Periodontal Treatment – Dr K K Vakil Dental

Teeth Whitening

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:25:18 +0000

What is tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It cannot make a complete colour change, but it may lighten the existing shade.

Why would I need my teeth whitened?

There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant-white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older.

Your teeth can also be stained on the surface by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth.

‘Calculus’ or tartar can also affect the colour of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.

What does tooth whitening involve?

Professional bleaching is the most usual method of tooth whitening. Your dental team will be able to tell you if you are suitable for the treatment, and will supervise it if you are. First the dental team will put a rubber shield or a gel on your gums to protect them. They will then apply the whitening product to your teeth, using a specially made tray which fits into your mouth like a mouthguard.

The ‘active ingredient’ in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter.

How long does this take?

The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks. First, you will need two or three visits to the dentist. Your dental team will need to make a mouthguard and will take impressions for this at the first appointment. Once your dental team has started the treatment, you will need to continue the treatment at home. This means regularly applying the whitening product over two to four weeks, for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.

However, there are now some new products which can be applied for up to eight hours at a time. This means you can get a satisfactory result in as little as one week.

What other procedures are there?

There is now laser whitening or ‘power whitening’. During this procedure a rubber dam is put over your teeth to protect the gums, and a bleaching product is painted onto your teeth. Then a light or laser is shone on the teeth to activate the chemical. The light speeds up the reaction of the whitening product and the colour change can be achieved more quickly. Laser whitening is said to make teeth up to five or six shades lighter.

How long does chair-side power whitening take?

Your dentist will need to assess your teeth to make sure that you are suitable for the treatment. Once it has been agreed, this procedure usually takes about one hour.

How much does tooth whitening cost?

Charges will vary from practice to practice and region to region. Laser or power whitening will be more expensive than professional bleaching. We recommend you get a written estimate of the cost before you start any treatment.

How long will my teeth stay whiter?

The effects of whitening are thought to last up to three years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. Ask your dental team for their opinion before you start the treatment.

What are the side effects?

Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment. Others may have discomfort in the gums, a sore throat or white patches on the gum line. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing.

If any of these side effects continue you should go to your dentist.

What about home whitening kits?

There are many home whitening kits available, including paint-on whiteners and strips. How effective these are
depends on the amount of whitening agent they contain.

Home kits are cheaper but they are not always assessed for safety and tend to be more acidic. So there is a chance that these products could damage your teeth and gums. Because tooth whitening is a complicated procedure we advise that you always talk to your dentist before starting the treatment.

Regulations covering home kits vary from country to country. Kits sold in Europe cannot legally contain more than 0.1% peroxide and this is too little to be effective. In other countries where stronger peroxide is allowed, home whitening is more common. But you need to be careful as some kits sold over the internet may contain mild acids and abrasives.

How safe are beauty kiosks and beauticians?

In Europe and in some other countries whitening can only legally be carried out by a dentist. So tooth whitening by
beauticians and in whitening kiosks is illegal. In Europe, it is illegal to supply bleaching material containing more than 0.1% peroxide (or the equivalent in carbamide peroxide) to anyone other than a dentist, or direct to the public.

These regulations are to protect the public. They make sure that anyone carrying out whitening is properly trained and has the right skills and knowledge to carry out the procedure without risking permanent damage to the teeth or gums.

What about whitening toothpaste?

There are several whitening toothpastes on the market. Although they do not affect the natural colour of your teeth, they may be effective at removing staining. Therefore, they may improve the overall appearance of your teeth. Whitening toothpastes may also help the effect to last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened.

Can a single tooth which has been root filled be whitened?

Yes. Sometimes dead teeth go discoloured after a root filling. If the tooth has been root treated, the canal (which contained the nerve) may be reopened. The whitening product is applied from the inside to whiten the tooth.

When might tooth whitening not work?

Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour. Also it only works on natural teeth. It will not work on any types of ‘false’ teeth such as dentures, crowns and veneers.

If your dentures are stained or discoloured visit your dental team and ask for them to be cleaned.

How can I look after my teeth once they have been whitened?

