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Health

Bodydental

Teeth Grinding: What are Some of the Possible Causes?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Medically known as bruxism, jaw clenching and teeth grinding is often associated with anxiety or stress. While not everyone will experience symptoms, bruxism treatment is needed when you experience red flags like headaches and facial pains as well as broken teeth.

Without appropriate bruxism treatment, you can end up with damaged, worn, and sensitive teeth and a painful ear, jaw, or face. You are also required to seek dental treatment if the condition results to worn teeth as it might lead to other oral problems like dental abscess or infection.

Teeth Grinding Symptoms

Some of the most prevalent symptoms of teeth grinding can include:

  • Earache

  • Headache

  • Facial pain

  • Stiffness and pain in the jaw joint as well as the surrounding muscles

  • Worn-down teeth that results to increased sensitivity and sometimes, eventual tooth loss

  • Disrupted sleep (for both you and your sleep partner)

  • Broken teeth or fillings

Teeth Grinding Causes

Causes of teeth grinding are not always clear. However, the condition is often linked to several factors including anxiety, stress, or sleep issues:

Stress and anxiety

For a lot of people, teeth grinding can be attributed to stress or anxiety. Oftentimes, bruxism that’s caused by anxiety or stress do it in their sleep. They’re not aware they are doing it and will often learn about it from their sleep partners.

Medications

Teeth grinding is also sometimes considered the side effect of certain types of medications. In some people, teeth grinding is linked to a certain type of antidepressant.

Sleep disorders

Those who snore or are suffering from a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are observed to be more likely to grind their teeth during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is also characterised by breathing interruptions during sleep.

You are also more prone to teeth grinding if:

  • You mumble or talk during your sleep

  • You behave violently during sleep (i.e. punching or kicking)

  • You experience hallucinations (you hear or see things that are not real)

  • You have sleep paralysis (a temporary inability to speak or move while falling asleep or waking up)

Lifestyle

Other factors that can lead to bruxism or cause it to worsen include:

Drinking of alcoholic drinks

Smoking

Consuming caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea (6 or more cups daily)

Teeth Grinding in Children

Contrary to popular belief, children are not immune from teeth grinding. In fact, teeth grinding has been observed to occur after their adult or baby teeth first appears. However, the grinding often disappears after the adult teeth are formed fully. Seeing your dentist however is recommended if your child’s teeth grinding is already affecting their sleep quality.

Treating (and Preventing) Bruxism

Routine visits to the dentist

If you are suffering from bruxism, consider it best to schedule routine dental visits. This is necessary so any issues caused by your teeth grinding are addressed before they cause more damage.

Dental issues like cracked, crooked, misaligned, or missing teeth can be easily remedied through reconstructive dental treatments like overlays, crowns, and false teeth.

Treat anxiety and stress

If bruxism is caused by anxiety or stress, psychological treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might be able to help. If the grinding is stress-related, there are a number of things you can try prior to sleeping to help you relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Some of the practices you can try to help relieve both stress and anxiety can include:

  • Yoga

  • Reading

  • Deep breathing

  • Listening to music

  • Taking a bath

  • Massage

If teeth grinding is a side effect of antidepressant medications you are taking, your doctor might recommend another medication. The best thing to do would be to visit your doctor as they know how to best address your case.

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Bodyhealth

Type of Snoring and What It Can Indicate

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

When you snore from time to time, more often than not, you have nothing to worry about. Snoring occurs when the air can’t freely move through the nose and throat during sleep. When this happens, the surrounding tissues will vibrate and produce the infamous snoring sound. Those who have too much nasal or flopping tissue in the throat are more likely to snore. The tongue’s position has also been known as a factor among those people who snore.

Those who snore on a regular basis however need to look for ways how to stop snoring. Those who suffer from the condition but don’t find ways on how to treat snoring can suffer from irritability, daytime fatigues, and other health complications. As if not enough, snoring might also keep bed partners awake and this might lead to relationship problems as in the long run.

