Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Australians: Findings from a 2013 Telephone Survey

An interesting article titled “Third molor extractions among Australian adults: findings from the 2013 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey,” written by Hanna et al. appears in the International Dental Journal (vol. 68, pp. 77-83, 2018). The article sought to answer several questions regarding wisdom teeth removal in Australians: whether: 1.) having dental insurance is associated with a higher number of wisdom teeth extractions; 2.) if receiving single versus multiple wisdom tooth extractions is associated with self-rated oral health in the short term; and 3.) if receiving wisdom teeth extractions for those aged 18 to 25 years is associated with fewer number of days absent from work/school because of dental problems than those older than 25 years. The reason the authors explored item (2) identified above was because they believed those who received multiple extractions in a short time window might … Read more

Do Wisdom Teeth Contribute to Systemic Inflammation?

An interesting article appears in the 2019 edition of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery titled “Do Third Molars Contribute to Systemic Inflammation? Results From a Population-Based Study From Northeast Germany,” written by Kindler et al. The article investigates whether having wisdom teeth present plays a role on serum levels of inflammatory parameters and inflammatory messenger peptide hormones. In the article the authors used a study population of 2,333 patients from the northeastern region of Germany (Study of Health in Pomerania- SHIP 2) and also a different cohort of 4,420 patients from the same the region of Germany (SHIP-Trend). The authors pooled the data into 6,753 patients and found 2,484 of these patients had data on wisdom teeth. From the 2,484 patients only 2,151 patients had data on at least one inflammatory marker. The authors found that impacted wisdom … Read more

Dental Bridges in Jacksonville – Benefits of Getting Them

For those individuals that have been looking for a slightly more permanent solution for their missing teeth and are not sure what to opt for, dental bridges may be an option. There are normally four main types of dental bridges: traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported, which are described well on healthline.com for further reading. Not many people know this, but unlike your normal dental implants, these types of bridges can replace any individuals missing teeth(s) without needing to go through any kind of surgery. The best part about it, is they now come in a porcelain finish, which means the chances of anyone knowing the difference between your natural teeth or tooth, and the bridge is nero zero. It is barely indistinguishable from any other teeth around it. Besides this one main advantage to dental bridges, other things get positively … Read more

Dental Practitioners – Some Distinctions Between Pediatric Dentists and Other Types of Dentistry

All dental practitioners deal with oral health issues. While this is true, the practice is further divided into many fields that one can specialize in. As such, they perform different duties depending on the specialization. This creates various types of practitioners such as cosmetic, pediatric, and general dentists. The latter provides generalized oral healthcare services and is at the very basic level of dentistry. They can also do referrals where special care is needed. This article serves to highlight the differences between pediatric and other types of dentistry. For more details, you can for example visit a pediatric dentist in Roanoke and get your questions answered. What is the level of training? In general, all practitioners must acquire a bachelor’s degree from certified institutions and then proceed to attend and graduate from a legitimate dental school. This equips practitioners with … Read more

How to Find the Right Dentist

Looking to get some work done on your pearly whites? Maybe you’re seeking a professional diagnosis. Perhaps it’s simply time for a routine checkup. Regardless, it’s important that you find the right partner in oral health. Not all dentists are the same, and you need to know what to look out for. They should have ample training and experience for your individual requirements. This will ensure that you have someone to rely on in the event of any aches, allergies or anxieties. Here’s how to find the right dentist. Obtain Referrals You might be searching for a dentist after moving to a new area. Consider asking the neighborhood pharmacist or nearby friends and family for recommendations. Put the word out and see what comes back. If you aren’t familiar with the locals, you can browse through online reviews or consult … Read more