Tooth Veneer is a thin covering of porcelain or other composite material, used to place over the teeth to treat worn teeth, crooked teeth, discolored teeth, chipped teeth, closing gaps between teeth and to restore smile symmetry. Veneers can help you achieve a bright, white smile filled with beautifully aligned and shapely teeth. Veneers are thin, white shells that are placed over natural teeth to hide imperfections. Veneer treatment procedure is always considered as a painless. The patient may experience sensitivity during the treatment while at the time of tooth preparation. Dentists generally apply anesthetics before the treatment procedure. Veneer coverings never change their colors or they do not break on your teeth. They are designed with durable materials which provide a long term result. Veneers can provide a long term result of many years or even decades and in many cases the patient may even get a life time result of the veneers.

Denture is the process which prevents existing teeth from drifting into surrounding space of the missing teeth. It helps to chew food. Usually a period of 6-8 weeks of healing is recommended before dentures are made.

There are 3 types of Dentures :

Complete Dentures :

Complete dentures or Full dentures are used when all the teeth are missing. The framework of complete dentures may be made of plastic/resin, metal or a combination.

Partial Dentures :

Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remains intact. A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement of teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal clasps or precision attachments (more esthetic than metal clasps as they are nearly invisible) that holds the denture in place in the mouth.

Immediate Dentures :

Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the patient does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal therefore immediate dentures would usually require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made after the healing process as it can take months the bone and tissue to be stabilized after tooth extraction.

Crown : A crown is a type of dental restoration that covers an existing tooth and improves the appearance of your smile while strengthening your teeth. A crown can restore a tooth, cover badly shaped or discolored teeth, attach bridges, protect fractured teeth, attach to dental implants and improve the way your bite fits together.

Bridge : A bridge is a dental restoration that consists of one or more prosthetic teeth that bridge the gap created by missing teeth. When teeth are lost and not replaced, the remaining teeth will shift to fill the empty space and can cause more problems. If you are missing one or more teeth, you are more susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease, bone loss, speech impediments, tooth decay and collapsed bites. A bridge can help prevent teeth from drifting in and out of position, prevent the loss of teeth, restore your smile, maintain the shape of your jaw line and alleviate stress on your bite.

Dentures & Partials : If you’ve lost some or all of your teeth, it is important to replace missing teeth in order to maintain a healthy smile. If missing teeth are not replaced, remaining nearby teeth can shift and affect your bite as well as your ability to eat and speak clearly. This can create problems with your jaw joint. Without support from teeth, facial muscles can sag and make you look older. A denture or removable partial denture is often prescribed when a patient is missing multiple teeth and the surrounding teeth are healthy enough to support one. A partial typically consists of prosthetic replacement teeth attached to gum-colored bases. Various methods and materials are available to attach them to your natural teeth. Partials are custom made in a dental laboratory to fit your mouth and match your gums, oral tissue and remaining teeth.

A beautiful smile begins with a strong foundation of healthy gums. Early detection and treatment of periodontal disease can help most people to preserve their teeth for a lifetime. Periodontal disease is an infection of the periodontium, the area surrounding the tooth. The periodontium consists of four structures, viz. Gingiva or gum, Alveolar bone (socket where the tooth root is held), Cementum (outer lining of root) and Periodontal Ligament (ligament that holds the tooth in place). The disease is caused by bacteria, leading to Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and often to Periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontium). While Gingivitis is reversible, Periodontitis is not, and it results in pockets of chronic infection around the tooth root. The treatment of gums requires removal of the plaque or tartar which remains closely attached to the gums. Antibiotics may be required for the treatment of minor gum infections. If the infection advances to a periodontal disease, then the treatment can necessitate root planning and curettage. Orofacial Solutions offers a comprehensive periodontal disease prevention and treatment program because a solid foundation of healthy gums is essential to protecting your investment in enhancements such as crowns, bridges, partials, veneers and professional whitening.

The reasons one should clean the teeth due to following reasons :
(i) Deposits of tartar/calculus or plaque on the teeth, gums.
(ii) Bleeding from gums.
(iii) Bad breath.

The dentists prescribe the type and frequency of cleaning or periodontal therapy one needs based on their diagnosis. To treat the areas above and below the gum line we offer three basic types of procedures:

Prophy : Patients diagnosed with a healthy mouth condition receive a prophylaxis or healthy mouth cleaning. This procedure removes plaque on the teeth and at the gum line.

Full Mouth Debridement : Patients diagnosed with gingivitis, the only reversible form of periodontal disease, typically require a full mouth debridement to remove build-up on the teeth so a full assessment can be conducted. Afterward, many patients return to a healthy mouth condition.

Scaling & Root Planing (SRP) : Patients diagnosed with active periodontal disease cannot benefit from a healthy mouth cleaning because they require treatment above and below the gum line. These patients generally receive SRP, a non-surgical treatment that removes build-up, smooths out exposed root surfaces and usually includes the application of laser therapy or localized antibiotics. SRP often takes several visits to complete and ongoing periodontal maintenance is prescribed at regular intervals afterward.

The child’s teeth begin forming before he/she is even born. Baby teeth, just like permanent teeth, need to be kept clean and healthy or they can decay. The milk teeth protect the underlying permanent teeth thus making it important to preserve milk teeth. Even though a child will lose his/her primary/milk teeth one day, it is important to care for them. The primary/milk teeth are essential for everyday function such as eating and speech development. Early childhood decay, is a preventable condition that causes painful teeth and gums. The primary teeth are also important to provide space for the larger adult teeth to erupt later.

Children should visit the dentist every six months, just like adults, to ensure no cavities are forming. By age six, your child’s molars and other permanent teeth are starting to come in. Just as their bodies are changing physically as they reach the pre-teen and teenage years, so are their oral health needs.

To prevent tooth decay in children following measures are taken by dentists :

Correct diet : Too much sugar as well as sticky food in the diet, and dental plaque on the teeth, is the main causes of tooth decay and gum disease.

Oral hygiene and plaque control: It is important to maintain oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and rinsing after every meal.

Fluoride : Fluoride makes the teeth more resistant to decay and can also reverse initial decay process. Professional fluoride application can be done by the dentist in the form of gels or varnishes.

Fissure sealants : They are thin composite materials that are placed in the fissures of a newly erupted permanent tooth. They aid in making the tooth surface more smooth and easy for maintenance. As the child grows, Pedodontists will be there to advise whether a referral to an orthodontist is needed and what you and your child can do to ensure that your child’s permanent teeth will form a beautiful and healthy smile that can last a lifetime.