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Root Canal (Endodontics) Treatment

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. The goal of the root canal treatment is to preserve the tooth.

What is Root Canal treatment? (RCT)

To understand Root Canal treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth's growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature, it can survive without pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Why would I need an (RCT) procedure?

It is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth.

What are the signs of needing root canal treatment?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues.

How does Root Canal treatment save the tooth?

The dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, the dentist will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

Many Root Canal treatment procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anaesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.
For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after Root canal treatment?

You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings.
Most treated teeth last as long as any other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased, months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the procedure can save the tooth.

Tooth whitening

Bright Smile - Safe, unique patented formula. One treatment. Years of benefits.

Britesmile is the professionals choice and is considered the safest and most effective teeth whitening product on the market. A beautiful white smile can significantly enhance your self-esteem and appearance - giving you a new found confidence.

The revolutionary BriteSmile technology is clinically proven to get your teeth their whitest. And all you need is 1 hour! Lightening teeth eight to ten shades with just one treatment; BriteSmile can help you achieve a naturally brilliant smile.

During your treatment, the BriteSmile whitening gel is carefully applied to your teeth. The Whitening Gel is then activated by the BriteSmile gentle blue light for 20 minutes. You can then sit back and relax. This process is then repeated twice more before you go home with a sparkling white smile.

Colgate visible whites

Colgate® Visible White™ is a visible advance in professional take-home whitening, providing fast, safe and effective whitening.

Key features and benefits:

• Clinically proven whitening efficacy
• Visibly whiter teeth in 3 days
• Simple, easy 30 minute once a day wear time
• Sleek, portable, reusable kit case
• Two great flavours: mint and melon

Recommended usage:

• Avoid overfilling the tray. Remove any excess gel that oozes out to minimize potential gum irritation.
• Wear tray for 30 minutes once a day, or as instructed by your dentist.
• If you have any questions about your treatment, consult your dentist.

Procedure for wearing the tray

STEP 1: Thoroughly brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste such as Colgate Total® toothpaste.

STEP 2: Place a small drop of Colgate Visible White™ in the tray, for each tooth that needs to be whitened (see guideline on right). Do not overfill.
STEP 3: Place the mouth tray with the gel into mouth and over teeth. Press gently against mouth tray with your fingers to put tray in place.
STEP 4: If gel oozes out as you place the tray, remove excess gel from gums with an absorbent material such as a cotton swab, making sure to remove all gel from your gums and gum line. STEP 5: Wear tray for 30 minutes or as instructed by your dentist. When treatment has been completed, remove mouth tray. Brush your teeth with a wet toothbrush to remove any residual whitening gel.

Gum Irritation

Prolonged gel contact with gum or soft tissue may cause gum irritation. Potential irritation can be minimized by not allowing gel to stay on gum/lips:

• Upon placing trays, wipe excess gel with absorbent material such as cotton swab or cloth.
• Use less gel.

Tooth sensitivity

Whitening treatments can cause tooth sensitivity among some patients. To minimize sensitivity:

• Your dentist may recommend a sensitive toothpaste to be used before or during the treatment period.
• Try whitening every second or third day.
• Avoid hot or cold beverages 30 minutes after treatment.

If you experience more than mild tooth sensitivity, discontinue treatment and consult your dentist. Sensitivity usually goes away in 1-3 days after treatment has been stopped.

For optimium whitening results

• Refrain from eating and drinking during, and for thirty minutes after treatment.
• Avoid tobacco as well as stain-causing beverages such as coffee, dark colas and red wine during treatment.

Cleaning and storage

• After treatment, rinse mouth tray under water, using a wet toothbrush to clean any adhered whitening gel from tray.
• Store mouth tray in the storage case (provided with the full kit). Keep in a cool, dry place.
• Store syringes at room temperature. Do not freeze. Avoid exposure to temperatures above 90° F.

Precautions

• Do not use if pregnant or nursing.
• Use only under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Adult supervision is recommended for patients ages 12-18.

