Tooth, cavities and root canal
Our dental surgeons now a days talk about re-construction of a broken tooth with a chemical compound they call miracle mix or magic mix and small thin iron spikes. What is this miracle mix?
There is no miracle mix, but certainly, there are many products in the dental market that are very suitable for the restoration of the dentition, which are strong, durable and tooth - coloured!
They are ceramic / glass isomers in nature, and can be used as a restoration or as a crown on the broken down tooth
How the enamel in the tooth is decayed?
Decay of a tooth occurs from the interaction of the oral bacteria with food substances left on the surfaces, starting usually with the enamel. Therefore, maintenance of oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups are essential to prevent this problem.
What is pulpitis? How the root is decayed?
This means the inflammation of the pulp, which is the vital center of a tooth. This occurs mainly from infection spreading from the external surfaces of the tooth e.g. decay, injuries etc.
The root portion becomes dead, and infection within it can cause pain and swelling on the gums at a later stage!
How the cavities develop in the teeth?
Cavities are developed by the demineralisation of the hard tissues of a tooth, normally caused by bacteria acting on food products in the mouth.
What is bridging? How it is done?
A bridge is a suspension of 2 posts between a gap, like a bridge over a river! In dentistry, there is a missing tooth or more, and the nearest most teeth on either side are used to carry the prosthesis to replace the missing parts.
This is usually done by a trained specialist, which requires laboratory construction besides the clinical preparations.
What is pulp? They say the pulp is removed by doing root canal treatment. How it is done?
The pulp is the vital part of the tooth, which carries the nerve and blood supply. Root canal treatment refers to the management of conditions affecting the pulp and the roots.
This is usually performed by a specialist, in which the dead materials are removed and the tooth is rendered aseptic.
Why and how braces are used for improperly arranged teeth?
When the teeth in a dentition are not in good position, they cause difficulty in speech and mastication, apart from the aesthetical aspect.
Braces are put in by the orthodontist, to provide the means of moving the dentition into their proper alignment.
What materials are used to prepare dentures?
Dentures are made to replace the teeth and their functions in the mouth. There are several types of materials used, mainly plastic ( acrylic) and metal, or a combination of both.
Why stones are formed at the junction of the tooth and gum? Can scaling to remove stones cause gum infection?
These stones are actually collections of calcified materials that are accumulated from food and bacteria.
They are found at the junction of tooth and gum because where they tend to stagnate, and they are difficult to be removed by the toothbrush.
Scaling in fact helps to prevent gum infection, by removing these materials which contain bacteria, acids and other harmful products!
Can anyone get HIV infection from a dentists equipments? How?
One can an infection from any dirty instrument or surfaces, in any environment. In the dental clinic, all equipment and instruments are sterlised before and after their uses.
HIV is usually transmitted through a broken skin / mucosa surface into the blood stream.
So, therefore, the dentist must take precautions for the patient, his staff and himself, in doing his work. It is not common for HIV to be spread through dental equipment.
