Dental Treatment
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that lightens the color of teeth to remove stains and discoloration. It can be done by a dentist or other regulated dental professional, or at home with over-the-counter products.
Method
Description
In-office
A dentist or other dental professional uses a variety of techniques and bleaching products to whiten teeth. They may take an impression of your teeth to make a custom mouthguard to apply a bleaching gel at home.
At-home
You can use custom-fitted trays or over-the-counter products like strips, gels, rinses, chewing gums, or paint-on films to apply a bleaching agent to your teeth. Some at-home kits use a heat lamp, blue light, or UV light to "radiate" the whitening paste.
Teeth whitening works by using chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down chromogens, which are the compounds that cause tooth stains. The active ingredient in most whitening products is hydrogen peroxide, which is delivered as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Some people experience tooth sensitivity from teeth whitening products, but it's usually temporary
Complete Dentures
A complete denture, also known as a full denture, is a removable dental prosthetic that replaces all the teeth in one or both dental arches:
Complete dentures are custom-made to fit the individual's mouth and are supported by the palate or jawbone ridge. They are typically made from acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal. The artificial teeth are shaped, sized, and colored to look natural, and the gum-colored acrylic is tinted to match the patient's face and lips.
Complete dentures can be used when all the teeth in an arch are missing. They can be an option when dental implants are not suitable due to cost, medical conditions, or the risk of damaging vital structures. Complete dentures can also be used to replace teeth lost due to intraoral cancer.
Benefits of complete dentures include:
Restoring the ability to eat and chew
Improving the appearance of the mouth
Allowing patients to smile and speak with confidence
However, some patients may experience reduced taste and chewing abilities, and issues with retention
Atraumatic Surgical Extractions
A piezotome is a minimally invasive dental tool that uses ultrasonic vibrations to perform atraumatic tooth extractions. This technique can help reduce discomfort and improve healing after the procedure.
Here are some benefits of using a piezotome for tooth extraction:
Preserves bone: The piezotome's thin tip helps to preserve as much bone as possible.
Reduces tissue damage: The piezotome's ultrasonic vibrations release the tooth fibers that hold it in place, without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Less postoperative pain: Patients experience less pain and swelling after a piezotome extraction, compared to traditional procedures.
Can be used for implants: The piezotome can be used to extract teeth before placing an implant.
Works on broken teeth: The piezotome can be used on teeth that are broken or have vertical fractures.
During an atraumatic extraction, the dentist uses the piezotome to loosen the tooth from the socket, then pulls it out with minimal force. Patients may feel gentle vibrations or cool sensations of water during the procedure, but they shouldn't feel any pain
Mini-Implants to strengthen dentures
“Mini,” or small-diameter implants, are traditionally prescribed for patients who cannot receive conventional-diameter implants due to medical, anatomical or financial reasons. The benefits include a minimally invasive surgical protocol, the opportunity for immediate loading, and affordability. Mini implants can accommodate new or existing dentures, which are anchored to the heads of the implants via a simple and effective O-ring retention system, providing edentulous patients with new levels of comfort and confidence.
Smart Sports Mouthguard
The ORB Sport™ Smart Mouthguard is a protective oral appliance that tracks physiology and biomechanics, providing athletes valuable performance-and-wellness data when it matters most.**
Tracks heart rate, body movement and head impacts
Wearable during training and competition†
Records data for post-exercise analysis
Custom fit for maximum comfort and protection
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance:
Veneers can be used to treat a variety of cosmetic concerns, including:
Discolored teeth
Chipped teeth
Gaps between teeth
Misaligned teeth
Uneven teeth
Irregularly shaped teeth
Veneers are custom-made to fit your teeth and are typically applied to the upper front teeth. They are usually made from porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers are more resistant to staining and are a good option for teeth that are broken, dark, or spaced
Bridge
A dental bridge is a dental appliance that replaces missing teeth by filling in the gap with false teeth. It's attached to the teeth on either side of the gap and is not removable.
Dental bridges can: Restore your smile, Help you chew and speak properly, Maintain the shape of your face, and Prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
There are several types of dental bridges, including:
Traditional: The most popular type, which uses crowns cemented to the abutment teeth
Cantilever: Similar to a traditional bridge, but the pontic is held in place by a crown cemented to only one abutment tooth
Maryland: Uses a framework of either metal or porcelain bonded onto the backs of the abutment teeth
Implant-supported: Uses dental implants to hold the bridge in position
Dental bridges can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, metals, resin, and alloys.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over a natural tooth to restore its function and appearance:
Crowns can be used for a variety of reasons, including:
Repairing a damaged tooth: Crowns can restore weak, broken, or decayed teeth.
Improving appearance: Crowns can make a tooth look better.
Correcting alignment: Crowns can fix misaligned teeth.
Attaching a bridge: Crowns can be used to attach a bridge to the tooth.
Replacing missing teeth: Crowns can be used with dental implants to replace missing teeth.
Crowns are custom-made and cemented into place after a dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the tooth. They can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, zirconia, gold alloy, or a combination of materials. Crowns typically last between five and 15 years, depending on oral hygiene, wear and tear, and other habits.
