About The Treatments

ROOT CANAL THERAPY (RCT)

The technical name for root canal therapy is endodontics, endo meaning the inside of something while odont is Greek for tooth. All dentists receive basic training in endodontics and can competently perform root canal therapy after several years of experience.

RCT is necessary when the inside of the tooth known as the pulp starts to decay due to several causes, namely deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. Sometimes, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess. (http://www.aae.org/patients/patientfacts.htm).

Basically, the treatment involves the removal of the infected pulp via an opening in the crown and filling the cavity with “gutta percha” a rubber-like material. Of course, the entire operation is done with anesthetics, so you do not feel any pain.  RCT is cheaper than extraction in the long run since the latter may involve further treatment.... “An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration. With root canal treatment you save your natural teeth and money.” (http://www.aae.org/patients/patientfacts.htm). However the dentist will advise you on whether your teeth can still be saved via root canal treatment and appropriate restoration.

BRACES (ORTHODONTICS)

Why do dentists prescribe braces to some patients? Braces are the dentist’s tools to correct a variety of misaligned teeth, technically known as malocclusions.  When your teeth are not properly aligned in a regular curvature in your mouth your trained dentist can recommend you a set of braces that try to gradually move the teeth so that they are better aligned. Before this is done the specialist will have to take X-ray images of your set of teeth and determine whether there is any need for one or more tooth to be extracted. This has to be done if some teeth overlap. The process of orthodontic treatment takes between 18 and 30 months. Once corrected, you will have a beautiful set of teeth that can give you that perfect smile.  The best time to correct misalignment of your teeth is after age twelve, although it is still possible at a much later age.  Consult your dentist if you are contemplating to wear braces to improve your look and perfect your smile.  For more information see http://www.braces.org/knowmore/length/

FISSURE SEALANTS

A fissure is a crack that is associated with the chewing surface of molars. If left untreated, fissures tend to cause tooth decay as bacteria find fissures ideal place to breed. Normally, the toothbrush bristle is too large to clear food residues that reside in the cracks (fissures).  The remedy dentists will use is “fissure sealants” – a chemical that seals the cracks and make them “germ-proof”. This is because no more plaque and food will be able to find their way into the cracks. Plaque is a yellowish sticky paste that accumulates on teeth. “As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.” (http://drali.enana.com/kids/sealent.htm).

 

CROWNING

Crowns are recommended when too much tooth structure has been lost to decay or a tooth has fractured due to trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or physical abuse. The dentist will determine whether the tooth needs to be root treated before the crown can be placed. If the fracture is so severe that the nerves are exposed, the tooth can only be saved by root canal treatment prior to crowning work. Crowning involves partial filling and then shaving or trimming the filled tooth so that it can be capped or crowned.

 

BRIDGES

When one or more teeth are missing a gap(s) is created. A bridge is a structure used to fill this gap. “A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap –  these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth – and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.” (See this link for further details: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/66/79611.htm). The benefits of a bridge are:

• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
• Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
• Restore your smile
• Maintain the shape of your face
• Restore your ability to properly chew and speak

 

GUM DISEASE AND TREATMENT

According to Wikepedia,  Periodontics is the study of clinical aspects of the supporting structures of the teeth (i.e the periodontium), which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone (jaw), root cementum, and the periodontal ligament. The word comes from the Greek words peri meaning around and odons meaning tooth. Literally taken, it means study of that which is "around the tooth". Periodontal diseases take on many different forms, but is usually a result of bacterial infection of the gums. Left untreated, it often leads to tooth loss and alveolar bone loss.

Gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene, i.e. failure to brush teeth regularly and cleaning between the teeth with dental floss or tooth picks. Both these acts can prevent gum disease.  The first sign of periodontal disease is bleeding gums and the last sign is the loss of teeth.  The disease is painless and many people simply ignore the bleeding (http://www.doctorspiller.com/Gum_Disease.htm).

Periodontal disease is characterized by swollen, red gums, bleeding gums, receding gums, gum abscesses, teeth that begin to look longer and longer (prompting the old saying "long of tooth") and eventually, loose teeth (Dr Spiller, 2000). Not much can be done when gum disease is at an advanced stage. Normally the dentist will advvise the patient to have the affected tooth extracted.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Most people want to look their best. A nice smile is a good start to looking good—but only if the teeth are pleasing to look at. Teeth discoloration is a common cause of personal embarassment. Nowadays it is possible to restore your discolored teeth by visiting the local dentist who will make them white again.  Young people, especially would-be brides, may find this treatment to be very useful if they feel that their teeth would not be able to give that perfect smile due to discoloration. There are three types of teeth discolorations: surface stains (caused by tea, coffee and tobacco), plaque, and stains that are actually part of the basic tooth structure (caused by the antibiotic, tetracycline).   The dentist uses a polishing technique to restore discolored teeth back to the original white. The process can produce results that can last several years.

SCALING

Scaling is a procedure involving the removal of tartar which is plaque that has hardened due to inadequate removal and calcification from the  saliva.  The procedure is recommended to be done at regular intervals depending on the condition of your gum.  The interval will be prescribed by the examining dentist, which ideally should be either three, six or twelve months. Failure to do this will result in accumulation of calculus (tartar) leading to many complications, namely red and puffy gum, bleeding gum, bad breath (helitosis), gum recession.  The latter leads to swelling and puss, pain, loosening of the teeth and eventually loss of teeth.  The benefit of regular check-up is to to catch tooth decay at an early stage when simpler and less costly treatment can be carried out.  Most patients would delay seeing the dentist until it becomes an emergency.  

FILLING

Regular check-ups will also enable the dentist to know when your tooth needs a filling.  When check-ups are  done regularly, your tooth may need only  a simple filling. Old fillings may also be checked as to whether they need to be replaced.  Do report any symptoms that you may be having such as pain, sensitivity from any filled or unfilled tooth. If you prefer not to feel any sensation when the filling is being done, do request the doctor to use anaesthetic.

Do visit or call us to set an appointment:

IdraMawar Dental Clinic
32-1 Jalan AWF 1, Ampang Water Front,
68000 Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia
Phone: (+6)03-4295 3495
Mobile: (+6)017 322 7233
Fax: (+6)03-4294 3495
Email:

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