Function Of Fluoride In Dentistry





Dental caries is major dental disease affecting a large proportion of the inhabitants of world. But over the past few decades, tooth decay has been reduced dramatically. Fluoride Research has showed that... fluoride reduces cavities in both children and adults. Daily intake of fluoride on an average is 1.7 to 3 3 mg. out of total the dry food the intake is 0.2 -1.8 mg. and average daily intake from water is 1.5 mg. as the optimal level of fluoride in water is1 ppm.

Functions of Fluorides In Dentistry

We have heard so much about the fluoride that it reduces the cavity formation but how it acts? What is the mechanism of action?

Fluoride acts in many ways. Following are the functions of fluoride. It helps in

1. Cavity Control

2. Early Gum Disease Control

3. Advanced Gum Disease

4. Crown And Bridge Maintenance

5. Implant Maintenance

6. Crown And Root Surface Caries Prevention

7. Sensitivity Control

8. Post Surgical Rinse

Mechanism of Action of Fluorides in Caries Reduction

Exact mechanism is not understood. The mechanism by which fluoride increases caries resistance may arise from both systemic & topical applications of fluorides. systemic affect of fluoride is by ingestion of fluoride tablets or drops and topical affect is when the teeth directly comes in contact with the fluoride like using fluoridated tooth paste, gels or applying fluoride varnishes. Before discussing the mechanism of fluorde action first of all we should know mechanism of tooth decay. The bacteria in the mouth ferments the food particles and produces the acid. This acid cause the dissolution of tooth surface and hence the decay. If we want to reduce the incidence of carieseither we have to reduce the formation of acid or make the tooth surface resistant. Fluoridecombines with the tooth surface and makes the enamel stronger so that it becomes more resistant to acid attack and it’s dissolution in the acid decreases. Along with this it helps in remineralization of incipient lesions. Ncipient lesions are early carios lesios which if detected early can be remineralized other wise they become the carious lesion. If ingested systemically during the formation oftoth it is sad that fluoride alters the tooth morpology and teeth no longer remain caries prone.

The incorporation of fluoride into the tooth enamel allows the tooth to be more resistant to demineralization by acid and ensuing tooth decay.:

Sources of Fluorides
The following are common sources of fluoride:

1. Fluoridated drinking water

2. Fluoridated Salt

3. Toothpaste, gels, mouthwashes, pills, other dental applications

4. Processed cereals and other foods

5. Mechanically de-boned chicken

6. Fish and Seafood

7.Juice

8.Soda

9.TeaSee More

The pros and cons of teeth-whitening procedures

As more Egyptians indulge in

teeth-whitening

procedures to boost their self confidence, we consult the experts about the facts



Although the criteria for assessing beauty differs largely from one person to another, and though what men tend to consider handsome in their own features may not necessarily be sought after by females, no one can argue that a dashing, bright smile is a winning card and a common beauty ambition for everybody. That is probably why cosmetic dental surgery in Egypt, as well as the rest of the world, has seen an upward trend in the past few years.

"More people are seeking dental clinics to acquire a more attractive appearance rather than just seeking treatment or easing pain as it was previously," says Dr Wael Nour, a cosmetic and restorative dentist and member of the American Dental Association.

"One of the most sought after procedures is teeth whitening or dental bleaching, obviously, as the pearly color is capable of transforming the appearance of the person for those seeking more than what can be achieved through polishing and scaling, especially since the new techniques of whitening offer complete safety, preventing any damage whatsoever to the structure and strength of the teeth, and minimizing any sensitivity that might occur," adds Nour.

The time required is minimal, assures Nour, the procedure painless, and the only thing required from the patient is to stick to an all-white-diet for a day or two after the procedure.

"In general the effect lasts for a long time depending on the amount of staining food and beverages consumed afterwards," says Nour.

"There are two types of bleaching known that are safe nowadays," says Dr. Ramy El Samman, a dentist and oral surgeon, "The first is home bleaching, which is weaker and requires more time as it is applied to visible teeth every eight hours daily for two weeks in order to achieve a noticeable effect. The second is professional bleaching, which uses a stronger material (hydrogen peroxide) with a greater effect in a shorter time (60-90 mins), but must be handled with extreme caution as it is a caustic material and special precautions must be taken prior to its use, which is why it must be done in the clinic."

