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Wisdom teeth are the four molars located at the corners of your upper and lower jaw. Wisdom teeth extraction is performed if there is a damaged gum tissue on one or more teeth in your mouth. The procedure takes place in an oral dentist’s office, and the recovery period is after a few days, then you are back to normal.

When Do You Need a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to erupt in the mouth, appearing between ages 17 and 25. Some people don’t develop their third molars at all. This set of teeth can erupt normally in some people, while some don’t have enough space to contain them, leading to complications.

At Warm Family Dentistry, your wisdom teeth are first examined using x-rays before removal to check for infections. The following are some of the reasons people get wisdom teeth removal;

• Impacted Teeth – There is a possibility of wisdom teeth being trapped inside the jawbone as they erupt. This can be painful and will need the removal of the defective tooth
• Wrong angle – Sometimes, these teeth erupt and press against the adjacent molars causing constant teeth pain and chills. This might necessitate removal.
• Inadequate mouth space – If your jaw doesn’t have enough room to accommodate new teeth, it could prompt removal of an erupted wisdom tooth.
• Dental caries and gum disease – It might be impossible to reach your wisdom teeth for brushing or flossing if you have oral infections. Here an extraction is inevitable.
• Crowded other teeth – If the rest of your dental formula is crowded, then the development of new teeth is rather unwelcome. The supernumerary teeth, in this case, the new wisdom teeth will have to be removed.

When to Consider a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Salt Lake City dentists recommend wisdom tooth extraction if the following signs are noted around the tooth area.

• Chilled pain
• If food is being trapped at the back of wisdom teeth
• Damaged gum tissue around wisdom teeth
• Tooth decay in an impacted tooth
• Bone damage or infection on an adjacent tooth
• Abscesses and cyst sacs on wisdom teeth
• Effects of braces, dentures and other prostheses

We advise you to consult with your dentist or oral doctor at Warm Family Dentistry about the severity of the situation. They will determine if a tooth extraction procedure is necessary or give an alternative therapy.

Basic Procedure for Extraction

A small cut is made on the gum to access the tooth if it hasn’t yet erupted through the gum. Your jawbone, too, might be truncated to access more teeth. Your oral surgeon might divide the tooth into small portions to simplify the extraction process.

Before the third molar is removed, there’s a need to enlarge your tooth socket by shaking the tooth in a rocking motion before detaching it. During this act, you might feel some pressure around the area. There shouldn’t be any pain, though, as you will be treated with anesthesia before the procedure begins.

Simple surgery procedures can take a few minutes, while some can take more than 20 minutes. It varies with your surgeon and the severity of the problem.

If your dentist had made an incision, he/she seals the gum with dissolving stitches. They will dissolve in 7 to 10 days after the treatment. The dentist can place a gauze over the extraction area and ask you to apply pressure on it for about an hour. This allows the formation of a blood clot in the empty cavity left. It’s advisable not to dislodge clots as they are part of the healing process.

Antibiotics might be recommended if you have an underlying infection, such as mild tooth decay.

After The Procedure

Although people respond differently to anesthesia, you should be able to drive home after the procedure. It’s possible for the anesthesia to cause drowsiness, in which case you need to be driven home. You might experience pain and minor discomfort for the first three days. To completely heal, the mouth might take up to 3 days.

Here are a few tips for quicker recovery.

• To prevent swelling and skin discoloration, hold an ice pack against the cheek area
• Massage with moist heat if your jaw becomes sore
• Exercise the jaw by opening and closing your mouth gently
• Eat soft foods such as pasta, yogurt, rice, soup, etc.
• Ensure a heavy fluid intake
• Follow your doctor’s instructions and take all prescribed drugs

Things Not to Do

• Avoid using a straw for drinking as sucking might loosen healing clots
• Don’t harshly rinse your mouth to avoid damaging the healing process
• Avoid hard, crunchy and chewy foods likely to harm your wounds
• Don’t smoke or take alcohol. They slow down the healing process.

Dental implants are now a common option for the replacement of missing teeth. Most dental experts believe it is the best choice. In this article, we will cover more about this treatment so that you can know if it is good for you or not.

