Sometimes it is simply not possible to save a tooth and it has to be removed. This is called extraction. The most common causes are advanced tooth decay that should have been treated sooner but can also come about by damage caused by an accident or by ageing, amongst other things.

Extraction is a fairly straightforward dental procedure. Your dentist first numbs the area surrounding the tooth so as to minimize discomfort. A small amount of bleeding is normal and you will be given a mouthwash to rinse with. The bleeding usually stops very quickly.

Your dentist will advise you on any special oral hygiene steps to follow. Some extractions do not need any special care but this simple guide is suitable in most cases

• Rinse your mouth gently for the first few days
• Some selling is normal but if it persists or if soreness is acute then consult with your dentist
• Painkillers can help if you are experiencing soreness
• Don’t smoke or chew your food vigorously.
• Sometimes drinking through a straw for a day may help
• Your dentist may suggest eating soft food for a number of days.
• Take care when brushing to avoid the area where the extraction too place

Your dentist will always be there to provide any follow-up care you may need.

Everyone wants a Hollywood smile and tooth whitening, or dental bleaching, is a common and acceptable way of restoring or enhancing the natural color of your teeth. Yellowing is part of the aging process and it is possible to reverse or diminish that undesirable effect.

Because there are so many products and techniques that you can use yourself at home, the sheer number and variety of options on the market is confusing to say the least. That's one good reason why your best starting point is to discuss teeth whitening with your dentist first. Your dentist will not be familiar with every single treatment on offer on the shelves of your local drugstore but seeking specialist advice is simply a common sense way to start your search.

Your dentist knows that whitening may not be effective on all teeth, depending on the discoloration. The best results can be achieved with teeth that are naturally aged or yellowing, while teeth that are stained brown may not whiten as well and those with a gray appearance may not respond at all. Also, any previous treatments that left filler or other dental substances exposed will not be whitened and may require some cosmetic treatment so that they do not stand out. Again, let your dentist advise you.

Here are some of the methods for teeth whitening that you can consider:

Your dentist can probably perform the entire whitening procedure, called chairside bleaching, in one visit. Fist, your dentist will protect your gums and mouth either by using a rubber shield or by applying a protective gel. Then the whitening, or bleaching, substance is applied to your teeth and your dentist may use a special light or a laser to activate the bleaching agent.

Toothpaste that claims to whiten your teeth can only affect surface stains, which is a good thing in any case. They do not change the color of your teeth. These usually contain substances to help remove stains and add polish to your tooth surfaces. They must undergo tests by the ADA if they wish to obtain the Seal of Approval

Always look for ADA approved products, whether they be toothpastes or whiteners. That in itself gives you reassurance that the products meet a set of basic minimum safety and health standards.

Removable replacement teeth are called dentures. They are another dental prosthetic that have several purposes - to restore normal chewing action, enable regular speech and enhance the appearance of the wearer. Nothing boosts self-confidence like getting your smile back.

More than just restoring a smile, dentures contribute to restoring facial features too. Loss of several or all teeth results in sagging of the cheeks and face in general. Dentures reverse this effect and literally take years off the appearance of the wearer.

Dentures themselves are nothing new. They have been around in one form or another for hundreds of years. Probably the most famous historical figure known to have worn dentures was President George Washington. So modern day denture wearers are in proud company indeed.

However, there is no comparison with the quality and comfort of dentures even 50 years ago when compared with today’s equivalents. Breakthroughs in materials, tools and techniques mean that today’s denture wearers enjoy a high degree of comfort and confidence compared with their forebears.

There are three main types of dentures:

Removable partial – Removable partial dentures, or RPDs, are suitable for patients who wish to replace several missing teeth but for whom a bridge is not appropriate. This might be because there are not enough suitable teeth to act as supports for a fixed partial denture (bridge) or perhaps for personal reasons such as cost.

They are called removable partial dentures because the patient can take them out and replace them as required, unaided. On the other hand, it requires a dentist to remove fixed dentures.

Immediate dentures - are made before any remaining teeth are extracted and can be fitted during the same visit as the final extractions. As the gums and tissues heal, their shape may alter and so some follow up visits may be required to adjust the denture accordingly.

