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Service 2
·Sealants - a plastic coating to
cover the deep grooves that are present in most chewing teeth especially the molars is called a sealant. This does not require use off
local anesthetic and helps to prevent food and plaque building up within these deep grooves which are not accessible to the tooth
brush.
· Space maintainers -- these are
appliances that are used for primary or baby teeth that have to be removed prematurely. The appliances helped to hold the
space open for the permanent tooth to come in place.
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Orthodontic retainers - orthodontic retainers are used after orthodontic
treatment is done to hold the teeth in the new position. Improper and inadequate use of retainer will lead to relapse of
orthodontic treatment.
·
Restorative Dentistry:
This part of dentistry deals with making a tooth whole.
· Fillings
A
simple way to look at cavity in a tooth is a hole within the tooth created by bacteria that eat away healthy tooth.
A small space or a hole within the tooth can be filled up by either
a silver filling, a white filling, a gold filling or porcelain filling.
When
considering the type of filling the following criteria need to be considered
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Longevity
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Aesthetics
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Cost
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Track record
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The size of the restoration.
Silver filling - a mixture of mercury with certain metals.
White filling - composite or a mixture of filler material like glass, silica etc in a matrix of acrylic like
material.
Gold or metal filling - metals example
Silver/Palladium/platinum/nickel/tin can be used to fill a tooth.
Porcelain filling - porcelain is similar to glass.
· Crowns & Bridges (Porcelain crowns, Onlays, Veneers)
If there is a tooth that has had endodontic treatment, large
failing filling or fractured tooth a crown or cap is recommended. The cap or crown covers the entire tooth and makes it stronger. A cap
or crown will help to distribute the chewing forces over the entire and tooth and prevent fracture. There are situations where a cap or
crown is used to improve esthetics as well. The tooth that is receiving a cap or crown will be shaped to receive it and a temporary will
be placed during the time your custom crown is fabricated. A cap or crown should last a long time but has the potential for replacement
if proper care is not taken. Common reasons for replacing a cap or crown are fracture of porcelain, additional decay or
esthetics.
Veneers: With advent of shows like “Extreme
Makeover “porcelain veneers have gotten popular treatment for esthetic goals. Thin layer of porcelain placed over the tooth
makes it possible to improve the shape, size, color and improve strength. Very little if any tooth structure is removed for this procedure
in most instances. Patients that have misaligned teeth, dark teeth or have front teeth with multiple failing fillings can benefit from this
procedure.
· Partial and Complete
Dentures
When there are a few missing teeth to be
replaced a partial denture is an alternative. A partial denture has acrylic teeth with metal framework for strength and support. There are
clasps or hooks that are strategically placed to hold the denture in place and help function. Partial can also be placed with the help of
implants and precision attachment that help improve retention and function.
Complete dentures are used to replace all missing teeth. These can be made over implants and help improve function and stability.
Although a little harder to get used to, these can help improve the quality of life for a patient that is missing all teeth.
· Nightgards (ESR appliances) - this appliance is used in
patients with all adult teeth to protect teeth, fillings and crowns or caps from clenching or grinding forces of teeth. The night
guard would also protect unnecessary and excessive pressure within the joints. This appliance helps to protect the teeth and
helps relax the muscles of mastication. The appliance is custom-made to fit each individual and their occlusion. It is thought that
the most common reason for grinding and clenching is stress.
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