Teeth Sectioning

Patients who need tooth extractions can count on the experience and expertise of the doctors at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat. Generally speaking, extractions are something to be avoided, but wisdom teeth often need to be removed because they are threatening the alignment of the rest of the teeth or are too large to push through the gum line. Rather than removing an entire large tooth at once, dentists sometimes employ sectioning.

There are several reasons why a dentist might not want to remove a whole wisdom tooth at once. It could be because there isn’t a large enough natural gap in the gum pocket for an impacted tooth to be moved through and the dentist wants to reduce the need for incisions. It could also be that the tooth is at an inconvenient angle and located close enough to a major nerve for a dentist to not want to risk using a large amount of force. In any case, sectioning is only done once a patient has been numbed and safely sedated. Using a dental drill, the dentist will cut the tooth into sections while keeping it under a stream of water. This will prevent the drill’s heat from damaging the mouth. Smaller tooth sections can be maneuvered more easily and pulled out with less force.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.

 

Sjögren’s Syndrome

The doctors of Vista Dental in Medicine Hat are determined to provide patients with all sorts of medical needs with top-quality dental care. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is one problem with serious implications for oral health, and that’s particularly true in cases caused by the autoimmune disorder Sjögren’s Syndrome.

An autoimmune disorder is one in which the body’s immune system attacks the body. It is unclear what causes Sjögren’s Syndrome but it has a high comorbidity with lupus, which usually appears in people who are genetically predisposed to it after they suffer trauma or an infection. Sjögren’s Syndrome affects the entire body but it first dries out the tear and saliva ducts. Without saliva, food debris accumulates in the mouth, allowing bacteria and fungi to rapidly multiply. Dryness also disrupts the functioning of the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infection.

Testing for Sjögren’s is done with a sample of the patient’s salivary glands. These are plucked from the inside of the patient’s lower lip during a procedure called a biopsy. Only a local anesthetic is necessary for this, although suturing is sometimes done afterward. If Sjögren’s is confirmed as the cause of dry mouth, the patient will need to begin using saliva substitutions and may be prescribed medication to stimulate additional saliva production.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.

 

Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is the strongest mineral substance in the body and once it’s gone, it doesn’t come back. Enamel helps the teeth fight against sensitivity and many different chemicals from food that causes the teeth harm. When enamel erodes, a patient may cringe while sipping hot or cold beverages and while brushing and flossing the teeth. To prevent enamel erosion, visit our doctors at Vista Dental twice a year for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

Enamel can erode from acids in the food and beverages that we consume. You may have enamel erosion if you experience pain or high sensitivity when exposed to cold, hot, acidic, or spicy foods. If left untreated, enamel erosion can lead to yellow-stained teeth, increased tooth decay, and fractured teeth. Though enamel can’t repair itself, if a significant amount of enamel is lost, dental bonding or another cosmetic procedure may be suggested as treatment.

If you have questions regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.vistadentalmh.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Vista Dental located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077. 

Oral Care for Senior Citizens

Because seniors are more likely to develop arthritis that limits movement of the hands, it’s important for them to have a vigorous oral care routine to keep teeth in optimal shape. Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for dry mouth, root decay, a diminished sense of taste, and tooth loss. If you are a senior struggling with dental care, our doctors at Vista Dental are here to assist you.

Wearing dentures, taking medications and general health conditions are some of the issues many seniors face. Teeth can also become more sensitive with age because our gums naturally recede over time, exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel. Unfortunately, as we age, arthritis can play another role in our oral health. For people who have this condition and have trouble using a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush may be easier to use and increase effectiveness.

If you have questions regarding family dentistry or oral care habits, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.vistadentalmh.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Vista Dental located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 4Y2, Canada, call 403-548-7077.