Difference between Composite (white) filling and Silver Amalgam filling
Category: Dental Fillings
TIPS TO PREVENT TOOTH DECAY WITH BRACES
TIPS TO PREVENT TOOTH DECAY WITH BRACES
Preventing tooth decay while wearing braces requires extra care, but it’s definitely manageable!
Here are some effective tips:
1. Maintain a Rigorous Oral Hygiene Routine:
○ Brush your teeth after every meal, focusing on areas around the brackets and
wires.
○ Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and consider an electric toothbrush for more
effective cleaning.
2. Floss Daily:
○ Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to help you clean between your teeth and
around the brackets.
3. Rinse with Mouthwash:
○ An antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce plaque buildup and freshen your
breath.
4. Avoid Sugary and Sticky Foods:
○ Limit candies, sodas, and other sugary snacks that can contribute to decay. Sticky
foods can get trapped in your braces.
5. Choose Braces-Friendly Foods:
○ Opt for softer foods that are less likely to cause damage or get stuck, like yogurt,
applesauce, and cooked vegetables.
6. Stay Hydrated:
○ Drink plenty of water, especially after meals, to help wash away food particles
and bacteria.
7. Regular Dental Check-Ups:
○ Visit your dentist and orthodontist regularly for cleanings and check-ups to
monitor your oral health.
8. Use Orthodontic Wax:
○ If your braces are causing irritation, use orthodontic wax to protect your gums and
prevent injury.
9. Be Mindful of Your Tools:
○ If you use interproximal brushes or other cleaning devices, ensure they are
designed for braces.
10.Educate Yourself:
○ Understand how braces affect oral hygiene, and stay informed about best practices
for care.
By following these tips and staying diligent, you can keep your teeth healthy and reduce the risk
of decay while wearing braces!
What Are Elastics for Braces? A Comprehensive Guide
What Are Elastics for Braces? A Comprehensive Guide
If you or someone you know is undergoing orthodontic treatment, you may have heard the term
“elastics” or “rubber bands” being thrown around. But what exactly are elastics for braces, and
what role do they play in the journey to a beautiful smile? Let’s dive into the details!
What Are Elastics?
Elastics are small rubber bands that orthodontists use in conjunction with braces to help move
teeth into their desired positions. They come in various sizes and strengths, depending on the
specific treatment plan and needs of the patient. Typically, these elastics connect different parts
of the braces and help in aligning the bite, closing gaps, and correcting jaw alignment issues.
Types of Elastics
- Class I Elastics: These are used to correct mild bite issues and improve the relationship between the upper and lower teeth.
- Class II Elastics: Designed for patients with an overbite, these elastics pull the lower teeth backward and the upper teeth forward to achieve a better bite.
- Class III Elastics: Used for correcting underbites, these elastics move the upper teeth forward and the lower teeth backward.
- Interarch Elastics: These connect the upper and lower teeth across the arch to help with alignment and closing gaps.
- Vertical Elastics: These are used for specific adjustments, such as bringing a tooth up or down to create better alignment.
How Do Elastics Work?
When attached to the brackets and wires of your braces, elastics create gentle but constant pressure on the teeth and jaws. This pressure encourages the teeth to shift into their desired positions over time. Depending on your specific orthodontic goals, your orthodontist will provide you with a customized plan, detailing which elastics to wear, when to wear them, and for how long each day.
Why Are Elastics Important?
Elastics play a crucial role in the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment for several reasons:
- Bite Correction: They help align the upper and lower jaws, ensuring a better bite and reducing wear on the teeth.
- Gap Closure: Elastics can assist in closing gaps between teeth, leading to a more uniform smile.
- Alignment: They help in the overall alignment of the teeth and jaw, contributing to a healthier bite and smile.
How to Use Elastics Properly
For elastics to be effective, it’s essential to wear them as directed by your orthodontist. Here are some tips:
- Consistency is Key: Wear your elastics as prescribed—typically 24 hours a day, except when eating or brushing your teeth.
- Change Regularly: Elastics can lose their elasticity over time, so it’s important to change them regularly, usually every day or every few days.
- Follow Instructions: Different types of elastics may need to be placed in specific configurations, so follow your orthodontist’s guidance closely.
Common Concerns and Tips
- Discomfort: It’s common to feel some discomfort when first wearing elastics. This usually subsides as your mouth adjusts.
- Breaking or Losing Elastics: Always keep extra elastics on hand in case one breaks or goes missing.
Consult Your Orthodontist: If you experience significant pain or issues with your elastics, reach out to your orthodontist for advice
Conclusion
Elastics are a small but mighty component of braces that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your orthodontic treatment. By understanding what they are and how they work, you can better appreciate the journey to your perfect smile. Always remember to follow your orthodontist’s instructions closely for the best results. With patience and care, you’ll be one step closer to the smile you’ve always wanted!