Types of Snoring and What it Can Indicate

Monitoring the snoring pattern can help determine the reason behind the condition. More importantly, it can also help accurately identify the best treatment option for the condition. For instance:

Closed-mouth snoring – can indicate a possible problem with the tongue

Open-mouth snoring – may be related to the throat tissues

Snoring when lying on the back – this often is indicative of mild snoring and can respond well to lifestyle changes and the right sleeping habits and position

Snoring in all positions – this can indicate that your snoring is severe and will require a more thorough treatment

Bedtime Remedies to Help Stop Snoring

Changing the sleeping position. Elevating the head at least 4 inches will not only ease breathing, it can also encourage the jaw and tongue to move forward. Nowadays, there are pillows that are specifically designed to help prevent snoring. They are often designed to ensure the neck muscles are not crimped.

Sleeping on the side instead of the back. Attach a tennis ball to the back of your T-shirt so when you roll on your back, the discomfort of having the tennis ball will cause you to sleep on your sides. It would also be a good idea to wedge a pillow with tennis balls behind your back. Eventually, sleeping on your side will become second nature to you.

Consider using an anti-snoring mouth appliance. These devices are designed to help open the airway by brining the tongue and the lower jaw forward during sleep. Your dentist can create a bespoke mouth appliance just for you so paying them a visit is recommended.

Clearing nasal passages. If you happen to have a stuffy nose, it would be a good idea to rinse your sinuses with saline before bedtime. Nasal strips, nasal decongestants, and neti pots can also help you breathe more easily during sleep.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Stop Snoring

Losing the excess weight. Losing the excess pound can also help minimise the fatty tissues in the back of the throat. This can help decrease, if not totally eliminate snoring.

Quitting smoking. Those who smoke have been observed to also have a higher chance of snoring. Smoking can irritate the membranes found in the throat and nose and can block the airways. While this is a habit that’s hard for many people to kick, it is considered to bring instant relief from snoring.

Avoiding sleeping pills, sedatives, and alcohol. All three have been known to relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing. In line with this, consider it ideal to inform your doctor about prescription medications you are taking so they can assess if they are contributing to your snoring or not.

Checking what you eat before bedtime. Some research indicate that consuming certain foods like soy milk or dairy prior to bedtime can make snoring worse. Consuming a large meal is believed to also have the same effect.

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Bodyhealth

How Can You Get a Summer-Ready Body Even When You’re Strapped for Time

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Summer is just around the corner, but unfortunately, most of us have been caught up with work and other aspects of our lives that we barely have time to workout. So, is it still possible to get a summer-ready body even when you’re strapped for time? With Coolsculpting, it is.

What is Coolsculpting?

Coolsculpting is a fat freeze therapy that helps to remove unwanted fat from the body. Treatment works by freezing the fat. Exposing fat cells to cold temperatures making them burst, so the body ends up flushing them away. Coolsculpting gives permanent results, in that the fat that has been destroyed is gone for good. However, it is still possible to gain weight after treatment, though.

Who is Coolsculpting For?

Coolsculpting is perfect for people who are at or near their target weight and who have areas of excess fat. Excessive fat should be stubborn, meaning that it has not responded to any exercise or dietary effort.  It is important to understand that Coolsculpting is not weight loss. You might lose a few pounds as the fat is flushed away, but you won’t even notice a dramatic drop in weight.

Both men and women are allowed to have Coolsculpting. The main thing is that you have an adequate amount of fat in your treatment area. The paddles used during treatment need to be able to suction in the area in order to work effectively.

What Areas of the Body Can Coolsculpting Treat?

Almost any area of the body that has excess fat or fatty deposits can be treated with Coolsculpting. Applicators of different sizes and shapes are available for the treatment of particular areas. The area that your doctor can treat may depend on the type of applicator he has in his practice. That is why it is a good idea to choose a practice that has a wide range of applicators on hand.

