Familiarize yourself with the dentistry.Dental radiograph

  Today's post,and also another of my vigorous attempts to demistify dental visits is the x-ray machine and the procedure of dental radiography.
  Radiographs are a great weapon available to the dentist to diagnose dental conditions in areas not visible optically, eg decay, bone loss and tooth root morphology and used in fillings (fillings) in endodontic treatments , in tooth extractions, in periodontal treatments etc.
  Dental radiographic machines have various categorizations, eg DC and AC circuits, analog or digital and other classifications. Dental machines are used in order to obtain  x-rays, and belong to the mandatory fitting of a dentistry.Some dentists have panoramic x-ray machines, the cost of which is quite large, and in my opinion unnecessary for a general dentistry.
  A typical x-ray machine is depicted in the  photograph below.

   It consists of the base,that is mounted onto the wall,and the top of the x-ray,which trasmits radiation at the press of the button The control panel can be wired to the base or the machine can be wireless.If the control panel is wireless ,it is operated by a remote control that looks like the one shown in the next photo.

                                            

    From the control panel we can choose the tooth that will be depicted in the x-ray so that the machine can automatically adjust the intensity of the radiation, we can choose if the patient is an adult or a child,so in the case of  the child  to adjust the levels of radiation even lower, and the activation button.The radiation received by the patient is not that enormous. The doses for the X-rays are as follows:
 Standard  periapical dental Radiograph  = 0,0095 mSV
 Full-mouth series (18 radiographs) = 0,160 mSV
Panoramic radiography = 0,007 - 0,038 mSV
 To understand the analogy, chest X-ray radiation has approximately 0,080 mSV Source

  Radiation is depicted at the radiographic  (photographic) film that is depicted below.
                                
Then it is developed, in a procedure technically similar to the development of photos before digital photography, namely radiographic chemical fluids, development fluid and fixation fuid,in a dark chamber.
                
    Digital radiographs have an adaptor,so the radiation is much less than conventional radiographs.
                                         
Also dentists can save these digital radiographs on the computer.Nevertheless taking a digital radiograph is a bit challenging, especially at the posterior teeth and in small mouths.

Now a few words about the technique of taking a dental x-ray.The doctor places the film in the patient's mouth, behind  the area that he wants to be x-rayed.If it is an upper tooth in example,the patient holds the film like this,
 
gently pressing the radiographic film on the tooth. Another option is to obtain a film holderlike this one

                   
  In this case the patinet presses his teeth to the film holder,holding it steady.The holder holds the film in place.

                                

The doctor then configures the angle to depict the area that he wants (when using a holder he simply aims between the ring) and the he presses the button
                  
.   After placing the film and adjusting the angle,but also during  irradiation,which takes about three seconds, the patient must remain still, because there is the risk of not depicting the area good,so the process needs to repeated.
 Children patients and patients having a general problem or eg thyroiditis  or are pregnant must wear a dental apron,which is made out of lead. All dentists have one.It is a mandatory dental equipment, so do not hesitate to request one!
                           
 


  Let's see examples of radiographs to have a better understanding.

                         

  Periapical radiography

                      Panoramic radiography

                           

                      Full mouth series

The study of radiographs, is ideally done ,by mounting the x-ray onto a dental projector
             

              
situated on a table or up against a wall.Sometimes though,it not that uncommon to look at a dental x-ray against the sunlight!

                                
  These are all the facts about dental  radiographic machines and x-rays . I hope I gave you food for thought.Do not  forget to smile!

                 
                                     

Familiarize yourself with the dentist.Dental chair(seat)

  The topic of today's post is to familiarize yourselves with the dentistry and the dental treatment.I will start a   series of posts, to unravel the mystery covering the visit to the dentist and the fear that this intails.So our first post is about the dental chair of the dental office.
When patients hear the words "Dental Chair" they tend to have this in mind

                                         
 

when in fact the image in mind should be something like this

                     
                        


Let's see the individual parts of our dental chair(seat) together.