Dental Implant Definition

A dental implant is a metal (titanium) post surgically inserted into one’s jaw bone to support a synthetically made tooth (a dental crown). An oral surgeon or dentist can conduct this procedure. The success rate of dental implants is nearly 100%. Most dental implants reviews have good things to say about the treatment.

Purpose of Dental Implants

Dental implants are sturdy and can never slip while eating, unlike dentures. They don’t cause any damage to your bone. Also, dental implants cannot decay like your natural teeth. Generally, they might be good for you for any of the following reasons:

• Replace one or more missing teeth.
• If you are unable or don’t want to wear dentures
• If you want to improve your speech after losing several teeth.

It is worth noting that a few things are required of you want to use dental implants. Some of these things include:

• You should be willing to stop smoking
• You should have enough bone or be ready for bone graft surgery.
• Be ready to commit yourself for several months during the treatment.
• You should be free of any health conditions that can affect bone healing.
• Your jawbone should have grown fully.

Dental Implants Procedure: What to Expect

The procedure for this treatment is usually outpatient, and it takes several months. You should be willing to commit yourself to it if you want it to succeed.

Before the Procedure

First, you must book an appointment with a dentist or maxillofacial surgeon to discuss if you are a good candidate or not. During this visit, the dentist may conduct a comprehensive dental exam. He will take 3D and X-ray images so that he can have models of your teeth and jaws made.

He will also review your medical history. Make sure to mention everything, including the prescription you may be taking and any chronic health condition that may be troubling you. Finally, you will discuss a treatment plan for you. This plan takes into account factors such as the condition of your jawbone and the number of teeth you need to be replaced.

During the Procedure

A dental implant is surgically inserted so you should be ready for surgery. The dentist will sedate you to ensure that the surgery is painless. It is wise to have a person drive you home after the surgery since the sedation may affect your rationality for a few hours.

The surgeon/ dentist will remove the damaged tooth and prepare your jawbone for grafting if it is needed. If it is not, the dentist will make an incision in your jawbone and place the metal post (the implant). He will send you home to heal.

It takes three to six months if bone grafting is not involved. It can take up to nine months if it is. After you are ready, the dentist will place an abutment before placing the artificial tooth specifically made for you. The whole procedure will take between three and four visits to the dentist.

After the Procedure

Every surgery is associated with discomfort, and dental implant surgery is no different. These discomforts include:

• Tooth implant pain. You may experience some pain at the implant site for the
• first few days.
• Swelling of your gums, sometimes even your face.
• Minor bleeding
• Bruising of your gums and skin

The oral surgeon/ dentist will recommend proper painkillers to help with the pain. He may also recommend some antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections. Stay in contact with him, and if any side effects get worse, call him.

Contain the side effects by trying the ice-cold compress method and avoiding hard foods during the first few days. The stitches used to stitch you up are self-dissolving, but if they are not, the surgeon will remove them for you after some time.

Risks

Just like any other surgery, some risks are associated with dental implants. They include:

• Infection at the site of the implant
• Injury to surrounding tooth structures
• Risk of nerve damage
• Sinus problems

Warm Family Dentistry

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cold if you require dental implants. He has experience of 15+ years, and you can count on our state-of-the-art technology for a comfortable experience. Our staff speaks both English and Spanish. You can choose the one you are most comfortable using. You are all welcome.

It is evident that the most used part of your body can get damaged fast. The teeth are an integral part of your body and are subjected to immense pressure. The digestion starts in the mouth with chewing and teeth also provide an aesthetic value too. Teeth aid in speaking and smiling and can boost your confidence to some extent.

Often due to cavities or due to dental trauma, the inner soft tissues of the tooth, known as the pulp, get infected, damaged, or diseased, resulting in unbearable pain. The root canal treatment can relieve you of the pain and can cure the diseased teeth too.

The root canal treatment can save your teeth. The treatment involves removing the infected nerves and pulp and sealing it with a dental filling. If you leave the infected tissues untreated, you run the risk of losing the tooth and affecting the neighboring tooth.

