[harry10]

Originally Posted by binz

Dr.Tejas please do elaborate

Thanks and with that could you also elaborate how is orthodontic treatment done?

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by binz

Dr.Tejas please do elaborate

Please call me Tejas, no dr.

As a rule, dark skinned people have white teeth and fair individuals have yellower teeth. Remember that.

We always observe people around us and know what are the general teeth colors. Now if you think that your teeth are atleast 7 times darker than what you think they should be, then consider going in for bleaching. Otherwise just go in for scaling and polishing.

Hope it answers your question. Please ask again if not.

Originally Posted by harry10

Thanks and with that could you also elaborate how is orthodontic treatment done?

Always get ortho treatment by an orthodontist only. In layman's terms, this is the process: First your teeth models are made and x-rays taken and a decision is reached on how badly your teeth are crooked (outta of the arch as docs say). Then a treatment plan is made. The treatment involves several phases which includes gluing on (bonding) metal or ceramic brackets on front teeth and bands on back teeth. A wire is then strung across these and forces are applied to straighten and align teeth. Time depends on the degree of crookedness of your teeth and density of your bone. More crookedness and dense bone, more time. treatment time can range anywhere from 6months to 3years.

[harry10]

Thanks Tejas. Is the ortho treatment painful and uncomfortable (as 6 months to 3 years is a very long time)
Also how much time scaling and polishing consumes?
Could you also give me the rough estimate of price involved for both ortho treatment and scaling and polishing?

As a rule, dark skinned people have white teeth and fair individuals have yellower teeth. Remember that.
Guess that explains my yellower one

[binz]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Please call me Tejas, no dr.

As a rule, dark skinned people have white teeth and fair individuals have yellower teeth. Remember that.

We always observe people around us and know what are the general teeth colors. Now if you think that your teeth are atleast 7 times darker than what you think they should be, then consider going in for bleaching. Otherwise just go in for scaling and polishing.

Hope it answers your question. Please ask again if not.

The first part is something i didn't know,thanks!
But my question was actually towards the after effects.A year back a dentist at St.johns here said that bleaching is not a permanent solution and has to be redone every 6months causing the enamel to slowly get destroyed.

I didnt ask her what would happen if one got the bleaching done once and then took absolute care in maintaining it.(I.e. Brushing twice a day,with proper technique etc)

[khan_sultan]

Tejas: What about these chewing gums like 'Orbit, happydent etc etc..' Some of them even claim to be approved by the Indian Dental Association. They claim to help fight tooth decay & even whiten teeth.

[DCEite]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Tejas: What about these chewing gums like 'Orbit, happydent etc etc..' Some of them even claim to be approved by the Indian Dental Association. They claim to help fight tooth decay & even whiten teeth.

My local dentist is strictly against any chewing gum/buble gums.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by harry10

Thanks Tejas. Is the ortho treatment painful and uncomfortable (as 6 months to 3 years is a very long time)
Also how much time scaling and polishing consumes?
Could you also give me the rough estimate of price involved for both ortho treatment and scaling and polishing?

NO its not painful. Initial discomfort may be there for a few days but you'll get used to it. Lingual braces (inside braces) are also available if you are embarrassed to wear normal ones. Cost range from types of braces (metal/ceramic/lingual) to your dentist and his experience. Anywhere from 25000 to 125000....

Depending on the deposits on your teeth scaling can take 30 mins to an hour and a half spread over either one sitting upto three. Costs vary from dentist to dentist and how bad your teeth are. 500-1500.

Originally Posted by binz

The first part is something i didn't know,thanks!
But my question was actually towards the after effects.A year back a dentist at St.johns here said that bleaching is not a permanent solution and has to be redone every 6months causing the enamel to slowly get destroyed.

I didnt ask her what would happen if one got the bleaching done once and then took absolute care in maintaining it.(I.e. Brushing twice a day,with proper technique etc)

A one time bleaching will not do any harm. Enamel is not worn off significantly (it happens in microns) but gets porous and you need to be on a "white diet" for a week to prevent staining of this porous enamel until it gets back to normal.

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Tejas: What about these chewing gums like 'Orbit, happydent etc etc..' Some of them even claim to be approved by the Indian Dental Association. They claim to help fight tooth decay & even whiten teeth.

Originally Posted by DCEite

My local dentist is strictly against any chewing gum/buble gums.

You can chew sugar free gums like orbit or happy dent. Others are no no cause they are sugared.

These basically simulate saliva secretion which acts as a buffer and neutralizes the pH from acidic to neutral and also the increased saliva will wash away the food stuck in your teeth. Alternatively you can gargle well after meals or look at a sexy car or other photo and drool to cause the same desired effect.

[binz]

Thank you.You're a Godsend!

[kuttapan]

Tejas, thank you for the tips, really appreciate the advice. I think general advice on an internet forum is OK, as long as no one is under the illusion that he is being treated for a specific case.

