Sunday, August 31, 2008

dental jobs

Dental Jobs for Dental People

Currently Serving California and New York

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Dental Jobs, both Temporary and Permanent, jobs for Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, and Dental Front Office Professionals. Search jobs by day or date.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Quetions about halitosis(Bad oral breath

How would you like to get a great case of bad breath halitosis, quickly and easily? Chances are you would not want that, but sometimes it is easier for us to learn how to avoid certain things by learning how to get certain things. For many people, once they learn how something works, it is far easier to prevent the occurrence in the future. The same principle applies for the causes of bad breath.
In the majority of cases, bad breath halitosis is caused by:
Sugar
Alcohol
Protein
The General Picture:
Whenever we put food or drink or even fresh breath products, such as mints into our mouths, we set off a chain reaction of digestion and excretion with the microbes that live in our mouths. These bacteria must feed in order to stay alive, and there are certain substances that they enjoy feeding on more so than others. Sugar, alcohol, and protein are three of the more enjoyable items for them. Once these microorganisms have digested the substances, they produce waste products, usually in the form of sulfur compounds, that cause the halitosis bad breath problem that we find so annoying and, often, offensive.
As with the organisms that cause bad breath, we, too, must eat and drink in order to live. That being the case, it is not a realistic option to say that we will simply avoid sugar, alcohol, and protein, which would deny the microbes their nutrition and thereby prevent bad breath.
Equally unrealistic as a cure for bad breath is the use of over-the-counter fresh breath products. The reason for this is simple. Most of these products contain sugar, which is one of the substances that we are trying to deny to the bacteria.
The Answer:
What we need for treating bad breath is an all-natural product that does not contain sugar, alcohol, or protein substances.By using the essential oils of peppermint, spearmint and almond you can reduce the levels and the effects of halitosis on your breath. Studies that have been conducted around the world have shown that these three oils, when they are formulated just right, inhibit the odor-producing effects of the bacteria that live within our mouths. This reduces bacterial halitosis. As a treatment for halitosis bad breath, these natural essential oils are a good choice.

Monday, March 3, 2008

what is TMJ

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a small joint located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. It permits the lower jaw (mandible) to move and function.
TMJ disorders are not uncommon and have a variety of symptoms. Patients may complain of earaches, headaches and limited ability to open their mouth. They may also complain of clicking or grating sounds in the joint and feel pain when opening and closing their mouth. What must be determined, of course, is the cause.
Causes Determining the cause of a TMJ problem is important, because it is the cause that guides the treatment.
Arthritis is one cause of TMJ symptoms. It can result from an injury or from grinding the teeth at night. Another common cause involves displacement or dislocation of the disk that is located between the jawbone and the socket. A displaced disk may produce clicking or popping sounds, limit jaw movement and cause pain when opening and closing the mouth.
The disk can also develop a hole or perforation, which can produce a grating sound with joint movement. There are also conditions such as trauma or rheumatoid arthritis that can cause the parts of the TMJ to fuse, preventing jaw movement altogether.
Anatomy of the TMJ
The TMJ is a hinge and gliding joint and is the most constantly used joint in the body. The round upper end of the lower jaw, or the movable portion of the joint, is called the condyle; the socket is called the articular fossa. Between the condyle and the fossa is a disk made of cartilage that acts as a cushion to absorb stress and allows the condyle to move easily when the mouth opens and closes.
The Joint, the Muscles or Both are the Problem
Stress may trigger pain in the jaw muscles that is very similar to that caused by TMJ problems. Affected patients frequently clench or grind their teeth at night causing painful spasms in the muscles and difficulty in moving the jaw. Patients may also experience a combination of muscle and joint problems. That is why diagnosing TMJ disorders can be complex and may require different diagnostic procedures.
Function of the TMJ
Temporomandibular joint — Normal closed position. Jawbone is separated from skull by a soft disk that acts as a cushion when you chew, speak or swallow.
Temporomandibular joint — Noraml open position. Disk stays in place when jaw is in use.
Temporomandibular joint — Abnormal. Disk is pulled forward when jaw is in use, causing the bone structures to grind together.
The Role of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
When symptoms of TMJ trouble appear, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon should be consulted. A specialist in the areas of the mouth, teeth and jaws, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is in a good position to correctly diagnose the problem.
Special imaging studies of the joints may be ordered and appropriate referral to other dental or medical specialists or a physical therapist may be made.
Range of Possible Treatment
TMJ treatment may range from conservative dental and medical care to complex surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include short-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and muscle relaxation, bite plate or splint therapy, and even stress management counseling.
Generally, if non-surgical treatment is unsuccessful or if there is clear joint damage, surgery may be indicated. Surgery can involve either arthroscopy (the method identical to the orthopaedic procedures used to inspect and treat larger joints such as the knee) or repair of damaged tissue by a direct surgical approach.
Once TMJ disorders are correctly diagnosed, appropriate treatment can be provided.
Treatment Options for TMJ Disorders
Bite splints or guards are commonly used to treat TMJ disorders.
Some of the TMJ surgical options your OMS may consider include (a) Arthrocentesis — flushing fluid from the joint and gently stretching it. (b) Arthroscopy — using a miniature telescoping instrument to diagnose and repair the joint. (c) Arthrotomy — open joint surgery for more complex cases.
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS:
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a graduate of an accredited dental school who has completed an additional four or more years of training in an accredited, hospital-based oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are an important link in the referral network for primary care providers. Through appropriate referrals, patients can be provided with expedient and cost-effective health care for conditions relating to the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), the professional organization representing more than 7,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States, supports its members' ability to practice their specialty through education, research and advocacy. AAOMS members comply with rigorous continuing education requirements and submit to periodic office examinations, ensuring the public that all office procedures and personnel meet stringent national standards.