Understanding the Steps in Root Canal Treatment
Understanding the Steps in Root Canal Treatment
Endodontic treatment can often be performed in single or multiple visits and involves the following steps:
- The endodontist examines and takes a radiograph of the tooth using x-rays, then administers local anaesthetic in the specific region of tooth.
- The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Hand and rotary files are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling the root canal system.
- After space is shaped and cleaned, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The gutta-percha is placed with a sealer to ensure complete impervious sealing of the root canal system. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored with permanent filling.
- After the final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
How Oral Health Affects Quality of your Life?
Studies have shown that Oral Health has a great impact on the general health & quality of life. Regular dental check ups and timely dental treatments have proven extremely beneficial for the patients in the following ways:
Good appetite
Oral ulcers cause difficulty in eating, drinking & swallowing. Lot of missing teeth or multiple cavities also can lead to improper chewing. This leads to reduced absorption of nutrients from the food thereby reducing appetite. This is mainly seen in children & teenagers.
Work Performance
Any kind of Chronic pain can lead to impaired focus & poor work performance. Pain related to teeth decay, gum problems, jaw muscles/joint soreness are some of the reasons for chronic pain.
Confident Smile
Cracked, malaligned or yellow teeth can cause insecurity. These can be improved with the help of aesthetic dentistry- Aligners, Veneers, Laminates, Teeth whitening etc.
Social Life
An improved social life is observed mainly because when we smile more, people find us more approachable.
Personal Development
A person receiving cosmetic dental treatment tends to feel like a new person. This enables them to work on other areas of their life as well. A self-assured confident smile can have a positive influence on employers and customers as well.
DR Alka Bulchandani,
Oral Medicine & Radiology Specialist.
Amalgam Vs. Composite Dental Fillings: Which One Is Right For me?
One of the most common treatments for a tooth cavity is dental filling in which dentists remove the decayed portion of the teeth and fill the empty space. The dentists either use amalgam or composite materials to fill the empty spaces.
At the time of dental filling, selecting one between these two filling materials is a major point of discussion. Traditionally, there was no such confusion because dentists had only one option of amalgam fillings. But the recent advancements in dental materials has given us the option of composite material. The primary reason for this development was the demand for a more aesthetic and durable material (later in the post, you will get to know how).
Both amalgam and composite dental fillings have several advantages and disadvantages, due to which people get confused and are unable to select the right option for them.
To clear out the confusion and make an informed decision, we have mentioned differences (including advantages and disadvantages) between amalgam and composite dental fillings.
Difference based on the preparation
Also known as silver fillings or mercury fillings, amalgam is composed of alloy particles of various metals. The amalgam manufacturers use metals such as silver, tin and copper, mixing them together and milling them to a fine powder. When the dentist mixes this powder with mercury, it gives us a pliable material which sets to harden inside the cavity. More than half of the amalgam material comprises mercury, as it binds the other metals together. The use of mercury in dental fillings has been researched extensively and the verdict is that they are extremely safe.
Also known as white fillings or tooth coloured fillings, composite fillings are prepared using ceramic and plastic filler compounds. The manufacturer provides the composite material in an unset form; when exposed to a certain wavelength of light, the material hardens. With the use of resin composites, the dentist is able to recreate the natural shape and contour of the tooth. The right blend of the filler particles provides us with a range of shades, the use of which makes the filling practically invisible on the tooth surface.
Difference based on durability and life-expectancy
Due to the use of sturdy metals, amalgam fillings are durable and do not get affected by any external pressure. On average, the amalgam filling normally lasts for 10 to 15 years and you do not have to worry about repeated restoration.
As compared to amalgam fillings, composite filling normally lasts for 5 to 7 years which means you need frequent restoration. It’s just an average count; rest depends on the different factors like your diet, oral hygiene, and daily habits.
Difference based on side-effects
The various metals used in amalgam fillings are not suitable for all. People develop mild allergies and sensitivities to amalgam which becomes a severe problem, requiring immediate removal of the filling.
On the other hand, composite fillings are completely safe and are even prescribed for children below 18 years of age.
Difference based on support to cavities
Both the materials work very well with the minor cavities but the problem arises when the cavity is large. Amalgam dental fillings do not give proper support to large cavities as it does not have any bonding property to the tooth; instead, it is held by compression and mechanical interlock. Due to this, the tooth suffers from fractures over time.
Composite fillings have a strong bonding property. They adhere to the tooth surface and are held by chemical bonding.
Other than these, the one major difference between both the materials is the cost. Amalgam generally costs less than composite materials. It’s because amalgam dental fillings take less time for preparation and treatment.
Lastly, the selection of the right dental filling material depends on the size and location of the cavity, your dental history, cosmetic concerns, and cost.