White fillings are dental restorations that mimic the natural appearance and structure of teeth. In addition to caries restoration, white fillings are used to aesthetically restore the size, color and shape of teeth. This property makes them particularly useful for closing gaps between the teeth, for the treatment of small fractures of the teeth and for the performance of a smoother tooth shape.
Advantages of white fillings:
They look like natural teeth.
They connect to the tooth surface with a chemical bond so no retention points need to be created to hold them mechanically.
Creating a bonding between the white filling and the tooth restores 85% -95% of the initial strength of the tooth.
They harden in a matter of seconds - a minimum of time compared to the hours required to harden some other materials.
Dental sensitivity, if any, is short and low.
They can be used on the front and back teeth, with equally good aesthetic results.
If damaged they can be repaired.
How are the white fillings placed:
White compomer fillings form a chemical bond with the tooth. First, we remove the caries and then we prepare the surface on which we will place the filling with a primer (a special substance of dental treatment). The primer creates a porous surface. Next, we place an adhesive on the prepared dental surface. Polymerize the adhesive with a special light. Then, - and after we have chosen the appropriate color of the resin that suits our natural tooth - we place the filling material. We sculpt the material to give it the appropriate shape and polymerize it with the special light to harden it. Check the new seal so that it does not bother closing the mouth.
The choice of white fillings, in contrast to other restorative materials, depends on:
- the extent of loss of the tooth to be restored.
- the point of the mouth where we put the fillings(front or back teeth).
- Point of the tooth to be filled (eg very deep in the gums).
- Aesthetic requirements.
No drill fillings
Caries first attacks the enamel or enamel and then goes deeper into the dentin, causing calcification of the tooth surface. At this early stage it is possible to use the method of resin impregnation. This is a new method that stops the development of caries before the wheel and the injection become necessary.
This innovative technique maintains healthy dental tissue, extending the life of the tooth - completed in one visit. It can be used in the treatment of incipient caries, both in the interdental spaces and in the smooth dental surfaces. It can not replace the wheel in cases of advanced disease, if a hole has already been made in the surface of the tooth. When teeth are checked regularly, it is possible to diagnose early carious lesions and treat them with the method Icon®.
Inlays-Onlays
When there is an extensive loss of tooth substance in a tooth and, therefore, it is impossible to restore it with a simple filling, then we restore it with an INLAY or an ONLAY. This is a restoration made either of porcelain or compomer (made in the laboratory by the dental technician) that is placed on the tooth and cemented on.
The advantage of this method is the preservation of the dental substance, according to the philosophy of minimal intervention.
The inlays come ready from the lab to be cemented on the tooth: so, we overcome the difficulty of dealing with hard-to-reach teeth or those where the border of the cavity below the gums and protect the tooth from further grinding, which would be necessary in case of a crown.
Fissure Sealants
What are the Fissure Sealants?
The Fissure Sealants is a technique used by dentists to protect teeth from caries. It is the coating of the chewing surface of the back teeth with a thin layer of synthetic material that essentially 'insulates' the tooth surface from the effect of the germs of the dental plaque and the acids that they produce.
Why Do We Need Preventive Fissure Sealants?
The chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) that we use for chewing are not completely flat. They have small holes, dents and crevices in which food debris and germs can enter. The bristles of the toothbrush are not thin enough to penetrate and clean these areas when brushing your teeth. As a result, the germs and acids they produce constantly remain in the holes and crevices causing tooth decay.
The preventive coverage of these holes and crevices smoothes the chewing surface of the teeth preventing the accumulation of dental plaque and facilitating its removal with daily brushing.
Fissure Sealants for the children
The use of sealants is especially useful in children. Children's teeth face a very high risk of tooth decay due to the increased consumption of sweets by children and their inability to brush meticulously and properly to completely remove plaque. Especially the permanent first molars (hexarites) which are the first teeth to erupt at the age of six years face rates of caries that reach up to 90%. This happens on the one hand due to the young age and the reduced skill of the child but also due to the fact that they are confused with the new teeth and often parents do not pay much attention to their care with the wrong impression that they will be replaced..
