Monday, March 22, 2010

New Dental Technology In City Of Shimla

The array of dental procedures available at dentists has been growing almost exponentially over the last decade as new technology opens up the possibility of dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. New technology and new equipment means that even many standard procedures can now be carried out quicker and safer, and most importantly, less painfully.

Standard dental treatment for gum disease and dental decay is still top of the agenda for most dentists but improvements in treatment have made even this easier for patients. The old-style silver amalgam fillings have been replaced by the safer, tooth coloured dental bonding fillings, which work just as well but do not ruin the appearance of teeth. Other classic dental restorations such as crowns and veneers have been revolutionised by new technology such as digital x-rays and computer-aided manufacture. The rise of chair-side restoration means that crowns and veneers can now be designed, manufactured and fitted in a single appointment, an incredible leap forward and an idea of the potential future of dentistry.

Dental lasers have also been introduced over the last few years replacing many surgical implements such as the dreaded scalpel. Lasers can be used to sculpt gum tissue, harden bonding and even in the cavity filling and root canal treatments to replace the dentist drill. The many advantages of lasers include the sterilisation effect of heat which reduces the chances of infection and speeds recovery.

All of this new technology and much more is being used to improve dental treatment to make treatment better for the patients. If you have not visited a dentist for some time it is a good idea to make an appointment to see what new possibilities there are to improve the appearance and condition of your teeth.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Teeth Whitening : Something To Smile About

Discolored or badly stained teeth can be very embarrassing and cause the patient to be very anxious and self-conscious about their appearance. It can make people very reluctant to open their mouths or smile in public and be the underlying cause of self-esteem issues and even depression. But with modern cosmetic dentistry there is a solution to having discoloured teeth.

Teeth whitening has existed for many years but in the past has been hit and miss at best and often prohibitively expensive. But as more and more dentists offer the treatment and more patients use it the price is dropping and the treatment becoming more available. New whitening treatments are hitting the market each year, each promising new and improved whitening that takes less time and yields better results.

Now dentists offer a variety of whitening treatments to suit all budgets and time considerations. These range form short one-hour treatments in office to two or even three week concentrated procedures involving take home trays to be worn at night. The active ingredient in teeth whitening is hydrogen peroxide and it works by gradually penetrating the enamel and staining any discolored areas. Any patches of enamel that have been stained or discoloured are then turned the same color as the rest of the tooth.

Teeth whitening can be one of the most successful and dramatic cosmetic dentistry treatments, capable of completely transforming the teeth and restoring the self-confidence of the patient. If you suffer from discoloration or staining, ask your dentist about teeth whitening and really give yourself something to smile about.

Eat Healthy For Healthy Teeth !

The food we eat can have a big impact on the health of our teeth. Just as certain foods can have a very bad impact on your teeth, others can actually be beneficial. By making small changes in your diet you could help to protect your teeth from disease and decay that could be very painful, costly and even embarrassing.

Starting with the foods that are not so good for your teeth, as you might imagine they are the fairly obvious ones. Anything with lots of sugar can cause damage to teeth as the presence of sugar in the mouth accelerates decay. Other foods such as crisps, which are high in salt, can also be damaging for the teeth. Basically, the simple rule to follow is that if it’s not good for your body, it’s probably not very good for your teeth.

Other foods and drinks can also have other negative consequences for the teeth. Red wine, tea and coffee can all cause tooth enamel to stain, which is irreversible. In fact all dark liquids can cause the teeth to stain. Other drinks such as fruit juices and squash can also be very bad for the teeth because of a high sugar content. The best thing you can drink for your dental health is water, as this cleans the mouth and washes plaque and food stuff away from the teeth. Drinking water after eating food bad for your teeth can also limit the impact it can have. Closely behind water is milk, which can also be very good for your teeth because of the calcium it contains, although most dentists would always recommend water.

Eating healthy food like fruit and vegetables is best for your teeth. They contain vitamins and minerals which benefit your teeth and bones and are less likely to be the cause of decay. Although it must be stated that after eating any food it is always a good idea to drink water or even brush your teeth as food particles get stuck between your teeth and begin to decay. This is a breeding ground for plaque and bacteria which can then further damage the teeth. Ask your dentist for more information about healthy eating for your teeth at your next appointment.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

CEREC - Chair-Side Restoration

The future of cosmetic dentistry has finally arrived in the shape of new technology from Cerec. Also commonly known as ‘chair-side restoration’, Cerec has revolutionised the way dentists are able to manufacture and fit ceramic restorations such as dental crowns, porcelain veneers and inlays for fillings.

CEREC is a state-of-the-art dental restoration product that has allowed dentists to use computer-aided technology to produce ceramic inlays and crowns. Utilising new technologies such as 3D imaging, digital x-rays and CAD/CAM, CEREC has allowed teeth restorations to be carried out in only a single visit to a dentist rather than taking several appointments.

