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Getting 3D Images in the Dentist Chair | Ottawa Dentist

When it’s time to visit the dentist for a checkup, the chances are pretty great that you will be getting some x-rays taken. Not only do they help your dentist find any issues that may be happening but can help to foresee any issues that may arise in the future. Unfortunately, traditional x-rays were very uncomfortable to get. There were stiff pieces placed inside your mouth while an assistant snaps your smile’s photo. They were very basic images, but they helped our dental professionals show us what’s going on inside our mouths.

3D ConeBeam Imaging is considered as such a technology that can help dentists do a lot more than ever before. The technology is fast, simple and completely non-invasive. All the patient has to do is sit in the dental chair. The dentist has a computer-generated view of the patient’s face, teeth and other important details from various perspectives. For dental practitioners, access to accurate and complete information is important in planning treatment, making it beneficial for both dental practitioners and patients alike.

With the 3D ConeBeam Imaging system, dentists have a more complete visual guide to study their patient’s case from just about any angle they can think of. Even better is that the scan data is easy to duplicate for storage purposes and to make it easier to send out to different specialists later on. Thanks to the more accurate, high-quality, detailed visual information produced by the imaging system, dentists have all the information they could possibly need to diagnose and plan out the proper course of action.

For more information about 3D ConeBeam imaging, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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What You Need to Know About Dental Sedation | Ottawa Dentist

When a patient is nervous about a dental procedure to the point that it becomes impossible to proceed, there are steps that can be taken to not only relax the patient, but to make it as painless as possible. Not only do many dental offices provide a more relaxing environment for the patient, including spa-like amenities like weighted blankets and lavender facemasks. Sedation dentistry is also an innovative field of dentistry that is extremely useful for those who fear the dentist, hate needles, have sensitive teeth, or are immune to the numbing effects of anesthesia. Although sedation dentistry may not be right for everyone, Dr. Konstantin Pliev encourages patients who are undergoing periodontal treatment to consider sedation dentistry to ease discomfort and paranoia. Sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry“, although that’s not entirely accurate. Patients are usually awake with the exception of those who are under general anesthesia.

The levels of sedation used include:

  • Minimal. Awake but relaxed.
  • Moderate (formerly called “conscious sedation”). The patient may slur your words when speaking and not remember much of the procedure.
  • Deep. Patient is on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.
  • General anesthesia. The patient is completely unconscious.

And if you are worried about sedation dentistry being safe, rest assured that integrating sedation dentistry into your procedure is absolutely comfortable and safe. Patients agree that sedation dentistry was the best option for their procedure because it allows your dental professionals to work thoroughly for maximum results. If you are interested in a way to make your dental experience as pain-free as possible, talk to your dentist during your next dental checkup. They will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

For more information about sedation dentistry, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Help for Your Bruxism Is on Its Way | Ottawa Dentist

If you find yourself constantly waking up with a dull headache, tooth pain or a sore jaw, you may want to go to your dentist to see if you’re suffering from bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a dental condition that affects as many as 1 out of 10 adults. Common symptoms of bruxism include neck pain, jaw pain, headache, and tooth pain. Because it generally happens while we sleep, the most common means of alleviating the pain that comes with bruxism is by wearing a dental appliance known as a night guard. If you feel that the night guard isn’t making enough of a difference, there are other alternative treatment options that you can inquire to your dentist about, such as:

Teeth straightening. Maloclussions, or teeth that are out of alignment causing an overbite or underbite has been known to contribute to bruxism. Wearing braces can help in such cases.

Proper stress management. Bruxism is also likely to be caused by anxiety, so you may want to try out certain methods of relaxation such as meditation. Professional counselling, in severe cases, may also be necessary and useful.

Dietary changes. Stimulants, such as caffeine, have been known to cause teeth grinding, so your dentist might recommend avoiding such beverages. You may also be asked to stay off antidepressants, as they may make bruxism symptoms worse.

While wearing night guards have been proven to help with bruxism, it’s wise to ask for help from a licensed dental professional.

For more information about bruxism, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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How Did I Develop TMJ Disorder? | Ottawa Dentist

Have you noticed that you’ve had a lot of jaw pain lately but can’t figure out why? Nothing has happened physically, but you can’t shake this dull headache, and life hasn’t changed enough for there to be a cause for this pain. Unfortunately, it may be time for a trip to the dentist because you may have TMJ disorder.

TMJ disorders are problems with the jaw joint. A problem with the muscles or joints in your jaw can lead to headaches, dizziness, ear pain, bite problems, jaw pain and much more. There are several conditions that can end up causing TMJ:

Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching. Sufferers of bruxism often wake up with jaw or ear pain. This is due to wear on the cartilage lining of the temporomandibular joint.

