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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
1. Q: Is it possible to keep my teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime?
A: Yes, with routine dental and preventive care combined with excellent oral hygiene.
2. Q: Is dental treatment painful?
A: No, when proper techniques are used, dental treatment can be extremely comfortable and pain free.
3. Q: Is it important to floss our teeth?
A: Yes. Flossing once a day prevents the buildup of plaque & deters the onset of gingivitis & periodontal
disease.
4. Q: What does it mean when my gums bleed when I brush and floss?
A: This is a sign that Periodontal Disease is present and needs to be treated. Failure to treat leads to tooth loss.
5. Q: What causes tooth loss?
A: Tooth decay & periodontal disease are the most common causes of tooth loss. Tooth decay takes place when
most of the tooth's mineral make-up has been dissolved away & a hole (cavity) has formed. While tooth
decay primarily affects children, periodontal disease, or gum disease, affects mostly adults. Periodontal
disease is an infection of the gums caused by the build-up of plaque, & its earliest stage is known as
gingivitis.
6. Q: What is gingivitis?
A: Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the roots of the teeth. It marks the early stage of
periodontal disease and it is characterized by red, swollen gums.
7. Q: What are the treatments for periodontal disease?
A: If periodontal disease is diagnosed at an early stage (when it has not progressed beyond the point of
gingivitis), it can be treated with scaling. If the disease progresses to a later stage, root-planing (removing
plaque around the root and smoothing the roots' surfaces is required. The patient may need surgical
treatment, which involves opening the gums, eliminating the hardened plaque build-up, and repairing the
damaged bone.
8. Q: Are dental x-rays harmful?
A: No, our equipment is state of the art and minimizes patient exposure.
9. Q: What can be done with the gaps/spaces between my teeth?
A: Gaps may range from wide spaces between the teeth, to a missing tooth or teeth. Gaps, or diastematas, are
efficiently closed by use of bonding with composite resin, veneers or crowning.
10. Q: What can be done with my worn and irregular teeth?
A: Worn teeth are usually a sign of "bite problems". Worn teeth can be restored with some form of
reconstruction, veneers and/or crowns.
11.Q: How do you know if you have an inflamed/infected tooth nerve?
A: Some signs are heat and cold sensitivity of the teeth, swelling and pain, or a bad taste in your mouth. Or,
you may experience no symptoms at all, and not realize that you have a dental problem until your Dentist
discovers this before you get symptoms.
12. Q: When should a child have his/her first dental appointment?
A: A child should have his first dental appointment no later than his third birthday. Many dentists
recommend a child has his first appointment when the first tooth comes in.
13. Q: Who needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted?
A: Anyone who is in danger of developing impacted wisdom teeth (third molars that only partially erupt or get
trapped or stuck in the jaw) should have them removed so that they do not damage adjacent molars & cause
other oral problems. In addition, anyone who is getting dentures should have their wisdom teeth removed.
14. Q: What is cosmetic dentistry?
A: Also known as "aesthetic dentistry" cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that implements many
different procedures to improve the beauty of your smile.
ORTHODONTICS
15. Q: WHAT IS INITIAL ORTHODONTIC EXAMINATION/CONSULTATION?
A: In order to determine your specific needs, an orthodontist will completely evaluate your teeth. This will
likely include:
-Impressions of your teeth, from which models are made (these are useful for the orthodontist, and will
remind you exactly how your teeth looked before correction).
-Photographs of your teeth, face, and smile.
-X-rays of your head and teeth.
-Your medical health history and dental health history.
16. Q: HOW TO CLEAN MY TEETH WITH BRACES?
A: Brush between wires and gums to loosen any food particles. There are special toothbrushes for this, check
with the orthodontist for recommendations.
i) Start on the outside of your upper teeth, positioning the bristles at a 45 degree angle, toward the gum.
