FAQ

Yes. One could clean the baby’s mouth with wet gauze and give them water after every meal to ensure that the mouth is free of any food remnants. Also, regular tongue cleaning using a soft cloth is advised.

There are three basic ways to fix a missing tooth or teeth:

• Fixed bridge
• Removable appliance
• Dental implant

Fixed Bridge

A fixed dental bridge replaces the missing tooth by taking support from the adjacent teeth on either side.
The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared for crowns, an impression is made, and is sent to a dental laboratory. The laboratory then makes the bridge which is cemented to the prepared using a permanent luting cement

Removable partial denture

Removable Partial denture can also be used to replace a missing tooth.
The advantages of the removable partial denture appliance is that it can replace multiple missing teeth with one appliance. The disadvantages are that it may not be as esthetic as a bridge. there may be some discomfort with wearing removable hardware in your mouth.

Dental Implant

A dental implant is an artificial “root” that is implanted in your jaw after a tooth extraction, and then a tooth is placed on it. Biologically, it is like placing an entirely new artificial tooth in your mouth.

Teeth will not become loose because of the cleaning procedure. The tartar gathered around the teeth causes infection of the gums and bone. This infection leads to receding of bone and gum levels and thus creates gaps between teeth. The cleaning procedure will help remove tartar and stop the gum and bone from receding and also prevent loosening of teeth. In fact by creating a clean environment this procedure actually allows the reattachment of the gums to the tooth.

Yes children do get cranky when teething since they may experience the signs like drooling, irritability, restlessness, and loss of appetite. Fever, illness, and diarrhoea are not symptoms of teething. If your child presents with the latter signs, they need to be evaluated by your doctor. The best solution to comfort the child is to have the child chew on a cold or frozen rubber teething ring. Topical anesthetics/ gels are NOT advisable.

Prophylactic cleaning of teeth will never remove the tooth enamel nor causes sensitivity. Cleaning is a gentle, non-invasive procedure involving a non-abrasive, ultrasonic instrument which dislodges the surface tartar and stains.

Dental treatment needs to be rendered by a skilled professional using quality equipments and materials. This combined with a follow up of instructions after treatment results in betterment of dental health and the overall health of the patient. The treatment may require one or multiple visits to the dentist. Thus considering the longevity of the results obtained benefits far outweigh the cost involved. Regular dental visit can bring down the cost because any dental problem can be identified and treated at the early stage.

Though brushing cleans the teeth, the toothbrush cannot clean the plaque which is stuck within the gaps between two teeth and under the gum line. Flossing daily keeps the teeth clean and prevents the build-up of plaque in the difficult areas. Dental floss is a special cord made of nylon which helps remove food particles stuck between two adjacent teeth and near the gums. Approximately 18 inches (40 cms.) of floss is wrapped securely around the index fingers. With the help of the index fingers and thumbs the floss is gently guided between two teeth and eased up and down, going below the gum line to dislodge the plaque and food particles.

There are number of reasons for bleeding gums. Bleeding occurs mostly due to accumulation of tartar around the necks of teeth, and may also be due to using a hard bristled tooth brush, anti-epileptic drugs, diabetes and some systemic diseases. It calls for immediate attention by a dental professional to detect the cause and suggest suitable treatment options which may include regular cleaning once in 6 months and periodic review.

Bleaching may usually take about 45 minutes depending on the degree of staining.

Orthodontic treatment usually takes 18 – 24 months. Some patients may finish treatment earlier and others may take longer to complete. The total treatment time depends on the severity of the malocclusion, the type of treatment carried out, and the co-operation of the patient.

Ceramic crown is always preferred due to its high strength and esthetics.

Mouthwashes available in the market are nothing but mild antiseptics that refresh the mouth. These can be used as temporary solutions to combat bad breath. Prolonged usage of a mouthwash is however not advisable. The hard to reach areas by toothbrush are reached and protected by mouthwash.

One should visit the dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups. However, if there is toothache, bleeding gums, sensitive teeth or any dental problem, one is advised to visit the dentist immediately. Patients with the systemic diseases like diabetes, epilepsy should visit the dentist twice or thrice a year. Regular dental visit will help the dentist to identify and treat the diseases at the earlier stage.

Orthodontic braces are made up of brackets, bonding material, ligature elastics and arch wire. The teeth move when the arch wire puts pressure on the brackets and teeth. Sometimes, springs or rubber bands are used to exert more force in a specific direction. Braces exert constant pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. The orthodontic braces will not only help to align the teeth, but will also help to shape and remodel the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth.

Mild spacing can be corrected with the removable appliances. However the chances of relapse are certainly high.

Yes. Most patients return to work after wisdom tooth removal. However, they may keep a light schedule and plan to get rest during the days that follow treatment.

Bad breath or halitosis may be due to dental and some systemic diseases like diabetes, stomach upsets etc. Bad breath can arise due to negligence of oral hygiene, diseases of gums, food lodgement in decayed teeth and unclean tongue. use of a mouthwash, proper brushing/flossing techniques , treatment for dental decay or gum problems and treatment of the systemic diseases can reduce halitosis.

Age is not a factor for the braces treatment. However, a timely screening will lead to better treatment results. Patients usually require healthy supporting structures for orthodontic therapy.

