Ngoc Quang Dental Clinic

Dental Implant

Posted on 07/04/2011 by Dr Đồng Văn Biểu

Tooth loss and Restoration options

Teeth are lost because of:

Dental caries
Gum disease (periodontitis)
Trauma
Congenital defects…

Dentists will consult patients to choose one of the methods such as bridge, partial removable denture or implant. It depends on factors like: tooth loss position, the number of teeth loss, patients’ general health and finance.

Partial removable denture

Bridge: is a restoration for missing tooth by using adjacent teeth or implant to support

What is implant?

Implant is a titanium “root” which is placed into the surrounding bone of the missing tooth to support the restoration for it.

Advantages of implant

Esthetic: Implant looks like real tooth. Because implant is integrated into bone therefore it prevents bone loss and gum recession. Thus, no one will know that you are having artificial tooth.
Tooth saving: adjacent teeth are not affected by implant, this also have long – term positive impact on your oral health.
Firm: you do not need to worry if your replacing tooth is loose when you eat or speak.
Reliable: according to many studies, success rate of implant is around 95%. An implant restoration can remain in place more than 40 years if cared carefully.

Who is suitable for implant?

In general, the one who wants implant has to fulfil these criteria: good general health, good oral hygiene, quit smoking, sufficient surrounding bone, good teeth arrangement.

Implant placement procedure

Before placing the implant, the dentist needs to examine the patient properly to prevent any problems which could emerge in the operation. The practioner also has to take some X-ray such as Panorama and Cone beam CT.

Initially, the patient is given local anethesia. Then, the dentist will place a titanium “root” with proper size into the tooth loss space. This is the most important step which will determine the success of the procedure.

Next, the patient needs to wait for about 6 months for the titanium “root” (implant) to be integrated into alveolar bone (bone in the tooth losing space). Apart from this, the dentist puts a core onto the implant (abutment), takes impression and makes restoration for the missing tooth. This is the end of the procedure.

Patients who do not have enough alveolar bone will need to take extra bone graft surgery to make sure the implant is attached firmly to the surrounding bone. Bone for grafting is taken mainly from 2 sources: patients’ own bone (autograft) and artificial bone.

Taking care of implant restoration

Implant needs to be cared of properly like any other real teeth in the mouth with conventional methods as: brushing regularly, flossing, using mouth wash, having dental check-up every 6 months.

Does placing implant cause pain?

No, with good anethestic medications and post-operative pain reliever patients will not be hurt.

Posted in For Patients | Tagged implant, restoration, tooth loss | 7 Comments

Dental Sealant

Posted on 27/03/2011 by Dr Đồng Văn Biểu

Dental caries in children

Children’s permanent teeth, which have just erupted, have deep fissures and pits which could be occupied easily by bacteria and debris. Thus, the teeth are vulnerable to decay.

The premolars and molars have many grooves therefore it is very hard for them to be cleaned properly with toothbrush and dental floss (since the diameter of those fissures are still smaller than a bristle of a tootbrush).

What is dental sealant? Why is dental sealant needed?

Dental sealant is a procedure in which a smooth, thin layer of a dental material (composite or GIC) is placed on the occlusal surfaces (the top surfaces) of premolars and molars. Dental sealant has been proved to be effective in dental caries prevention by plenty of research in America.

The occlusal surface with pits and fissures is difficult to be cleaned, it is the home of bacteria, debris which lead to the formation of plaque. Bacteria in plaque produce acid that damages enamel then decay may appear.

When is dental sealant placed?

Children are often given first dental sealant for the first molar at the age of 6, when the occlusal surface of the tooth is higher than the surrounding gum.

Except the third molars, the other premolars and molars continue to erupt until the age of 12 – 13, and the top surfaces of them can be filled when they are above the gum.

Do adults need dental sealant?

Yes, dentists sometimes give dental sealant to adults with high risk of tooth decay: people who have low dental hygiene or deep fissures and pits.

How is dental sealant carried out?

At the first stage, the dentist cleans the tooth which needs dental sealant with specific brush and polishing compound. Then, the tooth is dried. Apart from that, the dentist places a low – acid liquid which increases the retention of the material on the occlusal surface, this step is called ‘etching’. After this, the surface is now rough (but the roughness can only be seen with a microscope).

Next, the dentist cleans and dries the tooth again. Then, the material is put on the top surface and hardened. This step is called ‘bonding’.

The material can be hardened by specific light (light with blue beam) or self harden (self – cured composite or GIC).

Finally, the dentist polishes the filling layer after it is hard and the patients can bite normally with the tooth.

How long does a dental sealant last?

Dental sealants can last many years. If necessary, it is also possible to place a new dental sealant on the tooth.

Can dental seanlant cause pain?

No.

If I have dental sealant, do I need to use other ways to prevent dental caries?

Yes, dental sealant only proctects the occlusal surface of the tooth where it is placed. You still need to prevent dental caries and oral diseases with other methods: brushing teeth with toothpaste contains fluoride, balanced diet, getting dental check – up every six months.