Dental trauma

 

 

What is dental trauma?

 

Dental trauma is a damage to the teeth ,soft tissues in the mouth as well  jaw bones.It usually occurs accidentally or during practicing sports and could require urgent treatment.

 

What types of dental trauma exist?

 

1.Trauma injury limited to the teeth- it  ranges from just a small enamel chip to extensive fracture affecting the tooth nerve(pulp)

 

2. Trauma  to the teeth extending down the root and sometimes involving the underlying jaw bone

 

3.Trauma to the tissues in close proximity to the teeth- it could make the tooth wobbly(subluxation),displace it(luxation) or completely  remove it from its socket(avulsion)

 

4.Trauma to the gums,and inner mouth lining (abrasion,contusion and laceration)

 

What are the symptoms of dental trauma?

 

They could widely vary. It might be just a rough tooth surface and  insignificant sensitivity when there is only a  minor enamel fracture. In other scenarios involving pulp exposure, tooth mobility or loss,there would be pain,bleeding and swelling.

 

What is the treatment for dental trauma?

 

It depends on the scale of the damage.

 

If there was no nerve involvement it would be a case of just doing a filling or crown.

 

If there was pulp exposure then root canal therapy would be necessary in order to safe the tooth.

 

When the thave suffered luxation  they will require repositioning as well as stabilizing splinting.  

 

You  might be able to save an avulsed tooth if prompt replantation is performed otherwise you may loose it. Time is of critical importance. If you received treatment within 1 hour of the avulsion the chances to keep the tooth would be good.

 Is there prevention of dental trauma?

 

The most common way of protecting teeth against dental injuries  while practicing  contact sports  is by using a mouthguard. This is  made of elastic material that reduces the force of  impact and  also minimizes the risk of severe injury. 

 

People who suffer from destructive grinding overnight would benefit from using  night guard.

 

We should try and avoid chewing hard foods or biting on hard objects as this could lead to dental injuries.

 

Additionally seatbelts are of paramount importance for providing protection in motor vehicles.

 

Furthermore helmets are highly recommendable to use while riding a bicycle.

 

If you have  experienced dental trauma and require professional help,please contact Irby Dental Practice at your earliest convenience.

 

Teeth sensitivity

What is teeth sensitivity?

 

The experience could vary from mild twinge and insignificant discomfort to sharp,brief shock and even  pain   lasting for hours. It could also indicate that there is more serious problem that requires further investigation.

 

What causes sensitivity to teeth?

 

The outer layer of the teeth is called enamel. It has a role of  a shield that covers and protects the   main tooth substance,tooth  dentine. When the enamel  wears down that exposes the underlying dentine and results in development of sensitivity. 

 

Possible causes for for teeth sensitivity  are:

 

1/ Over enthusiastic  tooth brushing  or employing incorrect brushing technique  thatcould lead to loss of enamel. This usually occurs  at the area where gums join the tooth

 

2/ Gum disease and gum recession could be another reason. Build-up of tartar  makes the gum tissue drift away from the tooth  which results in  exposure of the root surface.

 

3/ Dental erosion. This is when the enamel is lost because of frequent consumption of acidic foods and drinks

 

4/ Grinding teeth could cause the enamel to wear away over the course of the time

 

5/Tooth decay or tooth fracture could expose the dentine

 

6/ Teeth whitening may lead to increased sensitivity but this  is transient and  normally easy to manage

 

What should I do when I have sensitive teeth?

 

You should avoid foods and drinks that are very  hot,cold or sweet . Using toothpastes designed for sensitive teeth could be very beneficial. You can rub  this  in the teeth as an ointment in order to achieve quicker relief. Sensitivity should not prevent you from maintaining  good oral hygiene.

 

What treatment can be provided when having sensitive teeth?

 

Your dentist will apply fluoride products such as gels,rinses or varnishes. If the problem is more advanced you may need some type of restoration or even root canal therapy.

 

Can teeth sensitivity be prevented ?

 

You have to brush your teeth regularly using the correct brushing technique in order to avoid gum recession and enamel wear. Powered tooth brushes are very good as they have pressure sensors that indicate when you are using too much force.

 

You should consume sugary foods and fizzy drinks  in minimal amounts and at meal times only.

 

If you are aware of clenching teeth overnight or during the day do speak to your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to advise what is the right course of action.

 

Root canal treatment in Wirral

 

 

What is root canal treatment in Wirral?

 

This is a type of dental treatment that becomes required if a problem that was initially simple to resolve has become more complicated. 

 

The procedure takes place  inside the tooth and usually requires a couple of appointments to complete.

 

Why would  I need a root canal treatment?

 

If you had a crack or  decay that you failed to pay attention to this would advance and get closer to the nerve. This on its turn will result in  inflammation  or infection of the nerve(pulp tissue) . This is when you will experience significant pain which is difficult, or impossible, to manage with painkillers. The symptoms would also include pain on biting,swollen gum or face,lingering sensitivity to hot or cold.

 

What happens during this treatment ? 

 

Your dentist will cut an opening on the crown of the tooth through which the they will gain access the canals . They will be then cleaned and shaped using  very small instruments called files. The last stage includes  sealing  and filling of the root canal space with specific type of  materials.

 

Will I feel any pain while having root canal treatment ?

 

No. We do all of the above under local anesthetic and you will not experience any pain or  discomfort.

 

What is the recovery time after root canal treatment?

 

There could be minor pain and some tenderness on completion of the therapy which could last for about a week. You should be able to easily manage this with analgesics.

 

Why should I have root canal treatment instead of getting my tooth removed? 

 

Because it could save your tooth and there is nothing better than natural smile. 

 

How much does a root canal treatment cost?