"First, you get a pearly white smile with minimal side effects when it comes to sensitivity," says El Samman as he sheds more light on the pros and the cons of the latter procedure, "Secondly, it’s one of the most painless and conservative procedures with zero loss of tooth structure compared to other aesthetic and cosmetic treatments applied to natural teeth. The cons are mainly its limited use for restored teeth, and it is not effective with decayed or mal-positioned teeth that require orthodontic treatment first. Flourosis (fluoride toxicity resulting in a brownish pitted surface) and tetracycline (antibiotic) staining can not be treated using this method, and, finally, during the procedure mild gingival (gum) inflammation and sensitivity, due to leakage of the bleaching material into the living tissue, might occur, though its unlikely."

Dental Implants

Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

Types of DENTAL Implants

• Endosteal (in the bone): This is the most commonly used type of implant. The various types include screws, cylinders or blades surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.
• Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework's posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis. These types of implants are used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures and who have minimal bone height.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members of your dental implant team. Not only do periodontists have experience working with other dental professionals, they also have the special knowledge, training and facilities that you need to have teeth that look and feel just like your own. Your dentist and periodontist will work together to make your dreams come true.

What Is A DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE Like?

This procedure is a team effort between you, your dentist and your periodontist. Your periodontist and dentist will consult with you to determine where and how your implant should be placed. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your periodontist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs.

• Replacing a Single Tooth If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it.
• Replacing Several Teeth If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them.
• Replacing All of Your Teeth If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them.
• Sinus Augmentation A key to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. The upper back jaw has traditionally been one of the most difficult areas to successfully place dental implants due to insufficient bone quantity and quality and the close proximity to the sinus. Sinus augmentation can help correct this problem by raising the sinus floor and developing bone for the placement of dental implants.
• Ridge Modification Deformities in the upper or lower jaw can leave you with inadequate bone in which to place dental implants. To correct the problem, the gum is lifted away from the ridge to expose the bony defect. The defect is then filled with bone or bone substitute to build up the ridge. Ridge modification has been shown to greatly improve appearance and increase your chances for successful implants that can last for years to come.

What Can I Expect After RECEIVING A DENTAL IMPLANT?

As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply!
After treatment, your periodontist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.

Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Basics

 In the budding field of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening treatments happens to be most popular treatment, universally. A bright set of pearly whites is a sign of confidence, personality and maintained personal hygiene. Several kinds of cosmetic tooth bleaching or whitening solutions available, which suit all kinds of budgets, time restrictions and personal choices.

Therefore, we can comprehend,

cosmetic dentistry

tooth whitening suits everyone. There are several people who have opted to get their teeth whitened and have witnessed moderate to drastic enhancements in the whiteness and brightness of their teeth. However, we must know that teeth whitening don’t last forever and should be regularly touched-up to for long lasting effects. These are some of the commonly available teeth whitening alternatives for you:

 In-Office Cosmetic Whitening:

 In-office cosmetic whitening can bring about significant changes within a very short span of time. This procedure uses highly concentrated amount of peroxide gel. Before dentists or dental technicians apply this gel to your teeth, your gums are protected with a help of a rubber dam. This rubber dental dam is generally of the paint-on kind.

 In general, this treatment may require several minutes. The peroxide gel is left on your teeth for several intervals of 15 to 20 minutes, which mostly sums up to an hour. If your teeth have extremely stubborn stains, you will be required to attend several more whitening sessions. Alternatively, you may also be given home-use teeth whitening kits. This treatment costs around $650 for every visit.

 Professional Take-Home Cosmetic Whitening Sets:

 Dentists from all over the world believe that professional take-home cosmetic whitening sets surely produce excellent effects over the time. Take-home whitening sets include lower concentrations of peroxide gel which must be left on your teeth overnight. Some of these kits also get results within an hour. The cost of these kits cost around $100 to $400. OTC

 Teeth Whitening Options:

OTC teeth whitening products are the most convenient and cheapest products used for whitening and bleaching your teeth. These teeth whiteners can be brought from several departmental and health stores. These OTC kits consist of very low concentration peroxide gels that have to be applied on your teeth. This gel can be applied to your teeth with the help of applicators, whitening strips, trays which suit all teeth. Sometimes these sets do not whiten all your teeth but only the front few ones. The cost of such sets range between $20 and $100.

The result of a teeth whitening treatment vary from person-to-person. It is totally dependent on the stubbornness of your dental stains. Many cosmetic whitening treatments bring about immediate results, while others give disappointing results. Before you begin your teeth whitening treatment you must set realistic goals and ask your dentists about the expected results. Before you begin your treatment you must know its duration and total costs. Don’t let your expectations overrule your budget plans.

 There are several post-treatment precautions that must be taken for long lasting results. The longevity of your results greatly depends on the kind of treatment used and post-treatment precautions.

