Restorative Dentistry

We recommend a dental filling in cases of tooth decay as a filling can prevent further damage.  

The process includes the following steps:

• The very first step we take is to check the severity of the infected tooth. We do this because a filling is suitable only for minor fractures and decay.
• We then examine the tooth and decide if an X-ray is required to obtain more evidence and accurate information.
• Depending upon the extent of decay, local anaesthesia is administered to make the area around the infected tooth numb.
• Then the decayed or damaged tooth or the areas around it is prepared for restoration.
• If the tooth is damaged, we skilfully use a dental handpiece or a laser to remove the damaged part.
• The next step is to apply the filling to fill the cavity. The type of filling varies, depending on each case and person to person.
• The last step involves polishing of the filled tooth and the patient is ready to smile again.

It’s pretty much a domino effect if fillings are not done on time. The decay starts corroding the enamel (outer part of teeth) which in turn exposes the dentin (the hard part below the enamel). The bacteria present in the mouth make contact with the dentin causing infection.

This is the time the sensitivity increases and a filling should be done. If it’s delayed, the infection will spread to the nerve and soon the entire tooth will be damaged thus amounting to a root canal treatment. The adjacent tooth will also be prone to decay and infection if the filling is delayed or skipped.  

The post-treatment care is as follows:

• Wait until the anaesthesia wears off before chewing any food or eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages.   
• Don’t worry about the soreness around the gum area. It lasts only for a few days.
• Avoid hard or sticky food for a few days.
• If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, make sure you use a mouth guard to protect your filling.
• If the feeling of sensitivity persists or if the filling comes out, visit the dentist immediately.
• Follow a good oral hygiene routine like cleaning, brushing, mouthwash and flossing every day.

A crown is the best solution when the cap is missing or the tooth is fractured. Placement of the crown enables the tooth to perform normally again.

The primary functions of the crown are encapsulated below:  

• Protect or restore a tooth from fracturing due to accident or trauma
• Replace a tooth which is too large for a filling
• Get a cap over implant placed
• Restore the tooth on which root canal treatment was performed
• Cover discoloured, misshaped or badly formed tooth
• Crowns are a must if a bridge is required

Professionally executed dental crowns also add strength, enhance shape and size and improves the appearance of the tooth. If the dentist’s advice to get a crown is not followed, delay in the process can damage the tooth further to such an extent that an extraction will be the final resort. Moreover, not getting a dental crown can wear down other adjacent teeth causing damage.

A diverse range of dental crowns are possible in today’s day and age.

The various materials used are as follows:  

Metal Crowns

The pro is their durability. The con is that they’re not aesthetically pleasing.  

Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Crown

If the patient is looking for durability combined with aesthetics, this is the best choice. The inside of the teeth is made up of metal and the outer portion of the crown is made of porcelain. They almost look like natural teeth. The only drawback is the metal in these crowns may cause a grey line at the gum line.

Metal-free Crown

Some people are against having metal inserted in their mouths but are keen on having the strength of metal. In such cases, Zirconia and E-Max crowns will do nicely. Not only are they strong, they blend perfectly with the tooth’s natural colour making the crown hardly noticeable. It’s the perfect choice for the front, back and even for the bridges. This variant solves the problem of porcelain wearing down and metal being visible.

There are many myths surrounding dental crowns.

Some of them are listed below:  

Dental Crowns Don’t Look Natural

A common misconception floating around is that dental crowns are not made in the same likeness of the original tooth and therefore give the appearance of a fake tooth. Fortunately, advanced technology busts this myth by providing crowns in various materials which look like natural teeth. Even metal crowns used as molars have become a viable option since they are never seen.  

Crowns Last Forever

Crowns cannot last a lifetime. Proper care and visits to the dentist every 6 months can prolong its shelf-life because only a professional dentist can monitor it and conduct timely replacements.   

Food and Beverage Stains the Crown

This is the biggest myth that people believe in. The truth is, crowns are made of porcelain and ceramic which do not stain easily.

Only Used for Restorative Dentistry

The universal belief is that one gets a crown only if they have a fractured tooth, have undergone root canal treatment or have a broken or chipped tooth. But the truth is they are used in cosmetic dentistry as a way to enhance the appearance and to have a whiter and brighter smile.

Dental Crowns Don’t Break or Chip

If the individual bites on something which is extremely hard or has experienced a face injury, chances are that the crown will break regardless of how strong porcelain and other materials are.  

Cavity Doesn’t Develop With Crowns

An artificial crown per se is decay-proof but the part below the crown isn’t. Which is why we stress on maintaining complete cleanliness around the area to prevent cavities.

As one ages, dentures will become necessary. They are removable appliances which are used to replace missing teeth and tissues. They are artificial teeth which enable normal functioning of the human mouth.

Dentures fall under 2 categories, namely, Complete and Partial.
We recommend complete dentures when all the teeth are missing and partial dentures when some natural teeth are missing. They are custom-made, especially for a set of teeth and gum line. They must be removed at night and soaked for a good cleaning.

The process includes the following steps:

Step 1

We first take the impressions of the individual’s jaw to analyse how well they relate to one another and whether they have spaces in-between them.

Step 2

A wax model is then prepared to check the fitting.

Step 3

The final denture is made with the wax model.

Step 4

We run a trial fitting with the individual to make necessary adjustments if required.

Dentures can last long if proper care is given to them.

The following tips should be taken into consideration:

Keep Your Dentures Clean

Brushing dentures with a non-abrasive brush at least once a day is highly recommended. If possible, removing dentures after every meal and washing them with warm water would increase their longevity. If the individual has complete dentures, then mere brushing is adequate.  

Overnight Protection

Our dentists encourage individuals to develop a routine of soaking dentures overnight in water or in the denture solution. On waking up the next day, it is advisable to rinse them with clean water to remove chemicals before putting them in place.  

Keep an Eye on the Dentures

We believe that dentures need to be monitored regularly. A visit to the dentist is absolutely essential is if the dentures loosen, slip or if the individual notices a change in the bite. An ill-fitting set of dentures can give rise to infections and irritations.

Some of the common myths are as follows:  

• It’s difficult to eat with dentures on: The truth is, the individual can bite into any kind of food they desire. Initially, yes, there could be a few restrictions on the diet as suggested by the dentist. But with time, the entire menu can be explored while taking precautionary measures of course.
• Lifetime Solution: Proper care is required. If not, the life span of the dentures will be compromised. Moreover, over a period of time, they may start to show signs of wear and tear, lose their natural appearance and chewing ability.
• People might know if someone is wearing dentures:  Not in today’s times. Gone are the days when people could tell. Dentists are adeptly using cutting-edge technology to mould modern material into natural-looking dentures.  
• Dentures don’t require proper care: Though artificial, dentures work exactly like real teeth. Which is why it’s extremely important to take care of dentures the way one would take care of their real teeth.
• Can be repaired by self: DIY fixing is strictly a big no-no. If the fitting doesn’t feel right, and to avoid further damage, a visit to the dentist is a must.  
• No further visits to the dentist:  Oral healthcare doesn’t begin and end with teeth. It also includes the health of one’s gums, tongue and tissues. Regular visits to the dentist are a must because only a skilled dentist can examine the dentures closely and offer their expert opinion on whether a new set is required.