TOOTH COLOURED RESTORATIONSTOOTH COLOURED RESTORATIONSTooth coloured restorations are the treatment of choice at smile 'n' shine dental care center for dental caries. We prefer tooth coloured restorations to the traditionally used silver amalgam fillings as they score over the latter in terms of better aesthetics and are free of mercury as a constituent unlike the amalgam fillings where mercury is a major ingredient.
The material of choice is either composite resin or glass ionomer cement. We at smile 'n' shine use the best quality nano ceramic filed composite resin which offers the best aesthetics and is more durable than the traditional fillings.
The restorations are done with the help of the most modern curing LED lights which bring about the setting of the filling material.
Tooth-coloured Restorations a revolutionary dental technique, enabling patients to amend oral conditions yet still maintain a stunning white smile.
Today the majority of patients chose to have their restorations completed in white materials. Virtually indistinguishable in appearance from your existing teeth; Tooth-coloured Restorations provide patients with a whiter, brighter, healthier smile. Through the continual developments in dental technology, the quality of Tooth-coloured Restorations is now better than ever before. Tooth-coloured Restorations do not stain teeth and have been scientifically proven to have the same strength as natural tooth enamel.
comparison between amalgam filling and tooth coloured restoration of same tooth.
A tooth crown has three layers namely: enamel, dentine and pulp and the crown has cementum, dentin and pulp.
When dental caries is in the enamel or dentin it may be just need a regular tooth restoration but Root Canal Treatment (also called Endodontics) is needed when the
Blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury.
It is most often needed in teeth which already have very large or deep fillings, or in teeth which have recently had a filling due to deep dental caries (decay) in the tooth.
Root can treatment of patients at smile 'n' shine is carried out under complete asepsis under the aegis of Dr Rajat Sethi and a team of endodontists led by Dr Sudhir Kumar.
The clinic is equipped with modern instrumentation for root canal treatments including low radiation dental x-ray and magnifying loupes protapers and high success rate is achieved even in single sitting root canal treatments.
Q: WHY IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT NEEDED?
A: If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth which may eventually lead to an abscess.
If Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Q: DOES IT HURT?
A: No. A local Anaesthetic is used and the whole procedure should feel no different to that of having an ordinary filling done, although the appointment will be longer than that for a normal filling. There will usually be some pain or discomfort for 3-4 days following the treatment. The tooth may feel slightly tender and “different” for a few months following treatment.
Q: WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT INVOLVE?
A: The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection. RCT is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Sometimes the treatment will involve two or more appointments.
Firstly the infected pulp is removed. Any abscess, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the permanent root-filling. The root canal is disinfected using strong antiseptics and once the dentist is confident that the infection is gone, the root filling can be placed into the canal. The root filling is a rubber material which is compressed into the root to permanently seal it.
Q: WHAT WILL MY TOOTH LOOK LIKE AFTER TREATMENT?
A: In the past, a root filled tooth would often darken after treatment. However with modern techniques, this does not usually happen. If any discolouration should take place, there are several treatments available to restore the natural appearance.
Q: WHAT IF THE INFECTION COMES BACK?
A: Root canal treatment is usually very successful in 80-90%of cases. However, if there should be a recurrence of infection, the treatment can usually be repeated. If a tooth has a particularly difficult shape or a complication that prevents your dentist successfully treating the tooth, it is possible to refer to a specialist who can spend more time and use advanced techniques and instruments to treat your tooth. This can be a very expensive option however and is not normally available on the NHS.
Sometimes an extraction of the tooth is the only option if treatment fails.
Q: WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE THE TREATMENT?
A: The alternative to RCT is the removal of the tooth. Once the pulp is damaged, it cannot heal without treatment and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth.
Whilst some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually advisable to keep as many natural teeth as possible.
Q: ARE THERE ANY RISKS?
A: There is a moderate risk of pain and swelling immediately following treatment and for a few days afterwards. This is normally easily controlled by over-the-counter painkillers but can very occasionally be more severe.
