A Step Ahead With Dental Lasers!

LASERS provide an advanced and accurate tool for several procedures in dentistry. In our facility we use it for crown lengthening, depigmentation, excisions, root canal disinfections.

A lesser known but very useful application of a LASER is the treatment of oral ulcers which when treated with a LASER gives immediate relief and heals within 2 days.



BENEFITS OF USING A LASER FOR THE PATIENT

Any soft tissue procedure carried out with a dental LASER causes minimal or no bleeding as the light beam helps to clot and seal the exposed blood vessels.

Procedures done with a soft tissue LASER seldom require stitches.

It is possible to perform certain LASER procedures without injections - with just mild topical anesthesia.

Wounds are said to heal faster and patient comfort post procedure is generally higher than with full fledged surgery.

The energy beam sterilizes the area hence infections are minimal.

Why do we use Digital radiography And OPG imaging at our clinic?

The value of a good radiograph in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases cannot be stressed enough. Most clinics underestimate a radiograph and hence tend to miss many vital clues. 

With the use of state of the art digital radiography systems we now have the opportunity to take radiographs via sensors which are thin and hence comfortable and also which use the minimal possible dosages. We also boast of an in house OPG machine which means a full mouth x-ray can be taken for screening and other diagnostic purposes. 

ADVANTAGES FOR OUR PATIENTS

1.MINIMAL RADIATION:
Digital radiographs (depending on the type) require 4-10 times LESS radiation than conventional.

2.IMMEDIATE VIEWING:
They can be viewed immediately and no processing is required.

3.CONSISTENT IMAGE QUALITY:
Due to the higher dynamic resolution range, as long as the exposure factors are within plus or minus 30%, an image of good quality will be produced. Conventional radiography is far less forgiving.

4.IMAGE ENHANCEMENT:
They can be enhanced and manipulated in order to give the best diagnostic value.

5.STORAGE:
They can be stored for years and emailed to the patient for their records.

7 Reasons: Why You Should Not Ignore Missing Teeth

There are many reasons why people lose more than one tooth, such as illness, an accident or simply inheriting poor teeth. Each tooth plays a critical role in your oral health & this can have a serious impact on your quality of life. 

Unfortunately in India not many people realize it until they are in their 40's.

Below are the 7 problems that can result when a missing tooth is ignored.

1.You can’t chew well which can lead to digestive difficulty affecting your overall health; also you might have to avoid some of your favorite foods.

2.You can actually start to look old; once you start losing teeth, physical changes to the face are a frequent result. 

3.There is loss of self-esteem if the missing tooth’s space is visible when you talk or smile. 

4.The teeth on either side of the missing tooth will tilt & drift into the missing tooth’s space making them prone to decay & gum diseases.

5.Missing tooth changes the alignment causes changes in chewing patterns and resulting in tooth wear

6.During mastication; pressure is applied on jawbones and teeth which stimulate bone growth. A missing tooth causes the jawbone to shrink because the bone is no longer stimulated during chewing. Bone loss can result and cause further tooth and jaw problems.

7.Sometimes missing tooth might leave behind a unhealed wound where food particles might deposited and may resulting in bad breath.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO FIX A MISSING TOOTH?

You can have a fixed replacement made such as Implant, Bridge (crowns), a combination of Implants & Bridges or a Dental Implant Over-denture

You also have a choice of removable replacement a removable partial denture. Dentures cost less than a fixed replacement. 

Call Arya’s Dental Clinic today to schedule your appointment.  

Healthier Teeth - Well.....STRINGS ATTACHED

At the end of every scaling ( cleaning appointment) we usually take out time to talk to the patient about oral hygiene. Ask about their technique - correct it - recommend stuff etc.

The one question we invariably get is - DO I NEED TO FLOSS? (We shall not even go into the 'Floss? What's floss?' category of patients)

Contradictory to the answer we give when the patient asks about using mouthwashes (which is it varies patient to patient) - the answer to this question is YES YES and YES.

If you can and are willing - Do IT.

Why you ask?

We lets just take an example to understand this.

You have a bed at home. You clean on top of it. You clean the sides of it. However the bed is rather low and you cannot get under the bed and hence the underside is left as it is. Now being good quality wood and all - maybe it may never really get ruined. But suppose there was a leak - water got into the room and under the bed as well. Now don't you move that bed so that you can dry the floor beneath ? Better still don't you empty it out and take it outside perhaps so that you could dry the underside of the bed itself? 

Of course you would - given that you don't want fungus growing out the bed. 