What Will Happen During Coolsculpting?

Each Coolsculpting treatment will take one hour. Depending on the number of practitioners you have, you can treat one area at a time or two areas. The treatment is usually quite comfortable. You are going to be awake during this, so it is a good idea to bring something with you to help fill the time. You can read a book, watch a show on Netflix or Hulu, do some work, or talk to a friend on the phone.

Before treatment, a practitioner will label the areas you want to be treated with a marker. The paddle or applicator will then be placed in that area. The applicator will lift the treatment area with some suction and start to cool the area. You might feel a cold or a bit of a sting at first, but after the area gets numb, you won’t feel that much at all. Based on the number of areas you want to be treated, you may need to return after the first session..

What Happens After Coolsculpting?

Right after Coolsculpting, the treated area will be raised and red because of exposure to the cold. Your practitioner may gently massage it to bring down the swelling.

You may feel good enough to go back to work or to do your other regularly scheduled actions right after treatment. Optionally, you might want to take off the rest of the day. After treatment, there’s no real downtime, so you should be able to get back to your regular activities and habits pretty much right away.

Seriously, What Happens to the Fat?

After Coolsculpting, your body doesn’t immediately get rid of the fat. Instead, it requires time to break it down and flush it through the lymphatic system. Once the fat is decimated, the body will treat it like a waste and make an attempt to get rid of it. How long it takes to completely flush away the fat depends on how fast your body metabolizes things.

Usually, after 16 weeks, people see full results. You might see results earlier, though.

How Many Treatments Do You Need?

How many treatments you need will depend on how much fat you have and how several areas you want to treat. Typically, a single treatment for Coolsculpting can remove up to 25% of the excess fat in the area. If you want more dramatic outcomes, you might want to schedule two treatments in the same area.

The fat eliminated by Coolsculpting is permanently gone, so you won’t need to schedule touch-up appointments to get rid of “return” fat.

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Bodydental

Mini Dental Implant Myths and the Truths Behind Them

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Understandably, it can be very confusing to figure out the dental procedure that’s best for you on your own. Regardless if you lost a tooth or several, it is crucial that you are able to understand all the long-term options you have available, including dental prosthesis, for your missing or multiple teeth.

Of course, you can read a pamphlet from the dental provider’s office, check with a friend for recommendations, or do some online research. However, unless you check with your dental office, you won’t be able to figure things out on your own.

Case in point: you’ve likely heard of dental implants, mini-dental implants, or dentures. While both are considered more superior choices compared to dentures or bridges, how do you know if mini dental implants are the best option for your case?

While a great option for many people, not everyone knows what mini dental implants really are and how they differ from the traditional dental implants. That being said, it is also no surprise that many myths and misconceptions abound about mini dental implants, dentist, denture, tooth, and abutments nowadays.

Mini Dental Implants Myths and Facts

If you’re a candidate for mini dental implants and would like to know more about them, it would be a good idea to educate yourself on the most common myths about mini dental implants and the truths behind them:

Myth

If you are not considered a good candidate for traditional dental implants or teeth, you can’t get mini dental implants.

Fact

In some cases, even individuals who are not considered good candidates for conventional dental implants can still get great results from mini dental implants.

For instance, someone who does not have ample bone thickness to support a couple of large implants can have a structurally superior solution with an evenly distributed 4 to 6 mini dental implants.

Not only that, since a very small pilot bit is used to create the opening for the implant so it can be threaded into the bone, even those infirm or elderly patients can benefit from this quick and straightforward procedure.

Myth

Getting back to your normal routine can take a long time after getting mini dental implants.

Fact

Thanks to advances in technology and dentistry, interruption to one’s normal routine after a mini dental procedure is now minimal. Mini dental implants can be used right away. That means, you can also continue with your normal everyday routine right after the procedure.

Conventional implants, on the other hand, will require a longer time and are deemed a more complex surgery. In fact, several months will be needed just to ensure the implant fuses with the bone and the surgical site heals completely before the crown is placed.