TMJ DISORDERS

Definition The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your lower jaw to your skull. There are two matching joints -- one on each side of your head, located just in front of your ears. The abbreviation "TMJ" literally refers to the joint but is often used to refer to any disorders or symptoms of this region. Such problems include popping sounds in the jaw, inability to fully open the mouth, jaw pain, headaches, earaches, toothaches, and various other types of facial pain.
Causes
Many TMJ-related symptoms are caused by the effects of physical and emotional stress on the structures around the joint. These structures include the muscles of the jaw, face, and neck; the teeth; the cartilage disk at the joint; and nearby ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves.
For example, daily stress can lead you to clench and grind your teeth, both during the day and at night while you sleep. Clenching means you tightly clamp your top and bottom teeth together, especially the back teeth. The stressful force of clenching causes pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around your jaw.
Many people who clench also grind their teeth. Grinding is when you slide your teeth over each other, generally in a sideways, back-and-forth movement. This action may wear down your teeth and be noisy enough at night to bother sleeping partners.
Poor posture can also be an important factor. For example, holding the head forward while looking at a computer all day strains the muscles of the face and neck.
Other factors that might aggravate TMJ symptoms are inability to relax, poor diet, and lack of sleep.
All of these stresses can result in "trigger points" -- contracted muscles and pinched nerves in your jaw, head, and neck. Trigger points can refer pain to other areas, causing a headache, earache, or toothache.
Other possible causes of TMJ-related symptoms include arthritis, fractures, dislocations, and structural problems present since birth.
Symptoms
Headache
Earache (the joint is located right in front of the ears and can easily be interpreted as ear pain; in addition, pain may be referred to the ear from nearby muscles)
Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
Dull, aching facial pain
Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
Clicking sound while chewing or opening the mouth
Grating sensation while chewing
Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
Exams and Tests TMJ pain and symptoms may require evaluation by more than one medical specialty, such as your primary care provider, a dentist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, depending on your symptoms. Some dentists specialize in TMJ diagnosis and treatment.
A thorough examination may involve:
Feeling the joint and connecting muscles for tenderness
Watching, feeling, and listening to the jaw open and shut
Sliding the teeth from side to side
Pressing around the head for areas that are sensitive or painful
X-rays which may show abnormalities, but can be difficult to read
An MRI of the jaw area may occasionally be performed
A dental examination may show mis-alignment of the bite (crossbite, malocclusion)
In some cases, the results of the physical examination may appear normal.
Treatment
Simple, gentle therapies are usually recommended first. If those don't work, mouth guards and more aggressive treatments may be considered. Surgery is generally considered a last resort. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take at home long before that point.
Try massaging the various muscles that may be involved. Probe all of the muscles of the face, shoulders, and back of the neck. (Avoid the area around the throat.) Press on the muscles to identify extremely painful points. Massage the painful spot with hard, slow, short strokes. Do this several times a day until the muscle is no longer painful when pressed.
To massage the masseter muscles on each side of your jaw, place your thumb inside your mouth and squeeze the thick muscle in your cheek (toward the back of your mouth) with your fingers. To get at the harder-to-reach jaw muscles inside your mouth, use your index finger to probe for tender areas behind the teeth, and use the finger to massage these spots.
Here are some other steps to consider:
Maintain good posture while working at a computer, watching TV, and reading. Take frequent breaks to relieve stressed muscles.
Make a habit of relaxing your facial and jaw muscles throughout the day.
Avoid eating hard foods, like nuts, candies, and steak.
Drink plenty of water every day and get plenty of sleep.
Learn relaxation techniques to reduce overall stress and muscle tension in your back, neck, and body.
Other home-care therapies are useful for some people, such as moist heat or cold packs on the face, vitamin supplements, or biofeedback. Exercising several times each week may help you relax, strengthen your body, increase flexibility, and increase your pain threshold.