Now our teeth have 5 sides as well - and though with meticulous brushing we can clean 3 of them - 2 sides are like the underside of the bed. While nothing much accumulates there most days ( if you have really really tight contacts) - there is always the risk. 

It would be lovely to get those teeth out - wash them in the sink and put them back. But since that isn't happening anytime soon ( unless of course you prefer dentures) - we have to make do with what is available to clean out those surfaces.

Food does get stuck between teeth - even if its not a big chunk - it will be a thin almost transparent layer. Moreover when we are young contacts between teeth are tighter. As we age teeth start collecting more and more food particles making flossing all the more essential. 

Yes it is inconvenient ( but you get used to it)

Yes it is time consuming ( But you get faster with regular use)

Yes it involves putting your fingers in the mouth ( But you can always use those floss handles)

But given that it decreases your trips to the dentist - what more motivation could you possibly want?

There are a zillion different types out there - choose any one based on your convenience and budget.

Use it everyday, once a day. Here's How -How to floss your teeth

Or ask your dentist for a demonstration of the correct technique. 

For those of you who find the regular floss too tedious and inconvenient there are now a multitude of water flossers available - these can be hand held portable devices or even table top devices. You can read more about water flossers and the options available here - Top Water Flossers in India

You can check the technique of how to use the water flosser on this link How to use a water flosser

For more information contact Dr Arya aryasdentalclinic.com

Smile N Feel Positive!

Did you know that simply smiling, even when you don’t feel happy, can automatically put you in a better mood? 

It may seem “fake” at first, and I don’t recommend being disingenuous,

but if you feel negative often at work, don't forget to smile.

:) Smile at a passing coworker in the hall

:) Smile as you answer a customer’s question

:) Smile even while you are by yourself 

Yes, this can really help you have a more positive attitude at work!

This also can help other coworkers think of you as a positive and friendly person, and when those around you are in a good mood and like being around you, it is easier to get rid of any of your own negative feelings. 

Smiling can not only improve your attitude, but if can actually help you be more successful, and believe it or not, some studies suggest that smiling can even help you live longer.

                                                

                                        If that isn't a reason to smile, I don’t know what is!

Brace yourself - Part II

So now you have decided that you or your child would like to undergo treatment to correct the teeth alignment. Your head must be bursting with questions so let me try to answer a few as simply as possible. 

WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?

The process of straightening teeth with the help of an appliance ( wires etc) is called Orthodontics. 

WHO REQUIRES ORTHODONTICS?

Any child or adult with teeth that are:

1. Crooked
2. Protruding
3. Irregular
4. With gaps in between
5. In the wrong bite

WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT INVOLVE?

It involves putting a wire/brackets on your teeth and regular visits ( once a month mostly) for tightening/changing the wire. After the initial few longish sittings the rest  take only 10-15 minutes.

HOW LONG WILL MY TREATMENT TAKE?

Treatment time depends on 

1. Severity of Problem
2. Age of patient
3. Regularity of visits
4. Type of bone/pace of movement of teeth
5. The inclusion of chin caps/headgear or any myofunctional appliance treatment prior to braces
6. Teeth stuck deep in the jaw.

Therefore treatment time can vary between 1-3 years. On an average it takes about 16-18 MONTHS (1-1.5 years)

IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?

For the most part there is no pain or discomfort. However for a couple of days after the wire is tightened - you may experience mild to moderate discomfort easily borne or corrected with a mild painkiller. 

WHY DO SOME PATIENTS HAVE TO EXTRACT TEETH AND SOME NOT?

Teeth removal is needed in patients where space is required to move the teeth and none is available. In certain cases this is avoided by expanding the jaws but many times this is not possible. The space created by the removal of teeth is closed during treatment by the movement of other teeth into the space. THIS IS NOT A PAINFUL PROCESS. Healing in children in particular is extremely fast compared to adults after tooth removal. Most children don't even need painkillers beyond a day or two. 

IS BRACES THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR ALL CASES?

Sometimes only a single tooth may be the problem and you can choose to forgo orthodontics and consider esthetic dentistry/smile designing with ceramics ( veneers etc).Also certain jaw malformations can only be treated by surgery. However your dentist will inform you if you fall into these categories.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BRACES?