Myth

Mini dental implants will feel awkward in your mouth.

Fact

Undeniably, one of the best upsides of mini dental implants is they are designed to look, feel, and function just like the natural teeth. In addition, they are also kinder and have less impact on the bone and gum tissues. This makes mini dental implants ideal for most people including the elderly who oftentimes are not qualified to get traditional dental implants.

Myth

Mini dental implants are very expensive.

Fact

Since mini dental implants are smaller, the procedure for denture is quicker, less invasive, and yes, more affordable. While the procedure can also require time for planning, the actual time needed to complete the procedure is also way shorter.

Mini dental implants typically cost 1/2 or 1/4 of the cost of conventional dental implants. What’s even better is mini dental implants does not only cost less compared to their traditional counterparts, they are also less time-consuming and less disruptive to your normal routine.

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Bodydental

Most Prevalent Dental Implant Myths and Misconceptions

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

If you have experienced missing teeth, it is highly likely that you already have dental implants or your dentist has recommended it to you. Stable, robust, and permanent, dental implants (also known as teeth implants) are post or metal screws that are surgically placed into the jawbone. Once in place, replacement dental prosthesis are then mounted onto the implants.

Nowadays, dental implants are considered the most effective way to replace missing teeth (or more) and correct one’s smile. One amazing truth about dental implants is they’re designed to feel, perform, and look like the natural teeth. The American Dental Association considers dental implants as an excellent long-term option to restore one’s smile.

Debunking the Most Common Dental Implant Myths

The development as well as use of dental implants and osseointegration is deemed one of the biggest advances in dentistry in decades. However, while unfortunate to note, many myths and misconceptions about dental implants, teeth still abound until now.

In this article, we list down some of the most common dental implant myths and the truths behind them.

People will know you have a dental implant

Many people find it easy to spot dentures so spotting dental implants should be just as easy, right? Wrong! Dental implants look so much like the real teeth that no one will have an idea you have them until you say so.

Thanks to the translucent quality of the materials as well as the latest advancements in dental technology, your dental implants will look no different than your natural teeth. Not only that, dental implants are also designed to help ensure it won’t affect your face structure so no one will suspect you have dental implants.

You can get a new teeth in a day

This misconception can be traced to overzealous marketing, giving people the impression they can have their dental implants in a day. While it’s true that dental implants are placed in the patient’s mouth in a day, the entire implant process, including teeth, will require more than just a day.

Not everyone may be aware of it but the dental implant process involves consultation, scans or X-rays (when needed), implant preparation, and follow-up appointments. The process can help warrant that the patient is a good candidate for dental implants, teeth, and it is the best option available.

Only young people are ideal candidates for dental implants

There is definitely no truth to this. If anything, age is not a determining factor if someone is a good dental candidate or not. However, a few key factors including teeth will be looked into to gauge if someone is a good candidate for dental implants.

Some of the key factors that will be taken into account include health of the gum tissue, strength of the jaw bone, dental implant placement, and the patient’s overall health. As long as the patients ticks all the key requirements, they are deemed good candidates for the procedure.

The dental implant procedure is painful

If you’re a candidate for dental implants, you’d be delighted to know this is not true. If truth be told, dental implant surgery is carried out with nitrous oxide, anaesthesia, or sedation, whichever is best for the patient.

Patients who have undergone dental implants report they did not experience any pain during the entire procedure. While some experience a little tenderness after the dental implant surgery, it often goes away after taking over-the-counter pain medications. When needed, stronger pain relievers may be prescribed.

Dental implant surgery is very risky

While every dental implant surgery will involve some risk, it is reassuring to know it is very minimal. This might not be common knowledge but the overall success rate is actually at 95 to 98 percent so there is definitely nothing to worry about.

