What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is dedicated to brightening and enhancing the appearance of your smile. Whether your teeth are crooked, discoloured, too close together or too far apart, too short, too long or too gummy, today’s technological advancements can make an amazing difference. Techniques include porcelain veneers, crowns, dental bridges, gum lifts, bonding, tooth whitening and implants.
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What types of dental bridges are available?
There are several types, and which one we recommend depends on where it will go in your mouth, your bite and also the aesthetic and functional considerations.
A bridge will keep teeth from drifting into the space created by a missing tooth, helping preserve normal function and a normal bite for the jaw joint. In the most common type of bridge, crowns are applied to the two teeth on either side of a gap (where teeth have been removed). This involves joining three crowns, including a crown to fill the gap.
A bridge is suitable in areas where teeth on either side of the gap have been filled and would benefit from restoration with crowns. If the teeth beside the gap don’t have fillings, it might be better to explore options such as Dental implants. This avoids having to cut otherwise-perfect teeth.
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What does Root Canal Treatment really mean?
Root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment) is a procedure that specifically treats the pulp of the tooth and tissues surrounding the root of the tooth.
Steps involves local anaesthesia, removal of the gross infection, further cleaning and shaping of the canals and the last stage in the completion of treatment which involves filling the canals with an inert filling material. Final restoration of the treated tooth with a crown or bridge.
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Why are zirconium crowns becoming popular in Dentistry ?
Most dental practices are switching from the conventional PFM crowns and moving towards the use of zirconium for creating fixed dental restorations. Because zirconium crowns and bridges possess excellent esthetics and are virtually indestructible, zirconium is becoming the most popular material for making dental crowns and other restorations.
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How does oral health impact my overall well-being?
There are links between poor oral health and other systemic diseases. Most studies show that it is not a causative link (i.e. poor oral health does not cause heart disease), rather those patients already affected by a chronic systemic disease (such as heart disease and diabetes) have more problems trying to manage their disease if their oral health is poor. It is more difficult to maintain good oral health if you are already chronically ill or on medication, so making sure excellent oral health is maintained while you are healthy will pay dividends in times of illness.
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What happens after I have my braces removed?
When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Your final orthodontic result depends on you wearing your retainers, so follow through with the work you’ve put in so far. Remember to remove your retainer before eating and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth. Alternatively, we can fit you with a permanent fixed wire retainer on the inner surfaces of your teeth.
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Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?
The simple answer is: not necessarily. Nature doesn’t create redundancies, there is usually a reason we have all the body parts we have. However, due to many factors, impacted and problematic wisdom teeth are becoming more and more frequent. Your dentist will advise whether your wisdom teeth are fine the way they are or if they are likely to be problematic. If so, extraction may be recommended. This can be done in the general dental surgery, under local anaesthetic or under general anaesthetic or under sedation. Occasionally a referral to an Oral Surgeon (a dental specialist) may be required.
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Why would my teeth need Whitening ?
There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant-white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older.
Your teeth can also be stained on the surface by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth.
‘Calculus' or tartar can also affect the colour of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
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What is teeth cleaning ?
Teeth cleaning (Scaling) is a plaque or Calculus removal process. The dentist uses a tool called a scaler to scrape the plaque off your teeth. Ideally dental literature recommends teeth cleaning every six months after oral examination.
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How do I take care of my baby/toddler’s teeth?
If your baby doesn’t have any teeth yet, you can wipe their gums with a clean warm wet cloth after every feed. When the first teeth appear make sure you clean them after feeds with a warm wet cloth and avoid letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle. Ideally, it is preferable not allow your baby to drink anything else but milk or water from a bottle. Your toddler can have their teeth brushed the same way as the rest of the family. Until they are three years old they may not be able to spit, so avoid putting too much toothpaste on the brush and use only a smear rather than a blob of paste to brush their teeth. You may choose to use a milk teeth toothpaste with less fluoride until the first permanent teeth start erupting, but using regular toothpaste is acceptable as long as it is used in small quantities.