 

Even though this is relatively expensive procedure it is still cheaper than having replacement of missing tooth. Generally speaking treatment on molars is  more expensive than  one carried out on a front tooth. This is because of the greater number of canals and more complex anatomy in the back teeth. This means more time that your dentist needs to dedicate on dealing with such cases.

Gum recession

 

 

What is gum recession?

 

Gum recession is a drift of the gum tissue away from the tooth that leaves the  underlying root exposed.That in turn makes the tooth more sensitive and  prone to damage from tooth decay.

 

When gums recede, what causes it?

 

This problem can occur because of  variety of factors, including:

 

1/ Trauma resulting from overenthusiastic teeth brushing,nail picking,deep bite or poorly designed denture. Chemical agents such as topical cocaine could also lead to gum recession

 

2/Gum disease or treatment of gum disease

 

3/Smoking

 

4/ Local plaque retention factors such as high muscle attachments,pull by the small piece of skin connecting upper lip to upper gum or tartar build-up

 

5/ Orthodontic movements- excessive  forward tooth drift or teeth arch expansion

 

6/ Complete absence of the thin bony plate covering the  facial  side of root surface(dehiscense)

 

What could  the consequences of gum recession be?

1/ Sensitivity and pain  to heat,cold and sweets because of the exposed main tooth substance(dentine)

 

2/ Aesthetic concerns because of the unsightly appearance of the teeth and smile

 

3/ Retention of plaque and subsequent gum inflammation

 

4/Increased vulnerability to caries of the root surface

 

5/Loss of tooth structure because the root cement is not as strong as the enamel of the tooth

 

What can I do about  gum recession ?

 

Firstly you should pay attention to  the causes of this problem:

 

1/ Oral hygiene needs improfing  by regularly  and gently  using electric  or manual toothbrush as well as interdental brushes or floss

 

2/ Smoking cessation should become a priority

 

3/ Gum disease  must be diagnosed timely and treated effectively

 

4/ You need to break habits causing trauma to the gums such as nail picking . Lip and tongue piercing could also make the gums pull away from the teeth

 

5/ Orthodontic treatment needs careful planning  and then  regular reviews 

 

6/ Design of the dentures must ensure good support and maintenance is essential

 

Secondly you  need to deal with the symptoms of the recession:

 

1/ Sensitivity and pain

 

Desensitizing products  could help reduce the discomfort arising from exposed roots(eg. Colgate Pro Relief  or Sensodyne toothpaste)

 

Dentist could also apply  topical agents containing  fluoride such as Duraphate

In some occasions restorations may have to cover the exposed sensitive surface

 

2/ Caries and abrasion

 

Adequate dietary advice (such as low-sugar diet)should be given as well as oral hygiene instructions,fluoride applications and fillings

 

3/ Aesthetic concerns

 

Veneers using pink porcelain or composites can be a good solution

 

When spaces between teeth have been created(black triangles) Bioclear method proves to be very effective to deal with this consequence.

Sometimes surgical techniques are  the only way to restore aesthetics and manage  cases of permanent and significant sensitivity. Such procedure is the graft surgery.It consists of  bringing a piece of tissue from another site in the mouth that is then placed over the  root and stitched up. 

 

If you have concerns regarding gum recession please contact Irby Dental Surgery and we’ll take care of your problem. 

Dental Emergency

Dental pain for many is probably the worst thing they can imagine.

It could have devastating impact on your everyday activities affecting abilities to be productive in work, enjoy food and could also keep you awake overnight. All of the above inevitably reduces the quality of life and therefore requires urgent dental help.

What is actually classed as a dental emergency?

Dental emergency is a severe and continuous pain that is not affected by any painkillers, spreading facial swelling , cracked or knocked out tooth, persistent bleeding following tooth removal or soft tissue injury.

What can you do to help yourself with dental emergencies?

  1. If you have a broken tooth:

  • Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash or lukewarm salty water and try to apply an over-the-counter temporary filling until you get to see your dentist
  • Take Paracetamol if you experience pain
  1. If you have swelling:

  • Apply cold compress
  • Take Paracetamol or other painkiller
  • Rinse with warm water and rub numbing gel into the area next to the culprit
  • Book an appointment with your dentist urgently
  1. If your tooth has been knocked out:

  • Do not touch the root of the tooth with your fingers
  • Try and place the tooth back in the its socket and bite down, but if you struggle to do so just put it in a cup of milk or directly in your mouth (between gums and cheek) in order to keep it moist
  1. Continuous bleeding after tooth extraction:

  • Rinse with water
  • Apply clean pack over the socket and bite firmly for at least 20 minutes
  • Call your dentist or go to A&E if bleeding is still uncontrolled

What will the dentist do when you attend an emergency appointment?

  • You may need to have the causative tooth removed
  • You may need to have root canal treatment which could save your tooth

This usually requires a couple of appointments after the emergency visit and involves taking the inflamed or infected tooth nerve out of the tooth, shaping and widening of the root canal in the tooth root, followed by placement of root sealer and then normal tooth filling

  • In some cases your dentist may have to cut into the abscess in order to release the pressure built up as well as to give the pus collected under the skin a way out

Note! All of the above treatments are done under local anaesthetic so that you not to feel any pain.

What can I do to avoid dental emergencies?

  • Attend at least twice a year for routine check-ups
  • Maintain excellent oral hygiene at home
  • Reduce sugar content in your everyday diet

At Irby Dental Practice we are passionate about taking care of our patients and being there for them at the moment when they most need us and we have dedicated slots for emergency appointments every day.

If you want to arrange an emergency dental appointment please do not hesitate to call 0151 648 1974 and we will be more than happy to help.

Book your dental appointment with Irby Dental Practice today to boost your confidence and smile.

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