Waterlase Root Canal

You might often be worried about the process of the root canal. With the advancement of medical science, treatment for dental ailments has become easier and less painful. Waterlase dentistry involves the use of a combination of water and laser energy to treat various dental ailments involving the gums, teeth, or jawbones.

This mode of advanced dentistry involves fewer shots and lesser use of anesthesia. You can also experience a pain-free root canal treatment. In contrary to the traditional root canal treatment that involves the use of drills to remove the infected pulp and dentine, the laser can remove the affected tissues more effectively and with greater accuracy. The adjourning tissues are left unhurt and considerably cleaner.

The basic concept involves the use of laser rays that react with the tissues when it comes in contact with the laser rays. Laser rays can be used to detect the cavities that imply the early signs of tooth decay. The laser rays can also kill the bacteria and thus sterilizes the mouth effectively that elongates the longevity of the teeth.

Why Opt for Waterlase Dentistry?

While you undergo the specialized root canal, you can reduce the chances of complications. Although the expenditure is a bit high, you can save the time needed for revival. The recovery process is pretty quick when you undergo the Waterlase root canal.

Hydrokinetic technology is employed to produce a laser beam that projects water in the form of beams to remove the dental cavities, affected dentine and pulp. The traditional drill and involvement of heat and pressure can be reduced while you undergo the Waterlase root canal. The use of a vibrating drill can also cause hairline cracks or structural damage. These can be nullified by using Waterlase dentistry. You can also get rid of the anesthesia that can have adverse effects of you.

The post-treatment discomfort can be reduced manifolds by using the precision of laser beams to minimize and eliminate the bleeding and discomfort. Laser rays function by delivering energy in the form of light. The laser rays serve as a surgical instrument or a vaporizer of the tissues when it comes in contact with the laser rays. The general Waterlase laser wavelength is 2940 nanometer, and sophisticated instruments are used by dentists to produce the desired wavelength of laser rays.

Biolase Laser Dentistry

Biolase is a global firm that specializes in the marketing and manufacturing of laser systems used by dentists to administer Waterlase root canal treatment. Even cosmetics, as well as restorative treatment of the teeth and mouth, can be done involving the Biolase dentistry.

Safe and easy to use, Biolase dentistry has made root canal easy and pain-relieving. The use of advanced technology enables smoother treatment of root canal, without pain or prolonged recovery period.

Waterlase is Safe

You might ponder over the thought about the safety of Biolase laser dentistry. But it is equally safe and virtually painless. You can also visit the Warm Family Dentistry to undertake Waterlase root canal treatment. With our bilingual staff proficient in English and Spanish, you can relax at our clinic as you wait for your treatment and while undergoing it too.

Waterlase system is an effective way to treat cavities and out dentists are vastly experienced and equally familiar with the advanced technologies. With a one-stop clinic for cosmetic or restorative surgeries, Warm Family Dentistry also specializes in teeth whitening and dental implants as well.

Although it can affect breastfeeding most traditional doctors cannot recognize a lip tie. The initial moments after birth when the baby is placed on the mother’s chest and instinctively tries to latch can be magical. However, toddlers with a lip tie can have frustrations when breastfeeding and can be a frustrating experience for the mother as well.

If you are struggling and trying to understand whether your baby has a lip tie we suggest you continue reading to understand everything you want to know about rectifying this common issue that is increasingly being observed in babies.

Lip Tie — What Is It?

A lip tie is a case when a piece of tissue without muscles that connects the upper lip to the upper gum restricts the mobility of the mouth because of its thickness, tightness, or both.

Concrete evidence is not available to explain why a lip tie occurs but many studies have suggested that the condition is like a tongue tie. Evidence is emerging that genetics have a role to play in the formation of the mouth and the lips. It is believed that the MTHFR gene is responsible for the formation of the mouth and the lips and toddlers with certain types of MTHFR mutations are a sevenfold risk of developing a cleft palate. More studies need to be conducted about MTHFR mutations but researchers are believing that this particular genetic mutation is more common in Caucasian and Asian populations. It is significantly lower in black populations and even rarer in American Indian populations.

How Common Is This Condition among Toddlers?

