Invisalign vs Braces – Page 4

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss: What dental hygienists need to know

Anne Nugent Guignon, MPH, RDH, CSP

An increasing number of dental professionals now experience significant hearing loss. The issue of noise-induced hearing loss received little attention in the educational arena until recently, but the tide is turning with more academic institutions now addressing the need for hearing protection.

Risk for compromised hearing

Despite this increased awareness, many clinicians today are grappling with compromised hearing. Typically, occupational noise-induced hearing loss occurs when the human ear is subjected to loud noises over long periods of time. Although everyone’s occupational exposure is different, it is now understood that the cumulative effects of exposure to 85 dB over an eight-hour day will affect human hearing.1

It’s not just how often you use a power scaler. The problem is compounded by noise from the suction, the sound of the high-speed handpiece in the next cubicle, and the compressor or lab grinder down the hall. Lifestyle choices and genetics also play a role in accelerating hearing loss.

Since noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative over time, many dental professionals are not well prepared for a future that involves hearing loss. Along with having to cope with diminished hearing, the cost of assistive hearing devices, commonly known as hearing aids, causes sticker shock for many people.

Reporting lack of infection control in dental practice

Karen Daw, MBA, CECM

The newest dental office in town promotes itself as a heavenly oasis. In the waiting area, written in embellished cursive, is a sign that promises a relaxing dental visit and invites patients to ask about add-on services such as Botox and teeth whitening. Lavender aromatherapy greets patients when they arrive, and the sounds of Enya can be heard throughout the spacious office. A customized saltwater aquarium lines the side wall. The plump waiting room chairs sit on ornately carved wooden legs.

The front desk team wears matching sweaters with their names embroidered on them that are color-coordinated with the beige and black accents of the office. The lower level of the office is a dedicated training facility and conference room, complete with a drink station and large-screen television. The clinic has a total of 12 rooms, six operatories on each side, that line a long, winding hallway. The beige walls are accented by white Corinthian columns, and grapes droop from the latticework overhead, imitating a Grecian garden.

I had just completed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) infection control training and was conducting a mock inspection of this office accompanied by a safety officer, a hygienist. At the start she confided that she had concerns about some of this office’s infection control practices. I thought, “Surely I’m not going to find much in such an immaculate palace.”

However, by the end of the assessment, the practice had amassed an inordinate number of “opportunities” for correction. Some of the things we observed were running the ultrasonic without the lid on (with a glass of orange juice sitting nearby), not changing out barriers or disinfecting surfaces between every patient, and team members exiting restrooms without washing their hands and then setting up cookies for arriving patients.

Exfoliative cheilitis and lip damage: A clinical overview for dental hygienists

In an appearance-conscious world, patients today are increasingly concerned about their outward appearance. Various media have heightened public awareness of appearance, making patients very aware of any variations in what is deemed “normal.” The mouth and lips are so prominent that when there are abnormalities, patients want our help—both to fix their appearance and address concerns about cancer and other abnormal disease states. That is why chronic lip peeling, lip scaling, and ulcerative lesions of the lip will bring patients into a dental practice searching for answers.

Lip abnormalities

Abnormalities of the lips and their various causes include the following:

• lip injuries

• exfoliative cheilitis

• basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma

• angular cheilitis

• cheilocandidiasis

• parafunctional causes, such as lip smacking, lip biting, and chronic lip licking

• circumoral dermatitis

• chronic chapped lips

• mouth breathing resulting in lip fissures

• allergy-type reactions from lip products, toothpaste, and dental products

• metal allergy reactions

• food sensitivity

• damage from sun exposure

• contact dermatitis and skin diseases such as lichen planus, scleroderma, and pemphigus/pemphigoid

An abnormal outward appearance of the lips usually demands an etiology for the patient. Hygienists can begin by asking questions to narrow the prospect of the offending product or disease state.

Can dental hygiene production coexist with compassion?