Gum chewing or nail biting. Using your teeth as tools is going to eventually damage your teeth, but when it begins to affect your TMJ, it may be time to break this terrible habit.

Malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Some people find it hard to chew on a certain side of their teeth due to misalignment, so they habitually chew on the other side causing excess stress on that side of the jaw.

Previous jaw fractures or injury. There are times that pain take longer to present themselves, especially when the injury happens from an accident and we are left in shock. Take the time to make mental notes of changes after a trauma.

If you feel like you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and think you may have a TMJ disorder, contact your dental professional so they may evaluate your symptoms and help alleviate your pain.

For more information about TMJ disorder, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Pediatric Dental Care for New Parents | Ottawa Dentist

Many parents believe that the best time to establish good dental hygiene habits is right when their child’s first tooth appears. In actuality, the best time to start taking care of your child’s teeth is the moment that your child is born. Because even without teeth, bacteria can and will build up. To prevent this from happening, the routine is simple – wipe your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after every feeding. Once your child’s teeth develop and break through the gums, it’s time to start brushing. Do it twice a day. Use a soft children’s toothbrush and minimal to non-fluoride toothpaste. As they reach preschool-age, feel free to start using fluoride toothpaste. But remember – too much fluoride toothpaste can leave permanent stains on the teeth.

We all know kids love sugar – try to keep their favorites as something special, not something expected. But that’s not all; there are other circumstances, like being born with low birth weight or premature, ongoing treatment for any special health care needs, brown areas and white spots on the teeth and infrequent trips to the dentist can all lead to the development of cavities.

To stop this from happening, start teaching your family good dental hygiene habits. Everyone needs to be involved in order to get the habit to stick. Other family members can pass on cavity-causing bacteria to both children and babies, so every family member has to make an effort to take care of their teeth properly.

When it comes to baby’s first dental visit, most dental practitioners agree that parents should take their children in for an appointment as soon as their first tooth pops out, but no longer than the child’s first birthday.

For more information about pediatric dental care, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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The ABCs of Dental Emergencies | Ottawa Dentist

We all need to visit the dentist twice a year, but oftentimes your teeth don’t want to wait that long. These are what we call dental emergencies. Some require immediate treatment – others can wait for a scheduled appointment. Here’s some guidelines to help you know the difference:

If a tooth is knocked out completely, immediate care is required to save it. It’s possible that the tooth can be re-implanted if you get to the dentist within an hour or so. Rinse the tooth with water, and don’t touch the root. 

If you chip or break a tooth, call your dentist – they’ll likely ask you to visit the office in the coming days for inspection. It’s difficult to know the extent of the damage without x-rays and proper checkup, so even if you feel it’s minor, be sure to call your dentist for advice.

If the tooth is pushed inward or outward, GENTLY try to straighten it but do not try to force it into its socket, and call your dentist. If possible, stabilize the tooth with gauze or tissue on your way to the dentist.

If you’re experiencing a severe toothache, brush your teeth, and then rinse with warm salt water. If you’re experiencing swelling, you may have relief with a cold compress, and a pain reliever. It’s likely not an emergency, but you should have the tooth checked as soon as possible.

We can’t always avoid physical injury, but your dentist can help treat injuries as they happen. Try to stay calm, then call the dentist – they’ll provide the best possible care.

For more information about dental emergencies, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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DIY Health Tips Using Essential Oils | Ottawa Dentist

While we are still struggling through this pandemic, it is important to have a good night’s sleep. It’s also nice to have a few natural remedies for ailments on hand while waiting for doctor appointments. One of the latest trends is essential oils. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is important that you seek medical advice, but here are the various ways you can use essential oils to relieve your sleep apnea symptoms:

  • Rubbing the oil into the heels of the feet
  • Rubbing the oil into your chest, neck or under your nostrils
  • Diluting the oil in a glass of water as a gargle mixture
  • Diluting the oil in a spray mixture
  • Using a diffuser near your bed—if you own a diffuser this a great solution as you can inhale the oil over longer periods.

There are a multitude of natural remedies that individuals who suffer from snoring or sleep apnea can use. In most mild cases, these following techniques can help or relieve this sleep disorder:

Valerian root. An herb used for calming and sedating properties, valerian is shown to be useful for insomnia and chronic sleep disorders.

Melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted from the brain’s pineal gland. The gland regulates a person’s biological clock, particularly day and night cycles.

Kampo extract. Kampo is a concoction consisting of five medicinal herbs: Pinella, Hoelen, Magnolia bark, Perilla, and Ginger.