You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drinks you have that can stain teeth. Don’t forget, stopping smoking can also help prevent discolouration and staining.

We recommend the following tips to take care of your teeth:

Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste.

Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks.

Visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend.

Teeth Scaling And Polishing

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:25:02 +0000

Dental scaling and polishing is the removal of plaque and tartar deposits built up on the teeth and the polishing of the smooth surfaces of the teeth. This procedure is conducted during routine cleaning (prophylaxis) at a visit to the dentist.

What is it?

Dental scaling and polishing are procedures that take place during a regular visit to the dentist for prophylaxis. Scaling is a non-surgical procedure of removing dental plaque and calculus on the teeth. A slow speed hand tool polishes teeth to make them shiny and smooth. These procedures are useful for anyone but particularly useful to those with periodontal disease.

What should I do to prepare?

There are no special preparations required for this procedure. It is recommended to practice and maintain healthy oral hygiene habits.

What happens during the process?

During dental scaling and polishing, there are a few different instruments used for various purposes. Often, ultrasonic devices produce ticklish vibrations that will be used first to loosen large tartar deposits.Then, hand instruments are used to remove smaller tartar deposits by scraping with moderate pressure. Finally, polishing is done at a slow pace with a soft, motorized tool and a special toothpaste.

What are the risks and potential complications?

Despite the importance of scaling and polishing for the health of one’s teeth, there are several known risks or effects to be aware of from this procedure. These risks include having gum recession, swollen gums, tooth sensitivity, root cavity, root bleeding, tender gums, and eating restrictions. These effects are due to the need for removal of deposits on the teeth, which may require a lot of scraping. The procedure itself does not pose much risk and is beneficial to have performed to prevent worse effects from occurring.

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Gum Recession

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:24:40 +0000

Are you experiencing red, swollen, shrinking gums or pain while brushing and flossing your teeth? This could be gum recession. Gum recession occurs for several reasons – from using too much pressure while brushing to gum disease. Oral care habits and genetics are some potential factors of as well.

Gum recession can lead to tooth sensitivity and affect your smile. And while receding gums can’t grow back, there are ways to catch gum recession early and prevent it from getting worse.

What Happens When Gums Recede?

While your teeth are your mouth’s main showstopper (who doesn’t love a good set of pearly whites?), your gums (or gingiva) are critical in protecting them and keeping them snug in place. If the gums begin to pull away, bacteria can enter these pockets, exposing the roots and making them susceptible to decay, and eventually, tooth loss.

Symptoms of Gum Recession

Gum recession can occur without any symptoms, so attending routine dental appointments is critical, as your hygienist and dentist will be able to notice its early signs. The most common symptoms of gum recession that you may see on your own include:

Bleeding after brushing or flossing
Bad breath
Pain at the gumline with swollen, red gums
Exposed tooth roots that cause sensitivity
A loose tooth
Shrunken gums

Causes of Gum Recession

Poor oral health: When bacteria in plaque (biofilm) builds up between the gums and teeth, the gums surrounding the teeth can become inflamed. Left untreated, this inflammation can result in deterioration of the gums and supporting bone structure. This can lead to gum recession and periodontal disease, a severe gum infection.
Overly aggressive brushing or flossing: It’s great to be enthusiastic about oral care! But make sure you’re gently brushing your teeth and not scrubbing hard. Over-brushing can wear down the enamel of your teeth and cause damage and receding gums
Genetics: Sometimes dental issues are partly out of our control. If either of your parents has gum recession, you may be at a higher risk.
Abnormal tooth positioning: Having teeth that aren’t in alignment or a misaligned bite can create undue friction on the area, causing your gums to recede.
Grinding and clenching your teeth: Also called bruxism, this habit can cause many dental issues, including gum recession. Like abnormal tooth positioning, the extra force exerted can wear down your gums.
Hormonal changes: Women can go through several stages of dramatic hormone fluctuations in their lifetime, like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Unfortunately, these natural life phases can make a woman more susceptible to gum disease and recession.
Trauma to gum tissue: Gum tissue may recede when traumatic injury has occurred. Recession can appear at the site of the damage or close to it.
Using tobacco: Smoking and tobacco use increases your risk for receding gums by increasing the likelihood of many dental issues for several reasons, including its weakening of the immune system and its inhibiting of saliva flow, which allows for more plaque to build up.

