 |
All images displayed on this website are actual Village Green Dental Care patient photos. Dental fillings are used to restore a tooth that has a cavity or is broken. In the past, mercury or amalgam fillings were used to restore a tooth. With advances in dentistry, a composite resin material is now used. This material is strong, durable and coloured to look like your natural tooth. Composite resin fillings last about six to twelve years or more, and the procedure usually takes just one visit. There is very little sensitivity to hot or cold items often experienced with amalgam fillings and the dentist won't need to drill as much of the tooth structure as with amalgam fillings. Composite resins may also be used to enhance the appearance of any tooth, which is a tooth bonding procedure. The composite resin will strengthen and enhance the natural tooth structure as it does with use as a dental filling.
An inlay/onlay is a porcelain or metal restoration that is used to replace large fillings that are not suited for the regular filling material. If regular filling material is used on these teeth there is a risk of the teeth breaking and needing an extraction. A crown, or cap as it is sometimes known, is a porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or gold, covering that protects heavily filled teeth. With teeth that have a large break and are unable to be fixed with a filling, due to the size of the break or existing filling, a crown is required. Without a crown on a heavily filled tooth or a tooth that has had a root canal treatment, you run the risk of the tooth breaking and requiring an extraction. It is then important to replace missing teeth not just to improve the appearance of your smile but also because missing teeth can cause the other teeth in your mouth to shift. This can affect your bite (the way your teeth fit together), which can cause problems such as headaches or pain in the jaw. Replacing a tooth is also more costly than placing a crown on it.
A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a pontic, which is fused between two crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. It is important to replace missing teeth, not just to improve the appearance of your smile, but also because missing teeth can cause the other teeth in your mouth to shift over time. This can affect your bite (the way your teeth fit together), which can cause other problems such as headaches or pain in the jaw. Bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease, help correct some bite issues and even improve your speech. Bridges require your commitment to serious oral hygiene, but will last as long as ten years or more. Bridges are natural in appearance, and usually require only two visits to your dentist. If you maintain good oral hygiene, your fixed bridge should last as many as ten years or more. Root Canal/Endodontic Treatment Root canal treatment is needed when the nerve of the tooth has been damaged. A blow to the tooth, a tooth that has had decay extending into the nerve area (canal), or a very large restoration can cause this kind of damage. Often you will notice sensitivity to hot and cold for an extended time or an abscess at the base of the tooth. These are signs that the nerve is dying or has died. By cleaning out the canal of the tooth, removing the dead nerves (pulp) and then filling the canal, we can prevent you from having the tooth extracted. Once the pulp of the tooth is removed, the tooth may discolour or become brittle. It is recommended to have a crown placed on top of the tooth to protect it. If not, there is a chance that the tooth may crack in a place that will make repair difficult.
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth typically made out of an acrylic resin, which may at times incorporate porcelain or metal for additional structural support. There are two main types of dentures, complete and partial. If you properly maintain your dentures they will appear natural and provide a perfect smile. Additionally, dentures help strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth, rid you of pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth and aid with chewing.
Extractions are necessary when a tooth has broken down or has been infected to the point that it can’t be restored. In most cases, it is beneficial to replace the missing tooth or teeth. There are several options available: dentures, bridges or implants. Implants are used for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are usually made from titanium, which are surgically screwed into your jawbone. The implant is an anchor for a naturally appearing false tooth (crown) or a set of false teeth (bridge or denture). It is important that you have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth for the implants to be attached to. Implants can be used to replace one or more teeth. Implants are increasingly being used to replace certain types of bridges and removable partial dentures.
Protect yourself by using an athletic mouthguard when you take part in activities that pose a risk of injury to your mouth. When worn during sports activities, mouthguards help protect against injuries to the teeth and other areas in and around your mouth.
The risk of this kind of injury is commonly associated with contact sports, such as football, rugby, hockey, and boxing. However, dental and other mouth injuries may also occur as a result of contact with people or objects during many other athletic activities, including basketball, soccer, squash, gymnastics, skateboarding, and taekwondo. Depending on the type and extent of dental injury, a single blow to the mouth may result in months or even years of treatment, with costs ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. If you or your children wear braces or other fixed orthodontic appliances, it is especially important to have a mouthguard that fits properly. Otherwise, a blow to the mouth can damage the brackets and wires of the braces, and can also cause added damage (cuts and tears) to the soft tissue inside your mouth. Mouthguards are usually worn only on the upper teeth, but people with braces on their lower teeth should consider using mouthguards on both sets of teeth. Mouthguards are a smart investment because they provide valuable insurance against injuries that could cost much more in the long run in - not only in financial terms, but also in terms of time and suffering. Teeth grinding is a health condition not all people are aware of. Some regard it as merely a habit when in fact it is a medical concern that people should address. Teeth grinding is clinically referred to as 'Bruxism'. Bruxism is the unconscious grinding of one's teeth, which could happen during the day or at night. This condition usually occurs when one is too tense or anxious about something. A night guard is a thin piece of hard plastic made from impressions of your teeth placed on the upper or lower teeth. The nightguard is hard enough to be durable, but since it is softer than teeth it will protect them from wear. When the nightguard is tried in, it is adjusted to fit your bite evenly and smoothly. You need to wear the night guard each night for it to work properly. It takes a few nights to get adjusted to, but it is usually comfortable to wear.
|
 |