HealOzone™ - for gentle treatment of tooth decay

HealOzone is a revolutionary new technology for the safe and effective, pain free treatment of caries with ozone (O3).
All common types of tooth decay can be treated with HealOzone™. Drilling may not be necessary at all, giving you no drilling noise or drilling sensation. HealOzone™ can now be your first choice in tooth decay treatment.

For more information click here to visit HealOzone Website.

Grinding problems

Definition
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding, gnashing or clenching your teeth. The condition affects both children and adults.
Some people with bruxism unconsciously clench their teeth together during the day, often when they feel anxious or tense. This is different from tooth grinding or clenching that occurs at night, which is called sleep bruxism. Most children who are bruxers do so at night, while adults are either daytime or nighttime bruxers.

Bruxism may be mild and may not even require treatment. However, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems. Unfortunately, people with sleep bruxism usually aren't aware of the habit, so they aren't diagnosed with the condition until complications occur. That's why it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.

Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:

• Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake your sleep partner
• Teeth that are worn down, flattened or chipped
• Worn tooth enamel, exposing the inside of your tooth
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Jaw pain or tightness in your jaw muscles
• Earache — because of severe jaw muscle contractions, not a problem with your ear
• Headache
• Chronic facial pain
• Chewed tissue on the inside of your cheek

Causes
Sleep bruxism is believed to be related to changes that occur during sleep cycles in some individuals.
In adults, psychological factors seem to be associated with bruxism, including:

• Anxiety, stress or tension
• Suppressed anger or frustration
• Aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality type

In children, bruxism may be related to growth and development of the jaws and teeth. Some researchers think children brux because their top and bottom teeth don't fit together comfortably as they are erupting. Others believe that children grind their teeth because of tension, anger, or as a response to pain from an earache or teething. While bruxism has been reported to occur in up to 30 percent of children, often in children under the age of 5, most children outgrow bruxism before they get their adult teeth.

What happens if you don’t treat Teeth Grinding

• Damage to the gums which may lead to gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)
• Loss of both natural teeth and restorations (crowns, onlays, bridges, veneers etc…)
• Developing TMD/TMJ which is a jaw joint related disorder
• Increase in teeth sensitivity

Treatments
For some cases of teeth grinding there is no known cure, but fortunately there are ways to reduce or stop your grinding habit and limit further damage to your teeth, gums and jaws and eliminate the pain that is caused by this habit. Your dentist will be able to custom a mouth guard to fit your mouth, or if you prefer you can get over-the-counter mouth guards, they're less expensive than custom guards, but they generally don't fit well and can dislodge during bruxing.

If your bruxism seems to be associated with dental problems, we may also correct misaligned teeth. In severe cases — when tooth wear has led to sensitivity or the inability to chew properly overlays or crowns to entirely reshape the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Reconstructive treatment can be quite extensive and though it will correct the wear, it may not stop the bruxism.
Your dentist will determine which treatment or combination of treatments is right for your case.

Restorative and cosmetic dentistry (white fillings, crowns, veneers)

• › Amalgam (Silver) Filling
• › Composite (White) Filling
• › Veneers
• › Composite Bonding
• › Cosmetic Contouring
• › Porcelain Onlays and Inlays
• › Crown
• › Bridge
• › Dentures

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Amalgam Fillings

Used by dentists for more than a century, dental amalgam is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use. It is durable, easy to use, highly resistant to wear. For those reasons, it remains a valued treatment option for dentists and their patients.

Dental amalgam is a stable alloy made by combining elemental mercury, silver, tin, copper and possibly other metallic elements. Although dental amalgam continues to be a safe, commonly used restorative material, some concern has been raised because of its mercury content. However, the mercury in amalgam combines with other metals to render it stable and safe for use in filling teeth.

Because amalgam fillings can withstand very high chewing loads, they are particularly useful for restoring molars in the back of the mouth where chewing load is greatest. They are also useful in areas where a cavity preparation is difficult to keep dry during the filling replacement, such as in deep fillings below the gum line.