Nightguard/ Occlusal Guard
An occlusal guard, also known as a night guard, bite guard, or bite splint, is a removable dental device that fits over your upper or lower teeth to protect them from damage caused by clenching and grinding.
Occlusal guards are typically made of BPA-free plastic and can be custom-made by a dentist or purchased over-the-counter. While they won't stop you from clenching or grinding your teeth, they can help:
Prevent tooth wear and fractures
Reduce headaches, jaw pain, and facial pain
Relieve tooth sensitivity
Treat temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
You might need an occlusal guard if you experience:
Teeth that are worn down, chipped, cracked, or broken
Jaw pain or stiffness
Loose teeth
Headaches, earaches, or toothaches in the morning
Some people also wear custom-made mouth guards for snoring or sleep apnea. A snoring mouth guard helps keep your airway open by repositioning your jaw. A sleep apnea mouth guard can also shift your jaw to keep your airway open while you sleep.
Fixed Implant Prosthesis/ Hybrid
A fixed implant prosthesis is a dental restoration that is anchored to dental implants and is designed to look and function like natural teeth:
How it works
A fixed implant prosthesis is supported by dental implants and can replace missing teeth and gum tissue. The implants provide a stable foundation for the prosthesis, which can then be custom-made to fit securely and match the patient's natural teeth.
Benefits
Fixed implant prostheses can:
Preserve the jawbone and facial support
Protect the bite and jaw joint
Provide a natural feel
Be as reliable as conventional crowns and bridges
Procedure
The procedure for a fixed implant prosthesis typically involves:
A consultation and examination to assess oral health
Advanced imaging and treatment planning
Placement of dental implants
Creation of a custom-made prosthesis
Other terms
Fixed implant prostheses are also known as fixed complete dentures, fixed detachable prostheses, hybrid prostheses, or All-on-4 prostheses.
Removable Implant Overdentures
An implant overdenture is a removable dental device that attaches to dental implants in the jawbone to replace missing teeth:
Implant overdentures are similar to traditional dentures, but they are more stable and comfortable because they are attached to the jawbone instead of resting on the gums. They can be used to replace several missing teeth, or to create a full dental bridge.
Here are some benefits of implant overdentures:
Improved stability: Implant overdentures are more stable than traditional dentures, which can make eating, speaking, and chewing easier.
Better appearance: Implant overdentures can be positioned to improve the appearance of your smile.
Long-term success: Implant overdentures can be effective for five to ten years.
Reduced bone resorption: Implant overdentures can help reduce alveolar bone resorption.
To care for implant overdentures, you should remove them and clean them daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush or denture brush
Botox for TMJ pain
Botox can be an effective treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain by relaxing the muscles around the jaw joint. Botox blocks nerve signals from reaching the muscles, which prevents them from contracting and causing pain.
Benefits
Botox can help with jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, and teeth grinding
CBCT
A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan is a painless, quick, and non-invasive dental X-ray that produces 3D images of the jaw, teeth, and surrounding areas. CBCT scans are used for a variety of dental procedures, including:
Treatment planning: For orthodontics and dental implants
Surgical planning: For impacted teeth
Diagnosing conditions: For temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and jaw tumors
Evaluating conditions: For the jaw, sinuses, nerve canals, and nasal cavity
CBCT scans are the preferred option over traditional CT scans for dental imaging because they: Use less radiation, Are more affordable, Are compact and can be located in-office, Provide high-quality images, and Can be analyzed in different sections.
During a CBCT scan, you sit or stand still while the machine rotates around your head to take 360-degree images. The scan itself takes only a few seconds, and you don't need to be sedated.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a clear, removable, and custom-made aligner system that straightens teeth without the use of metal wires or brackets. It's an alternative to traditional braces and can be used to treat a variety of dental issues, including:
Crowded teeth
Gaps between teeth
Underbite
Overbite
Crossbite
Open bite
Here's how Invisalign works:
A dentist takes 3D digital images of your teeth using a scanner
A custom treatment plan is created, including the exact movements of your teeth and how long treatment will take
A series of aligners are custom-made for your teeth
You wear each aligner for about 1-2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, and clean them
You visit your dentist every 4-6 weeks to check on your progress
After you're finished with the aligners, you're given retainers to prevent your teeth from moving back
Invisalign can be more aesthetically pleasing than braces and can make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene. However, it does require compliance and you may need to remove the aligners when eating or drinking.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a medical device that replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function like real ones. They are made up of three parts:
Implant: A post made of titanium, a metal that is compatible with the human body. The post is screwed into the jawbone and acts as a new tooth root.
Abutment: A connector that fits on top of the post.
Crown: A porcelain artificial tooth that is placed on top of the abutment.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth in a row. They have a number of advantages over dentures and bridges, including:
Durability: With good dental hygiene, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Bone loss prevention: Implants stabilize the jawbone, preventing bone loss that can occur when teeth are removed without replacement.
Oral health: Implants allow for easier access between teeth, making it easier to floss.
Appearance: The crown that fits over the implant is made to look like a natural tooth.
Dental implant surgery may involve a bone graft, which can be taken from the patient's own body or from a cadaver. After the graft is placed, it can take four to six months for enough healthy bone to grow to support the implant