What is the meaning of pediatric dentistry? Pediatric dentistry specializes in/takes care of the oral health of infant, children and adolescent. This dentistry also treats children with special needs, who are physically and mentally challenged. Pediatric dentistry involves additional study of 3 years (i.e. after 4 years of dental training).This branch of dentistry studies child growth, psychology and development. Such dentists take care of wide variety of dental problems of children e.g. cavity, tooth decay, malocclusion, emergency care, crooked teeth etc. When should a child first visit the dentist? According to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry the child should be brought to the dentist when he turns 1 year old .By that time the first teeth comes and the dentist can discuss ways of keeping oral hygiene. A dentist can guide the parents about diet, tooth eruption, finger habits, fluoride etc. How many visits are recommended? According to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry the child should be brought twice a year to the dental clinic .The visits may vary if the child has tooth decay, bad oral hygiene, and unusual teeth growth. How important are baby teeth? They help the child to crew food, smile properly and speak clearly. Baby teeth hold the space for permanent teeth. If child looses teeth at an early age because of decay/ damage the nearby teeth can encroach that free space which can result in misplaced/crooked permanent teeth. How to clean baby teeth? For an infant a soft cloth should be used to clean his/her gums after every feed. Once the child has one tooth a soft tooth brush can be used.

Root canal treatment/ Endodontics Root canal treatment is done when the infection/ decay spreads to the nerve in the tooth causing pain and sometimes abscess/pus. It is the most preferred treatment to retain natural tooth Signs and symptoms showing root canal therapy Deep cavities Sudden intense pain in the tooth Tooth pain that increases while you lie down and reduces once you sit up Pain while chewing Continuous pain on consuming hot/ cold foods Prominent swelling around tooth Teeth that are severely worn out and sensitive Trauma ( accident ) resulting in discoloration of tooth Procedure Is painless as it is done under local anesthesia Can be single or multiple visit Decay is removed, canals in the tooth are cleaned and the space is filled with inert material. Tooth is sealed with temporary filling After procedure Avoid chewing and eating until numbness is gone. You may have some discomfort or soreness for a day or two Antibiotics and pain killers help in recovery After a week, permanent filling and crown is necessary.

What is Flap surgery? Flap surgery is a procedure in which the gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily to allow a dentist to reach the root of the tooth and the bone. When it is needed? Flap surgery is done in cases of periodontal disease which is inflammation of gums and surrounding structures that holds the teeth. Why is it done? Infection of gums releases bacterial toxins that affect the inner layer of gum and surrounding structures of the teeth. Long standing infection and inflammation can erode the bone that surrounds the teeth resulting in gum pockets and tooth mobility.

What is the meaning of dental implant? A dental implant is manmade replacement in place of the natural teeth which enables a person to have fixed teeth. Dental implants are different from transplants taken from others. What category of dental transplant is suitable for a patient depends on the individual need and condition of the teeth. An x-ray is required to check the number of bones remaining; space available in the mouth .The dentist does a examination before finalizing which type of implant should be done. Who are the candidates for dental implant? People who are missing teeth may it be one or all are candidates for an implant. If a person is missing 1 or few teeth then dental implants along with a crown /bridge can be used to replace the missing teeth and these manmade teeth function as good as natural teeth and there is no further loss of bones and decay .If a person is missing all teeth then implant is used to anchor loose denture. In some cases when bones are lost; bones can be regenerated with the technique of bone expansion which further helps in implants. How much does an implant cost? The cost can be determined after thorough examination and recording of individual case. Moreover personnel skill of the dentist, location of the clinic and individual requirement determine the cost of an implant. How much time is required? Dental implant is a advance procedure hence it takes time of say 4-9 months or even more depending upon the individual case. The dentist does provide temporary teeth during this period and the patient is never without teeth. Is the treatment painful? There is a little discomfort at the time of the procedure but patient sedation and anesthesia are used to reduce the discomfort. Most of the patients experience pain for 2-3 days after the implant/surgery. Dentists also give medicines to reduce the pain and avoid any type of discomfort.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two major diseases that affect your gum and surrounding structures that hold the tooth. Gingivitis is the inflammation of gums while Periodontitis is the inflammation of supporting structure that holds the teeth. When to visit a dentist? You should visit the dentist if you have any of the following symptoms Yellowish hard deposits along gum line Red swollen gums that bleed while brushing Pus / metallic taste Gums receding from teeth or teeth appear to be lengthened Mobile teeth Shifting of teeth or changes in alignment Food impaction between teeth What is the treatment protocol for gingivitis and periodontitis? Foremost line of treatment is scaling/oral prophylaxis to remove the plaque/tartar that has formed around the teeth. If the inflammation/infection has reached below the gum line, curettage/root planning is required. What is curettage and root planning? It is nothing but deep cleaning of teeth and surrounding tissue. This procedure is done in adjuvant to regular scaling/oral prophylaxis. It alleviates the swelling, inflammation and bleeding due to plaque and tartar build up along the gum lines and the roots of the teeth. What happens if the tartar is not removed? Presence of tartar below the gum line leads to inflammation and infection of gums.Long standing gum infection results in bone loss leading to tooth mobility.