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SkincareUltherapy

4 Myths About Ultherapy Debunked

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Ultherapy® is an innovative skin tightening and lifting procedure using focused ultrasound energy by a private pharmaceutical company based in Germany. Although it has made waves during its initial introduction in 2008, patients still wonder, “Is it right for me? Will it hurt? Is it costly?”

Below are the most common myths about Ultherapy® and why it is important to separate fact from fiction regarding ultrasound energy, face, wrinkles, and elastin.

Ultherapy® Uses Radiofrequency

Radio Frequency (RF) machines tap into electromagnetic waves between 1 km and 1 cm and primarily tighten skin by focusing on the more superficial tissue. Several ultrasound procedures in a year are usually advised when it comes to RF because although the comfort level is high, the penetration is not as deep.

Ultherapy® uses ultrasound technology to tighten and smoothen the deeper layers of the skin focally. As a matter of fact, Ultherapy® treatment goes as deep as 3 mm to 4.5 mm using ultrasound and reaches temperatures of up to about 70 degrees Celsius beneath the skin. Treating the deeper layers of the skin with ultrasound promotes collagen tightening and lifting from the inside, resulting in dramatic and prolonged results.

This is also why Ultherapy® treatment can be performed twice annually. The goal of this skin treatment, aside from stimulating collagen production, is to create better symmetry for the patient’s face by improving the appearance of large jowls, reducing a double chin and droopy brows.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Ultherapy® treatment can be done anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half, and will be quick or could also take longer, depending on your comfort level. Some patients experience little to zero discomforts during the skin treatment, allowing the aesthetic doctor to proceed with the procedure without any delays whatsoever. However, if a patient feels some discomfort on the skin, the aesthetic doctor may stop and pause between pulses to allow the patient time to feel comfortable while the treatment is being performed.

There are also patients who opt to focus on areas like the jawline or neck and choose to forego other areas like the brow bone area, and this may influence the overall time it takes to complete the procedure.

There is absolutely no downtime with this skin treatment, though one may feel slight discomfort or stinging along the cheeks or jowls. The discomfort may be compared to the feeling when you have chewed on something for a long time, but the sensation goes away pretty soon after.

The Procedure is Painful

The comfort level of a patient varies depending on his/her pain threshold. Nevertheless, since Ultherapy® treatment uses various depth levels, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5mm, the patient has the choice to work with the most comfortable level. It is also important to note that the sensation felt on the skin is limited to the time when the ultrasound energy is being delivered and doesn’t linger long afterwards.

You Have to Repeat the Treatment Several Times a Year

There’s absolutely no need to repeat the procedure several times because, unlike treatments that work only on the skin’s surface, Ultherapy® works on the deeper layers of skin, and this stimulates collagen production that lasts up to a full year, and in some cases, up to three years even.

Using the original Ulthera® system, Ultherapy® is a noninvasive treatment that utilizes micro-focused ultrasound to lift and tighten the skin under the chin, on the brow, neck, and chest. It encourages the body’s own natural healing process, which starts the production of fresh, new collagen in the skin.

HIFUs are Later “Generations” of Ultherapy

Ultherapy is the only FDA-approved Ultrasound-based device for skin. They are the originator of the technology and also the ones with the most clinical results and presentations at major conferences. Hence, all other “generations” of HIFU are just copy machines of the original.

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FaceSkincare

Are Facial Whitening Creams Safe?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

It is somewhat controversial and potentially unsafe to use skin lightening cream (mencerahkan kulit wajah) to bleach the skin. Know how these creams work and how side effects can be prevented.

Michael Jackson may be the most famous person known to have lightened his skin, but it is claimed that a whole host of celebrities have used skin lightening creams. Yet celebrities aren’t the only ones who opt for a convenient jar of skin bleaching cream (mencerahkan kulit wajah). Across countries like India and Africa, this beauty trend is actually quite common around the globe.

Skin conditions such as melasma, marked by dark or gray-brown patches on the skin, require the use of a cream to lighten the skin. However, to reach what society says is a standard of beauty, many people use these creams: clearer skin. And skin lightening is controversial for that reason. Bleaching skin also poses some risks, particularly if you do it at home without a doctor’s help.

