Dental Bible

Dentistry dedicated to excellence.

SCALING AND POLISHING

This is a cleaning procedure done in the dental clinic by a dentist or dental therapist to remove build up of plaque, food debris and bacteria that has formed over the teeth and become hard over time. You can’t remove it just by brushing your teeth. Plaque contains millions of germs, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Stains from coffee, tea, tobacco, food or red wine are also cleaned away when your dentist polishes your teeth.
For polishing, your dentist/ hygienist will use a rotating brush or rubber polisher with prophylactic paste.
If you clean your teeth very thoroughly and regularly at home, your scale and polish will take less time.
It is important that you scale and polish your teeth at least twice a year(every six months).

ORAL HYGIENE

Refers to the cleaniness of your teeth and other structures in your mouth.Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:

Your teeth are clean and free of debris
Gums are firm and healthy and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
Bad breath is not a constant problem
If your gums do hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing persistent bad breath, see your dentist. Any of these conditions may indicate a problem.
Your dentist or hygienist can teach you how to maintain good oral hygiene.
In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:

Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily
Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals
Using dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste

EXTRACTION

Dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the dental socket in the jaw bone. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become unrestorable through tooth decay, periodontal disease or dental trauma; especially when they are associated with toothache. Sometimes wisdom teeth are impacted (stuck and unable to grow normally into the mouth) and may cause recurrent infections of the gum (pericoronitis), so they need to be removed. In orthodontics if the teeth are crowded, sound teeth may be extracted (often premolars) to create space so the rest of the teeth can be straightened.
If you need an extraction, your dentist will first numb the area to lessen any discomfort. After the extraction, your dentist will advise you of what post extraction regimen to follow. In most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal.

FILLINGS

Fillings are used to repair a cavity in your tooth caused by decay. Your dentist will offer you the type of filling most appropriate for your needs.

Gold fillings are sturdy and non-corrosive; they can last up to 15 years. Many people find gold fillings more aesthetically pleasing than silver fillings. But gold fillings can cost as much as 10 times more than silver amalgam fillings, and it takes more than one office visit to fit them properly.
Silver amalgam. This made up of silver, mercury and other metals. Silver amalgam fillings offer strength and durability similar to gold at lower cost, but many people don’t like the look of them and more recently a lot of information has been released on side effects of mercury.
Composite Fillings made of a tooth-coloured material are popular because the colour can be matched to your teeth. Composite fillings are not as durable as metal fillings and they may need to be replaced after five years or less, compared with 10 or 15 years for metal fillings. They are more expensive than amalgam fillings, although not as expensive as gold fillings.
lass ionomers: These glass and acrylic fillings usually last less than five years, but they are often a good choice for children whose teeth are still changing. Also, they can release fluoride, which can help prevent tooth decay.

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp (sensitive inner part of the tooth) becomes infected, usually due to longstanding tooth decay that was not treated or a crack or chip in the tooth due to falls or accidents.. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
During root canal treatment, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Afterwards, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling for protection. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Bleaching or tooth whitening is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten teeth. Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains disappear, while other just want to make their teeth whiter or brighter.
Discoloration can be caused by medication, food,coffee, tea and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be hereditary or simply due to getting older.

Bleaching can be performed by your dentist in the office or, at home under dental supervision,. Many patients enjoy bleaching at home because it is more convenient. Treatment begins when your dentist creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening solution is used and that your teeth are properly exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two to four weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for one or more 45-minute to one-hour visits to your dentist’s office.

Veneers: Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic placed over the front teeth to change the colour or shape of your teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven, chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked surfaces. Little or no anesthesia is needed.

Crowns and Bridges: Crowns, also known as caps, cover a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and appearance. The dentist will prepare or reduce the tooth on all sides to create a slightly tapered shape and the crown is then glued to this prepared surface.

Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are false teeth cemented to the natural teeth surrounding the empty space. This is achieved by attaching caps to the teeth on either side of the space, which then carry the replacement tooth. Materials used to construct crowns or bridges include porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, gold or silver.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT

Dental implants are the best long-term solution for missing teeth. They are titanium screws which are inserted into the jaw bone under local anaesthesia. Before the tooth replacement can be incorporated, the jaw bone has to grow onto the dental implant, so that the implant is anchored permanently. Then a permanent crown is placed on the implant, resulting in teeth that look and feel completely natural.

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