Read as much as you can, as opinion varies widely on the management of TMJ disorders. Get several clinical perspectives. The good news is that most people eventually find something that helps.
MOUTH GUARDS
Mouth guards, also called splints or appliances, have been used since the 1930's to treat teeth grinding, clenching, and TMJ disorders. Many people have found them to be useful, but the benefits vary widely. The guard may lose its effectiveness over time, or when you stop wearing it. Other people may feel worse pain when they wear one.
There are different types of splints. Some fit over the top of the teeth, some on the bottom. They may be designed to keep your jaw in a more relaxed position, inhibit clenching, or provide some other function. If one type doesn't work, another may.
For example, a new type of splint is called the NTI-tss. It fits over just a couple of top, front teeth. The idea is to keep all of your back teeth completely separated, under the theory that most clenching is done by these back teeth. With the NTI splint, the only contact is between the tiny splint and one bottom front tooth.
MORE AGGRESSIVE TREATMENT
Be cautious about any non-reversible treatment method that permanently alters your bite. However, if a mouth guard doesn't work, your dentist may recommend orthodontics to help re-align your teeth.
Reconstructive surgery of the jaw is rarely required. In fact, studies have shown that the results are often worse than before surgery.
Muscle relaxant medications may help. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) help reduce inflammation in the jaw stemming from arthritis or other causes of inflammation.
Support Groups
For additional information, two excellent books are Taking Control of TMJ by Robert Uppgaard and The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most cases can be successfully treated, although initially it may be difficult to diagnose the problem and find an effective solution. Some cases of pain go away on their own without treatment. TMJ-related pain tends to be cyclical and may return again in the future. If the cause is nighttime clenching, treatment can be particularly tricky because it is a sleeping behavior that is hard to control.
Mouth splints are a common treatment approach for teeth grinding. While some splints may silence the grinding by providing a flat, even surface, their effectiveness at reducing pain or stopping clenching is more controversial. Splints may be effective in the short-term but could become less effective over time. Splints can also cause changes in your bite.
Possible Complications
Chronic headaches
Chronic facial pain
When to Contact a Medical Professional
See your health care provider immediately if you are having trouble eating or opening your mouth. Keep in mind that a wide variety of possible conditions can cause TMJ symptoms, from arthritis to whiplash injuries. Experts who are specially trained in facial pain can help diagnose and treat TMJ.
TMJ problems do not fall clearly into one medical discipline. There are a wide variety of treatment approaches. If you are interested in a massage-based approach, look for a massage or physical therapist trained in trigger point therapy, neuromuscular therapy (NMT), clinical massage, or pain relief, particularly as it applies to TMJ pain.
Dentists who specialize in evaluating and treating TMJ disorders will typically perform x-ray exams and may use a kinesiograph or EMG (electromyography). They may give the patient a mouth guard. Surgery is now considered a last resort by most TMJ experts.
Prevention Many of the home-care steps to treat TMJ problems can prevent such problems in the first place:
Maintain good posture, especially if you work all day at a computer. Pause frequently to change position, rest your hands and arms, and relieve stressed muscles.
Learn relaxation techniques to reduce overall stress and muscle tension.
Avoid eating hard foods and chewing gum.
Drink plenty of water every day and get plenty of sleep.
Use safety measures to reduce the risk of fractures and dislocations.
Refrences American Dental Association. TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular disorders). Available at: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tmd_tmj.asp.
Lobbezoo F. Topical review: new insights into the pathology and diagnosis of disorders of the temporomandibular joint. J Orofac Pain. 2004; 18(3): 181-191.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

endodontics

Endodontics, from the Greek endo (inside) and odons (tooth), is a specialist sub-field of dentistry that deals with the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. The pulp (containing nerves, arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissue and fibrous tissue) can become diseased or injured, and is often unable to repair itself; if it dies, endodontic treatment is required.

