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| Image from Wikipedia |
On that note, I'm curious to know what kind of camera was used given it must have been tiny, and focus was unusually good given the varying focal length.
Showing posts with label teeth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teeth. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 February 2014
On that note, I'm curious to know what kind of camera was used given it must have been tiny, and focus was unusually good given the varying focal length.
Thursday, 14 November 2013
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| Image by Liam Mendes from Wikipedia |
Unlike most facial fractures that do NOT require any surgical intervention, most jaw fractures do need to be surgically repaired and typically entail wiring the jaw shut. Often, a metal plate with screws will be utilized to stabilize the fracture as well.
The reason the jaw is wired shut is so that as the broken bone heals, it heals in such a way that the way the teeth comes together is normal (in essence, the teeth act as the cast for the jaw fracture). Of course, eating is limited to liquid diet and dental care is important as brushing the teeth thoroughly will be impossible.
The wires holding the jaw shut can be removed after a few weeks, but exact duration depends on the fracture location and severity.
Source:
Zac Efron broke his jaw this weekend. CNN 11/13/13
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
"Oil pulling or oil swishing is a traditional Indian folk remedy that involves swishing oil in the mouth. It is mentioned in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita, where it is called Kavala Gandoosha or Kavala Graha. Ayurvedic literature describes oil pulling as capable of both improving oral health and treating systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or asthma. While scientific evidence is lacking to support any systemic benefits of oil pulling, some studies have suggested that it may reduce oral plaque, halitosis, and gingivitis." [Wikipedia]The oil used to swish the mouth is typically vegetable based like sesame or sunflower and is performed for 15-20 minutes before being spit out (or swallowed depending on what you want to accomplish).
Though there are plenty of testimonials on the internet and explanations for its amazing effects including the oil's alleged ability to suck plaque off teeth, absorb germs into the oil, make teeth whiter, etc I feel the oil's effects are more mundane in nature.
Just as chapstick is an oil-based compound that treats dried and chapped lips by coating the surface allowing the lip mucosa to heal, oil pulling may just provide a protective barrier to provide a similar function. Oils are essential to skin and mucosal health and when such oils are stripped, problems occur (ask anybody who washes their hand with soap multiple times a day).
As such, I personally don't think it can hurt if someone wants to give oil pulling a try to address oral problems. But I would not recommend this type of unproven treatment to address systemic disorders like diabetes or asthma over more established medical management.
Of note, the references listed below are studies published in less-than-authoratative journals.
References:
Tooth brushing, oil pulling and tissue regeneration: A review of holistic approaches to oral health. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2 (2): 64–8. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.82525.
Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 26 (1): 12–7.
Mechanism of oil-pulling therapy - in vitro study. Indian J Dent Res 22 (1): 34–7. doi:10.4103/0970-9290.79971.
Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Indian J Dent Res 20 (1): 47–51. PMID 19336860.
Effect of oil pulling on halitosis and microorganisms causing halitosis: a randomized controlled pilot trial. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 29 (2): 90–4. doi:10.4103/0970-4388.84678.
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
- BAHA - Bone Anchored Hearing Aid
- CROS Hearing Aid - Stands for Contralateral Routing Of Signals.
With BAHA, it does require surgery given the hearing aid is literally mounted on a post that is directly drilled into the skull on the deaf ear side. Total cost about $10,000.
With CROS, two hearing aids are required; one on the deaf hear which picks up sound, and another on the good ear where the sound is transmitted to. Total cost about $2,500.
Well, for many folks, having surgery is not palatable and wearing two hearing aids when one ear is perfectly good is also not acceptable.
There's now a third option called SoundBite (cost about $6,800).
With SoundBite, a hearing aid is placed in the deaf ear to pick up sound which is than wirelessly transmitted to a mini-retainer like device placed around the back molars. This special retainer vibrates the teeth which in turn vibrates the skull which sends sound waves to the good ear allowing a patient to hear.
And preliminary results show that patients like it the best among the three options.
However, nothing is all good...
The disadvantage with the SoundBite is battery life. The ear piece battery only lasts about 12-15 hours and the teeth retainer piece about 8 hours. Also, the teeth retainer needs to be fitted by a dentist.
Also, not everybody is a candidate for SoundBite. In order to quality, a patient must have:
1) Good teeth and gums
2) Deaf in only one side with normal hearing on the other. A comprehensive hearing test is required obviously.
Source:
Using Teeth to Help Restore Hearing in One Ear. WSJ 7/10/12
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