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It's an option that gives the wearer more flexibility than the traditional metal braces, and treatment can be completed within a year. The Invisalign treatment comprises a series of clear, removable acrylic aligners to straighten teeth without

What are the advantages of Invisalign treatment?

• Invisalign aligners are clear and transparent, which means that nobody will notice that you are wearing braces to correct your dental imperfections.
• They are easy and comfortable to wear. With Invisalign braces, you don't need to have apprehensions about the metal wires scarring the sides of your mouth
• Unlike the traditional metal braces, Invisalign is removable. This means that while eating, you can remove them, and it also gives you the flexibility to brush and floss normally.
• In case the clear aligners are damaged, no repairs are needed. The patient can switch to the next aligner in the series
• The patients can achieve a smile that they have always wanted

How does the Invisalign procedure work?

The first step begins by taking a 3-D digital scan of your teeth. A virtual representation of how your straightened teeth will look once the Invisalign procedure is complete can be demonstrated to you by the dentist. This scanned image enables the dentist to check your bite and accordingly plan each tooth's exact movement.

The 3–3-dimensional scan serves as the blueprint to fabricate your aligner trays which take about two-three weeks to get ready. Once you are fitted with the Invisalign aligners, the teeth start shifting gradually. A series of aligners are provided, which need to be changed once every two weeks and should be continued till your teeth have moved to the ideal position. A retainer should be worn after the Invisalign procedure is concluded. It ensures the alignment of the teeth is retained so that they do not move back to their original location. A retainer is created to suit an individual's needs.

Is the Invisalign Treatment painful?

Invisalign aligners do have to put some pressure on your teeth since the overall aim of Invisalign treatment is to shift your bite. This will help create a healthier, straighter, and more attractive smile and several other dental benefits. That pressure can create some tenderness or discomfort, but it usually goes away within a couple of days. The pain tends to decline over time. Teeth will become accustomed to wearing the aligner trays and having the new trays swapped in and out, and the discomfort will subside.

Call us at Smile Loft Dental or schedule an online appointment to know more about Invisalign.

It also helps to prevent bad breath. Dental hygiene is essential for all people to maintain the health of their teeth and mouth. A good set of healthy teeth have fewer cavities. They are clean and have minimal or no plaque deposits. The most common dental problems such as cavities or gum disease can interfere with your ability to eat and speak properly, recurring pain, and bad breath. Many people may not understand that poor dental health can have a significant, negative effect on the areas outside of the mouth, including the heart, diabetes, and chronic inflammation, such as arthritis.

What are the indications of a serious dental problem?

It is of paramount importance to consult your dentist if you experience pain, bleeding gums, tenderness, swelling, and both inside and outside the mouth. One should also not ignore blisters and ulcers that don’t heal even with medicines. If there are any visible changes in color or texture of the soft tissues, you should immediately consult your dentist. These could all indicate a possibly serious condition, such as mouth cancer or chronic gum disease.

How should you practice good dental hygiene?

• The first rule of oral hygiene is not to go to bed without brushing your teeth. The universal recommendation is to brush at least twice a day, and brushing before bed helps clear off the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.
• The technique of brushing is of equal importance. In fact, brushing your teeth poorly is equivalent to not brushing at all. At a leisurely pace, move the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. The accumulated plaque can harden, leading to the build-up of calculus and early gum disease.
• Don’t disregard your tongue, as the plaque can also accumulate on your tongue. It will not only cause bad mouth odor, but it can lead to other oral health problems. Hence gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
• Drink plenty of water and keep the body hydrated as the water is considered to have a healthy effect on your overall health, including oral health. After every meal, drinking water can help clear out some of the adverse effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages.
• Reduce your intake of sugary and acidic foods as the sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which can then erode the teeth’ enamel. These acids
• Try to use fluoride toothpaste. When choosing toothpaste, there are more important factors to be considered other than its whitening capacity and flavors. But the main consideration while opting for toothpaste is that it should contain fluoride. This is because fluoride is leading protection against tooth decay. It helps fight the germs that cause decay, as well as providing a protective barrier for your teeth.

