ENDODONTIC
Endodontic is a field of dentistry that tackles issues within the part of a tooth below the gumlines ie. its roots. An infection of the pulp inside the tooth and canals can cause considerable pain and damage to the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment
RCT is a method in conserving a damaged, decayed and/or infected tooth in order to save it; hence avoiding an extraction. This treatment involves the removal of the infected nerve and soft tissue area inside the tooth and its roots known as the pulp which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. Once completed, the entire root system is sealed off.
A root-treated tooth which structural integrity and form has been compromised will normally be restored with a crown for function and aesthetics.
PROSTHODONTIC
Prosthodontic is an area of dentistry that specializes in treating complex dental and dental aesthetic matters, including the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth with dental prosthesis such as crown, bridge, denture and crown over implant restorations. These treatments not only address teeth functions but also focus on the dynamics of a beautiful smile.
Crown
An anterior tooth with multiple tooth-colored fillings look very unnatural and as years go by ‘stain' will appear because at the margin of the fillings. A very large filling on a posterior tooth can easily fracture and in many cases, the tooth can also fracture. In both instances, it is advisable to crown the teeth. A crown is a porcelain “cap” shaped like a tooth which is fixed to the tooth in order to restore the tooth and have a natural and more aesthetic look.
Bridge
A bridge is two or more crowns fused together and is a fixed prosthesis, unlike a denture. A missing tooth can be replaced with a bridge. The advantages of bridge as compared to denture are that the patient will feel more comfortable because the artificial teeth will only be put at the residual alveolar ridge and soldered to two crowns that act as retainers on either side. There will be no involvement of palate or tongue space as in dentures that can alter the patients' speech or masticators functions.
Inlay/Onlay
Dental inlays and onlays are usually made of porcelain or tooth coloured composite material. This technique is used to repair a substantial damage in tooth structure that does not warrant the fabrication of a dental crown.
DENTURE
A denture may be considered one of the oldest methods of replacing one or more missing teeth. A person may have a partial denture when there are natural teeth remaining or a complete/full dentures when all the teeth are missing.
Partial or full denture consist of artificial teeth attached to a gum-coloured base that forms part of the surrounding soft tissues. A partial denture normally requires as many as 5 steps to complete the process over a period of 2-3 weeks. For a full denture where teeth need to be extracted, the conventional approach would mean that the process will take as long as 2 months after teeth extractions.
Immediate Dentures
For a full set of dentures, there is a procedure option known as “immediate dentures” where the denture is prepared and fabricated in advance prior to teeth extractions. Upon teeth extraction, a patient can immediately be fitted with the full denture and not have to endure a “toothless” period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process or they may need to be replaced altogether once the gums and bones healing process is complete. Generally, immediate denture should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.
Implant-supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures provide more stability to thee dentures. This system requires the dentures to be connected to titanium abutments that are implanted into the jaw bone. The dentures are still removable for cleaning and maintenance.
Denture Material
Acrylic
Acrylic is used to make standard full & partial dentures. The largest single advantage to this type of denture (aside from its comparatively low cost) is that new teeth and new denture base can easily be added to an existing acrylic denture. If later in the course of treatment existing natural teeth are extracted for any reason, new false teeth can be added quickly to the partial, maintaining the patient’s appearance. This type of appliance can last for many years with proper maintenance; however, it is advisable to replace your denture every 5- years to ensure its proper fit and functions.
Valplast
Valplast® is a flexible denture base resin which is ideal for partial dentures and unilateral restorations. The resin is a biocompatible nylon thermoplastic with unique physical and aesthetic properties. Valplast® allows your patient’s natural tissue tone to appear through the material. These dentures are very robust & are not prone to breaking. Because this fantastic material is flexible the gum colored ”wings” hook around adjacent teeth holding the denture in the “gap” snuggly & more securely than alternative denture materials such as acrylic. Valplast® dentures can be relined & also adjacent teeth can be added to an existing denture should this be required.
Chrome Cobalt
The underlying, mostly hidden, metal base increases the strength of the denture. This type of metal can also be made very thin, making the joints from one side of the mouth to the other a lot less bulky.
ThermoSens
ThermoSens is a thermo-plastic material that does not contain acrylic or chemicals. Therefore, it is most unlikely to cause allergic reactions to patients who are sensitive or have allergic reactions to other denture material.
ThermoSens denture offers options of tooth coloured and clear clasps and clear or pink base colours; making it more aesthetically pleasing than other material choices. The colour of the material can also last longer – withstanding the effects of certain drinks and foods better than other flexible denture material.
ThermoSens dense material allows for a thinner denture, making it lightweight and extremely comfortable. Furthermore, the thermoplastic base makes the denture more durable as it does not easily fracture or break.
ThermoSens has a much lower shrinkage rate compared to acrylic. This assures the denture wearer a longer and secure fit - day after day.
