White fillings are an alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite resin that is matched to the surrounding
tooth colour. In the past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth, but recently a stronger more durable material has been developed that can
withstand the chewing pressure of back teeth.
White fillings are most commonly used for:
The Importance of Early Detection
Your dentist has recent good news about progress against cancer. It is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for a cure is great. Currently only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years.
Your dentist has the skills and tools
to ensure that early signs of cancer
and pre-cancerous conditions are identified.
You and your dentist can fight and win
the battle against oral cancer.
Know the early signs and see your dentist
regularly.
You Should Know
Oral Cancer often starts
as a tiny, unnoticed white or red
spot or sore anywhere in
the mouth.
It can affect any area of
the oral cavity including the lips,
gum tissue, cheek
lining, tongue and the hard or soft
palate.
Other signs include:
A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
A color change of the oral tissues
A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
A change in the way the
teeth fit together
Oral Cancer most often occurs
in those who use tobacco in any form.
Alcohol use combined with
smoking greatly increases risk.
Prolonged exposure to the
sun increases the risk of lip cancer.
More than 25% of oral cancers
occur in people who do not smoke
and have no other risk factors.
Oral Cancer is more likely
to strike after age 40.
Studies suggest that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of potentially cancerous lesions.
A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. With dentistry's many advances, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. You now have choices that can help you smile with confidence.
Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel about yourself. Talk to your dentist about the options most suitable for you, what your expectations are and the dental fees involved. Some options are:
Tooth whitening ( bleaching) brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done completely in the dental office or the dentist may dispense a system for you to use at home.
Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface.
Enamel shaping involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring enamel. The process, which often is combined with bonding, usually is quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately.
Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked.
Braces are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do not meet properly. If your dentist thinks you should see a specialist for treatment, he or she will refer you to an orthodontist.
Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Following a meal or snack, the bacterial release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can cause the enamel to break down, eventually resulting in cavities. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Brushing and cleaning between teeth become more difficult when tartar collects above the gum line. The gum tissue can become swollen or may bleed. This is called gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal (gum) disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth as high as it may seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice called a sulcus between the tooth and gums. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease called periodontitis.
Some factors increase the risk
Tobacco smoking or chewing
Systemic diseases such as diabetes
Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
Bridges that no longer fit properly
Crooked teeth
Fillings that have become defective
Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives
Several warning signs that can signal a problem:
Gums that bleed easily
Red, swollen, tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Any change in the fit of partial dentures
It
is possible to have periodontal disease
and have no warning signs.
Regular dental check ups are the best way to make sure your gums and teeth stay healthy. The check up allows
your dentist to diagnose any problems, and to take preventive action to stop problems before they develop.
Your dentist is trained to look for anything unusual in your mouth, throat and neck, including the oral manifestations of
diseases, oral cancer, infections, the early signs of gum disease, eroded fillings and dental decay.
Your dentist understands the treatment alternatives available to you, and can help you make informed decisions about your
dental care. But you have a role to play too in preventing many of the common dental problems associated with growing older.
Brush and floss your teeth properly, visit your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning, check up and necessary treatment,
and update your dentist on your medical history, including any new medication you are taking