Cosmetic Dentistry

What do you mean by sedation? Sedation dentistry helps one to snooze virtually during the visits to the dental clinic. It helps to go through the entire dental procedure comfortably and safely. Who are the best candidates of sedation dentistry? People who gag Have problem in getting numb have fear of the dental treatment who have sensitive teeth who have experienced traumatic dental procedure Who hate shots and needle Who do not like the smell, noise and taste of the dental treatment Does one experience any pain? People feel very comfortable and no pain while the dental treatment is going on and feel even better after the treatment is over. What type of sedation is used? General anesthesia is one type of sedation which everyone thinks off, but this requires a machine for breathing. For oral surgeries IV sedation is used. The most convenient, safe and comfortable is oral sedation. In this a pill is given to the patient a few hours prior to the visit to the dental clinic. What are different levels of sedation? Mild Sedation in which one is conscious and responds to verbal command. Heart functioning and breathing is normal and unaffected .Coordination and cognitive functions can be impaired. Moderate Sedation in which there is depression of consciousness and the patient is forced to respond to command. Breathing and functioning of heart is not affected. Deep Sedation in which patient cannot be easily aroused and there is depression of consciousness. Patient responds purposefully. Breathing may be impaired, and heart functions normally. General Anesthesia in which there is complete loss of consciousness and the patient cannot be aroused. Breathing is impaired and there is the need of ventilator. Heart functioning can be impaired.

What is Flap surgery? Flap surgery is a procedure in which the gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily to allow a dentist to reach the root of the tooth and the bone. When it is needed? Flap surgery is done in cases of periodontal disease which is inflammation of gums and surrounding structures that holds the teeth. Why is it done? Infection of gums releases bacterial toxins that affect the inner layer of gum and surrounding structures of the teeth. Long standing infection and inflammation can erode the bone that surrounds the teeth resulting in gum pockets and tooth mobility.

LASER stands for “light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.” The instrument creates light energy in a very narrow and focused beam. This laser light produces a reaction when it hits tissue, allowing it to remove or shape the tissue It is minimally invasive wherein lasers are used to treat a number of different dental conditions such as Removing inflamed gums Gum reshaping Curettage/gum flap surgery Frenectomy Biopsy Exposing wisdom teeth Treating hypersensitivity Sterilizing infected root canals

Cosmetic Dentistry

What is the meaning of maxillofacial? Maxillofacial means jaws and face, which combines with mouth becomes the domain/area of specialization of oral and maxillofacial surgeon. What is oral treatment/surgery? This is a branch of dentistry which deals in diagnosing and surgically treating injuries, diseases, defects of jaws, mouth, face etc. This also includes dental implants, removing decayed teeth, biopsy and taking of cysts as well as tumors of jaw and mouth, treating facial trauma and jaw reconstruction. What treatment/procedures are followed by oral and maxillofacial surgeon? Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform the following procedures/treatments: Placement of dental implants which replaces single/several teeth as well as entire teeth in the mouth. Dental implants are very comfortable and last for a long time than the conventional dentures. Reconstructive surgery which addresses injuries in lower, upper jaws of the soft and hard tissues which are the result of trauma, accident, long time of wearing dentures, tumor surgery. Treatment of maxillofacial infections. Such infections are diagnosed and then treated as they are very dangerous and can cause severe emergencies if not treated properly, timely and effectively. Treating injuries to face, teeth, mouth, jaws caused because of trauma. Surgeons are expert to treat trauma which also includes upper and lower fractures of the jaws and orbit. Surgeries to correct facial and oral deformities due to difference in the skeletal growth between lower and upper jaws, congenital disorders(such as palate, cleft lip) which is the result of improper growth of oral nasal cavity at the time of fetal development. Surgeons are capable of reconstructing facial structure, hence can perform facial cosmetic procedures in their office. Does the treatment require x-rays? X-rays are always taken before the treatment begins as it gives a clear picture of the disorder in the teeth or the bones.

What are dental veneers? Veneers are laminates made up of ceramic, porcelain, composite bonding materials. They ate very thin like a wafer and are bonded over the visible portion of the teeth to enhance the appearance. Dentist use it to correct misaligned teeth, discolored teeth and worn out enamel. Veneers are suitable for people who like to improve aesthetics of teeth. What are the advantages of veneers? Veneers last for a long time and moreover they require very little tooth preparation. They look very natural and healthy. How long can veneers last? Dental veneers can last for say 10 to 15 years (or even more), after that they need replacement. Veneers need proper care and maintenance, only then they will continue to give an attractive smile for years. What kind of tooth preparation is involved? For a strong bond between the teeth and the veneer the enamel has to be reduced. The dentist reduces the enamel and takes the impression of the teeth, and then it is sent to the lab where the veneer is made. The thickness of the veneer is same as the amount of veneer reduced. Hence the veneer looks very natural, as its color is made identical to the surrounding teeth. Is the process of attaching veneer painful? Patient does not experience any pain, but there is some amount of discomfort when the enamel is reduced .The dentist gives an anesthesia before filing and reshaping the teeth, but there is no pain when the veneer is attached. Sensitivity to cold/ hot can be felt after the veneer is fitted. What are the alternatives to veneers? Dental veneers are used to enhance the appearance of an individual, it is the part of cosmetic dentistry .In case of repairing of teeth, straightening of teeth veneers are not suitable and dental crowns is the best choice .An alternative to dental veneers is LUNINEERS .They are removable and provides artificial coating to the teeth.