Dental treatments

22 August 2014

Dental treatments

This is an overview of the various types of treatments carried out by dentists. Before any kind of treatment, the dentist will first examine your teeth to determine the problem. Upon assessment, you will be presented and advised with the best possible solutions or treatments available. During this time, you can ask all your questions and talk over your concerns with your dentist. The dentist can only proceed with the treatment with your full cooperation and consent. To know if we offer any of the following treatments, contact The Smile Studios.

Braces

Braces are a type of orthodontic treatment applied mostly to children and occasionally to adults. Their purpose is to straighten or align teeth in place to improve its appearance and get it back to working normally. They can either be removable or fixed. You can take out removable braces and clean them yourself. Fixed braces can only be removed by your dentist. Braces can be made of ceramic, metal, or plastic. They also come in a wide array of colours including neon, pastels, and glow-in-the-dark. There are also invisible braces which are made of clear plastic.

Bridges

A bridge is applied as a fixed replacement when you have missing tooth or teeth. It is usually made of porcelain and precious metal. After examining your teeth, your dentist will take an impression of the surrounding teeth that will support the bridge. The bridge will be fixed in your mouth, which means it’s not removable unlike dentures.

Broken or knocked out tooth

Sometimes an accident causes a tooth to break, chip, or get knocked out. If you have chipped tooth, you can schedule a non-emergency dental appointment to have a crown applied or have it trimmed and filled. In case of badly broken or knocked out tooth, you need to see your dentist immediately. Your dentist can have it fitted with a bridge or denture. If you need an implant, this can be provided by a specialist or dental hospital.  

Crowns

A crown serves as a cap that covers an entire existing tooth. It can be made of metal, porcelain, or a combination of both materials. A crown is used for the following reasons: to restore broken tooth, to strengthen tooth weakened by decay, or for purely aesthetic reasons and making a tooth look better. Before fitting the crown, the dentist will reduce the existing tooth chosen by trimming it until it tapers down to a nub. Usually, the size trimmed is at least two millimetres. Depending on the condition of your tooth, the dentist may trim more. It takes some time for the clinic to prepare a new crown. You’d probably have it fitted by the second appointment and not on the same day.

Dental implants

A dental implant is a fixed treatment recommended only if the missing teeth have caused the mouth to shrink, making it difficult to support removable dentures. They’re used by patients such as those unable to wear dentures, have mouth cancer, or have considerable damage to their face and teeth due to an accident. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or several teeth. The specialist will drill titanium screws into the jaw bone to serve as support. To ensure that the implants have the correct fit on your mouth and teeth, it takes some time to prepare them. Implants are more expensive than dentures.  

Dental veneers

A dental veneer is an application that covers the front surface of the teeth to disguise a damaged or discoloured tooth. Unlike a cap that covers an entire tooth, a veneer only covers the front part of a tooth. The dentist will trim the front of your tooth, usually one millimetre, depending on the condition of your tooth. The next step is to take a dental impression. Afterwards, a thin layer of porcelain is fitted over the front of your tooth.    

Dentures

Dentures are fitted to replace all your teeth. They usually come in a full set of replacement teeth, but a partial set can be made to replace a single or a few missing teeth. Dentures can be made from metal or plastic, and are removable so you can clean them yourself. Partial dentures can be brushed along with your regular teeth, but a full set of dentures need to be removed and then soaked in a cleaning solution. After examining your teeth, your dentist will make a dental impression or a mould from your gums. Losing your natural teeth is difficult because it becomes difficult or almost impossible to chew your food. This can affect your diet and also cause your face to sag. Having dentures fitted can easily remedy this problem, enabling you to chew and enjoy your food properly, and bring back the normal contour of your face.

Fillings

A filling is used to repair a hole or cavity in a tooth cause by decay. There are two types: amalgam and composite. The most common type used is an amalgam filling, which consists of a combination of metals including copper, mercury, silver, tin, and zinc. It is hard-wearing, which means, it can last for many years and can withstand a lot of chewing and grinding action. A composite filling or “white filling”, is made of porcelain, which also means its closest to your natural teeth colour. It’s recommended especially if the teeth that needs filling show when you smile or talk. The dentist will recommend the most appropriate type of filling according to what your teeth needs.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment, also called endodontics, is a procedure that removes infection from the centre of the root canal system. It is done in cases where the blood or nerve supply of the tooth has been infected. All traces of infection is removed before the root canal is filled and the tooth is then sealed with either a crown or a filling to stop it from being infected again. If root canal treatment is not carried out immediately, the infection can spread further. In this case, the infected tooth may need to be taken out.

Scale and polish

Scale and polish is also another term used for professional teeth cleaning. It is usually performed by the dental hygienist. The procedure is effective in removing plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is purely a cosmetic or aesthetic dental treatment that involves having your teeth bleached to achieve a lighter colour. Contrary to what most people think, it cannot make your teeth dazzlingly white like in toothpaste commercials and ads. What it does is to lighten your existing teeth colour by several shades. Usually, teeth whitening takes a number of sessions with the dentist and follow-ups at home which require you to wear a mouth guard containing bleaching gel. The entire process may span a few weeks to two months. Newer procedures like laser whitening or power whitening is done in a dentist’s surgical clinic and takes an hour.    

Wisdom tooth removal

The last teeth to come through during your lifetime are called wisdom teeth. They grow at the back of your gums and appear usually during the late teens or early twenties. Generally, people grow four wisdom teeth—one in each corner. Wisdom tooth can grow at an angle or get stuck partially behind another tooth. In the latter case, it’s also known as an impacted tooth. Impacted wisdom tooth isn’t an issue for most, but for some people, it can be uncomfortable or get in the way of normal teeth function. You can have your impacted tooth removed by a specialist. In a hospital, the oral and maxillofacial unit handles this case.