Julie Whiteley, BS, RDH

Words like “production” and “goals” used in reference to hygiene departments can create contention. After all, we are health-care providers, not salespeople, so why do the numbers matter?

Some might say that a focus on increasing production is not in the best interest of the patient. How many times have we heard or thought, “It’s all about production and making money, but my concern is for the patient”? Should it be our production numbers or the numbers of lives we are able to touch that measure us? What I have learned is that these two measures are not mutually exclusive, and in fact work in concert with each other.

For those of you who don’t agree, I understand. I once felt the same way. My change of view does not imply that I support overtreatment or suggesting services that are not necessary. We are not in the business of selling. We are oral health prevention specialists who have the responsibility to inform and educate patients. We are often the first in the office to build relationships with our patients and to see the signs of, or risks for, disease. We help guide the patient to the best possible treatment or prevention strategies ethically, responsibly, and as early in the process as possible.

Are we meeting patients’ needs?

It can be easy for us to ignore the concept of the numbers, retreat to the operatory, and perform what is on the schedule for that day to the best of our ability. But is the scheduled treatment in the best interest of the patient? I think about the countless times that I’ve worked harder instead of smarter, with much discomfort to myself and probably my patients, performing heroic measures that spanned far beyond what a prophy is supposed to be.

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Choosing the Right Orthodontist

The advent of modern techniques in modern dentistry has lead super specialty procedures in dental surgery. The common problems that people in general face in teeth are decay of teeth, gum disease also known as periodontal disease, tooth erosion, toothaches, tooth sensitivity. If you’re suffering from any of these cases, you need to see a dental specialist surgeon without delay.

What does an orthodontist do?

If you’re suffering from crooked teeth, it is important to undergo some corrective treatment. In crooked teeth, teeth are not straight as they should be. Whether a tooth or a set of teeth, they are said to be crooked if they are the tooth is bent. It’s here that the role of an OKC orthodontist becomes important.

As a professional, the orthodontist is supposed to locate the issue of positioning the teeth correctly so that they deliver the optimal function. As a matter of diagnosis, and surgical aids, the the professional can use X-rays or other means of diagnostics. They will prescribe dental brace, space maintainers, retainers to bring out correction in crooked teeth..

Further, the professional can play a big role in envisaging custom treatment that may be required according to the peculiar nature of the case. They will work along with orthodontic technicians who will assist in placing the brace correctly.

The Shawnee orthodontist designs and gets fabricated dental braces and implants. The braces are aiding tools in orthodontic that bring the teeth into proper alignment and straighten them. On the other hand, dental implants are surgical components that that are used as support to the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis like a bridge, crown, denture facial prosthesis and so on.

Choosing the right orthodontist

So, if you are planning to get dental braces, or implants, it is important to choose qualified experienced orthodontist in your area. In addition to their professional qualification, competency, you need to consider a few more points. They are as follows:

Choose one with a good name – Check out on the Internet for orthodontist in your neighborhood. Also, seek advice from friends, relations, colleagues. Their advice could be valuable. Check their professional credentials. Check if they have got proper certification and education and training

Convenience – Visiting the professional should be convenient. Therefore, the best thing is to choose one in or around your location. This will make it easy for you to reach there easily and on time.. thus, you can save time. You can reach on time when you get an appointment to see the doctor.

While you can undergo treatment for any condition in the teeth, it is important to take care of your teeth. They are simple, yet highly effective. You should brush teeth twice a day and clean the tongue with brush as well as with the tongue scraper. Further, use floss to get rid of food debris between teeth. This will help you keep your whole oral cavity healthy. Further, consume a balanced diet. Drink plenty of water. This will help you keep the health of in our oral cavity intact. If you experience pain, sensitivity or an injury in the teeth or any part in the oral cavity see special doctor immediately.

