Articles tagged with: Dental

Sleep Apnea & More

Date: July 13, 2016 Author: HarryHenderson
Dental Sleep Apnea Bubnik Dental Dr. Brenda Bubnik Dentist Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury dentistry
Sleep Apnea / Snoring appliances, TMJ issues, Cold Sore Treatments, Laser Treatments

There are many health concerns outside of the teeth that the dentists can help with. Snoring and Sleep Apnea appliances can be made (when the patient has had a sleep study done) to stop the snoring or treat the mild to moderate cases of Sleep Apnea (thus ridding the need of using a CPAP machine).

Many people also suffer pain of the face and jaw. These are TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues. The pains of the face are monitored and if required appliances are made in order to treat the issue and prevent issues from getting worse.  Often the TMJ is healed with a group effort of physiotherapists and massage therapists to help in the alignment prior to setting them into a stable position with an oral appliance to maintain the adjustments.

Multiple people suffer with Herpetic Cold Sores. This is a virus which resides in the nerves of the head and neck, and surfaces in times of stress (illness, sun and wind exposure).  Medications can be prescribed to ease the symptoms.  Also Laser treatments can be started, which has been found to decrease the frequency, size and discomfort of the lesions after multiple treatments.

The Laser can also be used to surgically remove other lesions, such as fibromas, re-shape gingiva, and remove excess gingiva.

Dental Implants

Author: HarryHenderson
Dental Implants Bubnik Dental Dr. Brenda Bubnik Dentist Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury dentistry

If a patient has lost a tooth, many teeth or are unable to wear their dentures, we are able to help function with the use of dental implants. Dental Implants can replace a single tooth, a few teeth or help keep dentures ‘locked in’ tight and can improve function.

Dentures

Author: HarryHenderson
Dental Dentures Bubnik Dental Dr. Brenda Bubnik Dentist Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury dentistry

If one has not been able to maintain the health of their teeth through time, the office is able to replace all the teeth in the oral cavity by means of complete dentures.

Crowns and Bridges

Author: HarryHenderson
Dental Crowns Bridges Bubnik Dental Dr. Brenda Bubnik Dentist Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury dentistry

Once a tooth or multiple teeth have been worked alot or have large fillings comprising most of their bulk, a tooth may need fortification / strengthening via a full coverage crown. Also if some teeth are missing and one still has teeth on either side of the space, a permanent bridge can be created in order to fill the space and strengthen the teeth on either side of the space.

Conscious Sedation and Nitrous

Author: HarryHenderson
Dental Conscious Sedation Bubnik Dental Dr. Brenda Bubnik Dentist Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury dentistry
The office offers conscious sedation as we are aware many people arrive with a pre-exising phobia of dental treatments.

It is the ultimate goal of the office that with care and explanation of treatment to the patient concerned, we will be able to ease the level of the phobia.  But in order to get to that ultimate goal, we understand it takes time, so until the patient is ready to proceed without aides, we administer Conscious Sedation with Nitrous and / or Oral Sedation to help ease the patient’s mind.

Root Canals and Extractions

Author: HarryHenderson
dental root canals Bubnik Dental Dr. Brenda Bubnik dentist Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury dentistry
Root canals are done on the cases that are deemed possible to be accomplished by the practitioner.

Otherwise, if the anatomy is complex, a referral will be made to an Endodontist (root canal specialist) in the area to perform root canals.  Also extractions are performed routinely, save those that carry an anatomical complexity, and those again will be referred to an Oral Surgeon if required.

Routine Fillings

Author: HarryHenderson
dental routine fillings Bubnik Dental dentist Brenda Bubnik Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury
The dentists both perform all types of routine fillings for teeth with full head and neck exams as part of check-ups.

Many routine fillings and repairs necessary to keep the teeth in place and the patient comfortable, are performed on a daily basis.  Not only do the teeth of the patient matter but the whole body’s health is of conern to the doctors. Thus a full head and neck exam is performed on the patient annually- here we are able to assess the health of the vital structures of the head and neck.

Often the dentist will be the first member of the health care team to highlight issues with respect to their cardiovascular health, diabetic control, acid refulx, thyroid problems, and muscular issues

They will spend time and effort to help the health of the individual in ALL respects- including speaking to physicians regarding medications, potential need of sleep studies, the care and management of oral and other cancers.  Also x-ryas are required to ensure a complete check-up.  However, these images are only taken as needed, and the office has digital x-rays which decrease exposure by 75% of the previous methods.

