Services - Dental Concepts

Services

All Your Implant & Dental Needs.

FAQS IN DENTAL LASERS

What is Laser Dentistry?

Laser dentistry is a drill-less, pain-free way to dental treatment. Lasers themselves have been used in the medical field for over 25 years. Dental lasers were first introduced in the 1960&'s. However, on a wide spread base, lasers have been used in dentistry for at least the last 10 years, and are becoming more and more popular in local dental offices.

How Safe is Laser Dentistry?

Dental lasers are FDA approved. And with the proper training and eye protection, laser dentistry is very safe. In fact, compared to the traditional dentist’s drill, lasers reduce the chance of accidental injury such as damaging surfaces next to the target area like the cheek, tongue and gums.

Are lasers pain-free?

Compared to a drill, a laser is more of a pinpoint and precise instrument, destroying less tooth material, and producing less friction. This means that there is less heat, and no vibration involved, therefore less discomfort.

What types of treatments can be done with laser dentistry?

Lasers are not an overall substitute for the drill. But there are many things that can be done using laser

  • Cavity preparation – Hard tissue dental lasers may eliminate the need for a local anesthetic injection and the traditional turbine drill. Lasers used in dental filling procedures are capable of killing bacteria located in a cavity and this may lead to better long term tooth restorations.
  • Re-contouring of bone (crown lengthening)
  • Endodontic sterilization of root canal
  • Tissue fusion - replacing suture
  • Selective removal of granulation tissue
  • Gingivectomy - Gingivoplasty Dental lasers can reshape gum tissue to expose healthy tooth structure and improve the appearance of a gummy smile.
  • Frenectomy/Frenotomy: A laser frenectomy is an ideal treatment option for children who are tongue tied (restricted or tight frenulum) and babies unable to breast feed adequately due to limited tongue movement. A laser frenectomy may also help to eliminate speech impediments.
  • Tissue retraction for impressions
  • Implant exposure
  • Biopsy incision and excision
  • Treatment of aphthous ulcers
  • Diagnosis - Trans-illumination for detection of caries (decay) micro-fractures. Low intensity soft tissue dental lasers may be used for the early detection of cavities by providing a reading of the by-products produced by decay.
  • Coagulation / Hemostasis – reduced bleeding with dental lasers.
  • Laser-assisted flap surgery
  • Aesthetic contouring
  • Pulp capping 
  • Pulpotomy 
  • Operculectomy
  • Vestibuloplasty
  • Leukoplakia
  • Incisions and draining of abscesses
  • Removal of hyperplastic tissues
  • Light activation of bleaching material - Low intensity soft tissue dental lasers may be used to speed up the bleaching process associated with teeth whitening.

FAQS IN ROOT CANAL THERAPY

Why does one need root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is needed for two main reasons: infection or irreversible damage to the pulp. An untreated cavity is a common cause of pulp infection. The decay erodes the enamel and dentin of the tooth until it opens into the root canal system, allowing bacteria
to infect the pulp. The pulp also can become damaged from trauma, a fracture or extensive restorative work, such as several fillings placed over a period of time.

Sometimes, a common dental procedure can cause the pulp to become inflamed. For example, preparing a tooth for a crown sometimes leads to the need for root canal treatment. In many cases, when the pulp is inflamed, but not infected, it will heal and
return to normal. Your dentist may want to monitor the tooth to see if this happens before doing root canal treatment. Sometimes, though, the pulp remains inflamed, which can cause pain and may lead to infection .Once the pulp becomes infected, the infection can affect the bone around the tooth, causing an abscess to form.

The goal of root canal treatment is to save the tooth by removing the infected or damaged pulp, treating any infection, and filling the empty canals with an inert material. If root canal treatment is not done, the tooth may have to be extracted.

What are the signs and symptoms?

If you have an infection of the pulp, you may not feel any pain at first. But if left untreated, the infection will cause pain and swelling. In some cases, an abscess will form. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted. Some indications that a tooth may need a root canal are:

  • A tooth that hurts significantly when you bite down on it, touch it or push on it
  • Sensitivity to heat
  • Sensitivity to cold that lasts longer than a couple of seconds
  • Swelling near the affected tooth
  • A discolored tooth, with or without pain
  • A broken tooth
What is the length of treatment?

Root canal treatment can be done in one or more visits, depending on the situation. An infected tooth will need several appointments to make sure that the infection is eliminated. Some teeth may be more difficult to treat because of the position of the tooth, because they have many and curved root canals that are difficult to locate, or for other reasons. An uncomplicated root canal treatment often can be completed in one visit.

What is to be done after root canal treatment?

In most cases, the tooth will need a crown, especially with molars that are under stress from chewing. A crown will help to restore the tooth's strength and protect it from cracking. A crown should be placed as soon as possible, ideally within a month of the root canal. It's important to get the tooth permanently restored to prevent damage to the tooth later.