Brush two to three teeth at a time using a circular motion, about ten strokes.
ii) Next, brush the inner surfaces in the same manner. Brush the chewing surfaces. Repeat the same process
for the lower teeth as for the upper ones.
iii) Rinse your mouth as well as your toothbrush. Check your teeth in a mirror to make sure you’ve brushed
all tooth surfaces.
iv) Floss daily between braces using a floss threader. Toothpicks, stimudents, and other interdental devices
work well under brackets.
17. Q: WHAT NOT TO EAT BY THE ONE WITH BRACES?
A: You can eat just about anything, but there are some exceptions. Getting used to braces also usually means
making a few adjustments in your eating habits. This is because some food might damage your braces or
cause problems for your teeth. Here’s a list of items to avoid (or they can still be enjoyed but with caution):
-Apples (don’t bite into a whole one! Cut it into wedges first.), Candy (caramels, taffy, nut brittles, fruit-
flavored chewy candies, gummi anything!), Carrots (avoid sticks, cut into thin curls), Corn on the cob
(remove the kernels from the cob,
then enjoy!), Corn chips/crispy tacos, Hard foods (they’re tough on braces, causing bending and breaking),
Ice (no crunching!), Lemon juice/lemons (pure lemon juice is very hard on your tooth enamel), Nuts, Pizza
crust/crusty breads (outer edges), Popcorn, Pretzels (the large, hard varieties), Sticky foods (can bend
wires and pull off brackets), Sugary foods (avoid these as much as possible; if you do eat them, brush your
teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water).
TEETH WHITENING
18. Q: Is it possible to make my teeth whiter?
A: Yes, we offer professional tooth whitening.
19. Q: What is tooth whitening?
A: It is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
20. Q: How long does Whitening take?
A: The complete procedure takes less than an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed
by about 45 minutes of bleaching. And who may benefit from tooth whitening? Almost anyone.
WHITE FILLINGS
21. Q: Do I have to have amalgam fillings?
A: No, porcelain or white composite fillings are our treatment of choice over traditional amalgam fillings.
DENTURES
22. Q: What are dentures and who needs them?
A: Dentures are a partial or complete set of artificial teeth used to occupy the upper or lower jaw, usually
attached to a plate. In other words, dentures are a set of false teeth. If you have lost most or all of your
teeth, you are a perfect candidate for complete dentures. If you still have some natural teeth remaining, a
partial denture is recommended to help improve chewing ability, speech, & support for facial muscles.
INVISALIGN
23. Q: How does invisalign work?
A: Invisalign aligners move teeth with an appropriate placement of controlled movement on the teeth. Unlike
traditional braces, Invisalign not only controls the amount of movement per aligner, but also the timing of
the movement. So at each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, as determined by the orthodontic
treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system that moves teeth
into the desired prescribed position.
24. Q: What are the benefits of invisalign?
A: Invisalign aligners are practically invisible. No one notice that you’re wearing these virtually
invisible ‘braces’, making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with
others. Invisalign aligners are removable. Unlike fixed metal braces, you have the flexibility to eat and
drink what you want during treatment by simply removing the aligners. And you can also remove the
aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and to maintain good oral hygiene.
Invisalign aligners are comfortable. Unlike traditional fixed braces, there are no metal brackets or wires
that could cause irritation to your mouth. This also means that in most cases less time is spent in your
dental practitioner’s practice for adjustments. And finally, Invisalign allows you to view your virtual
results and treatment plan before you even begin treatment so you can see how your straight teeth are
expected to look when your treatment is complete.
25. Q: What are the aligners made of and what do they look like?
A: The virtually invisible aligners are made of strong medical grade thermoplastic material, uniquely
developed for the Invisalign treatment plan. The aligners are custom-made for you and fit snugly over your
teeth. Some orthodontists have referred to them as ‘contact lenses for teeth’.
26. Q: Do invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
A: No. Invisalign aligners do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticisers. Invisalign aligners are made
of USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to
determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all
applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for human wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any
medical device, you should consult with your dental practitioner about your aligner treatment and any
applicable risks of use.
