Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are like those traditional orthodontic brackets but with a different system or mechanism.
It does not require wires or rubber to tie or lock the brackets permanently because it has a "trap-door" device which stays in place together with the Ni-Ti wire. This "trap-door" mechanism loosely holds the brackets and the wire together but with minimal movement and stable tooth manipulation.

Orthodontists prefer this type of treatment today because it requires lesser clinic appointments but with excellent occlusion improvements within weeks or months depending on the case. It also allows the patient to suffer less with having to have the elastics changed from time to time as this doesn't need any.

Dentist On Duty: HOME TEETH WHITENING SAFETY

Dentist On Duty: HOME TEETH WHITENING SAFETY: "Ready to get that “pearly white smile”? Here are some important tips on how to safely whiten your teeth without suffering from harmful effe..."

Clinic hours

Got tired with sum-up appointments and pending articles. But yes, I survived. Gonne write more soon.... Lingual ir self-ligating braces???

A Continuation of the Flap Surgery

Well, yesterday I got an emergency situation where duty calls--- randomly. Our compound care taker cut his tongue during a basketball game that I had to suture it immediately. I was gonna plan on flap surgery, but because the tongue is the most "expressive" muscle in our entire body, I wouldn't be able to do it. So the usual surgery goes. The patient was in pain since anesthesia didn't help causing him to feel terrible  when I inserted the initial suture ( he did take some alcohol a day before this happened). My usual advice to those who are planning to have their teeth extracted is to never drink alcoholic beverages at least a week before the surgery.

I did gave him prophylactic medications and some just to alleviate the pain. The day ended with great relief when the bleeding stopped. It was an inch-long cut and I did only two stitches. As that was my first time to do such procedure on a tongue, since I usually deal with gingival and periodontal flaps-- the usual in the dental office.

Flap Surgery

This was what I just did today. Not on the gingiva but instead on a tongue. More of this tomorrow.

Supernumerary Teeth

I once had a patient who told me has 3 incisors (front teeth) and  had these since her was 9 years old. This is a case of Hyperdontia -- supernumerary teeth.

The most common case for hyperdontia is the mesiodens, where there is an excess number of incisors especially on the upper teeth. Causes may vary but the most common is either hereditary or delayed eruption of the temporary teeth. Diagnostic methods like X-ray will confirm hyperdontia and will help dentists diagnose such case.

Special Toothbrushing Techniques

Did you ever wonder why you still have plaque or tartar on your teeth even if you brush three times daily? Or
Worst have that odorous smell or bad breath even when you swish mouth rinses frequently?

Here's the thing-- studies show that the amount of bacteria being removed does not depend on how many times you brush or gargle mouth rinses, but the quality of your toothbrushing technique.

You have to make sure that you have brushed every surface of each tooth and spent at least 10-15 seconds on each quadrant of your dentition. Make sure to buy soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid abrasion of your teeth surfaces which causes enamel to weaken, hence, bacterial invasion sets in. For children you can have them sing ( in their mind ) their favorite song and wait for it to finish before rinsing. This at least assures you that your child didn't just brush, but cleaned their teeth thoroughly.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

During pregnancy, women experience slight gingivitis and some might experience bleeding gums.
This is because there is a great effect of the hormones during pregnancy causing the gums to swell. This just means that pregnant women are prone to bacterial invasion with the inflamed gums. It attracts food debris to easily access the periodontal pockets causing it to build tartar and plaque.

Such is called "Pregnancy Gingivitis". This is usually noticed on the second month of pregnancy and might get worse up to the eighth month. This is caused by the increased levels of  Progesterone up to 10 times the normal level making the periodontal lining become hyperplastic.

Certain preventive measures can help minimize swelling of the gums. Pregnant women should consult their dentist at least every trimester to check and measure the development of gingivitis. Oral prophylaxis and good oral hygiene can also help.