Find Orthodontist for Your Tooth Health Care

There are people who are not much proud of their teeth, but are afraid of wearing braces thinking that it would not give out a good image of their personality. Such people need not worry anymore because the recent advancement in the field of dentistry has made it possible to get the teeth aligned with hardly anyone noticing. This new way of getting a perfectly looking smile does not require people to wear the uncomfortable metal braces. Envisaging is a new technique that many people across the world are using with outstanding results. This form of treatment involves wearing several plastic aligners. The aligners come in different shapes & sizes and have to be worn for definite period of time. The users have the liberty of removing the plastic aligners while eating, brushing, or flossing. These plastic aligners are patient-specific and are prepared by the dentists by taking impressions and pictures of a patient’s teeth. After going through the dental orientation of a patient, a dentist prepares the aligners in such a way that pressure is applied on the specific teeth.

As a result, the teeth get properly aligned over a period of time and thereby create a lovely smile. The patients are asked to visit their Orthodontist in intervals of 2 weeks. They check the progress of the previously used aligner and then change it with the next one if the pack. Usually, a pack of aligners is prepared for every patient and each one in the pack is changed every 2 weeks. Once removed, the aligners are of no uses and thrown away. This technique of Envisaging is used for both teenager and adults. Especially those teenagers who participate in sports activities and have badly-shaped teeth can benefit from Envisaging in Okc . They can choose a treatment plan that suits their sports schedule and have their teeth straightened without any difficulty. This treatment also rules out the worry of an injury to the mouth while playing. And with the liberty of removing the aligners for special events like prom night, this treatment is sure to attract a lot of teenagers. Also, Envisaging allows the teenagers overcome the embarrassment of looking dull in the photos because of the braces.

As there are not porcelain brackets or wires in this form of treatment, there is no possibility of marks left behind due to the braces. Also, the teeth are prevented from having ugly white spots, as the brush cannot reach the areas covered by the braces. And as the aligners are transparent, people hardly get noticed that they are wearing mouthpieces. Irrespective of their age, people can finally get the smile that they desperately want. If there are any queries or questions related to this method of straightening of teeth, the professionals are the best ones to ask. They know everything about the procedure, benefits, challenges, difficulties, solutions, etc., of Envisaging. So, people can get all their doubts solved beforehand and proceed to have outstanding results with Shawnee orthodontics. Envisaging, even the most complex conditions can be treated for a perfect smile, which is clearly evident from the numerous happy customers worldwide.

How Much Does Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment in Oklahoma city?

Teeth whitening Okc is a form of cosmetic dentistry treatment involving application of bleaching agents such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide for whitening the teeth. This treatment is used to target tooth discoloration specifically. It helps to remove stains and reverse the routine wear effects. With teeth whitening, teeth are lightened in color and stains are gradually removed. Whitening is included among the most sought after procedures of cosmetic dentistry simply because it helps in improving the smile and the overall appearance of teeth. This procedure is just a one-time thing. For maintaining the bright color, the procedure needs to be repeated time and again. When it comes to using the best methods for teeth whitening, dentists have 3 options: composite resin, porcelain veneers, or bleach. The reason for bleach being overrated among the patients is that they are most familiar with it than the other two options. Another reason is that the information that the patients possess about veneers and composite resins is either incorrect or incomplete. Here are the three factors that greatly affect the treatment options:

COST:

All the 3 forms of treatment are able to produce shining white teeth. However, composite resin is considered a better option than bleach for long-term effects. Porcelain is even superior. The staining of teeth after bleaching occurs at a normal rate. Therefore, the process has to be repeated several times for a year. The frequency of the process increases if patients are involved in smoking, consuming coffee, etc. When properly polished and finished, composite veneers can remain stain resistant for a longer period, but not more than porcelain veneers. The maximum time a porcelain veneer can be bright and stain-free is 15 years.

