Dental

Toothbrushes form a part of our daily routine.  Twice a day, morning and night, for two minutes, they help clean our teeth and keep our mouth fit and healthy.  Despite this, the shelf-life of a toothbrush is a relatively short one.  In theory, we should only use each one 180 times, for a total of six hours over a period of three months. It all means that in the UK, around 256 million toothbrushes are bought and discarded every year. That’s a very big pile of plastic so what can we do about it? As part of National Smile Month, the Oral Health Foundation and TePe have joined forces to address some of the most urgent environmental issues in oral health.

Root Canals… Not Your Parents’ Experience Picture this… you’ve been experiencing tooth pain for the better part of the last month, but chalked it up to too many sweets and not enough attention to your oral care. You start brushing and flossing, but the pain isn’t going away. Your doctor prescribed antibiotics thinking that would help… it didn’t. Your next step… visit your dentist. Root Canal Techniques – Previous After a thorough examination, you are told that bacteria have invaded the inner-most part of your tooth (the pulp) and to stop further infection, you will require either a tooth extraction or a root canal. A root canal is a dental treatment used to save a tooth by removing a damaged or inflamed nerve contained in the pulp. Your first reaction is probably, “Neither of those sound like a great option… I want a second opinion please.” Your second opinion should be from a root canal specialist, also known as an endodontist. Their key function is to find ways to save teeth that can be saved, knowing that an extraction is generally more complicated and time-consuming than a root canal as it requires the dentist to make and install an implant to replace the lost tooth. Ideally, restoring natural teeth to good health, is the goal, to save further complications and treatments. Root Canals Root canals are recommended to save teeth that have damaged, diseased or dead pulp, but are otherwise viable to the overall health and function of your mouth. Generally, you would require a root canal if you crack your tooth or develop an extremely deep cavity, that cannot be addressed with a typical filling. Both of these situations allow bacteria from your mouth to reach your pulp, which can lead to the devastating infection, swelling or the dying of the pulp’s vital tissue. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to other areas of your mouth and body will dire consequences. Dr. Kilislian “We generally see a 90% success rate with patients undergoing root canals to save a tooth,” says Dr. Kilislian. “With years of experience in endodontics, we understand what is needed for a successful root canal and if a tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment, we will inform our patient at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. Sometimes the damage is so severe that we simply can’t save a tooth and opt for an extraction. This may be the case if we find a very large cavity that compromises too much of a tooth’s structure, making it too weak to repair; or if the tooth has a severe fracture. It is our first commitment to do what we can to save a natural tooth.” New Root Canal Techniques If you ask your parents or your grandparents, there are probably few things they fear more than a root canal. In the past, root canals were daunting procedures that led to pain and long recovery times. This is no longer the case. With the advent of new instruments and methods, combined with more effective anesthetics, the entire process has become quick and painless. Under the care of the team at Willowdale Endodontics, this therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the complexity of treatment required. If you have heard the words root canal and want that second opinion, we invite you in for a consultation. Keep in mind that your goal should be to retain your natural tooth and a root canal may help you do just that. It enables our Willowdale Endodontist to restore your mouth to health and prevent further infection from the existing bacteria. Doing nothing is definitely not an option you want to explore. About Willowdale Endodontics A dental practice dedicated exclusively to endodontic (root canal) care, our Willowdale Endodontics team looks forward to being of service to patients dealing with the most severe dental decay. Our team, led by endodontic specialist Dr. Kilislian, specializes in new root canal techniques. We provide professional care in a friendly, and comfortable environment and employ the most cutting-edge technology and modern techniques, for the comfort of our patients. Connect with us today for a consultation.