Facts About Mouth Rinses

There are many benefits you can get from using oral rinses. They promote good oral hygiene too aside from your regular toothbrush-flossing routine. 


Oral rinses usually contain anti-bacterial solutions like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and povidone iodine which are very effective in fighting bacterial contamination and cavity formation.


You can rinse your mouth at least twice a day to ensure total protection from oral diseases.

Flossing Helps You Fight Stress

Recent studies have shown that flossing once daily will help decrease tension and stress. Of course you would need to do it correctly. Flossing meticulously cleans the gum lines and vertical walls of the teeth as this can access those which can't be cleaned by toothbrushing alone.

Ask your dentist to teach you the right way to floss your teeth then you will notice the minimal exposure of plaque as well as halitosis (bad breath).

Dentist On Duty: Orthodontic Treatment

Dentist On Duty: Orthodontic Treatment: "Orthodontics has become the most sought after dental treatment most especially here in the Philippines. Most people would want to have brac..."

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics has become the most sought after dental treatment most especially here in the Philippines.

Most people would want to have braces on not just for dental treatment purposes, but esthetically as well. Orthodontics is one of the most advanced technologies in dental medicine and it is the most up to date specialization in the field.

There are many types of orthodontic treatments as well as the materials and methods used. You can choose from lingual, porcelain, self-ligating and the newest of the family-- invisalign.

Malocclusions, TMJ problems and maxillofacial disproportions are mostly treated by orthodontic braces and it uniquely enhances one's facial profile in just a matter of months.

Today, esthetics plays a vital role in orthodontics. This is because people have made this as a "status symbol" and not just merely for treatment purposes. This is why porcelain brackets are being invented to enhance those who would want to have perfectly occluded teeth and stunning smile even with braces on.d

Tomorrow, I will be meeting one of my patients who is a good candidate indicated for orthodontic treatment. I still need panoramic, cephalometric and other diagnostic tests to be able to diagnose her case before installing her braces.

Dentist on the Go

I'll be applying for the Cebu Dental Society Mobile Clinic and I hope that they will accept me.

I would really love to travel into different places as well as provide quality dental care to people in different societies and culture.

WISH me luck!!!!

Cosmetic Dentistry - The Answer to Brighten Up One’s Smile

Learn the new trends of aesthetic dentistry and how beneficial it is for us to dig deeper into this new technology where you don’t have to hide chipped-off, discolored or nonaligned teeth. Get to know more about teeth whitening or bleaching, bonding, veneers, latest trend in orthodontic treatment and dental implants.

Worried about how you smile in front of others? Does your teeth look weak and discolored? Want to have a great smile? The answer is here! Cosmetic dentistry has become more and more popular because of its advanced technologies in making teeth more whiter, aligned and stable. The field of dentistry has already developed a system on how to deliver maximum quality care and service to dental patients and satisfy their needs of having that beautiful smile that they’ve always wanted.

Sail into these vast knowledge as to how cosmetic dentistry enhances your teeth to create a brighter and beautiful smile:

Bleaching

Bleaching or tooth whitening system has become more and more popular in this generation because in just a few minutes it eliminates unsightly discoloration of your teeth due to nicotine stains, aging and drug-intake effects. The patient is thoroughly informed through orientation by dentist as to how the treatment will proceed. Tooth whitening can either be done at home or at the dental office. For take-home-whitening system, the patient is given a whitening kit included with a custom-made bleaching tray and tooth whitening gel to be applied and worn overnight for at least 3-4 weeks. On the other hand, tooth bleaching done at the dental clinic can last only up to 30 minutes depending on the desired shade for the patient. Dentists use a laser-type of light to be conducted over the solution applied on the tooth’s surfaces to initiate the whitening process. Results vary depending on the use of the whitening gel and this is usually monitored by the dentists. 

