Teeth

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Diagnosis and Treatment

“Wisdom teeth” are classified as molars. Molars are the chewing teeth found furthest in the back of the mouth. Most humans have first, second, and third molars.

A person’s third molars are their wisdom teeth. These teeth come in behind the 2nd molars (if there is necessary room for them and they are aligned properly) usually during a person’s late teens or early twenties. In most cultures, this is the ages of maturity, hence the term “wisdom.” Usually there are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right.

In dental terminology an “impacted tooth” refers to a tooth that has failed to arise completely into its expected position. This unfortunate failure to erupt precisely may occur either because there is not space enough in the jaw for the tooth, or because the tooth’s angulation is improper. The impacted wisdom teeth often partially erupt at the later ages (45-55). Not only they are difficult to extract at that age, the healing time is much longer.

Dentists use specific terms to describe the positioning of impacted wisdom teeth. There are two ways of describing the “impaction” of the wisdom teeth. The most common way is to describe the direction of the impaction. For example, mesial impaction (also called angular impaction) simply means that the wisdom tooth is angled forward, toward the front of the mouth. Distal impaction means the wisdom tooth is angled toward the throat. Vertical impaction means the tooth is angled toward the head and horizontal impaction means the tooth is pointed sideways.

Alternatively, the impacted teeth can be described according to the degree of impaction. If the tooth is just covered with the gum, it is called soft-tissue impaction. If the tooth is covered by the gum and some of the jaw bone, it is called partial-bony impaction. If the tooth is covered under the gum and all the jaw bone, it is called complete-bony impaction.

The alternative to having wisdom teeth removed is to keep them. A few lucky people are able to retain their wisdom teeth and care for them as they would their other teeth. People with large jaws (blacks and African) can often keep their wisdom teeth because their wisdom teeth have room to erupt properly in the mouth. But for most of us, this isn’t possible, and a postponement in their removal can cause grave problems.

The most common problems linked with wisdom teeth include cavities, gum inflammation (pericoronitis), facial abscess (cellulitis), cyst, crowding (occlusal malaligment, and numbess (parathesia). In rare circumstances (about 3-5 in Texas each year), the wisdom teeth’s infection can travel downward and cause airway obstruction and sudden death. Moreover, in traditional Chinese medicine, the four wisdom teeth are associated with the four chambers of the heart. A problem with the wisdom teeth creates a “block” in the Meridian (energy) system, leading to heart’s trouble.

The wisdom teeth usually cause trouble when the body is under stress such as final exam, moving to new location, and pregnancy. For example, during my oral surgery residency in Houston, I witnessed the single abscess of the lower wisdom tooth led to two deaths–the 35 year-old diabetic pregnant mother and her 6-month-old fetus.

The best time for the surgical removal of the wisdom teeth is when they are about 2/3 of the fully developed sizes. This is typically at the ages of late teens or early twenties. Currently, there are two common practices for surgical removal of the wisdom teeth. The most common recommendation is to remove all four under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. Alternatively, you can unilaterally extract one side (upper and lower wisdom teeth), two at a time, 3-6 month apart, under local anesthesia.

About the Author
For more information, contact Dr. Nguyen at drnguyen@softdental.com or visit www.softdental.com.

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Impacted Wisdom Teeth Diagnosis and Treatment

Explore Your Options For Teeth Whitening

There’s no doubt that a brilliant white smile adds a lot to the way you look and as you age your teeth can lose a bit of their brilliance. Stains from coffee, cigarettes and simply aging can turn your teeth several shades off from what they once were. Luckily there are many options for teeth whitening out on the market. Which one is right for you?

How White Will Your Teeth Get?

When considering teeth whitening many people want to know how white their teeth will get. The level of whiteness you can achieve varies from person to person and from teeth to teeth. In rare cases your teeth can be whitened by up to 9 shades, but it is not likely. However, even just a difference of three or four shades will certainly enhance your smile.