Dental crowns have long been a solution to restore the look and function of a damaged tooth. These tooth-shaped caps help restore your teeth and improve your smile. When your dentist suggests you need a dental crown, two questions may come up to your mind: What type of dental crown is best for me?  And, what is the cost of it? This brief guide will help you understand the different types of dental crowns and cost. But First, Do You Really Need a Crown? Before looking into the different types of dental crowns and cost, how can you know for sure if you need a crown, an inlay, an onlay, or just a filling? Well, after a thorough examination during your first office visit, your dentist will evaluate your particular case, and guide you on possible treatments.  Generally, some of the most common causes of getting a dental crown are: A weakened tooth after severe decay or cavity To cover an implant To replace a large filling A natural tooth that is damaged or cracked A tooth that has undergone a root canal (especially posterior teeth) To align your bite For aesthetics purposes: to achieve a more beautiful smile by leveling the size, shape, and color of your teeth. What Does Getting a Crown Involve? In most cases, if you need a custom-made crown, be ready to visit your dentist a couple of times. It is not something a dentist can do in only one appointment, unless he or she owns a CEREC® or similar device, which allows patients to get the crown in one visit. The process may be different for each type of dental crown, too. In general, getting a crown involves: Your dentist will prepare your tooth, which can involve just the removal of decay, a root canal, or both. S/he takes a mold so that the crown fits the exact shape of your tooth. A temporary restoration is used to protect the tooth until the crown is ready. You should take special care of this temporary cap and avoid eating hard or sticky foods to prevent it from cracking. After about a week, your dentist will have the crown ready. What Type of Dental Crown Should I Choose? 5 Main Types  When you need a crown,  you immediately start thinking about the types of dental crowns and cost. This is because today there are many different types of crowns that vary depending on materials, cost, procedures, and patients’ needs. The main types of crowns used in dentistry include: 1. Gold crowns Gold crowns are in fact a combination of copper and other metals, such as nickel or chromium. The main advantage of gold crowns is their strength and durability. For back restorations -and depending on each patient’s needs- some dentists may suggest a gold crown as the preferred option. However, gold crowns don’t make a very popular choice today due to their color and aesthetics. Main ADVANTAGES of gold crowns: They are strong and highly resistant They last a long time if properly cared for Less proportion of your natural tooth needs to be removed They wear down quite slowly, just like natural enamel They are ideal for posterior restorations (back teeth), especially second molars Main DISADVANTAGES of gold crowns: Poor aesthetics: They obviously don’t look like a natural tooth Gold alloy crowns can affect some people and produce some side effects such as allergic reactions or swelling 2. All Porcelain Crowns This is definitely the most popular type of crown used nowadays. They are entirely made of porcelain material. Some ADVANTAGES are: Porcelain or ceramic crowns provide the best and most natural look.  They match your surrounding teeth in shape, size, and color. The best option for front teeth restorations. They are biocompatible: that means no metal is used, so they are toxic-free. However, the main DISADVANTAGES of porcelain crowns are: They are not as strong as metal crowns. Porcelain crowns can last a long time, but they have to be well taken care of. Patients who suffer from bruxism should opt for gold of PFM They may be more costly than other types of crowns, such as metal crowns. 3. Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM) Porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are another widely used type of dental crowns. They provide both strength (due to their metal structure) and aesthetics (due to the porcelain coat that covers the cap). The main ADVANTAGES of PFM crowns are: They provide great aesthetics and durability They’ve been around for over 50 years. We know they work well. They are less costly than all porcelain crowns However, the DISADVANTAGES of PFMs include: The metal in these crowns may cause a grey line at the gumline. This may not give the 100% aesthetic look that all porcelain crowns provide. For people who clench their teeth, this type of crown may wear down more easily against the opposing teeth. 4. Zirconia Crowns Zirconium is a relatively new material that combines the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain crowns.  High translucent zirconia and layered zirconia crowns have become a more popular choice lately. The main ADVANTAGES of zirconia crowns are: They provide great aesthetics They are strong and long-lasting (less possibilities of chipping or breaking). The process can be less time consuming because zirconia can be cut and shaped at the same dental office. There’s no need to send them over to a dental lab. Zirconia Crowns are less likely to wear down due to their strength. They are biocompatible: as metal free crowns, they are not likely to cause allergic reactions. The main DISADVANTAGES of Zirconia Crowns include: Their strength can make the teeth they bite against wear down easily. Solid Zirconia can be difficult to adjust 5. E- MAX: Lithium Disilicate Crowns The newest type of crown in dentistry today is known as E -Max. It is a type of all-ceramic crown made of lithium disilicate (which is also light and thin). The main ADVANTAGES of E-max crowns are: Great aesthetics. They look great in your mouth. They can be durable and very strong. They provide a great choice both for front and back

FIX YOUR SMILE WITH BEST SMILE CORRECTION TREATMENT We all agree that a smile outranks the eyes, nose, and body when we talk about the most attractive physical feature. But many ignore it and overlook the significant discernible problems in our smiles. It renders us anxious about our smiles. This is where cosmetic dentistry comes into the picture. A best cosmetic dentist diagnoses all the problems and recommends the best treatment. It gives a holistic smile makeover, addressing all the issues with your smile. Let us know more about it in detail. WHAT IS A SMILE MAKEOVER? A smile makeover is a method of improving the appeal of your smile. It enhances your overall facial look through different treatment modalities involving cosmetic dentistry. Many factors are considered for a complete smile makeover, which is decided according to an individual’s needs and overall oral health condition. Some of the factors considered are tooth color, the shape of a tooth, width of the tooth, alignment of the tooth with lips and other oral structures, condition of your gum tissues, etc. SOME OF THE COMMON COSMETIC DENTAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTION Missing teeth: Many of us have lost one or more teeth due to decay or other dental issues. Missing a tooth or more affects our smile and hence our overall appearance. Along with the appearance, it may cause some serious dental issues like bite problems or the position of adjacent teeth. The best way to replace a missing tooth is a dental implant or a crown. Both of them can give you a confident smile. Inappropriate tooth proportion: This includes the width and length of your teeth. Long teeth make your look younger and render you with a youthful appearance. Short teeth can be corrected by reshaping. Besides reshaping, composite buildups, dental laminates, or dental veneers can give you an appropriate teeth proportion. A cracked tooth or chipped tooth can also be corrected by these treatments. Alignment of teeth: Crooked teeth, overlapping tooth or spacing between the tooth, affect your smile. These can be treated with orthodontic treatment, using Invisalign braces. This will help you get back your natural smile. Gummy smiles:  If your gums are extensively visible while smiling, this is known as a gummy smile. It might not seem like a massive dental issue, but it affects your overall appearance. It can be treated by recontouring or reshaping the gums with the help of laser dentistry. Smile makeovers are done for several reasons and can be customized according to your requirements. A cosmetic dentist will review your overall health and plan your treatment accordingly. At CLOVE DENTAL, we ensure you with the best cosmetic treatment modalities along with the best-trained professionals and the best equipment.