Family Dentistry

Author: HarryHenderson
Dental Family Dentistry Bubnik Dental Dr. Brenda Bubnik Dentist Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury dentistry
Our goal is to become an important part of your Family Health through Family Dentistry.

With a family dentistry focus we will treat your grandparents, the parents and your children all with the same amount of care and consideration.  It is the office’s frame of mind that great dental health starts with children, and part of that is ensuring that the child’s dental appointments feel fun!

We believe that starting off ‘right’ and not having fearful situations occur as children, allows for greater oral health in the adult body.  The Adults that already present with dental phobias are cared for greatly with the goal of the treatment being to change that person’s mind over time to make this place not such a chore to attend.

Finally , in the golden years we love to see our patients remain comfortable and living with the best quality of life possible.  Dr. Brenda Bubnik believes so much in geriatric care that she also spends a day a month caring for the residents of St. Gabe’s Long Term Care Center in Chelmsford.

Teeth Whitening

Date: June 11, 2016 Author: HarryHenderson
Dental teeth whitening Bubnik Dental dentist Brenda Bubnik Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury

The risks of teeth whitening

Considering whitening (bleaching) your teeth? Before you do, discuss the possible risks of teeth whitening with your dentist – especially if you plan to whiten your teeth using an at-home bleaching system.

Risks associated with tooth whitening include tooth sensitivity and damage to the roots of teeth. Dentists may be able to predict if you will have problems with or sensitivities to the procedure. They also may be able to help you alleviate sensitivity by recommending certain procedures and toothpastes designed to treat sensitive teeth. Dentists can also check for signs of root damage caused by teeth whitening and treat the condition if detected in time.

Tooth coloration

Why do teeth change color and become darker or more yellow? The internal portion of teeth normally darkens over time. In addition, personal habits – such as tobacco use or drinking coffee, tea or wine – can cause staining. Certain medications also can discolor teeth.

Teeth cleaning by your dental office can often remove any external stains – and it promotes good oral health. Be sure to visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning and examination before you decide to whiten your teeth. You may find that a professional cleaning is all it takes to give you a whiter, brighter smile.

To bleach or not to bleach?

Generally, teeth whitening is successful in at least 90 percent of patients. As a rule of thumb, yellow-colored teeth respond well to whitening, while brownish-colored teeth don’t respond as well. Gray stains caused by smoking, taking tetracycline or fluorosis (ingestion of too much fluoride) most likely will not be dramatically changed by teeth whitening.

Likewise, teeth whitening may not enhance your smile if you’ve had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they will not match your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding on other teeth.

Is bleaching a good option for you?

Before you decide to whiten your teeth, here are some issues to consider:

  • What does your dentist advise? Not all stains can be lightened by over-the-counter or professional bleaching, and your dentist will be able to give you guidance. If you have sensitive teeth, gum disease or teeth with worn enamel, your dentist may discourage tooth whitening.
  • Is bleaching worth the cost? Tooth whitening procedures in the dental office are not typically covered under Delta Dental plans. Always check your specific plan coverage before undergoing any dental procedure or treatment.
  • Should you have professional treatment or use an at-home bleaching system? Bleaching can be performed by your dentist in the office or at home. (The Academy of General Dentistry recommends dentist supervision for any whitening treatment, even over-the-counter preparations.)

Although over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments are less expensive, they may require a longer treatment period, and the risks of gum irritation or damage to previous dental work are increased. If you want quicker and more reliable results, you should ask your dentist about in-office teeth whitening or laser teeth whitening. In-office whitening may require more than one visit to the dentist’s office. Results from a dentist-supervised whitening procedure can last anywhere from one to five years (depending on your eating, drinking or smoking habits).

Whether or not you decide to whiten your teeth, keep in mind that good daily oral health habits like brushing and flossing and regular checkups and cleanings go far in keeping your smile bright and healthy.

Teeth Cleaning

Author: HarryHenderson
Dental cleaning Bubnik Dental dentist Brenda Bubnik Azilda Chelmsford Sudbury

What is dental teeth cleaning (scale and polish) and why have them?

