A>> Milk teeth helps in development of the Jaw bones, speech & also performs all the normal functions of an adult teeth. A milk teeth also helps the proper eruption of the adult counterparts.
Q)) Why should we treat Milk Teeth, when they are going to fall off?A>> A milk teeth comes in the mouth at around 6 months & all of them finally fall off at the age of around 12 years, during this entire period it helps a kid to chew their food & as well as it also helps in proper positioning of permanent adult teeth. Milk teeth & adult teeth are almost identical in anatomy & so are their complains. A kid needs more attention compared to an adult, as they are more prone to dental problems.
Q)) How often should I take my child for a dentist visit?A>> 6 months is the golden rule for a dental visit, irrespective of the age of a person. Pediatric dental visits are very important to not only treat dental problems but most importantly to monitor the development issues.
Q)) What is the difference between Children Dentistry & Adult Dentistry?A>> Children teeth are more prone to diseases, children are more prone to develop early gum problems. All these happen due to their food habits & improper oral hygiene maintenance. Children dentistry is preferably preformed by Pedodontists & the materials used for treatment are more technique sensitive. Majority of the materials used are Fluoride releasing & self dissolving. A proper pediatric dentistry set up is always preferable for them.
Q)) When does a child teeth need to be taken out or they need to be saved?A>> This is a tricky situation, which is best for the kid depends on the age of the kid & more importantly the life span of the teeth in question. The treatment modality also depends on the development phase of the permanent teeth. Any wrong decision at this age can lead to a life-long problem.
Q)) What is our role as a parent to maintain good oral health for my child?A>> Parent counseling is a major part of Pediatric Dental care. It is the parents who have to maintain the oral hygiene of their kids at home. It is impossible for a kid to choose a proper teeth cleaning devices & it's very difficult at the same time for any kid to learn a proper brushing technique. Sometimes a kid may need dietary modifications, all these are to be controlled by their parents only.
A>> A cavity or Caries in simple words is a damage in the enamel of a teeth. Symptoms of a cavity depends on the depth of extension of the same. If the caries is within enamel then there is just a black spot with occasional food lodgment. If the caries extends up to dentin, then there is occasional sensitivity. If the caries reaches the pulp or nerve of the teeth, then starts the pain.
Q)) What are the different types of treatments for cavity?A>> Cavity types from the dentists point of view depends on the location of damage & depth of damage. One basic criteria that determines the treatment modality is presence or absence of pain. If there is no pain then Restoration or filling of teeth is possible. If there is pain then the only choice of treatment is endodontic treatment or RCT.
Q)) Which is the material of choice for filling?A>> Modern day dentistry is all about preservation of tooth structure as much as possible. Choice of material in most of the cases is Composite Resin Or Glass Ionomer Cement. Amalgam or popularly known Silver filling is banned from using in mouth due to its mercury toxicity & extensive cavity preparation leading to loss of huge tooth structure.
Q)) How is Single Visit Rct better than Multiple Visit Rct?A>> RCT in simple words is a micro surgery of teeth. Any surgery is best if they are performed in sterile conditions. Multiple- visit RCT at times develop intra-procedural complications in form of infections. Antibiotic consumption is almost compulsory in Multiple-visit cases. Single-visit RCT is a more controlled procedure & chances of intra-procedural infection is almost nullified. Like any surgery the opening & closure of surgical field in one visit, similarly RCT is opening of nerve chamber & closure of the same best performed on a single visit basis.
Q)) What is the treatment if an RCT Treated tooth gets infected or gives pain?A>> Re-RCT is the only choice of treatment in such cases. If Re-RCT is not possible due to varied factors, then only removal of teeth comes into scenario.
Q)) How should one maintain a conservatively treated tooth?>A>> Any teeth which undergoes Conservative Treatment should be treated like a natural teeth. Maintenance depends on the oral hygiene index. The best way to maintain at home is by brushing normally along with professional care by a dentist every 6 months.
