Crown and Bridges

Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. They are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be placed and removed by a dentist.

A crown is a type of dental restorations which completely caps or encircles a tooth. Crowns are are often needed when a really awful cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth (usually cause by not brushing one's teeth well enough). They are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cements. Crowns are often used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. While unarguably beneficial to dental health, the procedure and materials can be can be rather expensive for your healthcare provider.
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges.

Halitosis

Halitosis, or bad breath, is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source due to bacteria or otherwise. Halitosis has a significant impact – personally and socially – on those who suffer from it or believe they do, and is estimated to be the third-most-frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.

In most cases (85–90%), bad breath originates in the mouth itself. The intensity of bad breath differs during the day, due to eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish, and cheese), smoking, and alcohol consumption. Because the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and is inactive during the night, the odor is usually worse upon awakening ("morning breath"). Bad breath may be transient, often disappearing following eating, brushing one's teeth, flossing, or rinsing with specialized mouthwash.

Bad breath may also be persistent (chronic bad breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees. It can negatively affect the individual's personal, social, and business relationships, leading to poor self-esteem and increasedstress.

Management

1. Cleaning of tooth and tongue surfaces properly and regularly.

2. Eating healthy food

3. Chewing Gum

4. Gargling

Dental Caries

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity, is a disease wherein bacterial processes damage hard tooth structure. Tissues progressively break down, producing dental caries (cavities, holes in the teeth). Two groups of bacteria are responsible for initiating caries: Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. If left untreated, the disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection.

A person experiencing caries may not be aware of the disease. The earliest sign of a new carious lesion is the appearance of a chalky white spot on the surface of the tooth, indicating an area of demineralization of enamel. This is referred to as incipient decay. As the lesion continues to demineralize, it can turn brown but will eventually turn into a cavitation ("cavity"). Before the cavity forms, the process is reversible, but once a cavity forms, the lost tooth structure cannot be regenerated. A lesion which appears brown and shiny suggests dental caries was once present but the demineralization process has stopped, leaving a stain. A brown spot which is dull in appearance is probably a sign of active caries.

Prevention

Personal hygiene care consists of proper brushing and flossing daily. The purpose of oral hygiene is to minimize any etiologic agents of disease in the mouth. The primary focus of brushing and flossing is to remove and prevent the formation of plaque. Plaque consists mostly of bacteria. As the amount of bacterial plaque increases, the tooth is more vulnerable to dental caries when carbohydrates in the food are left on teeth after every meal or snack. A toothbrush can be used to remove plaque on accessible surfaces, but not between teeth or inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces. When used correctly, dental floss removes plaque from areas which could otherwise develop proximal caries. Other adjunct hygiene aids include interdental brushes,water picks, and mouthwashes.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gingival tissue without loss of tooth attachment. Gingivitis is an irritation of the gums. It is usually caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates in the small gaps between the gums and the teeth and by calculus that forms on the teeth. These accumulations may be tiny, even microscopic, but the bacteria in them produce foreign chemicals and toxins that cause inflammation of the gums around the teeth. This inflammation can, over the years, cause deep pockets between the teeth and gums and loss of bone around teeth—an effect otherwise known as periodontitis.

Symptoms of Gingivitis:-

• Swollen gums
• Mouth sores
• Bright-red, or purple gums
• Shiny gums
• Swollen gums that emit pus
• Severe oral odor
• Gums that are tender, or painful to the touch.
• Gums that bleed easily, even with gentle brushing, and especially when flossing.
• Gum Pockets
• Bad Breath

Complete Denture

Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable, however there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants. There are two main categories of dentures, depending on whether they are used to replace missing teeth on the mandibular arch or the maxillary arch.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. The word comes from the Greek words orthos meaning straight or proper, andodons meaning tooth.

Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces, or simply braces) are a device used in orthodontics to align teeth and their position with regard to a person's bite. They are often used to correct malocclusions such as underbites, overbites, cross bite and open bites, or crooked teeth and various other flaws of teeth and jaws, whether cosmetic or structural. Orthodontic braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to widen the palate or jaws or otherwise shape the teeth and jaws. While they are mainly used on children and teenagers, adults can also use them.

Dental sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is tooth discomfort in one or more teeth that is triggered by hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks. The pain can be sharp, sudden, and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth, and regresses on its own.

Tooth sensitivity occurs due to:-

Brushing hard. Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down ename. It can also cause recession of the gums also.

Recession of the gums. As gums move away from a tooth due to many periodontal disease.

Gum disease (gingivitis). Inflamed gum tissue may cause sensitivity as they cause loss of supporting tissues and structures.

Cracked teeth. Chipped or broken teeth may cause Inflammation of the pulp.

Teeth grinding . Grinding teeth may wear down the enamel and expose dentin.

Tooth whitening products. Majority of these products cause sensitivity.

Bad oral hygiene. Plaque and calculus on the tooth surfaces causes sensitivity.

Acidic foods. Highly acidic foods and liquids such citrus fruits, pickles and tea, causes enamel erosion.