Crescent Dental Blog

Category Archives: Dental Health

Bridges, Dental Health

What is a Dental Bridge

What is a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges, like implants and partial dentures, are used to replace missing teeth.

A dental bridge is effectively a false tooth which is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in or ‘bridge’ the area left by a missing tooth. The two crowns that hold the bridge in place are attached to your teeth on either side of the false tooth. The result is a fixed bridge. There are several types of fixed dental bridge including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded bridges.

Conventional bridges require shaping of the teeth surrounding a missing tooth. Cantilever bridges also require shaping, the difference being that cantilever bridges are used when there are teeth only on one side of the open space and are therefore more suitable in areas of the mouth that are under less stress, such as your front teeth. With both conventional and cantilever bridges, crown(s) are placed on the shaped teeth and attached to an artificial tooth (called a pontic). Resin bonded bridges require less preparation of adjacent teeth and are often used to replace front teeth, provided the gums are healthy and the surrounding teeth are in good shape.

A well cared for bridge will last as many as ten or more years. They can reduce your risk of gum disease, help correct bite issues and even improve your speech. Generally dental implants are longer lasting and have the advantage that adjacent teeth are preserved. Your dentist at Crescent Dental Limerick will discuss all your options with you in full including the costs involved in each alternative treatment option.

Dental Bridges Consultation & Treatment Planning

Once you and your dentist have determined that a bridge is the best replacement for your missing tooth or teeth, you will be advised of the different materials that can be used to fabricate the dental bridge. Bridges can be made of different materials such as non precious metals, metals, gold and porcelain. Material choice will depend on where in the mouth the bridge will be placed, the strength of your bite, whether or not you grind your teeth (bruxism) and other factors. For example if you have a very strong bite and the bridge is being placed at the back of the mouth where appearance is not crucial, we can make the whole bridge from zirconia which is an extremely durable white material, but not a perfect match for your own tooth. Usually the best appearance and longest lasting results will come from a porcelain and gold combination. This has gold on the inside for strength and fit, and porcelain on the outside for the best appearance.

Your Crescent dentist will take X-rays and impressions of the area requiring a bridge. Depending on the number of consecutive teeth you are missing your bridge could be three or more units; two crowns that are cemented to the teeth on wither side of the space (called abutments), plus one or more false teeth. (called pontics) to fill the space. Additional impressions will be taken after your dentist prepares the abutment teeth for the bridge.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

During your visit to Crescent Dental your dentist will prepare the teeth which will be used to support the bridge. If the support teeth are decayed  your dentist may need to repair these before proceeding. Next, a putty-like material is used to create an accurate model of your teeth. Your bridge is fabricated based on this model by our highly skilled lab technicians so that it precisely fits the prepared teeth. While your bridge is being fabricated at our laboratory you will be fitted with a temporary bridge until your permanent bridge is ready.

Dental Bridge Recovery & Post Procedure Care

Once your permanent bridge has been fitted your dentist will discuss how to maintain the performance and longevity of your restoration. A special bridge floss threader can help to clean the areas surrounding the bridge and between the pontic and underlying gum tissue. Proper brushing ideally using an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste should be done at least twice per day as normal.

If you have replaced a partial denture with a porcelain bridge, or indeed for whatever reason you have had a bridge restoration at Crescent Dental, why not also discuss our teeth whitening options with your dentist to further lift the appearance of your smile.

For more information and to see prices for dental bridges, see www.crescentdental.ie or call 061 484 844 to schedule your appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dental Health, Teeth Whitening

Dental Association Highlights Potential Breaches of New Teeth Whitening Directive

From the Irish Dental Association website February 21st 2013

The Irish Dental Association has expressed serious concern that a number of businesses which offer tooth whitening services here in Ireland could be operating illegally.

The warning comes after four tooth whitening businesses failed to provide details on the gels they use for tooth whitening, while only one of the four said their clients were examined by a dentist.

A new European Council Directive places an outright ban on the use and sale of tooth whitening products which contain over 6% hydrogen peroxide – the chemical used in tooth whitening. Furthermore, products containing more than 0.1% and up to 6% hydrogen peroxide can only be administered in the first instance by a dentist, and thereafter on the prescription of a dentist. Tooth whitening is also restricted to those over 18 years of age.  Any course of tooth whitening has to be preceded by a full clinical examination to ensure the suitability of the case, in particular the absence of any oral pathology.