The dental office in Salt Lake City which is offering lip and tongue ties treatment confirms that a lip tie is less common than a tongue tie which is a condition where a short and tight piece of tissue beneath the tongue restricts its range of motion.

Breastfeeding can be affected by tongue-tie because of the inability of the tongue to move up. However a lip tied baby will also have trouble with breastfeeding because it is difficult to flange the upper lip.

How to Identify If Your Baby Has a Lip Tie?

If your baby has not been evaluated for a lip tie and you are noticing the following signs it may be necessary to talk to a health care provider and explaining the symptoms. If the baby has a tie they may be:

• Unable to latch deeply causing pain and damage in the nipples.
• Experienced difficulties staying on the breast.
• Splutter or choke on the milk.
• Exhibit poor weight gain.
• Be at risk of bottle rot.

The mother may also experience:

• Pain during the feedings.
• Have damaged or distorted nipples.
• Develop engorgement, ducts or mastitis.
• Have issues with milk supply.

The Diagnosis of Baby’s Lip Tie

The baby can be taken to an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant who has received the training needed to diagnose lip and tongue ties or a holistic dentist who has the experience for diagnosing and treating lip ties. The child’s pediatrician may also be considered for the evaluation with the understanding that some doctors have not received the training needed for diagnosing a tie or its severity in babies.

Can a Lip Tie CauseTooth Decay?

Breastfed babies with an uncorrected lip tie significant tooth decay can develop in the upper front teeth of the baby. This is because this condition prevents any remaining milk from draining from the area between the upper lip and the gum to cause bottle rot. The Dental Office in Salt Lake City recommends paying extra attention to oral hygiene when the upper front teeth erupt to ensure no milk remains in the baby’s mouth after feeding. If signs of enamel wear are observed like white spots or discoloration a dental visit will become necessary to determine a plan of action for better oral hygiene and to understand whether any corrective treatment is needed.

Treating Lip and Tongue Ties

If the baby has been diagnosed with a tie that is not affecting breastfeeding doctors recommend not to subject the child to a lip tie reversal. However, if the condition is interfering with the breastfeeding a revision will be suggested regardless of the severity of the condition.

Parents that decide to go ahead with a lip tie reversal and tongue ties must find a holistic dentist who specializes in these procedures. The dentist must also be capable of providing craniosacral therapy if needed. A referral can also be requested from the pediatrician of the child who can guide the parents appropriately.

Treating lip and tongue ties has become easier with the introduction of laser treatment that reduces the chances of excessive bleeding or discomfort for the baby and can be completed in just a few minutes. The healing time after the procedure is generally just a few days and the child may display some discomfort and demand extra care. However, it is a good idea to use this time to give the baby some quality time with extra love and attention.

Technology continues to be a vital part of society today. The medical field is one that has experienced a lot of advances thanks to innovation and technology. In dentistry, any new technology that can introduce better treatment options for patients is warmly embraced. Over the years there is a lot that has improved in dentistry, including the use of laser technology to correct different dental problems.

More About WaterLase Technology

A WaterLase system is an alternative to traditional dental tools used in performing different dental procedures. You know how you get overly anxious over the thought of getting your mouth drilled during dental works? Well, WaterLase laser dentistry in Salt Lake City, UT takes away the need to drill. It is a safe and gentle way of performing dental works without drilling.

The natural water-powered technology uses a water-energized laser beam to make incisions through gm tissues of patients, and even bones. It works by using a combination of a laser beam and water or air spray to cut through tissues of the body. Technically, the tooth is partially made of water. When the laser is used on a patient’s mouth, it excites the water molecules thereof. It then cuts open the target area, getting through the gum tissue to as far as the bones.

the process allows for proper hydration of the tooth throughout the procedure since the treatment is powered by water sprays and water. The hydration process prevents the area from heating up. This ensures a more painless experience than with traditional drilling methods. It offers a lot of precision on the target area. The best part is that the laser energy will avoid any direct contact with your mouth, for a comfortable experience.

Why Would You Choose WaterLase Technology?