There are several types of dental emergencies such as pain, swelling, bleeding, a broken or loose tooth requiring primary care and treatment. Sometimes the reason could be an accident or trauma; other times, symptoms may be subtle and increase over time. Regular dental care is essential to oral health, but sometimes emergencies happen, and you need dental services right away.

How can you prevent some of the Dental Emergencies?

There are a few precautions one can take to avoid dental emergencies. Good care of the teeth is needed as you get only one set of permanent teeth. Improving your dietary habits can contribute to the longevity of your teeth. If you eat ice or hard and sticky foods, they will wear down or loosen the teeth. Please refrain from bad habits such as nail-biting or chewing on pens and other inedible objects.

Athletes and children who play sports should always wear a protective mouthguard during participating in physical activities. An athletic mouthguard that fits well will help in preventing injuries.

What are some types of Dental Emergencies?

• A dental abscess develops when a pocket of pus forms either in the gums or at the base of a tooth. A gum abscess can occur as a result of untreated periodontal disease. Occasionally, even a piece of food lodged between the tooth and gum root may cause the infection. A dental abscess requires an emergency visit when an excruciating pain worsens as the day progresses and becomes unbearable. Additionally, there is a chance of the infection spreading and causing fever. An emergency dental extraction may be required in some cases, or a dentist might need to perform a root canal procedure.
• Some infections in the mouth can develop over time, needing emergency care if left untreated. Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, is an infection that sometimes can turn into an emergency. If not treated quickly, the condition can cause the teeth to become loose and the tissues supporting them to deteriorate. Some people may lose their teeth as a result of untreated advanced gum disease
• Children and teenagers are more likely to experience a traumatic injury since the bone is not as dense as adults'. Besides, kids are mostly more involved in physical activities. The causes of traumatic dental injuries include sports accidents, falls, or auto accidents, requiring emergency examinations
• Chipped tooth, though maybe unattractive, often does not require urgent dental care. Since the tooth's trauma does not cause pain and is mostly of cosmetic concern, the treatment cannot be delayed. A broken tooth has a more extensive trauma to the tooth and often requires emergency care
• In case of lost or damaged restorations, the problem should be addressed promptly. Since the tooth has no nerves, the loss of the old restoration will not cause any pain. However, such a tooth is more vulnerable to further breakage. If the tooth had no root canal treatment, the exposure to air, liquids, and food is likely to cause painful sensitivity.

The acid eats into the tooth's enamel, and the result is decay that frequently grows over time. Once the bacteria is removed, there is often a gap left that needs to be filled in to restore the tooth's structure and prevent bacteria from causing even more harm to the tooth. With the help of dental fillings, the gaps are filled, keeping the teeth healthy and strong.

What is the role of dental fillings for our oral health?

Fillings play an essential role in the health of our mouth. We get only one chance at our natural teeth. If there is decay in the mouth and left untreated, the decay will sooner or later affect the tooth's roots. The patient would then need a root canal procedure and perhaps may even lose the tooth. A filling helps fix the problem at the first indication of decay, ensuring that one can keep their natural tooth and as much enamel as possible for optimum oral health.

What are the different types of fillings?

• Porcelain Fillings: These fillings are manufactured in a dental lab. As soon as they are ready, they are bonded to the patient's teeth. With the latest advancements in dental technology, it has become possible to make the fillings match the color of the patient's tooth precisely.
• Composite –Resin Fillings: They are filled directly into the cleaned-out cavity and allowed to harden. Composite resin fillings can also be made of the same color
• Amalgam or Silver Fillings: These fillings are relatively inexpensive as compared to other fillings materials. The silver fillings are durable, but they are dark in color and hence can be used only for the back teeth.
• Gold Dental Fillings: These fillings are both biocompatible and give a striking appearance to the tooth. Nevertheless, gold fillings are expensive, and the patient has to make more than one visit to the dentist to be fitted for them. This is because they are customized in the lab and need to be cemented into the cavity.

What is the procedure for dental fillings?