Will there be a problem after root canal treatment?

Your tooth may be sore for two to three days after the procedure, and your dentist will tell you to avoid chewing on the affected side. The worse the infection and inflammation was prior to root canal treatment, the sorer the tooth will be after treatment. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease the discomfort.

What are the possible complications?

As with any invasive medical or dental procedures complications can occur are some possibilities.
a) Sometimes a root canal is opened for treatment,the oxygen in the air will trigger some bacteria to start growing, causing inflammation and pain.
b) Bacteria may get pushed through the tips of the roots.
c) Sometimes during root canal procedure, bacteria are pushed out through this small hole into surrounding tissue. Then it may become inflamed and possible infected. It can be treated with pain killers and sometimes antibiotics.
d) A root canal treatment can puncture the side of the tooth. This can happen if the canal is curved or if the canal cannot be located. The instruments are flexible that they bend as the canal curves, but sometimes the instrument makes a small hole in the side of the tooth.
e) A root canal may be missed or an entire canal may not be fully cleaned out. Locating canals within the tooth can be difficult. If a canal or an offshoot of a canal isn't located and cleaned out, the tooth can remain infected and the root canal procedure will have to be repeated.
f) Occasionally, root canals have branches that are not accessible to traditional treatment.

Is the root canal treatment painful?

In most cases, you will not experience any pain during the root canal procedure. Your dentist will completely numb your tooth and the surrounding area. If this doesn't seem to be working, alert your dentist right away. Some people fear the anesthetic injections more than the procedure itself, but numbing gels and modern injection systems have made injections virtually painless. Let your dentist know immediately so he or she can modify the technique to avoid repeating the pain.

FAQS IN COSMESTIC DENTISTRY

The best things in life are accompanied by smiles. Love, achievement, celebration—or simply quiet moments with family and friends—your smile is a genuine reflection of your deepest feelings. At these moments of your life, you want to confidently express yourself with a bright and healthy smile.

And during your daily routine, in the worlds of career, study and interpersonal contact, your smile is your signature. Making your first impression, your smile conveys a sense of well-being, self esteem, and attractiveness.

If the answer to any of these questions are yes , then you need cosmetic dentistry.

  • Do you shy away from smiling your fullest when smiling in front of others?
  • Do you cover your smile in front of others?
  • Do you wish your confidence was greater when meeting people, in both professional and personal settings?
  • Do you feel that your failure to smile confidently interferes with your professional relationships?
  • Do you long for whiter teeth?
  • Do your teeth appear crooked or uneven?
  • Do you show too much gum when you smile?
  • Is your smile naturally bright?
What are the principle of cosmetic dentistry?

Aesthetic principles are the criteria we use to assess the harmony and attractiveness of the teeth, smile and face.

  • These principles are based on size, shape, colour, proportion, and alignment of the teeth
  • Teeth must not only have a pleasing shape, colour and size, but also a correct proportion of width to height.
  • They should also match the surrounding teeth in size, shape, colour, and be in proper alignment with them.
  • The proportion of tooth to gum that shows when a person smiles, is also important to the aesthetic quality of the mouth and face.
  • These aesthetic “principles” are not rules imposed by some know-all authority.
  • We all recognize when a tooth is too long or if it doesn’t “fit in” in some way or These are not hard and fast rules. A smile that is imperfect can still be acceptable or even attractive.
What is smile analysis?

The dentist will evaluate all the factors that affect your smile. The following will be considered:

  • How much tooth shows when you smile?
  • The size, colour, shape and position of the teeth.
  • Spaces between the teeth.
  • The condition of the teeth.
  • The amount of gum revealed when you smile.
  • The evenness or unevenness of the gumline
  • Contour and texture of the gums
  • The way the lips are supported by the teeth and gums.
  • The way the upper and lower jaws relate to each other.
What are crowns, veneers and bonding used in dentistry?

The restorations used most in cosmetic dentistry are:

  • Replacement crowns (caps)
  • Veneers
  • Bonding
  • Porcelain inlays and onlays

Replacement Crowns look attractive and natural, and match the adjacent teeth.

  • The visible part of the tooth above the gum line is called “the crown”.
  • If the natural crown is unattractive, decayed or damaged, it can be aesthetically repaired with a replacement crown
  • The dentist pares down the original tooth, makes an impression of it and sends it to the technician; uses the impression to make a cast of the prepared tooth.
  • A plaster cast is an exact copy of the prepared tooth and the adjoining teeth.
  • A replacement crown is made to fit the cast, and is sent back to the dentist.
  • The dentist then cements the replacement crown onto the prepared tooth.
  • Replacement crowns are usually made of porcelain and porcelain fused to metal.
  • A temporary plastic replacement crown will cover and protect the pared down tooth until the permanent crown is ready to be cemented onto it.

