Dental Diagnosis of Gum Disease and Cavities
An accurate diagnosis of periodontal disease and the presence of cavities are two of the most important elements of a dental exam.
Most people who have periodontal illness do not even know it. Due to the fact that they have no symptoms, they assume they are ok. In order to see if they are truly ok, the dentist has to x-ray the gumline, and sometimes also use a periodontal probe to check bone levels around the teeth.
Dentists do this to check periodontal pockets that form when bone levels fall and pull away from the tooth. Dentists measure these pockets from the bottom up, starting where the gum is attached and moving to the top of the gums. Determining the depth of these pockets is a vital step toward arriving at an accurate dental diagnosis of gum disease.
In actuality, any pocket of any size is a problem. Healthy gums always lay tight against the teeth. In the early staged of gum disease, however, pockets begin to form. The deeper the pockets become, the more gum disease progresses.
Any bleeding from the gums is a sure sign of infection. Healthy gums never bleed. When a patient comes into the office with bleeding gums, the first thing a dentist does is examine the shape and color of the gums. Pink and lightly stippled gums are healthy. Smooth, red, or swollen gums indicate the presence of infection and mild to moderate periodontal disease.
X-rays are an essential component to making an accurate dental diagnosis of gum disease. In a healthy mouth, bone rises around the necks of teeth at an even level along the gumline. When Periodontis is present, bone levels fall to noticeably lower levels.
To summarize, then, a conclusive dental diagnosis of periodontal disease consists of the following:
1. A pocket reading of more than three millimeters
2. Gums that bleed during brushing, flossing, and probing
3. Red and swollen gums around and between teeth
4. X-ray evidence of bone loss and tartar.
Periodontitis is also caused by plaque. The problem with plaque is the presence of bacteria that produces acid. The acid eats away at tooth enamel and causes cavities.
Sometimes it is very easy for a dentist to find cavities. At other times, it is not so easy. In order to make an accurate dental diagnosis of cavities in obscure places, the dentist takes X-rays and uses a dental explorer to check the tops and sides of teeth.
X-rays are required to find cavities between teeth. They show up as dark spots in the X-rays and are readily identifiable. It is so much better to find cavities at this stage while they are still relatively small and only penetrate the outer layer of the tooth known as the enamel. They can easily be repaired with cosmetic dental bonding resin that mimics tooth color and is better for the human mouth than metal fillings.
Letting cavities grow larger is asking for trouble. If they penetrate the middle layer, called the dentin, and work their way down to the pulp chamber surrounding the tooth root, a root canal will most likely be required to save the tooth.
Most people who have periodontal illness do not even know it. Due to the fact that they have no symptoms, they assume they are ok. In order to see if they are truly ok, the dentist has to x-ray the gumline, and sometimes also use a periodontal probe to check bone levels around the teeth.
Dentists do this to check periodontal pockets that form when bone levels fall and pull away from the tooth. Dentists measure these pockets from the bottom up, starting where the gum is attached and moving to the top of the gums. Determining the depth of these pockets is a vital step toward arriving at an accurate dental diagnosis of gum disease.
In actuality, any pocket of any size is a problem. Healthy gums always lay tight against the teeth. In the early staged of gum disease, however, pockets begin to form. The deeper the pockets become, the more gum disease progresses.
Any bleeding from the gums is a sure sign of infection. Healthy gums never bleed. When a patient comes into the office with bleeding gums, the first thing a dentist does is examine the shape and color of the gums. Pink and lightly stippled gums are healthy. Smooth, red, or swollen gums indicate the presence of infection and mild to moderate periodontal disease.
X-rays are an essential component to making an accurate dental diagnosis of gum disease. In a healthy mouth, bone rises around the necks of teeth at an even level along the gumline. When Periodontis is present, bone levels fall to noticeably lower levels.
To summarize, then, a conclusive dental diagnosis of periodontal disease consists of the following:
1. A pocket reading of more than three millimeters
2. Gums that bleed during brushing, flossing, and probing
3. Red and swollen gums around and between teeth
4. X-ray evidence of bone loss and tartar.
Periodontitis is also caused by plaque. The problem with plaque is the presence of bacteria that produces acid. The acid eats away at tooth enamel and causes cavities.
Sometimes it is very easy for a dentist to find cavities. At other times, it is not so easy. In order to make an accurate dental diagnosis of cavities in obscure places, the dentist takes X-rays and uses a dental explorer to check the tops and sides of teeth.
X-rays are required to find cavities between teeth. They show up as dark spots in the X-rays and are readily identifiable. It is so much better to find cavities at this stage while they are still relatively small and only penetrate the outer layer of the tooth known as the enamel. They can easily be repaired with cosmetic dental bonding resin that mimics tooth color and is better for the human mouth than metal fillings.
Letting cavities grow larger is asking for trouble. If they penetrate the middle layer, called the dentin, and work their way down to the pulp chamber surrounding the tooth root, a root canal will most likely be required to save the tooth.
Labels: dental diagnosis of cavities, dental diagnosis of peridontal disease
posted by Dental Expert at
1:15 PM
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