Most patients dread the filling process as they think it will be painful. The process is started by numbing the area with an anesthetic. Once your mouth is numb, the decayed part of the tooth is removed. After removing the decay, the dentist meticulously cleans the tooth to remove all bacteria before filling it. Finally, the tooth is filled with dental composite material. The filling covers the tooth, preventing any further decay of the leftover enamel. The dental filling helps build the tooth back up so that you can go back to your normal routine, including eating your favorite foods. No one will even know that you have a filling because the composite matches your tooth enamel seamlessly.

Call us at Smile Loft Dental or schedule an online appointment to know more about Dental Fillings.

A dental crown protects and repairs a natural tooth that has sustained damage from chewing, teeth grinding, decay, or an accident.

A fixed dental bridge is a series of specialized crowns designed to replace a missing tooth. Two crowns will hold an artificial tooth in place, filling the gap in your smile

What are Dental Crowns, and how is it used?

Dental Crowns are very regular restorations, and they have many diverse uses and functions. If a patient is suffering from a cracked, chipped, or damaged tooth, a dental crown ensures its protection from further harm and restores its appearance and function. Crowns are commonly used to restore a tooth after a root canal has been carried out. When you have dental implants fixed, it needs to be capped with a dental crown to appear like the natural teeth. It helps cover the abutment piece of an implant and restores the original function of the tooth. Crowns are mostly made from highquality ceramic or porcelain that resembles natural teeth.

What are Dental Bridges, and how is it used?

Dental Bridges can help bridge the gap as a result of several missing teeth in a row and restore their form and function again. They are an assortment of dental crowns that are strung together to form one solid restoration piece. Generally attached to the abutment teeth, bridges can check the shifting of surrounding teeth into the void created by the missing teeth. Once the bridges are fixed, you will be able to bite and chew with them like normal teeth. They also blend in beautifully with natural teeth. It is a more economical option s compared to dental implants.

It is important to note that an emergency exam is focused on one particular area of the mouth, and is different from a comprehensive oral exam or a regular oral exam.

What is the procedure involved in fixing Crowns and Bridges?

The placement of a crown or a bridge requires about two appointments with your dentist. Before a crown or bridge is fabricated, the adjacent teeth of the missing tooth are prepared and shaped. This step is vital so as to ensure that the crown or bridge doesn’t crowd the adjacent teeth and also does not interfere with the opposing tooth when you bite or chew. After this, the dentist will capture an impression of the treatment area to fabricate an exact mold for the bridge or crown. These impressions are sent over to a dental lab for their final casting. Meanwhile, a temporary crown or bridge will be placed as an interim arrangement while the permanent ones are being readied. When the permanent crown or bridge is prepared, they are cemented in place over the prepared tooth. Strong adhesives are used to cement restorative appliances. With this, your bite, structure, and appearance of your smile are reconstructed.

During this healing period, the implant actually merges with the bone surrounding it. The implant is then capped with a custom-made crown to match your existing natural teeth. With the latest technology, implants can have a tooth or teeth placed simultaneously that the implant placement surgery is performed.

What is the procedure involved in Dental Implants?

• Implant Site Preparation: The gum tissue is cut open to expose the bone area where the implant will be inserted. In some patients, bone grafting may be a suggested procedure where there is inadequate bone structure. Once a healthy bone has been established, a special drill is done to prepare the bone to accept the dental implant.
• Fixing the Implant: After the bone has been sufficiently prepared, the implant is surgically placed, and the tissue is stitched. After a gap of seven to ten days, the sutures are removed. The healing process takes about three to six months. During this period of time, the implant becomes a part of the jawbone.
• Attaching the Post: When the gum tissue is ready, a special post is attached to the implant in order to support the new porcelain crown.
• Placing the Crown: After impressions are taken, a crown is fabricated and shaded to match your existing original teeth. The crown is then fitted over the titanium post and cemented. This final prosthetic crown appears as a natural tooth.

What are the types of Dental Implants?

