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What is a dental bridge?
If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close — or bridge — the gaps in your smile with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Although pontics can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, typically they’re made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth.

Why do I need a dental bridge?
When you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, it can affect you in a number of ways. A dental bridge can address those changes, including:

• restoring your smile
• restoring the ability to properly chew
• restoring your speech and pronunciation
• maintaining the shape of your face
• re-adjusting your bite to properly distribute the force when you chew
• preventing your remaining teeth from moving out of the correct position.

What are the advantages of dental bridges?
• Dental bridges are usually small, lightweight, providing excellent chewing comfort
• They correct and re-distribute the normal bite force, compromised by your missing teeth
• Getting used to your new dental bridge is usually easy and comfortable
• Helps maintain the shape of your face
• Controls shifting and moving of adjoining teeth
• Enhances your natural speaking and eating ability
• Only 2 – 3 appointments are needed to complete your bridge restoration
• The longevity factor and general prognosis is good, if your hygiene and home care is maintained at a heightened level

What is Gum Disease?
Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth and is most commonly a result of poor dental hygiene. Gingivitis is a very common condition and varies widely in severity. It is characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when teeth are brushed or flossed. Gingivitis is not the same thing as periodontitis. Gingivitis always precedes and acts as a warning sign for the more serious condition of periodontitis.

What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of gum disease include:
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums or longer appearing teeth
• Bright red, swollen gums that bleed very easily, even during brushing or flossing
• A bad taste or persistent mouth odor
• White spots or plaques on the gums
• Gums that look like they’re pulling away from the teeth
• Pus between gums or interdental spaces
• Loose teeth or tooth loss

What is the treatment for gum disease?
The treatment goals for gingivitis are to identify and eliminate the factors that make the person more susceptible to gum disease. Most factors can be eliminated by establishing more consistent and thorough oral hygiene habits and professional dental cleanings. If there are certain risk factors such as smoking or uncontrolled diabetes that are contributing to the gum disease, they need to be addressed or eliminated to have success in reversing gingivitis. After the plaque and tartar are removed by a dentist or dental hygienist, the patient can usually eliminate gingivitis by brushing and flossing after every meal.

In individuals where gingivitis has led to periodontal disease and there are deep pockets that are difficult to clean, the patient may require deep scaling and root planing to clean teeth that are surrounded by deep pockets. Soft-tissue grafts cover up root surfaces exposed by receding gums. This can help eliminate sensitive teeth and protect the root surfaces that are softer and more difficult to clean.Laser therapy is another treatment to help increase gum health. The gum pocket is treated with a soft-tissue laser to eliminate the harmful bacteria deep in the periodontal pockets, remove unhealthy tissue, and help stimulate healing.

What are white inlays ?
Porcelain inlays (tooth coloured) are restorations placed usually on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.An inlay fits within the confines of the teeth. The procedure involves removing decayed tooth structure or old fillings, preparing the tooth cavity, taking an impression of the cavity to fabricate a custom-fit inlay or onlay. Two visits are required to complete the treatment.

What are the Benefits of porcelain inlays?
• More Conservative Treatment: As compared to a dental crown, inlays require less tooth reduction. Your dentist need only remove the compromised tissue before placing the restoration. Dental crowns, on the other hand, require your dentist to remove a more significant portion of your tooth to accommodate the restoration.’
• Natural-Looking Results: Inlays can replace old, worn amalgam restorations. Porcelain can be shade-matched to blend seamlessly with neighboring teeth and beautifully mimics the sheen of natural enamel. Porcelain is also stain-resistant, so you can feel confident that your restoration will remain bright and vibrant over time.
• Easy Care: Daily at-home care for inlays is no different than that of healthy, natural teeth. You should brush and floss daily and visit the dentist for biannual checkups to ensure your restoration is strong and secure. Should your inlay become loose, painful, crack, or fall out completely, contact your dentist as soon as possible to schedule a visit.

What are the outcomes of Inlays?
Inlays are durable — they’re made from tough, hard-wearing materials which last up to 30 years. They help to strengthen teeth by up to 75%, unlike traditional metal fillings which can actually reduce the strength of the teeth.

What is fluoride treatment?
Fluoride treatments are typically professional treatments containing a high concentration of fluoride that a dentist or hygienist will apply to a person’s teeth to improve health and reduce the risk of cavities. These in-office treatments may take the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish. There are also some high-concentration fluoride treatments that people can use at home but only under the specific direction of a dentist. The fluoride dentists use in these treatments is similar to the fluoride in toothpaste. However, the treatment contains much higher doses and may offer more rapid benefits.