 

 Veneer Restoration

The appearance of a tooth can be dramatically improved by replacing only the front visible surface of the natural crown. This procedure is called a Veneer Restoration.

  • The dentist trims down the front surface of the tooth, and makes an impression of the prepared tooth.
  • The impression is sent to the dental technician who makes a thin porcelain veneer
  • As very little tooth material is removed in the preparation for a veneer, a temporary veneer may not be necessary while the porcelain veneer is being made.
  • However, a temporary plastic veneer will be needed to protect the trimmed down tooth if it is sensitive to hot and cold.
  • Finally, the dentist will bond the attractive, natural-looking porcelain veneer to the tooth.

 

Bonding is a method of replacing an unattractive tooth surface with a more cosmetic coloured material.

  • This material is applied in layers to the tooth surface, fused to the tooth with a special ultra violet light, and then shaped appropriately.
  • The procedure is painless, and can be used to repair damage to front teeth, or to replace old, discoloured or unattractive fillings.
  • Bonding can reduce spacing between teeth by increasing the width of the teeth.

 

Porcelain inlays and onlays

An inlay or onlay is made outside the mouth, and then cemented into the tooth.

  • It is long lasting and made of porcelain fused to metal or pure porcelain.
  • This is a superior type of restoration that is used to replace unsightly, discoloured fillings.
  • The dentist removes the unattractive filling, and makes an impression and it is sent to the technician.
  • A natural looking replacement filling is then made.
  • A temporary filling will be placed in the tooth to protect it while the restoration is being made.
  • The filling is then placed into the prepared cavity and held in place by cement.
What are the available methods of whitening teeth?
  • A few whitening methods are available to whiten the colour of teeth.
  • Professionally carried out whitening by bleaching the colour, and improve the appearance of discoloured teeth.
  • The dentist applies the bleaching material to the teeth in trays that fit around the teeth.
  • The patient then continues with the applications at home.
  • Laser treatment for tooth whitening is very successful. A noticeable change of colour can be achieved in a short time.
  • Home whitening can be achieved by using whitening toothpastes and whitening kits.
  • The toothpastes can lighten tooth colour and maintain the lighter colour of teeth that have been whitened by other means.
  • Whitening kits are available from drug stores and pharmacies for home use. Some are claimed to be very successful.
  • Home whitening is likely to be more gradual than the professional treatment.

FAQS IN PERIODONTAL DISEASE

What is periodontal disease?

Word periodontal literally means “around the tooth” Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss. There are many forms of periodontal disease:

  • Gingivitis
  • Aggressive periodontitis
  • Chronic periodontitis
  • Periodontitis as a manifestation if systemic diseases
  • Necrotizing periodontal disease
Is it normal for gums to bleed when I brush my teeth?

Bleeding gums are one of the signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something was wrong.

What are scaling and root planning?

These are non-surgical procedures in which the periodontist removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Tooth root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and tartar from the pockets, because aside from the bacterial toxins that irritate the gums, plaque and the rough surfaces of tartar make it easier for bacteria to get a foothold.

What are pockets?

Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth. Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space in which bacteria can live. As bacteria develop around the teeth, they can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue. These deep pockets collect even more bacteria, resulting in further bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted.

What can I do to avoid periodontal disease?

To keep your teeth for a lifetime,u must remove the plaque from your teeth and gums every day with proper brushing and flossing. Regular dental visits are also important.
Daily cleaning will help keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won't completely prevent it. A professional cleaning at least twice a year is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may have missed.

When should I see a periodontist?

You value your oral as well as overall health, anytime is a good time to see a periodontist for a periodontal evaluation.

Sometimes the only way to detect periodontal disease is through a periodontal evaluation. A periodontal evaluation may be especially important in the following situations:

If you notice any symptoms of periodontal disease, including:

  • Gums that bleed easily, such as during brushing or flossing
  • Red, swollen or tender gums
  • Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Pus between the teeth and gums
  • Loose or separating teeth
  • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

FAQS IN DENTAL IMPLANTS

What are Dental implants?

Dental implants are screw-like devices that are implanted into the jawbone to act as an anchor for replacement teeth. For stability and ease of use, there is no better solution for tooth loss than dental implants. Dental implants replicate the entire tooth including the crown and the root; thus, bone loss is kept to a minimum, healthy teeth are preserved, and patients enjoy increased stability and confidence in eating and speaking.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. They can help prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework or dentures. In addition, they don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. Implants are secure and offer freedom from the clicks and wobbles of dentures. The success rate of implants is highly predictable.

How do I care for dental implants?

Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply.

Modern dentistry serves modern needs

Contemporary dental practices are tailored to meet the evolving requirements of today’s individuals, offering advanced and comprehensive solutions to address diverse oral health needs. With cutting-edge technologies, innovative techniques, and a patient-centric approach, modern dentistry aims to provide effective, personalized, and comfortable care, ensuring optimal oral well-being in today’s fast-paced world.