Yes. The very basic kind are metal and ceramic braces. The metal ones are the typical and most common type seen. The ceramic braces are tooth colored. Hence it is less obvious that you are undergoing treatment. Another kind is Lingual braces - The brackets are applied on the teeth from the tongue side - hence cannot be seen at all when you smile. The last kind is the one which is gaining popularity - INVISALIGN or CLEARALIGNER. Your treatment time and expenses will differ from the type of treatment you opt for.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING FIXED BRACES TREATMENT

1. Regular and proper brushing of teeth TWICE DAILY is a MUST to avoid cavities and gum disease.
2. Very sticky foods like chikki/Eclairs etc are to be avoided.
3. Foods like corn on the cob ( Bhutta), popcorn, hard nuts/fruits, paani puri, non veg on the bone etc are to be avoided. 
4. Regular checkups and scaling if required are a must.

PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE 

The doctor would like for your treatment to be completed as soon as possible. However there is no way to hasten treatment beyond a certain point. The entire point of the treatment is to give you your best possible smile. The whole treatment goal is to make YOU look beautiful at the same time establishing a stable and comfortable bite. Have the patience to get through it.

 DO NOT BEGIN TREATMENT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PATIENCE TO SEE IT TO COMPLETION.

For more information call on 9011013232 and fix an appointment. 

Brace Yourself - Part I

Right around the age of 8-9 years - the parents of the child start to worry about the alignment of the teeth. 

Too Big?

Too Out?

Too many spaces?

Too much space???

Too toothy?

They ask themselves. Then ask their relatives. Then they ask the children themselves.

At that age - most children are blissfully unaware of how they look ( ahhh now if only we could retain that self confidence all our lives) 

So finally when their children show no interest or self consciousness - and the relatives reassure the parents that the kid is super cute - the parents abandon the entire idea of braces till Boom!! Fast forward a few years...The child is now 16 and suddenly feels he/she has ugly teeth and a super ugly smile ( This may not be the truth but that is what the child feels)

That is when the parents finally decide to see a dentist. 

Now 16 is not late to align your teeth and age certainly is no hindrance nowadays - however the schedule of most kids these days are busier than most Heads of State and Cardiologists. 

6 am - Tuition

8 am - breakfast

9 - 4 - School

5 pm - Basketball class

6 pm - Music class

7 pm - Tuition

9 pm - Collapse into bed

Sound familiar? 

This schedule peaks right around the time the child passes 10th and does not stop then till they are safely ensconced in some medical or engineering college which is usually out of town. 

Therefore it becomes all the more imperative that any treatment begins much earlier. 

Most Ortho cases last 14 months to 24 months. Hence the earlier the child is brought in ( all factors being favorable) the faster treatment can begin and finish. 

It is never too early to show your child to a dentist. Sometimes some corrective treatment is possible at a very early age thus reducing time for final treatment. Jaw growth etc are then able to be manipulated in case needed. 

However if you do fall in the category of the late realizers - never fear. Like we said - braces are possible at any age. You just need to find the time for the treatment. 

Visit your dentist Today. 

Consult. Discuss. And then Finally come to a decision if treatment is needed and when would be the best time to start.

Work towards building your child's confidence today. 

To be Continued…….

For more information check Arya's Dental Clinic or call 9011013232.

Just How Clean is Clean ?

There was a time when dentists would treat patients without donning gloves and with instruments that were merely dipped in boiling water for a few minutes to clean them. HIV and Hepatitis were not household names then. Viruses didn't figure in lay people's vocabularies or minds. 

Today the only people who don't know or worry about infections are either the very ill informed or the very brave. 

Since most patients figure in neither of the above categories, doctors and dentists all over the world have realized that being lax with regard to sterilization and people's safety is no longer acceptable or pardonable. Also it works both ways. Keeping a strict hygiene protocol ensures that the dentist also does not contract any disease from the patient. We owe it to our families. 

At Dr Arya's we realized long ago that a perfunctory attitude to Sterilization and Hygiene just won't cut it. Right from the inception of our clinic we have been particular with regard to every detail regarding sterilization and infection control.

What do we do right :

1. THE RIGHT CHOICE

A lot of doctors boast about no longer boiling instruments but autoclaving them. Just autoclaving instruments is not nearly enough. The right autoclave matters. The recommended autoclave for Dental Instruments is a Class B autoclave. In these autoclaves the air is removed by a mechanical pump to create a vacuum before steam is introduced into the chamber. This ensures complete and adequate sterilization. Class B Sterilizers ensure the safety of doctors, their staff and patients and legally protects their practice.