The preventive fillings (sealants) are considered absolutely necessary in the permanent first molars (hexarites) as soon as they rise at the age of 6 years, as well as in the second permanent molars that rise later in the age of 12-13 years..
Fissure Sealants in Adults
The preventive fillings are sometimes placed in adults who are at high risk for caries, such as patients with chronic dry mouth, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or taking medications that can damage enamel.
How are the fissure sealants done?
The process of a fissure sealant is completely painless and is completed in one visit.
First, we carefully clean and prepare the chewing surface of the tooth. No grinding or local anesthesia is required.
Then, the filling material (synthetic resin) is placed on the enamel of the tooth, in order to cover all the holes and crevices of its chewing surface..
The synthetic compomer is added directly to the tooth surface and is hardened using a special dental light.
How Long do the fissure sealants last?
The fissure sealants last for several years and provide 100% protection to the covered surface of the tooth as long as they remain intact. During regular visits to the dentist every 6 months, the dentist checks to see if the protective layer of the resin has come off at some point, and if he finds signs of wear, he will repeat the treatment..
Mobile teeth, in children, appear when milk teeth are about to fall out and be replaced by permanent ones.
In adults, mobility is due to:
Periodontitis.
Periodontal disease is a progression of gingivitis, the condition that makes our gums bleed when not treated in time. In this case, the inflammation progresses from the gums into the bone and begins to destroy it. Bone loss is the cause of tooth mobility. Of course, the best treatment for periodontitis is prevention. However, when periodontal disease has already developed, the treatment consists of deep cleaning of the teeth and gums. Later, you may need to have your teeth splinted. In some cases, tooth splinting helps to immobilize and reattach the teeth into the gums and bone as much as possible.
Tooth grinding at night (bruxism).
Grinding your teeth overnight is treated with mouth guards. Mouth guards protect teeth from the harmful habit of bruxism and help relax the jaw muscles.
Injury.
Intraoral x-ray is safe. The radiation we receive from an intraoral radiograph corresponds to an air flight from Athens to Alexandroupolis.
There are two methods of whitening, the whitening in the doctor's office and the whitening at home. Between them, we choose the one that meets the needs and desires of each patient. Bleaching in the doctor's office is more effective and more immediate. In it, the bleaching agent is applied 3 times and with the use of a special lamp, the bleaching effect is accelerated and enhanced.
Whitening at home is done with personalized mouth guards. The patient wears the guards for 30'-60' daily or overnight until the desired result is achieved. It is suitable in case of previous whitening in the doctor's office and later maintenance of the result is required. Read more
Dental pain or toothache is the pain located around the teeth and jaw and is usually due to caries or periodontal disease.
Toothache occurs with various symptoms. It can be transient or continuous. It is often aggravated by eating or drinking, especially if the food or drink is hot or cold. It can be mild or severe. It can also be acute and start suddenly. May increase during the night, especially when lying down.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell if the pain is coming from the upper or lower jaw. When it is due to a mandibular molar, the pain gives the impression that it comes from the ear. The toothache on the upper teeth can give the impression that it comes from the sinuses, ie the small cavities in the upper jaw and the forehead.
The area around the decayed tooth is usually sensitive to touch. Periodontal disease often causes a dull ache. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the soft and hard tissues that surround the teeth.
If the toothache persists for more than a day or two, a visit to the dentist is necessary. If the cause of toothache is not treated in time, the infection of the pulp will spread, resulting in the formation of an abscess, with strong and continuous pulsating pain.
1) Causes of toothache due to infection of the dental nerve:
Caries, which creates holes (cavities) in the hard surface of the tooth.
- Tooth fracture - the fracture or crack may be very small and not visible to the naked eye.
- Detachment or fracture of the seal.
-Gums that recede and reveal the root of the tooth, which is more sensitive to pain caused by chemical, mechanical, thermal or microbial stimuli.
