A veneer--a fake tooth made from ultra-thin laminate adhered directly to a tooth--can make your mouth look brand-new. Veneers are a great option for closing gaps or disguising discolored teeth. Even if you're just not happy with the shape of your...
Restoration options for lost or damaged teeth include dental implants. The implants work to return normal function of teeth by replacing old bone or supporting surrounding teeth for proper function of the teeth. Tooth decay, root canal failure,...
A dental bridge is a prosthesis used to restore missing teeth. It is made of artificial teeth that are supported by crowns placed on the real teeth surrounding the space. Since it is cemented into the mouth, it can only be removed by the dentist....
It’s a rite of passage for teens, but many adults are opting to get braces later in life. More than 20 percent of those with braces are adults, as of 2009, and that figure has grown 37 percent in recent years, according to the American...
A dental cleaning should be scheduled every 6 months. While daily brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining oral health and preventing gum disease, it is very difficult to completely remove all plaque and bacteria deposits from the teeth...
According to the School of Dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, dental plaque is a soft deposit that builds up on the enamel of teeth. It occurs due to bacteria growth and is composed of bacteria, phosphorus and calcium. Dental...
Dental procedures can cause pain for several days. If you have recently had work done on your mouth you may not be able to chew the foods your normally include in your diet. Replacing those foods with soft foods will allow your mouth to heal...
Depending on the cause of pain, a tooth ache can seem intolerable at times. Although you should always make an appointment with a dentist if you experience tooth pain, there are temporary ways to quickly relieve the pain from home.
Novocaine is a local anesthesia used to block nerve impulses and block pain. Injections usually occur before, during and after various surgical and dental procedures. It causes a temporary loss of sensation in the skin and the surrounding organs.
Leaking valves of the heart are referred to as having insufficiency or regurgitation. The most common valves to be affected are the aortic and mitral valves. Leaking valves are caused by several conditions, including myxomatous degeneration,...
Novocain (generic name: procaine) is a common local anesthetic used during medical and dental procedures. It causes your gums and facial skin to become extremely numb. According to the National Library of Medicine, your dentist will determine...
Coumadin is an anticoagulant medication which acts to prevent the formation of clots in the arteries and veins that serve the heart, brain and body. It may also be prescribed after a stroke or heart attack to prevent another one from occurring....
Maintaining good oral health before, during and after chemotherapy treatment is important to prevent unnecessary complications related to chemotherapy side effects. These side effects involve the teeth, gums and mucous membranes of the mouth. They...
According to MayoClinic.com, alendronate is an oral medication that doctors prescribe for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis which is a condition characterized by the thinning of bones and a loss of bone density. Alendronate increases...
The emergence of laser technology has allowed dentists to perform quality dental procedures with state-of-the-art technology. Dental lasers are more accurate and more efficient than traditional dental technique and procedures, according to...
Mobic, known generically as meloxicam, is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. The NSAID class of medication is made up of reversible inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase, of COX, 1 and 2 enzymes, but meloxicam more effective...
Visiting the dentist for a dental procedure can be a nerve-racking experience, especially if you have not seen the dentist in a long time. One way to feel less anxious about your experience is to understand what types of dental instruments the...
Novocaine is a medication commonly used during dental procedures as a local anesthetic. It works by blocking the neural transmissions of local pain receptors to prevent pain sensations. Healthcare professionals sometimes utilize this drug as an...
Each tooth is made up three distinct layers: an inner pulp layer that is made up of nerves, blood vessels and cells; a layer of calcified tissue called dentin; and an outer layer of enamel, an extremely hard tissue that protects the tooth. Tooth...
A toothache can be caused by recent dental work, grinding the teeth or dental decay. During your pregnancy, you should avoid taking unnecessary medications and having optional dental procedures done, but if you are in pain, then you should treat...
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, tooth whitening is the most common dental procedure requested by people under 20 and between the ages 30 and 50. Several factors can change the color of your teeth, such as smoking, eating...
Frankincense oil comes from the resin of Boswellia serrata trees. Some aromatherapy oils, perfumes and certain types of incense contain this oil. Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional health care of India, also uses frankincense oil to treat several...
Vistaril is a brand name prescription medication containing hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine is available as an oral tablet, capsule, syrup and suspension. It is also available for injection into the muscle. Doses of Vistaril commonly range from 10 mg to...
Periodontal grafting, also known as gum grafting, is a dental procedure used to cover or protect exposed tooth root surfaces, prevent or treat gum disease or decay, or for cosmetic reasons. To perform the procedure, a dentist or oral surgeon uses...
Total hip arthroplasty, commonly called hip replacement surgery, was first performed in 1960, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). During this procedure, a damaged hip bone is replaced with a metal or ceramic...
Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental procedure that removes stains and discoloration by lightening teeth. The enamel is the outer layer of teeth that often becomes stained from certain foods and beverages and from smoking. When brushing,...
A tooth abscess is the result of a bacterial infection. When trauma or decay damages a tooth, it leaves an opening in which bacteria can enter. If the tooth becomes infected, a pus-filled sac develops that is actually a collection of the bacteria,...
The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest trees in the world, and its seeds have long been used by Chinese healers. Ginkgo biloba is the Latin name for the herb that is commonly used in modern alternative medicine. According to the National Center on...
Bacteria in the blood is also known as bacteremia, or blood poisoning. According to the Mayo Clinic, the term "blood poisoning" is misleading because it is the presence of bacteria in the blood causing problems, not poison. Wrong Diagnosis.com,...
