Author: Teeth Care Centre

CLEFT LIP & CLEFT PALATE

What is a Cleft lip?

The fourth to seventh weeks of pregnancy are when the lip develops. When the growing facial tissues of an unborn infant don’t completely close, it results in a cleft lip, which is an opening or split in the top lip. A little slit or a wide aperture that extends from the lip into the nose can be present in the lip. A cleft lip can develop on one, both, or even both sides of the lip, as well as very infrequently, in the middle of the lip. A cleft lip and palate can coexist in children.

What is Cleft Palate?

Between the sixth and ninth weeks of pregnancy, the palate (the roof of the mouth) begins to develop. When the tissue doesn’t fuse together when the baby is developing in the womb, it results in an opening or split in the roof of the mouth.

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Other Problems:  Children with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate or a cleft palate alone often have problems such as:

  1.  Difficulty with feedings.
  2. Difficulty swallowing, with the potential for liquids or foods to come out of the nose
  3. Nasal speaking voice or not able to speak clearly
  4. Chronic ear infections
  5. Dental problems.

Ratio: The most prevalent birth malformations are cleft lip and cleft palate. It is generally agreed that one in 1,000 births will result in cleft lip and palate. Nonetheless, socioeconomic status, geographic origin, and ethnic background all significantly impact its occurrence.

Causes and Risk Factors:

Causes:

Most cases of cleft lip and cleft palate are caused by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. In many babies, a definite cause isn’t discovered.

Risk Factors: There are a number of risk factors that can raise a baby’s chance of having cleft lip and cleft palate, including

  1. Family History: Having a child with cleft lip or palate is more likely for parents who have a history of the condition.
  2.  Diabetes: Compared to women who did not have diabetes, women who were diagnosed with the disease prior to becoming pregnant had an increased risk of having a child with a cleft palate.
  3.  The use of specific medications increases the chance of birth abnormalities, such as cleft lips and palates. These medications are prescribed to treat or prevent seizures.
  4. Smoking or Alcohol: Women who smoke or drink alcohol are more likely to have a baby with cleft compared to women who do not smoke or drink alcohol.

When to see a doctor?

A cleft lip and cleft palate are usually noticed at birth, and your doctor may start coordinating care at that time. To correct the condition, you will likely work with a team involving a plastic surgeon, maxillofacial surgeon, otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist), general dentist, orthodontist, and oral surgeon.

 For more information visit Best Dental Clinic in Ahmedabad- Teeth Care Centre Dental Hospital

Early Orthodontic Intervention in Children

A confident smile is more than just aesthetically pleasing; it plays a vital role in a child’s overall development and self-esteem. The orthodontic intervention has traditionally been associated with teenagers or adults, but it’s becoming increasingly recognized that early orthodontic treatment in children can yield significant benefits. Early intervention can help correct dental irregularities, guide proper jaw growth, and lay the foundation for optimal dental health throughout life.

Understanding Early Orthodontic Intervention

Early orthodontic intervention, also known as interceptive orthodontics, involves diagnosing and treating dental issues in children at a young age, typically before they reach adolescence. It aims to address oral and facial irregularities, guide the growth of developing teeth and jaws, and prevent more complex problems from arising later on. By identifying and addressing these issues early, orthodontists can create an environment that allows permanent teeth to erupt in the correct position, leading to improved oral health and overall well-being.

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Common Dental Issues in Children

Several dental issues can benefit from early orthodontic intervention. Here are some common problems orthodontists address:

  1. Malocclusions: Malocclusions refer to misalignments of the teeth and jaws, including overcrowding, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Early intervention can guide proper alignment and prevent these conditions from worsening as the child grows.
  2. Thumb-sucking and Pacifier Habits: Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use can affect the alignment of teeth and cause jaw development problems. Early orthodontic treatment can help break these habits and minimize their impact on dental health.
  3. Early Tooth Loss: Premature loss of primary (baby) teeth due to accidents, decay, or other factors can affect the spacing and alignment of permanent teeth. Orthodontic intervention can help manage the space and ensure proper eruption of permanent teeth.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Intervention

  1. Enhanced Dental Development: Early intervention allows orthodontists to guide the growth of teeth and jaws, ensuring proper alignment and occlusion. This can reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later in life.
  2. Improved Oral Health: Correcting dental irregularities early on can facilitate better oral hygiene practices, as properly aligned teeth are easier to clean. This can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
  3. Boosted Self-Confidence: Addressing dental problems in childhood can prevent potential self-esteem issues that may arise from visible irregularities. A healthy and attractive smile can improve a child’s self-confidence and overall well-being.
  4. Avoidance of Complex Treatments: Early intervention can help avoid or minimize the need for more invasive and complex orthodontic procedures, such as tooth extractions or jaw surgery, in the future.
  5. Timely Detection of Underlying Issues: Early orthodontic assessment provides an opportunity to identify any underlying skeletal or developmental issues that may require additional attention. Detecting such problems early can lead to timely referrals to other specialists if necessary.