The goal for most people undergoing teeth whitening to reach the optimal level of whiteness, without the teeth looking fake. It is important to note that the method used to whiten your teeth will have a significant impact on your outcome. Home-based teeth whitening systems will not typically achieve the same results as in-office teeth whitening. Usually during your first consult with your dentist about teeth whitening he or she will explain to you what results you can expect for your teeth.

How Much Will It Cost?

You can whiten your teeth at home or go to the dentist and have it done professionally. The do it yourself systems cost around $40.00 and typically require that you use strips or a tray for a week or more every day. Contrary to what you might hear, they DO work but you will have to make the commitment to apply the system every day.

An office visit to the dentist just for one teeth whitening treatment could cost up in the thousand dollar range at some of the more high end offices. But many people prefer to have a professional whiten their teeth to be sure it is “done right” or if they can’t commit to using a do it yourself product every day. Depending on the type of treatment your dentist decides is best for you , you could have whiter teeth in just one visit!

Tray Whitening Systems

One common method of teeth whitening is the tray system. This method was the predecessor to today’s teeth whitening strips, but is not obsolete as many consumers still use them today. Basically a gel-like substance, made of concentrated hydrogen peroxide and water and gluten to ensure adherence to the teeth, is put in a tray that fit around the teeth of the user. The trays generally come in sizes, or in some cases can be custom fitted for your teeth by your dentist.

Teeth whitening trays generally are worn for several hours during the day, or even overnight. Most people prefer to be awake when using the tray so that they can be sure the tray doesn’t fall out, or their mouth gets too dry. In most cases the user is able to carry on normal activities without disruption. As a general rule users don’t want to venture outside of their home or car because the trays aren’t exactly attractive. They cause the lips to protrude and speech to be muddled.

Whitening Strips

The whitening strips are thin pieces of plastic coated with hydrogen peroxide or some other whitening agent. The teeth whitening agent is typically clear, so the strip itself is transparent. There are two teeth whitening strips in each treatment set, one for the top row of teeth, and one for the bottom. Each is a different size and designed to fit with the corresponding teeth. They can’t always perfectly fit the user because everyone’s teeth are different, but they are usually comfortable for most people.

The strips are easy to use, you just apply them to the front of your teeth and then fold them over to stay put. The strips are worn for 30 minutes at a time twice a day.

Side Effects Of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is fairly safe and minor side effects can include gum irritation and sensitive teeth. Your gums about the teeth can become irritated when they come in contact with the whitening gel. This will subside once you stop using the whitening product.

Tooth sensitivity is brought on by the inflamed nerve of the tooth. The teeth whitening strips use a chemical that tends to irritate the tooth’s nerve and consequently cause the teeth to be sensitive to hot and cold. This is typically temporary and does not require a dentist visit and will subside once the treatment is over.

About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for Body Care Zone where you can find out more about taking care of yourself and read more articles on teeth whitening and dental care.

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Explore Your Options For Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening White Strips Instructions

With the advent of technology in dentistry certain problems involving the teeth and the mouth can now be possibly get ridden of. The teeth whitening strip is one such product that can readily be used upon the teeth to enhance the whitening of the teeth by the removal of stains or unwanted spots from the teeth surface.

Click here to try a free sample.

The instructions involved in using the teeth whitening strips are quite simple. Brushing of the teeth should be avoided prior to the application of the teeth whitening strip. The peel of the whitening strip should be carefully taken out. The strip should then be placed upon the teeth effectively so as to cover the entire surface. A mirror should be used to maintain the perfect alignment of the strip upon the teeth surface. The rest of the unused strip should be folded backwards to the teeth so that the strip remains perfectly at the desired place. The bleaching gel present on the strip covers the teeth surface maximizing the treatment. The teeth get flushed with the constant treatment of the bleaching gel. The strip should be left over for a specific time. The strip should be worn for a minimum of 30 minutes to ensure the perfect treatment and flush of the teeth. The strip should be carefully removed from the surface of the teeth and rinsed thoroughly. The excess gel remaining upon the teeth surface should then be removed by brushing and wiping out. The same process can be followed to the lower teeth. Precaution should be taken throughout the process as often irritation of the gums eventually occurs after the usage of the teeth whitening strips.