Your Teeth, Oral and Dental Health

Deciduous teeth are the first teeth that appear in your child's mouth and are commonly referred to as 'baby teeth' or 'milk teeth'.

Most children have some adult teeth by the time they are 7 years old. Hence, various dental bodies and associations recommend evaluation of children's teeth by an orthodontist during this age. Early diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic problems can help in reducing dental complications faced later in life.

Dry mouth or xerostomia is a condition in which a person does not have enough saliva in the mouth, which can result in dryness in the mouth. Saliva is essential to keep your mouth moist and clean. It also stimulates digestion and prevents bacterial and fungal infections. Dry mouth can be a sign of certain diseases, and if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications.

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a bacterial infection that can destroy the soft tissues and bone that support the teeth.

Any injury to the face and upper jaw bone may be referred to as facial trauma. Facial trauma occurs as a result of blunt or penetrating injuries to any part of the face, including the upper and lower jaws, cheeks, nose, and forehead areas. Facial injuries can cause fractures to any of the facial bones and damage the skin and soft tissues leading to disfigurement and long-term psychological problems. Some of the common causes of facial trauma include assault, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injuries.

Geriatric dentistry also referred to as gerodontics, is a branch of dentistry concerned with the management of dental problems associated with the ageing process and the diseases associated with it. Elderly individuals are more susceptible to dental problems, such as root caries, periodontal disease (gum disease), missing teeth, attrition, uncomfortable dentures, oral ulcers, reduced salivary flow (xerostomia), alveolar bone resorption, oral cancers, and tooth decay.

Bruxism refers to an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in most humans at some point in their lives. The grinding of the teeth and the clenching of the jaw are the two main characteristics of this condition, which can occur either during the day or at night.

Mucous cysts also referred to as mucoceles, are fluid-filled sacs that occur on the inner surface of the lip or anywhere inside the mouth caused due to blockage of the salivary glands with mucous. Most cysts are temporary and painless. However, if not treated they can become permanent.

Dental cavities also known as dental caries, are the pits or holes in your teeth that develop due to tooth decay. They are a common dental complaint and develop mainly due to poor dental hygiene and consumption of excessive sugary food and drinks. Dental cavities create structural damage to your teeth and may lead to low self-esteem.

Tooth decay is a slow process that occurs due to bacterial activity in your mouth. It causes damage to your teeth resulting in cavities, pus pockets, and in severe cases- tooth loss. Thus, it is necessary to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay.

Malocclusion of the teeth refers to the misalignment of your teeth. It may cause problems such as an improper smile or flawed jawline and interfere with eating and speaking.

These are indirect fillings fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place. These are needed when the decay or fracture is so extensive that cannot be restored with composite or amalgam. These are usually made from porcelain, composite, resin (tooth coloured materials) and sometimes even from gold. They can also be used to replace metal fillings.

Root canal treatment involves the saving of a tooth that is decayed and otherwise would die and have to be removed.

Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the colour of natural teeth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin or a combination with various metals.

Cosmetic implants are false teeth used to replace your missing teeth. The crown of a cosmetic dental implant is made of ceramic or porcelain that resembles your natural teeth for aesthetic enhancement of an individual’s smile. A cosmetic dental surgeon is an expert who takes care of every minute detail to get a perfect smile.

Dr. Jyothi offers crowns and bridges services for the treatment of various dental problems such as tooth decay, cavities, and misaligned teeth. Crown, also called cap, is a protective covering for the entire tooth surface. It strengthens the tooth structure restoring it to its original shape and size. A bridge is used to minimise the space between two teeth. It covers the void between one or more missing teeth.

Dental implants are the best treatment known to replace a lost tooth. It is ideal for people who maintain good oral health and have lost teeth due to injury or gum disease. Implants are screw-like materials that replace the root portion of a natural tooth. They are placed inside your jawbone by surgery over which crowns, dentures or bridges are fixed. If placed under proper conditions and further maintained diligently, implants can last for a lifetime.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a branch that involves a number of surgical procedures

Orthodontics is a special branch of dental therapy associated with the diagnosis and treatment of deformities related to the teeth, face, and jaws. Individuals trained to correct these problems are called orthodontists. Orthodontists help in improving the function of teeth, maintaining good dental health and providing aesthetic appeal to your smile. Orthodontic therapy can be successfully provided to individuals of any age.

Periodontal treatment includes both surgical and non-surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment includes scaling and root planning. However, in some cases, surgical treatment might be needed to restore the periodontal health, which is therapy for gums and bone.

Dental radiographs (X-rays) are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental examination. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without X-rays, problem areas may go undetected.

Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth-shaped porcelain that are custom-made (for shape and colour) by your dentist. They are bonded onto the front of the teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile. They function and look just like your normal tooth enamel.

Wisdom tooth is the last tooth in the arch and is also the last one to erupt. If they are aligned properly in the arch then they need not be removed. But if they grow sideways, or emerge partially or remain trapped inside the bone it is necessary to remove them. They may cause infection which would result in swelling and pain. They can also affect adjacent tooth. Not only this, they may also disturb the natural alignment of other teeth. Therefore, an early removal of wisdom tooth is recommended.

Dr. Jyothi offers orthodontic treatment for the correction of crowded teeth, misaligned, and crooked teeth. Orthodontic braces are generally prescribed during childhood to change the positioning of teeth. Adults can also wear braces to help improve their appearance and build confidence. There are two types of braces: Braces for Adults and Braces for Children. Braces help to align your teeth thereby preventing dental concerns such as tooth decay and gum diseases.

Dr. Jyothi offers gum related treatments which include gum and jawbone correction for periodontal disease, birth defect, and traumatic injuries. She also performs gum recession and gummy smile treatment to help improve your facial appearance and smile.

Dr. Jyothi offers tooth fillings for the treatment of chipped teeth, to close the space between two teeth, and treat tooth decay. For filling, the decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all food and water. The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organisations.

Snoring treatments are intended to control snore, sleep apnoea and bruxism. Nightguards are also known as mouth guards, dental guards, nocturnal bite plates, and bite splints. They act as a barrier between your teeth. They are worn at night so that when you clench your jaw, they reduce tension and give cushioning support to the muscles in your jaw. This protects your enamel, prevents face and jaw pain, and provides relief from snoring.

Orthotics is a branch of medicine that uses externally applied devices to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular system. Orthotic devices are used in neuromuscular dentistry to correct the alignment of your temporomandibular joint (jaw) and stabilise your bite. If your joint is out of place it can cause pain while talking, chewing and making facial expressions.

A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied on the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of your teeth. Over the last thirty years, sealants have significantly assisted in the fight against tooth decay.