Useful background notes on many treatments for your teeth, undertaken by Cap600 London City Dental.
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Gum health and hygiene Root canal treatment Straightening teeth Replacement of missing teeth Tooth implants Soft tissue augmentation Dental mockups Gum health and hygiene Obviously the jaw bones support the teeth. The gums cover the bone and "collar" the teeth. Gum infection will result in bone destruction and leads to looseness and loss of teeth. Neglect of basic gum health and hygiene will result in bad breath, worsening aesthetics and problems that eventually become increasingly irreversible and expensive to treat. Maintenance of gum health requires excellent home care hygiene and regular professional monitoring and care with either a dentist or a hygienist.  Root canal treatment This procedure will save teeth, usually permanently, in which the nerve has died or even abscessed. Nearly all extractions (95%) can be avoided by removing the nerve of the tooth, instead of the tooth itself. Contrary to popular opinion, this can be a painless procedure. The tooth is isolated with a rubber apron, and then the nerve is removed using a strong local anaesthetic. The remaining canal that goes down to the root(s) is cleaned, shaped and sealed up. Finally the tooth is filled or crowned. See more information on (relevant page of Endo site) Straightening teeth Orthodontics (wires and braces) is commonly used to straighten teeth - nowadays in adults as well as children. However many adults with crooked, crowded or gapped teeth may not have the time, patience or tolerance to wear "braces" for an extended period of time. In many cases we have the ability to carry out "instant" orthodontics (making the teeth look straighter, without actually moving them in the bone). This is often achieved through a combination of reshaping and veneering teeth. Replacement of missing teeth When a tooth (or teeth) has been lost it is often advisable to replace it. Replacement is undertaken for reasons of functionality, stability and aesthetics. While partial dentures provided a solution for many years, today this approach is far less acceptable. People want to avoid removable "plates" or dentures. They prefer implants (see below) or bridgework, which gives a strong, durable and permanent solution. Where appropriate, a bridge will span a "gap" by crowing the teeth on either side of it and putting one "in the middle". While the crowns are joined, they are designed to look separate. Tooth implants An implant is a "bionic" tooth root, onto which is attached a crown or bridge just as if it was a natural tooth root. Modern dental implant techniques and technology have been extensively researched and used for over 30 years. Tooth implants have now entered the mainstream of dentistry. The implant is made of pure titanium, which is safe and biologically compatible. It is inserted into the bone, which bonds very strongly to this "synthetic root". After a few months a natural looking crown is attached to it. Its strength actually exceeds that of a natural tooth! Soft tissue augmentation Aesthetic dentistry is closely related to other facial aesthetic procedures - skin "fillers" can change the shape of structures or fill in defects or creases. Today one of the most common material is Restylane, a soft tissue filler that is compatible to natural skin tissue. Its properties allow it to bind skin, retain water, add bulk and contribute to skin elasticity. See web page and article on Lower face & lips. Dental mockups A dental mock up uses composite material (a tooth coloured material) lightly and temporarily attached to the surface of existing teeth to show the patient what effect a change can create. It can be left in place for a few weeks and the procedure is totally reversible. Patients can therefore get a 'real live' visualization of proposed treatment before making a final decision. See web page and article on Dental Mockups. |
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