I have no dental problems, should I visit a dentist even then? Why?

Regular dental check-ups help us to diagnose any new cavity that is developing. Early diagnosis helps to stop the growth at the initial stage, thus preventing it from getting deeper and painful. This also eliminates the possible need of a root canal treatment in the later stages of the cavity.

My dentist had shown me a few cavities in my teeth but they don’t hurt me. Should I get these cavities filled? What happens if I get them filled at a later stage?

The treatment options open for you today (such as filling the cavity) may not be open for you tomorrow, when the cavity is at a more advanced stage. The longer you delay, the more painful and complex treatment options you are left to choose from, such as a root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth.

Cavity filling in the initial stages is painless as enamel drilling causes no sensation or pain. It also involves far less drilling and very little loss of natural tooth structure.

Second layer cavity drilling is slightly sensitive and more loss of the natural tooth structure occurs.

If the cavity reaches the third layer, which is the nerve layer, one has to undergo root canal treatment which is both time consuming and expensive, as compared to cavity fillings.

I had some pain in my tooth and my dentist told me to go for a root canal treatment but after taking medicines, my pain has subsided. Should I still get the root canal treatment done? What if I choose not to?

Medicines, most of which include painkillers, subside the pain and swelling temporarily. The decay and infection, however, may spread deeper from the tooth to the adjacent two teeth as well. The infected tooth may even break from within leaving no option but to extract the tooth and replace it. The extraction and replacement process shall require more time, money and energy, in comparison to a single tooth root canal treatment with a single cap.

Everyday morning when I brush my teeth, I notice some bleeding. Is this common or unusual?

Bleeding gums are not a healthy sign. This is a sign of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) which leads to bad breath and bad taste in the mouth and if not treated at an early stage, poses a risk of further damage to the jaw bone, causing loose and shaky teeth including pus discharge from the gums.

My teeth are too yellow. Can I have teeth that look as white and glamorous as of those of film stars and celebrities?

Yes, anyone can have bright white teeth if they wish to. Depending on the intensity of your yellowness and the cause of it, you can have white teeth by any one of the following treatment options:

  1. Bleaching
  2. Veneers
  3. Cappings
When I smile, my gums jet out. Can anything be done to achieve a million-dollar-smile?

You can consult a periodontist for gum treatments. The periodontist will help you choose from treatment options that will involve slicing the margins of your gums, to give your smile a more pleasing look.

I have multiple dental problems but I am too scared to sit on a dental chair. Is there any other easy, fearless treatment modality for patients like me?

Yes, we understand that some patients may feel threatened or afraid of clinics and hospitals. Though we have facilities to help the patient feel most at ease, some patients still feel fearful. This is not a subject of concern at all in the present day, as you can now choose to have any dental treatment done under conscious sedation (sleeping condition) in the clinic. This is a safe option of treatment and does not require admission in a hospital.

My front teeth cavity fillings always become yellow after every 3 months, is there any permanent solution for it, it’s too embarrassing for me to have ugly looking front teeth?

Fillings on the front teeth may be changing its colour due to your food colours and stains, permanent solution for this would be to go for the Capping or Veneers.

I have metal caps and old, black silver fillings in my teeth. Can I change those caps and fillings to new, tooth-coloured caps and fillings?

Yes, you can opt for ceramic fillings or caps which are of the same shade as your teeth. This will also makes them look more natural and thus help in enhancing your smile.

My mother has loose fitting dentures and she cannot eat her food inspite of me taking her to many dentists. Can I get fixed dentures for her?

Your mother can have relining done with her existing dentures. If, even after this procedure, she feels unable to eat with the dentures, she can opt for Implants, where her dentures will be fixed onto the jaw bone with a magnetic ball and socket method.

My father has multiple missing teeth but he does not want to extract the remaining few of his natural teeth and root pieces. Can still he have a denture or fixed teeth made for himself?

Yes, your father can have a denture made over the existing root pieces. Ideally, it’s always better to extract the root pieces and make a denture after 4 to 6 weeks but, if he is too scared of extraction, you can smoothen the existing root pieces up to the gum level and make a denture.

Is extraction of all teeth the only solution for Pyorrhoea, even in the present day? Can Pyorrhoea be prevented and controlled?

Extraction of all teeth was a thing of the past, when it comes to pyorrhea. Today, pyorrhoea can be detected at an early stage and can be treated by:

  1. Scaling and root planning
  2. Flap surgery followed by medications, mouthwashes, vitamins and regular teeth and gum cleaning.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene is the best way to ensure all teeth and gum problems are prevented. Visit your dentist to know what all you can do to maintain the best oral hygiene.

I want to opt for braces but I am 35 years old, can I still have orthodontic (braces) treatment done, which will not be visible?

Yes, nowadays you have an option of invisible braces, which cannot be seen.

Dental treatment has become too expensive lately. Why? What should the middle class do to have good sterile dental treatment, as we cannot go to municipal and government hospitals?

Dental treatment has become expensive because of the innovative latest technology, usage of imported equipment and materials. You always have the option of good and hygienic charitable clinics to avail of quality dental treatment, without any compromise on hygiene.

My wisdom tooth is crooked and decayed. It has spoilt my adjacent tooth as well, but I am too scared of extraction. Is there any alternative solution?

Get root canal treatment done for your adjacent tooth, instead of extracting it. Your wisdom tooth can be extracted under conscious sedation (sleeping condition) if you are too scared of dental treatment. It is a safe procedure and does not require hospital admission.

If I want root canal treatment done in a single visit, is it possible?

Yes, it is possible. It is done by an endodontist who specialises in performing root canal treatment in single sitting with their latest specialized instruments & technique. Root Canal opening, cleaning & filling the canals – all the 3 steps of root canal are completed in the same visit.