dentist in toronto Archives - St. Clair Toronto Dentist - West Village Dental Clinic

Do You or Your Child Child Need a Frenectomy?

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Jul 18, 2023 | Dental | 0 comments

What is a frenum?

A “frenum” is a natural part of your oral anatomy, comprised of a band of tissue that connects two areas of soft tissue in your mouth. You can see if you lift your upper lip in front of the mirror.

The main frenums in your mouth connect your upper lip to the gums between your upper two front teeth (called the labial frenum,) your lower lip to your lower gums between your lower two front teeth, as well as your tongue to the floor of your mouth (called the lingual frenum.) The band of tissue allows for adequate oral movement to encourage speech, chewing and eating. You may have heard the term “tongue tie,” which is another way of referring to a tight frenum underneath the tongue.

So, what’s the problem?

Difficulties arise when the frenum tissue is too short, thick or tight, pulling on the surrounding tissues and preventing oral movement. Some signs and symptoms of an inadequate frenum include speech impediment, inability to stick the tongue out, or a “scalloped” looking tongue, difficulty with swallowing, difficulty with biting and chewing, a space between the two front teeth and even gum recession.

Frenum cases can range from mild to severe.

In severe cases, tight frenums are typically noticed in infancy as it can lead to difficulty feeding. In mild to moderate cases, tight frenums may not be noticed/treated and can lead to problems into adulthood. A person may have just one or several tight frenums.

What is a frenectomy?

Thankfully, the treatment procedure for a tight frenum, called a frenectomy, is relatively easy and pain-free. Both labial and lingual frenums can be altered using the frenectomy procedure. A scalpel or a laser is used to cut back the tissue, releasing it to increase the mobility of the lips and tongue. Healing time, whether for infants, children, or adults, is minimal, with little to no pain.

Benefits of a frenectomy

Benefits of a frenectomy procedure include adequate mobility of the tongue, reduced susceptibility to gum recession, reduced speech and eating problems and improved quality of infant feeding.

If you have any questions about frenums or the frenectomy procedure, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

What Is A Dental Abscess? Symptoms and Treatment

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Jun 6, 2023 | Dental | 0 comments

A dental abscess is a painful and potentially serious dental condition caused by a bacterial infection. It occurs when a pocket of pus forms within the teeth, gums, or surrounding tissues. Dental abscesses can lead to significant discomfort, and if left untreated, they may result in severe complications. Learn the symptoms associated with dental abscesses and the various treatment options available.

Symptoms of Dental Abscess

Toothache: The most common symptom of a dental abscess is a persistent and throbbing toothache. The pain may worsen when biting or applying pressure on the affected tooth.
Swelling: The area around the infected tooth or gum may become swollen, red, and tender to the touch. The swelling can gradually spread to the face, neck, or jaw.
Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to hot or cold substances is another sign of a dental abscess. The affected tooth may become more sensitive to temperature changes and certain foods.
Bad breath and taste: The buildup of pus and bacteria can cause a foul smell in the mouth and an unpleasant taste.
Fever: In some cases, a dental abscess can lead to a fever, indicating that the infection has spread and requires immediate attention.

Treatment Options

Drainage of the abscess: The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and relieve pain. In most cases, the abscess must be drained to remove the pus. Your dentist will make a small incision in the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out. Once the area is cleaned, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent further infection.
Root canal therapy: If the dental abscess is caused by an infection in the tooth’s pulp (the innermost layer), root canal treatment may be necessary. During a root canal, your dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the tooth’s interior, and seals it to prevent reinfection. Root canal therapy is often followed by placing a dental crown to protect and restore the tooth’s functionality.
Tooth extraction: In severe cases where the tooth is extensively damaged or cannot be saved, extraction may be the only viable option. After removing the infected tooth, the dentist may recommend replacing it with a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture to restore oral function and prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting.
Antibiotics: Besides draining the abscess, dentists may prescribe antibiotics to help eliminate the infection. Antibiotics are typically used when the infection has spread beyond the abscessed area or when there is a risk of further complications.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dental abscesses. It is essential to address any dental issues promptly to avoid the development of abscesses. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Remember, your dental health is an essential part of your overall well-being. Maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking timely treatment can keep your smile bright and ensure a healthy mouth.

If you experience symptoms of a dental abscess, such as severe toothache, swelling, or persistent bad breath, it is crucial to seek professional dental care immediately. Early detection and treatment can prevent the infection from spreading and causing more significant complications.

Can Dental Sealants Benefit Your Smile?

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Feb 21, 2023 | Dental | 0 comments

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are thin layers that are applied to teeth that have grooves, pits or fissures to prevent cavities from forming. Dental sealants work by filling in crevices where harmful bacteria like to hide. The sealant material is similar to filling material that is used for cavities, but it is placed on the surface of the teeth with minimal tooth structure being removed.

The material gets applied as a liquid, so is able to seep in to grooves and difficult to reach areas, and is then hardened into place with the use of a light curing machine. Dental sealants can be used for any tooth that has a difficult to reach area and may be more susceptible to cavities. The most common teeth to be sealed are the biting surfaces of the back molars, as well as the pit that is common on the cheek side of the back lower molars.

Who can benefit from dental sealants?

