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Archive for February, 2012

Invisalign orthodontic treatment: An overview

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Invisaslign DallasTraditional braces involve unattractive brackets and wires that are worn for months and even years, but the Invisalign system improves upon that method. Invisalign patients’ smiles are visible throughout treatment, so they can experience the same outcomes without waiting a long time before being able to enjoy the results.

Using a progressive system of clear plastic trays, Invisalign re-aligns the teeth over the course of several months. Invisalign is based on the same core principles as conventional orthodontic treatment. The trays apply specific forces to the teeth in order to reposition them.

 

A specially trained dentist can work with patients to plan the Invisalign process. The dentist will gather information through x-rays, visual examination and dental impressions and ask you about your treatment goals.

 

The dentist then synthesizes all of that information to develop a treatment plan, which is provided to the laboratory that creates the patient’s Invisalign trays.

 

To get the best results, patients must wear the trays as recommended, for 20-22 hours per day. Patients should also take care to change out the trays approximately every two weeks and use them in the order prescribed by the dentist. Most patients finish treatment within a year to 18 months.

 

This method is also advantageous for patients because it eliminates the obstacles to a healthy home oral hygiene routine. Patients can take out the trays for brushing and flossing, and they maintain normal access to the spaces between the teeth, where disease-causing bacteria can collect.

 

Similarly, the Invisalign system has no brackets that can trap remaining food particles and hold them against the teeth, where they may promote decay.

 

The Invisalign technology has improved drastically since it was first introduced, and it can be useful in increasingly complex situations. For severe cases of crowding, bite problems or misalignment, the patient and dentist may also consult with another specialist, such as an oral surgeon, to correct problems beyond the alignment of the teeth.

 

If you are interested in straightening your teeth in Dallas TX, contact the office of Dr. Philip R. Kozlow to learn more about the Invisalign system.

 

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What’s involved in amalgam filling replacement?

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Years ago, patients who needed to have cavities filled were fitted with amalgam fillings that contained mercury in addition to other metals.

 

As the years pass, these patients may become dissatisfied with the noticeable dark fillings in their mouth. Some may be concerned about potential adverse effects of the mercury contained in the amalgam, or they may notice that an amalgam filling is damaged. In such cases, patients may seek help from a holistic dentist. 

In addition to replacing amalgam fillings, a holistic dentist can provide you with comprehensive dental care.

 

A holistic dentist can replace patients’ mercury-free fillings with a newer version made of composite materials that include glass and resin. In addition to eliminating the need for mercury in fillings, composites are tooth-colored, so they don’t detract from a patient’s smile.

 

Removing and replacing amalgam fillings is an effort that should be undertaken with great caution on the dentist’s part. It’s important to minimize the patient’s exposure to mercury vapors during the process of removing the fillings.

 

For that reason, it’s best to choose a dentist with experience in this procedure. You should also be sure that the dental office has the proper equipment in place to support the safe removal of amalgam fillings.

 

Specifically, the office’s treatment rooms should have an adequate ventilation system in combination with air purifiers to remove as much of the vaporized mercury as possible from the room’s atmosphere. This protects the safety of both the patient and the dental office staff.

 

Your dentist may also give you an alternate source of oxygen as a safeguard. A rubber dam can also be used as a barrier to keep fragments of the amalgam filling from entering the patient’s mouth.

 

After existing amalgam fillings have been removed, patients can chose composite materials to fill any future cavities. Not only does this limit the use of mercury in their mouths, it also helps to preserve more of the biological tooth material. Composite fillings require less drilling than their amalgam counterparts.

 

In addition to replacing amalgam fillings, a holistic dentist can provide you with comprehensive dental care. Contact the office of Dr. Philip R. Kozlow in Dallas and schedule an appointment to learn more about the specialty and what it offers to patients.

 

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Pregnancy and Your Dental Health

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

North Dallas dentistPregnant women often have a more serious focus on their own health to ensure a healthy baby, too. They’ll increase their intake of vitamins and improve their diets to provide a good nutritional base for the baby’s development in the uterus.

 

Regular appointments with an obstetrician obviously become a priority, but pregnant women should also follow up with a dentist as well to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

 

Patients are sometimes unaware that oral health can have an effect on pregnancy, but diseases of the mouth can cause problems for expectant mothers. For example, periodontal disease has been linked to pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), pre-term births and low birth weight.

 

The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can also fuel the growth of oral bacteria, leading to issues such as pregnancy gingivitis or oral tumors.

 

To prevent such negative outcomes, it’s important for pregnant women to seek care from a dentist.

 

For cleanings and other routine dental care, pregnant women need to be more precise than most patients about the timing of a visit to the dentist. Expectant mothers should avoid dental procedures during the first and third trimesters unless the issue is an emergency.  If possible, women should not get x-rays during pregnancy to prevent negative effects from the radiation.

 

Women who are considering getting pregnant should schedule a dental cleaning and examination so that any potential problems with the teeth or gums can be treated in advance of the pregnancy.

 

The dentist can also make recommendations for a home oral hygiene routine that will help protect the health of a pregnant woman and her fetus. Just as with any patient, twice daily brushing and daily flossing is essential, and the dentist may also suggest an antibacterial mouthwash as an additional precaution.

 

Your pregnancy is an exciting time, filled with many preparations to give your baby the best start possible. Be sure that a trip to the dentist—at the right time—is on your pre-baby to-do list!

 

Call our North Dallas office at 972-458-2464 to schedule your appointment.

 

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