Search

The author discusses her experience of observing tuskless elephants in Gorongosa National Park located in Mozambique, Africa. Topics include the tendency for tuskless elephants to have tuskless kin as it is a genetic trait, the tendency for missing lateral incisors to be the second most common form of tooth agenesis, and the physiology and purpose of various tusks in nature.

The article offers information regarding the possible reasons of the grinding and clenching of teeth also known as bruxism.

The article offers information on the pros and cons of pacifier use by infants and gives tips to remember when using a pacifier.

The author discusses dental crowns including the function, size and shape of a tooth restored by a crown, a crown recommended for decayed or cracked tooth or as a final restoration for patient with a root canal treatment, and steps taken by a dentist in preparing the tooth for a crown.

The article discusses the meaning and symptoms of teeth grinding at night also known as bruxism.

The article discusses a desire among casting directors for New York City's fashion week for models with gaps in their teeth. Some say the quest for physical flaws such as imperfect teeth reflects a distrust among youth of idealized images of beauty. Chanel and Marc Jacobs are among designer brands that have featured gaptoothed models in their advertising.

The article examines the condition of sleep bruxism, the grinding and clenching of teeth while asleep. The condition affects between 8 and 10 percent of all adults. Bruxism interferes with normal sleep. The continuous pressure created on the teeth can damage them and their surrounding tissue, as well as creating headaches and jaw pain.

ONCE as closely associated with adolescence as algebra, orthodontists have in recent years treated growing numbers of adults. From 1994 to 2010, the number of Americans 18 and older getting braces or some other teeth-straightening treatment from an orthodontist has jumped 58 percent, to 1.1 million from 680,000 annually, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers a guide for parents to common appliances and treatments in orthodontics in line with the debate over early treatment of improper bites.

THE FACTS Sugar and cavities go hand in hand. But the total amount of sugar you eat has less impact on cavities than the pattern in which you consume it. Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria that line the teeth feed on simple sugars, creating acid that destroys enamel. When you eat something sweet, it takes the bacteria about 20 seconds to convert it to acid, which then lasts for about 30 minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers the author's insights on several methods for teeth realignment which include implants, crowns, and fillings.

OPTIONS for treating bruxism, or teeth grinding, range from mouth guards to Botox injections. Custom mouth guards or splints from a dental professional may require up to three visits for a mold, fitting and readjustments. These guards (usually $350 to $1,000) are custom fitted and can last many years. As well as preventing damage from teeth grinding, studies have shown that consistent use of a custom mouth guard over several months or more can ultimately break the grinding habit. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is a condition known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, which is not due to physical trauma but to poor occlusion of the teeth. The poor alignment of the teeth results from shifting of the back molars, usually occurring from the spaces left behind after an extraction. This syndrome is also caused just by poor development of the teeth alignment. When biting, a person with this syndrome can experience jaw pain and headaches that radiate from the temporal area of the skull to the neck and shoulders. Sometimes a person may even feel that their ears are clogged with water. The TMJ syndrome is caused by contraction and spasm of the muscles in that area leading to constriction of arteries that are carrying oxygenated blood to the muscle. Because of the resulting poor blood supply and venous drainage, toxic substances build up in the muscles, causing pain and headaches. If the diagnosis of TMJ is not considered, the patient may go for many months using painkillers and headache medications to no avail. After proper diagnostic X-rays are made, a fitted prosthesis can be prescribed which in many cases relieves the pain and headaches.