Endodontists are dentists who have specialized in this field; qualification as an endodontist typically requires an additional 2-3 years of training following dental school. Many endodontic residents do original research and earn a Master's degree as well as a speciality certificate. They specialize and limit their practice to root canal therapy and root canal surgery, and use their special training and experience in treating difficult cases, such as teeth with narrow or blocked canals, or unusual anatomy. Endodontists may use advanced technology, such as operating microscopes, ultrasonics and digital imaging, to perform these special services, and often have great experience in successfully treating patients who present in pain. Patients requiring root canal therapy are either referred by their general dentists to the endodontist or are self referred; the most common procedure done in endodontics is root-canal therapy.

Other procedures practiced in endodontics include incision for drainage, internal tooth bleaching to fix teeth that have blackened because of infiltration of decayed soft tissue into the dentin in the teeth - most often seen in incisors that have been injured through a sudden impact, and periradicular surgery (apicoectomy); the more radical treatments generally are needed in cases of abscesses, root fractures, and problematic tooth anatomy, but may be indicated in treating teeth that have persistent root end pathosis following root canal treatment.

External links

ORAL AND MAXILOFACIAL SURGERY

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is a recognized international surgical specialty.[1]

Regulations

In the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is one of the 9 specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, however some training programs lead to the trainee obtaining qualifications in both Medicine and Dentistry.

In the United Kingdom, Oral Surgery is a specialty recognized and regulated by the General Dental Council as a Dental specialty while Oral&Maxillofacial Surgery ("Maxfacs") is a specialty recognized and regulated by the General Medical Council as a Medical specialty requiring both Medical and Dental degrees and culminating in the qualification FRCS(OMFS).

In the European Union, The Directive 2001/19/EC also distinguishes Oral Surgery from Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which requires both Dental and Medical qualifications.

In other parts of the world Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as a speciality exists but under different forms as the work is sometimes performed by a single or dual qualified specialist depending on each country's regulations and training opportunities available.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a regional specialist surgeon treating the anatomical area of the mouth, jaws, face, skull, as well as associated structures.

Oral & maxillofacial surgeons are usually initially qualified in dentistry and have undergone further surgical training. Some OMS residencies integrate a medical education as well & an appropriate degree medicine (MBBS or MD or equivalent) is earned, although in the United States there is legally no difference in what a dual degree OMFS can do compared to someone who earned a four year certificate. Oral & maxillofacial surgery is universally recognized as a one of the nine specialties of dentistry. However also in the UK and many other countries OMFS is a medical specialty as well culminating in the FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons). Regardless, all oral & maxillofacial surgeons must obtain a degree in dentistry (BDS, BDent, DDS, or DMD or equivalent) before being allowed to begin residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

They also may choose to undergo further training in a 1 or 2 year fellowship to expand the scope of practice to areas such as:

Head and neck cancer - microvascular reconstruction
Cosmetic facial surgery
Craniofacial surgery/Pediatric Maxillofacial surgery
Cranio-maxillofacial trauma

The popularity of oral and maxillofacial surgery as a career for persons whose first degree was medicine, not dentistry, seems to be increasing. Integrated programs are becoming more available to medical graduates allowing them to complete the dental degree requirement in about 3 years in order for them to advance to subsequently complete Oral and Maxillofacial surgical training.[2]and[3].

Surgical procedures

Treatments may be performed on the mouth, jaws, neck, face, skull, and include:

Dentoalveolar surgery (surgery to remove impacted teeth, difficult tooth extractions, extractions on medically compromised patients, bone grafting or preprosthetic surgery to provide better anatomy for the placement of dentures or other dental prostheses)
Diagnosis and treatment of benign pathology of the region (cysts, tumors etc.)
Diagnosis and treatment (ablative and reconstructive surgery) of malignant pathology of the region (oral & head and neck cancer)
Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous malignancy (skin cancer)
Diagnosis and treatment of congenital craniofacial malformations such as cleft lip and palate and cranial vault malformations such as craniosynostosis, (craniofacial surgery)
Diagnosis and treatment of chronic facial pain disorders
Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
Diagnosis and treatment of dysgnathia (incorrect bite), and orthognathic (literally "straight bite") reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery, Maxillomandibular advancement
Diagnosis and treatment of soft and hard tissue trauma of the oral and maxillofacial region (jaw fractures, cheek bone fractures, nasal fractures, skull fractures and eye socket fractures.
Splint and surgical treatment of sleep apnea, Maxillomandibular advancement (in conjunction with sleep labs or physicians)
Surgery to insert osseointegrated (bone fused) dental implants or Maxillofacial implants for attaching Craniofacial prosthesis.
Cosmetic surgery limited to the head and neck (Rhytidectomy/facelift, Blepharoplasty, Otoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Genioplasty, etc.)