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium that produces a tooth-colored filling. They are sometimes referred to as composites or filled resins. Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid size restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. Less tooth structure is removed when the dentist prepares the tooth, and this may result in a smaller filling than that of an amalgam. Composites can also be "bonded" or adhesively held in a cavity, often allowing the dentist to make a more conservative repair to the tooth.
The fillings are less noticeable and much more attractive than silver (amalgam) fillings. Composites are not only used for restoring decay, but are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the colour of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

Veneers

Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns, especially for people who have large spaces between their teeth. Veneers are very thin rigid shells made of a ceramic material. After your dentist has taken an impression of the teeth, the veneer/s is constructed in our laboratory. On your second visit the teeth are prepared to accommodate the veneer, which are then bonded to the teeth, resulting in a very natural look.

Composite Contouring

Cosmetic contouring can be used when the teeth are uneven or worn. Your dentist carefully removes small areas of the enamel and reshapes, smoothes and polishes the tooth to look more attractive. This is a painless process and does not harm the tooth.

Cosmetic Contouring
Cosmetic contouring can be used when the teeth are uneven or worn. Your dentist carefully removes small areas of the enamel and reshapes, smoothes and polishes the tooth to look more attractive. This is a painless process and does not harm the tooth.

Porcelain Onlays and Inlays

Porcelain Onlays and Inlays are another procedure to consider in Cosmetic Dentistry. Onlays and Inlays are a good option for restoration of teeth. They are effective in particular for fixing the back area of your teeth. This method is similar to fillings but these fillings are made from ceramics, inlays and onlays are two methods that are not only restoring your tooth but also gives it more strength that it had before.

The procedure is called an “inlay” when the material is bonded within the centre of a tooth. Conversely, the procedure is called an “on-lay” when the extent of the damage requires inclusion of one or more cusps (points) of the tooth or full coverage of the biting surface.

Crown

A crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed, without any dental surgery. Crowns are made to have the same shape as your tooth.

Crowns may be placed for several reasons, but generally the tooth has been extensively damaged by decay or breakage and filling material can't replace the missing tooth structure and make the tooth strong enough. A crown may hold together parts of a cracked tooth and can be used to hold a bridge in place.

Sometimes crowns can be used to cover discoloured or misshapen teeth.

Crowns may be made from several different materials, gold and porcelain being the most common types, you can choose from during your visit. Gold is usually used on the back teeth. Porcelain is usually always used for the front teeth but may be used for the back teeth.

Bridge

A bridge allows your dentist to replace lost teeth in order to improve your appearance and bite. Basically a false tooth is held in place by being attached to a tooth next door. A bridge uses the considerable skill of the dentist and the technician, and in this way, it’s similar to ordering a piece of handmade jewellery.

Dentures

If you have been unfortunate enough to have lost teeth due to extensive decay, trauma, Periodontal Disease or for any other reason, our dentists and or dental specialists can provide you with a range of Prosthodontics which will give back that natural smile.

Free Dental Care for kids under 18

We are proudly contracted with the Ministry of Health for a special dental Service Agreement for Kids under the age of 13 years and for Adolescent Oral Health Services for under the age of 18 years.
Click here to find the answers to your questions.

It is very important to monitor the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth or baby teeth are important for proper chewing and eating, providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position and permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance.

Primary or milk teeth start forming before birth. These are around 20 primary teeth and start erupting by around 6 months into the oral cavity. All the primary teeth usually appear by the age of 2. Permanent teeth start appearing by around 6yrs and continue its eruption till age of 21-25 when the wisdom teeth erupt into the oral cavity. They are around 32 in number which includes the third molars

It is recommended to have at least one visit a year to the dentist starting from the child's first birthday. Routine visits will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health.

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well balanced diet. The children should be advised not to eat hard candy etc. as it remains in the mouth for long time and is precarious. Regular visits to a dentist motivate the child in keeping their mouth clean.

Your partnership with your dentist will help ensure your child healthy teeth and a confident bright beautiful smile.