Dentistry

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Restorative Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics

Endodontics is the speciality of dentistry that deals with disease inside the tooth. When a tooth is decayed or traumatised, the pulp inside can become infected, leading to dental abscesses. To prevent this, the dentist cleans all necrotic pulp tissue and seals the root canal system. Radiographs are crucial for root canal treatment, determining the root’s length and shape. The dentist removes decayed and weak parts of the tooth, prepares an opening into the pulp chamber, and cleans the root canals.

In some cases, canals may be treated with medications and sealed with temporary filling material. A final restoration filling is also important. Root-treated teeth are weaker than natural teeth and prone to cracking or splitting. If the tooth has an abscess, it can cause severe pain and infection. Initially, root canal treatments may save costs, but replacing the missing tooth is more costly in the long term.

Crowns and dental bridges are cosmetic dental treatments that restore and enhance a patient’s smile and confidence. Crowns replace broken or weak teeth caused by decay or large fillings, while dental bridges replace missing teeth. All-porcelain dental bridges provide a natural appearance, reduce gum disease risk, and correct speech and bite difficulties. The most common type is the porcelain fused to metal full porcelain bridge. A temporary plastic bridge is fitted over the prepared teeth, and the final bridge is cemented for a natural-looking result.

Millions of people face tooth loss every year, but luckily there are several options in modern-day dentistry to replace the tooth with treatments such as dental implants, fixed bridges, or dentures.

People are advised dentures for the missing teeth by the dentists for the following reasons:

• Teeth adjacent to the gap begin to shift towards the gap and cause functional bite problems.
• Missing teeth can result in bone loss and shrinkage of your jawbone over time.
• Missing teeth can cause your facial muscles to sag and make you look much older.

Dentists use two main types of dentures to replace a missing tooth: full dentures, which replace a full set of either upper or lower teeth, and partial dentures, which only replace a few missing teeth.

Veneers, or porcelain laminates, are custom-made thin “shells” to fit precisely over the front of an existing tooth. They are permanently bonded in place with a special adhesive resin through this dental treatment. The finished result of ceramic veneer treatment is strong and durable. Dental veneers are used for closing spaces, restoration of broken or chipped teeth, and correction of uneven or crooked teeth.

An attractive smile and an improved self-image are important benefits of orthodontic treatment. Crooked teeth without orthodontic treatment can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction, chewing and digestive difficulties, speech impairments, tooth loss, and other dental problems. Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age but is easier to correct if detected early before jaw growth has slowed. Some orthodontic cases have to be treated with surgery.

The teeth-whitening process can be carried out in dental surgery using stronger “power-bleach” products or bleaching gel placed in a bleaching tray and worn at home or work. Tooth whitening, or tooth bleaching, is a process for lightening the colour of your teeth. These treatments are safe and effective methods of restoring natural teeth to a lighter colour. Natural tooth substance is not removed or altered in any way. Tooth bleaching proves effective—approximately 95% of the time—in removing the discolouration and the staining in the tooth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the surgical speciality of dentistry. It includes the diagnosis, surgical, and related treatments of a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries, defects, and aesthetic aspects of the mouth, teeth, jaws, face, head, and neck. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the bridging element between dental and medical specialities. They have the expertise and thorough understanding of both aesthetics and function to treat and care for patients who have conditions as follows:

• Pre-prosthetic surgery (surgery for better fitting of dentures)
• Dental implant surgery (to replace missing teeth, rehabilitation of patients having undergone surgery for tumours, to retain facial prostheses)
• Oral and dentoalveolar surgery (removal of impacted and buried teeth, cysts, etc.)
• Orthognathic surgery (jaw and facial deformities)
• Facial trauma surgery (facial bone fractures and related soft tissue injuries)
• Reconstructive surgery of the face
• Cleft lip and palate surgery and other facial deformities
• Facial plastic surgery (rhinoplasty, facial implants, etc.)
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD): excessive and reduced opening of jaws
• Snoring and sleep apnoea correction surgery
• Tumour or cancer surgery of the mouth and face

Dentoalveolar surgery is surgery related to diseases of the teeth and their supporting tissues. A tooth that fails to erupt through the gum tissue is called “impacted.” The most commonly impacted tooth is the third molar or wisdom tooth, but other teeth can also become impacted. An impacted tooth may cause permanent damage to adjacent teeth, gum tissue, and bone structure. Impacted teeth may also cause cysts and tumours that can destroy large portions of the jaw. Many times, impacted wisdom teeth are not treated until symptoms are present.

Loss of bone in the upper and/or lower jaws can result from injury or trauma, tumour surgery, or long-term denture wear. Using bone grafts from either the patient’s own bone or bone substitutes, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon can improve both the quantity and quality of specific hard tissue. Soft tissue grafts can be utilised to improve the architecture of the soft tissues. This provides a solid foundation for dental rehabilitation, which in turn aids nutrition and speech. Implants can also be used to anchor both oral and facial prostheses.

Dental implants are a long-term, comfortable, and functional treatment for missing teeth. They are placed directly into the jawbone, healing for a few months before fusing with the bone. A permanent crown is then fixed, resulting in a natural, long-lasting replacement that performs like healthy teeth.

Facial infections can develop into life-threatening emergencies if not treated promptly and effectively. Pain and swelling in the face, jaws, or neck may indicate an infection of dental or related origin. For a severe infection, a hospital setting may be needed to diagnose and treat the problem.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experts in treating trauma, including fractures of the upper and lower jaws and orbits, and the cosmetic management of facial lacerations. Their knowledge of how jaws come together (occlusion) allows them to repair complex facial fractures. Trauma can be a result of major events like a fight, sports injury, or automobile accident. Younger children often sustain damage to teeth or supporting structures from falls. Such traumatic injuries can usually be effectively treated on an OPD basis, avoiding costly hospital treatment.

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is a small joint in front of the ear that allows the lower jaw to function. Disorders can cause facial pain and headaches, earaches, and limited movement. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat TMJ disorders using clinical examinations, diagnostic procedures, and imaging studies. Non-surgical management is usually the first step, but joint surgery may be necessary for advanced conditions.

Diagnosing pathology in the maxillofacial region is crucial for oral and maxillofacial surgery. Biopsies and tests can help develop treatment plans. Early detection and treatment improve patient prognosis. Factors contributing to oral cancer include tobacco, alcohol, poor hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, poor nutrition, and chronic infections. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are best positioned for treatment, achieving functional and aesthetic results.

Differences in skeletal growth between the upper and lower jaws may lead to both functional and psychological difficulties. Functional difficulties may include problems with chewing, swallowing, speech, or TMJ performance. Some abnormalities may only involve misaligned teeth and can be corrected orthodontically with braces or other appliances. Serious growth disturbances, however, require surgery to realign the upper and lower jaws into a more normal relationship and make eating, swallowing, speaking, and breathing easy. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs special corrective jaw surgery to produce a more balanced, functional skeletal relationship for the patient, which is often performed in conjunction with treatment by an orthodontist.

Snoring and obstructive breathing patterns during sleep occur in a significant section of the population and can range from snoring to periods of true apnoea, where breathing ceases for a brief period. Obstructive sleep apnoea can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, poor work performance, and such cardiovascular disorders as hypertension, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat this condition.

The study of patients’s surgical and dental backgrounds and the ability to reconstruct facial structures damaged through trauma have added to the expertise of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Before any cosmetic procedure is performed, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon will request a thorough medical history to evaluate the patient’s overall general health.