A Healthy Smile For A Healthy Life
Your mouth is the window to your body. Your teeth, gums, tongue, surrounding tissues and muscles are part of the masticatory system.
Dr. Pasha evaluates, diagnoses and treats issues in the masticatory system, and focuses on its relationship with your body’s overall health.
Multiple studies have drawn direct relationships between mouth health and the health of other body systems. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are tied to gum tissue health. The health of our stomach and gastrointestinal system is also linked to the health of our teeth.
Sleep and airway problems cause oral health problems just as skeletal malformations or discrepancies in the jaws can cause airway restriction, sleep apnea, and other health issues. Poor chewing and lack of ideal function in the masticatory system can impact the digestive tract and contribute to acid reflux.
Our mouths are filled with good and bad bacteria. The bad bacteria can degrade gum tissue and bone structures around the teeth. These bacteria accumulate in the form of plaque, and if left, will harden into tartar. If tartar isn’t removed it can cause an infection known as “gingivitis”.
Early stages of gingivitis may involve no more than slight bleeding when the affected tissue is touched. More serious gingivitis can cause a “periodontal pocket” between the gum and the tooth. As this worsens, gum degradation causes bony tissues in the area. The affected tissue will no longer provide the critical support required for teeth. This gradual loss of support is referred to as “periodontitis”. Intervention is needed to prevent periodontitis from causing future tooth loss.
Fighting gum disease is best done through prevention. A schedule of regular cleaning appointments and periodontal examinations (gum examination) is the most effective tactic.
1. Examination and Diagnosis
As a new patient, you’ll meet with Dr. Pasha for a comprehensive New Patient Examination. You’ll be encouraged to share any ongoing concerns or issues you may have with your teeth. This will provide valuable insight to any systemic connections. A thorough examination follows, including an evaluation of jaws, jaw joints, bite and the function of the jaws, gum tissues and teeth. The results are discussed in detail, focusing on short and long term implications of your current oral health.
2. Dental X-Rays
Contact surfaces between teeth, areas under existing fillings, and bone tissue underneath the gums or the inner parts of the tooth, including the root and the nerves, cannot be reviewed clinically within the mouth, and so a dental x-ray is recommended.
For a complete evaluation of your overall oral health, a screening x-ray is most useful. If recent x-rays are not available, Dr. Pasha may recommend new x-rays as a complementary tool to evaluate the conditions of teeth and gums.
3. Dental Photography
Photography is an essential part of Dr. Pasha’s evaluation, and crucial to clear communication with patients. Some dental issues are best captured through photographs. Patients can see the intricacies of their oral health while also understanding what Dr. Pasha and his team see.
Dr. Pasha also uses photography for record keeping and documentation. Certain characteristics and conditions of teeth are not visible on x-ray, and better captured through photography. Any changes in the condition of your oral health can also be monitored in this way.
4. Teeth Models or Scans
Certain treatments may require a model of your teeth. Either a traditional model with impression material directly recording an imprint of teeth or a 3D scan of teeth for a digital record may be completed.
Once critical information is collected, Dr. Pasha discusses his findings with you in detail, and presents treatment options. Pros and cons are reviewed so that all critical information is collected for your assessment and decision-making.
As a partner in your overall health, Dr. Pasha is focused on ensuring your lifelong oral health.
