Team-BHP - Calling doctors/dentists/specialists on Team-BHP to provide free consultations

Are there any medical professionals on this forum? If so please post. Atleast our members can get a free consultation here!

Strictly no soliciting clients though!!!

My scope of specialization:
General Dentistry
Gum Disease (periodontology/ periodontist): involves treating loose teeth, bleeding gums, bone grafting, gum grafting, etc.
Implantology: replace missing teeth
Sports Dentistry

@MODS: if you consider this a waste of server space or inappropriate please delete. I'm just trying to provide free community service and patient education here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan (Post 1088988)

Ok tejas, here comes your fist opportunity at social service :D

How do smokers get rid of the 'tan' on their teeth and get them to be 'pearl white' again?

And yes, please don't say that the best way is to stop smoking

Cheers,

Ha ha ha... I'm a smoker as well so won't give you that advice!

You need to just go in for a scaling to your dentist every 3 months.

The fancy smokers toothpastes and the ones with granules cause more harm to teeth by wearing off the enamel and causing sensitivity of teeth in the future due to prolonged usage. So they are a strict no no.

Same goes for bleaching of teeth. unless your teeth are highly discoloured and you are in a PR business, avoid bleaching cause this causes severe dehydration of teeth, leads to sensitivity and will come back to near original shade in a year anyways.

So best in your case is to just get three monthly scalings. Should cost between Rs. 500-1500 depending on your dentist and will be done in a single 30 minute appointment.

EDIT: the hardness of your toothbrush will not increase the cleaning efficiency. Always use a soft brush. hard bristles cause a lot of problems of sensitivity, eroding the enamel and recession of gum line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl (Post 1089010)

... You need to just go in for a scaling to your dentist every 3 months.

...and will be done in a single 30 minute appointment.

Good man. Haven't been to a dentist almost ever. (I don't know if other t-bhpians are like me or they visit the dentist regularly)

So this scaling is done on both the outside and inside of the teeth. right?
And this will make the teeth 'milky white' like those of Bollywood heroins :D

So this means that all those HLL/Colgate toothpaste which advertise about teeth whitening crystals/granules & shade cards and what not etc etc are all loads of bull --- ?

Cheers,

About 5-6 years ago, I had root canals on two of my molars and subsequently crowns were fitted. On the inner side, i.e. towards the tongue, the crowns seem to be a bit larger than the underlying shaved tooth. Either that, or the open side of the crown is frayed. This causes particles to lodge in the gap, so inspite of rinsing adequately after meals, I have to resort to brushing also. Advice in this regard has ranged from "get the crowns removed and get better fitting ones", to "crowns are hard to remove, dont try it", to "get some filling material shoved into the existing crown's gap". What would be the easiest course of action?

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan (Post 1089021)

Yes. Both inside(tongue side) and outside(cheek side).

It'll just get back to your original shade or 10% darker than before. it's done with a ultrasonic scaler which is basically a machine that has a tip that vibrates/oscillates at a very high frequency and physically removes the tar/stains.

Yes, those ads of granules, salts and people opening soft drinks with their teeth after using a particular brand of paste are total bull! Either use colgate total or pepsodent G. both are competing companies and i am not being paid by either to promote them.

Quote:

Originally Posted byBass&Trouble
About 5-6 years ago, I had root canals on two of my molars and subsequently crowns were fitted. On the inner side, i.e. towards the tongue, the crowns seem to be a bit larger than the underlying shaved tooth. Either that, or the open side of the crown is frayed. This causes particles to lodge in the gap, so inspite of rinsing adequately after meals, I have to resort to brushing also. Advice in this regard has ranged from "get the crowns removed and get better fitting ones", to "crowns are hard to remove, dont try it", to "get some filling material shoved into the existing crown's gap". What would be the easiest course of action?

Don't look for easiest course of action. Look for best and long lasting course of action.

Best is to get the crown removed and a new one put.
Crowns can be removed easily with care by an experienced professional without any damage to the underlying tooth. Crowns need to be cut through to be removed rather than pulled out of the teeth which would cause damage or fracture of the said tooth.
"shoving" material into a crown gap is a stop gap arrangement, it's like sticking duct-tape to a torn silencer.

faulty crowns will lead to gum loss and soon bone loss and result in loosening of your tooth within 5-8years leading to extractions. So my advice, change it within the next 6-8months.

Good initiative! I am a smoker too and have to go for the bi-annual scaling and polishing regime.

I had a root canal once and was to fly back to Dubai so could not get the crown fitted. Miraculosuly, the tooth has survived and its been functioning normally. This was about an year ago. However, going by my Dentist's advice, I think I should go for the crown now.

Could you suggest me which would be the best material for crown? Metal/Porcelain/Semi porcelain? Also, what are the expected costs for the same?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl (Post 1088972)

Excellent initiative tejas. Certainly not a waste of space. This could be really handy thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi (Post 1089126)

I think I should go for the crown now.

Could you suggest me which would be the best material for crown? Metal/Porcelain/Semi porcelain? Also, what are the expected costs for the same?

Yes, you better go in for a crown before the tooth cracks. Root canal treated teeth tend to become brittle and must be crowned soon. A fractured tooth is very difficult to treat and may need to be removed. So better safe than sorry.

Which crown depends on your priorities and budget:

options from best to last:

Zirconium crowns - best aesthetics, not recommended for people who grind/clench their teeth. Cost per unit: 10K to 24k

All ceramic crowns - very good aesthetics and again not for grinders. Cost per unit: 8K-15k

Metal with full ceramic cover: most popular. good aesthetics, not recommended for front teeth since not translucent. Grinders may have to replace 5-8yearly. Cost per unit:4k-8k

Metal with ceramic facing: average aesthetics for back teeth use. Used in patients with budget restrictions and severe grinders. Cost per unit:3k-6k

full metal: hardly used since zero aesthetics. for budget conscious patients. Cost per unit:1k-2k

Acrylic crowns: though white in colour, poor aesthetics and brittle. Used as temporary crowns and in budget conscious patient.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass&Trouble (Post 1089165)

Can this be expected to be painful?

Since the root canal was done, and if properly done, there will be no pain whatsoever. Be sure to ask your dentist for an immediate temporary crown to be fixed before your final one comes from the lab. Temporary crowns are made chairside and you should never leave with a cut unexposed tooth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatherlover (Post 1089221)

Any suggestion for good dentist in Bangalore?

I don't want to recommend anyone, least i get into trouble for advertising for colleagues on the forum. Ask your friends for recommendations in bangy. I'll be glad to give a second opinion here on what your dentist advices though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover (Post 1089223)

Excellent initiative tejas. Certainly not a waste of space. This could be really handy thread.

Thanks. Other docs please register. This is turning into a dental thread!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k (Post 1089434)

from my experience: after scaling, at least for a day or two, taking hot or cold food send shivers up the tooth. don't do it when you are expected to go for a feast.

That's because your dentist hasn't given you a fluoride rinse after scaling. As a norm, after scaling we tell patients to gargle a few times with a fluoride mouthwash to eliminate this possibility. In cases where the person is extremely sensitive while scaling itself, we apply a fluoride gel for 5 minutes after scaling. This takes care of all grievances.