The Irish Dental Association’s Dr Tom Feeney: “We are very concerned at the latest revelations. The purpose of the new Cosmetics’ Directive was to properly regulate the whole tooth whitening sector and to put an end to unregulated operators, in the interests of patient safety.  Many of the tooth whitening shops claim rapid success in the bleaching process but are extremely reluctant to disclose the active ingredient in the gels they apply. This would raise suspicions that illegal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are being used as rapid one visit tooth bleaching is not possible with legal concentrations”

Dr. Feeney also said that the IDA has serious concerns about the training and qualifications of many of the personnel carrying out the procedure. “Only one of the four businesses contacted said a dentist examined clients. We believe this is wrong and that a dentist must always examine the patient to determine whether tooth whitening is a suitable treatment option and to ensure the absence of risk factors in the mouth. In addition tooth whitening is not appropriate for pregnant women or heavy drinkers or smokers. When these new regulations were introduced last November we welcomed them as they ensure that qualified dentists are carrying out what is a dental procedure, that safe products are being used and that the treatment is restricted to those over 18. However the regulations must be enforced” Dr Feeney said.

Irish Dental Association Advice to the Public on Teeth Whitening:

1.      Only go to regulated professionals, i.e. dentists

2.      If in doubt ask for the Dental Council Registration Number

3.      Ask for the product used and its concentration

4.      If a light is being used ask why – it has no effect

5.      Any concerns: contact the Irish Medicines Board

Teeth Whitening at Crescent Dental Limerick

At Crescent Dental all whitening procedures are carried out by fully qualified and highly experienced dental surgeons. We use the market-leading Zoom! Whitening system. Our In-Surgery whitening procedure uses the Zoom! 18% carbamide peroxide gel (equivalent to 6% hydrogen peroxide) which is fully compliant with the new EU directive. Patients who undergo the In-surgery teeth whitening procedure at Crescent Dental will also be given a custom made tray along with Zoom! Nite White gel to use at home. The Nite White product uses either 16% carbamide peroxide or 10% carbamide peroxide and both products are fully compliant with the new rules.

For more information see www.crescentdental.ie or call Crescent Dental on 061 484 844 and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Childrens Dentistry, Dental Health

Taking care of your child’s teeth

Taking Care of your Child’s Teeth

Ingraining good dental habits in your children will prevent you from having to take too many trips to the dentist later in their lives. It encourages them to value and take care of their own teeth, without you having to stand over them, and leads to good dental hygiene as adults.

Dental Routine for Children

Establishing a regular routine, as with all things child-related, is the key. You can start very early; using a very soft brush to brush your baby’s gums when you bath them, and no doubt they’ll want to have a try themselves as time goes on. Supervise them closely, and brushing then becomes established as part of the washing routine in your child’s mind.

Caring for Milk Teeth

Once the first milk teeth begin to appear (usually around 6 months old, but all children vary) you can use a soft brush with some tap water.

Ask your dentist at Crescent about using children’s toothpaste; some schools of thought suggest not using toothpaste at all until the child is over two years of age.

Once your child does start using toothpaste, be it a tiny amount of the family brand or a special child’s toothpaste, it should have an appropriate fluoride content.  The fluoride element is important; it should be at least 1,000ppm (parts per million) to be effective in the prevention of tooth decay.

Having their very own toothbrush (child-size, with soft bristles) allows the child to feel accountable for brushing their own teeth; something they will enjoy doing themselves if you encourage them.

Effective Method of Brushing

Watch over them as they brush; make sure you control the amount of toothpaste that goes on the brush, and brush the teeth for at least two minutes before bed and at some other point in the day.

Guide your child’s movements to ensure they brush properly, watching themselves in a mirror helps to brush up and down. They should spit out the excess toothpaste from their mouth but don’t rinse with lots of water. Keep your child on front of the sink until they’re finished brushing, as running around with a toothbrush in their mouth is unsafe.

You should take your little boy or girl to the dentist by age two, so that they are comfortable in the environment and get to know your dentist. Any early problems can be identified quickly, so preventative care can start as soon as required.

Gentle Sedation for Children

Crescent Dental offer inhalation sedation, a combination of Nitrous Oxide and oxygen, to relax younger patients if required.

It’s useful when treatment may be extensive, or the young patient is particular anxious, and is a gentle alternative to general anaesthetic. For further details, please see the Parents’ Guide to Inhalation Sedation at www.crescentdental.ie

Fissure Sealants

A Fissure Sealant can be done once your child’s permanent teeth have started to come through (usually at the age of about six or seven) to protect them from decay.

It involves using a special plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to keep food particles and germs out of the teeth grooves.

Dental sealant can last from 5-10 years. The very thin plastic resin bonds well to the surface of the tooth, eliminating any fissures by filling them before cracks set in.

Author: Geraldine Fitzgerald