2. THE RIGHT USE

We NEVER re-use gloves. Neither examination nor surgical. Washing and drying and reusing gloves is something we have never ever done. We spend much more because of this one little practice. But we believe it is totally worth the expense.  Disposables are Disposables. This means that the plastic cups that patients use to rinse their mouths are NEVER washed and reused again. The same applies for suction tips, tissue papers and all other disposables.

3. THE RIGHT PROTOCOL

You can wash and clean and autoclave an instrument but if you store it improperly - it all amounts to naught.  We bag each instrument individually before autoclaving. After the cycle is complete each instrument remains in its individual sealed pouch. We only open pouches when the patient is in the chair and we are about to begin the procedure. 

4. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

We know several dentists that work with patients without masks and sometimes without gloves. And when there is a known HIV positive case or a patient with tuberculosis - they will be scrambling to wear double gloves and double masks. We find that attitude senseless. You can never know what patient is carrying what disease. Not everyone has symptoms. It is better to treat every patient with the same kind of protection and care. This ensures that you contract nothing and you transfer nothing harmful as well. Forget about big diseases - we do not want you to catch even the common cold from us. 

We don't save lives. At least not like heart specialists and surgeons. But we do make a difference. 

However our work will have no meaning if we end up harming or compromising our patients in any way. 

Your health is as important to us as it is to you. 

For more information log on to http://aryasdentalclinic.com/

Is your Dentist using six handed dentistry ?

Imagine a situation like this in your everyday life. You are the master chef standing in front of a stove. You have two sous chefs cutting, chopping, washing, cleaning, broiling - all you need to do is take the items they hand you and put it into the vessel, season it and bring the whole dish together. You decide the time it is to be cooked and the degree. But you don't have to move your eyes away from the stove for even a second unless you wanted to because everything peripheral is being handled by your sous chefs. That is six handed cooking :)

For those of you visiting dentists since years - you will remember the day when for every step the dentist would get up - move around - collect equipment - materials etc. Sometimes he would hold the suction himself with his left hand while working with the right. i.e if there was suction in the first place in the clinic. 

Most dentists would work standing up for the majority of procedures and usually the patient would be seated upright. 

Today working in such a position is almost unheard of. 

Most patients are treated in supine ( lying down) positions and dentists are almost always seated. Working without an assistant is considered ridiculously inconvenient. Dentists usually work with at least 1 assistant - positioned immediately next to him on the patient's left. The assistant's hands along with the doctor's make for 4 hands. However today even this is considered outdated. Most dentists today prefer to work with 2 assistants. If there are 2 assistants - it means 6 hands are all working towards one procedure. 

Most dentists today don't move from their chair. Once seated they position their patients in such a way that maximum visibility and access is achieved while at the same time both doctor and patient are comfortable. The assistants do all the moving about, handing him instruments, materials, holding the suction etc. 

So what's in all this for you? As a patient? 

Why is four handed/six handed dentistry important for the patient? What do you have to gain?

1. Dentistry is faster. With more people helping - the doctor is free to spend all his time on your treatment alone which brings down treatment time rapidly.

2. It is better. Since the doctor is not distracted by small auxiliary procedures - he is able to deliver better service because he can concentrate on the procedure. 

3. Infection control. The doctor does not touch materials/equipment other than those essential to your procedure. The rest are touched/handled by the assistants making transfer of micro-organisms less likely.

If your dentist works uses 6 handed dentistry it means he/she is keeping up with the demands of today's standards of dentistry and is trying to ensure that you get the best possible treatment available ( obviously other factors count too).  

For more information  mail us at drarysclinic@gmail.com

Or check out our website www.aryasdentalcare.com

Dramatic smile Makeovers

The patient was unhappy with the length of her front teeth, the fact that they were protruding out and that there were spaces. She wanted to change her smile and change it fast. In a the space of one day – she walked out of the clinic with a brand new smile that met all her requirements. Here’s to creating confident smiles.

For more information mail us at Smile@aryasdentalclinic.com
Or Log on to www.AryasDentalClinic.com

Ice cream BLUES! :(

Ice cream has always sounded good to us because we have been conditioned from childhood to associate ice cream with a treat for being good. “Finish your homework and you can have ice cream.” “Do well in your exams and you can have chocolate ice cream.” “Oh Oh you fell down? Don’t cry… thats a brave boy…lets go get you some ice cream”  So much so…that even as adults the word ice cream puts a smile on our faces…. So when a situation crops up when we cannot have it like diabetes or teeth sensitivity – it causes what I call as ‘ice cream blues’ 

Perhaps one of the most common complaint that most patients these days have is – teeth sensitivity. Most patients experience it and recognize it for what it is. The unfortunate part is that aggressive TV marketing of sensitivity toothpastes and gels have led to a poor understanding of its treatment. 

