How to Fix a Broken Tooth

What methods of repair are available for a broken tooth? The most commonly used methods are composite resin, porcelain veneers and dental crowns. However, which method of repair is best will depend on how badly damaged your tooth is.

How can the tooth be fixed?

Whether or not a tooth can be repaired will depend on how deep the crack is, if the crack has reached below the gum line then there is the possibility that the tooth can’t be preserved. In these cases there is already no point in attempting to preserve the tooth. As for teeth that are chipped the dentist will advise which method of repair is most suitable.

Composite, veneer or dental crown?

1. If it’s only a minor chip then using composite resin is the best option and the shade of the composite resin can match that of you natural teeth color.

2. Veneers can also be considered for chipped teeth as it covers the complete surface of the damaged tooth and there is an option between composite veneers or porcelain veneers.

3. For a tooth which has a considerably larger part missing then using veneers will not give good results. Also the dentist will need to take into consideration that there is possible damage to the root of the tooth. In such cases a dental crown would be the best option. The dental crown is fitted over the natural tooth like a cap and provide overall protection to the tooth.

The three methods of repair mentioned are the most commonly used. However, with veneers and dental crowns enamel will have to be removed from the natural tooth so it is considered more invasive than composite resin repair. With both veneers and dental crowns once the enamel has been removed it can’t be undone so patients must be aware before making their decision.

Angelalign Vs.Angelalign Pro

Angelalign is a Shanghai based service and manufacturer of clear aligners for orthodontic treatment. With Angelalign there is a now two options there is Angelalign and Angelalign Pro. So what's the difference?

Angelalign

Angelalign is a series of custom made clear aligners which uses three dimensional computer aided diagnosis and advanced automated manufacturing to create clear aligners. The aligners are made of masterControl® material which has been especially developed by Angelalign and certified by the UCLA biomaterials department.

The aligners are custom made for the patient and need to be changed every 2 weeks. With regular appointment to check that the teeth are gradually moving into place. The price for Angelalign is usually estimated around 30,000 RMB to 40,000 RMB.

Angelalgin Pro

Angelalign Pro uses the newest developed technology not only does it use masterControl® material it also utilizes the newest masterMulti® system. The innovative masterMulti® system uses varying thicknesses of aligners which allows more comfort and accuracy during treatment. Angelalign Pro costs are approximately over 30,000 RMB to 40,000 RMB. Compared to Angelalign it's more expensive.

With clear aligners they are almost invisible so in terms of discreetness it is a great choice aesthetically. When it comes down to making the choice between Angelalign or Angelalign Pro the main factor is perhaps the price. For orthodontic treatment it is advised that you go through a consultation with a professional dentist so you know the overall results and costs. 

What to Expect When Replacing Veneers

When getting veneers for the first time most patients will have enamel removed from the surface of the tooth and then the veneers which are thin shells of material will then be fitted to the surface of the tooth. What if veneers need replacing? Does enamel need to be removed from the tooth again?

Why does enamel need to be removed?

1. When the surface of the tooth is smooth then it’s difficult for the veneer to be attached. By removing some enamel and making the surface rough the veneer will fit much better and won’t become loose as easily.

2. If veneers were directly fitted to the teeth without removing any enamel the overall look would be very unnatural as the teeth would look very thick. In terms of aesthetics it would not be very attractive.

Can veneers be replaced when damaged? When getting veneers done of the second time does enamel need to be removed again?

Generally speaking regardless of composite or porcelain veneers that are damaged or have fallen off can all be replaced. When removing the damaged veneers, composite veneers can be removed more easily than porcelain veneers. Veneers need to be removed by professional dental clinics. Whether or not enamel needs to be removed for the second time will depend on the situation of the teeth and the veneer material chosen.

If the veneers has just fallen off recently then there is no need to remove enamel again, if the veneer has fallen off for a long time then there is the need to do some work on the tooth. The reason behind this is to make sure that the thickness and staying ability. For veneers that are used to cover discoloration then the veneer will have to be thicker to prevent the color from showing through. The thinner the veneer the less enamel needs to be removed. Even if enamel needs to be removed for the second time there is no need to worry as it’s only a small layer from the surface of the tooth. 

Dental Fillings or Root Canal Treatment

Dental fillings is one of the most common dental procedures carried out, however depending on the severity of the cavity and if the pulp has been damaged then root canal treatment is required. There is a big difference between prices and complexity of dental fillings and root canal treatment.

1. Firstly, the dentist will have to check the cavity and will need you to have x-rays taken. Through the x-ray the dentist can see whether the dental pulp is damaged and if so then root canal treatment is needed.

2. After confirming whether root canal treatment or fillings are required then the type of materials can be chosen. For example root canal treatment you can choose between traditional root canal treatment or microscopic root canal treatment. As for filling materials there is composite resin and sonic-activated bulk fill composite.

