Dental Imaging Equipment: An Ever-Growing Market

The dental imaging equipment market is an ever-growing market that continues to not only thrive but to introduce innovative ways to capture dental images. In 2015, the market was estimated at over $2B and is only expected to grow through 2024.

A major influencer in the market is the introduction of the cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT). This is an improved version of the typical computer tomography (CT) that is widely used in dental offices. The typical CT scan captures images of the desired location in slices. The new CBCT “rotate[s] around the patient, capturing data using a cone-shaped X-ray beam.” ⁽¹⁾ These images can recreate a 3D image of the jaw, teeth, mouth, neck and can even be used to capture images of the ears, nose, and throat.

As of right now, North America is the largest proprietor in the market, holding a global share that is expected to reach approximately $326.6 million by 2023. The largest expected growth, however, is expected in the Asia-Pacific market, which has an estimated growth rate of about 12%. In the United States alone, there are about 800 CBCT machines sold each year, and that number is only expected to increase as time progresses.

Typically, CT scans are not required for care but may be requested by the dentist in order to diagnose and treat your dental care.  This new technology helps your family dentist in Valencia further specify the proper dental care for you and your family.

In addition to the quality of image the new technology offers, the patient is exposed to less radiation. But, if you are concerned with any of the dental imaging procedures completed within your Valencia dental care, please talk with us. This is especially encouraged for children and expecting mothers.

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Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com

Wisdom Teeth: When It’s Time to Have them Removed

When you hear “wisdom teeth,” the next word queued up in your brain is likely “removal,” and for good reason! The wisdom teeth are the four, back-most molars in the mouth and, as you well know, oftentimes they need to be removed for oral hygiene’s sake. Today, we’re going to learn all about these later-in-life teeth and how to know when to visit your Valencia dentist to discuss having your wisdom teeth removed.

Why "Wisdom Teeth?"

Although there are some differing opinions as to why they’re called "wisdom teeth," there’s one universally accepted answer: Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop within the mouth and they tend to develop well into adulthood, after we’re (supposedly) wiser than ever! Unfortunately, the typical growth pattern of wisdom teeth doesn’t always seem so wise, and can lead to complications.

What Happens if I Ignore My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth have a funny way of growing in crookedly. When these teeth bump up against your other molars, their growth pattern gets stunted and they become what’s known as “impacted.” As a result, wisdom teeth often partially erupt from the gums or don’t erupt at all—either one of these results can cause problems:

Partial Eruption - A partially erupted wisdom tooth is prone to developing a bacteria condition called perioncitis. This ailment is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding the crown of the partially erupted tooth and can lead to extreme sensitivity and pain. These irritated tissues are prone to bacterial infection, which be dangerous to overall health.

Non-Eruption – Wisdom teeth that never erupt from the surface of the gums can promote the growth of cysts, which can cause significant damage to gum tissues and bones.

How Do I Know When to Talk to My Valencia Dentist?

• Pain – The first symptom is soreness or pain in the back of the jaw. Any pain in the mouth or jaw area should be addressed quickly by a Valencia dentist. If you’ve never had your wisdom teeth removed, you’re an adult, and you’re experiencing soreness, then chances are that wisdom teeth are the source.

• Sinus Issues – If you develop sudden sinus pain, pressure, or congestion, this may be the result of impacted wisdom teeth. See your dentist.

• Headaches – Consistent, dull pain in the jaw is known to cause headaches. If you’re feeling a combination of soreness near your molars and more frequent headaches, consult your dentist.

• Bad Breath – Strangely enough, wisdom teeth are partially erupted, the result can be bad breath. The pockets created in the gums by the wisdom teeth are excellent breeding grounds for bacteria, which cause bad breath.

If you have any questions, your Valencia dentist is just a phone call away! Always err on the side of caution and never ignore mouth pain. If you think your wisdom teeth need to be looked at, call us today! 

Go Dental - Top Dentist in Valencia

smile@thedentist.com

Abused Dental Procedures Part 2: Crowns, Fillings & Root Canals

This is the second of two articles discussing common ways less than honest dentists can take advantage of patients. In the prior post, we discussed in some detail periodontal scalings which is commonly over prescribed by dental practitioners. We have also discussed the importance of your right as a patient to get a second opinion or even a third opinion.  While there is much in dentistry that is subjective, the reason for treatment must make sense to you as a patient and should be backed with objective research.  I will follow up today with the remaining procedures that we see diagnosed by others but in truth, do not really need to get done.

Crowns:

Crowns (aka caps) are done very often in dentistry and for good reason.  When older white or silver fillings begin to show signs of leakage, often times, the next progression for restoration of the tooth is to do a crown.  But not every restoration replacement requires a crown. Criteria for a crown include:

1. The existing restoration shows signs of breakdown, leakage and recurrent decay under the filling.  If your dentist has an intra-oral camera, have them take a photo so that you can see the breakdown of the restoration. You will see cracks, brown and black outlines around the tooth and sometimes a dark “halo” around the restoration.  These are the signs of recurrent decay.  If your dentist doesn't have an intra-oral camera, it’s time to change dentists.  
2. On the x-ray, the existing restoration should be large taking up over 60% of the tooth above the gum line.  If it’s not a large restoration, chances are you don’t need a crown.
3. A crown may be necessary if there is pain when you bite into certain foods.  This is a sign that your tooth may be cracking and propagating down to the nerve of the tooth.  Placing a crown acts to keep the parts of the tooth together and evenly distributes the load forces associated with chewing preventing the tooth from splitting further.

Be wary about doing a crown if the existing filling is small or if you simply see cracks in a tooth without pain or existing restorations.  Sensitivity to sweets can be a symptom to leaking restorations and/or decay but just because you don’t have sweet sensitivity, doesn’t mean you don’t have leaking fillings.

Fillings:

Fillings are done when there are areas of decay in the tooth.  Basically, decay is a bacterial invasion of the tooth which continues to get larger unless the affected tooth structure is completely removed then sealed with a dental restorative material.
  

1. Fillings usually need to be done if you feel sensitivity to sweets.
2. They are done when there is less than 60% of the tooth surface is affected.
3. On dental x-rays, you can see a triangular dark area in between the teeth which is not viewable during your clinical exam.
4. If on the top of the tooth, a dental explorer may “stick” into the tooth, indicating a soft spot that decay has penetrated through.

The biggest misconception is that if the groves on the top of the teeth are brown or stained, that this a cavity which needs to be filled.  The tops of teeth are naturally stained and this usually does not mean that they have cavities.  If there is a “stick” with the explorer or radiographic evidence of decay, then these stains are probably decay which need to get treated and restored.

Root Canals

Intentional misdiagnosis of root canals is not nearly as common as the aforementioned diagnosis, but we see this from time to time so I thought I would quickly mention it here.  Usually a root canal needs to be done if you are in dental pain which can be attributed to a specific tooth.  However, that is not always the case.  There are times when a root canal needs to be done because there simply is not enough tooth structure above the gumline.  You may have had pain on a tooth and suddenly it doesn't bother you anymore.  This is often a sign of necrosis.  The tooth can be saved, but a root canal must be done to remove the dead material inside the tooth.  If you have doubts if your tooth needs a root canal, you should seek an opinion from a root canal specialist or endodontist.

Most dentists are honest professionals who really have the best interest of their patients at heart. However, it is always ok to get a second opinion and most dentists who are trustworthy welcome second opinions.  Always follow your intuition and if something doesn't make sense to you, don’t move forward with the procedure.  Getting dental work done is time consuming and expensive.  Make certain that it is something you need done before moving ahead with treatment.

Go Dental, Your Valencia Dentist