Vertical Dimension Loss

As providers of dentures, vertical dimension loss is one of the most serious dental problems the doctors and Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring confront. Also known as bite collapse, vertical dimension loss refers to the shortening of a patient’s face when they are without teeth.

Even if a patient still has their front teeth, the loss of the back ones can result in vertical dimension loss. Without teeth for chewing, they may compensate with their incisors, causing them to be pushed outward under bite forces they are unable to sustain. When the bite is shortened, the lower half of the face looks disproportionately small and the skin between the mouth and the nose is wrinkled. People with collapsed bites also commonly suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, causing pain in their jaws and necks.

When constructing dentures, doctors are careful to ensure that the height of the new teeth will be aesthetically and functionally pleasing to the patient. Temporary dentures help to prepare the mouth for the height difference provided by full restorations. Other oral devices can also be used to restore vertical dimension when the natural teeth still have some crown material.

David Bishop, DDS and Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, DDS, operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8830 Cameron St, #504, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit Bishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Extractions

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will need a tooth extraction, and at Bishop & Bishop Dental, Dr. David Bishop can perform one to help you restore your oral health in Silver Spring, MD.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. If it is a simple extraction, the tooth will be loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Dr. Bishop may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone afterward, and once he is finished, he will suture the gums.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, the dentist can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice in by calling (301) 608-9270. For more information, visit www.bishopdental.com.