Vervain. Vervain is oftentimes used to relieve anxiety and depression. It has been shown to improve mild sleep apnea symptoms.

If you’re snoring or your sleep apnea gets worse and starts effecting your daily life, it’s time to make a dental appointment to evaluate your case.

For more information about essential oils, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Dental Emergency 101: Chipped Tooth Edition | Ottawa Dentist

We all know that accidents can’t be prevented. They spring up out of nowhere and all we have is to pivot in order to avoid any undue pain. But when it comes to our teeth, there is little more frustrating than chipping a tooth. It is just one of those accidents that happen and until it’s fixed, totally bums you out. Perhaps you it was an injury or maybe bit into that hard candy at a weird angle. Regardless of the reason, it’s time to visit the dentist.

When you chip a tooth, it is important to see your dentist right away because you could risk more damage to the tooth or even lose it entirely. A broken tooth will also be exposed to things that can cause more issues, like bacteria.

Luckily, your dentist will generally repair minor chips with a dental bonding. For larger chips, could lead to structure loss in the tooth and a more complicated remedy may be required, such as a root canal or crown.

When a cracked tooth goes unchecked, you’re opening your mouth up to the risk of developing an abscess. What is an abscess? Well, when a break (or cavity) in a tooth exposes a nerve, the nerve then eventually dies and causes the cells inside of the tissue to die and release their contents. This creates a backup of gases and purulent exudate, something you may also know as pus. Left untreated this could lead to the loss of the tooth in its entirety, not to mention severe pain, cost and time off from work.

A chipped or broken tooth may not hurt but it can potentially be a big problem. Always have your dentist inspect a fractured tooth.

For more information about dental emergencies, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Can Halloween Be Good for Your Dental Health? | Ottawa Dentist

We all know that Halloween is a tough one on the teeth when it comes to all of the candy consumption. But did you know Halloween can actually have some health benefits? You may carve your pumpkin with a crooked grin, but it can work wonders on your own.

One cup of cooked pumpkin has 1.8g of protein, barely any (0.2g) of fat, and 12 g of carbohydrate. You will also get huge chunks of Vitamins A and C, and also Vitamin E, riboflavin, potassium, copper, manganese, thiamin, B6, folate and niacin, along with iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.

But that’s not all – not only is eating pumpkin great for you but snacking on the seeds themselves are is fantastic too! These tasty seeds not only give your system lots of fiber (there’s more than 5g in 1oz of pumpkin seeds), but you also get protein and calcium. So, how does it benefit your smile? Here are just a few:

Zinc. A study that tracked toothpaste usage with 0.5% zinc citrate found participants suffered from less bleeding gums.

Iron. Iron, which is found in pumpkin seeds, keeps your tongue healthy, so snacking will keep your mouth nice and healthy.

Magnesium. In order to take care of your tooth enamel, Magnesium works with calcium to create a hard enamel that resists tooth decay.

Vitamin A. Key to healing, Vitamin A is helpful for damaged gums, and a cup of pumpkin gives you all the Vitamin A you need in a day.

And while we all know this is pumpkin spice season, flavorings and spices don’t have the health benefits of actual pumpkin.

For more information about the benefits of Halloween, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Straightening Things Out Early | Ottawa Dentist

We all want what’s best for our children, especially when it comes to their health. And having a healthy mouth is how to prevent many health issues from arising, because our mouth is our first line of defense against many of our overall health issues. And as new parents, instilling a proper dental hygiene routine is paramount in order to get our children used to the process of keeping up proper dental hygiene throughout their lives. But what if you could also ensure that orthodontic work won’t be an issue as they loose baby teeth and permanent teeth grow in? Now you can – with the Myobrace® System.

There are four advantages to this pre-orthodontic treatment guaranteed to remedy major habits that children may develop as they grow and these habits can lead to various dental issues, including crooked teeth and jaw issues:

  • Breathe through the nose
  • Correct tongue resting position
  • Swallow correctly
  • Keep the lips together

With the Myobrace® System, you can curtail these bad habits by fixing the issue from the very beginning. We’re talking by the age of three. Yes, this treatment option consists of four intra-oral appliances that need to be worn an hour a day, and while sleeping. This series will benefit a different issue: habit correction, arch development, dental alignment and retention. These appliances will train your child’s mouth to correct poor habits that can not only lead to dental issues, but also sleep issues. And with a proper arch development, permanent teeth will have a clear access to come in straight and without issue.

Being a parent is hard work, why not get a head start on some things, like your child’s dental future?

For more information about the Myobrace® System, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.