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FAQ'S
WHAT ARE CROWNS AND WHY ARE THEY USED?
A crown is a restoration that covers, or caps a
tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. Its purpose is to strengthen
or improve the appearance of a tooth. A crown is placed for a number of reasons
like to support a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining, to
attach a bridge, to protect weak teeth from fracturing, to restore fractured
teeth, to cover badly shaped or discolored teeth, to cover a dental implant.
WHAT MATERIAL IS BEST?
Both the look and function of your crown are
considered when choosing the materials most suitable for you. Your dentist will
consider the tooth location, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of
tooth that shows when u smile, the color or shade of the tooth and the function
of the tooth.
Crowns are made from a number of materials. Gold alloys or non-precious alloys,
porcelain or ceramic, acrylic or composite resin or combination of these
materials may be used. Porcelain attached to a durable metal shell is commonly
used because of its strength. Crowns made entirely of porcelain may look
better, however usually aren't as strong. In the process of making the crown,
the porcelain is colored to blend in with your natural teeth.
HOW IS A CROWN PLACED?
Several steps are involved in placing a crown.
Usually at least 2 visits are necessary. The dentist will prepare the tooth by
removing the outer portion of your tooth to accommodate the thickness of the
crown. If the tooth has a filling, part of the material may be left in place to
serve as a foundation for the crown. An impression is made to provide an exact
model of the prepared tooth. Your dentist or a dental laboratory technician,
following the written instruction of the dentist, will then make the crown from
the model.
Temporary crowns are placed while the permanent crown is made. If the shape or
length of your teeth is changed for cosmetic purposes, for example, temporary
crowns will allow you to become accustomed to this change. They can also help
decide if you like what you see or there are any changes that you would like
made before the permanent crowns are placed.
When the temporary crown is ready, the dentist puts it in place and makes
necessary adjustments to see how your crowns will look, you can use a large
mirror held at arm length in various types of lighting. When you and your
dentist are satisfied with your appearance, the crown would be cemented in
place.
HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY CROWNS?
Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your
teeth daily with floss or inter-dental cleaners is especially important when you
have crowns. These measures remove a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. It
is especially important to remove plaque from the area where the gums meets the
tooth . When plaque accumulates in the sulcus, it can cause decay or gum
disease. To prevent damaging or fracturing the crowns, avoid chewing hard
foods, ice or other hard objects. It is also important to visit your dentist
regularly
HOW R GLASS CERAMICS VENERS MADE?
These veneers are made of hand sculpted pieces of
porcelain. They are molded and shaped on a model made from an impression of
your teeth. After sculpting the veneers, they are fired in a special oven that
melts and fuses the porcelain particles together, they are then shaped and
colored to fit your teeth.
ADVANCED PROCELAIN VENEERS
In the last years, veneers have become a very
popular way to improve a person's appearance. Until now however, ordinary
porcelain was used to make the veneers. Now, with the new advanced porcelain
that has become available, we can make glass ceramics veneers. This porcelain
is stronger and smoother than ordinary porcelain veneers and looks completely
natural.
PROCEDURE
In just 2 appointments, your dentist can
complete this procedure .by lightly fill-in of your teeth enough room will be
created to fit your veneers. An impression will be taken of the prepared area.
In just a short amount of time during your second visit your dentist will
permanently bond your new, custom fitted veneers.
WHAT CAUSES SNORING?
During sleep the muscles and soft tissue in the
throat and mouth relax making the breathing airway smaller. This decreases in
the airway space increases the velocity of the air flowing through the airway
during breathing. As the velocity of the required air is increased in the
constricted space, soft tissues like the soft palate and the uvula vibrate.
These vibrations of the soft tissue in the moth and throat result in what is
called noisy breathing or generally referred to snoring it should also be noted
that sleep studies have shown that excess body weight, heavy alcohol consumption
and other sedatives have been shown to increase the severity of snoring.
surgical techniques to remove respiration-impairing structures such as uvula,
enlarged tonsils and adenoids have been among the attempted snoring remedies.
These soft tissue surgical procedures have shown only moderate success rates.
At certain levels of severity complete blockage of the airway space by the soft
tissues and the tongue can occur. If the period of asphyxiation lasts longer
than 10 sec, this is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA can be a serious
medical condition and your dentist may refer you to a sleep specialist. For the
majority of snorer’s however the effective snoring solution remains the dentist
prescribed oral snoring preventive device.
HOW DO THE SNORING PREVENTIVE DEVIDCES WORK?
Snoring research has also shown that custom fabricated dental devices worn at night that
move the lower jaw into a forward position, increase the 3 dimensional space in the airway
tube which reduces air velocity and soft tissue vibration. By increasing the volumetric
capacity of the airway and preventing soft tissue vibrations, snoring is eliminated. In
clinical research studies ,these dentist prescribed oral devices have exhibited initial
snoring prevention success rates of between 70 to 100%.
WHAR EXACTLY IS A BRIDGE OR FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE?
A bridge is a restoration, which replaces or
spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost. There are 2 types of
bridges-fixed and removable. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only
be removed by a debit; on the other hand, you can take out a removable bridge
for cleaning. Removable bridges while, less expensive may not be a desirable as
fixed bridges and r not generally as stable.
