What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, commonly associated with plaque accumulating around the teeth and gumline. Dental plaque contains bacteria, and when it isn't adequately removed, the gums may become red, swollen, or more likely to bleed when you brush or floss.
Gingivitis doesn't involve the bone loss associated with periodontitis and can generally be reversed with appropriate professional care and consistent oral hygiene.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is a more advanced form of gum disease. It involves inflammation and damage to the tissues and bone that support the teeth.
Without appropriate treatment and maintenance, periodontitis can progress and eventually affect the stability of the teeth.
How do dentists help treat sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that requires an appropriate diagnosis. For selected patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a dentist with appropriate training may provide an oral appliance that helps position the lower jaw and tongue to support a more open airway during sleep.
Dental treatment for sleep apnea should be coordinated with the medical provider managing the condition.
What are some unusual dental conditions?
There are many unusual dental conditions involving the development, shape, size, structure, or position of teeth. Some are related to genetics, developmental changes, infections, trauma, or other factors.
Depending on the condition, the teeth may be more susceptible to wear, fractures, cavities, or other problems. Let's go through a few of these conditions and talk about what they mean.
What are Hutchinson teeth?
Hutchinson teeth are a dental finding associated with congenital syphilis, which occurs when the infection is transmitted from a pregnant person to the developing baby. The permanent upper central incisors may develop a characteristic shape that is sometimes described as screwdriver-shaped or notched.
If the appearance or structure of the teeth creates a concern later in life, restorative or cosmetic dental treatment may sometimes be considered.
What is taurodontism?
Taurodontism is a developmental variation in the internal anatomy of a tooth. The pulp chamber is enlarged vertically, and the area where the roots divide is positioned farther toward the ends of the roots than usual.
You generally wouldn't notice taurodontism simply by looking at the tooth in the mouth. It's typically identified on a dental X-ray.
What is a Turner's tooth?
A Turner's tooth is a permanent tooth with enamel hypoplasia or another developmental defect that usually results from infection or trauma involving the primary tooth that developed before it.
The affected permanent tooth may have thinner, discolored, or irregular enamel. Depending on the severity, it may be more susceptible to sensitivity, wear, or decay.
What is trench mouth?
Trench mouth is an older term for a condition commonly called necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. It can cause painful, inflamed gums, bleeding, ulceration, and characteristic damage to the gum tissue between the teeth.
Several risk factors may contribute, including poor oral hygiene, smoking, significant stress, inadequate nutrition, and a weakened immune system. The name "trench mouth" became associated with the condition because it was described among soldiers living under difficult conditions during World War I.
Why do some teeth look more yellow?
There are several reasons why teeth can appear more yellow. Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth, while the dentin underneath it naturally has a more yellow appearance.
If enamel is relatively thin or becomes thinner over time, more of the underlying dentin may show through. Tooth color can also be influenced by genetics, age, staining, medications, and developmental conditions.
What is tooth fremitus?
Tooth fremitus refers to movement or vibration of a tooth that can be detected when the teeth come together during biting or other jaw movements. A dentist may place a finger against the teeth while you bite or move your jaw to evaluate whether this movement is present.
Fremitus can be one finding considered when evaluating the bite and the supporting structures around the teeth.
What are perikymata?
Perikymata are small, naturally occurring horizontal ridges or grooves that can sometimes be seen on the surface of tooth enamel, particularly on newly erupted permanent teeth.
They reflect the incremental way enamel develops while the tooth is forming and often become less noticeable over time as the surface wears.
What are deep grooves in teeth?
Some teeth naturally have deeper pits and grooves than others, particularly on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. These grooves are part of normal tooth anatomy, but very deep areas can sometimes be more difficult to keep clean.
If a groove is at higher risk for trapping plaque and developing decay, a dentist may recommend preventive measures such as a dental sealant depending on the individual tooth.
What is a mulberry molar?
A mulberry molar is another dental finding associated with congenital syphilis. The permanent molar may develop an abnormal chewing surface with multiple rounded enamel projections that give it a mulberry-like appearance.
Like Hutchinson teeth, this is a developmental finding rather than something that develops later because of ordinary tooth decay.
What are shovel-shaped incisors?
Shovel-shaped incisors are a normal variation in tooth anatomy. The back surface of an incisor has prominent marginal ridges and a deeper central area, giving the tooth a shovel-like appearance.
This trait is more common in some populations than others and doesn't automatically mean that anything is wrong with the tooth.