Tooth sensitivity is pain/discomfort in a tooth/ teeth, triggered by hot, cold, sweet or sour foods and drinks, or even by breathing cold air. Sensitivity can be caused due to a multitude of reasons:

1. Cavities

2. Gum Disease

3. Wearing away of tooth structure by excessive/improper brushing or excessive acidic beverage intake.

4. Cracked teeth

5. Teeth grinding

Most people today start with a desensitizing paste/gel the moment the first sign of sensitivity appears without a proper diagnosis or a check up. The problem with this approach is that the temporary relief that they may experience leads them to further ignore the problem which might worsen over time. A simple cavity which could have been filled with a quick procedure may later turn into a cavity needing a root canal and several other procedures. 

Just like bad breath – teeth sensitivity does not have quick fix solutions. At least most cases don’t. Consult a dentist before you start anything. If it is a minor problem – it can be nipped in the bud. 

Wouldn’t you like to be that kid again who’s only concern while eating ice cream is which flavor should he get or whether he can have more rather than worry about whether a little ice cream is going to put you in agony again? 

Get yourself checked and treated. Then treat yourself with a little cup of Belgian choco chip ice cream. 

Mail us at draryasclinic@gmail.com for more information.

CEREC magic

Ballet and the Dentist – CEREC

After you have practised a few years – you begin to feel like – you have seen it all and done it all and the rest of the years are going to pass in the same repetitive manner. And then along comes something like CEREC to jolt you right out of that melancholy. The clinic’s CEREC AC and OMNICAM arrived a few days back and it was like christmas had come early this year.

All the doctors at the clinic were like kids left alone at a toy store. The first restoration was designed and milled yesterday and when you see for yourself that restoration being created out of a block of nondescript ceramic in 4 min flat – you suddenly begin to feel a whole new energy course through you. Like you are a fresh pass out – just out of dental school and ready to take on the world.

And forget the doctors – the effect on the patient is incredible too. The first CEREC patient at the clinic could barely contain his glee as the OMNICAM just scanned his teeth and reproduced a digital image on the computer screen. The elimination of physical impressions and all the putty in the mouth is just one of the many things patients would be happy to be rid of.

But when Mr X saw his restoration being milled by the CADCAM machine right in front of him in such a sophisticated manner – he was just blown away.

In a profession which is projected to the general public as a world of injections, discomfort, multiple appointments, terrible tasting materials and a yawn fest – CEREC is like watching a ballerina levitate across a stage. Movements requiring such precision and strength yet performed with such elegance that it draws your eyes and stirs your soul.

Treat yourself to a ballet performance. Get a CEREC restoration.

For more information email us at draryasclinic@gmail.com

Choose a better smile

Have you received the best treatment possible? This is a question every patient must ask themselves.

When we talk about the best treatment possible – we don’t mean whether your dentist did a wonderful RCT or a beautiful crown. What we mean is – Did your dentist see your potential? Did he inform you of everything that COULD be done instead of only what SHOULD be done?

A lot of dental practitioners have blinkers on – just like horses. You tell them you have a tooth hurting and all they see is THAT tooth. There may be stains and tartar all over your mouth which could be easily removed. There may be crooked teeth which could be straightened. There may be big gaps between teeth which could be corrected.

But all they see is THAT ONE TOOTH which they will treat. And you will leave the clinic happy in your ignorance. There could have been so much more done to improve your teeth – health wise and cosmetic value wise.

So in case your dentist is one of those people – YOU take charge. Ask him or her to look at your mouth as a whole. Request him to tell you what is wrong and what is not. What can be improved and what cannot. Then choose. You may choose not to do anything at all or you may like to change a lot of things.

Grasp that power of choice. Make informed decisions.

"We cannot become what we need to be, remaining what we are."

Max Depree

The right way to brush your teeth

A lot of dentists advise you a million odd things. They tell you to get fillings done or scaling/cleaning done. They may tell you that you need teeth replaced. However a great many forget to tell you - that a lot of dental problems can be prevented. A little care, the correct brushing technique and a regular check up can prevent a host of dental disease.

So even if no one has ever explained to you the correct technique - it is never too late to learn.

Here's a link to the correct brushing technique :

Brushing technique


As shown in the video we don't really need fancy brushes and expensive toothpastes. Any brush or paste from a standard company will do the job. All you really need is the correct technique.

