Biocompatibility in Cosmetic Dentistry

Some cosmetic dentistry procedures have come a long way from its difficult beginnings. For instance, it took dental implant developers over 40 years of research and testing before corporations felt confident enough to invest in the promotion of the procedure. Despite their invention in the 1920s, dental veneers only started to be a common dentistry solution in the 1980s when a safe method to securely bond porcelain to enamel was developed.

These delays were mainly due to uncertainties on the safety of cosmetic dentistry products. Attaching synthetic materials to living tissues can pose various risks, including systemic toxic responses. Thus, it is only appropriate to validate each material’s safety and prove its biocompatibility before it can gain acceptance in the medical community.

Biocompatibility refers to a material’s property of having benign effects on living tissue, that is, it will not cause injury or bodily rejection in humans. In restorative dentistry, biocompatibility is measured or determined by the absence of toxic, leachable, or diffusible substance that can later spawn infections or diseases

Some dental restorative materials today are under scrutiny for possibly being non-biocompatible. As there has been no official restrictions on these, it falls on patients to keep themselves informed and make wise decisions based on what they know. Going to a reliable dentist who adheres to a holistic approach is a good way to ensure only biocompatible products will be used in treatments.

Are Today’s Philadelphia Dental Implants for You? Learn the Facts

"In cases when implantation is necessary even if the patient is not a candidate, a Philadelphia dental implant dentist may use a non-conventional type of implant. For instance, if the bone structure is too thin to hold the posts in place, a blade-shaped endosseus or subperiosteal implant can be used. These are implants that have metal framing instead of a single post to provide stronger support for the crown. Dental implants are a proven safe restorative device according to the American Academy for Implant Dentistry. They are usually made of titanium or non-metal zirconia, a biocompatible material that the bone and gum can connect to without experiencing a side effect. Nonetheless, for best and safest results, it helps to visit dentists that promote holistic treatments like Gerald Regni, DMD."
http://www.philly-dentist.com/are-todays-philadelphia-dental-implants-for-you-learn-the-facts/

Why a Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Recommends Biocompatible Filling

"Silver amalgam is now slowly being replaced by composite biocompatible filling material. Although the FDA claims that the product is safe for individuals over the age of six and the scientific community has not reached a consensus on whether or not it should indeed be replaced, it goes without saying that the toxicity of mercury in amalgam should not be taken lightly. It’s a smart decision to prefer the safer alternative if there is any, and the good news is: there is one. Dentists like Gerald Regni, DMD promote the use of biocompatible restorative materials because of their holistic benefits. They believe that more than just caring for the oral cavity, cosmetic dentistry in Philadelphia should also be concerned with a patients overall health. Replacing amalgam and other products that contain highly toxic elements is one step closer to the fulfillment of this holistic goal."
http://www.philly-dentist.com/why-a-philadelphia-cosmetic-dentist-recommends-biocompatible-filling/

Tooth Decay: Big Reason for Kids to Visit Dentists

What does tooth decay have in common with the common cold? They’re two of the biggest reasons why American children skip school every year. The situation is much worse than what parents might think: more than 25 percent of kids aged two to five, and at least 50 percent of children between 12 and 15 suffer from tooth decay. These numbers go as high as 80 percent in some places like North Philadelphia.

There are a lot of reasons for these staggering statistics. Aside from the fact that many households in the U.S. lack dental coverage, children are also often exposed to tooth decay-causing substances like candies, sodas, citrus fruits, and even bread. The sugar content of these foods can lead to tooth decay and cause cavities. Lack of proper oral hygiene is also a major factor.

Some may argue that it is “normal” for children to suffer from tooth decay, simply because their baby teeth are significantly weaker than the permanent teeth that they’ll eventually grow. That may be true to some extent, but it’s also important for people to know that decayed milk teeth can also result in more serious complications later in life. There are numerous studies that link childhood tooth decay with stroke, pneumonia, poor pregnancy outcomes, and similar health conditions in adult life.