How Do Skin Lightening Creams Work?

The most powerful skin lightening creams contain hydroquinone, says New York City’s Juva Skin and Laser Center director Bruce Katz, MD, a dermatologist. Many creams may have kojic acid, but they are less powerful, Dr. Katz says. Others add kojic acid and hydroquinone. You may purchase them over the counter, or a dermatologist can recommend them.

Katz explains that these products lighten the skin by causing a chemical reaction that blocks melanocytes, the skin cells that pigment your skin.

A skin lightening cream, says Katz, is supposed to be used for up to two or three months. This is sufficient time to lighten the skin without causing any harm. If you’re vigilant about staying out of the sun (stimulating melanocytes to darken your skin) and preventing problems that can cause brown spots like acne, your skin can remain lightened for good, says Katz.

Potential Risks of Skin Lightening

If you correctly use skin lightening creams — under a dermatologist’s supervision, there is a low risk of side effects. But using them alone is not free, Katz says.

For example, you can’t know for sure what you’re getting when you buy a skin lightening cream over the internet, says Katz. The label states that there is five or six percent hydroquinone in the cream, but there is no assurance that it will contain the specified ingredients. Nonetheless, you know you can trust the label when you use a skin lightening cream recommended by your dermatologist.

In some cases, the creams that cause a rash, so consulting with a dermatologist is crucial and being able to report any concerns to the doctor immediately.

Overuse is the most severe risk associated with a skin lightening cream. For several months, several people bleach their skin, which can actually cause the opposite of the desired effect and make your skin darker, says Katz. That’s a side effect that’s hard to reverse, so even if you’re using a product prescribed for you, it’s very important to follow your doctor’s instructions.

The good news is that bleaching skin under the supervision of a dermatologist will help you achieve the results you’re looking for by using products that you know are healthy.

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Bodyinjury

The Most Common Causes of Shoulder Pain and Shoulder Problems

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

The shoulder is made up of several joints combined with the muscles and tendons. They help the shoulder perform a vast range of motions in the arm—from throwing the perfect pitch to scratching the back. However, mobility has a price. In some cases, it can lead to instability issues and impingement of the bony structures or soft tissue in the shoulder.

Anatomy of the Shoulder

The shoulder is composed of 3 bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone). The upper bone’s head fits into the shoulder blade’s rounded socket. The socket is known as the glenoid.

A combination of tendons and muscles keeps the arm bone centered in the shoulder socket. The tissues are known as rotator cuff. The rotator cuff covers the head of the upper arm bone and attaches it to the shoulder blade.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain treatment that will be recommended by the doctor will depend on the cause of the condition. That means frozen shoulder treatment recommended will be different from recommended treatment options for shoulder issues caused by arthritis or fracture.

Most problems with the shoulder are classified into 4 categories:

  • Tendon inflammation or tendon tear (tendinitis or bursitis)

  • Arthritis

  • Instability

  • Broken bone (fracture)

Tendinitis

The cord that connects the muscle to the bone is called the tendon. Tendinitis is often the result of tendon inflammation. There are two types of tendinitis:

  • Acute – Excessive ball throwing as well as other overhead activities can lead to acute tendinitis.

  • Chronic – Degenerative diseases like repetitive wear and tear as well as arthritis can lead to chronic tendinitis.

Bursitis

The small fluid-filled sacs that are found in the joints throughout the body (including the shoulder) is called bursae. They also function as cushions between the overlying soft tissues and the bones. They also work by ensuring there is minimal friction between the bone and the gliding muscles.

In some instances, excessive shoulder use can result in swelling and inflammation of the bursa situated between the acromion and the rotator cuff. This condition is referred to as subacromial bursitis.