Along with the watching the video here is a list of a few things you can do to keep your teeth healthy:

1. Change your brush every three months irrespective of how new it looks
2. You don't need more than a pea sized blob of toothpaste.
3. Press the paste into the brush/or tap the brush so that the paste goes down between the bristles.
4. Do not exert excessive pressure as you can damage your teeth and gums.
5. It is recommended that you use a SOFT bristle brush unless specified by your dentist.
6. Clean your tongue.
7. Massage your gums with your fingers gently.
8. Not all patients require a mouthwash. If you are using one or want to use one - make sure you speak to your dentists about it. OTC mouthwashes are a dime a dozen - some of them have a few side effects. So make sure that you speak to your dentist before using one long term.
9. Flossing is an ideal way to supplement your brushing however if you are not going to do it regularly it doesn't have much value.



So Happy Brushing you pearly whites :)


For more information email us at draryasclinic@gmail.com

Teeth in a day

Everybody is in a hurry these days. We know it by the incessant honking while driving. We see it by the number of traffic signals people break. We sense it when people keep looking at their watches in the middle of a conversation. We read it in the abbreviated smses we receive. 

It doesn't matter what it is that has to be done next. It may not even be significant. The important thing is to finish what we are doing right now and get on with the next thing on the schedule even if it is just driving to the next pan shop and lighting up a cigarette. :)

This perpetual hurrying extends to everything - it even extends to medical and dental treatment. For years these same people may have lived with a broken tooth but when they finally start treatment they want it done in a day. :)

In the past - this blog post may have focussed on patience however with dentistry evolving at the speed that it is we'd much rather focus on the fact that hurrying is now possible. Hurrying WITHOUT compromising on quality. 

Technologies like CEREC are here to save the day and how. Technologies which allow a tooth to be fabricated in a day. Right in front of a patient. No more impression taking and waiting for 4-5 days for the laboratory to send back a crown. Now this can be done chair side. Beautiful esthetic and life like restorations fabricated right beside you. 

People who come into town just for dental treatment will no longer need to keep travelling back and forth or stay at hotels till treatment is completed. They merely take an appointment, come in, get treatment done, and travel back the same day. (Of course this means that consultation either physically or online has been done previously and the plan is in place)

What is more - cosmetic/esthetic cases where the patients don't want to stay 4-5 with temporary teeth in their mouth CEREC will be a godsend. Wait a few hours in the clinic and you walk out with a glowing smile with permanent restorations. 

More and more innovations are directed today at time saving preserving quality at the same time. Single sitting root canals, single sitting crowns, dental implants and a whole host of other treatments done in one sitting. One day. 


We understand the world is running. Dentistry is catching up. 

To know more mail us at draryasclinic@gmail.com 

Open mouths- Closed Minds

I find people are more open minded when visiting beauty parlors than when visiting dentists. 

Sample two conversations :

 Conversation1 :

Beautician: Madam your hair looks dry which can increase hair fall- I suggest you go in for a hair spa treatment.

Lady: Really? Ok – sure. Can we do the first sitting today?

Conversation 2: 

Dentist: Madam you teeth have a lot of stains and tartar which can affect the health of your gums and can cause your teeth to loosen in the long run. I suggest you get a teeth cleaning done.

Lady: Really? But …errrr….no…not now. Anyway I have heard that scaling and polishing causes the enamel to be rubbed off. And it is painful. and it will take long.

  

The list of excuses goes on….

How come we are so closed minded with regard to dental treatment when we are so open minded to everything else.

We color our hair to look younger and do not worry about chemicals.

We apply a million fairness creams and do not worry about side effects. 

We get liposuction done without worrying about morbidity.

And yet – keeping our mouths clean and disease free is fraught with danger? 

If you trust your dentist and he/she is known to be an ethical person then program yourself to get over random newspaper/internet articles which many a time can be misleading without knowing the entire story.

In this age of information overdose it is necessary to sift through the truth, the half truths and the outright lies. Remember – most information on the internet is company/profit driven. (Maybe even this article:))

But make informed decisions based on more than just one piece of information.  Talk to other educated people and and maybe even get a second opinion from another dentist. If everything coincides – maybe you do need that treatment as much or more than you need that hair spa. 

Just because dentists don’t put up hoardings about shiny teeth like the hair salons who put up models with beautiful hair – doesn’t mean that dental care is less important. 