Generally speaking dental fillings costs are approximately over few hundred Yuan with cosmetic dentistry costing over a few thousand Yuan. Costs for microscopic root canal treatment costs between 2,000 to 3,000 Yuan.  

For dental cavities it’s advised that they should not be left until the pain is unbearable. If you suffer toothache and it’s extremely painful at night or you have super sensitivity when eating hot and cold foods then the cavity may have already reached the dental pulp. There are also cases when a toothache comes on unexpectedly, so it’s advised to visit a dentist to diagnose the problem as soon as possible.

Shades of White: Teeth Whitening All You Need to Know

Can professional clinical teeth whitening give visible results? How many shades whiter can I expect? Here’s a quick guide to the shade improvement of teeth after teeth whitening treatment.

For the best teeth whitening results it’s best to visit a clinic as home teeth whitening results might not give the most visible results. One of the most common questions asked by patients is how many shades whiter will me teeth be after whitening?

At clinics the is usually two types of treatment available which is using whitening agent or using prosthetics. Cold-light whitening is now the most commonly used type of whitening treatment. For those considering prosthetics then veneers and dental crowns are the most popular form, however the downside is you will need to have enamel removed from the teeth to fit the veneer of crown.  

So using the different methods of whitening how many shades whiter can your teeth get?

  

1. Cold-light Whitening: Generally speaking you can expect a 5-10 shade difference. Of course this will vary for every patient. Most patients can expect a 5 shade difference which is very noticeable. The advantage of cold-light whitening is that it can be redone to further improve the shade.

2. Veneers & Crowns: The shade of the veneers and crown need to be chosen in advance and the dentist will advise that the shade chosen should match your natural teeth or you can choose a shade which is whiter but that would mean fitting veneers and crown on the teeth that are visible when you smile.

For the best results and the best shade of white visiting a professional dental clinic and getting a consultation is vital. During the consultation you can communicate with the dentist about the type of results you want and the dentist will give their advice about the best type of treatment suitable for your needs. 

CT Scans & Panoramic Dental X-rays

Before any type of dental treatment which types of x-rays need to be taken? Most patients understand that x-rays need to be taken for diagnostic purposes but often don’t the difference between CT scans and panoramic x-rays, so what’s the difference?

Panoramic X-rays

Panoramic dental x-rays are used by dentists and oral surgeons in everyday practice and may be used to plan treatment for dentures, braces, extractions and implants. A panoramic x-ray makes it possible for dentists to accurately assess your oral health condition remotely and provide a cost estimate for your treatment plan. 

A panoramic x-ray can help dentists indentify tooth decay especially those under a filling, tooth infections which are under the gum line, bone loss, tumors and wisdom teeth impaction. If x-rays are not done prior to treatment then it’s difficult to diagnose the problem and provide the correct treatment.

CT Scans

Another form of diagnostic imaging is the Cone Beam CT Scans (CBCT) also known as CT scans. A CBCT uses x-rays and computer-processed x-ray information to produce 3D cross-sectional images of the jaws and teeth. CBCT provides detailed images of the bone and is used to evaluate diseases of the jaw, dentition, structures of the face, nasal cavity and sinuses. 

Difference between CT scans & panoramic x-rays?

In comparison to panoramic x-rays, CBCT scans provide three-dimensional imaging to give the dentist a better understanding of the imaging of hard tissues, whereas panoramic x-rays only provide two-dimensional images.

Which Brand of Imported Dental Crowns is Best?

Imported brands of dental crowns are better than domestic brands? According to dental professionals imported dental crowns are better in particularly German and American dental crown brands which prove to be more popular. There are many brands to choose from so let’s take a look at the brands available.  

Choosing Between German or American Brands

The best German dental crown brands to choose from are Sirona CAD/CAM, Wieland and Cercon. As for the top American brand then 3M LAVA is currently the best choice. So when it comes down to the final decision of which type of crown to choose then which is best?

1. Price

For Sirona CAD/CAM and LAVA crowns both these brands come in at around 6,000 RMB to 7,000 RMB and can even reach over 8,000 RMB. As for Wieland and Cercon both these crowns cost from 3,000 RMB to 5,000 RMB which is more cost friendly than Sirona and LAVA.   

2. Other Options

There are other options available if you don’t want to choose imported brands, there is also domestic brands. The only downside is that compared to imported brands, domestic brands are not as durable as imported brands.

3. Get Advice From Dental Professionals

Getting advice from a qualified dentist is vital, apart from choosing the right type of dental crown for you, the dentist will also have to design a treatment plan which can provide you with the best results aesthetically.

Overall it’s not fair to say that only German and American brands of dental crowns are best. Some domestic brands can still offer dental crowns that can give good results. However, imported brands of dental crowns from Germany and USA in terms of materials, durability and details are more well known.