ENDODONTIC
Endodontic is a field of dentistry that tackles issues within the part of a tooth below the gumlines ie. its roots. An infection of the pulp inside the tooth and canals can cause considerable pain and damage to the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment
RCT is a method in conserving a damaged, decayed and/or infected tooth in order to save it; hence avoiding an extraction. This treatment involves the removal of the infected nerve and soft tissue area inside the tooth and its roots known as the pulp which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. Once completed, the entire root system is sealed off.
A root-treated tooth which structural integrity and form has been compromised will normally be restored with a crown for function and aesthetics.
PROSTHODONTIC
Prosthodontic is an area of dentistry that specializes in treating complex dental and dental aesthetic matters, including the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth with dental prosthesis such as crown, bridge, denture and crown over implant restorations. These treatments not only address teeth functions but also focus on the dynamics of a beautiful smile.
Crown
An anterior tooth with multiple tooth-colored fillings look very unnatural and as years go by ‘stain' will appear because at the margin of the fillings. A very large filling on a posterior tooth can easily fracture and in many cases, the tooth can also fracture. In both instances, it is advisable to crown the teeth. A crown is a porcelain “cap” shaped like a tooth which is fixed to the tooth in order to restore the tooth and have a natural and more aesthetic look.
Bridge
A bridge is two or more crowns fused together and is a fixed prosthesis, unlike a denture. A missing tooth can be replaced with a bridge. The advantages of bridge as compared to denture are that the patient will feel more comfortable because the artificial teeth will only be put at the residual alveolar ridge and soldered to two crowns that act as retainers on either side. There will be no involvement of palate or tongue space as in dentures that can alter the patients' speech or masticators functions.
Inlay/Onlay
Dental inlays and onlays are usually made of porcelain or tooth coloured composite material. This technique is used to repair a substantial damage in tooth structure that does not warrant the fabrication of a dental crown.
DENTURE
A denture may be considered one of the oldest methods of replacing one or more missing teeth. A person may have a partial denture when there are natural teeth remaining or a complete/full dentures when all the teeth are missing.
Partial or full denture consist of artificial teeth attached to a gum-coloured base that forms part of the surrounding soft tissues. A partial denture normally requires as many as 5 steps to complete the process over a period of 2-3 weeks. For a full denture where teeth need to be extracted, the conventional approach would mean that the process will take as long as 2 months after teeth extractions.
Immediate Dentures
For a full set of dentures, there is a procedure option known as “immediate dentures” where the denture is prepared and fabricated in advance prior to teeth extractions. Upon teeth extraction, a patient can immediately be fitted with the full denture and not have to endure a “toothless” period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process or they may need to be replaced altogether once the gums and bones healing process is complete. Generally, immediate denture should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.
Implant-supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures provide more stability to thee dentures. This system requires the dentures to be connected to titanium abutments that are implanted into the jaw bone. The dentures are still removable for cleaning and maintenance.
Denture Material
Acrylic
Acrylic is used to make standard full & partial dentures. The largest single advantage to this type of denture (aside from its comparatively low cost) is that new teeth and new denture base can easily be added to an existing acrylic denture. If later in the course of treatment existing natural teeth are extracted for any reason, new false teeth can be added quickly to the partial, maintaining the patient’s appearance. This type of appliance can last for many years with proper maintenance; however, it is advisable to replace your denture every 5- years to ensure its proper fit and functions.
Valplast
Valplast® is a flexible denture base resin which is ideal for partial dentures and unilateral restorations. The resin is a biocompatible nylon thermoplastic with unique physical and aesthetic properties. Valplast® allows your patient’s natural tissue tone to appear through the material. These dentures are very robust & are not prone to breaking. Because this fantastic material is flexible the gum colored ”wings” hook around adjacent teeth holding the denture in the “gap” snuggly & more securely than alternative denture materials such as acrylic. Valplast® dentures can be relined & also adjacent teeth can be added to an existing denture should this be required.
Chrome Cobalt
The underlying, mostly hidden, metal base increases the strength of the denture. This type of metal can also be made very thin, making the joints from one side of the mouth to the other a lot less bulky.
ThermoSens
ThermoSens is a thermo-plastic material that does not contain acrylic or chemicals. Therefore, it is most unlikely to cause allergic reactions to patients who are sensitive or have allergic reactions to other denture material.
ThermoSens denture offers options of tooth coloured and clear clasps and clear or pink base colours; making it more aesthetically pleasing than other material choices. The colour of the material can also last longer – withstanding the effects of certain drinks and foods better than other flexible denture material.
ThermoSens dense material allows for a thinner denture, making it lightweight and extremely comfortable. Furthermore, the thermoplastic base makes the denture more durable as it does not easily fracture or break.
ThermoSens has a much lower shrinkage rate compared to acrylic. This assures the denture wearer a longer and secure fit - day after day.