Once last thing – all those hoardings of models with long flowing hair and glowing skin – are they grumpy? Or are they smiling showing their pearly whites?  Well – there is your Advertisement for beautiful teeth. 

Know more at www.aryasdentalcare.com

or email us at draryasclinic@gmail.com

Allergies and your Dental Restorations

I was chatting with a friend a few days back when she mentioned how she recently had to visit a skin doctor due to a severe Nickel allergy. She had put on some artificial jewelry for a performance and it resulted in a severe skin reaction all around her neck.

Many patients are unaware that many artificial caps and crowns made of metal or lined with metal have a nickel component. Since precious alloys are used much less these days - most metal caps/crowns/bridges are made with what is called in local slang - 'white metal'.  White metal would mean combinations of alloys like cobalt -chromium, nickel chromium and/or others.

Nickel is a metal which causes allergies quite frequently. If your wearing artificial jewelry causes skin reactions- there is a likelihood that your gum may react the same way ( though most gum allergies are relatively more subdued than skin reactions). However there is a way to eliminate the use of nickel and those are 'All ceramic crowns'. These basically are crowns which do not have any metal component whatsoever - much less nickel. This means that the surface closest to your gum will be of the same friendly material as the rest of the tooth.

The next time you visit your dentist - ask about metal free crowns. Do remember when a dentist talks about a 'ceramic crown' he most likely means "METAL CERAMIC'. This means the outer layer is ceramic but the part of the crown that touches your tooth and is closest to your gum is METAL. Many patients walk into the clinic and claim that they have ceramic crowns - a simple examination is enough to tell the difference.

Another common mistake or misunderstanding is with the term - "METAL FREE crowns". Again - metal free does not necessarily mean ALL CERMIC. It may mean Acrylic (PLASTIC) which is neither long lasting nor as friendly to your gum as an all ceramic.

Understand the difference. Ask for an ALL CERAMIC crown. Most dentists have samples crowns in their offices. You can see the difference for yourself.


Find out more at www.aryasdentalcare.com or email us at draryasclinic@gmail.com

Myths and Facts about Professional tooth cleaning

On an average every other patient who comes in to see a dentist requires some degree of professional tooth cleaning. But from experience we have seen that most patients baulk at the idea. The reason being all kinds of beliefs right from 'my enamel will wear off to loosening of teeth.'

We have one answer for all the non believers.

"We ensure that we undergo scaling and polishing ourselves twice a year every year. If there were so many side effects of scaling - do you really think we would subject ourselves voluntarily ?"

Before and after scaling

So lets take a look at the myths and lets shatter them.

MYTH I: Scaling makes teeth loose

FACT I : SCALING MAY ACTUALLY HELP YOUR TEETH BE MORE STRONGLY HELD BY THE SURROUNDING GUMS AND BONE

Have you undergone an extraction or watched a tooth being removed? It requires considerable amount of leverage and force to pull out a firm tooth. Even a tooth which is relatively loose requires some degree of pressure. So do you really think that ultrasonic scaling, in which the tip is barely touching your teeth for a few seconds at a time, can cause tooth loosening?

So why do teeth feel a little loose after scaling? When tartar(calculus) accumulates around your teeth over time, it causes gum disease which in turn causes bone loss and tooth weakening. However because the tartar is so tightly stuck around your teeth- they feel firm. When we remove the stuff thats holding them together - naturally they will be loose. The tartar made them loose and then held them together ironically. So a lot of patients say - at least its holding them together so why not leave it in? The reason is - the longer the tartar is in your mouth - the disease is continuing to progress. The gum bleeding, bad breath continues. Therefore to stop the disease it is essential to remove the cause.

In fact after the gum heals a couple of weeks later - the teeth may actually feel firmer.

MYTH II:  Scaling make teeth sensitive

FACT II: SCALING MAY ACTUALLY PREVENT TEETH SENSITIVITY IN THE LONG RUN BY PREVENTING GUM RECESSION AND INFLAMMATION

Imagine you are wearing a jacket/shawl in the winter and suddenly you are asked to remove it. Wouldn't it make you cold for a few minutes at least till you adjust to the temperature? It would, wouldn't it? Now imagine your teeth wearing a jacket of tartar for weeks and months and all of a sudden you remove it. Wouldn't it take your teeth a few days at least to adjust to the new temperatures? It doesn't mean they have become sensitive - they just need time to recover.

Of course scaling done by untrained hands/outdated machinery can cause prolonged sensitivity. So choose your dentist well.

