Smart Advice for Wisdom Teeth

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. If they grow in with proper alignment, wisdom teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal.

Wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are misaligned - they can position themselves horizontally, be angled toward or away from the second molars or be angled inward or outward. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can crowd or damage adjacent teeth, the jawbone, or nerves. Wisdom teeth that lean toward the second molars make those teeth more vulnerable to decay by entrapping plaque and debris. In addition, wisdom teeth can be entrapped completely within the soft tissue and/or the jawbone or only partially break through or erupt through the gum. Teeth that remain partially or completely entrapped within the soft tissue and /or the jawbone are termed "impacted." 

As part of a dental visit, your dentist will examine you to determine if your wisdom teeth are healthy and properly positioned. Based on the condition of your mouth, your dentist may recommend removal of one or all of your wisdom teeth in the office under a local anesthetic, or refer you to an oral surgeon for a procedure under general anesthesia.

Every patient is unique, but in general, wisdom teeth may need to be removed when there is evidence of changes in the mouth such as:

• Pain
• Infection
• Cysts
• Damage to adjacent teeth
• Gum disease, and
• Tooth decay, especially if it is not possible or desirable to restore the tooth.

In addition, the condition of your mouth changes over time. Wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored, because the potential for developing problems later on still exists. As with many other health conditions, as people age, they are at greater risk for health problems and that includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth.

Regular dental visits are important, and we generally recommend visits twice per year. Your dentist can evaluate not just your wisdom teeth but your overall oral health to help you prevent and manage dental disease and achieve optimal oral health.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Trust the ADA and its Official Seal When Choosing Dental Products

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Dental professionals and consumers have recognized the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance as an important symbol of a dental product's safety and effectiveness for more than 125 years. The ADA Seal of Acceptance program began in 1930. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave the Association a certificate of commendation for the outstanding self-regulatory efforts of its Seal program.

Americans recognize the ADA Seal of Acceptance as the gold standard when it comes to evaluating the safety and efficacy of dental products. Look for the Seal when buying toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash and even chewing gum. Other products include denture products, cosmetic whitening bleaches and water filters that don't remove fluoride.

Products eligible to apply for the ADA Seal are those that have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for market directly to consumers, regardless of whether the company elects to market the products over-the-counter or exclusively through oral health care professionals. The Council on Scientific Affairs evaluates consumer dental products and their elements such as therapeutic agents, drugs, chemicals, materials, instruments, and equipment that are employed in the treatment or prevention of dental disease. 

The ADA Seal database has over 300 consumer products that have passed their rigorous screening process and received the Seal of Acceptance. For a full shopping list of consumer products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance go to adaseal@ada.org.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Put Your Best Smile Forward With Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

A smile can be the most noticeable feature of a face. With dentistry's many advances even in the past two decades, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. Now there are procedures—that are often surprisingly inexpensive, painless and comfortable—that can help everyone smile with confidence.

Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel about yourself. Talk to your dentist about the options most suitable for you, what your expectations are and the fees involved. Some may be covered by as much as 50 percent by your dental insurance plan. At Glenwood Meadows Dental, consultations for cosmetic and restorative dental work are complimentary.

Some cosmetic options include:

• Tooth whitening, or bleaching, which brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done completely in the dental office, or your dentist can set you up with custom trays and whitening gel for you to use at home.

• Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface.

•  Enamel shaping involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring enamel. The process, which often is combined with bonding, usually is quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately.

• Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked.

• Braces are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do not meet properly. Sometimes, this changes as we age, and braces become necessary later in life. If your dentist thinks you should see a specialist for treatment, he or she will refer you to an orthodontist.

Positive self image and self esteem can be associated with the confidence of looking good; and an attractive smile can be a part of it. Your dentist can help you evaluate all your options for cosmetic dentistry and help you put your best smile forward.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Dental Sealants Are a Simple and Effective Prevention Strategy

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Dental sealants have been in common use for about three decades, and technology has advanced and improved them over the years. Sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. They are typically applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth — the premolars and molars — where decay occurs most often. Children are especially good candidates for this preventive treatment.

The most likely place for a child to get a cavity is in the small pits and grooves in their back teeth, areas that are extremely difficult to keep clean. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrush bristles often cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" bacteria-causing plaque and food.

A sealant is a plastic resin that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. It protects enamel from cavity-causing plaque and acids. While sealants aren't 100 percent effective in preventing cavities, they can significantly reduce the risk of decay, especially if a patient visits his or her dentist regularly to have worn out or missing sealants replaced.

Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned first, then the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes an ultraviolet light is used to help the material cure and harden.

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Dental sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. During regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them whenever necessary.

Of course, the basics for tooth decay prevention include twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste; daily flossing; eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks; and visiting your dentist regularly. Ask your dentist whether sealants can augment your family's prevention program.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Endodontic Treatment: Root Canal 101

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

People fear, dread, and postpone getting them. They are fodder for countless jokes. What are they? 

Root canals.

But like a lot of things in life, the anticipation of a root canal is far worse than the actual process of getting one. And consider this: years ago, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you would likely lose that tooth entirely. Now, not only can teeth be saved through endodontics, or root canal therapy, but medical advances have made this treatment relatively simple, with little or no discomfort. Most root canals involve one to three visits to your general dentist or endodontist.

A root canal treats the dental pulp, or the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue in healthy teeth. Dental pulp lies within the tooth and extends from the crown to the tip of the root, in the bone of the jaw. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. If vulnerable dental pulp is left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip in the jawbone in the 'root canal', forming a pocket called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone around the teeth; and not only that, an abscess usually hurts.

A molar, showing the 'root canals'

As for the actual procedure of an endodontic root canal treatment, the dentist removes the diseased or dead pulp from a tooth, the 'root canal' itself is cleaned, and then the tooth is sealed off to protect it. Finally, your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger, and the procedure is complete.

Here's the step-by-step process of how a tooth is saved through root canal treatment:

• An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
• The pulp is removed, and the 'root canals' are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
• Medications may be put in the pulp chamber and 'root canals' to help get rid of germs and prevent infection.
• A temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits. Your dentist may leave the tooth open for a few days to drain. You might also be given medicine to control any infection that may have spread beyond the tooth.
• The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and 'root canals' are cleaned, filled and sealed.
• A gold or porcelain crown is placed over the tooth as the final step.    

Your restored tooth will likely last a lifetime, with continued preventive care and good oral hygiene.  

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com