The primary means to oral hygiene is proper and methodical brushing of teeth. Brushing teeth at least twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste is recommended to keep them clean. The toothbrush selected should have a firm, comfortable grip with soft rounded bristles on a contoured head and replaced every 3-4 months for best results or as soon as the bristles are frayed.

Root canal treatment is a safe and painless procedure. The treatment is usually done under local anesthesia and hence painless. The procedure is done with the most modern technologies available in the field today which is usually much faster and more painless than it has ever been. In many occasions, it can be a completely pain-free procedure. If required, painkillers can be taken for a few days after treatment, in order to control normal post-treatment discomfort.

Root canal treated tooth is brittle and as a tendency to fracture. Hence the tooth should be reinforced with the crown immediately after root canal treatment is completed. In some cases The bacteria in saliva, as well as food debris, can go between the temporary filling and the tooth surface and contaminate the root canal treatment. This may cause treatment failure. If a re-infection occurs, often, another root canal treatment will need to be done (endodontic retreatment). If the damage is very extensive, extraction should be considered.

The single most important benefit of root canal therapy is that you save your natural tooth. Extraction may lead to other dental problems, For instance, drifting of teeth, bite problems, TMJ pain, and the need to treat adjacent teeth that do not otherwise need dental treatment in order to restore the missing tooth.

The main difference between silver and white dental fillings is the material that they consist of. Silver (amalgam) fillings, are made up of 50% mercury and 50% of other various metals. White (composite) fillings are made up of acrylic and various glass particles. Other differences in silver and white fillings are cost, strength and the way they look. Composite filling though costlier it has a high strength and esthetics.

Depending on the involved tooth and infection status it can be completed in a single sitting or may take multiple visits. Usually the treatment for the vital tooth is completed in single sitting. In case of an infected tooth, if the tooth is asymptomatic after cleaning and shaping, filling of the root canal is completed in the following visit.

SMILE DESIGNING is a process whereby complete oral hard and soft tissues are studied and certain changes are brought about which will have a positive influence on overall esthetics of face. One of the greatest assets a person can have is a smile that shows beautiful natural teeth. The restoration of a smile is one of the most gratifying services a dentist can render. Improving a patients smile often contribute to improved self image and enhanced self esteem.

One of the most devastating effects of tobacco is the development of oral cancer. The risk of oral cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day and the number of years that the person has been smoking. Some of the other oral side effects of tobacco are tooth stains, delayed healing of oral wounds, increased severity of gum disease and bad breath.

Chewing sugarless gum stimulates flow of saliva. Saliva works as a natural mouthwash which prevents halitosis. Saliva also neutralizes acids produced by plaque bacteria and prevent caries.

Yes, you can brighten your teeth by a procedure called Teeth Whitening or bleaching. Bleaching is a simple, painless and conservative way to make your teeth whiter. This is the most popular treatment to whiten stained or yellowish teeth for a most beautiful smile. Even teeth affected by tetracycline can be whitened to a degree. Various techniques are available for bleaching which include professional laser-teeth whitening technique, tray teeth whitening, teeth whitening strips and paint-on teeth whiteners.

All toothpastes work as foaming agents that help to clean your teeth of plaque and food remnants. The choice of most toothpastes is governed by their medicinal content and flavour. Any fluoridated toothpaste is a good general toothpaste for the family. Medicated toothpastes are available for specific purposes and should be used under the advise of your dentist only.

There are four ways to correct the spaces between your teeth. Diagnosing the reason the spaces are present will determine which of the treatments will best suit your needs.

Spaces between teeth can be filled by: Orthodontics (moving the teeth) Bonding (bonded tooth-colored fillings) Dental Veneers/Laminating (bonded porcelain facings) Dental Crowns (capping).

Placing braces on your teeth in order to move them into their correct position is usually the most ideal treatment. Using orthodontics to move the teeth is the most time consuming, but it is also the most beneficial. Orthodontics can align teeth so that your bite is in harmony with your smile. All of the other treatments to fill the spaces, including tooth bonding, dental veneers, and dental crowns, although they are very good treatments, are considered esthetic and functional compromises, and should be discussed in order to determine which restorative dentistry treatment is best for you.

Dental Implants are titanium tooth supports (that look like screws), which are surgically fixed into the jaw to replace missing teeth. It serves as an artificial root in the jaws which will restore proprioception, function and appearance. The implants are placed in the jaw under local anaesthesia. The implant unites with the bone( osseo-integration) in about 2-3 months time. After which the artificial teeth are fabricated and cemented.

The piezosurgery device is a new instrument that can be used for bone surgery in a variety of dental surgical specialties.It is much kinder to the soft tissues (gums, blood vessels, nerves and the membranes which line delicate areas, such as the sinuses). There is no drilling involvedl. Instead ultrasonic vibration produced by a special surgical instrument is used to achieve unparalleled precision and patient comfort.

Tooth removal is always performed under local anesthesia, hence it is painless. Wisdom tooth removal is unique in that the teeth are situated posterior most in the mouth and carry the risk of spreading infections into adjacent areas. Also sometimes the shape and position of these may necessitate surgical removal. The following are the reasons for extraction of wisdom tooth removal which include infection, chronic pain, gum diseases, poor alignment of teeth, tooth decay-risk to the adjacent teeth and a cause of tooth crowding. The patients can feel only the pressure during the tooth removal.