Veneers are ultra-thin
sculpted pieces of tooth-shaped porcelain that fit over the
front of your teeth. They are wonderful for fixing teeth that
are significantly discolored,
chipped,
pitted, malformed, or crooked, or if you have unwanted spaces.
In certain situations, a change in upper lip fullness and
balance can be obtained by placing porcelain laminate veneers on
your four front teeth.
Unlike crowns or caps, porcelain laminate
veneers don't require the removal of much tooth structure.
Veneers are usually created in a dental laboratory from an
impression taken in the dental office. During the first visit,
the color is matched using a shade guide then the teeth are
filed down a bit. Then the teeth are fitted with temporaries
while the veneers are being created at the lab. Then the veneers
are cemented directly onto your teeth and polished to a natural,
aesthetic smile. Veneers are stronger and have a longer life
than bonding, but the process requires more time. Veneers
typically cost less than crowns and won't stain, making them a
popular means of improving your smile. Treatment may take two or
more office visits to complete and will last for up to 15 years.
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Every tooth consists of three different
layers. From the outside, first there is Enamel (the outer layer of the
teeth which is the hardest part of the body).
The second layer is Dentin
(the inside hard layer) and then we have the Pulp (which is an empty space
where the live tissue and nerve of each tooth is located)
If for any reason the pulp space is
exposed to the outside, the tissue
becomes contaminated and eventually
infected. The
exposure of pulp happens in many
circumstances for example when you have
a large cavity, or a fractured tooth.
Your dentist can explain the exact
reason for damage to this tissue.
Regardless of the reason for this
contamination or damage to pulp tissue,
the treatment is usually Root canal
treatment.
Root canal treatment is the process of
going inside the pulp space and removing
the infected and dead tissue. Then the
space is disinfected and sealed with
special materials.
Now-a-days, root canal treatments are
performed with advanced techniques and
material and are more comfortable and
faster. After root canal treatment is
done your restorative dentist will
usually place a
crown
on you tooth to protect it against
fracture.
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When a root canal treatment fails, the
first course of action that is usually taken is trying to re-do the root
canal treatment. It is usually done by an Endodontist (root canal
specialist) or an experienced general dentist
The process is very similar to
Root canal
Treatment,
the difference is that besides taking
any remaining infected tissue out, the
doctor has to take old filling material,
any posts and crowns or any other
obstacle in the pulp space out to be
able to successfully disinfect and seal
the area of the root canal.
After the root canal treatment is done
your restorative dentist will place a
crown to protect the tooth against
fractures.
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Inlays and onlays are used
to replace your silver fillings. These restorations are usually
made from composite resin material, porcelain, or gold. Once
placed, they are virtually undetectable in the mouth, and they
conserve much of your natural tooth structure.
For an inlay to be successful, it is best if
the cavity involves only the occlusal surface (chewing surface)
and one proximal surface (surface in between the teeth). The
other proximal surface should be free of decay. An onlay, which
is similar to an inlay, covers the entire proximal surface and
protects the cusps from fracture. Treatment involves isolation
of the tooth and removal of the o
ld
fillings under local anesthesia. Once your dentist makes an
impression, the inlay/onlay is created from porcelain, gold, or
composite resin material. The inlay/onlay is then cemented
securely into place. Inlays and onlays usually take 2 to 3
appointments to complete. The onlay is the best alternative for
covering larger surface restorations. An inlay/onlay looks
exactly like the rest of the tooth, and is so durable that it
doesn't need to be replaced for years.
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People
who suffer from symptoms such as headaches, earaches, tenderness
of the jaw muscles, or dull, aching facial pain may suffer from
TMD-temporomandibular joint disorders. The muscles and joints
may not function properly, resulting in cycles of pain and
spasms. These disorders can have a variety of causes and, can be
treated. You may also have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or
disease.
Since TMD symptoms (eg,
tooth clenching or grinding, headaches, jaw pain or discomfort,
clicking, grating, difficulty in closing your jaw) can lead to
more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are
important. Should you have any of these signs or symptoms, Dr.
Ura will need to examine you in order to diagnose the problem
and work with you to resolve it.
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Sealants are thin layers of resin that
are placed on the pits and fissures and grooves of (usually) molars to
prevent decay on these surfaces
Majority of decays on back teeth starts
on grooves and pits of chewing surfaces,
especially
during the first few years after their
eruption. Sealing these surfaces with
composite resins prevents these kinds of
decay.
Sealants are one of the most effective
methods of preventing decays on the
surfaces where they are places. Although
it is still a possibility that decay may
happen on surfaces in between the teeth,
sealants significantly reduce the
overall chance of having cavities.
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hed
to individual teeth. Crowns completely cover the tooth on all
sides, helping to correct any problems that you might have with
alignment. Crowns are used to repair teeth that have undergone
root canals, have severe erosion, or extreme malposition. The
use of crowns is essential in any situation that requires
greater strength and aesthetics. Crowns are fabricated from
ceramic or ceramic and metal, and are indistinguishable from
adjacent teeth.
laboratory,
you'll wear temporary crowns that maintain your appearance and
ability to function. Often crowns are added to existing teeth to
create better connecting surfaces for attachment of fixed
bridges and partial dentures. As with all treatments, crown
restorations require meticulous oral hygiene; proper brushing
and flossing techniques are effective in eliminating plaque and
bacteria. Crowns or caps can last the longest compared to other
treatments depending on placement and forces placed on them. 