Treatment Options for Receding Gums

Once gum tissue has pulled back and away from your teeth, it’s gone for good. However, there are options for treating gum recession! See your dental professional for an evaluation to determine the cause of your gum recession. After an assessment, they will recommend the best course of treatment for your needs.

A dental professional may be able to treat early signs of gum disease by performing a deep cleaning, also called root planing and scaling. This procedure cleans out bacteria from the pockets between the gums and teeth, removing infection and giving the gums the chance to heal.

If there’s a progressive, noticeable recession, you’re experiencing sensitivity, or you’re not happy with the appearance, a dental professional may recommend a gum graft to replace the lost tissue. Gum grafting is a surgical procedure that usually involves taking a small amount of tissue from one area, such as the roof of the mouth, then transferring it to the gum area in need.

Preventing Further Recession

Your dentist and dental hygienist will also teach you how to best prevent further gum recession. They could recommend mitigation strategies, like adopting new oral care habits, quitting smoking, or wearing a mouthguard at night to protect your teeth when you grind or clench.

Good oral care habits can also prevent gingival recession. Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and proper brushing technique to help protect your enamel and gums. This won’t correct the current recession but is part of an oral hygiene program that can mitigate the chances of it worsening. If receding gums are due to other concerns, such as crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, talk to your dental professional about solving the initial issue to help slow or even stop the recession. If your teeth are out of alignment, orthodontics could be the solution.

We know that gum sensitivity or finding blood in the sink after brushing your teeth can be alarming. That’s normal! No one likes to discover an oral health issue that has snuck up on them. But don’t wait to see a dental professional for advice and treatment for your gum recession. While you can’t reverse it, there are plenty of ways to treat gum recession that will depend on a dental professional’s opinion of its root cause. Keep up with your excellent oral care routine, speak with your dental professional about your gum recession concerns, and before you know it, your gum recession will be a thing of the past!

Gum Surgeries

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:24:29 +0000

Types of Gum Surgeries

Most gum surgeries are done to remove bacterial infections. However, due to certain chronic illnesses and the medication is taken to cure them may also cause Gum diseases. These are successfully done through Periodontal surgeries. Let us take a look at the types of Gum surgeries and what you may expect during and after the surgery.

Flap Surgery: This is a common surgical method to remove excess bacteria formation on the teeth. There are instances where the bacteria forms in between the gums and the teeth. To remove that, the gums are flapped up, and bacteria are removed.
What to Expect: The surgery involves stitching of the gums after the cleanup. There are situations where the bone requires reshaping during this procedure.
Bone Grafting: This is done when the bone that surrounds the root of the teeth gets damaged. This is a replaceable surgery where the old damaged bone is replaced with a new bone. The procedure is done to help teeth to regrow
What to Expect: The bone that is required to replace can be the bone of the patient. It can also be a donated one, or there are technological advancements where artificial bones are manufactured to help this cause.
Guided Tissue Regeneration: This is an effective procedure to stimulate tissue and bone growth. Thin membrane-like material is placed between the tissue and the bone so that they do not interfere with one another. This is an essential procedure to avoid overgrowth of bones or tissue that may cause many complications.
What to Expect: For the treatment to be done, the dentists shall suggest Flap surgery to happen first to remove all the bacteria formation.
Tissue Grafting: This is the same as the Bone grafting procedure where the Tissues are replaced. There are instances when the tissue may be damaged or missing. This is an effective surgical procedure that helps regrowth of the tissues.
What to Expect: Here again, the tissue used to replace may belong to the patient himself or be procured from a donor. No artificial elements are used for this treatment.
Crown Lengthening: This is a type of cosmetic surgery too. The gums that have grown lengthier than the teeth are cut off to make the teeth look longer.
What to Expect: It is slightly painful when the gums are r