A>> Yes. If a tooth is not replaced, then adjoining teeth migrate in that place leading to loss of contact points in between the teeth. Loss of contact points lead to food impaction in between teeth & thereby chances of caries increases. Moreover every teeth comes in pair, if one tooth is lost then chewing from that side is hampered until it is replaced.
Q)) What is the minimum duration required to wear a denture after removal of teeth?A>> Minimum duration required for wearing a removable denture varies from 21 days to 1 & half months depending on the healing process.
Q)) Does efficacy of a denture depend on the quality of denture base or the quality of artificial teeth?A>> Yes. The quality of denture plate & the quality of denture teeth determines the final weight of the prosthesis. Lighter the denture, better is the adjustment capability.
Q)) Can a denture be unbreakable?A>> Partially yes. Flexible acrylic plate provides some cushion to fracture due to accidental drop. Flexible dentures are the latest in acrylic dentures, but if they are intentionally smashed against hard surface then the possibility of fracture prevails.
Q)) How much time is required for the entire denture procedure & How much time is required to get adjusted with it?A>> A denture requires multiple set of Impressions followed by try in & delivery. Post delivery ideally it is not advised to use a denture for eating for a week to 10 days maximum. After delivery a denture needs few adjustments. Fabrication of a denture takes about 15 days minimum. Getting adjusted to denture depends on age of the person & presence or absence of old dentures.
Q)) What is the general maintenance required for a denture?A>> Even though dentures are artificial teeth, but they need to be taken care of. A denture should never be worn during sleep. A denture should always be dipped in water solution with denture cleansing tablets. A denture should always be cleaned with a tooth brush & tooth paste, both before & after using it on a daily basis. After every meal denture should be removed & rinsed with water before wearing again.
A>> Definitely fixed artificial teeth have far more advantages over removable artificial teeth. Maintenance of them are the same as your natural teeth.
Q)) What are the different ways to have Fixed Artificial Teeth?A>> There are 2 ways one can have Fixed artificial teeth. Tooth supported non surgical Crown & Bridge or Bone supported surgical Implants.
Q)) What is choice of material, when it comes to Crowns?A>> Anything non-metal is the material of choice. With the advent of CAD-CAM & 3D print technology the choice of material in 21st century is Pure ceramics. They are absolutely metal free & yet at times more hard than metal crowns. If aesthetics & bio-compatibility is what you are looking for, then ceramics should the choice of material.
Q)) Which is better, Crown & Bridge or Implants?A>> Both have their own Pros & Cons. Implants involve the Bone & it is a surgical procedure. Time required is more compared to Crown & Bridge. Crown & Bridge are absolutely Non-Surgical, they take support from adjoining teeth. They are much faster than Implants. Implants require specific X-Rays & in some cases it is not favorable due to a person's medical conditions. Crown & Bridge doesn't have such restrictions, but modification of adjoining teeth are required.
Q)) Are Crowns permanent or How long will they last?>A>> Crowns are long lasting but no prosthesis can be permanent. Every prosthesis has wear & tear. All metal free ceramics at SMILEY comes with warranty which ranges up to 30 years. At times cementation failure can occur, but they can be re-cemented. If the supporting teeth fractures, then the same crown may not be re-fixed.
Q)) How should one maintain any fixed prosthesis or crowns?A>> Brushing & flossing at home & Oral prophylaxis or Scaling every 6 months by a dentist.
A>> Main problem one faces due to irregular setting of teeth is to maintain a good oral hygiene. Deposition of plaque is more in irregular teeth which makes a person more prone to caries or cavity. Sometimes speech problem also occurs due to haphazard setting of teeth. Aesthetic appearance is secondary.