1. Q: Is it possible to keep my teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime?
A: Yes, with routine dental and preventive care combined with excellent oral hygiene.
2. Q: Is dental treatment painful?
A: No, when proper techniques are used, dental treatment can be extremely comfortable and pain free.
3. Q: Is it important to floss our teeth?
A: Yes. Flossing once a day prevents the buildup of plaque & deters the onset of gingivitis & periodontal
disease.
4. Q: What does it mean when my gums bleed when I brush and floss?
A: This is a sign that Periodontal Disease is present and needs to be treated. Failure to treat leads to tooth loss.
5. Q: What causes tooth loss?
A: Tooth decay & periodontal disease are the most common causes of tooth loss. Tooth decay takes place when
most of the tooth's mineral make-up has been dissolved away & a hole (cavity) has formed. While tooth
decay primarily affects children, periodontal disease, or gum disease, affects mostly adults. Periodontal
disease is an infection of the gums caused by the build-up of plaque, & its earliest stage is known as
gingivitis.
6. Q: What is gingivitis?
A: Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the roots of the teeth. It marks the early stage of
periodontal disease and it is characterized by red, swollen gums.
7. Q: What are the treatments for periodontal disease?
A: If periodontal disease is diagnosed at an early stage (when it has not progressed beyond the point of
gingivitis), it can be treated with scaling. If the disease progresses to a later stage, root-planing (removing
plaque around the root and smoothing the roots' surfaces is required. The patient may need surgical
treatment, which involves opening the gums, eliminating the hardened plaque build-up, and repairing the
damaged bone.
8. Q: Are dental x-rays harmful?
A: No, our equipment is state of the art and minimizes patient exposure.
9. Q: What can be done with the gaps/spaces between my teeth?
A: Gaps may range from wide spaces between the teeth, to a missing tooth or teeth. Gaps, or diastematas, are
efficiently closed by use of bonding with composite resin, veneers or crowning.
10. Q: What can be done with my worn and irregular teeth?
A: Worn teeth are usually a sign of "bite problems". Worn teeth can be restored with some form of
reconstruction, veneers and/or crowns.
11.Q: How do you know if you have an inflamed/infected tooth nerve?
A: Some signs are heat and cold sensitivity of the teeth, swelling and pain, or a bad taste in your mouth. Or,
you may experience no symptoms at all, and not realize that you have a dental problem until your Dentist
discovers this before you get symptoms.
12. Q: When should a child have his/her first dental appointment?
A: A child should have his first dental appointment no later than his third birthday. Many dentists
recommend a child has his first appointment when the first tooth comes in.
13. Q: Who needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted?
A: Anyone who is in danger of developing impacted wisdom teeth (third molars that only partially erupt or get
trapped or stuck in the jaw) should have them removed so that they do not damage adjacent molars & cause
other oral problems. In addition, anyone who is getting dentures should have their wisdom teeth removed.
14. Q: What is cosmetic dentistry?
A: Also known as "aesthetic dentistry" cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that implements many
different procedures to improve the beauty of your smile.
ORTHODONTICS
15. Q: WHAT IS INITIAL ORTHODONTIC EXAMINATION/CONSULTATION?
A: In order to determine your specific needs, an orthodontist will completely evaluate your teeth. This will
likely include:
-Impressions of your teeth, from which models are made (these are useful for the orthodontist, and will
remind you exactly how your teeth looked before correction).
-Photographs of your teeth, face, and smile.
-X-rays of your head and teeth.
-Your medical health history and dental health history.
16. Q: HOW TO CLEAN MY TEETH WITH BRACES?
A: Brush between wires and gums to loosen any food particles. There are special toothbrushes for this, check
with the orthodontist for recommendations.
i) Start on the outside of your upper teeth, positioning the bristles at a 45 degree angle, toward the gum.
