Bridges - When you have a missing tooth, it
affects the way you chew and eat; it may also look odd when you smile.
These gaps can also cause the other teeth to move into the empty
space, resulting in a bad bite. Dental bridges are the right solution
in such a situation.
There are different types of
materials from which bridges are made. Depending on where the bridge
is to be placed, its role, aesthetic considerations and cost; your
dentist will help you choose the right type of bridge.
Dental bridges are false teeth.
They are fixed between two crowns to fill in the gap left by a missing
tooth. The adjacent teeth, known as abutments, serve as anchors for
the bridge. The replacement tooth is called a pontic and is attached
to the abutment teeth.
Crowns - Your teeth can wear away or break
because of an improper bite, age, fillings and tooth decay. Dental
crowns are then needed to cover the visible surface of your tooth to
make it strong, durable and stable.
Dental crowns are used when there
is a need to:
• Protect a weak tooth or to fix
a broken tooth.
• Restore a broken or a worn out
tooth.
• Cover and support a tooth with
a large filling when there isn't much tooth left.
• Keep a dental bridge in place.
• Cover misshaped or severely
discolored teeth.
• Cover a dental implant.
Different types of crowns - Depending on esthetic demands,
strength requirements, material durability and restorative space
available; your dentist will recommend the type of dental crown to be
used. We list below the types of crowns in use today and how they are
different from each other:
Porcelain crowns -
Advantage: Porcelain crowns match the color of teeth perfectly and
that is one of the main reasons for its popularity. By eliminating the
need for the supportive metal core, an esthetic all-ceramic crown can
be created with a reduced thickness. This makes them a more favorable
treatment choice in areas with limited space. Additionally, the
elimination of the metal core allows for light transmission through
the porcelain for better optical, life-like properties and a higher
level of esthetics. Though all-ceramic materials are very strong and
durable, caution should still be exercised when using in areas of the
mouth requiring heavy function.
Disadvantage: Porcelain crowns
require more tooth structure to be removed. They also require more
expertise from your dentist.
Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns
Advantage: Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns have a natural look.
Disadvantage: They have a metal
substructure, which can make it somewhat opaque. A darker line may be
seen at the edge of the crown, when the gum line recedes with age.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns with an all-porcelain collar can
eliminate this vulnerability.
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Types of dental implants - Today, most dental implants are
made of titanium, a metal that has special qualities that make it
useful for this purpose. The most important reason why titanium is
used for dental implants is that the body does not reject titanium as
a foreign object. Hence, bone integration happens efficiently.
Titanium develops a thin film on its surface that protects it from
corrosion. It is resistant to acids, salt solutions and oxygen, among
other things. Titanium is also almost completely nonmagnetic and is
extremely strong for its weight.
Success and failure rates of dental
implants - "The success or failure of an
implant relies on a number of factors, including the quality of the
patient's overall health.
"The success rate for implants
decreases in patients that suffer from chronic problems, for example
tooth grinding and clenching or systemic diseases, such as
uncontrolled diabetes. Also, individuals who smoke heavily or abuse
alcohol may not be ideal candidates for the procedure."
Dental implants have a success
rate of 95% when no bone grafting is involved. With bone grafting, the
success rate will be slightly lower; and with smokers it may dip to
50-60%. (Smokers do not heal normally due to impaired small capillary
circulation; many surgeons will not do implant procedures on a
smoker).
There's a 5% difference in
implant success rate between diabetics and non-diabetics. The better
your diabetic control, the higher the implant success rate.
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Loss of teeth can affect your
smile, your confidence, the way you speak and eat, and also your
health. Dentures are a time-tested remedy for filling the gap left by
missing teeth. They are also very affordable and available in
different types to suit your particular need.
If you have lost many teeth due
to periodontal disease, tooth decay, or damage, dentures may be the
cheapest and best way out. Though implants can also be used in such a
situation, implants require strong bones; they are also much more
expensive than dentures.
If you have lost only a tooth or
two, either dental bridging or implants can solve the problem.
Dentures are not necessary in such a case.
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Porcelain veneers are thin
ceramic shells that hide defects such as tetracycline stains or broken
teeth. Even gaps between the front teeth, chipped and worn out teeth
can be cosmetically repaired with porcelain veneers. They are a great
alternative to crowns in many cases. Veneers are a much more
conservative way of improving a tooth's color, size, or shape.