If you have dental anxiety, then it is a no brainer that you would prefer the laser treatment over the traditional drill methods. Even then, you still need some more information to convince you over which method is more favorable for you. In the spirit of embracing new technology, here are some of the advantages of WaterLase technology:

• Painless procedure – with traditional drilling methods, it is mandatory to have local anesthesia during some procedures. For example, with root canal therapy in Salt Lake City, the process will be painful without local anesthesia to numb the area. However, with this laser technology, the procedure is more or less painless. Even though some discomfort might be experienced, the need for local anesthesia is not necessary. This works because the laser technology does not get into direct contact with your mouth. Besides, this laser technology is very precise in the target area, which prevents damaging surrounding tissues.
• Non-invasive procedure – even the term ‘drill’ already indicates the possibility of invasion through the dental works. The WaterLase treatment is as non-invasive as can be. It works on the specific target area without causing harm to the surrounding tissues.
• Little recovery time – you know how dental implant recovery can take too long after the procedure? With laser treatment intervention, the healing time is shorter and quicker than with traditional methods. Given that little or no harm is caused to the surrounding tissues, you only need to heal on the affected area.
• Efficiency and longevity of the treatment – you may need to spend a couple of hours on the dentist’s chair when traditional drilling is in use. However, laser technology speeds things up. WaterLase operates at 100 pulses per second. This allows it to cover a wider area in a short time than the tip of a dental drill would in the same amount of time. That said, you can have multiple dental works performed on your mouth in a single dental visit.
• Say goodbye to dental anxiety – your anxiety for getting any dental work done is based on pain, and noises. With traditional drills, the drilling noises, as well as the pain that comes with the process, can be daunting. This is not the case with WaterLase technology. The technology is anchored toward a painless and calm dental experience.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that obstructs the airways. The condition is mostly known to patients as snoring during sleep. Most people do not consider snoring at night as a big problem that requires medical intervention. However, sleep apnea can cause a lack of sleep when it becomes severe. The patient usually experiences shortness of breath during sleep. The shortness of breath lasts a few minutes and keeps occurring throughout the night.

Thankfully, sleep apnea can be treated. A sleep specialist is in charge of sleep apnea diagnosis and solutions for such patients. The diagnosis is the best way to find out how severe the snoring is. The evaluation process is based on the level of obstruction a patient encounters as they sleep.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

There are some unknown facts about the snoring condition. For one, people think that only a sleep expert can treat or diagnose the condition. However, a dentist in Salt Lake City is also capable of detecting the problem when you schedule an appointment for dental checkups. Many medical specialists can help in the diagnosis of sleep apnea, including ear, nose and throat doctor.
Usually, two tests can be conducted to detect the presence of sleep apnea. The tests are:

• Polysomnography – this is a test that involves special machines to test the presence of sleep apnea. The machine is hooked on the patient to test the state of the lungs, heart, movements of the body parts, as well as the brain. The equipment helps track the breathing patterns of the patient. The monitoring can be done all night when one is sleeping. The advantage of this test is that it can help identify the presence of other sleep disorders or even rule them out as the underlying reasons for lack of sleep.
• Home test – under some unique situations, your sleep doctor or dentist may prescribe an at-home Polysomnography test. For at-home testing, you have to observe the movements of ligaments like hands and feet, as well as to measure the airflow while mastering the breathing patterns.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can manifest in different ways for patients. Most of them have similar signs and symptoms, including the following:

• Snoring – The most apparent and common sign of sleep apnea is snoring. If the people around you always complain of your loud snoring at night, then you may have sleep apnea.
• Shortness of breath – this is particularly evident with attempts to sleep. You may feel like you are suffocating at night, even with plenty of oxygen in the atmosphere. The shortness of breath lasts a short time between different breathing patterns.
• Drooling – children that drool a lot in the night have poor breathability. It could be that their nasal cavity and airway is obstructed too much that the body requires reinforcement. This makes them open the mouth to gain another access point for breathing.
• Lack of sleep – when breathability is low at night, patients have a hard time getting sleep. Once the quality of sleep is compromised, the life of the patient is affected. Patients of sleep apnea may battle other sleep-related problems like fatigue, mood changes, aggressive behavior, to mention a few.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Depending on the severity of sleep apnea, the treatment options vary. Your doctor will look into the thorough diagnosis of your snoring problem to detect any other underlying issues. Once it is clear that you have sleep apnea, the condition can be treated in some of the following ways:

• Lifestyle changes – the way you live your everyday life affects what happens to you and how your body responds to it. Some of the lifestyle changes include:
  • Exercising regularly – to improve blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body.
  • Weight loss – obesity and overweight situations increase the risks of sleep apnea.
  • Quit smoking
  • Reduce intake of alcohol – especially very close to bedtime.
  • Change sleeping positions – sleeping on your back can cause a Syrian on your airway. Try sleeping on your side for a change.
• Medication – allergy medication or nasal decongestants can help clear the obstruction in your airway.
• Oral devices – mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea can be managed with a mouthpiece. A dentist will recommend it for patients who would rather improve their quality of sleep by reducing the discomfort of the disorder.
• Surgical treatment – for severe sleep apnea, surgical intervention is the best way to correct the disorder permanently.

A misconception exists in the minds of many people who believe that the problem of sleep apnea can only be treated by a sleep physician or a cardiologist. This is because people that are suffering from sleep apnea are often victims of cardiovascular conditions and other associated problems. Unfortunately, most people do not consider the role dentists can play in treating sleep apnea. Despite the misconception which exists people must understand that quite a few dentists have received the training for treating the condition of sleep apnea. Dentists are working with sleep physicians to identify how they can provide the best treatment for sleep apnea that has the potential to cause several health issues.

The Identifiers Of Sleep Apnea

People with obstructive sleep apnea will display certain identifiers such as snoring to indicate the problem is affecting them. Before receiving any treatment people should be diagnosed by a board-certified sleep physician. They may receive a prescription for an oral appliance if they are diagnosed as just snoring but not suffering from sleep apnea. However, if it is the other way around the treating physician will discuss treatment options that are available with them.

Various methods of identifying the prevalence of sleep apnea among people are available and the physician attending to the patient may determine which method should be used. Salt Lake City also has many patients suffering from this condition that are visiting physicians for a remedy. Sleep apnea treatment in Salt Lake City is also offered by leading dentists that are qualified and have the technical skill and knowledge in dental sleep medicine. They are certified by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and work alongside sleep physicians to offer reliable treatments to their patients.

What Happens When People Are Affected By Sleep Apnea?

People affected by sleep apnea will be risking severe health problems because their quality of life would be affected. The problem with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea will disrupt their sleep and impact their health and well-being dramatically. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine can provide sleep apnea treatment in Salt Lake City by providing an oral appliance that is accepted by many people because of its portability, comfort, and ease of use. This treatment is slightly different from the most common remedy available for sleep apnea in the form of continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP] therapy which requires the patient to wear a mask when sleeping. CPAP therapy despite being effective is not preferred by most people because they are unable to adhere to it. They prefer the oral appliance provided by dentists which they find is an effective remedy for treating obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adults.

The Oral Appliance Therapy Was Pioneered By Dentists

The problem of sleep apnea is affecting millions of Americans most of whom are underdiagnosed because of the misconception held that treatments for this condition are only available from sleep physicians or cardiologists. For unknown reasons people are not considering that oral appliance therapy was pioneered by dentists for treating this condition. The oral appliance can be worn in the mouth when sleeping and it fits like an orthodontic retainer. A custom-tailored oral sleep appliance is considered as an effective treatment that can prevent the airway from collapsing by offering support to the jaw in a forward position. This therapy helps to maintain an open and unobstructed airway.

Dentists that are qualified in dental sleep medicine and have also been certified by the AADSM should be considered as reliable providers of the therapy needed to overcome the problem of sleep apnea. They have often been ignored because of the problems caused by sleep apnea have received more attention than the method used for dealing with this condition. Dentists as well have not actively promoted their expertise in this subject and have perhaps concentrated on their core activities of filling and pulling teeth. Thankfully dentists in Salt Lake City are thinking differently and are offering oral appliance therapy to people as an effective remedy for sleep apnea by working with sleep physicians located in the region.