MYTH III: Scaling and polishing is a cosmetic procedure

FACT III: SCALING IS NECESSARY FOR GUM HEALTH - THEREFORE IT IS NOT MERELY COSMETIC BUT THERAPEUTIC

The cosmetic aspect of scaling ( the removal of stains to make teeth look whiter) is a pleasant side effect. Actually scaling is important for its therapeutic uses. Scaling is essential for gum health. The removal of local irritants improves gum health, increases tooth support, decreases bad breath and gum bleeding.

MYTH IV: Scaling increases gaps/spaces between teeth

FACT IV: BY PREVENTING BONE LOSS AND GUM DISEASE SCALING MAY PREVENT OPENING UP OF GAPS (caused by weakened periodontium leading to pathologic migration)

Like we said before it is not possible to physically move teeth with a scaler. Moreover enamel cannot be cut with this machine either. Therefore obviously scaling cannot cause spacing. Then why do spaces appear post scaling sometime?The gaps exist from much before - however the teeth being covered by yellowish tooth colored tartar - it appears as if there are no spaces. The moment the disease causing tartar is removed - the spaces reappear. 

MYTH V: If there is no problem/symptom one does not require scaling

FACT V: ALMOST EVERYONE REQUIRES SCALING - AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR

The unfortunate part about gum disease is that it almost never pains. There are very few symptoms (like bleeding gums/pus discharge) and often they are mild enough to be missed completely by the patient. So why wait till the disease is so severe that your teeth begin to shake? Besides what is the harm in going for a regular cleaning once every year - definitely only something better can come out of it. 

So now what do you want to believe? Rumors spread by people who know only half the story or Facts backed by scientific evidence??

Value your smile. It is worth more than most other possessions. 

Write to us for more information at Smile@aryasdentalclinic.com or visit our website http://www.aryasdentalclinic.com

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

A great many people are of the opinion that nothing needs to be done after they lose(or extract) a tooth.

We all remember Ed Helms from the Hangover with his missing front tooth. Of course most people don't ignore a missing front tooth but if it is a back tooth which does not show in their smile line - they tend to ignore it completely - sometimes for years together.

So Does it really matter if you don't replace a missing tooth?

The answer is yes. It does. You know how you throw a stone in the water and it causes a ripple? That ripple propagates and causes another one and another one - till the water all around is disturbed. Removing a tooth and then not replacing it is like setting off a similar chain reaction.


The human body hates empty space. If there is one - it will most times try to fill it up with something. In the case of a space caused by a missing tooth - the remaining teeth will move to fill it up.

So what can be the sequelae to an unreplaced missing tooth? 

1. Change in teeth position: Teeth drift, tilt and extrude. Upper teeth come down, lower teeth come up, back teeth tilt/move forward. This causes a significant change in the bite.

       (Image credit: http://www.wqgebeaudental.com/bridges/)

2. Food lodgment: Also due to uneven contacts, open spaces and tilted teeth - food lodgment increases which leads to secondary conditions like cavities and gum disease.

3. Loss of chewing ability: When you lose one tooth and don't replace it - you effectively lose TWO teeth. Because the tooth opposing the space has no tooth to bite down on - therefore it too is now rendered useless.

4. Unfair loading: Imagine a well built man carrying a sack of potatoes and all of a sudden he dumps the sack on a five year old. Aren't his knees going to buckle under the load? (thats a different matter that school children these days carry the equivalent of a sack of potatoes - but we will leave that for a separate discussion:)) Many patients lose several back teeth and for years manage with their front teeth. However front teeth are not meant for chewing. They cannot handle that kind of load. This leads to loosening or wear of these teeth and their ultimate loss.


5. Uneven loading: Think about a Horse carriage that is supposed to be drawn by two horses. If one horse is removed - all the load falls on the other in a very awkward way. If this same horse is positioned in the centre it might be able to draw the carriage better. But it is not. It is to the side and the forces on it - are off centre. It is bound to be fatigued earlier.With loss of teeth on one side - patients tend to be partial to the other leading to undue load on those teeth due to unilateral chewing.

All of the above sequelae occur over a few months to years. Most patients are not even aware that any change is occurring. And every passing year makes the situation a wee bit more difficult to correct.


With so many predictable techniques of tooth replacement available like dental implants or bridges - there is no reason why anyone should be without teeth.

Invest in your smile. Invest a little money and a little time. Like L'oreal says - "Because you are worth it" :)

Mail us at draryasclinic@gmail.com
or Log on to www.aryasdentalclinic.com