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.