• Single Tooth Implants: When you have one tooth missing, alone dental implant is inserted into the bone to substitute the root part of that tooth; a crown then goes on top to mimic an actual tooth. This treatment plan is highly successful, making it the best long-term investment for replacing a single missing tooth. In the long run, it is very cost-effective. Additionally, an implant will never decay or require root canal treatment and feels just like a natural tooth.
• Multiple Teeth Implants: When a patient has more than one tooth missing, dental implants provide a perfect replacement appliance. There is no need for one implant for every missing tooth. Instead, implant teeth can serve as supports for fixed bridgework. For example, if three teeth are missing in a row, two implants can be placed, one on both sides of the gap and a crown in between that has no implant beneath it. This reduces the need to use any of your remaining natural teeth as bridge supports, which could weaken them and make them more liable to decay.
• Support Removable Denture: Dental Implants can even make removable dentures more comfortable, practical, and convenient to wear. Traditional dentures secured to the gums put pressure on the underlying bone. Dentures speed up bone loss, and as a result, the jaw shrinks, and the dentures slip, particularly on the bottom. But now, we can attach a removable denture onto implants, relocating that pressure to the bone structure instead of the bone surface. This stops the dentures from slipping while you eat and speak and preserves the bone directly beneath them.
• Replace all Teeth: Dental Implants can provide support to a complete set of upper or lower replacement teeth that are secured into the mouth and are permanent. Sometimes the new teeth can be supported by as few as four implants

Discolored teeth are simply an indication of their usage. Several factors can contribute to the teeth' discoloration, but the most common reason is the kind of foods we consume. Our teeth begin to lose their brightness from consuming foods and beverages dark in coloring or containing natural staining properties such as berries and tomatoes. After a while, your teeth can appear dull, reducing the quality of your smile and, in some cases, may even cause you to lose your self-confidence. A dental cleaning can remove many surface stains, but it may not be sufficient. But whitening your teeth can help erase the wear that comes from regular use and restore the glittering white gleam to your smile.

What are the Teeth Whitening options?

• In-Office Whitening: First, the dentist applies a protective gel over the gum tissues to safeguard them from the powerful effects of the bleaching agent. Then a whitening gel composed of hydrogen peroxide is applied over the teeth. With the help of laser light, the process of teeth whitening is speeded up. To ensure the patient achieves the results, they are looking for, an in-office bleaching may require additional visits to the dental clinic. Once the desired outcome is achieved, a touch-up can be done at the dentist twice a year to maintain your beautiful smile.
• At-Home Whitening: If you have opted for an at-home teeth whitening, you will be fitted with a customized mouth guard to ensure the bleaching solution touches all the enamel of your teeth. Although at-home whitening requires a significantly longer time, it is relatively inexpensive compared to the in-office alternatives. This treatment involves wearing the mouthguard filled with the whitening gel for a specified period of time every day. This process should be continued for at least a couple of weeks. These treatment results are slow, and the whitening of the teeth may also depend on the severity of the teeth' discoloration.

How long do the Teeth Whitening effects last?

Normally one can expect the teeth whitening effects to last from six months to two years. Avoiding tea, coffee, and other beverages such as red wine, all of which cause the staining, and in the bargain, can help preserve the whitening results.

Is the Teeth Whitening procedure safe?

The teeth whitening procedure is absolutely safe, and you can protect your tooth's enamel with the help of calcium sulfate and fluoride while undergoing the procedure. One principal side effect of this procedure is tooth sensitivity. For most patients, sensitivity is temporary and only lasts as long as your treatment. Toothpaste designed for sensitivity can help to manage the discomfort. As soon as the whitening treatment is complete, the sensitivity should vanish.

What conditions can Botox help treat?