Impingement

When the acromion puts pressure on the underlying soft tissues, a shoulder impingement can occur. As the arm is lifted, the acromion can impinge on the rotator cuff tendons and bursa. This scenario can result in tendinitis and bursitis which causes pain as well as limited movement.

Arthritis

Shoulder pain can also be attributed to arthritis. While there are many different types of arthritis, the most common type that develops in the shoulder is osteoarthritis. This condition is also commonly referred to as wear and tear arthritis.

Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include stiffness, swelling, and pain. This condition often affects middle-aged individuals. While osteoarthritis can develop gradually, the pain it causes can worsen with time.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by work or sports injuries as well as chronic wear and tear. Other types of osteoarthritis are linked to infection, rotator cuff tears, and joint lining inflammation.

Tendon Tears

The tearing and splitting of tendons can be the result of degenerative changes or acute injury. The tears can be partial or at times, severe enough to completely separate the tendon from the bone. Biceps tendon injuries as well as rotator cuff injuries are considered among the most common.

Instability

Shoulder instability happens when the upper arm bone’s head is forced out of the shoulder socket. This can occur as a result of overuse or sudden injury. Shoulder dislocations can be partial. This condition is called subluxation.

Once the tendons, muscles, or ligaments around the shoulder have become torn or loose, dislocations can happen repeatedly. Recurring dislocations will not only cause pain, it can also result in unsteadiness when the arm is raised or moved away from the body.

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Bodydental

How Long Will Mini Dental Implants Last?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Contrary to popular belief, mini dental implants are not inferior to traditional implants. If anything, mini dental implants are considered the best alternative to traditional implants for replacement teeth in certain scenarios.

For starters, mini dental implants are used when the space is extra narrow and an average implant just won’t fit in. Oftentimes, mini dental implants are also used to replace incisors. They are also the best recourse for patients with generally small teeth.

When are Mini Dental Implants Used?

Let’s get something straight: you can’t get mini dental implants just because you prefer them. Mini dental implants are designed for use in specific cases. Oftentimes, mini dental implants are considered ideal in the following scenarios:

  • If the teeth for replacement is situated in the front, dental implant system.

  • If you need premolar replacement

  • If your teeth is located in a very narrow space

  • If you have really small teeth

Mini dental implants are considered more secure compared to other alternatives. Since it provides more security, you can use it just like you would your natural tooth.

How Long Do Mini Dental Implants Last?

The lifespan of mini dental implants will depend on bone and surgery factors. Some of the key factors are:

  • Smoking

  • Osteoporosis (or other bone diseases)

  • Substance or alcohol abuse

  • Lack of implant care

Also, it is important to keep in mind that every mouth is different. That being said, even if 2 patients will get dental implants from the same dentist the same day, they can still have different experiences in terms of implant longevity.

What are the Differences Between Mini Dental Implants and Traditional Implants?

Many people often confuse mini dental implants and traditional implants. However, the two have distinct differences. Here’s how to differentiate one from the other:

Mini Dental Implants

Unlike the conventional implant, mini dental implants have a diameter smaller than 3mm. At the top of the device, there is a ball-shaped protrusion that’s designed to support the dentures. The denture also has a rubber O-ring that slides over the ball-shaped part.

Since mini dental implants are half the diameter of traditional implants, it would take two mini dental implants to provide the same level of support a traditional implant can provide.

While this can seem like a bad thing, nothing is farther from the truth. You have to keep in mind that sometimes, a smaller implant is the only option that can fit within a small space.

Traditional Dental Implants

A traditional implant is made up of two pieces. The external dental implant screw goes into the bone and has a diameter larger than 3mm. Inside the implant, there’s a thread compatible with various types of dentures.

While traditional implants are better able to distribute the weight of a denture, sometimes it’s just not the ideal option especially when the space is just too narrow for traditional implants to fit in.

How Much Do Mini Dental Implants Cost?

The short answer: less than conventional implants. On average, mini dental implants can cost between $500 to $1, 500. Conventional implants on the other hand can cost around $4, 000 to $5, 000.