Brush two to three teeth at a time using a circular motion, about ten strokes.
ii) Next, brush the inner surfaces in the same manner. Brush the chewing surfaces. Repeat the same process
for the lower teeth as for the upper ones.
iii) Rinse your mouth as well as your toothbrush. Check your teeth in a mirror to make sure you’ve brushed
all tooth surfaces.
iv) Floss daily between braces using a floss threader. Toothpicks, stimudents, and other interdental devices
work well under brackets.
17. Q: WHAT NOT TO EAT BY THE ONE WITH BRACES?
A: You can eat just about anything, but there are some exceptions. Getting used to braces also usually means
making a few adjustments in your eating habits. This is because some food might damage your braces or
cause problems for your teeth. Here’s a list of items to avoid (or they can still be enjoyed but with caution):
-Apples (don’t bite into a whole one! Cut it into wedges first.), Candy (caramels, taffy, nut brittles, fruit-
flavored chewy candies, gummi anything!), Carrots (avoid sticks, cut into thin curls), Corn on the cob
(remove the kernels from the cob,
then enjoy!), Corn chips/crispy tacos, Hard foods (they’re tough on braces, causing bending and breaking),
Ice (no crunching!), Lemon juice/lemons (pure lemon juice is very hard on your tooth enamel), Nuts, Pizza
crust/crusty breads (outer edges), Popcorn, Pretzels (the large, hard varieties), Sticky foods (can bend
wires and pull off brackets), Sugary foods (avoid these as much as possible; if you do eat them, brush your
teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water).
TEETH WHITENING
18. Q: Is it possible to make my teeth whiter?
A: Yes, we offer professional tooth whitening.
19. Q: What is tooth whitening?
A: It is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
20. Q: How long does Whitening take?
A: The complete procedure takes less than an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed
by about 45 minutes of bleaching. And who may benefit from tooth whitening? Almost anyone.
WHITE FILLINGS
21. Q: Do I have to have amalgam fillings?
A: No, porcelain or white composite fillings are our treatment of choice over traditional amalgam fillings.
DENTURES
22. Q: What are dentures and who needs them?
A: Dentures are a partial or complete set of artificial teeth used to occupy the upper or lower jaw, usually
attached to a plate. In other words, dentures are a set of false teeth. If you have lost most or all of your
teeth, you are a perfect candidate for complete dentures. If you still have some natural teeth remaining, a
partial denture is recommended to help improve chewing ability, speech, & support for facial muscles.
INVISALIGN
23. Q: How does invisalign work?
A: Invisalign aligners move teeth with an appropriate placement of controlled movement on the teeth. Unlike
traditional braces, Invisalign not only controls the amount of movement per aligner, but also the timing of
the movement. So at each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, as determined by the orthodontic
treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system that moves teeth
into the desired prescribed position.
24. Q: What are the benefits of invisalign?
A: Invisalign aligners are practically invisible. No one notice that you’re wearing these virtually
invisible ‘braces’, making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with
others. Invisalign aligners are removable. Unlike fixed metal braces, you have the flexibility to eat and
drink what you want during treatment by simply removing the aligners. And you can also remove the
aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and to maintain good oral hygiene.
Invisalign aligners are comfortable. Unlike traditional fixed braces, there are no metal brackets or wires
that could cause irritation to your mouth. This also means that in most cases less time is spent in your
dental practitioner’s practice for adjustments. And finally, Invisalign allows you to view your virtual
results and treatment plan before you even begin treatment so you can see how your straight teeth are
expected to look when your treatment is complete.
25. Q: What are the aligners made of and what do they look like?
A: The virtually invisible aligners are made of strong medical grade thermoplastic material, uniquely
developed for the Invisalign treatment plan. The aligners are custom-made for you and fit snugly over your
teeth. Some orthodontists have referred to them as ‘contact lenses for teeth’.
26. Q: Do invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
A: No. Invisalign aligners do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticisers. Invisalign aligners are made
of USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to
determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all
applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for human wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any
medical device, you should consult with your dental practitioner about your aligner treatment and any
applicable risks of use.