Periarthritic abscess: pus at the tip of the tooth root due to a bacterial infection (caries).
2) Causes located in the gums (periodontium):
-Periodontitis.
Periodontal abscess: a collection of pus in the gums due to bacterial inflammation.
Gum ulcers.
Irritation of the gums when teeth rise, for example in penitentiaries.
3) Sinusitis.
4) Diseases of the temporomandibular joint.
Treatment:
The type of treatment depends on the cause of the pain. Clinical examination and intraoral radiography are necessary to complete the diagnosis.
If the pain is due to an injury to the dental nerve, a filling or a denervation will solve the problem.
If it is due to gingivitis or periodontitis, the treatment is done with the cleansing and treatment of gingivitis or periodontitis.
In advanced caries lesions, deep fractures or enclosed teeth, extraction of the tooth may be necessary.
How to prevent toothache:
The best way to avoid toothache is to keep our teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Details:
Limit consumption of sugary foods and beverages.
Brushing your teeth twice a day.
Avoid smoking, as it aggravates some dental problems.
Your dentist will advise you on how often you need to check your oral and dental condition. Re-examination every six months is the ideal time to prevent damage that can develop into caries or periodontitis.
Over the years the tooth enamel is discarded and the gums shrink. The result is the revelation of the root of the teeth and the dental canals. Enamel and root abrasion is aggravated by the use of toothpaste with abrasive agents or a hard toothbrush. Exposed dental tubes are particularly sensitive to hot and cold foods, cold air and mechanical stimuli. Some toothpastes contain desensitizing agents that reduce tooth sensitivity. In the dental clinic, suitable preparations are applied that overlap and protect the exposed roots of the teeth. When abrasions are extensive, sealing is the indicated treatment. When the toothache lasts and does not subside it is wise to visit the dental clinic for a thorough diagnosis to prevent damage to the tooth nerve.
If the manual toothbrush is used for as long as needed and in the right way it is just as satisfactory as the electric one. Most people do not brush their teeth for the necessary 2 to 3 minutes. We can not claim that the electric toothbrush is absolutely superior to the manual one. It can make it much easier for us because it performs by itself the necessary brushing movements. It should, of course, be used carefully so as not to damage the gums and teeth. Each patient should choose his toothbrush according to his preference and ability.
There are 3 types of dental abscesses based on the etiology and the area of the mouth where they occur:
Periapical tooth abscess. The abscess (that is, the one that forms around the tip of a tooth root) is the most typical form of dental abscess. It occurs when the tooth pulp is infected due to caries. (read more ...)
Periodontal abscess. In the case of periodontal abscess, the cause is usually severe periodontal disease (periodontitis) or gum injury. Periodontal abscess develops in the gums (gum abscess) or in the alveolar bone that surrounds the tooth. (read more ...)
Peripheral tooth abscess. It is a special form of periodontal abscess that is formed due to inflammation and infection of the gums around the mill of a semi-enclosed tooth (peristephanitis).(Read more...)
Bad breath (halitosis) can be attributed to various systemic diseases. The root cause, however, is found in the mouth. As a rule, halitosis is due to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). A second cause may be tooth decay or dental caries. The treatment consists in the treatment of the damaged tooth and in the treatment of gingivitis with the dental cleaning.
Dental fissure sealants are a quick and economical way to prevent tooth decay. It is a thin layer of fluid dental resin that is placed on the upper surfaces of the back teeth and polymerized with a special lamp to make it hard. In this way, the chewing surface of the tooth becomes flat and thus prevents the accumulation of food and bacteria in the dental grooves. Children, who have just put the first permanent molars in their mouths, are the ideal candidates for the application of this method. This is because the grooves of children's teeth are deeper and less calcified compared to those of adults. Also, children are less willing to brush their teeth as needed.
Coatings can also be done on adults, on strong teeth, as a preventive measure to prevent caries. (read more ...)