During the treatment there is a risk of various complications. The dentist may “perforate” the tooth (this is when a hole is made through the side of the root-canal by the dentist when searching for particularly small or difficult root canals) or that one of the root-canal instruments breaks inside the tooth. The root-filling may sometimes inadvertently extend beyond the tip of the root, or may not completely fill the root to the tip. Any of these complications may compromise the prognosis for the tooth, and delay or prevent healing. In some cases a serious complication may necessitate extraction of the tooth or referral to a specialist.
Q: WILL THE TOOTH BE SAFE AFTER TREAMENT?
A: Root filled teeth are weaker and more brittle than live teeth, for this reason it is often advisable to restore the root-filled tooth with a crown or onlay to provide extra strength to the tooth. If this is necessary we normally wait a few months prior to crowning so that we can be sure that the root canal treatment is OK. Sometimes, filling the tooth with a composite (white) filling rather than an amalgam (metal) filling will strengthen the tooth considerably and avoid or postpone the need for a crown.
Q: WHAT ABOUT AFTERCARE?
A: Root treated teeth should be treated just the same as any other tooth. Remember to clean your teeth at least once a day, preferably with fluoride toothpaste. Keep sugary snacks to a minimum and only to mealtimes if possible. Attend your dentist for regular check-ups.
patient x-ray after successful rct.
Surgical root canal treatment is a procedural effort in which it is necessary to elevate a small flap of tissue adjacent to the involved tooth in order to gain access to and treat root canal disease. Surgical root canal treatments are usually minor, in-office procedures performed under local anaesthesia. Once the pathological area is exposed, the doctor performs a "curettage" to remove the diseased tissue from around the root. This is usually followed by an "apicoectomy," a procedure in which the diseased portion of the root is removed. A small filling is then usually placed to seal the remaining portion of the root. Surgical root canal treatment will oftentimes result in a good long-term prognosis for the tooth if the cause of pathology can be effectively eliminated.
Unfortunately, on occasion, retreatment efforts may not be possible or cost-effective and extraction may be the only alternative. However, saving a tooth that has been previously treated endodontically and is failing is usually possible, can be very predictable, and is typically the most conservative option for the patient.
What Are the Goals of Root Canal Treatment?
As an alternative to an extraction, the goals of root canal treatment are to save the tooth and allow it to be retained in the mouth for many years in a state of health, function, and comfort. Root canal treatment is directed towards removing diseased tissue from the inside of the tooth and subsequently filling and sealing the root canal space in order to minimize the possibility of future re-infection.
Why Is Root Canal Treatment Called Endodontic Treatment?
Endodontic is a word composed of two Greek words, "endo" meaning "inside," and "odont" meaning "tooth." Endodontics is that branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases that arise from the soft tissues inside the tooth. These tissues are referred to as the dental pulp and they occupy the root canal space. Thus, endodontic treatment is also called root canal treatment.
If a Tooth Has Had Root Canal Treatment, Is It a Dead Tooth?
Root canal treatment does not kill a tooth. Even though root canal treatment removes the pulp tissue from inside the tooth, the tooth is by no means "dead." Following successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to receive its blood supply and nourishment from the surrounding tissues and the supporting bone. The body's immune system continues to recognize an endodontically treated tooth as viable and healthy, just as it recognizes any other normal non-treated tooth. An endodontically treated tooth generally requires a protective crown and, once this restoration has been completed, the tooth continues to function as an integral component of the dental arch. A tooth that has had root canal treatment and has been properly restored is no more susceptible to fracture, decay, or gum disease than any other tooth.
Alternatives To Root Canal Treatment - The only alternative to root canal treatment is the extraction of the problematic tooth. It is wise to consider all of the implications of losing a tooth before having it removed. The decision should not be made hastily or because the tooth is painful. If pain is present and the dentist thinks that the tooth can be saved, the discomfort can first be relieved and then the alternatives explored.