• TMJ: Dentists have started using Botox to treat common dental problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder or simply TMJ. TMJ can be quite painful in the jaw area. This pain can be challenging to manage with traditional treatments. Pain medications are often not adequate, and the pain can become excruciating. Botox is an alternative treatment that may significantly reduce facial pain associated with TMJ and other dental problems. While facial devices can often correct TMJ's dental problems, the pain associated with such disorders can be challenging to manage. Botox can provide patients with much-needed relief from pain when other alternatives have been futile.
• High Lip Lines: Not only is Botox helpful in managing facial pain but it also useful to treat high lip line cases. Botox is used in lip augmentation, which helps relax the lip muscles. This is to make sure that the patient will not raise their lip as high as before. This Botox treatment does not cause any obstacles to the patient's ability to speak and chew. Botox treatment has its merits. Most often, the treatment can be completed in one visit, and the results are instant. Botox treatment provides an alternative solution to invasive dental treatment. With the use of Botox, the teeth and gums being treated can stay unharmed. Botox treatments offer a wide range of treatment options available to patients.
• Reshaping and Enhancing the Smile: Botox is used to help augment and reshape your smile. From lip lines to wrinkles, Botox helps to make you more confident in your smile. It can also help you attain simple cosmetic improvements to make you more confident in your smile. Most Botox treatments are simple, and their effects last for about six months.
• Adjustments with new dentures: New Dentures can often cause an enormous amount of discomfort. Our mouths are often more used to slow changes, and dentures bring about a quick and remarkable change. While some may get adjusted to the new dentures, others will greatly realize the value of a Botox treatment which helps relax their muscles. Botox can give ample relief from discomfort and facial pain undergone during any orthodontic or dental treatment. Many dentists will recommend Botox to help you adjust to your dentures if you experience a large or unusual amount of discomfort
• Grinding Teeth: This type of problem can lead to a series of costly problems. If you have found that you are grinding your teeth while you are sleeping or throughout the day, then it's of great importance that you work to find a way to ease the problem. By continuing to grind your teeth, you will eventually end up causing a significant amount of damage to your mouth. There are several methods to cure grinding teeth, including using Botox to the muscles that cause grinding, mouth guards, and other procedures.

A patient may be referred to one of these specialist dentists by your general dentist for an intricate tooth extraction or may send you for an examination if they are uncertain about a problem with your jaws' alignment. It isn't essential to have an oral and maxillofacial surgeon perform every oral surgery; many dentists can even conduct standard procedures such as tooth extractions. However, some invasive procedures may need the intervention of specialists. Most patients don't realize is that dental surgery is prevalent and includes procedures that treat conditions that many people have and suffer. Dental surgery is primarily an outpatient procedure, and patients can generally resume their routine within a few days.

What are some common types of Dental Surgeries?

• Root Canal: These procedures are widely regarded as the most common type of dental surgery. Millions of people are treated each year, saving many teeth from extractions and relieved from pain and sensitivity. Root canals usually are painfree and highly effective in treating pain. Beneath a tooth's enamel is a soft-core called dental pulp, consisting of blood vessels, nerve endings, and tissue. When a tooth is decayed, bacteria enter the tooth and damage the pulp. The infected pulp causes pain, intermittent swelling and causes possible pain in your neck or jaw. A surgeon can treat this by extracting the decayed part of the tooth and removing the infected pulp. Later it is capped with a customized crown
• Dental implants: The implants have changed the way dentistry has advanced over the last 25 years. An implant is a replacement for the missing tooth. They are used to hold the crowns to the jawbone using artificial titanium roots. Dental implants help replace teeth due to decay, disease, oral cancer, or several causes like smoking or alcoholism. A dental implant is minor dental surgery to ensure the bone is appropriately fused before the tooth can be fixed. They generally need two to six months for the bone to fuse before they can have tooth restorations to complete the process.
• Wisdom Tooth Extraction: This surgery involves the removal of four adult teeth located insides of your mouth. When wisdom teeth don't have space to grow, they can become impacted and cause pain, oral infections, or other dental problems. The procedure is performed by removing the wisdom teeth through surgical incisions and stitching the extraction area. It is imperative to follow your doctor's advice regarding the healing process to avoid excessive bleeding or blood clots.
• Cosmetic Surgery: This type of surgery is not a medically necessary procedure but is used to improve the patient's face or smile. Cosmetic procedures are minor treatments like teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, or composite restoration. Cosmetic procedures are essentially pain-free and can be completed in your dentist's office, eliminating the need for an oral surgeon.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Accidents can happen, and when there is damage to the face due to sports injuries, falls, work-related incidents, or any facial trauma, it can be scary and stressful. Dental surgery for facial reconstruction breaks down into two categories: soft tissue injuries and fractures. In some cases, reconstructive surgery employed dental implants and other methods of treatment and mechanics to fix jaw alignments and bone structure.