WHY DO I NEED BRIDGE?
Your appearance, dental health and the proper
functioning of your mouth r all important reasons for wearing a bridge, a
bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause
your mouth to sink and your face to look older.
more importantly, though your dental health may suffer when teeth are not
replaced. Teeth were designed to complement each other. When a tooth is lost
the nearby teeth may tilt toward the empty space or, the teeth in the opposite
jaw may move up or down toward the space. This places unusual stress on the
teeth and tissues in your mouth. In addition the gum tissues and the bone that
hold teeth in place can break down, increasing the risk of gum disease. Teeth
that have tipped are difficult to clean, making then more likely to decay. As a
result even more teeth may be lost.
missing teeth can also affect the way you chew and speak. Chewing on only one
side may cause stress to your mouth. You also need to speak properly. Since,
they help make the many sounds needed in speech
if u need extensive fixed bridge work, your dentist will pride treatment or
refer u to a prosthodontidt6.a prosthodontist is a specialist trained in
restoring natural teeth and in replacing missing teeth
HOW IS A BRIDGE ATTACHED?
A fixed bridge is commonly cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the
missing tooth. A false tooth replaces the last tooth. The false tooth is attached to the
crowns. Crowns which are cemented onto the natural teeth provide support for the bridge.
WHAT MATERAILS R USED?
Appearance and function are considered when selecting materials for bridges. Bridges are made
from gold alloys, non precious alloys, porcelain or a combination of these
materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non precious metal.
your dentist will discuss which is best for you.
HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY BRIDGE?
It is very important to keep your remaining teeth healthy. Brush twice a day and clean
between teeth with floss or with inter dental cleaners. These measures help remove a sticky film
of bacteria called plaque which causes gum disease and dental decay.
a bridge can lose its support if the teeth or teeth bone that hold it become damaged by
dental disease. Be especially careful to clean the areas under around and between the
bridge and your natural teeth. Dental floss threads and special brushes can help reach
these areas. It is also important to visit your dentist regularly.
WHY DO TEETH DISCOLOR?
Teeth naturally darken as we age. Over time, exposure to coffee, tea, soda, tobacco and certain
food cause stating. Discoloration can occur because of certain childhood
illness, medications, physical trauma etc.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT PROCEDURE?
Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to assure good oral health. Old fillings may
need to be replaced and or decayed areas treated and filled. An impression of your teeth
will be taken to guarantee proper fit of the custom fabricated bleaching trays. The
thin, soft plastic trays provide sufficient comfort while bleaching. Once the tray is
made, your dentist will explain how to use the bleaching gel.
Mostly bleaching gels are used while sleeping and most patients will need to bleach for
only 3 to 8 nights. In some cases, your dentist may recommend bleaching during waking hours
instead and possibly for a shorter time.
Other Information
Some patients, experience increased tooth sensitivity to cold while using bleaching
products. This will disappear in one to 3 days after interruption or completion of the
traetment. To help with the sensitivity your dentist may prescribe a desensitizing gel or a
flouride gel.
WHAT CAUSES DECAY?
Decay is caused by dental plaque, a thin, sticky colorless deposit of bacteria that
constantly forms on everyone’s teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in the plaque produce
acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down and a
cavity is formed?
WHAT IS A SEALENT?
A sealant is a clear shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of
the back teeth where decay occurs most often. This sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the
decay-prone areas of the teeth from plaque and acid.
WHY ARE SEALENTS NECESSARY?
When the teeth are developing, depressions and grooves form in the chewing surfaces of the
enamel. These features are called pits and fissures. They are impossible to keep clean, because
the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach into them. Therefore, pits and fissures are snug
places for plague and bits of food to hide. By forming a thin covering over the pits and
fissures, salient keep out plaque and food and thus decrease the risk of decay.
WHO SOULD HAVE SEALENT APPLIED?
Although children receive significant benefits from sealeants, adults can also be at risk
for pit and fissure decay and thus be candidates for sealents. Your dentist can advise you
about the need for sealent. Sealents are also recommended for those who receive topical
applications of fluoride and who live in communities with fluoridated water. Fluoride
helps fight decay on the smooth surfaces of the teeth, but it is least effective in pits
and fissures.
HOW ARE SEALENTS APPLIED?
Each tooth takes only a few minutes to seal. First the teeth that will be sealed are
cleaned. The chewing surfaces are then etched(roughened) with a waek acidic solution to help
the sealant adheres to the teeth. Finally, the sealant is brushed on the tooth enamel and
allowed to hared .Some sealant need a special curing light to help them harden, others do
not.
DO SEALENTS NEED TO BE APPLIED?
When the sealent is applied, finger like strands penetrate the pits and fissures of the
tooth enamel. although the sealant cannot be seen with the naked eye, the protective effect
of these strands continues. As a result, it may be several years before another application
of sealant is needed. Reapplication of the sealant will continue the protection against
decay and may save the time and expense of having a tooth restored. Sealant will be
checked during regular dental visits to determine if reapplication is necessary. |
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