What are the Benefits of fluoride and fluoride treatments?
Fluoride has several benefits for the teeth:
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay. In children under 6 years of age, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.
When taken together, these benefits may help to:
• reduce the risk of cavities
• slow the growth of cavities
• delay the need for expensive dental work
• prolong the life of baby teeth
• reduce the amount of time and money a person has to spend at the dentist

What happens during a professional fluoride treatment?
Dentists provide professional fluoride treatments in the form of a highly concentrated rinse, foam, gel, or varnish. The treatment may be applied with a swab, brush, tray, or mouthwash.These treatments have much more fluoride than what’s in your water or toothpaste. They only take a few minutes to apply. You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after the treatment so the fluoride can fully absorb.

What is Drift and Overeruption
A missing tooth space with neighboring teeth can cause drifting of the teeth in the rest of arch. This will result in potential long term damage to many of your natural teeth and affect the appearance of your teeth. The opposing teeth, directly above or below the missing tooth space is likely to drift gradually. We call this over eruption and this may result in loosening of your opposing tooth and also affect the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.

Why does Drifting occur?
When you lose a tooth, the remaining teeth no longer have the support that the bone and missing tooth, once provided. Because there is no longer support, the teeth begin to shift or move out of its anatomical position and into the open area. This causes those shifting teeth to weaken as well as be susceptible to further tooth loss.

What are the Treatment Options for Tooth Drifting?
There are several options to prevent and treat teeth from moving out of place. In order to help prevent teeth from shifting, the only option is to wear a retainer regularly to keep the teeth in their normal position. However, wearing a retainer will not help treat it. Replacing missing teeth with a single dental implant or a single tooth bridge are common treatment options for teeth drifting. Dental Implants are metal screws that are surgically inserted into the jaw bone beneath the gums. Since the implant is fixed into the jaw bone, it provides support for the artificial tooth and does not become loose. If you are considering dental implants, you must have healthy gum tissue and sufficient jaw bone density to properly insert the implant. If the bone is too thin or soft, bone grafting may be required.

What is tongue thrust?
Tongue thrusting is the habit of pushing the tongue forward between the upper and lower front teeth when swallowing. The proper position for the tip of the tongue is to push against the gum above the back of the upper front teeth, rather than between the upper and lower teeth. Dentists are concerned with the effects of tongue thrusting as they may result in a malocclusion or misalignment of the teeth. Tongue thrusting is a very treatable condition, but it involves the insight of dentists, physicians and speech specialists to ensure the condition is treated well. When identified early, this guidance will prove beneficial to the patient and lead to a lifetime of good oral health.

What are some signs of having a tongue thrust problem?
• Frequent open-mouth resting posture with the lips parted and/or the tongue resting against the upper and/or lower teeth
• Lips that is often cracked, chapped, and sore from frequent licking
• Frequent mouth breathing in the absence of allergies or nasal congestion
• The tongue is visible between the teeth. The tip of the tongue sticks out between the teeth, whether the child is resting, swallowing, or speaking.
• Mouth breathing.
• Inability to close the lips completely. This could be due to a structural abnormality or habit.
• Open bite. An open bite occurs when the front teeth don’t meet when the teeth are closed.
• Slow, fast, or messy eating.
• Speech impediment. Lisping of s and z sounds is common.

How is tongue thrust diagnosed?
A number of different healthcare professionals can diagnose tongue thrust, including:
• general practitioners
• pediatricians
• speech language pathologists
• dentists
• orthodontists
• Your or your child’s doctor may observe the way you speak and swallow.
Some practitioners may evaluate swallowing patterns by holding down the bottom lip to watch how you or your child swallows. Specifically, your doctor will want to see where the tongue is placed when swallowing.

How is tongue thrust treated?
Treatment for tongue thrust tends to be similar between children and adults.
One exception is the placement of an orthodontic device known as a “tongue crib” in the roof of a child’s mouth. In some cases, adults receive orthodontic treatment as well.
Sometimes the recommended treatment is an ongoing therapy that corrects the placement of the lips, jaw, and tongue. This therapy addresses swallowing habits, too. In addition to swallowing therapy, you or your child might require speech therapy to correct any impediments that may have developed as a result of tongue thrusting.

What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the technical name for teeth grinding, clenching the jaw, or the “lock jaw” that sometimes happens to people as they sleep or concentrate. It can happen while sleeping or while awake; consciously or without knowing it; to adults as well as to children. Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw is more than nervous habits to be ignored; such acts can mean serious problems for oral health, including excessive tooth wear and/or the development of Temporomandibular joint. Common symptoms include sore jaw muscles or joints, sore teeth, dull headaches, and restless sleep.

How Do I Find Out if I Grind My Teeth?
Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw when you wake up is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.

If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist. He or she can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and excessive wear on your teeth.

Why Is Teeth Grinding Harmful?
In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.