Common Early Orthodontic Treatments

  1. Space Maintainers: These devices are used to hold space for permanent teeth when a primary tooth is lost prematurely. Space maintainers prevent adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space and ensure proper alignment of permanent teeth.
  2. Expanders: Orthodontic expanders are used to widen the upper jaw, creating additional space for crowded teeth. They help correct crossbites, improve breathing, and enhance overall facial symmetry.
  3. Aligners/Braces: Children may sometimes require Aligners/braces at an early age to address specific orthodontic issues. Early Aligners/braces treatment can correct crowded teeth, close gaps, and fix bite problems.
  4. Functional Appliances: These removable or fixed appliances are used to correct jaw discrepancies and improve jaw growth. They are particularly effective in addressing underbites and overbites.
  5. Orthodontic Headgear: Headgear is a device that uses external force to modify jaw growth and tooth alignment. It is primarily used to correct severe overbites and underbites.

At Teeth Care Centre, we have the best orthodontist in Ahmedabad who follows the protocol of correct diagnosis at the correct age so that proper treatment is available. The dentist uses all the highest-quality materials in its brands to render high-end quality treatment.

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SINUS LIFT

When it comes to dental implant procedures, ensuring a solid foundation is essential for long-term success. In cases where the upper jaw lacks adequate bone height, a sinus lift procedure comes into role. This procedure allows for the placement of dental implants by augmenting the bone and creating a stable environment.

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Understanding Sinus Lift:

A sinus lift, also known as a sinus augmentation or sinus elevation, is a dental procedure designed to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw, specifically the posterior maxilla (back part of the upper jaw). The term “sinus lift” refers to the process of lifting the sinus membrane to create space for the bone graft.

Purpose of Sinus Lift:

The primary objective of a sinus lift is to enhance bone density and volume in the upper jaw, primarily in the area of the premolars and molars. This procedure becomes necessary when there is insufficient bone height due to factors like:

  1. Natural bone resorption: Over time, the bone in the upper jaw may deteriorate or shrink, especially if teeth have been missing for an extended period.
  2. Tooth loss: The loss of back teeth can lead to bone loss in the posterior maxilla, making dental implant placement challenging.
  3. Sinus expansion: The size and position of the sinus may enlarge over time, encroaching on the available bone.

By performing a sinus lift, dental professionals can create an adequate foundation for the placement of dental implants, ensuring long-term stability and success.

Sinus augmentation can be achieved by two procedures –direct and indirect. However, the gain in bone height is greater when achieved through direct procedure compared to indirect.

Procedure:

Here’s a general overview of the sinus lift procedure:

  1. Evaluation: Before the sinus lift, your dentist or oral surgeon will conduct a thorough examination, which may include X-rays or 3D imaging, to assess the condition of your sinuses and jawbone.
  2. Anesthesia: The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, ensuring your comfort.
  3. Incision: A small incision is made in the gum tissue near the area where the implant will be placed.
  4. Lifting the Sinus Membrane: The dentist or oral surgeon carefully lifts the sinus membrane, creating a small space between the membrane and the jawbone.
  5. Graft Placement: The space created is filled with bone graft material, which can be synthetic, from another part of your body, or from a donor source. This graft material serves as a scaffold, stimulating the growth of new bone.
  6. Closing the Incision: The incision is sutured, and the healing process begins.

Benefits of Sinus Lift:

  1. Dental Implant Placement: By increasing the amount of bone in the upper jaw, a sinus lift enables the successful placement of dental implants, providing a stable foundation for artificial teeth.
  2. Restored Oral Function: Dental implants supported by a sinus lift offer improved chewing ability, speech, and overall oral function.
  3. Aesthetics and Confidence: Sinus lifts allow for the replacement of missing teeth with natural-looking implants, enhancing your smile and boosting self-confidence.
  4. Preservation of Facial Structure: The procedure helps prevent the loss of bone volume in the upper jaw, which can occur after tooth loss.

The entire procedure is delicate and needs to be performed with utmost care and precision, in order to avoid any mishaps. Teeth Care Centre® has a team of highly qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and implantologist who are experienced and have performed many sinus lift surgeries in the past. Our cutting-edge technology, latest instruments, and highly researched and renowned brand of bone graft material ensure that the entire surgery is completed safely and seamlessly.

We also provide the facility of conscious sedation for patients facing anxiety and apprehension related to dental surgeries. Conscious sedation relieves treatment-related stress and anxiety and makes the entire dental treatment smooth and pleasant.