Bonding

This type of dental treatment involves putting the fractures, chipped or broken surfaces of the tooth back into its original shape. It uses a special type of composite resin that is similar to the natural teeth’s color and surfaces and once you wear it you’ll never notice the fractured area of your teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are shell-type porcelain material which enhances the esthetic view of your teeth. It is indicated for minimally crowded, misaligned or disproportioned teeth. These are attached on the labial or buccal surfaces of the teeth to camouflage the abnormalities of the natural dentition.

Orthodontic treatment

There have become recent and advanced technologies in orthodontic treatment and Invisalign is one of them. It is less visible when worn and does not require meticulous attachment of titanium wires and brackets that is why it is mostly favored by patients nowadays.

Dental Implants

Dental implant is a breakthrough on top of dentistry’s new advances. It surrogates relief for countless mishaps for patients who undergo bridgework and denture fabrication as it creates a stable and strong support for such dental pieces. The procedure is done by inserting a screw-type metal into the jaw and stabilizing it before insertion of dentures. Patients with ill-fitting dentures take relief into this technology as they will never experience again having their dentures rebased or re-constructed from time to time.

With cosmetic dentistry, people have come to know more about how their teeth can be enhanced to shy-out the perfect smile they’ve been wanting their whole life.

What Makes a Good Dentist

Everybody wants to be successful in their careers and profession. Of course we all worked hard for it. So we think "We deserve it". Nontheless, why would we dream to be one if we haven't dropped ourselves out?

When I was 4 years old, I only had four dreams of becoming in the future-- become an astronaut, a nun, a pediatrician, and a dentist. I never realized this one steamy dream when I got to my secondary education.

Last month of my last school year in high school, I was with my friends attending our Career Orientation Seminar. Then each of us were asked what do we want to become? I proudly answered "Dentist" thinking it is already impossible to be an astronaut. I was also enjoying the feeling of mutual infatuation at that time so I was never gonna be a nun and I can always proceed to medicine right after college if I want to be a Pediatrician. Dentistry was my only option then. I was on the right track--- I thought.

Being in college was really difficult as I never have imagined it to be. I was studying and at the same time worrying if my parents could ever suffice the troublesome money that I would need for clinical work and requirements plus matriculation. But I've survived. I graduated college ripe after 7 years.

When I passed the dentist's licensure examination, I was deeply enthralled of that feeling to practice my profession and be able to develop my skills in it. So here I am now, working hard, happy and contented with my profession. I was never wrong. I choose the right choice and I've lived with it.

Being a good dentist does not necessarily require you to graduate with honors or colorful flags. It is about rendering the best quality of service to your patients, whether they pay you or not. Of course money is important to live your dream. But make sure that you are being paid for the right service and that you are giving it back to who deserves it. It is about fulfillment-- to be an epic of knowledge and basic skills and be able to share it with those who need it.

HOME TEETH WHITENING SAFETY

Ready to get that “pearly white smile”? Here are some important tips on how to safely whiten your teeth without suffering from harmful effects of improper whitening treatment procedures. Know the essentials and preparations before getting that dazzling smile that you’ll always be proud of.

Cosmetic dentistry has truly placed a magical world for people to have what they’ve always wanted-- glistening white teeth. Some would say that having that beautiful smile boosts up their self-confidence and were able to increase their self-worth because of that very attractive teeth are not shameful enough to see. People are more and more informed of the many advanced technologies in dentistry and tooth whitening system is one of these. In order to get the right treatment and to keep them safe from such procedure, one must be educated about this type of dental treatment and he must be assured that his dentist is knowledgeable enough to achieve a successful outcome.

So how safe is teeth whitening? That is one question you should ask to your dentist first. You should always feel confident about whatever dental procedures you are undergoing because you are well-informed and properly oriented. Know the possible side effects and proper maintenance after the treatment. Also, ask how often should you visit your dentist to check on your teeth.