Philadelphia Pediatric Dentist Shows Tricks to Get Your Child Brushing

"Brush with Him or Her Copying actions is innate in kids as one of their learning mechanisms. Brush your teeth with her so that he or she develops desirable habits. You can assist him or her to some extent, but keep in mind that your child wants to learn to do it on his or her own. Visit a Dentist If you’re not confident with your persuasion skills, get an emergency dentist in Philadelphia to help out. The child may learn the consequences of poor oral hygiene if his or her teeth start to ache."
http://www.philly-dentist.com/philadelphia-pediatric-dentist-shows-tricks-to-get-your-child-brushing/

Philadelphia Dentist Urges Baseball Players to Stop Chewing Tobacco

"Beyond Black Teeth The effects of spit tobacco and cigarettes on teeth are also similar: teeth discoloration, risk of cavities, bad breath, and so on. Spit tobacco also contains several known carcinogens, the triggers for cancer affecting the mouth, throat, and pancreas. Symptoms alluding to possible cancer include white, scaly lesions called leukoplakia. If you chew tobacco, whether you’re a kid or an adult, it’s time to stop the habit and visit a reputable dentist in Philadelphia such as Gerald Regni, DMD. If the similarities between spit tobacco and cigarettes are to be believed, the withdrawal effects will also be similar. You can facilitate the withdrawal via proper oral hygiene and regular dental treatment."
http://www.philly-dentist.com/philadelphia-dentist-urges-baseball-players-to-stop-chewing-tobacco/

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Accidents can happen anytime, even to the most cautious, and can result in bodily injury, including a dental emergency. In cases like this, a good grip of the situation is necessary to have the emergency resolved right away.

Here are some tips on how to handle a dental emergency:

Apply safe first-aid measures.

First-aid measures can temporarily manage symptoms and control the situation before or during your trip to the professional. Clean any wound by rinsing with water. Take over-the-counter acetaminophen for pain, as opposed to aspirin or ibuprofen, which can make bleeding worse. If the medicine is not readily available, use an ice compress to help numb the area. Pressure can also be applied using a clean cloth.

Save what can be saved.

It is important to save a knocked-out tooth or dental prosthesis (e.g. a crown, broken denture, etc.) right away. A dentist may be able to safely re-implant the tooth, or at least, temporarily restore it, if the condition is preserved. Otherwise, a tooth replacement may be necessary. Knocked-out tooth should immediately and gently be rinsed in water while protecting the root, then placed in a cup of milk to keep it from deteriorating. 

 

Call an emergency dentist.

Proceeding to a hospital emergency room can mean more expensive treatments and possible unsatisfactory outcomes. Call a reliable emergency dentist who offers 24/7 services instead. With professional skills and appropriate diagnostic and treatment tools, the emergency dentist can provide immediate relief and treatment, at a more affordable cost.

Can Children Get Dental Implants?

If one of your child’s permanent teeth is dislodged, put it immediately in a jar of milk and rush to your local dentist. Time is crucial in the success of replanting the tooth.

However, if the tooth cannot be replanted, resorting to dental implants right away may not be a good idea. A dental implant can only be successful in someone whose jawbones have fully developed. Before reaching this stage, an implant may only do more harm than good. It can impede the growth of the jaws, as well as stop other teeth from growing into their right positions.

A male child will have to wait until the age of 17, and a female until 14 or 15, for the jaw to achieve full growth. To avoid the embarrassment of a missing tooth, a single tooth denture may be the best remedy, until the child’s jaw is developed enough for an implant.

To avoid edentulism (the state of being toothless), children should be taught safety habits, like wearing mouth guards and other safety gear when playing rough sports. They should also be given the right diet, and must be trained to observe proper oral hygiene to strengthen their gums, and their teeth's hold on gums. Finally, children need to see their dentists regularly so that potential problems are detected and addressed before they could get worse.