Most dental problems only cause symptoms when they reach an advanced stage. Toothache often indicates a more serious injury that will require more than just a filling. Early diagnosis, with screening, is necessary to diagnose and predict dental and periodontal problems and leads to a more satisfactory and cost-effective treatment.
Whitening toothpastes on the market differ in the ability to whiten. They contain detergents and remove, to some extent, the surface pigments that are deposited on the teeth from food, coffee, smoking. But they can not change the natural color of the teeth - something that is achieved with the whitening that is done in the dental office. Great care is needed when using them because the strong detergents they contain can cause damage to tooth enamel.
The causes of mouth ulcers are, basically, unknown. Genetic and microbial factors, allergies, stress and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals are to blame. Trauma to the inside of the oral cavity can also lead to the appearance of an ulcer in the mouth. Dentures with poor fit, misuse of the toothbrush, biting of the cheek, eating certain foods can cause ulcers. For the treatment of mouth ulcers, rinsing with antimicrobial mouthwash or lukewarm saline is recommended. Particularly useful are the preparations with healing action that are applied topically on ulcers.
The wisdom teeth - the last molars at the back of the mouth - do not need to be removed when:
They are healthy, have no caries, and show no symptoms of pain, swelling, or redness.
They have normally erupted in the mouth.
They are enclosed in the jaw without clinical and radiographic findings.
They are in the correct position in the jaw and are normally used in chewing.
It is possible to clean them adequately with the toothbrush.
Their extraction is considered necessary when they rise either in a normal position or with a slope and at the same time:
There is pain in the surrounding area.
Recurrent inflammation with redness and swelling occurs.
A cyst has formed in the jaw bone.
They cause the adjacent tooth to decay or to develop periodontal disease.
Composite veneers or bonding or dental lifting is a method by which the smile is reconstructed, by correcting the shape of the teeth of the upper or lower jaw. This is a procedure that is usually completed in an appointment, without anesthesia. It is done by roughing the surface of the teeth and placing the appropriate amount of composite resin, in the carefully selected color, in order to properly recreate the dental contour and shape. As a rule, the teeth are not grinded except in cases of severe distortion, so they are grinded a little, following the philosophy of minor intervention.
(Read more...)
Our smile is made to last a lifetime. In fact, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, harder than bones. Enamel or enamel has high resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Due to the increase in life expectancy and, in addition, the exposure of the teeth to stresses such as clenching, grinding, and chewing hard objects, the integrity of the teeth can be compromised. If you suspect a fracture in your tooth, it is important to seek treatment quickly before the problem gets worse.
-How is a dental fracture diagnosed?
-Why does a dental fracture cause pain?
-How is a dental fracture treated?
-After treatment, will the tooth heal completely?
-How are dental fractures prevented?
(Read more...)
Bruxism refers to the clenching or grinding of teeth either during sleep or, unconsciously, when we are awake.
People who grit their teeth during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and cessation of breathing (sleep apnea).
Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be common and quite severe and lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth.
Symptoms:
Teeth clenching enough to wake you up.
Teeth that are flattened or broken.
Worn tooth enamel - exposed deeper layers of your tooth.
Pain or tenderness of the teeth during closure (when we touch the teeth together).
Tired or tight jaw muscles or 'locked' jaw that does not open or close completely or when a 'click' when you open and close your mouth.
Pain in the jaw, neck, ear or face.
Headache starting from the temples.
Bite the inside of the cheek.
Causes:
Stress. Bruxism may also be one of us when we concentrate deeply.
Age.
Personality type.
Drugs and other substances.
Bruxists within the family.
Parkinson's disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea.
Treatment:
Night splints.
In severe cases, when the abrasion of the teeth has caused dental sensitivity or when the possibility of proper chewing has been lost, the dentist may reshape the chewing surfaces of the teeth or make reconstructions on the worn teeth.
Stress management.
Change the closing position. The dentist will show you the correct position in which the mouth should close and the teeth should close.