Q)) What is the ideal age limit to undergo Braces treatment?A>> Modern day Braces do not have any age limit. Braces can be wore at an early age, as well as adult braces are very common in the entire world. Survey says 60% to 65% of patients wearing braces are adults all over the world. Sad but true in India due to lack of knowledge people think that braces are for kids. It’s a treatment & like any other treatment it doesn’t have any age limit.
Q)) What is an Adult Braces & is there any difference of treatment modality?A>> Adult braces are normal braces which one wears after they become adult. The only difference in their treatment is the duration required for the treatment. Minimum time required for an adult braces treatment is 24 months, but it can be less at times when minimum correction is needed.
Q)) What are the different kinds of braces one can opt for?A>> Technology has allowed us to provide braces of different kinds. Apart from conventional metal braces, nowadays one can opt for tooth coloured ceramic braces or even clear braces. Braces can also be applied in the inner side of teeth & thereby visibility of braces is nullified. Adult braces are usually the one with less visibility & they are the ones for whom metallic braces are the last option.
Q)) How much time is required for completion of Braces treatment?A>> Minimum time required for braces is 18 months, but the maximum time required cannot be confirmatively predicted. The duration depends mainly on Age of the person, type of irregularity of teeth & type of treatment required. Braces is a treatment & not a snap on wear thing, so it does need time,planning & execution.
Q)) What are the restrictions one have to follow during the treatment?A>> There are some minor modifications & restriction in diet. One cannot have sticky food, they need to tear food with hand & not with teeth with braces. It is advised to avoid cold food stuffs. Every 6 months scaling is must to maintain good oral hygiene. Special kind of tooth brushes called ortho brush should be used during the treatment.
A>> It is very much possible to change the way one smiles. Smile designing is a part of dentistry which is practiced in very few dental treatment centers. It is a multi-disciplinary treatment by which one can change the shape of teeth, size of teeth & even the colour of teeth, thereby one can have a complete makeover of the way they smile. This is smile designing, where we design a smile according to the desire of the person.
Q)) Can one change the colour of teeth?A>> Yes absolutely. One can opt between invasive permanent procedure or even non-invasive temporary procedure. If one doesn't have any oral habits, they can get brighter smile makeover in just about 30 minutes.
Q)) Is there any way one can change the shape & size of teeth?A>> Definitely. It is very easy to change the shape & size of teeth by different ways. One has various option from veneers to crowns. Some are made in the dental chairs & some needs a lab support. Depending on the demand of the patient we at Smiley can change absolutely the way your teeth smiles.
Q)) What are the options available other than braces to change the setting of teeth?A>> People can opt in between invasive cosmetic ways or non-invasive Clear aligners. Smiley is proud to announce that we have an exclusive contract with some of the leading companies. There are few aligners which are only available with us at Smiley.
Q)) How much time is required for a Smile Designing procedure?A>> Duration is entirely dependent on the type of makeover one opts for & the procedure required. Minimum time required is about 30 minutes for a non-invasive bright smile makeover.
Q)) What are the maintenance required after Smile Designing?A>> Depending on the type of treatment the maintenance is decided. the golden rule for all kinds of procedures is Scaling or Oral prophylaxis in every 6 months.
A>> The most common symptom of early gum disease is yellowish teeth due to deposition of plaque & calculus. The next most common symptoms are foul odor from mouth & bleeding gums. Apart from that in extensive situation there can be mobility of teeth along with sensitivity.
Q)) How to treat Gum Problems?A>> Scaling or Oral Prophylaxis is the most common treatment for gum diseases. In special cases sometimes reconstructive gum surgical procedures may be required, which are strictly performed by Periodontist only.
Q)) Is scaling harmful for teeth?A>> No not at all. This is a misconception which is very common amongst people. Scaling doesn't cause any damage to enamel nor it loosens the gums & even it doesn't create gaps in between teeth. During scaling hard calculus are dislodged from teeth surface, which are otherwise non removable by brushing. People usually mistake calculus for enamel. Removal of calculus exposes the gaps in between them, as calculus resides along the gums & in and around teeth, so people wrongly believe that scaling causes those gaps or loosens teeth.
