RADIOGRAPHS/X-RAYS

Radiographic examinations of the mouth and the teeth are crucial in the diagnosis and the management of the many dental conditions. The dentist can utilize the X-rays to detect problems that may not be visible during a routine examination or before the symptoms appear. Bitewing, periapical and panoramic radiographs are the three basic types of radiographs that may be taken by your dentist at your routine check-up and clean appointment.

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INTRA-ORAL CAMERA

While X-rays provide valuable information, they do not give a complete view of everything that is going on inside your mouth. With the use of an intraoral camera in your routine check-up appointment, we can see every aspect of your teeth and mouth with incredible detail, uncovering cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities next to the fillings, and excessive wear. When we discover oral problems early on, your treatment is much less invasive and much more cost effective.

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FLUORIDE

Fluoride treatment is offered during the regular check-up and clean appointment after the scale and clean is completed. It is not only effective in preventing plaque build-up and hardening of plaque on the teeth, it is also effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay. Patients are asked not to eat, drink or rinse for half an hour after the fluoride treatment in the office. Depending on your overall caries risk, fluoride treatment may be recommended every 3, 6 or 12 months.

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SEALANTS

On their chewing surfaces, back teeth have deep grooves and fissures that attract plaque and food particles. These surfaces are hard to reach and clean with a toothbrush and if left alone, these areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants are plastic resins that fill and seal the grooves and fissures on the chewing surfaces of the vulnerable back teeth.  Sealants offer extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities. Sealants are applied to newly erupted permanent teeth in children as a preventive measure. Even though it is more common to seal the permanent teeth in children, your dentist may advise sealing the baby teeth depending on the individual case requirements. Sealants last anywhere between 3-5 years, though it is not uncommon to find sealants still intact from childhood in adults. Adults can have their healthy teeth sealed as well. Sealants provide protection when they are fully intact. If sealants come off, let your dentist know, schedule an appointment for teeth to be re-sealed.

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PERIODONTAL CHECK UP

The regular check-up and clean appointment includes the assessment of the periodontal/gum tissues around the teeth. The plaque that can harden to become calculus/tartar causes gum disease. If you suffer from gum/periodontal disease, the dentist will advise you of the diagnosis and discuss the potential treatment required which might include referral to a Periodontist/gum specialist.

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BONDING

A conservative way to repair slightly chipped/fractured, mildly discoloured or crooked teeth in which a filling is placed on the tooth to improve its appearance is bonding. The filling material comes in different shades; hence, very closely matches the natural tooth in appearance. This procedure is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and teeth can be bonded to improve the appearance in terms of shade and shape of the teeth in the office. Bonded fillings can chip, break or stain more than other cosmetic treatment such as porcelain veneers; however, they can be repaired easily in one visit.

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WISDOM TEETH

Wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the back of your upper and lower jaw on both sides. They usually erupt around 18-20 years of age with exceptions in some cases where they may have erupted earlier or later in life. Due to lack of space at the back of the mouth or the angle, at which wisdom teeth try to erupt, they can very commonly become impacted (fail to erupt in the mouth). It is very common for patients to present with gum tenderness, swelling or infection with severe pain when the wisdom teeth are impacted. It is generally advised to have the wisdom teeth removed in the late teens or early twenties when the roots are not fully formed, and bone is less dense around the teeth thus making extraction easier. In some cases, the general dentist may need to refer you to an oral surgeon for the removal of the wisdom teeth.

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FILLINGS

Dental materials used for fillings these days include ceramics and composite resins. These materials mimic the appearance of natural teeth and are very successfully used in the front teeth. Composite resins can be used on the back teeth depending upon the location and extent of the decay. Fillings are of two different types-direct and indirect:

Direct fillings are placed in a prepared cavity in a single visit and can be glass ionomer, resin ionomers or composite resin fillings.

Indirect fillings are placed when a tooth has too much damage to support a filling but not so much damage that a crown is required. Indirect fillings include inlays, onlays or veneers and usually require 2-3 visits.

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ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Root canal treatment is performed to save the tooth with a diseased nerve. If the tooth has a deep cavity or a crack, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue (nerve) and cause inflammation and infection in the tooth. If left untreated, the tooth may develop an abscess with pain and swelling. Root canal treatment is completed in 1-4 visits by your general dentist or endodontist (dentist who specialises in the root canal treatment). In the first visit, affected tissue is removed. Then the interior of the tooth is cleaned and shaped in the second visit. The interior of the tooth is filled in the final stage of root canal treatment. The final filling can be direct or indirect or a crown depending on the amount of tooth structure remaining.

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CROWNS AND BRIDGES

A tooth can be chipped, broken or weakened due to trauma, decay, large fillings, root canal treatment or age related wear and tear. An artificial crown or cap may be the best option to save or strengthen the tooth. 

Teeth lost due to trauma/accident or with  extensive decay may require a bridge as the preferred treatment of choice. A bridge replaces one or missing teeth by anchoring to the adjacent natural teeth. 

Different porcelain and metal alloys are used in the fabrication of crowns and bridges. Please discuss with your dentist if you have any questions.

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EXTRACTIONS

A tooth may have to be removed due to various reasons such as:

• Baby tooth that is over-retained and has long roots

• Extensive decay in baby and permanent teeth that puts the surrounding teeth and tissues at risk of decay or harm

• Infected teeth

• Orthodontic correction

• Wisdom Teeth

The adjacent and opposing teeth can sometimes shift in the gap/ space created by the extracted teeth resulting in chewing difficulties and sometime jaw issues. To prevent such issues, dentist will recommend replacing the missing teeth with bridge, implant or denture. Please talk to your dentist about the best possible option in your case.

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IMPLANT

It is crucial to replace missing teeth in the mouth. Missing teeth can have impact on your chewing and eating and can destabilise your bite. Implants are a good option to replace missing teeth in the mouth and if properly maintained, may last a lifetime. Implants can be used to anchor dentures especially the lower denture. It improves both the function and aesthetics in a patient with all missing teeth.

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DENTURES

A denture is a removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth in the mouth. They can be partial or full depending upon the number of teeth replaced. Partial dentures may be attached to a metal frame that takes support from the existing teeth in the mouth. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be taken care of in and outside the mouth. You will be provided with an instruction sheet on how to look after your denture in the delivery visit.

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