Cerec technology allows the dentist to take several digital x-rays, which can produce three-dimensional images almost instantaneously on a computer screen. This allows the dentist to create a perfectly fitting crown or veneer on the computer. Then comes the really incredible bit, when the dentist sends this information to a computer-guided mill, which can sculpt a new crown or veneer from a single piece of porcelain in a mater of minutes. All of this can be achieved in little more than an hour per tooth for a crown and significantly less for veneers. Combined with the use of resin bonding, it is possible for a patient to have a crown designed, manufactured and installed in a single appointment .
This new technology has several distinct advantages. First and foremost is the time and effort saved by both patient and dentist as fewer appointments and less manufacturing is needed to fit the restoration. CEREC technology also limits the need for enamel removal because of the increased degrees of accuracy involved using computer-guided technology. Also, because the crown or inlay can be milled from a single piece of porcelain it preserves a greater degree of strength than layered or pressed ceramics. The ability to store any design and manufacturing information on a computer means that any subsequent alterations or replacements can be easily manufactured without further imaging.Compared to the old methods of crown dentistry, Cerec represents a huge leap forward and expect to see this technology in all dentist surgeries in the near future.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Are Sweet and Sticky Foods Bad For Your Teeth ?

Everybody knows that sweet and sticky foods are bad for your teeth. This is because the sugar sticks to the teeth attracting bacteria that form plaque. When this bacteria decays it releases acids, which are the main cause of dental cavities. Because sweet food is often sticky due to the sugar it clings to the teeth and is difficult to remove. Sticky foods also get stuck in the gaps between teeth and decay releasing foul odours that cause halitosis. The main problem is that sweet foods are very difficult to resist, especially if you have a sweet tooth but there are alternatives.

Firstly, eating anything with a low sugar content is going to be better for your teeth than high sugar content food. There are many low sugar snacks available on the market that will be less damaging to your teeth. However, the reality is that most food will cause damage to your teeth eventually so the key to keeping your teeth healthy is damage limitation. By trying to eat foods with low sugar and replacing sugary sweets with natural sources of sugar you will be doing a lot to reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Foods like raisins and grapes make excellent sweet snacks and are less damaging to your teeth. It is also possible to buy sugar-free chewing gum that is still sweet and will satisfy your cravings. Our dentists will also be able to advise you what foods are less damaging for your teeth but still allow you to enjoy the odd treat. It is important however to remember that whatever you eat, cleaning teeth thoroughly by brushing and flossing daily will help to prevent damage form dental cavities.A good dental hygiene routine, accompanied by the all important six-month visits to the dentist can help you maintain a happy and healthy mouth. Look after your teeth and they can last you a lifetime. Ask your dentist about how to correctly brush your teeth and which brush is most suitable for your teeth and gums.

Friday, March 5, 2010

More Comfortable & Realistic Dentures

Losing your teeth at any age in life can be very unpleasant and can cause a great deal of anxiety and pain. However, there are many options still available and thanks to modern technology and improved dentistry, the option of wearing dentures no longer carries the stigma it once did.

Modern dentures are more comfortable, more realistic and stronger than the dentures of the past and are designed to fit the mouth better to prevent the anxiety caused by loose dentures. In the past, many denture wearers had to resort to using sticky and messy dental adhesive gels or strips. These prevented many people form eating and drinking what they wanted. A good pair of dentures should stay firmly in place by suction alone, allowing the wearer to live a normal life.

For those patients who still require the extra security there is now the possibility of mini-implants to act as a secure base for the dentures. A series of small titanium screws are anchored directly into the jawbone to act as a solid base for a set of dentures, which can be fitted with snap on/snap off clips so that your dentures will never come out unless you want them to.

Patients with several missing teeth can also benefit form a partial denture, which can be worn to restore the cosmetic appearance of the teeth and regain some of their functionality. Partial dentures and full dentures also act as support for facial muscles, preventing sagging of the facial tissue common in patients with few or no teeth. Shimla dentists are able to offer advice and treatment to patients considering dentures or partial dentures to help them regain their confidence and the full use of their teeth. Call 177 645 0704 for a free consultation at Goma Dental Clinic in Shimla.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Comprehensive Smile Makeover : Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers like collagen and hyaluronic acid are used to add volume to certain areas of the skin. This has the effect of smoothing out wrinkles and making the patient appear younger. The are being increasingly used by dentists as part of a more comprehensive smile makeover treatment to frame dental work that has already been carried out.

Dermal fillers work by blocking the transmission of signals between muscles. This has the effect of reducing muscle movement, which is the primary cause of wrinkles in the skin. One of the biggest worries about dermal fillers is their safety. If they are injected by a trained cosmetic dentist, in the proper conditions, there is very little risk involved in using dermal fillers. Some patients may experience some mild inflammation in the few days after treatment but this will subside naturally causing little discomfort.

The results of dermal fillers usually show after a couple of days and continue for up to four months. They can then be topped up with further injections with no risk. This is because the body will have naturally broken down the last injected matter.

If used correctly, dermal fillers can have an amazing transformative effect on the face. It can make patients look years younger in only matter of days with a minimum of fuss and risk. Make an appointment with a dentist to discuss the cost and further benefits of dermal fillers.