A Composite filling is a white (tooth coloured) resin material that bonds to tooth structure. It is used now in place of amalgam ‘silver’ fillings in majority of restorations, to provide a strong and cosmetically pleasing tooth restoration. Because a silver filling requires a “mechanical lock” to stay in place, dentist’s usually have to make the cavity larger than the decay itself.
Because of the adhesive chemistry of white fillings and the fact that they bond to teeth, no additional shape has to be drilled once access to the decay has been made. The end result is usually a much smaller filling and a stronger tooth because the bonding helps “glue” or reinforce the weak parts of the tooth.
When a tooth is cracked, decayed or damaged, a crown may need to be fitted to protect and preserve the remaining natural tooth. A crown is a definitive covering that fits over the original tooth and addresses aesthetic needs, restores tooth function and enhances the overall health of your mouth . Crowns can be made of tooth coloured porcelain or gold.
A bridge is a device used to fill the space where a tooth has been removed. A typical bridge consists of a pontic (a filler tooth) that is attached to two surrounding abutments (crowns). Without the use of a bridge, spaces in the mouth from missing teeth can cause multiple teeth to shift, lead to occlusion (biting) and/or jaw problems and cause periodontal (gum) disease.
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth.
If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, your dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other treatment. Sometimes, though, there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired.
Some of the reasons when extraction is necessary are:
– Sometimes there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired.
– Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from erupting into the mouth.
– Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are often extracted either before or after they erupt.
Sometimes the nerve of a tooth dies and becomes infected because of decay, deep fillings or trauma. Root Canal Treatment is the procedure required to save such teeth. Root Canal Treatment is the removal of the tooth’s nerve, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead nerve is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured nerves were removed. Today, Root Canal Treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost.
Porcelain Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded directly to the front of each tooth. They can reshape teeth, change tooth colour, close spaces, and fix worn or chipped teeth to create a white, beautiful, and uniform smile. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.
When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.
Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discolouration. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look. Most dentists perform tooth whitening.
Whitening is not a one-time procedure. It will need to be repeated from time to time if you want to maintain the brighter colour.
The most common reasons for teeth to become yellow or stained are:
– Using tobacco
– Drinking dark-coloured liquids such as coffee, cola, tea and red wine
– Not taking good care of your teeth
Wisdom teeth are the very back teeth on either side of the upper and lower jaws. They are the last teeth to erupt into the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 21.
It is quite common for there to be insufficient space in the mouth to allow wisdom teeth to take their correct position, and consequently they remain partly or completely below the surface of the gum. Wisdom teeth which have failed to develop into a normal position, are commonly referred to as being “impacted”.
Surgery to remove the impacted wisdom tooth typically involves a minor incision to uncover the tooth’s crown, then removing the tooth in sections. Stitches are placed at the time of surgery and will dissolve after approximately 1 week.
Dentures are another option for replacement of missing teeth but usually for multiple missing teeth. They are removable appliances which can be taken out and put back into your mouth.
There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. There is also two types of materials available: acrylic or metal/chrome. Your dentist will help you choose the type of denture that’s best for you based on whether some or all of your teeth are going to be replaced, and the cost involved.
The hectic pace of today’s adult lifestyle often leaves little time for the daily oral health care routine needed to prevent cavities and periodontal disease. This is unfortunate since periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
Early detection of periodontal disease reduces the risk of permanent damage to teeth and gums and can prevent more extensive and costly treatment in later years. Regular professional visits every six months or as recommended by our dentist, will help you learn more about proper care for your teeth and gums.
A mouthguard is a soft plastic or laminate device used in sports to prevent injury to the teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue and jaw. The Australian Dental Association projects that one third of all dental injuries are sports related. The use of a mouthguard can prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries to the mouth each year.
The types of dental injuries that can occur without the use of a mouthguard are chipped or broken teeth, fractured crowns or bridgework, lip and cheek injuries, root damage to the teeth, fractured jaws, and concussions. Any athlete may be at risk of oral injury and any injury can be prevented with the use of a mouthguard.
Before dental implants, we were limited in how we were able to replace missing teeth. Options included fixed bridges, which often required the reduction of adjacent teeth to replace a missing tooth, or removable dentures. Implant dentistry allows us to replace individual teeth, without altering adjacent natural teeth. Dental implants help retain jawbone density and anchor dentures, bridges and crowns firmly in place!
A dental implant is a small “anchor.” It is inserted into the jawbone to take the place of your missing tooth root. A prosthetic replacement tooth is then secured to the top of the implant. Dental implants offer a more permanent solution for replacing lost teeth.
A fissure sealant is a protective plastic coating which is applied to the biting surface of the back teeth and forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting in to the tiny groves in the teeth and causing decay.
It is usually quick, totally pain free, requires no local anaesthetic and will normally last for many years, but your dentist will need to check them regularly to ensure the seal is intact. They can wear down over time, and may occasionally need to be resealed or replaced in order to prevent decay occuring under the sealant.