Author Archives: Dr Erica Tan

About Dr Erica Tan

A giggler and a happy go lucky person. Thinks dentistry is the new era of cosmetic artistry.

What is a Bone Spicule?

retained root @ oral-radiology.org

Definition

A bone spicule could derive different meanings in different medical fields. This term is being used in dentistry, osteology and ophthalmology.

In dentistry, it is characterized by bony fragments or protrusions either loose or still attaching to jaw bone after a tooth extraction. This happens because loose fractured bony fragments may retain in the socket of an extraction and in time it would emerge from the gum covering the socket. These bone fragments are derived from the bone covering the roots of a tooth. When they are being left behind, your body treats them as foreign matters, so there would be an inflammatory response towards the bony fragments. Hence it would cause swelling and pain that depict an infection. Continue reading

Top 5 Dental Problems in Toddlers You Ought To Know

Children’s first baby tooth would erupt at the age of 5-6 months. Some babies differ by six months to a year and it is normal. There are some dental problems in toddlers which many of us should take note for a developing child. Continue reading

Differences between Dentists and Endodontist

Root Canal Treatment from tdo4endo.com

Teeth have 3 layers namely enamel, dentine and pulp. A dentist deals with almost all kinds of dental diseases. When dentists could not handle certain difficult tooth situation, they usually refer you to certain specialist. Specialist who deals with diseases of dental pulp and nerve is an endodontist (root canal specialist). Continue reading

Best Toothbrushes for Kids

Kids brushing @smileburst.com

To get kids to brush a full two minutes cycle of their teeth is a challenging task. To select the best kid toothbrush for them is not easy either. There are so many revolutionary toothbrushes for kids in the market that encourage them to brush nowadays. Finding a toothbrush that the kids would use is the key to good dental health. Continue reading

How to Stop Toothache during Pregnancy


Be A Toothache Free Mum To Be

It is a blessing to be expecting a child. Being a mum to be has to change her lifestyle and be cautious to avoid any problem that may affect the pregnancy. Unfortunately toothache seems to be a common problem among pregnant woman. Here are some tips to help you prevent and curb the problem.

Why does mum to be has toothache?

Poor dental health

It is important that you do a routine dental check up prior to your pregnancy. It is not too late to do one if you have gotten pregnant currently. Existing dental decays and gum problems always get worse because during your first trimester you tend to vomit while brushing your teeth. Because of that, some pregnant ladies tend to brush less or do not brush at all. Continue reading

Oral Health Guidelines for Pregnant Women

from linnealenkus.com

When you are an expecting mother or planning to get pregnant it is important to know some oral health factors that would aid and have impact on the health of mother and the growth of fetus.

When to see a dentist?

It is best to see a dentist before you plan for pregnancy. It is easier to treat your dental decays and gum disease before you get pregnant as body changes may complicate some of the dental diseases. Continue reading

How Dental Porcelain Veneers Could Make You Look Good

 

Dental veneer @ superfitzone.in

  

What is it?

  

Dental porcelain veneers are also known as porcelain laminates. It is a thin wafer like ceramic material that is custom made to be bonded onto a discolored, chipped, worn or mildly mal-aligned tooth. It gives excellent esthetic properties because of its translucency that mimics actual enamel of a tooth. Continue reading

What Dental Corrective Surgery Could Do For You Part 2

Continue from first part of Dental Corrective Surgery here

Dental Veneer

Before and after of dental veneer treatment @ websiteoptimization.com

Before and after of dental veneer treatment @ websiteoptimization.com

Dental veneers are thin porcelain or resin composite material custom made to be bonded onto the surfaces  of your teeth to change their color, size, alignment, shape and length.

Procedure

The front part of the tooth has to be trimmed down a little to allow the veneer to be bonded. Porcelain veneer is more aesthetic than resin composite veneer as it is stain resistant and it mimics actual tooth due to its light reflection qualities.

Who needs it?

People with

  • Uneven discolored teeth
  • Chipped or fractured teeth
  • Crooked teeth
  • Heavily filled teeth

Cost

Generally, a dental veneer costs $500 to $1500 depending on areas, materials used and complexity of cases.

Caveat

Veneers are not as strong as dental crowns. You should not bite hard objects with your veneered teeth. If the porcelain veneer cracks it could only be replaced and not repaired. The color of the porcelain veneer never change, so if you plan to do teeth whitening please do so before having a dental veneer.

Continue reading

What Dental Corrective Surgery Could Do For You Part 1

Dental correction for better smile @ clinicbay.com

Dental correction for better smile @ clinicbay.com

In recent days, owning a perfect face and figure are not impossible. We cannot choose to be borne beautifully but we could enhance our beauty with cosmetics, plastics surgery and dental corrective surgery. Dental plays an important role in the make over as good smile and dazzling teeth contribute immensely to a good look.

Types of Dental Corrective Surgery

Orthodontic Treatment (Braces)

Who needs it?

People having

Continue reading