Dental teeth cleaning involves removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and tartar (calculus) deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Your teeth are continually bathed in saliva which contains calcium and other substances which help strengthen and protect the teeth. While this is a good thing, it also means that we tend to get a build-up of calcium deposits on the teeth. This chalky substance will eventually build up over time, like limescale in a pipe or kettle. Usually it is tooth coloured and can easily be mistaken as part of the teeth, but it also can vary from brown to black in colour.

If the scale, or calculus (tartar, as dentists like to call it) is allowed to accumulate on the teeth it will unfortunately provide the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gums. The purpose of the cleaning and polishing is basically to leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them and you have a better chance of keeping the teeth clean during your regular home care.

Also it leaves your teeth feeling lovely and smooth and clean, which is nice when you run your tongue around them. Actually, come to think of it, there’s nothing worse than someone you fancy running their tongue around your teeth and finding a piece of spinach or something! Still, if they’re hungry…

The professional cleaning of teeth is sometimes referred to as prophylaxis (or prophy for short). It’s a Greek word which means “to prevent beforehand” – in this case, it helps prevent gum disease.

How are dental cleanings done?

The dental hygienist or dentist uses specialized instruments to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. The instruments which may be used during your cleaning, and what they feel like, are described below.

Ultrasonic instrument

Commonly used first is an ultrasonic instrument which uses tickling vibrations to knock larger pieces of tartar loose. It also sprays a cooling mist of water while it works to wash away debris and keep the area at a proper temperature. The device typically emits a humming or high pitched whistling sound. This may seem louder than it actually is because the sound may get amplified inside your head, just like when you put an electric toothbrush into your mouth.

The ultrasonic instrument tips are curved and rounded and are always kept in motion around the teeth. They are by no means sharp since their purpose is to knock tartar loose and not to cut into the teeth. It is best to inform the operator if the sensations are too strong or ticklish so that they can adjust the setting appropriately on the device or modify the pressure applied.

Fine hand tools

Once the larger pieces of tartar are gone, the dental worker will switch to finer hand tools (called scalers and curettes in dental-speak) to remove smaller deposits and smoothen the tooth surfaces. These tools are curved and shaped to match the curves of the teeth. They allow smaller tartar deposits to be removed by carefully scraping them off with a gentle to moderate amount of pressure. Just like taking a scrubbing brush to a soiled pot, the dental worker has to get the areas clean and smooth.

Polishing

Once all the surfaces are smooth, the dental worker may polish your teeth. Polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. Prophylaxis paste – a special gritty toothpaste-like material – is scooped up like ice cream into the cup and spun around on the teeth to make them shiny smooth.

Fluoride
Your dentist may also apply fluoride. This is the final part of the dental teeth cleaning! Fluoride comes in many different flavours such as chocolate, mint, strawberry, cherry, watermelon, pina colada and can be mixed and matched just like ice cream at a parlour for a great taste sensation! Make no mistake though, this in-office fluoride treatment is meant for topical use only on the surfaces of the teeth and swallowing excessive amounts can give a person a tummy ache as it is not meant to be ingested.

Fluoride foam or gel is then placed into small, flexible foam trays and placed over the teeth for 30 seconds. Afterwards the patient is directed to spit as much out as possible into a saliva ejector. The fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth since the acids from bacteria in dental tartar and plaque will have weakened the surfaces. It is best not to eat, drink or rinse for 30 minutes after the fluoride has been applied.

Is it going to be painful?

Most people find that teeth cleaning is painless, and find the sensations described above – tickling vibrations, the cooling mist of water, and the feeling of pressure during “scraping” – do not cause discomfort. A lot of people even report that they enjoy dental teeth cleaning and the lovely smooth feel of their teeth afterwards! There may be odd zingy sensations, but many people don’t mind as they only last a nanosecond.

Be sure to let your dentist/hygienist know if you find things are getting too uncomfortable for your liking. They can recommend various options to make the cleaning more enjoyable.

In case you may have had painful cleaning experiences in the past, a spot of nitrous oxide can often make all the difference. You could also choose to be numbed. If you find the scaling a bit uncomfortable because the gum tissues (rather than the teeth themselves) are sensitive, topical numbing gels can be used.