Can I Wear Lipstick with Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners in comparison to traditional braces are much more discreet and when it comes to attending parties and events you feel less self conscious as the aligners are nearly invisible. For most ladies the concern is whether wearing lipstick with aligners is allowed, so let’s take a look.

Orthodontists express that wearing lipstick with traditional braces, lingual braces and clear aligners does not cause any problems. However, one thing to be aware of is to be careful not to get lipstick onto the aligner or braces as it will be hard to remove.

There are lots of tips and tricks online for applying lipstick with Invisalign. The finger method currently seems to be the best and easiest to use. Firstly use put your index finger into your mouth, wrapping the lips around your finger and most of the excess lipstick residue from your inner lips should have transferred onto your finger.

There are currently two options for invisible orthodontics, currently the clear aligners which can be removed and lingual braces which are fitted behind the teeth. As for convenience clear aligners can be removed for eating and drinking but need to be worn at least 22 hours a day. So between meals you will need to brush and floss teeth before putting the aligners back in.

Do aligners affect speech?

When starting to wear aligners it will take time to adjust and to begin with it will be uncomfortable and might affect your speech. However, once you adjust it will return to normal.

Clear aligners don’t give good results?

Overall results will depend on individual cases and the treatment plan designed by the orthodontist. The orthodontist will advise the best type of orthodontic treatment for you and in some cases clear aligners are not always suitable for all patients. As for the concern of relapse after braces are removed, patients need to be aware the importance of wearing a retainer to prevent the shifting of teeth. Retainers need to be worn for life. 

Temporary Dentures Vs. Removable Dentures

Why are there so many types of dentures? From permanent dentures, removable dentures, temporary dentures and implant supported dentures which is best? For most patients temporary dentures and removable dentures are the most popular choice.

What is a temporary denture? Is it a permanent denture or removable denture? What’s the difference? There is big difference between the both so let’s take a look at the differences.

What is a temporary dentures?

A temporary denture also known as an immediate denture, and the dentist fits this type of denture immediately after removing the natural teeth. Before the extraction, the temporary dentures will already be made and placed in as soon as the teeth have been extracted.

2. What are removable dentures?

Removable dentures as the name suggests are removable and are often made after tooth or teeth are missing. Materials used to make removable dentures include metals and acrylics and can be made into partial removable dentures or complete removable dentures.

Differences between temporary dentures & removable dentures?

The similarities between temporary and removable dentures is that they are both prosthetic devices. Difference is that temporary dentures are only temporary and are not used permanently. Removable dentures are a long-term form of tooth or teeth replacement.

Temporary dentures and are made based on of the size and shape of your mouth after extraction. The swelling of gums and the shape of the mouth will be different compared to when you are healed and ready for permanent teeth. Temporary dentures are designed to adjust to the mouth during the healing process. Permanent dentures will be designed to blend with natural teeth color if they are partial replacements, or have a natural coloring if they are a complete replacement. 

Adverse Effects of Interproximal Reduction

Interproximal reduction is usually associated with slightly overcrowded teeth and is used for patients who are not willing to have teeth extracted. Though by not removing teeth there is no room for tooth movement so what options are there? This is where interproximal reduction is used to create gaps between the teeth to allow for teeth movement.

How is interproximal reduction done?

Interproximal reduction is done by using a flexible diamond-coated strips that are worked back and forth between the teeth like a nail file, then a very small part of the thickness of a tooth's enamel is trimmed where space is needed for orthodontic realignment.

Any adverse affects of interproximal reduction?

Interproximal reduction does not harm the teeth and only a small amount of enamel is removed from the surface of the teeth and there are no nerve endings on the surface of the teeth so there is generally no discomfort. After interproximal reduction the dentist will polish the teeth and patients have to pay extra care to dental hygiene to prevent cavities. The prodcudre itself will not cause damage to the gums but if the gums were inflamed to begin with then a little bit of bleeding is normal so need to worry.

Special care required after interproximal reduction?  

After interproximal reduction patients need to brush their teeth 3 times a day with fluoride toothpaste and after each meal they must rinse their mouth then floss. Also must return for appointment regularly with the dentist for a check-up.

Note: Interproximal reduction reduces the risk of dental root resorption, which can help patients with black triangles. But where teeth a seriously overcrowded, interproximal reduction is not an option.

Veneers Worth the Cost to Fix Gap Teeth?

Veneers are generally used to repair damaged and discolored teeth, veneers in comparison to crowns require less removal of enamel and provides very natural results. However, using  veneers to fix gaps between teeth can also provide very good results.

How long does it take to get veneers fitted?