People affected by the problem of snoring are recommended to consider discussing the problem either with their physicians or even their dentists. They just need to ensure they do not opt for commonly available mouth guards but rather have a custom-tailored oral appliance from a dentist that can manage their problem better.

The modern dental practice has taken quite the turn as compared to the older days. Thanks to technology, more can be done to intervene in the health of human beings. Researchers and innovators are going all the way in finding new ways to bridge the gap between human being and certain medical issues. When it comes to dental care and oral health, the use of new tools is not a surprise. It is why we talk about laser dentistry that is available in Salt Lake City.

What is laser dentistry?

In the simplest definition, laser dentistry involves using laser technology to treat various dental conditions. The term LASER is, in fact, an acronym for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” The use of laser in dental treatment, therefore, involves instruments that create light beams and energy that can be channeled in dentistry.

How does laser dentistry work?

The light energy from the laser instrument comes in a narrow beam. The beam is in such a way to focus at one particular point in time. When the instrument is in use, the light from the laser hits the tissues of the mouth. The interaction of the beam of light and the soft tissues of the mouth form a reaction that institutes a change. This is how Waterlase laser dentistry in Salt Lake City, UT can shape or even remove something from the tissues of the mouth.

What procedures can be performed by laser dentistry?

Different procedures are now more efficiently performed using laser instruments. Some of the procedures include:

• Removing soft tissue

Sometimes the soft tissues of the mouth can be ill-placed, causing discomfort to a patient. The folds of the soft tissues can easily be removed by lasers without causing any pain to the patient.

• Tooth sensitivity

If your teeth are too sensitive, consumption of hot or cold foods can become problematic. Lasers are very helpful in treating tooth sensitivity. They work by sealing the tubules on the root of your tooth to stop the sensitivity.

• Correcting restricted frenulum

The frenulum is a soft tissue fold attached to the floor of the mouth under the front part of the tongue. If the frenulum is too thick, it causes problems for patients, including difficulty in speaking, breastfeeding problems as well as making them tongue-tied. Lasers can be used to correct this. The treatment is often referred to as laser frenulectomy.

• Teeth whitening

If you have struggled with teeth discoloration for a while, then your dentist can use lasers to whiten them. They achieve this by speeding up the bleaching process of the teeth. This means you will whiten your teeth faster with lasers than you could with toothpaste and regular brushing.

• Gum reshaping

After suffering from gum disease or injuring your gum, it may be saggy. The large gum pockets are not attractive on anyone. Laser beams can help reshape the gum and restore your smile.

Why should you opt for laser treatment?

Understanding the benefits of laser treatment can help you adjust your mentality on the usefulness of laser dentistry. While there are many procedures that lasers can do when it comes to dental care and oral health, here are some distinctive benefits of lasers:

• Laser dentistry is not painful – most of the dental procedures can be very painful. The pain can go on for days or even weeks before healing happens. With lasers, however, the procedures are rather painless.
• You may not need local anesthesia – local anesthesia is used to numb the mouth preceding surgery or a dental procedure. This makes it painless for the patients for a few hours throughout the process. Since most laser procedures are not painful, you may not need local anesthesia to get your dental treatment.
• Healing happens faster – laser procedures involve less damage to the surrounding tissues of the treated area. Thanks to this, healing may not take as long as it would in the use of other methods. Besides, lasers promote the formation of clots on wounds, which boost healing.

Lower risks of infection – laser beams are used to sterilize wounds. For this reason, it is hard for bacteria to thrive in the wound or the surrounding tissues of the treated tooth.

With laser dentistry conveniently located near you, it should no longer be stressful to get your oral health in check!

Dental emergencies can have serious repercussions on your health and should not be taken lightly. You need to be extra careful when dealing with dental emergencies like a tooth injury or toothache. Not handling a dental emergency properly could not only lead to major dental problems later on but could also increase the risk of permanent damage to your teeth. It is therefore important that you rush to an emergency dental office near you, as soon as a problem arises.

It is important to deal with a dental emergency properly so that you do not have to deal with complex and expensive treatments later. Visit Warm Family Dentistry if you are looking for an emergency dentist in Salt Lake City, UT. It is necessary to take a few measures before you visit an emergency dental office near you.