Next is to know the components of the whitening or bleaching system. The main component of your teeth whitening gel is Carbamide peroxide which is activated when being placed under a special laser for dental clinic settings while for home treatment it takes longer to achieve a lighter shade as you have to apply it every night using a custom-made tray. There are some special instructions that you must be reminded of before applying this whitening gel. You have to make sure you don’t apply it to the gum area as this can irritate soft tissues of your oral cavity and that includes your gums. Apply the gel only to the surfaces of your teeth. This is the reason why it is most recommended to just let your dentist do the treatment or if necessary have the entire procedure demonstrated before you do it at home.

Once you are ready for the treatment process you must take note of some side effects and if you experience one you must promptly tell your dentist to ensure proper management of such case.Pay attention to the instructions at your whitening treatment product brochure and always test for allergic reactions before applying it to your teeth. You can test it on your skin and observe if it does not itch or gets reddish in color. After such test you can then try it on your teeth.

For take-home whitening products, you will observe changes of your teeth’s shade after 4 days or so. Dental chair treatments only last for about 30 minutes since dentists have lasers to speed up the activation of Carbamide peroxide in the whitening gel.

Basic safety information is very important since you are dealing with one important part of your body--- your oral cavity. You have to be cautious enough and be ready to inform your dentist if adverse effects take place after the treatment process. Basically teeth whitening gels are specially made to produce a whiter, brighter teeth without causing too much damage to your teeth. But you still have to take the necessary precautions and maintain good and proper oral hygiene.

You are now set for your teeth whitening treatment. Treat yourself with this truly satisfying feeling of having to show off that pearly-white smile and boost up your confidence knowing that you have one of the most beautiful smiles in the world.

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Dentist On Duty: Appointments at the Clinic

Dentist On Duty: Appointments at the Clinic: "Most dentist usually have their patients shelled so as to avoid being congested in the dental office. This is also important to prepare thei..."

Appointments at the Clinic

Most dentist usually have their patients shelled so as to avoid being congested in the dental office. This is also important to prepare their patients for the upcoming dental procedure.

When making appointments, makes sure to call your dentist at least one week ahead of time. This will also help your dentist study your case further and be prepared for your next visit.

Random procedures done during dental appointments are the following:

- oral examination

- teeth X-ray

- pulp vitality tests

Fluoride Therapy

Plaque is one of the reasons why your teeth are prone to decalcification because of bacteria that creates cavities in your teeth's surfaces and eats and eats it all out. To prevent this, it is advised that you have to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. Brushing your teeth helps in keeping your gums healthy as it also stimulates excellent blood circulation to prevent to nourish your teeth and help prevent periodontal diseases.

There are common active ingredients that toothpastes have and one of these is called “fluoride”. It contains detergents and foaming agents that help eliminate food debris that causes tartar and plaque making the tooth resistant to bacterial invasion.

Fluoride strengthens the tooth's surfaces making it resistant to any fractures, sensitivity and decalcification. It is usually applied at 6 years of age when the permanent teeth starts to grow. You should ask your dentist for more information about fluoride therapy as this is very helpful in maintaining a healthy set of dentition.

About Root Canal Therapy

RCT or root canal therapy in an endodontic process of taking out the vital nerves of a tooth to prevent irreversible pulp diseases to set in.

This is done by accessing the root canal which houses the nerves that supply the teeth. Many are quite anxious to undergo this dental procedure as they say it is painful. The truth is-- its not. Dentists use local anesthesia when accessing the root canal to prevent painful signs of root canal therapy. Anesthetic solutions help relieve pain and allows the patient to relax and enjoy the entire procedure.

Root canal therapy involves a series of dental check ups and visits as this is not just a one-time setting procedure. The root canal is thoroughly cleaned and certain medications are being placed to speed up antibacterial processes. This is then filled with permanent restorations before opting to crown the root-canaled tooth.

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Being a dentist is what I've dreamt of since I was a kid. I guess I'm living my own dream now. I want to serve people and educate them about this tiny information about how to care for their teeth and be able to prevent oral diseases by maintaining good and proper oral hygiene.