For gaps that are rather big then orthodontics is the best form of treatment. Though the downside of orthodontic treatment is it can take from 6 months to a year and in more severe cases sometimes 2 years which is why veneers are chosen by patients who want instant results.

Also orthodontic treatment is expensive with costs of braces starting at 10,000 RMB. Veneers on the other hand porcelain veneers only require 1 to 2 weeks and the results are instantaneous. So who wouldn’t be tempted?

Prices of porcelain veneers are cheaper than orthodontics and with lots of brands to chose from normally veneers cost 3,000 RMB to 4,000 RMB per tooth. So if you were only want veneers on your front teeth to fix the gaps then veneers are much more cost effective than paying 10,000 RMB for braces.

However, veneers also have their disadvantages, not all gaps in teeth can be treated with veneers is only suitable for small gaps that way the results are much more natural. Also enamel has to be removed from the surface of the tooth before the veneers can be fitted, so once the enamel has been removed it can’t be undone.

There are other options such as dental crowns which are roughly about the same price but it’s not recommended. Especially when the gaps are larger and a substantial amount of enamel needs to be removed from the tooth before the crown can be fitted. Therefore, porcelain veneers are a option for dental repair depending on the patient’s case and suitability. 

Costs of Cercon Ceramic Crowns

The current trend for dental crown is ceramic materials and there are several brands which offer ceramic crowns. However, the most commonly used all ceramic crown is the German brand Cercon.

All ceramic crowns are is where the entire crown is made of different types of ceramic and provides a more natural coloring for the tooth. All ceramic crowns don’t contain any metals and in terms of aesthetics ceramic crowns allows for light transmission unlike porcelain fused to metal crowns and can make the tooth brighter and more natural looking in appearance.

When choosing brands the majority of patients are focused on the price and often choose crowns that are middle priced and made of better ceramic materials. One of the best choices is Cercon which is a leading German ceramic crown brand.  Cercon™ Smart Ceramics is made of a highly stable oxide ceramic that delivers strength and fracture toughness which currently the best type of crown to choose for cost-effectiveness.

How much does a Cercon ceramic crown cost in Shenzhen?

Cercon cermic crowns costs approximately 4,000 RMB per crown. Compared to other ceramic crowns, Cercon crowns do not contain metals and will not cause sensitivity problems and the overall look is very natural. Even when used for back teeth repair it’s durability means it won’t affect chewing. Of course, different clinics and hospitals will have cost differences. Therefore, it’s best to enquire about prices during consultations.

Root Canal Treatment: Everything You Need to Know

Root canal treatment is a very common form of endodontic treatment, however due to the common problem of endodontic treatment failure a lot of patients are hesitant about going ahead with root canal treatment.

How common is root canal treatment failure?

With first time root canal treatment success rates are approximately between 80% to 90%. Though for patients who need root canal re-treatment then the success rates are halved. Like all treatments there is no guaranteed success.

Root canal treatment is vital if the tooth is to be preserved, if root canal treatment can’t be carried out then the tooth will have to be extracted. The treatment involves removing the infected dental pulp and tissues and many patients believe this will cause more harm to the tooth. However, if the affected tooth is not treated the pain can become worse and the infection will continue to spread. The removal of the infected tissues and dental pulp is actually a way to save the tooth from having to be extracted.

The overall aim of endodontic treatment is to preserve the tooth, a professional endodontist and dentist will only carry out the treatment after a thorough examination. When they have diagnosed the problem and root canal treatment is needed the sooner the procedure is carried out the higher the chances that the tooth can be saved. Whether a patient will require a dental crown after the treatment will depend on how damaged the tooth is. Dental crowns costs between 3,000 RMB to 4,000 RMB.

Underbite Correction Treatment

An underbite, clinically known as prognathism, happens when lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. If an underbite is left untreated it can lead to significant problems. Underbite conditions are more prevalent in children and the earlier it’s treated the better.  

Underbite must be corrected?

It’s advised that a underbite should be treated as soon as possible. Why? Underbites cause problems, including difficulty with chewing, swallowing and speaking. An underbite can dramatically affect a person’s face shape, causing the chin to protrude out and appear much larger. Whether the underbite requires correction or treatment will depend on the severity. Today, there is a range of treatments that can correct underbite problems so there is no need to worry.

How is a underbite treated?

Depending on the severity of the underbite, the orthodontist will design a treatment plan for the specific case. Generally speaking, braces are the most common way to correct an underbite. Essentially involving brackets bonded directly to the front of a tooth. Brackets hold the wires that move teeth in the correct position.

In more severe cases jaw corrective surgery is required to correct the underbite. Some patients need both orthodontics and surgery to correct the underbite. Surgery is carried out by an oral surgeon, corrective jaw surgery can fix one or both jaws in the new correct position. After oral surgery, orthodontic treatment will be used until all teeth are brought into a perfect bite.