Complete denture – this conventional removable denture often replaces an entire set of upper or lower teeth. It cannot be fitted until gums and tissues have healed where extractions may have been required, which may take a few months.

Overdenture – is similar to a bridge in that the false teeth can be anchored in place in scenarios where some teeth do not need to be extracted. The surviving teeth support the structure of the denture. This may be a more appropriate procedure than implants but your dentist will advise you on the best approach.

Just like new shoes, it may take some time for your mouth, cheeks and tongue to become accustomed to, and comfortable with, your new dentures. This is perfectly normal. You may also experience minor discomfort, especially if your gums are tender. It is not unusual to temporarily experience increased saliva too. All these effects will subside over time but be sure to consult with your dentist if you feel that the discomfort or soreness is excessive or prolonged.

Dental Health for denture wearers:

Oral hygiene is just as important for denture wearers as it is for everybody else. In fact, you need to take extra care to stimulate your gums when brushing before inserting your dentures. It is important to brush not only your gums, but also your tongue and cheeks as well as the roof of your mouth. Use a soft toothbrush to remove all traces of food from these areas as well as to prevent plaque.

• Dentures need cleaning at least twice daily, just like regular teeth do.
• Rinse your dentures under cold running water first, to remove any loose food particles.
• Brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and a recommended cleaner, which also helps prevent staining.
• Then clean your mouth thoroughly, brushing all around your tongue, cheeks, roof of your mouth and your gums to remove any food particles and plaque.
• Thorough cleansing of your mouth helps remove the bacteria that can cause infection and bad breath.
• Store your dentures in water when you are not wearing them to keep them supple and prevent warping.
• Ask your dentist for advice on the most suitable type of fixative or adhesive to help keep your dentures in place. There are many types and brands available and some may be more suitable than others.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups just as you would have done before you got your dentures.

With a little care and common sense, and regular visits to your dentist, your dentures should be comfortable and long lasting for many years.

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A dental implant is simply a metal post that your dentist inserts into the bone so that it then supports some prosthetic upper fitment such as a crown. The great benefit of dental implants is that they are every bit as strong and resilient as the teeth they replace and should last a lifetime.

The reason dental implants are so strong is because of a process called osseointegration. The old Latin word for bone was “os”, so you may guess that osseointegration is the natural process whereby the bone fuses tightly and bonds with metals like titanium and also certain ceramics. This mimics the fusion of your original tooth roots with your jawbone and provides an extremely robust and long lasting foundation.

When it comes to assessing a patient for suitability for a dental implant, your dentist will first try to establish the patient’s level of general health. Health, rather than age, is a governing factor. This is because some ailments are known to retard or even prevent the healing and regenerative process that is required for successful osseointegration.

Patients suffering from leukemia, diabetes, or who practice poor oral hygiene or who are heavy smokers - these are far more likely to develop a gum disease that can threaten the stability of implants. Other health factors such as osteoporosis or prolonged use of steroids can increase the risk of failure.

Inserting a dental implant typically involves these steps:

First your dentist assesses your dental suitability to ensure that neighboring teeth allow sufficient space for the implant to be inserted.  Then the implant is inserted as a minor surgical procedure.

There may be a period of time that must elapse to allow the implant to bed in and for the process of osseointegration to take hold. This depends on the patient’s bone density and other factors but can be as long as, say, three months. In other cases, no waiting period is required and the crowns or other prosthetic devices can be applied to the implant during the same visit.

Finally, the replacement tooth crown or bridge will be fitted on top of the implant. There is usually a waiting period while these are made up, with care being taken to ensure a good aesthetic match of color and shape with the patient’s existing teeth. Your dentist will fit a temporary crown over the implant while your permanent replacements are being made up. This is to bot cover and protect the implant and bone and also to enable you to lead a normal life during the intervening period.

The concept of using dental implants is nothing new. Archaeologists have discovered simple implants in the dental remains of people from 2,000 years ago! But they became really popular since the mid 1960s with the discovery of titanium as a perfect metal for osseointegration. Nowadays, both the materials and the techniques are extremely advanced such that dental implants are an everyday procedure. Your dentist will be happy to discuss their suitability for your condition and advice on the best choices.