Porcelain veneers are used to
correct only cosmetic defects like staining, broken or chipped teeth.
They are not the solution for decayed teeth, missing teeth, etc.
Ask your dentist any questions
you may have about the procedure, its limitations, etc. Once bonded,
the color of the veneer cannot be changed. Hence, if you are planning
to whiten your teeth, get that done before veneers are placed.
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The root canal contains the pulp
chamber, filled with dental pulp. This pulp is susceptible to decay or
inflammations because of various factors like caries, bacterial
attack, etc. The process of removing this infected tissue is known as
a root canal treatment.
Root canal is done to save a
tooth that has an infection which has penetrated to the nerve of the
tooth. In root canal, all the damaged nerve tissue is removed and the
area sterilized, so that tissue cannot grow back there. The cavity is
then filled and sealed.
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The term 'teeth whitening' is
used interchangeably with 'teeth bleaching'. Teeth bleaching or
whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
When you chew, millions of very
small cracks occur in the enamel. It is these cracks that slowly fill
up with stains and debris. Subsequently, the teeth become dull.
There are two types of teeth
stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. The former appear on the surface of
the teeth. They are caused by exposure to dark-colored beverages,
foods and tobacco.
Intrinsic stains are those that
form on the interior of teeth as a result of trauma, aging, exposure
to minerals (like tetracycline) or excessive ingestion of fluoride.
Earlier, intrinsic stains were proving too stubborn to be removed by
whitening. But, thanks to the advances in cosmetic dentistry,
intrinsic stains can now be removed.
But the results of teeth
whitening are not permanent. They last for a maximum of three years,
depending on the method used and your dental hygiene.
Teeth Whitening - Procedure Overview
Teeth whitening can be done
either at the dentist's office or at home by the individual. Heavier
stains such as tetracycline-induced stains are best removed by the
dentist.
Independently of whether the
de-staining process is done at home or by the dentist, two preparatory
sessions in the dentist's office are required: first, an oral
examination and, second, a thorough scaling.
Peroxide agents are applied to
the teeth either directly or in whitening trays. This improves the
color of the teeth by five shades or more, but can also cause some
temporary sensitivity. The number of sessions required to complete the
teeth whitening process depends on the extent of the staining.
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Treatment of Gum
Recession
Healthy gum tissue protects your
teeth from disease and helps produce a great smile. However, when you
experience gum tissue loss around your teeth, it can be the beginning
of serious oral health problems. Exposed tooth roots are the result of
gum recession. Recession is never normal, regardless of a person’s
age. There are many causes of gum recession including
periodontal disease, overly aggressive brushing, anatomic
susceptibility, tooth position, orthodontic (braces) treatment, the
shape of your teeth and roots, etc. If recession progresses, without
treatment, it can lead to cosmetic compromises, tooth sensitivity,
tooth/root decay, and even tooth loss. It is important that a
comprehensive examination be completed, to identify the potential
risks for future progression.
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Regular examinations and dental
cleanings are equally important for maintaining healthy strong teeth
and gums. By taking care of your teeth throughout your life, you give
yourself a better chance of having healthy teeth and gums well into
old age.
We provide comfort along with
high technology, so you can relax during your visits, confident of
obtaining the highest level of care.
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Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
When there is no room for wisdom
teeth to come in properly or when the teeth haven't reached their
permanent location by age 25, then they're considered to be impacted
wisdom teeth. Dentists recommend removing the tooth early, before
wisdom tooth and other dental complications can develop.
Partially visible wisdom teeth
are susceptible to bacteria that can cause wisdom tooth infection.
Cysts and tumors can grow on a trapped wisdom tooth, causing
irritation and some pain as well as gum disease. Other problems can
occur when the second molar, (the last tooth before the wisdom tooth)
is damaged as the wisdom tooth grows in without enough room.
The younger the patient, the
easier it will be to heal, which is another reason not to wait before
removing impacted wisdom teeth. This type of surgery is performed in
our office by our oral surgeon, under anesthesia, providing patients
with maximum comfort while keeping the procedure efficient and
cost-effective.
Our dentists and surgeons can
provide guidance on whether you are a candidate for wisdom teeth
removal (extraction). The bottom line is that wisdom teeth most often
don't fit well in our mouths and they can cause other teeth to move,
lead to gum disease or bone problems. Ask for an evaluation and
suggest the best course of action.
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