There are various tips to be followed when it comes to different tooth problems so you can minimize damage before you visit the emergency dentist. Here are a few of the tips:

• Toothache: In case you have a severe toothache, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water. The pain is usually amplified by food particles lodged in between the teeth. Make sure you get the food particles out, using dental floss to minimize pain. Try not to use painkillers to relieve the pain as it may damage your gum tissue. Use a cold compress on your cheek as it can help get rid of the swelling. Contact an emergency dental office near you immediately.
• Tooth injury: If you have an injury in the form of a chipped or broken tooth, rinse your mouth thoroughly first. This would help get rid of any broken pieces still stuck inside your mouth. Use a cold compress to help relieve pain and the swelling. Save any broken pieces of your tooth, if possible. Visit an emergency dental office near you immediately to get it examined. If your tooth is completely knocked out, make sure you rush to an emergency dentist within an hour of the tooth being knocked out.
• Objects stuck between teeth: If you have some object stuck between your teeth, try and use dental floss to get rid of it. Make sure you do not use any sharp instruments to dislodge the object. This could cause severe damage to your teeth and gums. If you are looking for an emergency dentist in Salt Lake City, UT Warm Family Dentistry could be a great option for you.
• Damage to the crown: If the crown of any of your teeth falls off, try and visit an emergency dentist right away. Use clove oil over the damaged surface to relieve pain. Try and keep the crown safe with you until you hand it over to the emergency dentist. You might want to cement the crown yourself, but it could cause more harm. Therefore, try to find an emergency dental office near you as soon as possible.
• Broken braces: If somehow the braces or wires are broken and hurting your cheeks, tongue, and gum, try and push the wire back into its original position. Do not cut the wire of the braces yourself. If you are not able to push the wire into a comfortable position, try covering it up with a cotton ball until you visit the emergency dentist.

We all have had to deal with a dental emergency at some point in our lives. However, there are some simple tips you can keep in mind in case of a dental emergency to prevent damage to your teeth and gums.

Not getting to an emergency dentist within time could cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums. Problems like a broken tooth, a lost crown, and broken braces could cause a lot of damage to your dental health if not treated properly. This is why it is important to visit a reliable emergency dentist for such issues. If you are looking for a great emergency dentist in Salt City, UT you can visit the offices of Warm family dentistry. Warm family dentistry has several experienced and qualified professionals who are trained to deal with such situations. Visit warm family dentistry in case of any kind of dental emergency in your family.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap which is placed to cover the tooth or to restore its shape, size, strength and improve appearance.

Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?

• A dental crown is needed-
• To protect a weak tooth
• To restore damaged or broken tooth
• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling
• To hold a dental bridge

What Types of Crowns Are Available?

Permanent crowns can be made from stainless steel, metal (such as gold or another alloy), porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, ceramic.

Temporary crowns are made dentist’s office whereas permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory.

What Steps Are Involved in Preparing a Tooth for a Crown?

For crown preparation, 2 dental visits are required.

• Examining and preparing the tooth

In the first visit, the dentist will examine by taking X-rays. They take the impressions of your teeth and send it to a laboratory for permanent crowns.

The dentist will cover the prepared tooth with a temporary crown until the permanent is made.

• Receiving the permanent dental crown

The dentist will remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent crown in place.

• How Should I Care for My Temporary Dental Crown?
• Avoid sticky and chewing hard foods.
• Minimize use of the side of your mouth.
• Slide rather than lifting out dental floss when cleaning.

What Problems Could Develop With a Dental Crown?

• Discomfort or sensitivity
• Chipped or loose crown
• Crown falls off
• Dark line on crowned tooth next to the gum line

What Are “Onlays” and “3/4 Crowns?”

Onlays and 3/4 crowns are variations of dental crowns. They cover the underlying tooth to a lesser extent.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

With good oral care, dental crowns last between five and 15 years.

Does a Crowned Tooth Require Special Care?

The crowned tooth does not require any special care but needs to be protected from decay or gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.

How Much Do Crowns Cost?

The cost of crowns depends on the type of crown you select. Gold crowns are more expensive than any other crowns.