How to bursh properly

 Here are some tips on Brushing. Follow them for a healthy and shinning teeth.

You need to go at it at least twice a day to keep your teeth in top shape. Ideally, you would brush after every meal, but most people frown upon the idea of taking a toothbrush to work and having a scrub in the employee washroom. Despite the best marketing campaigns by Colgate and Crest, the toothpaste you use can vary widely. In fact, there is growing evidence that you may want to avoid fluoride toothpastes altogether, or you could always make your own at home. Some scientists believe that the overall affects of fluoride on the body can be overwhelmingly negative and far outweigh the benefits to your teeth.

Before you lift brush to mouth, you want to make sure that you are using a soft bristled brush. In fact, every dentist since the beginning of time has told every patient they have ever had that they should use soft bristled brushes, so it remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time as to why toothbrushes even come in any other style. Using a hard bristled brush can result in microscopic cuts, scrapes and abrasions on your gums.

The Motion is the Key
Brush correctly in front of the mirror

Now that you have the right brush and the right toothpaste (sans bacon flavour), you can being the act of brushing. Make sure you hold your toothbrush at an angle against your teeth and gums and use either small circular patterns or short back and forth motions. Go from tooth to tooth and try to do the front and back of each one. For some reason, it is human nature to walk around your bathroom or even your entire home while brushing. Stop this habit and brush in front of a mirror so you can see what it is you are doing exactly.

One of the biggest problems for many brushers, especially those that view brushing as a race, is that they don't clean the entire tooth. We see the front of the tooth looking back at us in a mirror, so we assume that is the only part of the tooth that really needs to be cleaned, but it is the chewing surface that really needs the most attention, especially in the back of your mouth. Take extra time to really get in those tiny crevices that dot the top of your molars and try to clean the back of your teeth, as well. 

Art Of A Perfect Smile

Art of a Perfect Smile

 ******************

 A straight smile is a healthy smile

 A nice smile is not only beautiful, it also promotes good health:

Straight and evenly spaced teeth are easier to keep clean, providing better oral health.

 Properly aligned teeth chew more efficiently, which can aid in digestion.

 Ideally aligned teeth create a more perfect bite, which can reduce stress, headaches, and strain on your supporting bone and tissue.

 Ideally aligned teeth create a more perfect bite, which can reduce stress, headaches, and strain on your supporting bone and tissue.

 According to the American Association of Orthodontists, crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may contribute to conditions that cause not only tooth decay but also eventual gum disease and tooth loss.

“Barodontalgia”,

The tooth squeeze is actually known in the scientific community as “Barodontalgia”,
a complicated word meaning “toothache that occurs in response to changes in environmental pressure”.
Although rare, this phenomenon can ...be quite incapacitating.

# WWII aircraft pilots were the first ones to report this type of toothache as they experienced dental pain during flight which is also known as aerodontalgia. Afterwards, the same
phenomenon was noted amongst SCUBA divers.
No one knows for sure how the “tooth squeeze” happens but certain explanations have been proposed .


Barodontalgia seems to be triggered by entrapped gas in closed spaces of the human body, like in the sinuses, under a broken filling or in a fractured tooth. As one descend deeper and deeper below the water surface, pressure increases and entrapped gas is compressed. As one ascend back to the surface of the water, the pressure decreases and the gas expands. Pain is experienced when those enclosed space cannot adapt to the pressure change.
Imagine an air bubble that somehow traveled inside a tooth through a fracture line while the diver was underwater. As the diver comes back to the surface, the tiny bubble would expand and take more space. Our body experiences this change through the stimulation of pain receptors. Since the tooth is really hard, it cannot change its shape to adapt to the stress caused by the growing bubble and can potentially explode!!! In those really rare cases, not only is pain noticed but dental trauma too. If the bubble was stuck under a broken filling instead, then the filling might separate from the tooth. If a person with a cold or any sort of sinus congestion dives deep into the water, compression of the gas in the sinuses may cause some bruising to the tissue lining of sinuses. Sometimes, those bruises in the sinuses may cause a sensation of pain in the upper teeth, a phenomenon we call
“referred pain”. It is interesting to know that dental pain experienced on a diver’s descent usually comes from the sinuses. Dental pain upon ascension may indicate a
broken tooth, a broken filling or even a defective crown.
Thus it is important to keep good oral health and visit the dentist regularly. Broken fillings and loose crowns should be replaced and fractured teeth should be treated.
People should also avoid diving when having a cold or sinus congestion.