FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Difference Between Regular Cleaning and Deep Cleaning?
In our clinic we use an ultrasonic scaler to clean teeth. With regular cleaning, we clean the teeth superficially and we can go a little bit down to the gumline to remove calcular deposits lodged on those areas. However, there are instances when the calcular deposits and debris have gone deep into the gums causing bleeding and irritation. In those cases, deep scaling will have to be done by going into the gums to remove the debris, necessitating the use of local anesthesia.
What is Bleaching?
Bleaching is the whitening of teeth using Peroxide Solutions. We have 2 processes, the Laser Bleach and the Take Home Bleach. The Laser Bleach can lighten the teeth in about 2 hours. Usually, the gum is protected by a protective resin and a curing light is directed towards the teeth. On the other hand, the Take Home Bleach uses a custom tray that fits your mouth with a solution placed inside. This is done 30 minutes twice a day for 9 days.
What are the Different Kinds of Crowns?
A. Porcelain Fused to Metal
These are crowns that we have used for a long time and is still widely used today. The ceramic or the porcelain material which is tooth colored is put over the metal substructure. The 2 major disadvantages are the” black line” that you see near the gumline which is disadvantageous as far as esthetics is concerned and the possibility of fracture of the porcelain material.
B. E Max Crown
In the clinic, for front teeth crowns, we usually use E Max Crowns, because these are metal-free crowns that have superb esthetics. It has no “black lines” compared to porcelain fused to metal crowns. Just life-like teeth!
C. Zirconium
These are hard, white metal crowns made up of Zirconium Dioxide, resistant to corrosion, similar to steel. So far, it is the strongest crown to date. We usually use them for restorations of posterior teeth. There are 2 kinds, Full Zirconium and Porcelain Fused to Zirconium.
What are Crowns and Bridges?
Crowns are utilized to cover the entire tooth structure when the tooth has so much decay that filling it might be impractical or it can be used as an anchor to hold missing teeth.
What are Laminates?
In our clinic we EMax for our laminates which is a pressable ceramic that is put on the surfaces of teeth to correct color, alignment, shape and esthetics. The grinding of teeth is usually only on the facial surfaces of the teeth, making the tooth reduction very conservative and minimal.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root Canal Treatment is one way to prolong the tooth inside the mouth when the decay is so extensive and deep that it has reached the nerve already. It is by removing and cleaning the pulp chamber of the tooth and sealing it with a permanent filling material.
What are Inlays and Onlays?
These are filling materials that are fabricated outside the mouth and subsequently cemented inside the prepared cavity of the tooth when direct filling seems to be difficult due to access or other concerns.
What are Implants?
Implants that are used in the clinic are cylindrical titanium crews inserted into the patient’s mouth which would serve as an anchor to replace missing teeth. It can also serve as an attachment to keep removable dentures in place. We use the MIS Implant System utilizing MIS 7 and C1 Implants.
What is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is done by putting artificial bone of the patient’s own bone on the deficient site to increase bone volume to facilitate implant placement.
What are Dentures?
These are artificial teeth that are used to reduce the missing teeth that can either be fixed or removable fixed dentures are the crowns and bridges while the removable dentures are the full and partial dentures. Partial dentures can either be rigid (utilizing metals) or flexible (utilizing nylon based materials). Combination of the two would be the best.
What are Braces?
Braces are fixed appliances (stainless steel or ceramic) that are cemented on every tooth to treat irregular positions of teeth to have a better smile and to keep a healthy and sound set of teeth including the gums and bones. We do our best to address the concerns of every patient. Ceramic braces are transparent and is not as visible as the stainless steel braces. There are 2 types of brackets, the Standard brackets and the Self-ligating brackets.
What are Active Appliances?
In our clinic, orthodontic evaluation starts at the age of 5 years old where we can prevent future tooth extractions and decrease severity of treatment in the long run thus saving treatment time and money for the patient.
There are trainers and appliances that children can use to correct wrong habits that are forming in the mouth. This includes training of the facial muscles and prevention of wrong growth of the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw).
What are Aligners?
Aligners are transparent, plastic form of dental braces used to align teeth. They are removable and are changed every 10-14 days with the next one and is worn for 22 hours a day. The number of aligners depend on how severe the treatment case is.
What are Retainers?
A retainer is an appliance that will retain that has been corrected by Braces. It can be removable or fixed in the mouth.