A well known example of a facial trauma case was the reconstruction of Trevor Rees-Jones's face, which was literally flattened by the impact of the car crash that killed Diana, Princess of Wales. Dr Luc Chikhani rebuilt the shattered facial bones, working from photographs, and implanting hundreds of titanium screws and brackets.

In November 2005 Isabelle Dinoire became the first person in the world to receive a face transplant.[4] The procedure was completed by Dr Bernard Devauchelle a French oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Amiens University Hospital.

United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is one of the 9 dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery requires 4-6 years of further formal University training after dental school (DDS,BDent,DMD, or BDS). Four-year residency programs grant a certificate of specialty training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Six-year residency programs grant the specialty certificate in addition to a medical degree (MD,MBBS,MBChB, etc). Specialists in this field are designated registrable U.S. “Board Eligible” and warrant exclusive titles. Approximately 50% of the training programs in the U.S., 100% of the programs in Australia and New Zealand, and 1/5 of Canadian training programs, are dual-degree leading to dual certification in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and medicine (MD,MBBS,MBChB, etc).

The typical training program for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is:

4 Years Undergraduate Study (BA, BSc, or equivalent)
4 Years Dental Study (DMD,BDent,DDS, or BDS)
4 - 6 Years Residency Training (additional time for acquiring medical degree)
After completion of surgical training most undertake final specialty examinations: (U.S. "Board Certified (ABOMS)"), (Australia/NZ: "FRACDS(OMS)"), or (Canada: "FRCD(C)(OMS)").
Many dually qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeons are now also obtaining Fellowships with the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
Average total length after Secondary School: 12 - 14 Years

In addition, graduates of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training programs can pursue advanced fellowships, typically 1 - 2 years in length, in the following areas:

Head and neck cancer - microvascular reconstruction
Cosmetic facial surgery (facelift, rhinoplasty, etc.)
Craniofacial surgery/Pediatric Maxillofacial surgery (cleft lip and palate repair, surgery for craniosynostoses, etc.)
Cranio-maxillofacial trauma (soft tissue and skeletal injuries to the face, head and neck)

Organizations

Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India [5]
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons [6]
American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery [7]
American College of Surgeons [8]
Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons [9]
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons [10]
Faculty of Dental Surgery of The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Directive 2001/19/EC (Official Journal of the European Communities L 206, 31.07.2001) [11]
European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery [12]
Internacional Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons [13]
British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons [14]
Clinica de Cirujia Maxilofacial - Clinimax [15]
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie [16]
Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften [17]
Oesterreichische Gesellschaft fuer Mund-, Kiefer- and Gesichtchirurgie [18]
Sociedad Española de Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial [19]
Société Française de Stomatologie et Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale [20]
Société Royale Belge de Stomatologie et de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale [21]
Société Souisse de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale [22]
Società Italiana di Chirurgia Maxillo-Facciale [23]
OMS Foundation [24]

References

European Cranio-maxillofacial Sugery [25]
Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery [26]
International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons [27]
British Association of Maxillofacial Surgeons [28]

External links

v • d • e Dentistry

Recognized Specialties	Endodontics - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics - Pediatric Dentistry - Periodontics - Prosthodontics - Dental public health - Restorative Dentistry
Unrecognized Specialties	Cosmetic Dentistry - Dental Implantology - Temporomandibular Joint Disorder - Geriatric dentistry
Other	Forensic Odontology
Lists	List of oral health and dental topics - List of basic dentistry topics

LIST OF ORAL TOPICS

List of oral and dental topics

Good oral health is the absence of disease, disorder, and injury from the mouth, especially from the teeth and gums. Dental pertains to the teeth, including dentistry. Topics related to the human mouth or teeth include: