cavity (Cavity Treatment Learn More).

Dental floss (Dental Care 101) is a tool you should be used daily to remove food and bacteria (Fight Bad Breath Learn More) build-up from in-between your teeth where the brush can not reach.  If you don’t floss on regular basis, you’re more site likely to have plaque build-up (Oral Hygiene Learn More), which can lead to cavities, tooth decay (Tooth Decay Learn More), gingivitis and eventually gum disease.  When gum disease is left untreated, it can be a risk factor for heart disease, or diabetes. In addition, bacteria can cause bad breath. Therefore, flossing can help improve the appearance of your mouth as well as your dental hygiene and overall health.

 

What are Flosses Made From?

Zoom Whitening Teeth Info.

Zoom Whitening Teeth

Flosses are made from different materials. It is commonly made out of plastic or nylon; it is a thin thread that you put between your teeth and pull in order to clean the gaps (Dental Bridge Learn More). When you pull the tread, food and debris and bacteria should come out of the gaps between the teeth.

Some flosses are made out of dental ribbon rather than out of plastic or nylon strings.

Ribbon floss is more comfortable. It is much easier for those who have bleeding gums or are sore when flossing.

 

Flossing Benefits When You Have Braces:

If you or a member of your family currently wears braces (Wiki Page Dental Braces), flossing is even more important. Food debris and bacteria can easily lodge around braces and cause permanent damage to your teeth such as cavity, decalcification or gum disease. However, you have to be careful when flossing so the braces are not damaged. Always use waxed floss if you have braces. Un-waxed floss has less of a slippery surface and are therefore more likely to get caught in your braces. If enough floss gets tangled, it can pull a brace out of alignment or sometimes break it.

 

 


What a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You

April 22, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS. , , ,

Most people put off seeing a dentist until they have a toothache, need a cavity filled or want their teeth cleaned. These dental procedures are important for good oral health, but they are not the only services that a dentist in west Los Angeles can provide. In addition to taking care of a patient’s teeth, West LA Dental Care offers Santa Monica residents a variety of cosmetic procedures that can improve the way they look and feel.

If your teeth make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed when you smile, it might be time to look into some of today’s available cosmetic options. Giving patients a smile they can be proud of takes an experienced cosmetic dentist that can understand the patient’s needs and is willing to work carefully with each person to find the best solution.

Teeth Whitening

Cigarettes, coffee, medications and the minerals in water can all affect a tooth’s color. While there are several types of over-the-counter products designed to whiten teeth, having a west LA dentist do the procedure can often be more effective.

A tooth’s surface needs to be completely covered with a whitener for a nice, uniform look. That can be difficult to do yourself. Back teeth can be particularly troublesome. In addition, over-the-counter products are not as strong as what a cosmetic dentist can provide, so taking advantage of a professional dentist in West Los Angeles can be a better option.

Misaligned, Chipped or Uneven Teeth

Even teeth that are in good condition can be uneven, chipped or misaligned. Sometimes, there can be an excess space between the teeth, or they can be cracked. A west LA dentist who specializes in cosmetic procedures can help Santa Monica patients improve these types of defects by applying special tooth-colored bonding materials, reshaping the tooth or filling in a crack.

Instead of bonding, a cosmetic dentist might also suggest using veneers to fix the excessive spaces, cover up wear, hide stains or improve the look of slightly crooked teeth. Veneers are similar to a shell that a dentist in west Los Angeles can place on the front side of a patient’s teeth. These veneers can improve a tooth’s shape as well as change the color.

In addition to bonding and veneers, a cosmetic dentist also has the option of using shaping and contouring techniques to improve the appearance of a tooth. Sometimes, a west LA dentist might use both bonding and shaping. This combination can be particular effective for overlapping teeth, teeth that are chipped or for minor bite problems.

Additional Cosmetic Possibilities

For missing teeth, two of the best long-term solutions are dental implants or bridges, depending on the condition of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can also correct an irregular gum line, teeth of different lengths, or jaw problems. If you live in the Santa Monica area, contacting West LA Dental today for an evaluation can be the best decision you ever made.