Originally Posted by carfreak

My area of specialisation is psychiatry guys!!anyone interested for a free consult??confidentiality will be strictly maintained

Carfreak, let me take you on. Others, please stop reading this post here<THIS IS PRIVATE !!!>


























<I told you to stop reading. Go to the next post>



















<Aaargh, I see that you guys are adamant. Ok, then !>

I occassionally hallucinate that I am a race car driver, talk to Schumacher about my technique, car setup etc. Is this normal? If not, what is the solution ?

[carfreak]

Originally Posted by kuttapan

Tejas, thank you for the tips, really appreciate the advice. I think general advice on an internet forum is OK, as long as no one is under the illusion that he is being treated for a specific case.



Carfreak, let me take you on. Others, please stop reading this post here<THIS IS PRIVATE !!!>


























<I told you to stop reading. Go to the next post>



















<Aaargh, I see that you guys are adamant. Ok, then !>

I occassionally hallucinate that I am a race car driver, talk to Schumacher about my technique, car setup etc. Is this normal? If not, what is the solution ?

Oh thats simple-you can drop in to manipal where i am for 'shock therapy'!!only the equipment charge will be levied!!

[Guite]

Thanks Tejas for initiating this thread, its just what I have been looking for. About six months back I visited a dentist, had scaling done (for 1500+ bucks ), complained about sensitive teeth and gap between teeth. So my questions are:
1. Can scaling remove tooth enamel? I seem to notice more gaps after the scaling.
2. What's the long term solution or cure for teeth sensitivity? Upon that doctor's advice I am using Colgate Sensitive but I want better solution.
3. What are the solutions available for gap between teeth? It makes eating chicken difficult and also gives rise to mouth odour. So I am eager to know what choice of solutions are available.

Cheers,
Guite

[Rehaan]

Hi Tejas,

This thread seems to be going well! Great job.
As others have expressed concern, please dont hesitate to say "I can't tell online, please go see a dentist."

And for the members - it would be best to treat this as a discussion amongst friends and not a substitute for a visit to the doctor.

-------------

My Q:

I've heard from many dentists that they can clearly tell the superiour dental hygene when patients who have been using an electric toothbrush come in for a visit. Is this true? (Im assuming that a motor scrubbing and 1000s of RPM is definitely better than a hand at about 100-200RPM right?)

But, are there any ill effects of using an electric toothbrush?

Thanks,
R

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Guite

1. Can scaling remove tooth enamel? I seem to notice more gaps after the scaling.
2. What's the long term solution or cure for teeth sensitivity? Upon that doctor's advice I am using Colgate Sensitive but I want better solution.
3. What are the solutions available for gap between teeth? It makes eating chicken difficult and also gives rise to mouth odour. So I am eager to know what choice of solutions are available.

1) NO. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body. Very difficult to remove with an ordinary scaler. Scaling does not cause gaps. You may have had tarter which has slowly caused your gums to shrink and this tartar grows and takes up its place. It also acts as a cement to keep two teeth joined together. So when the dentist does scaling and removes this tartar, the patient says scaling caused gaps in my teeth. Even since the tartar which acted as a cement is now gone, your teeth appear to shake, but that's not because of scaling, they always were mobile. Give it a few weeks and it should come back to normal.

2) Use this paste called EMOFORM. Works wonders. Available at good chemists only. As a rule for all desensitizing pastes, after brushing, let the paste remain on the teeth for 15-20 seconds before rinsing.

3) There are many solutions from crowns to surgery. Depends on case to case. Just don't ask your dentist to do a filling in that area to close the gaps. It's very damaging in the long run. Unfortunately, i can't suggest a treatment option without looking. Carry a toothpick and gargle after meals.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Rehaan

I've heard from many dentists that they can clearly tell the superiour dental hygene when patients who have been using an electric toothbrush come in for a visit. Is this true? (Im assuming that a motor scrubbing and 1000s of RPM is definitely better than a hand at about 100-200RPM right?)

But, are there any ill effects of using an electric toothbrush?

This is why electric brushes are better:

A normal toothbrush is approximately covers 2-3 teeth when held vertically. Normally, we are supposed to brush atleast 30 seconds per quadrant (if you divide the mouth into 4 halves). That's two minutes and i'm sure no one does that.
The head of an electric brush covers only one tooth and even if we touch each tooth surface for 2 seconds min, we achieve a better cleaning efficiency compared to the regular brush where we are not that particular.
Hope this answers your question. There is no direct relation to rpm other than this reason. Again the method in which the brush is held is also vitally important.

As for ill effects, any brush, manual or powered will cause wearing of enamel and recession of gums if used with great pressure instead of a light touch. Even brushes with bent & worn out bristles cause this problem since the flexibility of a bristle is directly proportional to its length. Bend bristles have half the length, therefore less flexible, thus more pressure is applied.

EDIT: always use a soft brush

[Guite]

Dear Tejas, thank you very much for the response. I will try Emoform as suggested. I was in Vashi till one year back, if I were still there I would have come to consult you, even if you are at Worli or someplace like that.