Q)) Even after brushing twice why does one need to go for gum treatment?A>> Brushing is the home care for controlling plaque deposition but professional removal of plaque or calculus is a must. Plaque & calculus are very harmful for teeth & only a dentist can perform the procedure, named scaling. Worldwide the golden rule for Oral prophylaxis is to be done every six months.
Q)) Are gum treatments permanent, if not how often one should go for such treatment?A>> Gum treatment is a treatment which can arrest the gum disease from getting worse, but it can never cure at once. Gum treatment are like treatment of any chronic disease & they should be continued throughout life. Worldwide the golden rule for Oral prophylaxis is to be done every six months.
Q)) Is it true that a Poor Oral Hygiene leads to lot of other systemic problems?A>> Yes it is true. Gum disease is directly related to blood sugar. Gum problems can lead to many other systemic disease like cardiac problems, arthritis, kidney problems & even pregnancy related problems. Gum disease are usually transmitted from mother to child. Mouth is your only portal of entry & poor Oral Hygiene only worsens the situation.
A>> When the root of a teeth gets affected or there is a fracture in the root it needs to be taken out. If a tooth cannot be restored by conservative means due to its gross destruction or when the prognosis of a tooth is not favorable then also it is taken out. Wrongly placed wisdom teeth also needs removal.
Q)) Is it possible for multiple teeth removal in one appointment?A>> Depends on the medical condition of the person & more so it depends on the positions of the teeth in question. Mostly teeth in similar segment or if they are adjacent then they can e taken out at once. The decision though entirely lies on the preference of the surgeon performing the procedure.
Q)) Can one go for any surgical procedure while having acute pain?A>> Usually any kind of procedure should be avoided in cases of acute pain. It is mainly due to underlying infections, which either delay the process of anesthesia or the infection doesn’t allow the anesthetic solution to work. In such cases surgeon usually prescribes antibiotic to control the infection before procedure.
Q)) Is it possible to undergo Wisdom Teeth removal in dental chair?A>> Single wisdom tooth extraction is performed in dental chair. If all 4 wisdom teeth needs to be removed at once or in one visit, then it is better to get it done in an OT setup.
Q)) Is it possible to perform Dental Surgical Procedures for anyone who is suffering with any kind of medical problems?A>> Yes it can be performed but only after some precautionary measures. At times some medicine dosage needs to be altered as per required by the Oral surgeon. Usually such procedure are performed only after the consent of the attending physician of the person concerned.
Q)) What are the basic Post-operative instructions after any surgical dental procedure?A>> At Smiley we usually provide a post-operative instruction leaflet to each & every patient who undergoes any kind of surgical procedure. The basic instructions are no spitting for 24 hours & cold soft diet for 24 hours. Warm saline mouth rinse 4 times a day for 21 days to be started after 24 hours of the procedure.
A>> It is general dentistry or to be specific it is that part of dentistry which deals with basic dental problems & their treatment until the point where no specialty dentistry are required.
Q) Who are family dentists?A>> General dentists, who are BDS are most commonly known as family dentist
Q) What is Smiley's family dentistry?A>> Smiley is a Specialty Treatment centre, where only specialist dentists work on patients. In Smiley we do provide everyone with specialist dentists, who apart from their specialty also provide family dentistry services.
Q) What are basic range of dental services under family dentistry?A>> Anything related to basic dental treatments viz. Scaling, filling, extraction, rct & normal denture or crown prosthesis falls under this category.
Q) Is there any limitation to family dentistry?A>> Anything apart from basic dentistry is the only limitation.
Q) What are the guiding factors to opt for family dentistry at Smiley?
A>> The guiding factors mainly depend on how much a person can bear in terms of time required for the treatment & above all the financial condition of the person, Family dentistry is always comparatively cheaper than specialty dentistry.