People of all ages can benefit from dental sealants, including children and adults. Any tooth that has grooves or pits and may be susceptible to a cavity can benefit from having a dental sealant placed. Dental sealants are less expensive and less invasive than a dental filling. The best time to place dental sealants is for children when molars are just erupting, to prevent the teeth from getting cavities.

Dental sealant procedure

The teeth are first cleaned and polished to prepare for the procedure. Then, the teeth will be dried and an acid etch material will be placed on the surfaces receiving the sealants. The purpose of the acid etch is to create tiny notches in the tooth surface so the material will stick. The acid etch is left for 15-30 seconds and then rinsed away. The teeth are again dried, and the sealant material is placed. A light cure machine will be used to harden the sealants into place. Lastly, the bite will be checked and any rough or high spots will be adjusted. The procedure is extremely quick and painless, and is less expensive and intrusive than dental fillings. The best part is that they prevent cavities for you and your children!

If you have any questions about dental sealants, or believe you or your children are good candidates for dental sealants, please contact the office today to book an appointment.

How Can Dental Implants Benefit Your Smile?

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Aug 2, 2022 | Dental | 0 comments

Do you have a missing tooth? Multiple missing teeth? Do you have a partial or even complete denture? Dental implants are the new gold standard for tooth replacement and the best way to get your smile back to tip-top shape. Tooth loss occurs for various reasons, including large cavities, gum disease, trauma, fractures, and even sometimes, a tooth may not erupt.

Gone are the days when a flipper, partial or complete denture is needed to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are all around a better option for function and aesthetics.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an artificial structure which is screw-like that is placed into the bone to function as a tooth root. A dental crown is later attached to the top of the dental implant to form a fully functioning tooth once the dental crown has fully fused to the bone. The screw is typically made out of titanium, and the crown is made out of porcelain. Dental implants can be used for one tooth or multiple missing teeth. In the case of an entire arch of missing teeth, dental implants can be used to support a fixed denture or implant-supported denture, which means that the denture always stays in place and doesn’t require daily removal.

For a dental implant to work for you, it is essential to maintain a healthy mouth and healthy body. Dental implants are at risk of failing if there is active gum disease, bone loss, or if they aren’t being taken care of with proper brushing and flossing. In addition, an implant is at a higher risk of failure if there are underlying health conditions that aren’t being maintained, such as diabetes with an uncontrolled blood sugar level. Smoking is also a factor in dental implant failures.

Dental Implant Procedure

When a tooth has been missing for a long time, a bone graft will likely need to be placed before the implant to allow enough bone support. Bone grafting strengthens and solidifies the bone, and the graft can be taken from another site, synthetic tissue or even donor tissue. After a bone graft is placed, it will take a few months to heal and integrate into place.

When the implant is ready to be placed, the gum will be opened to expose the bone. A small diameter hole will be drilled into the bone to allow the implant to thread through. The implant is placed somewhat deep into the bone where there will be the most support. Usually, dental implants will take several months to heal and integrate into the bone before the crown can be placed on top to allow for chewing pressure. A temporary crown will be placed in the meantime. The length of the procedure from start to finish can range from a few months to almost a year, depending if bone grafting is necessary and how many implants are being done.

Post Care for Dental Implants

Just like any other dental surgery, you may have some pain, swelling, bruising and minor bleeding after the procedure. You may be given a prescription for pain medication and an antibiotic. Post-care symptoms will gradually improve within the next week.

If you have any questions about dental implants or believe you may benefit from them, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Is Dental Fluoride Beneficial For You?

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Feb 2, 2022 | Dental | 0 comments

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in salt and fresh water. It has been studied over decades and has been found to help reduce the likelihood of dental decay, slow the process of current decay and even halt and reverse it. It is a highly successful preventative measure used in dentistry that is fully supported by the CDA (Canadian Dental Association.) Through the last 50 years, dental fluoride has continued to be an effective and safe tool for all ages. It can be applied in a controlled environment topically, such as at the dentist, and used at home through products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as systemically in tap water.

Do you Need fluoride?

Fluoride is recommended for children, as well as higher cavity risk adults. Children benefit from fluoride as it supports the health of the adult teeth forming underneath their baby teeth and when the adult teeth erupt into the mouth. Older individuals and people who suffer from a dry mouth also greatly benefit from fluoride as it reduces the risk of root cavities. The CDA recommends a professional topical fluoride treatment at routine dental visits, as needed.

How is Fluoride Applied?

At your dental office, fluoride may be professionally applied to your teeth in a variety of different ways, depending on your needs. It comes in various forms, such as liquid, gel, foam and varnish, and varies in strength, from 1-5%. Vanish fluoride with a higher percentage is best suited for spot treatments at increased risk for cavities. Fluoride can also help reduce tooth sensitivity.

Side Effects

Like many medications, fluoride also has side effects, but only when too much is ingested. Signs of fluoride over ingestion are white spots on teeth called “fluorosis,” pitted or notched enamel and brittle bones. Fluoride in the water is in such a low dose that these symptoms will not occur. Fluoride poisoning is extremely rare but still possible. When it comes to toothpaste, make sure never to swallow it and monitor your child/children while brushing.

If you have questions about dental fluoride and why you might need it, we encourage you to book an appointment with us today.

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