A root canal treatment (RCT) is a procedure whereby the pulp of the tooth is extirpated, and filled with suitable filling materials to replace the pulp. It is also known as endodontic therapy, and the sole purpose for endodontic therapy is to remove all the inflamed and necrotic tissues in the pulp, as well as the bacterial component, making the pulp and the root canals of the tooth as clean as possible. Continue reading
Author Archives: chzechze
What Is the Difference in a Dental Bridge and a Removable Partial Denture?
When a tooth or multiple teeth are missing, there are a few options for the patient to replace it/them. Two of the most common choices are either by fabricating a bridge, or a removable partial denture (RPD). These two are different in terms of aesthetic and functional aspects, and hence, they have their own indications, as well as advantages and disadvantages. Continue reading
What to Eat After Having My Teeth Extracted
Before any tooth extraction, anesthesia will be given to the patient by the dentist to numb the area. The anesthesia usually lasts for a few hours, depending on what type of anesthesia the patient is given. Because of this, it is important for the patient to avoid hot food because the patient will not feel the burn if the food is too hot. For the same reason, the patient is also not allowed to take hard, chewy food, because the patient will not realize it even when he/she accidentally bites on his/her own lips or other soft tissues. Continue reading
What to Expect During a Teeth Cleaning Appointment
the cementum is a layer that allows the periodontal ligament attach itself to the root surface
A teeth cleaning appointment is also known as scaling. Every now and then every one of us would need a thorough scaling, because no matter how well we brush and floss and rinse, there will still be some minute debris left in our mouth between our teeth. These debris, after some period of time, will become hardened and these are known as calculus. There are two types of scaling – supragingival scaling, and subgingival scaling. Supragingival scaling is when the dentist only clears away the calculus that are above our gums, and can be seen in plain view. However, subgingival scaling is when the dentists cleans the calculus that are 1 – 2 mm below the gums. Sometimes, scaling is not sufficient for some patients with severe gum conditions, and root planning will be needed. Usually, root planning is needed when there is a gingival pocket more than 4 -5 mm, and there are tenacious calculus and necrotic cementum (refer to the picture to understand what is cementum) stuck to the roots of the teeth. Continue reading
Why Is It Important to Keep Your Teeth Clean?
Hollywood star with very white teeth
We were told to brush our teeth twice daily since we were young, but do you ever wonder why? Clean teeth are not only important for our daily social life, it is also important for maintaining our general health. As we get older, our teeth also play an important part in our appearance. Whenever we smile or laugh, our pearly whites are the first thing that are seen by our companions. If we have dirty, yellow stained teeth, they are going to give other people an impression that we do not take care of our hygiene properly. In fact, many famous Hollywood stars and actors even went to the lengths of bleaching their teeth into an extreme shade of white, just to have a more perfect smile. Without teeth, our bone surrounding the teeth will also get resorbed faster. Often, toothless people will have a shortened lower facial height, resulting in a ‘collapsed’ look. When our bones are resorbed, our lips will also lose their support, which will also cause an unaesthetic appearance. Continue reading
Your Guide To Preventing Cavities
Types of cavities can be classified according to the places which they occur on a tooth
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Dental decay is also known as cavities, and they occur when there is dissolution of the teeth surfaces. Our teeth is made up of crystal apatite, and they are very vulnerable to acid which will dissolve them. This organic acid is produced by bacteria found inside our mouth, and they derive the acid from food debris that are left inside our mouth. The three important factors that produce dental decay are bacteria, fermentable carbohydrate, and teeth. Therefore, to prevent formation of dental decay, one of the three factors must not be present in our mouth, as without one of it, formation of the organic acid will be impossible. Continue reading
10 Tips for Whiter Teeth
Many people yearn for whiter teeth. Although going to the dentist for bleaching of your teeth is one of the solutions, there are also a few tips maintaining or getting whiter teeth by yourself. There are many causes of stained teeth. And these causes are broadly classified into extrinsic factors, and intrinsic factors. Continue reading
Home Remedies for Abscessed Tooth
An abscess is a space that contains pus. It can occur anywhere in the body, and if it occurs around the tooth, it is known as a tooth abscess. There are a few types of tooth abscess (also known as dental abscess), and they are gingival abscess, periapical abscess, and periodontal abscess. Continue reading
How to Treat Gum Disease (Gingivitis) Naturally with Herbal Remedies
There are many types of gum diseases, with the most common one being gingivitis, which is the inflammation of the gums. Everybody will have gingivitis to some extent, however, some individuals with very bad oral hygiene will have severe gingivitis. (Sometimes, gingivitis occur even with a good oral hygiene as there are many causes of gingivitis) To relieve the symptoms of gingivitis, some herbal remedies can be used. However, to completely remove the underlying cause of the inflammation, a trip to the dentist has to be taken. Only then, will the symptoms not recur. Continue reading
Home Cures for Pyria of the Gums
Pyria of the gums means bleeding of the gums, which does not occur in healthy gums. Bleeding of the gums can happen spontaneously, or after slight provokation, like after brushing the teeth. This usually occurs when there is inflammation of the gums, as the blood vessels beneath the gums will dilate and can rupture more easily. This is a serious indication that there is something wrong with your teeth, and should be seen by the dentist as soon as possible. Continue reading