TIME & CONVENIENCE:

For getting their teeth whitened through bleaching, people are required to either visit a pediatric dentist Oklahoma city Ok or use home products. Each one of them is time consuming and is required to be re-bleached several times that can become hectic for longer term. On the other hand, composite veneers are less time consuming as the whole procedure is completed in a few sittings and there is no need to visit the dentist for 5 to 6 years. Porcelain veneers are much better in regard to time and convenience as they provide a hassle-free result for around 15 years.

COST:

Cost is another important factor when it comes to selecting a teeth-whitening treatment. As veneers provide better customer satisfaction, they come at a higher initial investment. But, when compared to the repeated visits for re-bleaching over a course of 15 years, the cost for veneers doesn’t seem much. So, cost plays an important role in deciding the type of treatment for whitening of teeth.

Given the advantages and disadvantages based on the above three factors, all 3 options seems viable. People are just interested in whiter teeth, and in having a perfect smile. Thinking whiteness as beauty is a big mistake on their part. Bleach is known to bring effective results on the teeth of younger people. But, people find best botox specials in Oklahoma city which given its imperfect outcomes in older people, going for veneers seems to be a better option.

Reflections Dental Care Also Offers Following Services :

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The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease: What to look out for in the dental hygiene operatory

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease

Julie A. Tracy, BS, RDH

Recently, a patient walked into my operatory with bright red knees and a rash of round blotches on her arms and legs. I took one look at her and asked if she had been tested for Lyme disease. She told me how she had gone to the walk-in clinic the week before with a crushing headache and fever, tested negative for Lyme disease, was told the cause was probably viral, and was instructed to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

When the rash appeared a few days after that, she went to her primary care physician who diagnosed her with hives, putting her on prednisone and loratadine. “I’ve had hives,” my patient said to me. “These aren’t hives. They don’t itch.” I told my patient that Lyme disease is endemic where we live in upstate New York, and the test is unreliable in the early stages of the disease. I urged her to go back to her doctor.

As dental hygienists, we are partners in our patients’ whole health, and sometimes the red flags we see have nothing to do with their teeth. In the case of this patient, the first red flag I saw was her knees. There was something abnormal about how angry and inflamed they appeared. Swollen, painful joints are a sign of Lyme disease.1 The second red flag was her rash. The classic presentation of erythema migrans, the rash associated with Lyme disease, is the bull’s-eye lesion. An estimated 27% to 80% of Lyme disease cases present with a rash,2 and some people get an atypical rash.3 My patient’s rash was not the classic bull’s eye, but it was suspicious enough for me to ask more questions.

Autism spectrum disorder: Strategies for successful dental hygiene appointments

Most clinicians have or will treat a patient who has special needs, whether those special needs are easily recognizable physically or come in the form of a developmental disability such as autism. What may be a routine dental visit for us or for another child can be a stressful event that incites an emotional tailspin for others.

Autism spectrum disorder is a variable condition on the rise in the United States, and it affects our children in mysterious ways. In April 2018, the Centers for Disease Control released new statistics on autism spectrum disorder. The newest studies indicate that, in the United States, one in 59 children is on the autism spectrum, up from the previous figure of one in 68.1 A government survey of parents revealed that one in 45 children has been diagnosed with autism.2 The prevalence of the disorder is greater among boys than girls: one in 37 and one in 151, respectively.1 There is speculation about the cause of autism, although it still remains unknown.

Autism can manifest in a multitude of ways; every child it affects is different. From those mildly affected to those who have a profound disability, each individual has unique triggers and coping mechanisms. In many cases, early intervention and therapy have improved the ability of children to learn and communicate with others and to learn social skills that don’t come naturally to them. Some of the more common manifestations of autism include repetitive movements such as rocking back and forth, avoiding eye contact and touch, struggling to understanding others’ feelings and emotions, delayed or undeveloped language, and upset over changes in routine. Most children who have autism have intense reactions to textures, smells, sounds, lights, or colors. Shifts in routine and new environments or faces can cause anxiety in these children, often making them less cooperative as patients.