How can you correct Bruxism?
The simplest solution for preventing damage to teeth from bruxism is the use of a professionally made mouth guard. If you detect any of the warning signs mentioned above, then tell your dentist and make a visit to the clinic. Excessive wear on the back molars and enamel loss both indicate bruxism, and both are signs your dentist will look for. A mouth guard for teeth grinding is a custom-fitted oral appliance that is made of plastic. This type of mouth guard is worn during sleep and prevents the teeth from scraping against each other. By addressing bruxism early with professional treatment, you can prevent widespread damage to your teeth.

What are the long term precautions to be taken for Bruxism?
Certainly, a mouth guard is a good start. However, other preventive actions can be taken to help fight bruxism. For people of all ages, regular exercise is a stress reducer, which, in turn, can directly reduce bruxism. For adults, it may help to cut down on stimulants (such as tobacco and caffeine). Regular dental exams (twice a year) can help catch damage caused by bruxism. If a patient’s teeth are cracked, misaligned, or teeth are missing, restorative treatment is necessary. If bruxism is linked to stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, your doctor may recommend Stress Management Treatment.

What are Dental Sealants?
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay. Sealants are often applied as soon as the permanent teeth start to come through. This is usually between 6 and 7 years of age. The rest are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be any time between 11 and 14 years of age.

Who Should Get Sealants?
Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.

What are the Benefits of Dental Sealants for your teeth?
Dental sealants work to coat and seal the grooves and hollows, preventing even the most the harmful bacteria from building up on the tooth. The size and depth of the hollows and grooves in your child’s teeth will determine whether he or she can benefit from the application of a sealant. These sealants are typically used on the molars and premolars at the back of the mouth, as these are the teeth that most frequently develop surface irregularities. Sealants act to prevent bacteria growth that can lead to dental decay.

How Are Sealants Applied?
Applying sealant is a simple and painless process. It takes only a few minutes for your dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to seal each tooth. The application steps are as follows:
• First the teeth that are to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned.
• Each tooth is then dried, and cotton or another absorbent material is put around the tooth to keep it dry.
• An acid solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up, which helps the sealant bond to the teeth.
• The teeth are then rinsed and dried.
• Sealant is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.

Why opt for Dental Sealants?
Evidence suggests that fissure sealants are effective in preventing caries in children and adolescents compared to no sealants. Pit and fissure sealants are a safe and effective way to prevent dental caries and should be considered as part of an overall caries-preventive strategy. Sealants usually last for many years, but your dentist will want to check them regularly to make sure that the seal is still intact. They can wear over time, and sometimes the dentist needs to add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath them.

How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can replace sealants as necessary.

What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that dentists can place on the front of the teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers can hide stained, chipped, and uneven teeth. Dental veneers can change the appearance of a person’s teeth.

What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?
Veneers are routinely used to fix teeth that are discolored because of:
• root canal treatment
• stains from tetracycline or other drugs
• excessive fluoride
• large resin fillings
• Teeth that are worn down
• Teeth that are chipped or broken
• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)
• Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)

What are the different types of veneers?
Dental veneers are most commonly made out of porcelain. Applying traditional dental veneers requires more intensive prep work compared to alternatives that are sometimes called “no-prep veneers.” These no-prep veneers— take less time and are less invasive to apply. Applying traditional dental veneers typically involves grinding down the tooth structure, sometimes removing some of the tooth even past the enamel. This allows for proper placement, but it’s also an irreversible procedure that can be painful to go through and often requires a local anesthetic. No-prep veneers, on the other hand, may require some tooth preparation or alteration, but these alterations are minimal. Instead of removing layers of tooth under the enamel, no-prep veneers only affect the enamel. In many cases, no-prep veneers don’t require local anesthetics.
Veneers aren’t the same as tooth implants or crowns. Veneers cover the front surface of the tooth. Implants, on the other hand, replace the entire tooth. Crowns also encase the entire tooth, while veneers only cover the front surface of the tooth (which is visible with a smile).

Why opt for dental veneers?
For some people, having damaged or discolored teeth can affect their confidence or self-esteem. Veneers can fix chips, cracks, gaps between teeth, minor misalignment and/or discoloration — they help correct many cosmetic dental issues! Dental veneers are a long-term solution to cosmetic tooth problems. Plus, veneers are difficult to stain, making them popular for people seeking a perfect smile.

Why dental veneers are long term solution to cosmetic problems?
Dental veneers may be beneficial for people who want a long-term solution to persistent cosmetic concerns — particularly those that do not respond to other dental treatments. If you’re looking for an easier way to whiten your smile for good, dental veneers may be a great fit for you. Veneers are attached to the front surfaces of your teeth — so while they don’t change the position of your teeth, they do camouflage minor orthodontic problems once they’re applied. Your natural teeth may still be gapped or crooked, but nobody will know aside from you and your dentist.