  The dental chair(seat) consists of the following: 1. The chair, with the place(cuchion) that touches the patient's head 


                        

  2. The tablet which is the control point of the chair.
                          

  Placed n the tablet, are the rotary cutting instruments ( otherwise known as the dental "wheel" ), the buttons that control the various functions of the tablet, the air-syringe that discharges water and air or a mixture of both and a surface,to place within our reach the dental tools that we will use. Let's see pictures to be more clear on the matter.

                            From left to right: Air-syringe, ultrasound (for cleaning dental plaque and calcuus),low-speed rotary cutting dental instrument, high speed cutting dental instrument.


Table of control

 














It controls the movements of the chair (up, down, back, front), puts water in the glass, opens the door of the dental office.In this particular unit, we have the optiono f adjusting the force of the rotating instruments(high speed and low speed). The fuction of the cutting instruments is controlled by the pedal, located behind the chair, and operated by foot .


                 

A necessary accessory is the dental headlight to illuminate the mouth,thus facilitating the dentist in diagnosing and performing dental procedures.

The dental bath for patients to rinse.Normally it has two outputs of water, one to sweep the spit and the other to fill the patients' cup.

The volume of water is adjustable. Also it stops by itself, because I've noticed that some patients are looking at it full of fear,and holding their breath until it stops pouring water in the cup, fearing that  it could flood the whole dentistry!

                             


  The saliva suction,that is used for humidity control and removal of patients' saliva.

  Usually where the saliva suction is placed,there are also the secondary control buttons, which are useful when working with an assistant ( four handed dentistry-not very common in Greece,very common abroad).
 In the last picture,there is also a surgical suction that is stronger, and an intraoral camera,for  the patients to see for themselves the dental probems in their mouths .

   This concludes today's post. Most of the photos are from the chair in my dental office.  Some things may differ, from one dental chair to another but the basics are the same.
I hope I 've helped you  to demystify the dental office a bit and not feel so much fear, the next time you go to the dentist.
And do not forget to smile! Now you know. And knowledge is power!

                                    

First post

First Post

I would like to welcome you to my new blog. This is a personal attempt to point out my views and concerns,both as a dentist and as a person.I believe that when some thoughts,concerns and issues are open for discussion,even if a final conclussion is not derived, we can all benefit. 
Also this blog is also available in greek,in the following address : www.dentalopinions.blogspot.gr
My attempt is purely this of an amateur blogger, but I will strive for the best possible result. Due to the nature of my attempt,if someone gets offended by my  posts or opinions, I apologize.
  For the end of my first post I give you one of the most powerful poems, Ithaca by Konstantinos Kavafis, which I appreciate more and more,as time goes by. Its' inspiration was the journey of  Odysseus (or Ulysses,from Troy to his home island of Ithaca,that lasted about twenty years,and was praised by Homer,the great Greek poet in  Odyssey

 Ithaca (K.P.Kavafis) 
As you set out for Ithaca, pray that the road is long , full of adventure, full of knowledge.  
Laistrygonians Cyclops, the angry Poseidon do not fear that on the road you'll never find it, if it is in 'your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion spirit and your body touches.  
Laistrygonians and the Cyclops, the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter, if not them along inside your soul, unless your soul sets them up in front of you.  
Pray that the road is long. many summer mornings are , with what pleasure, what joy you will enter ports seen for the first time; may you stop at Phoenician markets, so fine things to acquire, mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony, and sensual perfumes of all kinds, as many sensual perfumes(as you can)
 you will go to many Egyptian cities , learn from scholars. but always in your mind will be Ithaca.  
Arriving in Ithaca; it 's your destination.  
But do not hurry the journey at all. better to take many years; to be old by the time you reach the island, rich with all you have gained on the way, not expecting riches to take from Ithaca.
  Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.  Ithaca does not have abything else to give you. And even if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
  Wise as you have become, with so much experience, you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.


Happy reading!!