Below are some of the reasons mini dental implants are cheaper than traditional implants:

  • They have more affordable implant screws. Understandably, since the screws used are smaller, they are way cheaper compared to the larger screws that are used for traditional implants.

  • The procedure is way more simple. The process of inserting mini dental implants is less time-consuming and less invasive compared to traditional implants. Since less effort and time is required, the money spent is also less.

  • Bone grafting is often not needed. In most cases, there is no need to perform any bone grafting for patients in need of mini dental implants. One less step in the process also means a significant decrease in the overall cost.

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Body

What Are Common Causes of Neck Pain?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

The neck is made up of vertebrae that extends from the skull down to the upper torso. It also has cervical discs that are designed to absorb the shock between the bones. The ligaments, muscles, and bones found in the neck support the head and allow it to move. Any injury, inflammation, or abnormalities may result in neck stiffness or pain.

Many people experience occasional neck pain or stiffness. In most cases, it can be attributed to overuse or poor posture. Other times, neck pain can also be caused by whiplash, contact sports, or injury from a fall.

Oftentimes, neck pain is not serious and won’t warrant neck pain treatment. However, if neck pain is severe, lingers for more than a week, and is accompanied by other symptoms, seeking medical attention right away is recommended.

There are different options to treat neck pain. However, the cause needs to be determined first before the best treatment can be provided. Fortunately, mild cases of neck pain will respond well to conservative treatments like exercise, pain medications, and massage. Many people who visit their chiropractors also report relief from neck pain.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck stiffness or pain can be attributed to a lot of causes. Some of the most prevalent causes of neck pain include:

Muscle strain and tension

Muscle strain and tension can be due to the following behaviours and activities:

  • Working in the same position for too long

  • Sleeping with the neck in a bad position

  • Poor posture

  • Jerking the neck during exercise

Heart attack

Neck pain can also be one of the symptoms of a heart attack. However, oftentimes, it manifests together with other symptoms such as:

  • Vomiting

  • Nausea

  • Jaw or arm pain

  • Sweating

  • Shortness of breath

  • Injury

The neck can be very vulnerable to injury especially when playing sports, or during falls, and car accidents. In the aforementioned scenarios, the neck’s ligaments and muscles are forced to move outside of its normal range. If the cervical vertebrae (neck bones) are fractured, the spinal cord can also get damaged. Neck injury that occurs due to sudden jerking of the head is called whiplash.

Other causes

Other likely causes of neck pain include:

Osteoporosis. In people with the condition, the bone can weaken and can result in small fractures. While this condition often manifests in the knees and hands, it can also occur in the neck.

Spinal stenosis. This condition develops when the spinal column narrows down and causes pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord as it exits the vertebrae. This condition can also develop due to long-term inflammation caused by arthritis and other conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis. This condition causes joint swelling, pain, and bone spurs. When this develops in the neck area, neck pain can occur.

Fibromyalgia. This condition causes muscle pain throughout the body especially in the shoulder and neck region.

Spondylosis. When the cervical discs degenerate, spondylosis can occur. This condition is also known as osteoarthritis of the neck. When spondylosis is present, the space between the vertebrae can narrow down. The condition can also add stress to the joints.

Herniated cervical disk. Also known as slipped or ruptured disk, this condition occurs when a disk protrudes due to injury or trauma and puts pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord.

In very rare instances, neck pain and stiffness can be secondary to:

  • Infections

  • Tumors

  • Abscesses

  • Congenital abnormalities

  • Spine cancer

When to See Your Doctor

If the neck stiffness or pain lasts for more than a week, a visit to the doctor is recommended. You should also check with your doctor right away if the neck pain is accompanied by:

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Nausea

  • Swollen glands

  • Vomiting

  • Tingling

  • Numbness

  • Weakness

  • Lumps in the neck

  • Pain that travels down the legs or arms

  • Bowel or bladder dysfunction

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