What is yaeba?
Yaeba is a Japanese term commonly associated with the appearance of crowded or prominently positioned canine teeth. It's an aesthetic description rather than a dental disease.
If tooth position creates concerns with the bite, cleaning, or appearance, a dentist or orthodontic provider can evaluate whether treatment is appropriate.
What causes a Turner's tooth?
A Turner's tooth is usually caused by infection or trauma involving a primary tooth while the permanent tooth underneath it is still developing. That disturbance can interfere with normal enamel formation in the permanent tooth.
This is different from inherited enamel conditions, which may affect multiple teeth rather than a single developing permanent tooth.
What is dental concrescence?
Dental concrescence occurs when two neighboring teeth become joined along their roots by cementum, the mineralized tissue covering the outside of the tooth roots.
The teeth remain separate internally, but the connection between their root surfaces can sometimes be important when planning an extraction or other dental treatment.
What is regional odontodysplasia?
Regional odontodysplasia is a rare developmental condition in which the enamel and dentin of one or several neighboring teeth don't develop normally.
On X-rays, affected teeth may have a faint appearance and are sometimes referred to as "ghost teeth." They may erupt late or not erupt normally and can be structurally weak or more susceptible to dental problems.
What is a paramolar?
A paramolar is a small supernumerary, or extra, tooth that develops next to a molar. It may appear on the cheek or tongue side of the normal tooth.
Some extra teeth don't cause problems and can simply be monitored. Others may interfere with eruption, cleaning, or nearby teeth and may need treatment.
What is microdontia?
Microdontia is a condition in which one or more teeth are smaller than expected. It may affect a single tooth, several teeth, or, much less commonly, the entire dentition.
One familiar example is a peg-shaped lateral incisor. Treatment isn't always necessary, but cosmetic or restorative options may be considered if the size or shape creates a concern.
What are Waterloo teeth?
"Waterloo teeth" is a historical term associated with human teeth that were removed from deceased individuals and used in dentures during the 18th and 19th centuries. The name became associated with the Battle of Waterloo, although human teeth used for dentures came from other sources as well.
Needless to say, modern dentistry doesn't use human teeth this way.
What are baby teeth also called?
Baby teeth are also known as primary, deciduous, or milk teeth. Children usually develop 20 primary teeth, which eventually fall out as the permanent teeth erupt.
Primary teeth often appear lighter in color than permanent teeth because of differences in their structure.
What is dental drifting?
Dental drifting refers to teeth gradually moving from their previous positions. This can occur when a tooth is missing and neighboring teeth begin moving toward the open space.
For example, if a primary molar is lost too early, nearby teeth may shift into the space needed for the developing permanent tooth. That's one reason a dentist may sometimes recommend a space maintainer after premature loss of a baby tooth.
What is abfraction?
Abfraction is a term used to describe certain wedge-shaped defects that develop near the gumline of a tooth. The exact causes of these cervical lesions can be complex and may involve several factors, including tooth flexure, abrasion, and erosion.
Brushing aggressively can contribute to wear near the gumline, but it isn't necessarily the sole cause of every notch in this area. Depending on the depth and symptoms, these lesions may be monitored or treated.
What is occlusal trauma?
Occlusal trauma refers to injury or changes in the tissues supporting a tooth when biting forces exceed what those tissues can tolerate.
Clenching or grinding can contribute to excessive forces, and a filling or crown that interferes with the bite can sometimes make a tooth feel sore when you chew. If a tooth feels unusually high or painful after restorative treatment, let your dentist know so the bite can be evaluated.
What is a dental placode?
A dental placode is an early thickening of the oral epithelium that develops during embryonic tooth formation. It's one of the earliest visible stages in the developmental process that eventually produces a tooth.
Are teeth connected to specific organs through meridians?
You may come across charts claiming that individual teeth are connected to specific organs or other areas of the body through acupuncture meridians. These ideas are used in some alternative health practices.
However, there isn't established scientific evidence showing that each tooth has a specific meridian connection to a particular organ or that disease in a specific tooth causes symptoms in the corresponding body part.
What are bunny teeth?
"Bunny teeth" is an informal description sometimes used when the two upper central incisors appear relatively large or prominent compared with the surrounding teeth.
This can be particularly noticeable in children and adolescents as their teeth and facial features are still developing. If tooth size or position creates a functional or aesthetic concern, a dental or orthodontic evaluation can help determine whether treatment is appropriate.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (480) 888-8123 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.