Root canal treatment is done to repair and save badly infected or decayed tooth. It is needed when the soft tissue inside the tooth structure becomes inflamed or infected. Once the decay erodes the first two layers of tooth, that is, enamel and dentin, infection then reaches the nerve and pulp of tooth which then causes pain. If left untreated, infection may spread beyond ends of roots of tooth. Bone loss may also occur around the tooth which may lead to pus formation or an abscess.

Procedure

An X-ray is always needed first to make a diagnosis if RCT is needed or not. The dentist then anesthetizes the tooth. A hole is then prepared in the tooth to access the root canals for cleaning. After the infection has subsided the root canal is then filled with a biocompatible rubber compound- Gutta Percha.
While having root canal treatment, avoid chewing or biting down on hard foods until treatment is completed.
However, tooth decay can be avoided by decreasing the frequency of sugar intake and by having regular check- ups. RCT is a good treatment option to save the infected tooth. Otherwise the tooth may have to be extracted, and it is always better to keep the natural tooth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dental Treatment has advanced to transform your look and smile. Technology advances through cosmetic dentistry can give you the perfect designed smile, quicker and faster than ever before. Our Clinic is experienced in providing a broad range of cosmetic services that can transform anyone’s smile into a perfect smile that most of us always dream of

• • Dental Implants
• • Dental Crowns & Bridges
• • Teeth Whitening
• • Porcelain Veneers
• • Inlays / Onlays
• • Orthodontic Treatment

While this information may be helpful to you in learning about different types of cosmetic procedures, only your dentist can decide which treatment is best suited for your needs.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are wafer thin, custom made shells of tooth coloured material that are used to cover the front surface of teeth.
Dental veneers are basically used to change the appearance of teeth. These are basically indicated in teeth which are partially fractured, or chipped or worn down. It can also be given in teeth stained due to tetracycline or fluorides, or even if there are gaps between teeth.
Dental veneers can be of two types. It can be made up of composite or porcelain. In veneers made up of composite, less tooth preparation is needed but they tend to stain over a period of time. Porcelain made veneers need relatively more tooth preparation but they resist stain better and last longer. Porcelain veneers are thin and translucent, so light is transmitted through them easily which gives them a beautiful appearance.

Post and Core

Post and core are used to restore tooth morphology when there is not an adequate tooth structure. Then a post and core build up is needed to connect a tooth to the crown. These are also known as foundation restorations.
A post is needed if more than half of the tooth’s original crown portion is lost. Post is needed to anchor crown core to the tooth. After placing the post, a core (a bulk of restorative material) is placed around and over the post’s exposed end. This core build up provides support and also replaces original shape of tooth so that it is easier to design a crown.

Procedure

After endodontic treatment, the tooth becomes more brittle, so a replacement crown is necessary. Some gutta percha is removed from the tooth and root canal and pulp chamber are shaped to receive post. Then an impression of the prepared tooth is taken. After this, the post and core are cemented into the root at the next appointment. After this, the replacement crown is placed.
In this way, post and core serve as an effective means of restoring the natural tooth which might have been lost otherwise due to lack of sufficient tooth structure.

Teeth Whitening

It is a common procedure used in cosmetic dentistry. It is also known as bleaching of teeth. Staining of teeth occurs due to various reasons which include use of tea and coffee due to certain bacteria, use of tobacco, certain kinds of food and some medications like tetracycline.

Procedure for Bleaching of Teeth

Bleaching can be done either in-office or home bleaching.

Home Bleaching

In this a tray is used in which a whitening solution is placed. The tray is usually prepared after taking an impression of teeth. The tray is placed in the mouth for a few hours daily for few weeks or months as required. This duration depends upon degree of discoloration and the strength of carbamide peroxide or the whitening agent used.

In-Office Bleaching

In this, the whitening agent is applied over the teeth by dentist and then special light and heat is used. Though it is more expensive than home bleaching the advantage is that results can be seen just after one treatment. Bleaching is generally not indicated during pregnancy, or under the age of 16, in sensitive teeth or in patients allergic to peroxide. Also, the bleaching procedure does not whiten the tooth fillings. However, bleaching gives you a brighter and whiter smile which makes you more confident.