Health

What is Ptosis and How is it Treated?

Published

2 years ago

October 31, 2021

Ptosis is droopiness of the upper eyelid margin where the lashes come out and hit the colored part of the eye or the iris. Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery specialists assess ptosis in Peoria by measuring the upper eyelid margin and comparing its relationship to the pupil or the black part of the eye.

What causes ptosis?

Some children infants are born with droopy lids. A significant part of the population may be born with mild congenital ptosis that may need to be corrected early. Most adults with this condition seek treatment mainly to improve their appearance.

What is the treatment of ptosis?

A doctor may perform a frontalis suspension to correct ptosis. This treatment involves attaching a silicone band to the connective tissue of the eyelid and then securing that to the frontalis or forehead muscle. When the child elevates their brow, it helps lift the lid. However, that procedure is reserved primarily for people with congenital ptosis, young children with poor muscle function, an inherited disorder.

The grand majority of ptosis repaired droopy eyelid surgery is performed in older patients where the connective tissue that holds the eyelid up stretches out. A specialist can make an incision in the folded crease of the upper eyelid, find that muscle, advance it, and then put stitches in it to shorten the length of the tendon, which in turn raises the lid.

Does blepharoplasty help correct droopy eyelids?

Ptosis treatment is commonly employed in conjunction with blepharoplasty and brow surgery because when specialists elevate the lid, it causes a redundancy or a fold in the skin. Therefore, to avoid that redundancy, it is not uncommon to move some excess eyelid skin simultaneously.

What is the importance of ptosis physical examination?

Your doctor needs to perform a thorough evaluation that will help determine what treatment will best suit a patient in terms of recovery for a ptosis correction. If an incision line is completed in the lid crease of the upper eyelid, your doctor may use absorbable sutures. However, permanent sutures sometimes also work.

What should you expect after ptosis treatment?

The sutures will require removal in one to two weeks following surgery. Moreover, patients that undergo ptosis correction can expect to have bruising and swelling for approximately two to three weeks following surgery. Sometimes your doctor may not know the final height of the eyelid for about six weeks following surgery because there can be some internal swelling. Therefore, postoperative visits are essential to ensure that the incision is healing correctly and that the patient has attained their desired results.

Although ptosis treatment is straightforward, care personalization is essential to ensure that patients get specific results. Droopy eyelids can negatively impact a person’s self-esteem, and finding the proper treatment for you might be what you need to improve your appearance. Contact Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery to learn more about ptosis by scheduling an appointment with your doctor.

Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2024

Michelle Langton

Credit: freepik via Freepik

It’s movie night, and you have an obligatory bowlful of popcorn balancing on your lap. You toss a handful of popcorn and — crack — you unknowingly bite down on a kernel with the full power of your jaw.

Lightning strikes your mouth as you realize this humble kernel broke your tooth.

Now what?

Besides pausing the movie and spitting out your mouthful of popcorn and tooth, you might not know your next steps.

What should you do, and how can you pay for it? Find the answers to these questions and more below:

1. Save the Pieces

If possible, save any broken pieces of the tooth. Your dentist might need these pieces.

2. Rinse Your Mouth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it might aggravate any exposed nerves.

3. Control Bleeding

If you bleed, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze. You can also use a cold compress on your jaw or cheek to reduce swelling.

4. Contact Your Dentist

Reach out to your dentist immediately. Explain the situation and try to schedule an emergency appointment. Many dentists reserve slots for urgent cases. If they don’t have a spot available, look at specialty emergency clinics in your area.

5. Get Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Broken and chipped teeth can hurt, so take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage this pain until you can see your dentist.

6. Check Insurance Coverage

Review your dental insurance policy to understand coverage details. Some policies may cover emergency procedures, while others may have limitations.

7. Discuss Payment Options

If cost is a concern, discuss financing options with your dentist. Some dental offices offer flexible arrangements that give you a break. If you qualify for these plans, you might be able to push out your due date to coincide with your payday. You may even be able to break up your total outstanding amount over several payments.

8. Take out a Personal Loan

If you’re just shy of what you need to cover your emergency dental expense, consider going online to scope out personal loans. A personal loan may fill in for savings in urgent situations. You can quickly visit a website like MoneyKey to see what you need to apply. If approved, a personal loan gives you the means to pay for your visit upfront and pay off what you owe over time.

9. Consider Urgent Care Clinics

If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford a personal loan’s payments, reconsider your choice of dentist. Some dental practices apply a sliding scale to their services so that they can provide immediate care at a lower cost for at-risk individuals.

Next Steps: Thinking About the Future

So, you’ve managed to repair your tooth and pay the bill, too. What’s next? Make sure you hit these three goals soon. They can help you prevent another broken tooth in the future!

Stay on Top of Dental Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day — these simple habits can protect your teeth over time.
Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies.
Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.