Orofacial Pain: Who Diagnoses The Problem

A licensed and qualified dentist must be able to show that they have years of great experience diagnosing and treating various orofacial pain issues. This is accomplished by completing an advanced orofacial pain program at a university where the course provides knowledge at a level beyond predoctoral education.

Orofacial professionals can accurately identify and manage basic, complex, and multivariate orofacial pain conditions because of their meticulous post-doctoral training. Without the information and comprehension gained via training, doctors in the medical and dentistry fields may incorrectly identify the issue, resulting in ineffective therapies. Sometimes ineffective treatment can result in the false assumption that the patient’s suffering is brought on by psychological issues.

The major obligation for coordinating care with a patient’s other healthcare providers falls on orofacial pain experts. Physical medicine, pharmacotherapeutic therapies, such as systemic, topical, and therapeutic injections, oral appliance therapy, non-surgical management of orofacial trauma, and behavioural therapies appropriate for treating patients with orofacial pain are all areas they must be knowledgeable about. Let’s move ahead and learn how a specialist can diagnose the problem and what it entails.

How Is Orofacial Pain Diagnosed?

It can be challenging to diagnose unusual facial pain. The signs are comparable to many other syndromes that cause such pain. Your medical professional will conduct a physical examination, go over your medical history, and assess your symptoms. To rule out any other conditions that might be causing your facial pain, your doctor may run tests. Tests may include:

  • Dental examinations: A dentist thoroughly looks at your mouth, jaws, and teeth. To check for cavities, infections, impacted molars, or other dental issues, they might take dental X-rays.
  • An MRI or CT scan: These scans can identify issues with your head, neck, or face. Imaging tests could be carried out by your doctor to rule out the chance of a facial fracture, malignancy, or blood vessel issue.
  • Neurological exams: To examine the nerves in your face, your doctor will perform neurological tests. You could be instructed to blink and move your eyes in various directions. Your capacity to grin, frown, and move your lips is tested. Additionally, they might touch various parts of your face to feel any numbness or pain.
  • Psychological tests: Your doctor may inquire about your state of mind, actions, and relationships with others. Issues like melancholy, stress, or anxiety can either cause or exacerbate pain.

How Can Help With Orofacial Pain And Diagnosis?

Orofacial pain dentists are experts who have advanced training in treating orofacial pain issues. They deliver high-quality, evidence-based care and are an essential component of our healthcare system for both our medical and dental needs. The expense of care is primarily paid by medical insurance companies as many states have concluded that these are dental issues, not just medicinal. Based on this data, an examination is conducted by an expert in orofacial pain to determine all symptoms, diagnoses, and reasons for the pain.

The therapy strategy is created to address the ailment while educating the patient on how to lessen the condition’s patient-centred causes. Additionally, this will avoid the effects of chronic pain, including dependence on pharmaceuticals for lengthy periods of time, functional limitations, loss of employment, disability, and addiction to opioids and other drugs.

The majority of TMJ and orofacial pain sufferers experience a variety of symptoms, including jaw pain, headaches, facial pain, neck pain, tooth pain, and popping, locking, or clicking in the temporomandibular jaw joints. Multiple overlapping orofacial pain, diseases may cause these symptoms. Thus, a specialist’s ability to effectively treat a patient rests on their ability to recognize all of the patient’s symptoms and the corresponding physical diagnosis. The majority of patients have three or more illnesses that are producing discomfort. Failure of treatment may result from a missed diagnosis. This calls for a thorough assessment of the jaw, mouth, head, and neck and the majority of the time, imaging comprising a CT scan of the head, neck, jaws, and joints is required.

It is also essential to identify and change all underlying patient-centred causes for orofacial pain conditions. If not, this will result in the development of pain cycles that will perpetuate and lead to chronic pain and its reasons. Although a traumatic injury such as a blow, accident, or fall may lead to the onset of pain, factors that are under the control of the patient such as repetitive strain, teeth clenching, tense posture, work, home, or relationship stress, poor sleeping, diet, and sustained negative emotions can lead to increased pain. Orofacial pain specialists work with a team including health psychologists, physical therapists, and telehealth coaches to ensure that patients help and learn how to reduce the causes of pain cycles.

Summary

A licensed orofacial dentist who specialises in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of conditions causing pain in the mouth, jaw, head, neck, and face is known as an orofacial pain specialist. Despite the fact that these illnesses might produce tooth discomfort, the teeth are not the disorder’s primary cause. Orofacial discomfort may be brought on by problems with the muscles, nerves, ligaments, or bones of the face or its surroundings.

To treat these problems, orofacial pain specialists frequently collaborate with other medical professionals as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Treatment options include giving prescription medications, performing surgery, giving exercise advice, using mouth appliances (such as a mouth guard or splint), or administering injections of steroid drugs or Botox.

Orofacial pain experts must complete extra education and may choose to pass a licensing exam to become certified. The department at RRDCH under the tutelage of Dr. Prafulla Thumati is specially created to impart knowledge to students for the investigations and treatment given for all types of Orofacial and Temporomandibular Pain dysfunction including Migraine. If you are an aspirant looking to pursue the course, check the website and get admission today.

Prosthodontists Day 2021

The Department of Prosthodontics of RajaRajeswari dental college, Bangalore, observed the “Prosthodontist Day, with immense enthusiasm.

A cultural and art fest called “ProsthARTics’21” was conducted on 20th January as a part of Prosthodontist day, for the students, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and faculties for all the departments in Rajarajeswari dental college and hospital.

A series of events were conducted for the awareness and entertainment purposes like Carve off spee (soap carving) ,Byte to bite (teeth arrangement),Dent- ART-ist (dental art) .

On prosthodontist’s day, Welcome address was given by our Head of the Department Dr. Gautam Shetty, and Programme was inaugurated by our beloved Dean, Dr Edwin Devdoss,  our beloved Principal, Dr Rajkumar Alle,Professor and Head, Dr Gautam Shetty  and other staff members of the department.

All the works of the participants of different events were arranged for exhibition. Mouth masks with the printed logo of proud to be a Prosthodontist was distributed. Wordless expressions that are Face 4painting and Pot Pourri which had fun games like heads up, Pictionary, blind fold, riddles, quiz was conducted for the participant which attracted a huge audience. A flashmob by the postgraduate students was a huge attraction. There were also entertainments like singing and music.  All the events were judged and the prizes were distributed during the valedictory function.

The valedictory function was presided by Dr. Edwin Devadoss, Dean(RRDCH); Dr.Rajkumar Alle, Principal (RRDCH),DR. Gautam Shetty ( Head of the department of Prosthodontics). The event ended with a warm vote of thanks to one and all who made it all a huge success.

On Prosthodontist day celebration 22-01-2020, the day began with patient awareness and education in the Sri Chamarajendra park (cubbon park), Bangalore.

This was followed by skits, play, singing and dance performance by various colleges of Bangalore. A flashmob dance was performed by the post graduate students of department of prosthodontics of our college too. The event was a huge success.

Mental Health And Oral Health – Is There A Connect?

Well, stress is known to affect physical and mental health both but people are not aware around the connect of mental health with oral health too. People with stress conditions like bio-polar disorders and chronic depression often tend to ignore oral health issues at times. This leads to deterioration of oral health and on an average compared to general people, people with mental health issues are over three times more likely to lose teeth. Not many know that high stress levels could raise the cortisol hormone levels leading to periodontal disease conditions. Here are some of the reasons why mental illness leads to oral health issues as well.

Mental Health And Oral Health

Eating Habits – Eating disorder like bulimia could result in erosion of teeth due to acidity spike and vomiting. Also, there is a loss of calcium which in turn leads to deterioration of dental health.

Anxiety – Many people with mental health issues could also suffer from dental phobia and hence avoid dental visits.

Ignoring – Many people do not give importance to or pay attention to dental health issues including people with mental health issues.

Hygiene – Improper dental hygiene also leads to oral health issues as people do not tend to brush their teeth and take care of their dental health properly.

Medicines – Many times mental health medications do have side effects that cause oral health issues like dry mouth and more.

So, yes there is a connect between mental health and dental health in a way and if you live a healthy lifestyle and follow your oral hygiene routines properly even if you have a mental health condition you can manage dental health issues properly. Not to miss out, this does include staying away from harmful addictions like excess tobacco intake, smoking as well as do much of drinking and drug use.

*Just know about Rajarajeswari Dental College and Hospital

Smile Without Sacrificing – An Overview

In the times when selfies are one of the most popular ways of clicking pictures and have slowly creeped in our culture, a good smile becomes one of the prerequisites for clicking a good one. If you have a smile that shows off your bright white shining teeth, that’s it. You feel like the selfie king or queen by far.

But, this is not the story of your teeth always. Flip to reality and dull and yellowish teeth is not a new, rather a major oral issue. Though there is a solution for it viz teeth whitening but then again this could blow quite a big hole in your pocket.

Smile Without Sacrificing

Well, if you think, getting a that sparkling smile or the ‘ting’ smiles needs you to sacrifice your morning latte or your favorite glass of wine, you’re not right. Here are few tips in keeping your smile intact –

Floss daily – While we do brush, most of us do not floss. That leads to food getting stuck up in the teeth and bacteria breeding too. Flossing on a daily basis keeps bacteria at bay and protects your teeth from decay and bad breadth.

Brush Properly – Not a bad idea to look at an online demo of brushing teeth properly. Many if not most of us do not brush our teeth properly. The brushes that wither in not time are a proof of the how mercilessly it has been used on your teeth.

Dental Visits – Visit your dentist atleast once a year, twice better. Regular cleaning of your teeth can help you protect you from periodontal diseases.

Eat healthy – Eating healthy is also important for healthy teeth and ultimately a healthy smile. So eat calcium rich and lean protein packed foods to keep your teeth healthy.

Exercise – Yes, mouth exercise does impact your smile and help in improvement of the same as per dentists. So include a few smile exercises also in your daily regime and smile your way to sparkles.

*Just know about Rajarajeswari Dental College and Hospital

Why Eating Right Does Matter – Even To Your Teeth

Well if you have been thinking is eating right is all about weight and heart then read on to find out how eating right is related to your teeth health as well. Nutrition apparently plays a significant role in dental health. People who lack nutritious food get dental health conditions faster than those who indulge in health eating.

good food for teeth

Eating two or three meals a day does not harm much as eating in between meals does. So if you have the urge to snacking try doing it smartly. The frequency of eating in between snacking determines the health of your teeth. So if you are eating frequently in between meals slow down and stick to fruits that do not cause harm like candy, rather go for nutritious foods like fruits and yogurt. If you have the habit of snacking frequently a good idea is to brush your teeth after snacking too. Foods that are good for oral health include the following –

Vitamin C rich foods – Vitamin C is good for gum health and hence intake of citrus fruits like tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, spinach and potatoes is a good idea.

Calcium rich foods – This is not new. We all know the role of calcium rich products like cheese, yogurt, almonds, dark green leafy vegetables are good for bones and teeth.

Phosphorus rich foods – Even phosphorous rich foods are good for teeth and hence foods like potatoes, spinach, tomatoes rich in phosphorous should be included in daily diet.

Well, besides eating healthy, if you maintain a good oral hygiene that includes brushing atleast twice a day, flossing and drinking water at regular intervals you can keep your smile intact for a long time across your life years. So, eat healthy, eat smart and keep smiling your way to happy dental health.

Protecting Your Teeth From Cold

Teeth pain issues do crop up during the winters particularly in regions where the winter is extreme. Apparently cold weather does affect your teeth as they turn to be even more sensitive due to the sudden temperature variation.

A good smile is all about shining and healthy teeth and thus keeping your teeth in the pink of health is required to keep your confidence levels up too. Cold weather does effect your teeth and its quite uncomfortable to bear the discomfort, sharp or constant pain in the teeth. Well, to deal with this issue a better idea is to go an visit your dentist for a routine checkup. While there could be various reasons for teeth issues in winter some of them include, cracks in enamel, sensitive gums, brushing too hard, grinding or clenching teeth frequently and gingivitis to name a few.

Protecting Your Teeth From Cold

There are various home remedies that could also help you take care of your teeth during the winter season. It’s easy. Just ensure that you brush your teeth on a daily basis and even floss it without fail. If still problem persists try for a toothpaste for sensitive teeth with a potassium base. Its better to start the toothpaste even before the falls because this will give the toothpaste time to work on your teeth and make them ready to face the chills ahead effectively. Another toothpaste to help desensitizing your teeth is one that is calcium based. It encase tooth calcium thus providing instant relief by closing the pores that are open. Even the toothbrush you use matters. A tooth brush with soft bristles is advisable.

In the winter season we avoid drinking more water because we don’t feel thirsty frequently and also we want to avoid going to the washroom frequently. But, the fact is that you need to stay hydrated all the time by consuming 2 lts of water across the day to keep your teeth healthy like your body. More water means more saliva and less bacteria. Bacteria buildup is more when we consume foods that contain sugar so avoid sugar and acidic foods as this could lead to a rise in sensitivity.

Just know about Rajarajeswari Dental College and Hospital

Got A Gummy Smile? Don’t Bother It Could Be Fixed

Usually when we smile normally 2/3rd to 3/4th part is teeth and rest is gums covered by our lips. A person with a gummy smile though will have more of gums to show when smiling. So, if your smile shows up 2-3 mm of gum as a continuous band then it’s a characteristic of gummy smile. As compared to males, gummy smiles of women seem to be very prominent making them conscious as well. There are various reasons one could have a gummy smile. Here are a few-

  1. Strong upper lip muscles

  2. Uneven teeth

  3. Smaller or Shorter teeth

  4. Small upper lips

  5. Increase in vertical face growth

This could lead to gum display that could affect your smile. Though, it is perfectly okay to have a gummy smile, there are people who experience lack of confidence and psychological issues if they have a gummy smile. So, for those people who have a gummy smile and want to repair the same, there is a solution called ‘Lip Positioning Surgery’ available already.

It is a cosmetic surgery which is used for repositioning your lips in a way that they cover the gums and give you the smile you want. The surgery needs to be carried out by a dentist by giving local anaesthesia to the gums. The dentist then cuts the excess gums display and stitches the gums nearer to the teeth. The surgery usually lasts around 40 minutes giving instant results. Though you need to take precautions so that the stitches remain intact till they dry. So, you need to have a diet plan for two to three days after the surgery. The stitches are removes after one week. The procedure is a safe one and the outcome is generally satisfying and enhances your beauty.

*Just know about Rajarajeswari Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore

Speed Braces – All You Need To Know

We all know how braces have always been a useful way to straighten teeth at in a comfortable manner. As far as speed braces are concerned the term itself is self explanatory. Well, yes they speed up the process due to their make which includes attachment to a wireless an elastic tie allowing teeth to move at speed and with less friction.

Speed Braces

Also known as self litigating brackets they are primarily available in two different types –

Active – These come with a thicker wire for putting more pressure on the teeth

Passive – These come with a smaller archwire and are used in the starting phase of treatment.

There are various different brands across the world that manufacture these brackets and some of the international names include in-ovation and Damon to name a few.

As per reports if the depending upon the type of malocclusion addressed, these braces have the ability to reduce the treatment life span by up to six months as compared to the conventional braces.

The material used in the speed braces is same as that of the conventional ones but with 1/3rd the size of the traditional brackets. Due to the smaller size the speed brackets are more convenient to use because cleaning and maintenance becomes easier thus aiding oral hygiene. Even aesthetically they look better than the conventional ones.

Moreover, speed braces fit on your teeth properly making you feel comfortable and ensure that the movement is smooth and without more of friction. The best part it like the conventional ones cannot maintain force levels properly and have to be replaced within a few weeks duration, speed braces can be used for longer periods because of their ability to maintain forces.
*Sourced from Internet

 

RRDCH is one of the Best Dental Colleges in Bangalore, Karnataka

Highly Prone to Oral Disease Inspite of Brushing Twice – Elite Athletes

A recent study has revealed that Inspite of brushing twice elite athletes are highly prone to oral disease. Published in the British Dental Journal, the study involved a survey of 352 Olympics as well as professional athletes across 11 sports like swimming, football, hockey, rugby, athletes and sailing. The study also highlighted that the athletes seemed quite interested in working around the improvement of their dental health.

Dental Oral Care - Elite Atheletes

The study involved a dental checkup and questions around how the athletes kept their teeth, mouth as well as gums healthy. The study showed that 94% of the athletes brushed their teeth minimum two times a day and 44% flossed their teeth on a regular basis. They study also found that the athletes did show higher figures in terms of dental care compared to the general populace.

Researcher for the study Dr Julie Gallagher (UCL Eastman Dental Institute Center for Oral Health and Performance found that most of the athletes maintained good oral hygiene. But, they did mention the use of energy gels, sports drinks as well as bars on a frequent basis during training and competition. These products are high on sugar and raise the risk of decay of teeth and erosion due to rise in acidity.

The study is a further to the research carried out by Professor Ian Needleman of London 2012 Olympics. The earlier findings revealed that the athletes suffered from dry mouth issues while training and even were at a higher risk of oral conditions.

As per Dr. Gallagher, the athletes wanted to work towards improvement of their oral health and were ready to use mouthwash based fluoride additionally and also visit the dentist on a regular basis. The team further plans to devise an oral care plan for them and publish the results of it too.

*Sourced from Internet

RRDCH is one of the Best Dental College and Hospital in Bangalore

Headaches Could Be A Result Of An Underlying Dental Problem

None of us can think of visiting a dentist when having a prolonged or recurrent headaches, ain’t it? Obviously, because considering headache to be a result of teeth conditions is far from anyone’s thinking really. One reason is that it is extremely rare and there could be many more reasons for headaches and a dental problem is the least thought off. Here’s a case study where a 45 year old lady was having recurrent headache for a long period of time. She paid many visits to physicians, ENT specialists as well as Neurosurgeons and even underwent many diagnostic tests like EEF, MRI and CT Scans but with no success in diagnosis about the reason. She was then suggested by Neurosurgeons to go for an open surgery of 2 lacs cost. She was already distraught about not known the reason behind the suffering.

Amidst all this chaos her daughter found out through her on research and judgement that it could be a dental condition. She then visited one of the popular dental clinic chains in Bangalore and the doctors immediately diagnosed it as a dental condition. The headache was because the lady was having unevenly aligned teeth in a small jaw. As a result of improper placement and crowding, it was triggering headache.

The doctors then created a treatment plan of action for here which was short, simple and even painless to an extent. After the orthodontic treatment was done, not only did she get rid of her headache but also got her beautiful smile.

This only throws out one question, if only had she not heard to her daughters suggestion and went ahead with the open surgery, the results could have been unimaginable. Additionally, it could have cost her a bomb that too on a surgery that wasn’t needed at all.

Well, this also brings to light the fact around lack of awareness or ignorance of dental problems and issues in the country. Dental health is equally important and ignoring it is not a good idea, and awareness around it can always help.

*Sourced from Internet

RRDCH is one of the Top Dental College and Hospital in Bangalore